Influence

 

  I was reminded of this quote from Trevor Muir this week when my former high school assistant principal, Ed Ransom, posted on Facebook.  He told a story about Owen Lynch, his former English Teacher and Coach and the impact he had on his professional career.  (He also mentioned that you would have to be over 60 to remember who Mr. Lynch was!)  

Teaching is a challenging but very rewarding career.  You are all making an impact on students in ways that will influence them for the rest of their lives.  There are not many professions that get to say that!

I also know this heart work is exhausting at times - so I hope all of you enjoy your Thanksgiving break with your families.  

THANK YOU:  This weekend, I listened to a podcast from Andy Stanley about the importance of expressing gratitude.  He said that gratitude not expressed really feels like ingratitute to the people around you.  His podcast reminded me about the importance of making sure the people in my life know how much I appreciate them - that includes all of you.   The way you care for children and the pride you have in our school community leaves me speechless each day.   I appreciate you all more than you know.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

To celebrate, we will wear jeans this week!  Hope you enjoy!  Also, on Tuesday, we will have Dunkin Donuts to help you get you through the day!  

Important Information: 

STEM Grant - On Monday and Tuesday this week, there are teams of teachers (who were notified by email) that will be listening to a grant presentation during WIN/Lunch.  If you have questions about the invitation, please let me know!  The invitation is focused on STEM teachers (Science, Math, Next Level Program of Study, AP teachers) and junior high teachers.  This is aligned to the STEM grant.  (If anyone else just wants to join - you are welcome!)  

Assistant Survey - We are working on some professional development for teaching assistants.  Assistants, please take THIS SURVEY by the end of the day Tuesday so we can start planning to meet your needs!  

Pitch-In - Don't forget about the pitch-in on Monday for lunch!  

Upcoming Important Dates: 

    

    Monday, November 28th - We will be hosting our friends from New York and CELL for a training through our Poly-Tech Grant.  Thanks to Michael, Josh and Dana for attending along with our business partners Glenn Etienne, Susan Miller and Pam Metz.

    Wednesday, November 30th - Junior Field Trip to Terre Haute/ RECN Quad meeting at Bedford North Lawrence (RECN Team)

     

     Thursday, December 1 - Spanish students to the Nutcracker 

     Thursday, December 8 - CTE Open House during lunch 

    

The Extra Mile

 

This past week, I had the priviledge of riding one of our special education buses that picks up students in the mornings, driven by Kevin Koelling.  It is a long ride (about an hour) and there are several stops along the way, down the long windy roads.  The students he picks up are truly special and make you smile, but some morning do not like riding the bus, leaving them crying and upset all of the way to school.  

Kevin has been working hard to help the students feel comfortable everytime they step on his bus.  He is making a sound track with students' favorite songs, using music to sooth their ride.  He also ensures that everyone who rides with him as a bus monitor knows what each students needs and the best way to support them, keeping close contact with family members and Mr. Walsh, the students' teacher of record.  

The ride for me last week reminded me of how lucky our community is to have individuals like Kevin, and all of you, who go above and beyond, caring for our children each and every day.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for seeing the positives in each child (even on days when it is hard) and going the extra mile to ensure they are loved and find success.   It truly is #good2bgreen!

Important Information: 

PLC Meetings:  Thanks for your time last week and Lunch and Learns.  Hopefully you found the time valuable for reflecting on your Marzano Elements.  We are back to normal PLC meetings this week.  I also have heard a lot of great ways you are using WIN.   Thank you for working hard to ensure all students are learning - even if they need a 2nd time to get it!

PBIS Lesson: Be on the look-out for the PBIS lesson for this week from Phil!  He is planning for everyone to give the lesson on Tuesday during 2nd period.  Thank you for helping with this important lesson!

Tutoring:  Reminder if you have students that need tutoring, you can use the Learning Lunch/8th Period request form but select tutoring.  Alyssa Hill is available for high school students 1st WIN in the Learn and Leave room.  She appreciates a little heads up so she can study the material a bit before helping the students.  We also have several great options after school.  

9th Grade Field Trip:  All 9th grade students will be participating in a field trip on Wednesday, November 16th.  Thanks to Dana for arranging this - it isn't easy to get all of the locations to coordinate!

