We Must Believe!

Sitting on the couch this evening, trying to figure out what to write for our Monday Moment, I looked up at the TV long enough to watch highlights of un-ranked Ohio State beating Number 1 Michigan State in basketball on the Big Ten Network.  Ohio State had one of those nights when everything they threw up went in and the more the shots fell, the harder they played!  All of the players had smiles on their faces and the fun they were having while they played helped them excel past a team that they shouldn't have even had a chance to beat.  It was obvious they never got the memo that they shouldn't win!!  

Watching this game reminded me of a book I am reading for my own professional development called "Collective Efficacy."  Research has shown over and over again that when school staff (everyone who works with our students, including me) share in a belief that we can help all students learn, that it outranks every other factor regarding student achievement including socioeconomic status, prior achievement, home environment and parental involvement.  Teacher efficacy (the collective belief that we can make a difference) is a more significant predictor of student achievement than any other factor in education today.  That is a pretty amazing statistic and one that we all need to be aware of!  

Our students come to us from many different backgrounds and experiences; many of them un-ranking in their own achievement just like Ohio State.  It is my goal to help all of us find ways to work together to help all of our students find success and create their own "upsets" in achievement.  Just like Ohio State, we cannot give up on students or give signals that make students believe the can't achieve- we must continue to work hard, find different strategies and believe that all students can be winners!!

School News: 

• Perry Central Jr./Sr. High School will be welcoming guest from Bloomfield High School on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.  Bloomfield is visiting to learn more about our Early College High School program, Career Pathways, Flexible Scheduling and 1:1 Technology!  We look forward to welcoming them into the building!
• Assistant Meeting - We will have assistant meetings during lunch on Tuesday, January 11th.  Assistants, please bring your lunch to the high school teacher's lounge during your lunch time for a short update of information!  Desserts will be provided! 
• Semester Grades:  Due to a change in our Virtual Day date, we are moving grades back to being due on January 9th at 11:59 p.m.  Report Cards will come out on January 12th.  As we are at the end of a semester, it is very, very important to double check grades in the high school.  If you have any incomplete grades for students please make a plan to update them as soon as possible.
• Count Down to ISTEP: The first round of the ISTEP window will open February 26th!  Only 35 days away!  Students in grades 7,8 and 10 will be taking English and Math exams. 
• Virtual Day has been moved to January 16th. Students will stay home and do their assignments and teachers will come to school for professional development.  Please plan accordingly.  A professional development agenda will be posted soon! Virtual Day Planning Tips:

-  It is important to assign meaningful work to students; work that you would assign if they were here.  Virtual Days need to be continuation of the learning day!

- Go over the virtual day assignment the day before while at school.  If students do not have Internet at home please remind them how to download their materials so they can work from home.

- Make Virtual Day assignments due at least one to two days after we are back to school to ensure students can get their questions answered. 

• Job Fair:  On January 18th, we will be taking all of our seniors to the Perry County Job Fair at the Shergen's Center.  Times will be posted soon!

Important Dates: 

Tuesday, January 9 - Varsity Boys Basketball @ Home Vs. Cannelton  6:00 p.m./ Grades due at 11:59 p.m.

Wednesday, January 10 - Bloomfield High School Visit  9:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 11 - Girls Varsity Basketball @ Home vs. Heritage Hills 6:00 p.m.

Friday, January 12  - Boys Varsity Basketball @ Southridge  5:30 p.m.

Monday, January 15 - No School!

Tuesday, January 16 - Virtual Day for Students/Professional Development for Teachers