Thursday Thriller
September 16, 2021
What 8th graders think is the best thing about school so far. Carina is emailing students in their GST classes. Sean's class won with the most responses! Whoop!! Whoop!!!
If you are wondering, Ruben is averaging 27,000 steps in a day. Just saying! :D Great addition to our staff!
Nuts-n-Bolts
1. Several of you have already received emails or a visit from me regarding close contacts when a student has either been exposed or has tested positive. It's critical you have a seating chart. You will see CLOSE CONTACT RESPONSE NEEDED ASAP in the subject line. When you receive this email, please respond as quickly as possible. Thank you!!
2. Your IDs are now working to access the building. Scan your picture, type in your ID number that Armida put on a yellow sticky on the back of your badge and you're in! If you still do not have a picture ID, please see Armida.
3. Discipline -as Carina explained in the stations on the Wednesday before school started, the laws have changed. Please review the process of classroom exclusions. I have included the link here. Here is a quick summary:
- Calling home to connect and seek support
- Conferring with other teachers of the student
- Seeking counselor or admin input
Teacher calls 1901 for a student escort and explains basic issue to escort as possible (Ruben, Alex, etc.)
Student is escorted to the office to speak to admin/designee
Teacher completes the duplicate Classroom Exclusion Form ASAP; admin will likely call home to give a heads up
Teacher calls home to explain and continue problem-solving
Teacher and student have a re-engagement moment following any Classroom Exclusion--maybe by phone when call home, maybe at the classroom door, maybe with counselor or admin support
Student serves (at least) lunch detention
4. Tomorrow is going to be different. :D Amy K and the counselors along with Terri and Gear Up have planned for a productive day. PLEASE go through your grade level agenda; it's all there for you in Amy's email. Reach out and ask questions.
5. Next week Wed-Thurs, the math department will be participating in a Math Lesson Study. We will be working with the iReady Consultant. This is a year long PD program for all K-8 teachers in the District. The lesson study will happen once a month, subs, consultants and District personnel will be present. Just wanted to give you a heads up. :D
6. Bathroom usage/Hall Passes-one student out of the classroom at a time, sign in and sign out. Please review Carina's earlier email. We are noticing multiple students in the hallways.
7. If you have announcements for GNN, please send them to me a day in advance. I'm recording in the AM for the PM showing in GST. NO GNN FOR TOMORROW, FRIDAY the 17th.
8. Conferences will be Tuesday night October 12th and Thursday the 14th all day. This has been worked out with WWVEA reps. MS will share the same dates, elementary schools share dates and the high school has their dates. This decision was to help our Pk-12 system be uniform, consistent and help families with multiple students at multiple levels. Conferences will be Zoom, phone and possibly in person 1:1 based on need. Carina and I working on a system and will communicate further details and information.
SOMETHING to PONDER
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. While this is a heavy topic and often times avoided, I felt compelled to speak to the topic in the TT.
Many of us know someone, have had family members or acquaintances who has died by suicide. I can't imagine the pain or other emotions families feel. Heavy heart.
I listened to this podcast specifically for educators around suicide, symptoms and what educators can do. We are already doing some great things!
*GST -small group of students who are your peeps!
*Counselors -SEL lessons that carry over not just in GST but throughout the day
*Meeting students at the door and calling them by name
*Focusing on belonging for all of our students
*Being able to hire a third counselor
*Hiring an additional Interv Specialist that is devoted to home visits
*Organizing activities during lunch time so students
*Clubs, sports and music
When we got into the business of education, we wanted to teach our favorite topic, make a difference and be a part of something great. Our job responsibilities have shifted throughout the years especially in the last two. This is not only about students but those close to us, who we work with and our friend groups-let's be aware, spread kindness, listen without judgement and know YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
Suicide Prevention: What Teachers Can Do
Quote
Choose your hard.
I had a pretty good gig this summer with my workout plan; wake up later, lounge with a cup of coffee, choose the time of day for my workouts-heaven. :D Well, now that we are back in session the mornings are little colder, little darker and the snooze button gets hit several more times. I have had to tell myself, "Choose your hard." It's hard to get up now for your workout but it is even harder if you don't. When a workout is skipped, I don't feel as energized throughout the day and for some reason I eat more candy.
Choose your hard. Maybe this is in your classroom or the students you work with. Choosing to address behaviors now is hard but will be so much harder down the road. Yes, instruction is interrupted now and you may feel like you are addressing little things. This will pay off in the long run by addressing the little things or taking a little more time to build relationships! Choose your hard!
Little Humor
I think we can all relate to these mornings. My guess is Katie Jo, our middle daughter, is teaching Axcel about how timeout works. Clearly this is how it was growing up in the Doepker household.😆
We cry because we are in time out.
Parent accountability? Katie Jo learned from the best HA HA HA
Calendar of Events
Monday-Friday 7:45-8:00 Our office staff has a quick Huddle. We touch base, discuss any hot spots, upcoming events, etc. If you could hold your questions for secretaries an admin to either before or after this 15 mins, it would be greatly appreciated.
Friday, September 17th Students are with GST teachers, please check your schedule, students are dismissed at 12:25. Carina and I will be in the library for 'office hours' if you have questions, concerns, compliments :) or you need support come see us.
Wednesday-Thursday, Sept 22-23 Math Lesson Study for the math department
iReady Testing for Math next week, iReady reading the week of the 27th
Gear Up Week September 20-24th, Door Decorating Judging on Friday the 24th
PICTURE DAY IS OCTOBER 6th
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