Thursday Thriller
November 14, 2024

7th grade boys were behind but came back for the win against the 49's!! 35-32

At the time this widely read publication was released, the 8th grade was still playing. :D

Nuts-n-Bolts

1. THANK YOU for stepping in to cover class periods when we are low on guest teachers!! MUCH APPRECIATED!

2. Amy H. our CIS person has resigned her role. We are in the process of hiring a new CIS person. We have several viable candidates. The goal is to have them hired and starting in December.

3. Yaneth is expected to be back on the 25th of this month! Whoop! Whoop! With both Yaneth and Amy H. unavailable over the past few weeks, the counselors and admin team have been doing our best to stay connected with our high-needs students and those with chronic absenteeism. The Health Center is also working on hiring a second counselor to help support these efforts.

4. Best of Luck to our Unified Robotics Team as they travel to Renton, WA to compete. Mike Bertram and Michelle Paine are the advisors. God Bless them for the long travel and overnight stay!

5. Remember, you have $125.00 for a classroom budget to purchase things. We know it's not much but hopefully you are able to purchase a few items. Check out the "p" card from Stephanie. PLEASE DO NOT use your own card/money; auditing nightmare.

6. Extended Collaboration is next Wednesday, November 20th from 3:45-4:15.

7. Hallways – Following up on our conversation with Ben & Yelena, one area that needs attention is the behavior in our hallways during passing time. Would it be possible for a few of us to stand in the middle of the hallways, greet students with high fives, and say hello? This approach would help us engage with students, break up the "clumps" of students hanging out, and get closer to the action. The downside is that we wouldn’t have a clear view of what's happening in our classrooms as students enter. I’m wondering if a few of us taking this approach could make a difference? I’m open to suggestions or ideas.

What we do know is:

1. Mostly male students are playing a "shank" game, where they poke each other with sharp pencils during passing time.

2. 6th grade girls are using rubber bands to snap each other, leaving welts.

3. Students are using slurs and profanity during passing time.

The more we can intervene in a positive way during passing time the better. Again, I'm open to ideas.

9. Stephanie did some research for an "Online Point System" in place of coins. Here is what she found https://www.schoolrewards.me/how-it-works. I'm wondering if anyone would want to 'pilot' this after break. I believe this program syncs with your Skyward classes. Having enough coins seems to be an issue. Students could earn points for iReady. Student Store days students could purchase items from the ASB Student Store and the iReady Rewards Store. Just some ideas to think about.

Something to Ponder

To be honest, I searched for news articles about gratitude, and I found several that resonated with me. November often feels like "The Season of Disillusionment," a time when many educators experience challenges in staying positive, and life can seem out of balance. That’s why I’m focusing on gratitude.

Take a moment to pause — maybe even close your eyes. What’s one thing you’re grateful for? There’s real science behind the benefits of practicing gratitude. 😊

I hope one of these articles inspires you and reminds you that, even in this season of feeling unbalanced, a little gratitude can go a long way.

Our Sources of Strength students have put up "grateful trees" and signs throughout the school, including in the bathrooms, to encourage all of us to find something to be thankful for.

Hope you find a gold nugget in one of these articles. :D

Be Grateful. Not Just In Good Times, But At All Times

No matter how many 'blessings' you may have to count, if you’re dwelling on what you don't have or don't like about your current circumstances, you’re living in emotional poverty.