Randolph School End of the Week Notes for February 17, 2012
Happy Birthday to Chris Wheeler on Feb. 20, Katie Songster on Feb. 21 and Trish Murphy on Feb. 24!
Students, Classroom Management and The Fourth Quarter
Last week, our consultant for BIST (behavior intervention strategy training) visited Randolph classrooms and spoke with Randolph teachers and some classes of students. Among the things Marti Huitt, director of BIST, does in a consultation is look for how well the strategies are being implemented. She responds to teachers’ requests for ideas with effectively engaging students in learning. Marti encourages teachers to look again at their processes and at their student management procedures. At this point of the school year, all students know the expectations for behavior in their classrooms and in our school. Teachers work hard keeping students engaged in the lessons. We’re “tightening up” our procedures and processes to the end of the year. Students know the expectations for learning in our school, and they’ll experience teachers continuing to use effective classroom management, and also being “strict” or “picky” about students staying on task and doing their learning!
Did You Know…?
Out of 253 school districts in Nebraska, Lincoln Public Schools is 232nd in per pupil spending – while our school district also consistently scores higher than state and national averages in student achievement tests.
Our friends at MeadowLane School have shared this link to various skills practice sites for students to practice for the upcoming NeSA reading and math tests.
http://wp.lps.org/meadow-lane/students/nesa-practice-activities/
Check out the Randolph website for links to lots of other practice sites!
http://wp.lps.org/randolph/for-students/
Wellness and Nutrition:
As part of our continuing emphasis on healthy eating, Joan Creger R.N., our school nurse and member of our Randolph Wellness Committee recommends this site for quick, easy, and helpful nutrition tidbits! www.ChooseMyPlate.gov
Internationally Known Speaker to Lincoln:
Andrea Faber Taylor, who is internationally known for her research on children and nature will be giving a presentation entitled, “Nature Time: Evidence for why Kids Need it and How to Achieve it in a Fast-Paced World” on 2/21 at 7 pm in the Hardin Hall Auditorium
CALENDAR
Feb. 20 NO SCHOOL for elementary students
Feb. 21 Parent Teacher Conferences
Book Fair in Media Center 3:40-7:00
Feb. 22 CLASS PICTURES TAKEN
Feb. 23 Parent Teacher Conferences
Book Fair in Media Center 3:40-7:00
Feb. 23 Technology Planning Committee meet 8:10
Feb. 27 Principals Curriculum Meeting 1-5:00
Feb. 28 PLC Early Out
Feb. 28 Guest Artist Diane Gubbels presenting stories through quilts
All students, K-5 in their Expressive Arts schedule
Feb. 28 Cultural Conversations Book Club meets
March 1 Teacher Community Meeting #3 at 4:00
March 5-9 Nebraska Teacher Appreciation Week
March 5 GET meets at 8:10 in Media Center
March 6 Staff meeting 8:10 with Dr. Scott
Chair massages for Staff by Dr. Greg Mongeon 8-8:50 a.m.
March 6 BIST consultant day
March 6 PTA 7 p.m.
March 7 Dr. B’s Science Fair Class 3:45-4:30
March 8 Dr. B’s Science Fair Class 3:45-4:30
March 9 End of Third Quarter
Chair massages for Staff by Dr. Greg Mongeon 8-8:50 a.m.
March 12-16 NO SCHOOL SPRING BREAK
March 19 SIP meets 8:10 in Media Center
March 19 Dr. B. meets with each grade level of students to start 4th quarter
March 20 Randolph Science Fair
March 20 Staff meeting 8:10
March 21 Principals Council 7:30-12:30 a.m.
March 26 SCIP meets
March 26 Principals Curriculum meeting
March 27 PLC Early Out
March 28 Instructional Conferences #4
March 29 Instructional Conferences #4
March 30 Instructional Conferences #4
Summer 2012 Dates:
June 4-8, June 18-22, July 9-13
Bright Lights Classes to Avoid the Summer Slide!
Summer vacation will be here soon! For most kids that means sun, swimming, and sliding. Yet there’s one slide your child should not get on. Recent research has shown that over the summer months a student can lose up to 3 months of math skills and 2 months of reading skills if they are not actively engaged.
Let Bright Lights help you out! We’ve been actively engaging students for over 25 years with fun, hands-on, summer learning.
At Bright Lights students from Kindergarten to 9th Grade learn from quality teachers as they explore their passions. Half-day class choices include options like Robotics, Funky Furniture, Astronauts, French Cooking, Magic, and Mummies!
Day camps are available for students in 3-8th grades. Students can explore Medical or Engineering careers, participate in scientific sleuthing, or fly a Harry Potter broom.
Bright Lights also offers an international experience right here in town for 6-8th grade students with a week of classes held with students from Japan. This year will mark the 10th year of international classes.
Before Care and Lunch Care are available to create a full day experience (7:30am – 4:00pm.)
So come and enjoy the power (and fun) of summer learning with Bright Lights!
Summer 2012 Bright Lights classes will be held June 4-8, June 18-22, and July 9-13. The main program site is at Randolph School, 37th and D.
For more information concerning classes, scholarships, limited free bussing, and other details, check the website at www.brightlights.org.
LOVE and LOGIC MOMENT:
Today I am responding to a question that was posted on the Love and Logic Facebook page.
“Ok, I need some help here. I cannot get my kids to stay in bed after I put them to bed. They come out 5 times a night to go to the bathroom, open my bedroom door to ask questions, and are loud and wake people up. No matter how many privileges I take away, they are still coming out.”
After reading this question, I have some guesses, and several suggested strategies to try.
GUESS NUMBER ONE
This parent answers the kids’ questions when they call out from the bedroom and reminds/begs them to stay in the room. This encourages them to continue doing that.
It helps to put the kids to bed with this statement: “You’ve had your time, now it’s my time to rest up.” When they open the door to ask questions, they don’t get answers because this is the parent’s time. Don’t reward them by answering. Remember that this is now “your time.”
GUESS NUMBER TWO
This parent tries to stay calm while dealing with this problem.
Don’t believe the myth that Love and Logic parents are always calm and sweet. Love and Logic parents are calm when delivering consequences, but they are human and their voices are sometimes stern and forceful when necessary.
If one of these children comes out of their room they are met with a parent who gets right in their face and orders them back into the room. The voice is low, determined, and unpleasant. “Bad decision! You get back in that room! This is my time! See you in the morning.”
TAKING AWAY PRIVILEGES VS. ENERGY DRAIN TECHNIQUE
Love and Logic does not teach parents to take away privileges as a disciplinary technique. We use the Energy Drain Technique instead. Even though it is similar, the wording creates a different thought process.
If any of these children were to come out of the room for a second time, they would hear, “Bad decision! That’s draining my energy! You’re going to need to put that energy back tomorrow. I’ll let you know how in the morning. Now, back to bed!” If necessary they are physically escorted back to the room.
Plan on consistently using this approach. Expect the kids to keep testing you on it for a while, but don’t give in. Keep it simple.
If you are not an expert at using the Energy Drain Technique, order and listen to the audio, Love and Logic Magic When Kids Drain Your Energy.
Occasionally we have strong-willed children who need a Strategic Training Session. I will write about that in the near future.
Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.
Jim Fay