Building Trusting Relationships

This past week, I had the privilege of attending the Indiana Principal's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.  It was a great time of reflection, networking and rejuvenation!  I was fortunate to catch a session about Conscious Discipline and got to listen to Laurie Desautels speak again (she was here at PC this past summer) as part of the conference.   I was so proud of Perry Central, as there were many schools that were hearing this message for the first time!  Not only have we been learning about this phenomenal brain research, but we are implementing brain smart practices in our school! 

One of the cornerstones of brain smart practices is the importance of building strong relationships with our students!   Traditional discipline focuses on the violation of rules, brain research focuses on caring relationships that adults foster with students and students with each other; working to keep and repair those relationships.

What are the best ways to build relationships with our students?  "Better than Carrots and Sticks" gives us some great ideas for how to do this:

 - Know Student's Names:  In our small, rural school, this doesn't seem to be as difficult to do, but it is still extremely important!  This is a great way to communicate with students that you care about them as individuals.

- Bring the Right Attitude to School:  Students can tell when we are in bad moods and they notice snide comments and sarcasm.  It doesn't mean you have to hide your emotions, but sharing with students and choosing to take a proactive approach is key.

- Greet them at the Door:  One of the best ways to build relationships is a door greeting.  Conscious Discipline calls this Joy Juice!  Giving a smile and face-to-face interaction is powerful!

- Get to know your student's interest:  Getting to know students beyond their academic profile is a way to humanize our classrooms.  Finding out about interests, hobbies, aspirations and family lives are topics to learn about.  Giving your student quick surveys can get an easy way to gather information.  "If you had $25 to spend  on anything, what would it be and why?" 

- Communicate with Parents:  Positive parent relationships are powerful - especially if you can send a happy gram!

- Extracurricular Activities:  Taking time to attend events such as student performances, dances, music concerts, games, etc. can be a great time to speak with students and parents to build relationships.  Students always notice when you are there!

As the saying goes, "To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world." or as Piglet says of love in Winnie-the-Pooh, "You don't spell it. . . you feel it."

Thanks for always working to build strong relationships with our students! 

Important Information: 

Laurie Desautels' Sunday Moment:  Adversity & Brain Development #1 Youtube Video


Commodore Manufacturing Visit:  Over 50 visitors from southern Indiana schools and Toyota Manufacturing will be at Perry Central from 9:00 - 1:00 on Tuesday.  The library will be closed this day.  Thank you to our students and Mr. Craney's leadership for creating such a powerful program!

Classroom Visits:  Part of the Principal Leadership program that I am a part of requires me to participate in a small action research project.  The purpose of my project is to see if we can increase the amount of formative assessment strategies in our classrooms.  Mike Schmoker calls Formative Assessment (Checks for Understanding), which informs ongoing adjustments to instruction, one of the most important pieces of learning in the classroom.  It is my goal to increase my visits to the classroom by at least 3 hours a week (this will be beyond the required SFS observations) to observe and find ways to support you, the teachers, in your classrooms.  I appreciate you always being open to my visits and I look forward to learning from all of you!   The first day I will be able to start will be Thursday this week!  :-)

Faculty Meeting:  Just a reminder we will have a faculty meeting on Tuesday, November 27th at 7:20 a.m.!  Looking forward to seeing all of you there!

Important Dates:

Tuesday, November 27th - Faculty Meeting 7:20 a.m./Commodore Manufacturing Visit  9:00 - 1:00/Boys Varsity Basketball @ PC vs. Cannelton 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 29th - Girls Varsity Basketball 5:30 @ home vs. Crawford County

Relationships & Meaningful Instruction

This weekend, I picked up the book, "Better than Carrots or Sticks"  a book that focuses on restorative practices and classroom management. Chapter 2 was titled "Relationships & Meaningful Instruction" and how this work is a cornerstone for student success.  The next few weeks I will share some of the ideas in this chapter!   

Building relationships with individual students can also spill into the classroom through invitational learning.  Inviting students to learn builds trust in the classroom along with strengthening relationships with students.  What does invitational learning look like? 

