Rocket Radar for 10-25-26
🚀 Week 11: Empathy
As we continue exploring our Portrait of a Rocket, this week we focus on our final competency: Empathy! Each of these six competencies helps prepare our students for success beyond the classroom and supports our mission to Empower Students to Reach Their Full Potential. Whether our students pursue a career, serve in the military, attend college, or become entrepreneurs, the ability to communicate, demonstrate integrity and responsibility, think critically, lead others, and show empathy will help them build strong relationships, navigate challenges, and make a positive difference in the world.
Empathy means recognizing and understanding the feelings and perspectives of others. It means putting yourself in someone else's shoes, listening without judgment, and showing kindness and compassion, even when someone else's experiences or feelings are different from your own.
🏠 How can families practice this at home? Help your student recognize how others might be feeling and consider how their words and actions affect those around them. When watching a movie, reading a book, or talking about something that happened at school, ask questions such as, “How do you think that person felt?”, “What might you do if you were in their shoes?”, or “How could you help someone who is having a difficult day?” Encourage your student to listen to others, include people who may feel left out, and consider perspectives that may be different from their own.
You can also model empathy through everyday actions. Show kindness to others, listen when someone needs to talk, and demonstrate understanding when people make mistakes. Remind your student that we don't have to agree with someone to treat them with kindness and respect.
Empathy isn't about always knowing exactly what someone else is feeling or having the perfect thing to say. It is about taking the time to understand others, recognizing their feelings, and choosing to respond with kindness and compassion. When students practice empathy, they help create classrooms, teams, families, and communities where everyone feels valued and supported.
🎃One of our favorite community traditions is back, and it’s always a huge success! Join us for a spooky good time with our amazing community partners and Ridgedale staff as we celebrate with fun, treats, and plenty of Halloween spirit! Bring the family, wear your costumes, and get ready for a frightfully fun evening in Rocket Country!
🚀 Activities for the Week of 10/26/26
Monday:
National Honor Society Fall Induction during the school day
Tuesday:
Rotary Athletic Day program for selected senior athletes during the school day
Washington DC Pre-Trip Meeting
Wednesday:
Boo at the Dale
Jr/Sr High Fall Band and Choir Concert
Thursday:
8th Grade Field Trip to Tri Rivers, Marion Technical College, and The Ohio State University Marion during the school day
Friday:
Jr. High Halloween Dance
🚀 We’re Hiring!
Looking to be a part of our small school doing big things? We are looking for substitutes for food services, custodians, bus drivers, and teachers. Apply on our website.
As always, make it a great week, and go, Rockets!
Erika Bower
Superintendent
Ridgedale Local Schools