Food For Thought...Connect, Set Expectations, Grace
As we return from break, students will need three things from you...
1. Connection - spend time building relationships: let them know that you are happy to be back with them! Take time to remind them what you love or like about them. They are probably your WHY...
2. Structure/expectations: time to reteach and restate, and yes restate again your expectations. Yes, they are out of routine and will need to be reminded of the classroom routines, classroom expectations, etc. take the time to set your high expectations for academic growth for these three weeks before break, etc.
3. Grace: They are out of routine, and may be either really starved for attention, wanting excessive time to talk with peers they have missed, or be overtired. Just as much as they need ritual, routines, structure, and reminders, they will need a little grace.
As you jump back into WORK and go from zero to sixty, you too will need to take time to focus on connections - stop and talk to a peer; expectations - take time to study your data and set high expectations for yourself for pushing students this month, and grace - give yourself grace when you don't quite have that zip in the coming days.
Most importantly... focus on your WHY
WHY do you do what you do? We know educators are not compensated for their value and time, and most of you are here for a higher calling or purpose.
As you get tired, or stressed with the holiday hustle and bustle, take time to remember your WHY...
(video below is only 3 minutes)
Safety Review:
In our BTAT (Building Threat Assesment Team) Monthly Meeting... Our JSO representative was talking through recent safety practices and drills in our sister CSUSA schools. One school had a practice "intruder" walk around for 13 minutes without staff interfering.
It is important for you to think through WHAT WOULD YOU DO....
Scenerio:
You see a person walking down the hall who does not appear to belong to our staff, does not have on a badge or visitor badge... WHAT DO YOU DO?
#SeeSomethingSaySomething - You MUST act!
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.
- Science class is doing well being led by leadership team members while we look for a teacher
- Ms. Rojas had an excellent mid-year observation, showing tremendous growth in her teaching since August
- It was great seeing several staff members attend the basketball games and the students love seeing their Stingray staff support them
- Ms. Hickman was conducting thoughtful writing conferences with her students before Thanksgiving Break
- 3rd grade teachers had families participate in their Thanksgiving special activity
- Ms. Cox was our Stingtastic teacher of the week, nominated by her peer Ms. Walter
- Ms. Wilkes students were engaged in a writing lesson with mentor text and higher level questions
- The classroom engagement and accountable talk were at high levels in Ms. Milonas' art room
- The charter team loved Ms. Underwood's use of Edmodo for engaging parents and for documenting her parent communication
- The charter team was overjoyed with the welcoming atmosphere of our classrooms
BOOSTERTHON
Parents and Families—this year’s main fundraiser is the Southside Stingray Obstacle Challenge! It’s a two-week program that kicks off with a Pep Rally on January 7th. Families will then gather pledges for every obstacle your student completes (30-35 obstacles) at the Southside Stingray Obstacle Challenge, which will happen on Thursday, January 16th. This year our goal is to raise $10,000 for technology, musical instruments and athletic equipment, and we need your help! We’ve asked the experts at Booster to power our fundraiser to make it easier, more profitable, and more fun.
Students will also experience an amazing character theme, MINDSPARK: WILD WEST! Booster’s most exciting theme yet combines S.T.E.A.M. skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) with character-building. While they're teaming up with the MindSpark Kids to save Dr. Shock, our students will learn five character traits that will help strengthen themselves and our world.
Donations will go toward technology, musical instruments, and athletic equipment and the entire two-week experience. So please help our school by getting pledges from family and friends and entering them on FUNRUN.COM. Also, all families are invited to come out and cheer on our students at the Southside Stingray Obstacle Challenge. Thanks so much for your support!
