Thursday Thriller, October 3, 2024

Thursday Thriller
October 3, 2024

Nuts-n-Bolts

1. Certs-Please remember your class lists for tomorrow's training.  We will begin at 8:15 in the library.

2. ALL-If you need more coins, please let us know.  We are going to talk with ASB about additional incentives such as - lunch with a few friends, first pick on "premium" equipment at lunch ("premium" meaning we buy soccer, football, volleyball and basketballs that are locked up and brought out only for those that 'bought' them with their coins).  We are trying to think of experiences students would be interested in learning and working for.  If you have other ideas on incentives, please let us know.  Incentives only work if we are handing out those coins. I'm guilty! I need to do better when I'm in the hallways.  A collective effort by all of us is needed.  Thank you

3. Certs-October and November will be the first round of evaluations. This will include pre observation, observation and post observation. Nicole and I will have calendar invites for open spots for you to schedule your pre/obser/post.  More details tomorrow

4. Classified-If you haven't signed up for your goal meeting with either Nicole or myself, please get that calendared.

5. ALL- October 15th from 6:00-7:30 is our Garrison Family Culture Night.  Families are bringing a traditional family dish with the recipe to share.  There will be stations for parents to attend. Everyone's invited.  If you could talk it up with your students, that would be great.  We will have some incentive for families who come and attend sessions. As a  school wide Title I school, we must have family events each month. While it makes for a long day, seeing families in an informal setting engaging with their children is a bucket filler. :D

6. ALL- I wanted to revisit our training on Courageous Conversations from September 20th. Students have reported instances of the "N" word and cursing in the hallways. This could be a good opportunity to take just 5 minutes at the start of each class to discuss why this behavior is unacceptable.

I understand that five minutes may feel like a lot to ask, but if we don’t address this issue, we risk sending the message that it’s acceptable. Remember, this isn’t about giving a lecture; use some of the talking points from our training. It’s important to let students know that these conversations can be uncomfortable, but we need to discuss their impact. Every student deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and championed!

7. ALL- October 21-25 will be Healthy Living Week.  Nicole M and Steve have a week planned with different community members attending lunches with quick activities to engage students

8. ALL -October 10th is Sources of Strength Peer Training-Students have been chosen to participate and learn how they can be a peer mentor.  This will be an all day training for identified students at SeaTech. More information to come.  Nicole Mueller and Yaneth are our Sources of Strength Advisors-Janelle Martinez will also be another adult involved with Sources activities.

9. ALL- All 7th grade students will attend a presentation at Cordiner Hall on Monday, October 14th.  Stephanie is working on the coverage

10. ALL-There is ongoing work at the State level to shift the narrative around how the SBA is perceived and communicated. The message emphasizes that students who didn’t meet the standard still have opportunities and can pursue college. Additionally, schools with lower performance aren’t considered ‘failing.’ While we’re already aware of this, it was refreshing to hear the new perspective and see data supporting this message.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11. ALL-

Message from Chris Reykdal re: Preventing Antisemitism and Discriminatory Harassment During Potential Student-Led Protests on October 7

Dear Superintendents:

 

We are hearing about potential student-led protests and walkouts at schools scheduled for Monday, October 7. As you know, October 7 marks one year since the horrific Hamas attack on Israel.

 

October 7 is a day of somber remembrance for what was the third-deadliest global terrorist attack in recent history. While students may be protesting to advocate for or against global policy solutions, choosing to do so on October 7 is extremely likely to negatively impact their Jewish classmates—and is likely to be experienced or interpreted as antisemitism and discriminatory harassment.

 

In the last year, student-led protests and walkouts on college and K–12 campuses have increased across the nation. While students may choose to plan and/or participate in walkouts or protests as protected expression, schools are responsible for maintaining safety and a learning environment free of discrimination and discriminatory harassment for all students, staff, and families.

 

Schools house “captive” audiences (i.e., students) who often cannot remove themselves from interruption, tension, or one-sided speech. To prevent antisemitic and discriminatory behavior, if you have heard about planned protests or walkouts within any of your schools, I strongly encourage you to partner with your students to identify locations other than schools, or to choose days/times (with proper permission) when the general student population will not be on campus, for their efforts.

 

Schools play a unique role in our communities. Every day, you and your staff support your students in building skills for engaging in civil discourse, disagreeing with one another respectfully, and being part of a shared community. You do this in a way that balances student safety, rights, and learning with the impacts of global news at your students’ fingertips 24/7. When teaching and learning is at its best, you are tying in and acknowledging life outside the walls of the classroom. This includes recognizing the diverse experiences and perspectives of your students, connected to the learning standards, in ways that are safe and free of discrimination.

 

Please lean into your leadership and use this as an opportunity to have important conversations about what it means to be in community together in a way that is safe and free of discrimination for all students, staff, and families. October 7 should be a day of remembrance.

 

My office regularly develops resources to support you and your staff in leading your students through complex community and world events like this. Please see the two resources below that we published recently:

• Reminders About School District Employees’ Free Speech Rights
• Preventing and Responding to Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Discriminatory Harassment in Schools

 

Thank you for your leadership and your continued commitment to keeping our schools safe and focused on learning.

 

Chris

--------------------------------------------

12. ALL: Upcoming dates-Extended Staff Meeting on October 16th from 3:45-4:15.  This is CONTRACTED time AND you get .5 of a clock hour. "Courageous Conversations" staff meeting from 3:45-4:45 on October 29th

13.  CERTS: Thank you to those of you wearing your voice amplification system!! This is not "I have a loud voice."  This is about ARTICULATION!! Wear and use them! Thank you

-------------------------------------------------------

Something to Ponder

"There will always be 10-15% of students who require outside interventions to address behaviors. Reaching out for support from a specialist (behavior coach, counselor, case manager, administrator) is not a sign of weakness, it is courageous. We speak from experience. Asking for support from our  counselors, with one of our classes, (Yes! The whole class!) remains one of our most humbling (and successful) experiences. Education is a team effort."

Whether you're in your first year or your twenty-eighth, new students and different student combinations can create dynamics in your class that might require fresh strategies.

If we keep doing the same thing and expect different results, we know that's the definition of insanity. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak—on the contrary, it takes more courage to ask for help than to stay silent. The goal isn’t simply to move a student out of your class or to WWOnline; instead, we need to try interventions and explore different approaches first. Sometimes, we need to reflect inward and consider making adjustments. Of course, this isn’t always the case, and it’s not about placing blame on the teacher. It’s about being willing to try something new. And remember, it’s okay to fail while trying.

Hope you find a gold nugget in this resource. 

Resource

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some words from Denzel Washington

0:00 to 1:39

7:00-9:57

"Being open to people and ideas"

"Never be discouraged, never hold back, give everything you got and when you fall throughout life remember this fall forward."