Relationships

I ran across this post this week on Laurie Desautel's Facebook page this week (posted below.)  It was a good reminder for me.  Students can be very frustrating at times and it is easy to get pulled into a back and forth with them.  I often have to stop myself when I feel myself entering my downstairs brain (same feeling I get when I tell my boys to do something for the 100th time).  I have learned that when I feel that feeling it is time for me to stop, take a deep breath and ask more questions so I can try to really listen to what the problem is.  Even though it is difficult at times, I have found that both parties leave in a better place and we are actually able to solve the problem that is really at hand - even though I may point how how I felt disrespected in the moment.  One of the things that helps me be okay doing this really comes from this quote.  Students are not doing these disrespectful things TO me, but IN FRONT of me.  It helps me not take their behaviors personally.  

So, just a reminder.  Sometimes the toughest kids that we encounter need the strongest relationships as we know that forcing compliance does not work.  Below are a few ways to build relationships - they are not new, but just quick reminders!  I hope you have a great week!

* 2x10 Strategy - Talk to your tough students 2 minutes (about the weather) for ten days in a row

* Greeting students at the door when the period begins. 

* Develop interest in their interest.

* Develop a sense of humor.

Important Information: 

* FFA WEEK - Just a reminder that FFA members will have breakfast for faculty/staff Monday morning at 7:20 a.m. in the high school library.  It is a great way to celebrate our production of our food and fiber and all of the work all of you do!    There will be chili for sale on Wednesday during lunch if you would like to participate in that.  All money raised will go to a scholarship fund.  

      Dress Up Days:   Monday - America/  Tuesday - Carhartt/ Wednesday - Farm Day/ Thursday - Blue and Gold Day/ Friday - Flannel       (Teachers, I think you should celebrate with jeans this week!)

* 2-22-22 (TUESday) - We will have a few fun activities on Tuesday!  There will be a matching game for students to find matching cards throughout the day and we have a great line-up of 2-year-old photos for everyone to identify!   Also, on 2-22, we will have several subs in the building for PD activities, so please keep all students busy and in class that day and thanks for helping your fellow substitute!

* MTSS meeting - The MTSS team will meet next week on March 3rd.  Please send names of students you are struggling with to Jody before this date so we can brainstorm solutions as a team.  

* SAT Testing - We are getting closer to our SAT test date, March 2nd.  Just a reminder that all 11th grade students will be testing that morning from 8:00 - 12:00ish.   We will have a pre-test time of February 28th during 1st period.  More details will follow soon!

* Tutoring - Just a reminder we are always looking for after school tutors!  We would love to have you! See Jody or Michelle Duncan for details.  It is exciting to see so many students stay after school and get the extra help they need!

Our Purpose:  One Year of Growth or More!

Utilizing Data - Our junior high math teachers put their standards based grading data to work this week.  They identified a standard that students struggled with and made a list of students that could use retesting to try to get them up to that "3" level (grade level).  Our new REACH coordinator contacted the list of students and 18 students stayed after school for three days.  They practiced for two days with teachers (Jamie Guillaume, Deann Anson, Emma Hanebutt) and then retested on the third day.  It is a great way to use data and promote LEARNING!  We all don't get it at the same time!  :-)  

* Engineering Students - Mr. Walter's Engineering students will be traveling to U of E on Tuesday in honor of it being Engineering Week.  In partnership with U of E and Harper Elementary School, our very own engineering students created air filters out of fans and lumber for the elementary school to help purify the air in the room.  U of E students created the filters out of cardboard, but our awesome students took them a step further and created them into very nice looking units.  Our students will get to go on U of E's campus, see their engineering school and present the air filters to Harper Elementary.  I believe news media will be there as well!  Great job, Mr. Walters!

* Computer Science - Mr. Walsh's students set up a display at the basketball game Saturday night.  It was SO impressive.  Students brought out their computers they built on their own and showed some of the coding elements they are learning about in Computer Science.  They all reported they loved the Cybersecurity class as well and plan to have a career in this lucrative field.  Thanks to Mr. Walsh for his leadership with this class!