SCH Weekly

Greetings SCH Family,

This past week, the construction at the new school hit a major milestone, the last beam was set atop the north side of the academic wing. Skillman held a ceremony for the iron workers and SCH where we were able to sign and write well wishes for the school on the final beam!

Exciting to see how quickly the school is coming together and I can't wait for students and staff to call this new building home.

Have a great week!

- Scott

In keeping with the IDOE’s SEL Competencies, I want to address a key component of an effective school culture.

5A. Students treat others fairly and RESPECTfully, are able to see multiple perspectives and are open-minded.

In order to become culturally competent, we must first master the art of RESPECT.

Webster defines Respect as ...to regard (someone or something) as being worthy of admiration because of good qualities. : to act in a way which shows that you are aware of (someone's rights, wishes, etc.)

Respect in the workplace can lead to an increase in productivity or a decrease in productivity. The same ideal follows along for our students. Students who feel respected will ultimately work harder than those who do not. Respect improves collaboration, reduces stress, builds a culture of fairness and increases engagement. One should always treat people how you’d like to be treated (showing kindness, courtesy and politeness). We should always be aware of our tone, body language and expressions and treat each other with RESPECT.

It is crucial that we show RESPECT to each other regardless of race, religion, age, etc. Showing respect is especially critical when members of an organization come from diverse backgrounds. One cannot claim to embrace diversity without a practice of respect. We must embrace each other’s differences and respect each other’s thoughts and viewpoints.

Along with that, we must discourage disrespect. Showing respect is never limited to superiors...it is a fair game that everyone should participate in equally. Everyone in the organization, regardless of role, can and should show respect for others. Everyone does not always agree in an organization, but they should feel safe enough to express themselves respectfully, knowing that same respect will be returned. No one person should be allowed to disrespect the order of an organization.

Respect encompasses every individual in an organization. It is not something that is afforded to one group that is not afforded to another. It is not a compromise made with one person when the outcome devalues another. Respect must be mutual at all times.

Respect is the cornerstone of any great institution or organization, and it lies in the heart of any great leader. When members of an organization are disrespected, they feel devalued, and in turn productivity decreases (research says) as much as 50%. Additionally, when one member of the organization is shown respect at the sacrifice of another; the organizational culture becomes negative. The culture becomes discriminatory, toxic and untrustworthy.

If this is going to be a safe trusting educational environment, it must be rooted in respect. It is incumbent of each of us, at the very least, to show respect for one another.

We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.” – Abraham Lincoln

ACCU Principal, JoEllen Raby recognizes the impact on the culture and climate of the entire building as students begin donning their career uniforms. She recently gave a shout out to Cpt. Randle & EMT Instructor, Ryan Cogdill:

I just want to give a shout out to both Mr. Cogdill and Ms. Randle for further professionalizing their respective programs. The uniforms student's in both programs are now wearing are impressive and project a very professional demeanor. Thanks for making positive influences on the climate and culture of the ACC/ACCU.

Starting this week or next the majority of our SCH school buildings will have some sort of "alternate" breakfast model up and running in addition to the regular cafeteria breakfast service. Our secondary schools will have at least one breakfast cart in the hallway prior to the school day starting out for about 15 minutes after the first bell (Gavit will have the cart out between 1st & 2nd periods). The majority of our elementary schools will have a breakfast cart stationed just inside the main door from the time the first bell rings for 15 minutes after that to provide a breakfast to those students who come in late.

Did you know that both the National Education Association Foundation (NEA Foundation) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals Foundation (NAESP Foundation) are two of the partners for Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom?

• NEA Foundation (National Education Association Foundation - a public charity founded by educators for educators to improve public education for all students. The Foundation has served as a laboratory of learning, offering funding and other resources to public school educators, their schools, and districts to solve complex teaching and learning challenges)
  
  
• NAESP Foundation (National Association of Elementary School Principals Foundation is operated as the tax-exempt, charitable arm of the National Association of Elementary School Principals—a professional association serving more than 25,000 administrators and other educators in the U.S. and overseas)

We will be creating a new section to our SCHLunch.com website that provides resources for successful breakfast implementation - and please do not hesitate to reach out to the administration of the Food & Nutrition Department if you need support!

With the Little Mermaid upcoming, the HAPA Boosters have a wonderful event for our younger Disney fans. Come take a trip under the sea before seeing our show the same day! We can't wait to see you there.

Head Start is working on program goals as part of its five-year plan. Conscious Discipline, Head Start’s social-emotional learning and classroom management program, will play an integral role in goals for both students and their families. It is anticipated that through consistent implementation of Conscious Discipline student’s assessment scores in the areas of “regulates own emotions” and “uses language to express thoughts and needs” will show measurable numerical gains. In addition, the DECA social-emotional developmental screening tool was completed by both the Teacher and the parent. It is anticipated that students whose DECA social-emotional screening baseline scores indicated a “need” in any of the following -attachment, self-regulation, initiative or behavioral concerns, will show measurable improvement at the mid-year and/or end-of-the-year scorings. Also, implementation of Conscious Discipline will provide students and their families with more tools to be successful. As one Conscious Discipline Action Team member commented - it’s more than school readiness; it’s life readiness.

