What is the Behavior Telling You?

 

"Chronic stress and unpredictability sensitizes and alters the developing brain and nervous system, and we misunderstand what is beneath the behavior! Trauma responsive practices begin with the adults and the autonomic nervous system states of both adult and student!"

             - Laurie Desautel

Perry Central made the decision to be a trauma informed school several years ago.  We have learned it is not easy work, BUT, what we do know is that it is the RIGHT work.  I always appreciate the information that Laurie Desautel shares. This is a post she shared on her Facebook page recently. So many of our students live in chronic stress and it alters the ways they behave and see the world.  Trauma informed approaches help us see our students in a different light and remind us that the way we respond is vital to helping our students be successful.  A student's behavior is communication.  What are they communicating with you?    #connectionsovercompliance

Important Information: 

* House Meeting - Just a reminder for House Leaders that Lauren would like to meet with us at 7:30 a.m. in the library on Monday morning - November 1st.  See you there. 

* Human Trafficking Training - This Friday, Levi Clark will lead Human Trafficking training for all of our 7th, 8th and 9th grade students.  We often do not think that Human Trafficking could affect our small, rural community - but that is not true.  We actually had a little bit of a situation a couple of weekends ago at one of our home football games!  Here is the schedule for the training on Friday, November 5th (all training will be in the library): 

                2nd Period - 7th Graders Students

                3rd Period -  8th Grade Students

                4th Period - 9th Grade Students

* Instructional Rounds - Be on the look out for Instructional Round papers in your mailboxes - it contains the instructions for the day and the three questions that we would love you to answer on your visit.  We have subs for Tuesday and Wednesday to cover the period you will be out with your partner.  I have attached a copy of the schedule HERE.   Looking forward to a great couple of days of learning!!

* 7th Grade Mini - This Friday, November 5th, is the last day of the 12 week mini classes.  Monday, November 8th, students will rotate to their new 12 week course.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks for helping students through this transition.  

* Veteran's Day - Thursday, November 11th is Veteran's Day.  Joyce Foury is working hard to put together a great program for our high school.  The program will be during 2nd period for students in grades 9-12 in the high school gym.  We are excited that Perry Central alumni and son of Pam Hilgenhold, Levi, will be our guest speaker!   More details will be coming next week!  

* CELL (Early College) Data -  It is that time of the year where we have to turn in our yearly data to CELL about our Early College program.  Thanks to our fantastic teachers and hard working students, for the class of 2021: 

      * 74% of the Class of 2021 earned 15 or more dual credits

      * 26% earned the Indiana College Core (first year of college for free)

      * Collectively, they earned 2159 credits for a savings of $323, 850

Whoop, Whoop!!!  Our data continues to be strong for students who actually enroll in college, persist to their second year and complete on time.  Our students continue to tell us they leave Perry Central prepared and ready to change the world.  Great job, team!

Assistant PD - Assistants, I will be reaching out to you this week about a learning opportunity.  I would like to continue our professional development series with you.  In the coming days, I will provide some opportunities to read some articles about Trauma Informed practices and classroom management techniques.  My goal is for us to be able to eat lunch together next Wednesday and discuss the articles and find time to talk about your roles.  You play a very important part in our day!  Please be watching for an email!

 Connect with Others:  Thanks to Ashley Hubert for organizing all of us for a Halloween Dress-Up Contest!  What a great way to connect with students and each other!  We also had a great time at Derby Community Center last week for the faculty gathering.  It is important to have fun and learn to trust each other!  

 Collaborative Teams:  Thanks for all of your work during our Professional Development Day!  It is a great time to work as a team - we appreciate all of your collaboration!  

 Creative (Authentic) Learning: Josh Craney and Michael Jarboe have been working with their students for their first tour on Monday.  Thermwood from Dale will be visiting.  Students in Commodore Manufacturing and a few engineering students will be presenting.  We love having authentic audiences to share our programs with!

 Nancy Poehlein and Andrea Clark are working together for their 3rd and 4th grade classes to compete in the Indianapolis Violin Competition.  Good luck to them!  

Celebrate Success:   In honor of Mr. Seth Gehlhausen and my husband - Go Braves!  Seth did reach out and he hopes to be home in the next few weeks and is looking forward to his return to our PC family!