STEM Grant: Perry Central is excited to be a receipeint of a STEM Grant.  The grant is aimed to increase Workplace Challenges and Project Based Learning in the classroom.  For the grant and STEM certification, we had to identify our STEM teachers, which mostly consist of Next Level Program of Study (Pathway) along with science and math dual credit teachers.  I will be reaching out to this team by email for a meeting on Friday, November 18th during your WIN time to help get us started!  

  

In the News

 

This past week, I found a couple of current event articles that I thought you may enjoy!  The first one is from Inside Indiana Business newsletter. This article talks about the declining number of individuals that are going on to post-secondary education and the fears on how it will effect the economy.  As you read the article, remember that post-secondary education means anything beyond a high school diploma:  2 year degree, 4 year degree, military training, industry certification. This is important information to share with our students as they determine their future plans.  Growing Gap between Talent and Demand   

This second article from Chalkbeat talks about 2022 HB 1251 and the call to cut the number of standards by 25%.  The legislative bill also calls for the state to determine the essential (power) standards as well.  Currently the State Board of Education is vetting this work with business and industry partners.  We will need to be o the look-out for these changes.  What do Indiana students need to know?

Important Information: 

Lunch and Learns:  Remember we will not have normal PLC meetings this week, but instead will have Lunch and Learns around our SFS goals (Marzano Elements).  Below you will find a schedule and meeting locations.  You may want to bring your computers to maximize your time.  This will be a guided discussion, but will hopefully be helpful to ensuring you are meeting your SFS goals.

  (Some of you are connected to more than one PLC group - attend the group you set your SFS goals with.)   

Monday, November 7 - Island Team, Social Studies Team, Location: Computer Science Room,  Marzano Element: Previewing

Tuesday, November 8 - Science, Math, English Team, Location: High School Library, Marzano Element: Highlighting Critical Information

Friday, November 11 - Special Education, Location: Heidi's Room,  Marzano Element: Reflecting on Learning

Instructional Rounds:  This week, we will also conduct Instructional Rounds on Monday, November 7.  Remember Instructional Rounds is a way to reflect on your own teaching and learn from other teacher friends!  I sent the schedule out to you last week, but HERE is another copy.  Please look at the day and the period and make sure it works for you.  You will have a substitute come into your class during that time.  

   Also, in your mailboxes on Monday morning, I will have a reflection sheet for you.  Please use that sheet to document your time.  If you can please turn that into Jody's mailbox at the end of your instructional round, that would be great!

Veteran's Day:  Our own Seth Gehlhausen will be our special guest speaker at Veteran's Day Program on Friday, November 11.  Students in grades 9-12 will be released by intercom at the beginning of 2nd period to the high school gym for the event.  Band members will be released earlier for their performance.  After the event, we will have a walk-through for our veteran community members.  Details will be released closer to Friday.  

Have a Great WEEK!

Discussion Strategies

 

           Trevor Muir shared this timely article this week!  His five favorite discussion strategies!  We all know students learn more when they are doing most of the talking, just like in the study we read about last week on the blog.   Here are some great, easy strategies to try!

https://www.trevormuir.com/blog/class-discussion-strategies?fbclid=IwAR0LjQyuuvVJ-hnVvHy_fiwHDitm2IicjSOtpcRv0jg4BL5K0rkdIIM6Aa8

Important Information: 

Faculty Meeting - Our next Facutly Meeting will be November 8th.  We will have PBIS lessons to share and we will model some discussion strategies - it is guaranteed to be fun!  

Instructional Rounds - We are working on an Instructional Rounds schedule for the week of November 7th.  Sheila is going to see which two days we can get subs in the buildin (either November 7 &8 or 8&9).   Thank you to those who filled out the Instructional Rounds survey.  This will be helpful to me when scheduling to make sure you get to see something helpful to you!  If you haven't filled out this form, please do so by the end of the day on Monday.  If you can't remember - you can ask me or just fill it out again!  It is very quick!  Instructional Rounds Form

Lunch and Learn - Next week, we are asking that teams NOT meet during their normal PLC times.  We are going to host Lunch and Learns for teams based on the Marzano Element that you are working on for your professional goal for SFS.  The goal of the Lunch and Learn is to help you find time to reflect on your practices, learn from each other, and make sure you are meeting the goals for your evaluation.  Below are the dates of meetings - all meetings will be from 11:45 - 12:24 in Kris Walsh's Computer Science Room.   The lunch menu will be shared closer to time.

