Food For Thought... Integrity
Integrity is often defined using C.S. Lew's quote as doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not." Oprah Winfrey
"There are three constants in life . . . change, choice and principles." Stephen Covey
As an organization grows it changes. Change is a constant and you often hear that organizations that struggle to evolve often are heard saying, "but we have always done it this way." Another phrase that begins to come to mind is "we have never had to do that before" or "we have never had to follow that policy/procedure/law before."
I challenge you as members of CSUSA, an organization that prides itself on holding itself to a higher standard and is committed to continuous improvement, to hold yourselves accountable and also commit to doing better than before. We can only be better than we were the day before.
Yes, when I was a beginning administrator in education, there were many laws, policies and best practices that I was unaware of, yet as we learn them and become aware, it is not ethical to ignore or not apply to our work. I am still constantly learning, and as we learn, we change how we work.
At Southside, I have been more and more frequently confronted with, "well we have never had to follow that before." I can recall hearing this at least six times last week. Yes change is difficult, but these have been in response to federal laws, state laws and CSUSA policies. Once you are aware, you have to commit to holding yourself to a higher standard.
I can apologize that you were unaware or for the fact that change is hard and sometimes more work, but I will not waiver on high expectations for our school, for you, for our students and on integrity. Often following laws and policies doesn't matter until it matters: until someone is held accountable, a school or organization is fined or loses funding, or until someone is hurt and others are seeking justice. As the leader of this building, I have to protect the students, you, and the organization from consequences for not following policies and laws.
I challenge you to follow policies, laws and best practices: to accept change, and to grow. When you hear of something you never knew before, or new legislation, or a policy of our organization, I ask that you think, ask for further guidance in how to implement, and shift your mindset from resistance and push back, to acceptance and growth.
Sometimes we don't fully understand, or agree with the laws, policies and best practices, but as an employee of CSUSA and DCSS, how can you grow to comply with integrity?
Ultimately, we are here for kids and we must do what is best for kids while representing an organization that has policies and a pubic school that receives corporate, state and federal funding which means following their policies, laws, etc.
State laws such as Margory Stoneman Douglas Act; Federal policies around free and reduced lunch programs, laws from IDEA, ESSA, non-discrimination laws, DCPS policies that apply to DCPS charter schools, all apply to us as a public school. We are not a private school that can make its own policies as we accept funding for each child, for safety, for ESE, from local, state and federal funding sources and are therefore held to follow the laws and policies with integrity.
CSUSA leaders talk often about "earned empowerment," which often gives flexibility on somethings that are loose in an organization whereas somethings are tight. For example, success block is something that is a requirement, but how it is implemented in a building is given with earned empowerment. Flexibility in areas such as common assessments are areas we can earn flexibility with a building at capacity and strong fiscal management, high academic growth and performance (solid A.)
Thank you for adapting a growth mindset. I know I do things differently than when I was first a teacher, coach, administrator, because once I know better, I have to do better. Thank you!
~Principal Sauer
Help us pick a movie!
Click Link Below (Microsoft Form) to vote for Family Movie Night Movie! November 22nd There is also a poll on the main website if you want to poll your class! Voting ends this Friday evening.
Personalized Learning
https://www.gettingsmart.com/2014/02/making-personalized-learning-plans-personal/
Safety Review: HOLD & also EVACUATE
- Most often currently being used for our student with a seizure disorder but could be any medical emergency.
- Personnel closest places soft item under the head if possible & sends other students away
- Uses Tap App to start "HOLD: Code Blue/Medical"
- Calls 911 from the side of the victim
- Admin point person reports to scene, also alerts JSO who is on site, and assigns a point person at the front desk
- All other personnel keep kids out of hallways.
- If traffic of students can be directed to class or to certain areas, it will be facilitated through admin. using the available stairwells/hallways
- If outside, continue activities, but do not send students into the building/hallways.
EVACUATE - Fire
- When the fire alarm goes off, you should wait for further direction from Tapp App & loud speaker before evacuating
- The fire alarm signal is one that alerts you to ready your class in a quiet line, grab your roster/cards and feel door for heat/look/smell for smoke.
- By the time you have done the above, you should get further direction via the Tapp App and/loudspeaker to "Evacuate: Please report to your fire drill location"
- Use Red card to signal for an adult: -missing students, students removed from core, medical issues
- Use Green card to signal no issues or missing students.
You Have the Authority...
Remember that as a teacher/staff member in the State of Florida, by law you have the authorization and obligation to call/alert others in an emergency: hold, shelter, lockdown, lockout, evacuate. You can use the Tapp App if able, but if a phone is not with you, then alert another for their phone, or use the PA system: 7001#00* You do not need an administrator to make that determination.
- Ms. Kokocki was heard utilizing high amounts of positive praise. ·
- Teachers sending photos of great, engaging activities for social media posting ·
- Great reception for PLPs, specifically Middle School group of teachers (who have many more!)
- Socratic seminars were enaging in Ms. Ferlita's room
- Ms. Chesney is back!!!! We all missed her and her students are very excited!
- Health Class has started for middle school students
- PLCs are going well with teachers as active participants
- Wonderful 4th grade music performance!