1.  Trust - Creating an environment that feels safe and consistent; meaning that adults and students both are good to their word and held accountable to it.  Everyone involved strives to better themselves each day and do not live in fear that they will be ostracized on days when things are not going well. 

2.  Respect - A fundamental belief in the dignity of every person.  Respect is not "demanded" but given unconditionally and mutually.  

3.  Optimism - We believe students can learn and that communicating that belief will result in their progress/ Optimism is grounded in realistic view of circumstances.  Sharing specific, positive messages is a daily routine.  

4.  Intentionality - We teach, we intervene, we assess progress and then we teach again!  Being intentional means that we consciously implement sound practices that get results; turning optimism into results! 

I have had the pleasure of visiting many classrooms the past few weeks where the invitation was open to learning.  As we learn more about restorative practices and how to teach students how to become better at developing relationships will others, we are going to find these practices to be more and more important and rewarding.  Looking forward to learning with you!  

Important Information: 

Authentic Learning - This week, I had the privilege of visiting several advanced manufacturing plants with Ray Niehaus.  Industry never ceases to amaze me!   Innovation and technology and wild ideas all come to life in these clean work environments.  Did you know at Spencer Industries in Dale they are engineering and developing key parts to the Nuro - Kroger's new autonomous car that will deliver your groceries to your HOUSE! (Article here)  Thermwood is engineering and producing very large, advanced 3D Printers that are printing parts for our military with precision and strength no other process can match!  This is me standing INSIDE the printer!  These are just two exciting examples - the neat part is that our students will be working in this industry as technicians, engineers, managers, and entrepreneurs.  It reminds me that 80% of jobs that kindergartners will have are not invented yet. . . isn't that exciting!  :-)  

Additive Manufacturing - Ray Niehaus is helping us leverage our resources, including the state legislative process, to help Perry Central Community Schools be the FIRST school in Indiana with the additive manufacturing certification.  Soon we will be sending a handful of teachers to Minnesota to be trained in this exciting industry.  Additive Manufacturing is predicted to have a larger economic impact than the Internet in the near future.  Allowing our students to have exposure to this industry is exciting!  We cannot wait to share!  (Also, ask your dentist about 3D printing - you will be surprised!)  

Tuesday Treats -  In an effort to express our appreciation for you during this Thanksgiving Holiday, we will have sweet treats in the high school office on Tuesday around lunch time.  Rebecca Etienne graciously offered to make her homemade goodies for us!  Also, I invite you all to wear jeans this week!  Hopefully this will make your week less stressful!  :-)  Happy Thanksgiving!!  

Commodore Manufacturing Visitors - Tuesday, November 27th, Commodore Manufacturing will host around 50 guests.  We are so proud of our students and the program that Josh Craney is working so hard to build.  It is definitely recognized across the state!  

Faculty Meeting - Reminder we will have a faculty meeting on Tuesday, November 27th at 7:20 a.m.  Looking forward to seeing you there!  

Important Dates: 

Monday, November 19 - 9th Grade College Field Trip/ Math team work day

Tuesday, November 20 - Sweet treats - Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wednesday, November 21 - Perry Central Vs. Tell City Varsity Boys Basketball Game 6:30 p.m.

Thursday - Friday - Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, November 27 - Faculty Meeting 7:20 a.m./ Commodore Manufacturing Visit

Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

When I first challenged myself to writing a blog, my original purpose was to promote communication.  Little did I know taking some time every weekend to think about what I would write would be such a great reflection tool for me as a professional.  There are some weeks that I really fall into true writer's block!  This is one of those weekends.  After taking many of my own brain breaks; cleaning out my car, folding clothes, opening the refrigerator 10 times to look at that same piece of chocolate I shouldn't eat. . . I finally decided that maybe I should read some articles from some of my favorite researchers.  My quest led me to many great articles by Laurie Desautels. 

