Thanks to a generous donation, CCUSD is thrilled to be able to partner with SmartSocial, an online platform that helps parents understand tech and social media to keep kids safe and successful online. SmartSocial hosts live online Q&A events that address different themes each month. You can watch these events live, or watch them after the fact when it fits your schedule! With over 400 online resources at your disposal, SmartSocial can help parents navigate the challenges associated with technology, including parental controls, screen time, online safety, and more.
Your subscription is free when you register through CCUSD. We believe that this will be a valuable resource for our families and encourage you to register and see what they have to offer!
CCUSD is pleased to invite you to an important presentation on Tuesday, January 21st where national speaker Officer Jermaine Galloway, aka “The Tall Cop” will present his insights of our community and how we can keep our community safe and informed in regards to drugs and alcohol. Officer Galloway will share data from our own community and cover topics on how to recognize signs of substance use, prevention strategies, and resources available for support.
We believe that coming together as a community, we can make a significant impact in addressing this critical issue. Your participation and engagement are vital to our shared efforts.
We hope you will join us in learning and discussing how we can protect our loved ones and strengthen our community. We will provide food and drinks prior to the presentation as well.
Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 8th. You can use the QR code in the flyer or click the button below.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the well-being of our community.
Raising Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient Kids - Together
As parents and educators, we share the same goal: raising children who are kind, responsible, and prepared to face the challenges of adulthood with confidence. At Black Mountain Elementary School, we’re fortunate to have a strong community of parents who support our vision of preparing students for the global stage. However, we must all recognize the crucial role accountability plays in achieving that vision.
Children make mistakes—it’s part of growing up. What matters is how we, the adults in their lives, respond. It’s easy to excuse misbehavior or explain it away. After all, many of us remember our own childhood struggles and want to protect our kids from pain or embarrassment. But shielding them from accountability does not serve them in the long run. Instead, it risks robbing them of the chance to learn critical life skills like respect, humility, and self-discipline.
The Alarming Rise in Misbehavior
Nationwide, schools are facing an unprecedented rise in student misbehavior. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that 84% of public schools reported increased student behavioral issues in the 2022-23 school year compared to pre-pandemic levels. Disrespect toward teachers, fighting, and defiance have all seen significant spikes.
This is contributing to another troubling trend: teachers leaving the profession in record numbers. A study by the National Education Association revealed that more than half of teachers are considering leaving their jobs earlier than planned, with student misbehavior and lack of parental support cited as major reasons. In many schools, the lack of accountability at home creates a daily struggle in the classroom, where teachers are left to manage behaviors that should be addressed collaboratively with families.
While the issues we face are not to the levels seen in many schools, BMES is not immune to these challenges. Teachers here work tirelessly to create caring, structured environments where all students can thrive. But when children disrupt class, behave disrespectfully, or disregard rules, it creates barriers to learning—not just for them but for their peers as well.
The Importance of Manners
You can often see the values a family holds in how a child acts in low-structured environments like the cafeteria. Students who clean up after themselves, follow the rules, and show respect for authority demonstrate responsibility and care for others. But too often, we see children leaving messes for others to clean, treating staff disrespectfully, or ignoring basic rules. These behaviors seem to reflect the poor behaviors of society as a whole, but that doesn’t mean we can’t choose to be different.
Manners aren’t just about being polite; they’re about understanding that we’re part of a community. Teaching children these values starts at home. Kids should know they are expected to show kindness and respect wherever they go.
Here are ten essential lessons that we should all teach and expect:
1. Listen When Others Speak
I was taught to listen carefully when others are speaking, giving them my full attention and showing that their words are important.
2. Greet People Properly
Say hello when I enter a room and acknowledge others around me, showing that I see and value them.
3. Use Polite Words
Saying “please” and “thank you” isn’t just good manners—it shows I appreciate others and their efforts.
4. Respect My Elders
I was taught to respect my elders, listening to their wisdom and appreciating their life experiences.
5. Offer My Seat
If someone else needs a seat, I’ll offer mine. It’s a small act of kindness that shows I care about others’ comfort.
6. Use Proper Titles
Saying “yes sir” and “no ma’am” shows respect, especially when speaking to someone older or in authority.
7. Be Helpful
When I see someone in need, I don’t just stand by—I step in to help, showing respect through action.
8. Hold the Door for Others
Holding the door for someone behind me is a simple but meaningful way to show respect for others.
9. Say “Excuse Me”
Whether I’m interrupting someone or need to pass by, saying “excuse me” shows that I am mindful of others.
