May 2025
Dear P.S. 115Q Community,
Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho is an encouraging story that enlightens us about being assertive. This narrative revolves around broad notions of respect, assertiveness and thoughtfulness. As we honor Asian American heritage month, the young boy in this story is met with controversial behavior. This story serves as a demonstration of the importance of respect for and a reflection of the traits that are found in many Asian American families.
We have deliberately chosen our Virtue of the Month to focus on respect. In The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide, respect is interpreted as an attitude of caring about people and treating them with dignity. “Respect is valuing ourselves and others. We show respect by speaking and acting with courtesy. When we are respectful we treat others as we want to be treated. Respect includes honoring the rules of our family or school, which make life more orderly and peaceful. It is knowing that every man, woman and child deserves respect, including you.” (Popov, L.K. The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide. PRO-ED, Inc., 2000). The SEL (Social Emotional Learning) competency that aligns best is Social Awareness. Social Awareness is an individual’s capacity to interact with others in a way that shows respect for their ideas and behaviors and uses cooperation and tolerance in social situations. In the story Kurt, one of the main character’s friends, draws a picture showing his eyes like slants, not knowing how cruel the drawing could be and indicating he could benefit from learning more about how to be more socially aware of his surroundings and treatment of others.
As you read/listen to Eyes That Speak to the Stars, we encourage you to engage in family discussions focused on the following: Have you ever been excluded for the way you looked? What would you do if you were in the main character’s shoes? How does this book impact you?
“Respect yourself and others will respect you.” -Confucius
Respectfully,
Johanna & Joyce from class 5-305
April 2025
Dear P.S. 115Q Community,
Eleven Words of Love by Randa Abdel-Fattah is a heartwarming story that informs us about words of love in Arabic. The story is centered on comprehensive concepts of love, family, connecting, and the refugee encounter through the spectacles of Arabic traditions and language. As April admires Arab American Heritage Month, the young girl’s love for her Arabic language and community, mirror the Arabic traditions. This narrative provides as an indication of the force of love and connection, traits that reproduce in Arabic American Heritage Month.
We have considerately aligned our virtue of the month to focus on love. In The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide, love is defined as a special feeling that fills your heart. You show love in a smile, a pleasant way of speaking, thoughtful act or a hug. Love is treating people and things with special care and kindness because they mean so much to you. Love is treating other people just as you would like them to treat you-with care and respect. (Popov, L.K. The VIrtues Project Educator’s Guide. PRO-ED, Inc., 2000). The SEL ( Social Emotional Learning) competency that aligns best is Relationship Skills. In the story multiple people express love, whether it’s for friends or family. Relationship Skills is an individual’s consistent performance of socially acceptable actions that promote and maintain positive connections with others, including offering help and kindness toward others.
As you read/listen to Eleven Words of Love, we encourage you to engage in family discussions focused on the following: What is your favorite Arabic love word? What does each word of love mean to you? What is one word of love from your culture? Why did the author write this narrative?
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
With love,
Johanna & Joyce from class 5-305
March 2025
Dear P.S. 115Q Community,
Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman is a captivating Irish folk tale that celebrates cleverness, resilience, and courage. The story follows Fiona, a determined young woman who outwits the Leprechaun King and restores prosperity to her village. As March honors both Women’s History and Irish Heritage Month, Fiona’s character embodies the spirit of empowerment and tradition. Her bravery and intelligence reflect the strength of women throughout history, while the tale itself connects to Irish folklore, highlighting the rich cultural legacy of Ireland. This story serves as a reminder of the power of creativity and determination, qualities that resonate in both Irish heritage and the ongoing celebration of women’s contributions to society.
We have thoughtfully aligned our virtue of the month to focus on the virtue of courage. In The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide, courage is defined as the ability to face fear, uncertainty, and challenges with bravery and resolve. It involves acting in the face of difficulty, whether physical, emotional, or moral, and choosing to do what is right, even when it is hard. (Popov, L.K. The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide. PRO-ED, Inc., 2000). The SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) competency that aligns best is Responsible Decision-Making. In the story, Fiona uses her intelligence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to outwit the Leprechaun King and save her village. Decision-Making is the approach taken to problem-solving and includes learning from others and previous experience, using values to guide action, and accepting responsibility for decisions.
As you read/listen to Fiona’s Luck, we encourage you to engage in family discussions focused on the following: How did Fiona show courage when she faced the Leprechaun King? What decision did Fiona make that helped her community? Why was it important for her to make a good choice, even though it was difficult? Have you ever had to make a hard decision like Fiona? What helped you decide what to do, and how did you feel afterwards?