As children, we are told that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”.

Reality check: Words not only hurt, but they break through, build up, breakdown and destroy.

Educational professionals and staff have two reasons why careful selection of wording is a must when dealing with parents, other teachers, students and staff:

1. Policy on professional standards and expectations
2. A licensed or hired obligation to care for children

As employees of School City of Hammond, we are in positions of authority that dictate interaction with valued members of our community and schools every day. With authority comes responsibility for our actions and everything that comes out of our mouths. Whether administrators, teachers, district, building, support, clerical, trade or transportation, we need to make an intentional move toward consideration and kindness. This begins with thoughtful and positive comments, while avoiding lashing out verbally in haste or frustration.

Make sure that:

• You weight your words for impact
• Speak on facts without accusation or “always statements”
• Discuss alternatives or “opportunities” instead of using negatives to describe situations
• Never include shock value, name calling or profanity
• Wait a moment or seek help when you are unsure of how to respond.
• Listen

If we take one minute to consider how to respond before speaking, we will actually communicate using more positives than negatives. This will also assist in forming better relationships as listeners within our school community and we will be better equipped to respond in a way that will forge positive relationships between all of the individuals that we interact with daily.

Remember:

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can break or build me!”

“Proper preparation prevents poor performance”, as said by Steven Keague. The Transportation Department will conduct emergency evacuation drills on Tuesday, October 2, 2019, as students arrive in the morning at all of our schools. In accordance to Indiana Code 20-27-3-6.5, an evacuation drill must be held at least once per semester. This particular drill will instruct students on how to properly use the seat belt, how to operate the different types of emergency exits, and how to stop a bus in the event a bus driver experiences an emergency that prevents them from doing so. Additionally, students will also practice exiting the bus by using the emergency side door before going into school.

Monday, September 30th
- Edison ES – Cheerleading – 3:15 to 4:45 p.m.

- Eggers MS Volleyball @ Scott MS – 5 p.m.

- Eggers MS Football @ Gavit MS – 5 p.m.

- Gavit MS/HS Spirit Week

- Gavit MS Volleyball @ Clark MS – 5 p.m.

- Griffith Volleyball @ Gavit HS – 5 p.m.

- O’Bannon ES – College Wear Spirit Day!

- Scott MS – Advisory Council Meeting – 3:30 p.m.

- Scott MS Football vs. Clark @ Morton HS – 5 p.m.

Tuesday, October 1st
- Edison ES – Chorus – 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.

- Edison ES – Soccer – 3:15 to 5 p.m.

- Gavit HS Tennis vs. Michigan City Marquette @ PNW – 4:30 p.m.

- Gavit HS Volleyball @ Calumet HS – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, October 2nd

- Edison ES – Cheerleading – 3:15 to 4:45 p.m.

- Edison ES – Girl Scouts – 3:30 to 5 p.m.

- Gavit MS/HS Bonfire – 7 p.m.

- Gavit MS Cross Country @ Riverside Park - 5 p.m.

- Scott MS Cross Country @ Riverside Park - 5 p.m.

Thursday, October 3rd
- Edison ES – Brownies & Daises – 3:30 to 5 p.m.

- Edison ES – Soccer – 3:15 to 5 p.m.

- Lincoln ES – PTA Popcorn Sale

- Morton HS Volleyball @ Gavit HS – 5 p.m.

- Morton HS Soccer @ Gavit HS – 5 p.m.

- Morton HS Soccer @ Gavit HS – 7 p.m.

- Whiting MS Volleyball @ Scott MS – 5 p.m.

Friday, October 4th
- Edison ES – Basketball – 3:15 to 5 p.m.

- Gavit MS/HS Pep Rally – 2 p.m.

- Gavit MS/HS - Homecoming Game vs. Clark HS - 7 p.m.

- Scott MS - Judge Sedia Celebrating Constitution Day Program – 11 a.m.

Saturday, October 5th
- Gavit HS Cross Country vs. Gavit HS @ Riverside Park – 10 a.m.

- Gavit HS Volleyball @ Lowell HS – 9 a.m.

- Hebron Soccer @ Gavit HS – 10 a.m.

- Michigan City Soccer @ Gavit HS – 12 p.m.

An update from the Superintendent is distributed at the beginning of the week.

View previous weekly updates from Mr. Miller here.

Follow us on Social Media

If you are on these platforms, please LIKE, FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to see the great things happening in our district!

Email: schadmin@hammond.k12.in.us
Website: www.hammond.k12.in.us
Location: 41 Williams Street, Hammond, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 933-2400
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolCityofHammond/
Twitter: @SCHK12