10. Treat People the Way I Want to Be Treated
Above all, I was raised to treat others with the same kindness, respect, and dignity that I would like to receive.
The Problem with “Optional”
A concerning trend we see is the growing sense that responsibility is optional. Consider these issues:
• Missing Assignments: Many students fall behind in their work, even with constant communication from the school and visible gradebooks. Despite all the tools available to parents and students today, some families leave the burden of making up missing work entirely on the school. At BMES, we believe learning is not optional, and neither is completing assignments. Students should not have missing work, period. Parents, hold your children accountable. Help them understand that deadlines and effort matter.
• Chronic Absenteeism: According to the U.S. Department of Education, 15 million students are chronically absent each year, meaning they miss 10% or more of school. At BMES, we’re seeing record numbers of late arrivals, early pick-ups, and non-essential absences. Classroom learning experiences can never be fully replicated later, and missed time puts both the student and the class further behind.
This reflects a broader issue in society—businesses unable to fill positions because employees don’t show up, commitments being treated as optional. If we want our children to succeed, we must teach them now the value of showing up and giving their best effort every day.
Accountability Matters
When a child disrupts class, behaves irresponsibly, or disrespects others, it’s not just the school’s job to address it. It’s our collective responsibility as parents and educators to teach them better. Consider this post circulating online:
While courage and stubbornness can be strengths, this parent missed the opportunity to teach their child the importance of humility, respect, and accountability. Too often, excuses like this send the wrong message. Instead, we should use misbehavior as an opportunity to guide children toward growth and self-discipline.
Leading by Example
As a parent myself, I’ve received those uncomfortable calls from school. I haven’t always agreed with the school’s response, but I’ve always chosen to hold my kids accountable - often giving stricter consequences at home. Why? Because I want my children to grow into adults who respect others, take responsibility for their actions, and rise to meet life’s challenges.
Together, we can raise a generation of young people who will make us proud - not because they never stumble, but because they learn to get back up stronger. Let’s commit to the hard but essential work of holding our kids to high standards, teaching them manners and responsibility, and showing them what they can achieve when we all work together.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we’re shaping the future - one respectful, responsible, resilient child at a time.
Final Week to “Can” the Competition!
There’s just one week left to support the Foothills Food Bank! Bring in cans, boxes, or bags of food by December 13th to help families in need—and to help your class win big!
The top class wins TWO awesome prizes:
• A cozy Pajama Day
• An extra recess
Every donation counts, so rally your classmates and finish strong. Let’s make a difference together and show the power of generosity!
Parenting is Hard - We’re Here to Help!
Parenting comes with its challenges, and we want to support you every step of the way. That’s why BMES offers a Parenting Book Checkout System, giving you access to award-winning, practical resources to help navigate it all.
Discover powerful tools and insights from books like:
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, a guide to helping kids thrive in an age of anxiety.
• The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey, celebrating the lessons kids gain from mistakes.
• Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD, with actionable strategies to ease struggles.
• How Children Succeed and The Coddling of the American Mind, both packed with research-backed approaches to raising resilient, independent kids.
Many parents have already benefited from these incredible reads—now it’s your turn!
🔹12/9 - Band Performance at LMES today at 6:30pm. Band members arrive at LMES at 5:50pm
🔹12/11 & 12/12 - Come watch a magical BMES performance of Jack & The Beanstalk. With our awesome kids, the sky’s the limit. This is gonna be huge!
🔹12/17 - BMES Dance & Choir Show at the FAC, 6:00PM
🔹12/19 BMES Reindeer Run
🔹 12/20 - Early Release - 12:30 Dismissal
🔹 12/23-1/3 - Winter Break ⛄️
🔹1/6 - School Resumes
At the November 19, 2024 Governing Board meeting, the Board tabled adopting a calendar and will be sending questions to administration for additional information. They also requested a list of options be brought for their consideration during the December 10 meeting.
For the past several months the CCUSD Facility Focus Group has been meeting to review current and future enrollment in the district, evaluate facility usage, and to evaluate current and future facility needs. At the upcoming special meeting of the CCUSD Governing Board, the Focus Group will be presenting their findings from the research, including recommendations for possible school closures, school boundary adjustments, and grade reconfiguration. This presentation is only the first step in the process. No action will be taken at this informational meeting.
The Cave Creek Unified Education Foundation (CCUEF) is excited to host the annual Run the District event on Saturday, January 25, 2025! Join us for a fun and energizing run while supporting our amazing teachers.