   

Growth Mindset

 

We started Fall Break off with a bang last weekend as Purdue's Football team beat Number 2, Iowa at Iowa.  Pretty exciting!  I don't know about all of your households, but after the game we have to rehash the game several times and watch the coach interviews over and over again.  It was interesting to listen to the coaches.  Iowa's coach talked about how they really shouldn't have been ranked Number 2 before the game started and Purdue's coach talked about their strategy and how they first had to believe they could win!  In my mind, a perfect example of growth vs. fixed mindset.  The growth mindset came out on top this weekend.  

As we move into the 2nd quarter of the school year, it is important that we remain in a growth mindset as well and believe our students can learn.  Sometimes our students have many mountains to overcome before they can get to the learning, but if we believe they can learn and help them believe they can learn, then growth will occur.  

My dad used to make me stand at the free throw line without the ball and imagine the ball going up and over the rim, into the hoop.  He taught me to believe that I could make it and create a visual of what that would look like.  I encourage all of you to think about one or two of your students that struggle the most and focus your positive energy towards them - believe in them, build a relationship, catch them being good and know that they will be successful.  

Important Information: 

Monday's PD Schedule - HERE is a copy of the schedule for Monday for both teachers and assistants.  Looking forward to a great day!  Don't forget we would like to each lunch together from 11:45 - 12:30!  Look for some seating in the cafeteria for high school teachers and assistants.  

Classroom Management Ideas - Before break we asked teachers to take a quick survey so we could see the needs of our teachers.  We noticed that some teachers are struggling with classroom management, which isn't a surprise since our students are struggling with returning from the pandemic. We will host a Lunch and Learn in the high school Health Lab  on Friday October 29th and Tuesday November 2nd from 11:45 - 12:20. Both days will have the same information - (we wanted to give a two day option since you are helping cover WINS.)  Classroom management tips and learning ideas will be shared - and be prepared to bring your own ideas that work for you so we can learn from each other!   Bring your lunch and prepare to learn.  Dessert will be provided!

Instructional Rounds - November 2nd and 3rd will be Instruction Rounds Day!  HERE is a tentative schedule.  If you would like me to make changes, just ask.   I tried to make sure that we didn't take any of your prep time and took into consideration your own person requests from the survey we gave to you.  Please let me know if you have questions. 

Band Concert - The Perry Central Band will host their fall concert at school on Tuesday, October 26th at 6:30 p.m.  Our band does a great job - if you can attend, I would encourage you to!  Thanks to Andrea Clark for pulling it all together!

We have been making our vision of the school year come alive!  Here are some great examples:

         

 Connect with Others:  Thanks to all of our house leaders for a great team challenge the Friday before break.  It was a very competitive day of 4 way volleyball, good sportsmanship and awesome chants!  All of you are creating a since of belonging and team work for our students.  

         

Creative (Authentic) Learning: Carrie Guillaume's Ag Classes got to listen to Alexander from the Hoosier National Forest last week.  Thanks, Carrie for bringing opportunities for students to learn about careers and our National Forest!  

Engineering students attending the first Autonomous Car Race in the US at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this past Saturday.  Students had the opportunity to talk to colleges, engineers and even our secretary of Education, Katie Jenner and the Governor of Indiana!  Students had a great time.  Thanks to Ray Niehaus and David Walters for their work in setting up the trip.   Also, thanks to Julie Berkhouse for driving the mini bus!

 

The Last Normal School Year

 

Last week, we were reminded about how heavy our work can be, especially coming out of a pandemic (or the pandemic that never seems to end.)  Our students are struggling with social skills and getting back into the routine of school.  We are not alone - there are articles all over twitter and Facebook about this same national struggle.  The picture to the left reminds us of how long it has been since our students have had a normal school year - it is staggering!

We are seeing our students struggle to interact appropriately with each other, finding it difficult to make it through a classroom setting all day long and feeling very overwhelmed by the amount of work and accountability that goes with it.  It makes teaching very stressful, too!  In situations like this, I think we have to stop, take a deep breath, and determine if we need to make some changes to our current activities or pace and remember that we may need to teach some executive functioning skills along the way.  I also think we can't forget that we are allowed to make learning fun!  All students are overwhelmed - but we can help them enjoy it!