              Monday, November 7 - Island Team/Social Studies Team

              Tuesday, November 8 - Science, Math, English Teams

              Friday, November 11 - Special Education Team 

ASPIRE - This Wednesday, November 2nd, Perry Central is hosting all 10th grade females from the county for ASPIRE.  This event is basically Career Speed Dating!  Students will get to interacted with over 48 female leaders in a variety of industries.  Our male students will be reporting to Tell City and doing the same there.    This is a wonderful event for our students and community to learn more about local opportunities.  Thanks to Dana and her team for organizing the event.    

       On this day, 10th grade boys will be released by intercom around 8:30 so they can travel to Tell City.  Girls will be released around 8:45 to the library to get their shirts and then they will be heading down to the gym.  

Enterprise Networking Session - This Wednesday, November 2nd, Carol Schwoeppe and Adam Stowe are taking a team of students to the first ever Conexus Indiana Enterprise Networking Session.  Josh Craney has prepared a Commoodore Manufacturing team to present to other student enterprise programs.  The idea is to help students connect and learn from each other in this workbased learning model.  We are proud of our enterprise program and look forward to expanding enterprises across our pathways. y

COIN Wars - Coin Wars end this Thursday.  I have a plan to try to get the teachers in position to win!!!  I think we would all LOVE to have cinnamon rolls one morning!  Don't forget to bring your coins and support the student council!!!  (I am hiding all of my change from Justin!)   

Upcoming Dates: 

November 16th - Freshmen College Trip

November 17th - OFS Field Trip (will be a mix of 11th and 12th grade students) 

Active Learning

 Below, I shared this study I ran across last week.  It isn't surprising to me, but really a call to continue to increase ways to authentically engage our students.  I feel many of you do a great job of active learning as well and this is just re-assurance you are doing the right thing!  

You can find the link to the article HERE. The picture below gives you a visual for the research.  If you want to increase active learning or more discourse among students, the Edutopia Article below offers some great reminders/ideas!   (At our next faculty meeting, Ty Guillaume is going to help us model a socratic seminar, another great way to increase student conversations!)

9 Strategies for Getting More Students To Talk  (Great tips for increasing student discourse!)

Important Information: 

    PD Day Agenda:  You can find the agenda for the PD day HERE.  Please let us know if you have any questions/concerns about the day.  I am excited to see how much you accomplish and help our students move forward!  

   8th Grade Field Trip:  On Thursday, October 27th, all 8th grade students will be participating in the Tour of Opportunity in Perry County.  Students will get to visit ATTC, Waupaca, Perry County Memorial Hospital and Ivy Tech (they will have a variety of career experiences for them.)  Students will report to 1st period and be released by intercom.  Thanks to Carol for organizing this event for PC!

End of 12 Weeks:  This Friday, October 28th will be the end of the 12 weeks for 7th grade students.  Please help them report to their new class rotation on Monday, October 31st!

Aspire:  All 10th grade students will be participating in a career event on November 2nd.  Perry Central will host the girls from PC, Cannelton and TC and Tell City will host the boys.  We will have many career experts coming in to speak with students - it is like speed dating but for careers!  Thanks to Dana for organizing this! 

Z-Space:  On Thursday, November 3rd, a company called Z-Space will be at Perry Central during our lunch hour to show us some of their products.  This opportunity will be focused on our CTE teachers.  It provides AR/VR learning enviornments.  Right now, it is just an opportunity for all of us to experience new ways to bring learning to life and some lunch!  We will send you a detail plan soon!

Resource:  I found this activity in a CTE newsletter I receive.  It is an activity to help students understand their roles in groups and how their behaviors can have positive or negative effects on the work that is being accomplished!  It looks like fun and would lend itself to great conversations about learning!  ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

Manufacturing Day:  Josh Craney has been organizing several field trips for first and second year students in advanced manufacturing.  Small groups of students will visit several manufacturing facilities in the area, they will take the information they learned and present it back to other students in our building.  It is a lot of work to organize, but a great way for students to learn about manufacturing in our region.  Thanks, Josh, for your work!

Out - I will be out Monday and Tuesday to a training in New York to see a Poly-Tech High School.  Basically, a Poly-Tech high school is a model where they use Project Based (authentic learning ) opportunities to teach all of their standards.  Poly-Tech incorporates Early College, Project Based Learning (Workplace Challenges), Industry Credentials, etc.  to promote learning to all students.  The 3E Grant we are a part of will give us two years to find ways to connect to this research based model!

