Weekly Update: January 12 to January 16
Happy Sunday, Grizzly Families!
We are back into our routines as we look to finish our first semester at the end of January. Students enrolled in options will be changing classes at the end of the month, and many are completing projects as the first semester comes to an end.
CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL: Optimism for Teens
The second letter of our COURAGE model is O, which stands for Optimism. Last week I shared some information which I will add to today. Consider these notes as you work with your teen at home, knowing that your work ties to our COURAGE model—that's teamwork at its best!
Optimism vs. Pessimism: Optimism and pessimism are mindsets — ways of thinking and seeing things. Optimists see the positive side of things. They expect things to turn out well. They believe they have the skill and ability to make good things happen.
You've probably heard people who tend to see the faults in everything called "pessimists." A pessimist is more likely to expect things to turn out poorly or to focus on what didn't go well.
People aren't always optimistic or always pessimistic, but most people tend to lean toward one of these thinking patterns. The good news is, if you tend to be more pessimistic, you're not destined to always think that way. We can all become more optimistic by adjusting the way we see things.
Optimism Helps People Succeed: Optimism goes beyond seeing the bright side of a situation or expecting good things. It's also a way of explaining what has already happened.
When something good happens, optimists think about what they did to make the situation turn out so well. They see their abilities as permanent, stable parts of themselves. They think of how this good thing can lead to other good things.
When things don't go as expected, it's the reverse: Optimists don't blame themselves. They see setbacks as temporary. When something goes wrong, optimists link it to a specific situation or event, not their capabilities. Because they don't view setbacks as personal failings, optimists are able to bounce back from disappointment better than pessimists.
Here's an example: Khaled and Sarah both try out for a volleyball team. Neither makes the final cut. Both feel disappointed, but they handle it differently.
Khaled is an optimist. He thinks: "There was a lot of talent at the tryouts and only a few openings. That pushed me to practice hard and I played my best — it felt good! The coach gave me great feedback. I'm going to work on the things he suggested and watch all the games this season. That way, I'll have a better chance next year."
Khaled is focused on the specific situation, not on personal shortcomings. He doesn't see the situation as permanent. He fully expects to get on the team next year and is already thinking of how to make that happen.
Sarah tends to be more pessimistic. She thinks: "No wonder I didn't make it — I was the worst one at tryouts and the coach doesn't really like me. I never get a break. I might as well face it, I'm just not a great athlete." Unlike Khaled, Sarah takes the setback personally. She blames herself, but he also sees outside factors (the coach, life) as working against her. Even worse, she lets this one event make her doubt her athletic abilities altogether.
Which student is more likely to feel discouraged longer? Who is more likely to practice more and try again? Who is more likely to give up?
Is There a Place for Pessimism? Pessimism can drag us down — so it's good to know we can change a negative mindset. But that doesn't mean erasing all negative thinking. A healthy "what's wrong?" mindset lets us zoom in on a problem. Thinking about what could go wrong helps us avoid too much risk.
Imagine your brother is texting while he drives you to rehearsal. Your negative thinking alerts you: "Hey, this isn't good!" So you tell your brother to stop, if not for his own safety, for yours. In this case you're combining pessimistic thinking ("Texting leads to car crashes!") with optimism ("I know I can do something about this.").
Just about all of us go through a rough patch now and then where it can seem like nothing's working. It's healthy to identify feelings when we're discouraged, and it's OK to talk about what's wrong. Confiding in someone can lift your mood and remind you of the optimistic possibilities. Negative thinking can help you move forward, as long as you don't get stuck focusing on what's wrong.
When something good happens, give yourself credit. Think of what you did to make a good outcome possible. Did you prepare for the test? Practice with dedication? Think of the strengths you used and how they helped you succeed.
Remind yourself that setbacks are temporary. As soon as something goes wrong, remind yourself that it will pass — and come up with a plan for making that happen. For example: "My SAT results aren't what I hoped, but I can study more and take the test again."
Notice how other people talk about themselves. Are friends and family members optimistic or pessimistic? For example, does your dad say, "I burned the hot dogs, I'm just a terrible cook!"? Or does he say: "I burned the hot dogs because I got distracted watching the dog chase a squirrel around the backyard!"?
Optimism is a thinking style that can be learned, which means that pessimism can be unlearned! It can take a little while, so don't feel discouraged. Becoming more aware of the two styles can gradually help you start noticing more ways to be optimistic. Just keep telling yourself, "I can be more optimistic and I'm going to keep practicing!"
Adapted from an articled retrieved on January 4, 2026, from: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/optimism.html
DID YOU KNOW:
REPEAT: If you or any families you know of that live in our catchment area are interested in the TLC program, we will have a virtual information night on Wednesday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m. Share the news with others! The link will be posted to our website later this week.
REMINDER: TLC families were sent information about the current purchasing window for TLC uniforms, which closes on January 31. Note that for those students who wear ties that McCarthy’s is once again selling adult sized ties—something our taller students have been in need of for a while.
REPEAT: Our next School Council meeting will be on Wednesday, January 21, at 6:00 p.m.
REPEAT: The next Fun Lunch is Wednesday, January 28.
REPEAT: January 31 is our next non-instruction day. Students will not attend school that day.
WEEKLY EVENTS – JANUARY 12 TO JANUARY 16
Monday, January 12 - (TLC Students in formal uniforms)
Tuesday, January 13
- 11:00 – 2:30 | Science 9 Field Trip to Telus Spark (9-2, 9-3, 9-6) TLC students require uniform on field trip
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Girls Volleyball Tryouts
- 3:45 – 4:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Tryouts
Wednesday, January 14 – Grade 9 Vaccinations
- 11:00 – 2:30 | Science 9 Field Trip to Telus Spark (9-1, 9-4, 9-5) TLC students require uniform for field trip
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Tryouts
- 3:45 – 4:45 | Junior Girls Volleyball Tryouts
- 6:30 – 7:15 | TLC Virtual Open House for families in our catchment area interest in the TLC program for the following school year
Thursday, January 15 – Grade 9 Vaccinations
- 12:00 – 12:30 | Jack James Orientation
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Girls Volleyball Tryouts
- 3:45 – 4:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Tryouts
Friday, January 16 – YELLOW DAY
Sincerely,
Tammy Quiring
(proud) Principal