At our faculty meeting on Tuesday, we are going to watch a clip that will get us thinking about the current situation our students are in and maybe some ideas for how to move forward in a way that is beneficial to the student and the teacher!  ;-)   

Here is an article that goes well with the Accelerating Learning article that we read last month to build your background knowledge.  I don't have the answers to this current puzzle, but I know we are a strong team and together we will create ways to find success!  

Article:  My Students haven't Lost Learning.  They have Lost Social/Emotional Learning.  

Important Information: 

*PSAT Testing - Dana has been working hard to organize our PSAT testing on Wednesday.  This year we will be testing students in grade 9 and 10 to provide us data for the new SAT exam that all students will take their junior year.  Testing will occur from 8:00  - 12:00 (possibly) on Wednesday.  Teachers who will be proctors have been notified and student rosters have been shared.  We will have a brief discussion at our faculty meeting on Tuesday morning - please let Dana know if you have any questions/concerns.  Thanks to Dana for all of her work! 

* Pep Session - We will have a pep session this Friday, October 15th on the football field.  Students will be released around 2:25 p.m.  We will have a map where students will be standing - I think we are going to have everyone circle up on the football field if the weather allows.   It will be a great time!  You may be asked to be on a relay team - winning team gets to put a pie in their bosses/coaches face!  (I hope you pick slow teachers!)  

* Spirit Days - This week we will celebrate our sectional teams with spirit wear:  Monday - Tie Die, Tuesday - Country vs. Country Club, Wednesday - Color Wars (Teachers - Red), Thursday - Throwback (Dress your favorite decade), Friday - Jersey Day       Teachers are allowed to wear jeans all week.  

* House Competition - This Friday we will have our first House Competition.  If the weather allows, we will have a kick-ball tourney outside and if it is raining we will play 4 way volleyball.  We will release students after they take attendance by intercom.  A bracket will be emailed out prior to Friday so you can gather your teams.  After the tourney, we will allow teams to gather together and process the activity - and enjoy a popsicle.  :-)  We will then walk over to the football field for the pep session.  Students may want to take their belongings with them so they can head to the bus after the pep session.  

* Faculty Meeting - Reminder, we will have a faculty meeting this Tuesday, October 12th at 7:20 a.m. in the high school library.  Several important things on the agenda:  Test Security Training from Jamie Guillaume, PSAT update,  PD Day details, Trevor Muir information and more! 

We have been making our vision of the school year come alive!  Here are some great examples:

          Connect with Others:  Who says you can't play Tug-Of-War in the cafeteria at lunch?  Lauren Blake and House Leaders led a quick house competition.  The students loved it and it was a great way to connect!  

          Collaborative Teams:  SIEC Accelerated Learning team met this week to make some plans for faculty collaboration.  The team is working on a teacher outing (information will come soon) and a fun lunch activity on our PD Day!  Thanks to Abe, Heidi, Brennan, Sean and Abbie for your work!

          Creative (Authentic) Learning: Michael Jarboe, David Walters, and Ray Niehaus invited a CAD expert to their classroom so students could learn some extended CAD skills.  Students loved the day and really gained a lot of knowledge!  They even got to put good use to the new smart board in the room!  Thanks to all of them for their leadership and creative (authentic) learning.  Now students will use these skills to help draw up designs for the Container Cabins being made in Construction class and more!  

          Celebrate Success:  Abbie Brockman's class celebrated writing memoirs last week!  All of the students did a great job!!  

Never Give Up!

 

I don't know about you, but sometimes our work feels heavy.  I have been really feeling a lot of weight the past two weeks just thinking about how we are going to be able to help some of our most struggling students; students who have parents that would rather be on drugs instead of taking care of them, others who have many emotional disorders due to life experiences and choices of their parents, and especially boys that just struggle to stay focused and connected.  Life is so hard for these kids and even when they may try to give us their best, it is still not good. The pandemic hasn't helped them and it isn't just our students who are struggling as schools across the nation are trying to figure this out.  Along with this, the pressures we have as educators to ensure they are all learning in the same environment as the other students make it even harder.  It is hard on the student, the teacher, the family and our community.  I have been stewing on it all weekend feeling kind of hopeless! 