Remember Our VISION:  Connect, Collaborate, Create (Authentic Learning opportunities) and CELEBRATE our success!  

The Learning Pit

 

At the math conference on Thursday, I was reminded about the Learning Pit.  This is a GREAT visual to talk to students about the cycle of learning.  All of us are in the learning pit each day - if we knew everything, we there wouldn't be a school!  Helping students recognize when they are in the pit and the steps it takes to get out (and the realization that it is hard work and resiliency) will teach them what it takes to be successful.  I think you could add a lot of things to this poster on how to get out of the pit such as:  practicing skills, asking questions, working with their peers, searching for more information, and the list goes on. Wouldn't it be cool to brainstorm a list of things that bring success with students?  I also love how this visual shows a little celebration when there is success, because think we should always celebrate our learning!  

I also think this is a great representation for all of the adults in the building, as well.  Teaching can feel like an uphill battle somedays.  It is a lot of hard work to help our students find their way out of the pit.  We need to remember use each other as resources, mentors, emotional support, etc. to dig our way out!  We should always celebrate our success, too!    

One more week until Fall Break!  We can do it!

Important Information: 

Faculty Meeting - We will have our monthly faculty meeting on Tuesday, October 11th at 7:25 a.m.  A light breakfast will be served.  Topics of discussion include: tutoring, discipline data, classroom management tips/tricks, Indiana's new GPS model

Tip of the Week:  Don't forget the power of Unite & Connect (Brain Smart Start) Activities!  These activities help students get their brains ready for learning.  Connecting with others is the joy juice that resets and regulates the brain.  

     HERE is a great blog link with some Unite and Connect ideas.  I know many of you have great ideas too.  I have noticed teachers posting riddles, having students jump over chairs, word guessing games, throwing fingers with a partner and trying to get them to add to 11, etc.  

Pep Session:   To celebrate our cross team advancing to regionals and volleyball/football sectionals, we will have a Pep Session Thursday afternoon, October 13.  Students will be released at 2:25.  The Pep Session Bell Schedule is below.   We are going to have grades 9-12 sit on the bottom section of the south side of the gym and grades 7&8 on the bottom of the north side so we can get them involved a little more!  

Pep Session Schedule

12:28-1:08 5th Period

1:12-1:52 6th Period

1:56-2:29 7th Period

2:30-3:00 Pep Session

MTSS:  Don't forget to fill out the MTSS form for any student that you have any concerns for.  We appreciate you taking a couple of seconds to fill out the form HERE.  Please do this by Tuesday.

Grades:  Just a reminder that grades will roll over on Wednesday night at mid-night.  Please remember the following important things: 

       * Trend Scores - make sure you update trend scores 

       * Reporting Topics - if your grades look off, it may be a reporting topic issues.  Please see Jody or Phil to help.  Also, be thinking about reporting topics for next quarter. 

       * If you need to put in an Incomplete, you will need to have Jody or Phil do this for you.  Send names to the office.  

House Competitions:  This week is a busy week for junior high houses.  On Wednesday, they will have a pumpkin carving contest during their House meeting and Friday is their first quarterly competition which includes kickball tourney and more.  Good luck to our teams - you can see the House scores outside of Mrs. Blake's office!!

PSAT:  Just a reminder that the PSAT will be this Wednesday, October 12th.  Dana has been sending a lot of information out to all of you.  Please let us know if you have any questions/concerns.  

Athletics:  Congratulations to Jason & Heidi and the Cross Country team!  The boys will run in the regionals this coming Saturday at Crawford County along with Summer Guillaume and Savannah Schaad!    Also, girls volleyball sectional begins this Thursday evening.  Perry Central plays the first game at 5:30 p.m.  Perry Central is the volleyball sectional host - so come on out and support the lady Commodores!

Unplug

 

As we get to the end of our first grading period this week,  we may find ourselves struggling to get out of bed and dreaming about Fall Break.  We are almost there!  The picture on the left reminded me of the importance of fall break and really unplugging for our own mental health.

One of the hardest things for me to do is unplug.  It is just how I am wired!  BUT, I recognize that I need to take time to do this for myself, my family and the other people around me.  I have been working hard at making time to take a walk outside or help feed on our farm for at least an hour 3 times a week. 

Taking care of yourself is necessary.  As Jules Alvarado says, "You cannot give, what you do not posses," meaning we cannot give our best to people if we are not at our best.  So, I challenge all of you to continue to work hard, serve others and take time to breathe!