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” –Nelson Mandela
Warmly,
The P.S. 115Q Team
February 2025
Dear P.S. 115Q Community,
In celebration and honor of Black History Month, we are proud to present our February Book of the Month, Sing a Song, written by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Keith Mallet.
Sing a Song by Kelly Starling Lyons is a celebration of the power of music and its role in African American history. The story follows the generations of families who gained hope and strength from the song’s inspiring words. The text and colorful illustrations honor the neverending impact of African American music on social movements, providing a sense of pride and connection to the past. Linking this to Black History Month, the book emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring the voices of those who have come before us. Just as a song carries emotions, history, and lessons through time, this story invites us to reflect on how the melodies of our ancestors echo in our lives today, urging us to keep singing their stories forward.
It is for all the reasons mentioned above that we have thoughtfully aligned our virtue of the month to focus on the virtue of understanding. Understanding is thinking clearly. It is using your mind so that you can see the truth about things. It is paying careful attention and thinking about things in order to see their meaning. Understanding is also having empathy and showing compassion. Understanding gives us the power to think and learn and also to care. (Popov, L.K. The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide. PRO-ED, Inc., 2000). The competency we are focusing on is self-awareness which is how we view ourselves and our emotions, and in turn, how we interact with the world around us.
We are excited to share this story with you. As you read/listen to Sing a Song, we want you to think about the following: How do you show understanding to others/yourself? Why do you think it is important to have a sense of self-awareness?
“If you fall behind, run faster. Never give up, never surrender, and rise up against all odds.” –Jesse Jackson
Sincerely,
The P.S. 115Q Team
January 2025
Dear P.S. 115Q Family,
We are proud to launch our very first Book of the Month for the 2025 new year with the book, The Smart Cookie written by Jory John and Pete Oswald.
The Smart Cookie tells the story of a cookie who worries if he will ever be smart enough in school. Throughout the book he realizes that he is not alone in his feelings as others in his class can relate to the idea of not feeling “good enough” at different times in the school day. As he prepares to deliver his poem to show his unique ability for a class assignment, he realizes that intelligence can be demonstrated in an array of different ways. He walks away from his presentation feeling a sense of confidence and joy.
To build on this idea, we have thoughtfully aligned our virtue of the month to focus on the virtue of confidence. Confidence is having faith in something or someone. It is a kind of trust. When you have self-confidence, you trust that you have what it takes to handle whatever happens. You feel sure of yourself and enjoy trying new things. When you are confident in others, you rely on them and confide in them. (Popov, L.K. The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide. PRO-ED, Inc., 2000) Further, our focus SEL competency for the month of January is optimistic thinking. Optimistic Thinking refers to having a sense of optimism and hope for the future, speaking positively about oneself and others, and belief in the ability to attain future goals (The Aperture 8: A guide to the research-based social and emotional competencies from Aperture Education, 2021).
As you read/listen to The Smart Cookie, we encourage you to engage in family discussions focused on the following: What makes you feel confident? How do you try to boost other people’s confidence? How can we practice the habit of optimistic thinking?
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” –Theodore Roosevelt
Sincerely,
The P.S. 115Q Team
December 2024
Dear P.S. 115Q Family,
We are proud to present our December book of the month titled, The Man With the Violin, written by Kathy Stinson, and illustrated by Dusan Petricic.
The Man With the Violin is a touching picture book that tells the true story of a renowned violinist, Joshua Bell, who performed incognito in a Washington, D.C. subway station. The narrator follows a young boy who becomes captivated by the music and repeatedly asks his mother to stop and listen to the beautiful notes to no avail. The story highlights the joy that the music brings to the young boy who recognizes the feeling it brings him inside despite the busy and bustling setting in which he is located.
We have thoughtfully aligned our virtue of the month to focus on the virtue of joyfulness. Joyfulness is being filled with happiness. It is a peaceful sense of well-being. Joy is inside us all. It comes from an appreciation for the gifts each day brings. Joy comes when we are doing what we know is right, and when we laugh and see the humor in things. Joy is the inner sense that can carry us through the hard times even when we are feeling very sad. (Popov, L.K. The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide. PRO-ED, Inc., 2000). Further, our focus SEL competency for the month of December is optimistic thinking. Optimistic Thinking refers to having a sense of optimism and hope for the future, speaking positively about oneself and others, and belief in the ability to attain future goals. (The Aperture 8: A guide to the research-based social and emotional competencies from Aperture Education, 2021). As you read and listen to The Man with the Violin, we encourage you to engage in family discussions focused on the following: What brings you joy? How do you try to bring joy to others? Why do you think the adults did not stop for the violinist in the story? How can we practice the habit of optimistic thinking?