 THEN, this Saturday afternoon, I had the pleasure of seeing two past graduates (separately) in the Walmart parking lot. It was almost like they were planted there just so I could see them!  One of them had a job at the prison, was in the military for a few months before being discharged due to a medical reason, married and working on a plan to add to their family.  The other was married with a child, a home owner, getting ready to leave for the police academy and thinking about finishing their career as a lawyer. They both seemed happy to see me and excited to tell me about their life.  As they spoke, I could feel myself filling up with pride for them - they were not only making it but they were successful.  These were two kids that I didn't know how in the world we would get them through high school and in fact, both finished with a very alternative path in the last hour.  

Talking to these two filled my heart with pride and joy for them and also filled me with hope. I told Jace as we were walking away, "That is why we can't give up on any student."  I am so grateful to work with people like you that never give up.  The work is so tough and sometimes it feels like we are trying to swim with a boulder tied to our leg, BUT, just like the picture says, connecting with our students is their lifeline and sometimes ours as well.  We have to remember that what we do makes a difference and the work is worth it!  

Accelerating Learning Refresher: 

* Determine between Nice to Know and Need to Know information

* Pre-Assess for pre-requisites for the unit you are getting ready to teach

* Pull small groups based on this pre-assessment.  Arrange for 7 minute small group session(s) prior to the unit to teach students who are missing those skills - so you can accelerate them through the lesson!  

          TIPS for small groups:  Be intentional, assessment driven and flexible. Random grouping and allowing students to choose their own groups will not be successful.  Take the time to think about what students need what kind of help.  Use classroom work time to pull a small group and help them fill in the learning gaps they may have.   

Important Information: 

Attendance Reminder - Just a friendly reminder to please be diligent about taking attendance.  Attendance has been very difficult to manage this year, but taking good attendance is important for our COVID situations.  Remember, you can take it on paper, have your students help you, whatever it takes!  Attendance TikTok

Brain Smart Start Idea of the Week:  This or That - Name two items or activities and ask students if they would rather have/do this or that.  (Patriots or Colts,  Cheeseburger or Tacos,  McDonalds or DQ, etc.)          Superman Breathing - Stand with your hands in the air like superman and stretch.  Breathe in and out deeply and slowly.

Grades:  The end of the 9 weeks is October 8th.  Grades will "dump" over to the report card on Wednesday, October 13th at midnight.  It will be important to have grades up-to-date by then.  

Faculty Meeting:   We will have our October Faculty Meeting on Tuesday October 12th at 7:25 a.m.  A light Breakfast will be served!  Jamie Guillaume will be there to help us with our mandatory ILEARN training that morning as well.  (She will be doing it on October 12th instead of October 5th)

Early College Meeting:  High School Teachers have been sent an email to attend an Early College Meeting on Tuesday, October 5th at 7:25 a.m. in the high school library.   We will be talking about our overall goals for the EC program and some ideas on how we can support students.  Looking forward to a great meeting.  

Sectional Week:  Cross Country will be in sectional action next Saturday, October 9th.  We will have Dress Up Days this week to cheer on the mighty Commodores.  The days are as follow:    (White Lie day is where you write a little white lie on a white shirt.  Ashley Hubert helped me understand this - so Chase and Caleb Hubert will have the opposite name on their shirt pretending to be the brother,  Ashley's shirt would say, "I am short." - My shirt could say, "I cheer on the Hoosiers."   Sounds like fun - hope you participate!)

House's Competition:  House's will have their first Tug-of-War during lunch this Wednesday, October 6th.  I believe it is Ty, Deann, Heidi and Stephanie's groups!  Thanks for participating and making school fun and memorable.  You are teaching students team building skills along the way!

Volleyball Sectional Draw is Below:  (Senior night for Cross Country and Volleyball will be Tuesday night, October 5)  Go Commodores!

Sectional 48 at South Spencer

Match 1: Mater Dei vs South Spencer

Match 2: Tell City vs North Posey

Match 3: Perry Central vs Match 1 winner

Match 4: Tecumseh vs Match 2 winner

Match 5: Championship