Brain research has been on my mind lately.  We have so many students with so many different needs.  Even though they are hard to teach and struggle with their peers, when you really get to know them they are kids that truly do have a good heart and a LOT of stress in their lives.  Their stories sometimes catch me wondering how in the world they even had the energy to get out of bed and come to school to learn!  Many of them are searching for ways to find safety and regulation; their underdeveloped brains just lead them to tricky decision making. 

In my quest for literature this weekend, I found that Laurie has many, many great article that help us find hope in helping these students.  All of her ideas are wonderful but can be overwhelming, especially as we are all learning.  During my reading, I found one common theme that seemed to have the most power and that is building strong relationships.  Laurie Desautels writes, "Research clearly points to the power of relationships and attachment with regard to helping students create a new patterned memory template that embraces a safe and predictable connection, so that attachments begin to grow, spreading the seeds of resiliency."

I feel like I tried to do this a little bit this week during the Veteran's Day program.  I was lucky enough to select my seat right next to a group of boys that were having a hard time paying attention.  I tried to do the SHHH thing. .  but they didn't care.  I then decided to look at this situation through their eyes.  We were in the gym squished due to lack of seating, kindergartners were singing and I am not sure they knew exactly what a Veteran was.  So, I just leaned over and asked them if they had anyone in their family that was in the military.  They all answered me and talked to me about their family members with pride.  I got to tell stories about my dad as well.  We also talked about what the layout of the day's presentation was going to look like for the rest of the hour and we all talked in amazement about the adults sitting in the chairs below that served - many recognized bus drivers, etc. they knew.  I had to leave before the presentation was over.  I told them I appreciated how they were acting and to please keep working hard at it after I left. I don't know if their improved behavior was due to our conversation, but I would like to think so.  I do know that it saved me from looking like a nagging nelly that no one ever listens to!  :-)  

Helping our students build resiliency and learning to self-regulate will only lead to better decision making and learning.  I challenge you this week to look at the students in your classrooms and find the one student that you are struggling with the most.  Find a way to make a connection with that student.  Talk to them about their favorite sports team, ask them what their hobbies are, etc.  It may take a while for them to warm up, but you may find you have more in common than you think!  By doing this, you are creating a safe and predictable learning environment for your students - just what they need to be successful!



Important Information:

Classroom Management Tip of the Week:  Greet students at your door EVERYDAY!  Research shows that greeting students and welcoming them with positive messages gives them social/emotional support, promotes their sense of belonging, increases engagement and reduces classroom behavior.  What are the steps?  1.  Say the student's name  2.  Make eye contact   3.  Give a non-verbal greeting (hand-shake, high 5)   4.  Give a few words of encouragement   5.  Ask how their day is going   It will make your classroom time go even better!  Don't believe me?  Read this research article by Laurie Desautels!  :-)     Article Here

Innovate WithIN - Candace Dodson will be at Perry Central on Monday to talk about a new state-wide program called Innovate WithIN.  The idea is to encourage entrepreneurship mindsets among our all of our students.  Around 40% of people across the nation under the age of 30 work for themselves.  We also know our country's economy has been successful because of innovation!  Ian Jarboe will be taking the lead on this project.  We are so excited to see what will happen when we let our students dream! 

Faculty Meeting Rescheduled:  Due to a conflict next week, we are going to move our faculty meeting to Tuesday, November 27th at 7:20 a.m.  Looking forward to seeing you all there! 

 9th Grade Field Trip - On Monday, November 19th all 9th grade students will be participating in a college field trip!  Thank you to Maria Sweat for organizing and leading this event.  It is an important activity for students in our Early College High School!

Important Dates: 

Monday, November 12 - School Board Meeting 6:30 p.m. High School Library/ Varsity Volleyball & Cross Country Athletic Banquet 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 13 - Varsity Football & Cheerleading Banquet  6:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 15 - Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Forest Park  5:30 p.m. 

Monday, November 19th - Freshman College Field Trip

Tuesday, November 20th - Last Day before Thanksgiving Break!  :-) 

Power of Noticing

When I was getting my master degree in School Counseling a few years ago, one of the things that really struck with me was the behavior technique, "Catch them being good!"  This was a technique for students that were always seeking attention.  Unfortunately, if we are not good at catching the good things that students are doing, we are promoting the bad behavior when we are only giving attention to negative actions!  After learning about this technique, I started trying to use this more in my classroom to find that it does really work!  It helped me to create more positive relationships by recognizing the good in students. 

