Saturday, February 12, 2022

The Middle Update 2/12/22

 In Strong School Cultures, People Articulate the Following CORE Beliefs Through How They Behave:

All Students Can Learn at High Levels

All Students Will Learn Because of What We Do

Students Do Well if They Can

What WE Do Makes the Difference for the Kids in School

We Never Give Up On Kids


Resource of the Week

As we get into mid-February, it is really natural for frustration to set in when our students continue to test us in different ways, or even the same way.  The resource this week explains how we can best be successful in this situation.  Not every "make it right" or consequence is effective, but many are, and in the end it's about so much more than that.  It's our mindset, beliefs, and approach that make the difference.  Read on for a really good perspective on this topic.

"Compassionate Discipline:  Dealing with Difficult Students" - Grace Dearborn


It's Almost Time...Pig Races

I know many can hardly contain the excitement, but it's time to start planning for our Annual Pig Races.  The first step this week is to make sure your Homeroom has a pig.  There are many pigs in the staff workroom by the office, and probably some that are still in classrooms.  Could you please return any pig that may be in your classroom to the office?  We'll do a little inventory, and then distribute the pigs to each Homeroom one morning after announcements.  We have a little more planning to do yet with our Student Leadership Group, but you can start the conversation with your Homeroom groups.


Grades Posted in Infinite Campus

I'll be sending an email out to parents over the weekend about mid-term grades being posted.  Please make sure your grades are posted, including the Puma Pride standards that should be posted.  Let me know if you have any questions about this.


Forward Exam Prep Meetings

The days that we'll be taking the Forward Exam (starting 4/12) will be here before you know it.  We'll be hosting a meeting on either Tuesday (2/15) afternoon at 3:25 or Wednesday (2/16) morning at 7:25 in the Cafeteria.  We'll be looking at how we can prepare our students to navigate the testing tools, so that those things don't hold them back at all, and the results are a true measure of their knowledge.


Puma Pride

Last week at the assembly, we shared school report card results from many local school districts.  The results are just one piece of data that should create a sense of pride in the strong learning that takes place in our school.  


Parent-Teacher Conferences

We will be having another great opportunity for us to share our students' learning with their parents/ guardians.  On Thursday, March 10th from 4:30-8 p.m. will be holding our Spring Conferences.   Our models for the conferences are going to be parent choice/ preference.  If they would like to come for in-person conferences then we will need to accommodate that.  However, if they prefer a virtual one then that option is available as well.  Our goal is to connect with as many parents as possible and for sure parents/guardians of students who have Puma Pride scores below the ME level.  Please let me know if you have any questions.


Impactful Twitter Post

Every once in a while there is a post that I come across that really makes sense.  I'm sharing one from this week:


Danny Steele
@SteeleThoughts
When you have a difficult, disrespectful, and defiant student, my biggest tip for you… is to have lots of conversations with them when they are not in trouble. These conversations are where you build rapport… and that rapport makes future confrontations less likely.
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The Middle Update 2/12/22

 In Strong School Cultures, People Articulate the Following CORE Beliefs Through How They Behave:

All Students Can Learn at High Levels

All Students Will Learn Because of What We Do

Students Do Well if They Can

What WE Do Makes the Difference for the Kids in School

We Never Give Up On Kids


Resource of the Week

As we get into mid-February, it is really natural for frustration to set in when our students continue to test us in different ways, or even the same way.  The resource this week explains how we can best be successful in this situation.  Not every "make it right" or consequence is effective, but many are, and in the end it's about so much more than that.  It's our mindset, beliefs, and approach that make the difference.  Read on for a really good perspective on this topic.

"Compassionate Discipline:  Dealing with Difficult Students" - Grace Dearborn


It's Almost Time...Pig Races

I know many can hardly contain the excitement, but it's time to start planning for our Annual Pig Races.  The first step this week is to make sure your Homeroom has a pig.  There are many pigs in the staff workroom by the office, and probably some that are still in classrooms.  Could you please return any pig that may be in your classroom to the office?  We'll do a little inventory, and then distribute the pigs to each Homeroom one morning after announcements.  We have a little more planning to do yet with our Student Leadership Group, but you can start the conversation with your Homeroom groups.


Grades Posted in Infinite Campus

I'll be sending an email out to parents over the weekend about mid-term grades being posted.  Please make sure your grades are posted, including the Puma Pride standards that should be posted.  Let me know if you have any questions about this.


Forward Exam Prep Meetings

The days that we'll be taking the Forward Exam (starting 4/12) will be here before you know it.  We'll be hosting a meeting on either Tuesday (2/15) afternoon at 3:25 or Wednesday (2/16) morning at 7:25 in the Cafeteria.  We'll be looking at how we can prepare our students to navigate the testing tools, so that those things don't hold them back at all, and the results are a true measure of their knowledge.


Puma Pride

Last week at the assembly, we shared school report card results from many local school districts.  The results are just one piece of data that should create a sense of pride in the strong learning that takes place in our school.  


Parent-Teacher Conferences

We will be having another great opportunity for us to share our students' learning with their parents/ guardians.  On Thursday, March 10th from 4:30-8 p.m. will be holding our Spring Conferences.   Our models for the conferences are going to be parent choice/ preference.  If they would like to come for in-person conferences then we will need to accommodate that.  However, if they prefer a virtual one then that option is available as well.  Our goal is to connect with as many parents as possible and for sure parents/guardians of students who have Puma Pride scores below the ME level.  Please let me know if you have any questions.


Impactful Twitter Post

Every once in a while there is a post that I come across that really makes sense.  I'm sharing one from this week:


Danny Steele
@SteeleThoughts
When you have a difficult, disrespectful, and defiant student, my biggest tip for you… is to have lots of conversations with them when they are not in trouble. These conversations are where you build rapport… and that rapport makes future confrontations less likely.