Thursday Thriller: Thursday Thriller December 8, 2022

Thursday Thriller

December 8, 2022

Photos from the Field

Fun bulletin board from our Sources of Strength crew as a reminder of all the good around us!

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This right here is something FUN!!! Each one of you (teachers, secretaries, paras, cooks, custodians, etc) have a name on a card. EACH one of you is a gift! Between now and the 19th share on a sticky note how that person brings you joy, laughter, encouragement, etc. Then on the 20th you get to take your 'present' home and read all the nice things that colleagues have written about you!!!!

This is located in the office!

Nuts-n-Bolts

1. Here are the spirit days beginning on Monday:

Monday, Dec 12th- Merry Monday- Wear your PJs to school!
Tuesday, Dec 13th- Twinning Tuesday- Matching Day- match with a teacher, friend, or even group of friends!
Wednesday, Dec 14th- Whiteout Wednesday- wear white and create an indoor Blizzard!
Thursday, Dec 15th- Sports Day- Wear your favorite team or sports gear/jersey!
Friday, Dec 16th- Flannel Friday- Wear your flannel shirts, pants, etc!
Monday, Dec 19th- Deck the halls! Pull out your Ugly Sweaters, fuzzy socks, etc., or wear anything festive, red, green, white, silver, gold, etc!
Tuesday, Dec 20th- Hats and Swag Day...wear your Santa hats, antlers, beanies, etc. with your Garrison swag!

2. GNN one answer survey.

3. Last Saturday Mike Bertram took a team of students to the First Lego League Competition in the Tri Cities. These students came in the morning at 7:45 two days a week to prepare for the competition. Pretty cool what these students created!

4. iReady seems to be going well! Students have been excited to turn in their tickets! Whoop!! Whoop!! During iReady time, HEADPHONES are TO BE worn. If you need headphones, we have 300 of them. THANK YOU for your work in making this Wednesday schedule change!!!

5. The voice amplifier systems are working out great! For those of you who have said, "I don't need it. I have a 'teacher' voice." Yes, you may have loud teacher voice. However, this system is to help CLARIFY what you are saying. Rule of thumb- when the volume is up and you hear your voice-the volume if up too loud (a few have said they don't like using their system because it echoes). We should ALL be using these systems that were installed in ALL of our classrooms because this way all students have access to the clarity of your instruction.

6. Mid January middle schools will be launching PAPER (high school is launching this Friday). Paper is a tool for all students to have access to a live tutoring 24/7. All tutors have background checks and we get reports of all sessions. Students can be supported in English, Spanish, or Mandarin. The link I shared is a brief synopsis. We will have more information coming our way. Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you hear talk about PAPER.

7. Please add your CSAs to the calendar.

Something to Ponder

More GREAT information from Fostering Resilient Learners. I learned that relationships can take on many different characteristics. I know. I know...I'm late coming to the game. For so long, I have painted myself as person who doesn't/can't form strong relationships with students or staff. I had these feelings and thoughts echoed in the book "Many of us in the field harbored the belief that we must be everything to every student we work with and that is a daunting proposition indeed."

My form of 'relationship' begins with my routines and consistency. Consistency builds trust. Safe and healthy places are forms of building relationships. Relationships don't have to be this loyal, deep bond. It can merely be standing outside of your classroom each day welcoming students into class. Students know they can count on you to be there.

You may think you don't have a relationship with a student or colleague. Remember all the little things you do daily; outside of your classroom door, assigned seating which sends the message you know the student and have a place for them, your available to meet with students during office hours, students being able to retake tests or receive extra help. These are attributes that build a relationship.

Sonja's Story is one that moved me. I hope you find a gold nugget in Sonja's Story.