In Conscious Discipline, one of their techniques is the power of noticing vs. judging.  What is noticing?  Noticing as defined by Conscious Discipline is accepting "what is" in a very specific way. It really takes the "Catch them being good" technique and adds an extra step that helps build specific skills in students and let them see specifically what they are doing well and what behavior you are specifically looking for. 

There are four steps that will help us successfully notice the helpfulness of children without judgement:  
1. Start by using the child's name or the pronoun "you". 
2.  Describe in detail what the child did that was helpful - "You did a great job of coming in and getting your chromebook out and completing the bellringer!" 
3.  Help the child understand how that behavior helped someone else or the entire class - "that helps us all learn so much better because we can quickly move to the next activity." 
4.  End the Description with a tag such as "That is so helpful, I really appreciate it."

Research shows that noticing what students are specifically doing (and not judging - even using "good job" is a judgement because it is not specific evidence) will help build their frontal lobes where good decision making occurs.  We also know that bringing these actions into a student's awareness is a much better change agent than discipline.

It is amazing to me what small changes in our approach can reap such large benefits!  My challenge to you is to set a goal of noticing more in your classrooms.  We know that to change a behavior it takes 21 days.  Take the next 21 days and try to notice at least 10 times in a day!   I believe it will make a difference!

Attached is an 8 minute video clip from Conscious Discipline if you want to be reminded of how this technique works!

Video Link

Important Information: 

20 Principles of Educational Neuroscience - What a great article by Laurie Desautels!  I would highly encourage you to read this short article as a quick reminder of the journey we have been on and the successes that it is bringing to our schools.  Article

Visitor - You may notice a special visitor on Monday!  Dr. Kaushal from Virtual MD will be here to talk to Tara and Jody about taking next steps in our partnership with his company.  Virtual MD provides counseling services both face-to-face and virtual methods.  They currently have offices in Jasper, Evansville, Tell City and soon will have a space on our Perry Central Campus.  This is just another effort to collaborate with partners and break down barriers that help our students and families get the services they need.  We are excited about the potential of this partnership and want to thank Dr. Kaushal for his vision!

Veteran's Day Program - This year, Perry Central will recognize Veteran's Day on Friday, November 9th from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.  Students in grades 7 & 8 will be invited to attend.  We are looking forward to a great event.  A special thanks to all of those who have served our country!  We are forever grateful. 

Breakfast Celebration - To celebrate Day Light Savings Time and a great start to the school year, the administrative team wants to make you breakfast!  Breakfast will be served in the high school library for all faculty and staff.  We look forward to serving you on Monday, November 5th!

Formative Assessment Training - On November 8th, some of our teachers have been invited to participate in Formative Assessment Workshop led by Tara Bishop.  Tara teaches this course at the SIEC and is known as an expert in our region.  We are excited to bring this refresher course to some of our teachers!

ILearn Update - Our core content teachers have been working SO hard to help our students prepare for ILearn testing by creating performance tasks.  To help continue this work, English and Science teams will be working half days on Monday and Math will be working later in November.  We appreciate all of our teachers and their efforts to move our students forward!

Mid-Term Reports - Please remember that this coming Friday, November 9th, is already the mid-term for 2nd quarter!  Please send out mid-term reports on this Friday.  Let us know if you need any help!


Important Dates: 

Monday, November 5th  - Faculty/Staff Breakfast,  English and Science Teams - 1/2 day of work

Tuesday, November 6th - Varsity Girls Basketball @ home vs. Corydon Central 5:30 p.m./ Election Day!

Thursday, November 8th - Formative Assessment Workshops,

Friday, November 9th - Veteran's Day Program, Varsity Girls Basketball @ Mitchell 5:30 p.m. / Mid-Term Emails should go out this day

Upcoming - Monday, November 19th  - Freshman Field Trip (College Visits)