To help us get through the next two weeks, Janet arranged a surprise and delight for us this week!  Wednesday, October 5, Emma Kelly will be delivering some of her wonderful homemade granola bars.  Come and enjoy!

Important Information: 

MTSS: - Just a reminder to please fill out this form for students that are struggling.  The form is helpful because it allows you to give a little description of how the students are struggling.  You don't have to write a lot, for example: struggling with content, struggling to stay focused, attendance, etc.  Please have students listed by Monday, October 10th.  That is the Monday after the end of the grading period. 

Grading Period:  The first grading period ends on Friday, October 7th.  Grades will "dump" on Wednesday, October 12th at midnight.  Please do not forget to update trend grades.   

House Updates:  House leaders met last week to determine our next challenges for the junior high students.  On Wednesday, October 12th, students will have a pumpkin carving team contest during their house time.  Houses can use this Wednesday to prepare what they will carve, etc.  Also, on Friday, October 14th, we will have our first big challenge.  We will start the activities in the middle of 6th period and we will run through 7th period that day.   Students can start earning house points for getting to class on time and staying out of learning lunch!  Thanks to Lauren and all of the teachers for their leadership!

Upcoming Dates:   

Tuesday, October 11 - Faculty Meeting 7:24

Wednesday, October 12 - PSAT  (Dana will be sending out details - will affect mostly 9th and 10th grade students

Practice of the Week: 

Anchor Charts - If you have ever wanted to learn how to use an anchor chart, Jennifer Ball is your lady! Like an anchor, an anchor chart holds the students' and teachers thoughts in place.  Anchor charts are usually displayed as a reminder of prior learning and builds over several lessons!   Jennifer and the students created a great anchor chart together on writing memiors and they referred back to the chart a lot during class. It was a great tool for learning - she will keep this posted for students as they continue to develop their writing skills throughout the school year! 

Enterprise Programs:  If you want to know how to develop an Enterprise program with your class or pathway, Josh Craney has it down pat.  Students start class on their own daily and they are all engaged in meaningful, authentic work.  His business partners continue to expand!  We hope to have more enterprise programs across our building in the next year or so - they are such a great way for students to learn!      

We are always Learning: Several teachers are involved in professional development opportunities this week.  Continuing to learn and grow in our profession is so important - thanks for also modeling this for our students!  

 * 3E Grant - Perry Central is 1 of 5 schools that are a part of a Poly-Tech Advanced Manufacturing Pathway grant.  Josh Craney, Michael Jarboe, Dana Harris and Laura Purcell along with two business partners will be traveling to Indy on Tuesday to learn more about the opportunities with this grant.  We will either be strengthening our current pathway (which is already strong) or adding a SMART Manufacturing 4.0 pathway.  

* IMLI Training:  Debbie Dauby, Emma Bettag, and Dawn Lynch will be traveling to Indianapolis Wednesday night for an early training Thursday morning in Indy.  This is for the Indiana Mathematics Leadership Institute.  This program started in the summer and will continue throughout the school year.  

* SIEC Accelerating Learning Network:  Alyssa Howe, Jennifer Ball, Ashley Hubert and Phil Zellers will be traveling to Jasper on Wednesday to continue to learn about teacher credibility and accelerating learning strategies.  This is a year-long commitment as well.  Brennan, Abe, Abbie, Heidi and Sean attended last year and are still working with their mentor.  

* Readable English: Kris Walsh and Heidi Zellers are using a program called Readable English to help students who struggle with reading.  Our school trainer will be with them this Wednesday for a check-in.

Perry Central had a great weekend and was represented well . . .  EVERYWHERE!

* Varsity Football Team won a big game against West Washington Friday night. Our boys are always so respectful of the other team.  We are in the hunt to be conference champs!  Senior nigh is this Friday, October 7th.

* Cross County - Both boys and girls cross teams won the conference meet on Saturday!  Ty's daughter, Summer, placed first in the girls race.  Sectional is next weekend!

* Farm To Table - The FFA helped fix a great community meal using their home grown lettuce, corn and peppers Saturday Night.  Carrie Guillaume led a great team of students who served community members at the Farm to Table Celebration, hosted by the Perry County Development Committee. 

* Fall Semi-Formal:  Mary Jo always knows how to throw a party!  The dance floor was full and all of the students had a great time.  The cafeteria was beautiful!