The Patriot Report – February 14, 2020

The Hard Thing Rule

This week we explore more of Angela Duckworth’s book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. In the book she explains that grit can be learned and taught to our children. She speaks of wise parenting of being both supportive and demanding. We love our children but we also expect their best. She also speaks of extra curricular activities as the “playing field of grit,” which is another concept we will explore in a future post. In addressing how to bring forth grit in our children, Duckworth writes about a Hard Thing Rule. Here is the rule in summary for you:

Hard Thing Rule
In Duckworth’s family, they live by a Hard Thing Rule. It has three parts.

1. Everyone – including Mom and Dad – has to do a hard thing. A hard thing is something that requires daily deliberate practice.
2. You can quit. But you can’t quit until the season is over, the tuition payment is up, or some other “natural” stopping point has arrived.
3. You get to pick your hard thing.

It is worth noting that your child, similar to Duckworth’s own child, may cycle through several different interests and hard things before settling on one that they want to invest in. This is one method, certainly not the only method, to bring forth more grit and determination in our children. Perhaps this Family Day long weekend might provide the perfect opportunity for you and your family to introduce a Hard Thing Rule. 

Come see the senior and junior orchestras perform at our 5th annual Winter Orchestra Concert. All are welcome. A reception will follow at 7:45 pm. The show starts at 7:00pm in the school gym.  

Student Led Conferences will be held on Fri, March 13th.  Regular classes are not in session on this day.  Students are to be in uniform when they come to the conference.  Please click here to book your appointment time.  

Burnaby Judo Club is pleased to offer an Intro to Judo Camp during the Spring Break at St. Jude School. NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. This intro camp is only offered to students in Grades 1 to 4.  Click here for further details.  The online reservation link will be posted shortly.  

When is the Camp?
Camp Week 1: March 16^th to March 20^th
Camp Week 2: March 23^rd to March 27^th

All camps run Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm in the school gym.

Come join Fr. John McCarthy and the parishioners of St. Jude Parish for three days of spiritual reflection, discussion, and prayer. Dates are March 2, 3, and 4. Begins with 7:00 pm Mass. All are welcome. 

After finishing in 3rd place at the Dragon Invitational, the Gr. 6 Boys defeated all competitors at the St. Patrick’s Tournament. The team has finished 1st in their division and will now face Blessed Sacrament Elementary in the first round of the playoffs. I am very proud of the team’s efforts thus far!

The Gr. 6 Girls Basketball team went 3-1 at the St. Patrick’s Tournament this past week, falling only to the host school St. Patrick’s! The girls were able to put forth strong efforts in each of their games and it was a great way to finish their season! Way to go Girls!