“If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.” -Carlos Santana
With joy,
The P.S. 115Q Team
November 2024
Dear P.S. 115Q Family,
We are proud to present our November book of the month titled, We Are Water Protectors, written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. This book selection honors National Native American Heritage Month.
This powerful book highlights the importance of protecting water and honoring Native American heritage. The story follows a young girl inspired by her ancestors’ teaching as she stands against the dangers against the pipeline used by her people. The book challenges readers to a call to action to help preserve nature and the environment.
We have thoughtfully aligned our virtue of the month to focus on the virtue of helpfulness. Helpfulness is being of service. It is doing useful things for people, such as things they cannot do for themselves, something they do not have time to do, or just little things that make life easier. It is important to be helpful to ourselves too, by taking care of our bodies. There are times when we need help from others. That is a good time to ask for help. (Popov, L.K. The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide. PRO-ED, Inc., 2000) Further, our focus SEL competency for the month of November is decision-making. Decision-Making is the approach taken to problem-solving and includes learning from others and previous experience, using values to guide action, and accepting responsibility for decisions. (The Aperture 8: A guide to the research-based social and emotional competencies from Aperture Education, 2021).
As you read/listen to We are Water Protectors, we encourage you to engage in family discussions focused on the following: What are some topics you feel passionate about? How do you think you can impact change to help make this idea stronger? What are the values that help guide you when making decisions?
“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” –Tony Robbins
With all of our gratitude,
The P.S. 115Q Team
October 2024
Dear P.S. 115Q Family,
We are proud to present our October book of the month titled, All the Way To America, The True Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel, written by Dan Yaccarino. This book selection honors and recognizes Italian Heritage Month.
This heartwarming story tells of the journey of an Italian immigrant family, showcasing their rich heritage and their determination to overcome challenges they faced while adapting to life in America. As we celebrate Italian Heritage Month, this story serves as a poignant reminder of the contributions and resilience of Italian immigrants and the importance of preserving cultural roots and sharing them with the next generation.
We have thoughtfully aligned our book with the virtue of the month to focus on the virtue of determination. Determination is focusing your energy and efforts on a task and then sticking with it until it is finished. Determination is using your willpower to do something when it isn’t easy. You are determined to meet your goals. (Popov, L.K. The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide, PRO-ED, Inc.,2000). The competency we are focusing on is Goal-Directed Behavior, which is the ability to plan our actions, complete tasks, and persist as we strive for the things we want to achieve.
As you read/listen to this story we want you to think about ways to remain determined to meet your goals. Can you think of a time when you exhibited determination? When? How did you overcome your challenge? What was one lesson you learned from that experience?
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” –Maya Angelou
With gratitude,
The P.S. 115Q Team
September 2024
Dear P.S. 115Q Family,
A warm “welcome” to all our new families and ”welcome back” to our returning families! We are thrilled to kick off this 2024-2025 school year with our first Book of the Month book titled, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? written by Carol McCloud. We are proud to continue our tradition of highlighting one book each month that supports our vision for creating a safe, respectful, and nurturing learning environment for all our community members that is also linked to our Virtues of the Month and, continuing this year: the Social Emotional Competencies.
This month, our book aligns beautifully to the virtue of kindness. “Kindness is showing you care, doing some good to make life better for others. It is being thoughtful about people’s needs. Kindness is showing love and compassion to someone who is sad or needs your help. Kindness is treating yourself and others gently. It is caring about the earth and all living things.” (Popov, L.K. The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide. PRO-ED, Inc., 2000). The competency we are focusing on is Relationship Skills, which refers to an individual’s consistent performance of socially acceptable actions that promote and maintain positive connections with others, including offering help and kindness toward others.
In this beautifully written book, we learn that we all carry an invisible bucket for our feelings. If our bucket is full, we experience feelings of joy and happiness; whereas if our bucket is empty, we can feel hopeless and unhappy. The author teaches us that those who say or do acts of kindness for others are “bucket-fillers.” By doing nice things for others, bucket-fillers fill their own buckets, as well as the buckets of others. Those who say or do negative things to other people, however, are “bucket-dippers” and can empty their own buckets and the buckets of others.
As you read/listen to Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, we encourage you to engage in family discussions focused on the following: What are the different ways in which you can fill other people’s bucket? How has someone ever “dipped” into your bucket? How did that make you feel?
We look forward to a new school year and supporting our students in developing character traits that will positively impact their lives.
With gratitude,
The P.S. 115Q Team
Equal Opportunity for Success