This quote by Hellen Keller reminded me of our Trauma Informed Care training this week.  Teachers and assistants alike gained background knowledge of the impact of trauma on our brains and the why behind student reactions.  We know the demographics of our student population is changing.  We are seeing more students involved in the Foster Care System, a larger percentage of free and reduced lunch families and a larger percentage of students who have had at least one parent incarcerated within the past year.

Understanding our students is the first step in helping them overcome these barriers and give them the tools they need to be successful in life.  We must remember to stay calm, do not take what students say personally and always do our best to be a good listener.  We are so fortunate at Perry Central to have faculty and staff members that care so much about our students and are willing to go the extra mile to build important relationships with children.

I know the training may have left you with more questions than answers.  Please know we will be doing a follow up at our next faculty meeting on February 21st.   If you have questions between now and then, please ask!


School Notes: 

* Thursday, Feb. 16th is 8th grade and 10th grade Guidance Night for parents and students.  Thank you to Carol Schwoeppe, Julie Berkhouse, Sean Risse, Carrie Guillaume, Vanessa Johnson, Bo Gibson, Lou Ann Backer and Angie Lubbehausen for helping with the event!  We are trying something new this year, where families will be able to hear from business leaders in the industry as well as teachers.  The event will start at 5:30 and end a little after 7:00 p.m.  It is sure to be a great night!

* After School Programming - we continue to add after-school programming for students.  We have added math and English tutoring, student academic support groups (for students who struggle getting homework completed on time), guidance counseling sessions/activities, and social/emotion counseling as well.  Thank you to: Cheryl Linne, Abbie Brockman, Sean Risse, Diane Plassmeyer, Heidi Zellers, Dana Harris, Kelly Cash, Southern Hills Counseling Center, Maria Sweat, and Jamie Guillaume for making this happen!  Also a shout-out to Mary and Tara for making the funding possible.  These are important supports for our students!

Important Dates: 

- Monday, February 13th - School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. High School Library

- Tuesday, February 14th - Happy Valentine's Day!  Don't forget about the sweet treats in the high school office!  

- Thursday, February 16th - Freshman Orientation for 8th grade students and High School Planning for 10th grade students @ 5:30 p.m.

- Friday, February 17th - SENIOR NIGHT- Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Paoli 5:30 p.m./ NHS Silent Auction

- Saturday, February 18th - Boys Varsity Basketball @ Tecumseh 5:30 p.m.

- Countdown to ISTEP!!  Three weeks until the ISTEP window opens!  Students in grades 7,8 and 10 will be testing.  A testing schedule will be coming soon!  (Testing window: February 27 - March 10th)