Thursday Thriller
September 28, 2023
This truly made my heart happy! Each of you needs to know the difference you make DAILY in students' lives.
It has been a hard week for discipline; literally has kicked our admin a**es. It is a small percentage that takes up a majority of time. These kids need the support! However, put that aside and remember all the good!!! Individually you make a difference. Collectively we are MOVING MOUNTAINS!!!!
Nuts-n-Bolts
1. There have been questions in regards to not being able to give P/F grades as well as how to modify grade level standards with students who may have an IEP, 504 or ML learners. This is about growing our skills and leaning on your PLT. I made a short video. This does not happen over night; taking small steps towards classrooms where modifications and extensions are second nature, PLT teams lean heavily on each other to brainstorm ideas, decide what proficiency looks like and how to work interdependently.
2. We are seeking solutions and ideas as to possible times to meet with students involved in various clubs. Please take a minute and share your ideas here.
3. Unity Day is right around the corner! Jen, Brian, Steve, Yaneth, Nicole and I are planning some activities to celebrate the importance of diversity and above all how to be kind humans. If you would like to order a T-shirt, please order here.
4. Next Friday, October 6th is our Fall Professional Day. This is the tentative agenda.
5. November 9th 2:30-3:15 WA HIs ROTC will be performing for our us in honor of Veteran's Day
SOMETHING to PONDER
The more often we repeat it, the better we ill remember it; repeated information will eventually be stored in your long-term memory. Repeat everything AT LEAST THREE TIMES to store it in your long-term memory. -Courtesy Google Search
It's no wonder then we had two incidents in which students had to be talked to in regards to, "You can't joke about that." "They were laughing too! How was I supposed to know?" I had only mentioned this once on GNN.
I will continue to speak about this on GNN. Students, at this age, truly believe that if the person they are joking about is laughing then surely it's okay EVEN when they have crossed the line with race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. We have to work together and repeat this message, talk to students and explain that they can not cross the line.
This is an activity on AMLE "Just Joking" -Helping Students Understand When Teasing Hurts
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I spoke to Jon Cassetto, Juvenile Justice Center, Court Services Manager in regards to a couple of our students. I had also asked about clothing specific to gang attire. He validated that there is a definite uptick of gang attire; baggy pants, white t-shirts, baggy Dickie pants, etc. While we can't jump to the conclusion that just because a student is wearing this type of clothing, we can certainly be more aware and watchful. This article Recognizing Gang Affiliation in the Middle School Classroom is about how to recognize the signs of gang affiliation and how to HELP and SUPPORT these students.
Our collective support, tough love, consistency with rules, expectations and routines IS going to pay dividends for our students.
Hope you find a gold nugget.
QUOTE
“Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” -Vince Lombardi
And while the pronoun “we” is vital to the functionality of the team, it is the individual commitment that makes it truly move forward and soar. Without each person acting as a dedicated “I,” the collective “we” won’t happen. Therefore, it is critical that each interdisciplinary team member understands and acts upon his or her role in the “playbook (PLT).” It is vital that each team member asks key questions about teaming throughout the school year—not just when the game begins. And that kind of inquiry benefits not only students, it benefits teachers, too.
Key Questions:
- What does it take to be an effective member of an interdisciplinary team?
- Do you know your own strengths and challenges as a team member?
- How well do you know the strengths of your individual team members and how those strengths complement each other?
