May 11

This year we went up 25% in expectations defined, 30% in expectations taught, 25% decision making. Overall implementation went up 20%!! WOOHOO!!

Student Behavior/Adult Responsibilities

As we enter our last weeks of school (who is counting?), it is absolutely critical that we consistently reinforce our expectations, routines/procedures. We are seeing spikes in incidents of student behavior. As the adults on campus, it is imperative that we are supervising all students at all times as we escort students to/from class and reinforce our expectations about lining up, etc. Please make sure that adults are at their assigned duty areas, not congregating. We are required as professionals to monitor and supervise our students' safety on the playground and we gather in groups as adults when we are supposed to be supervising, we are putting the school and the employee in potential liability. Additionally, it is also the adults responsibility to monitor students if you send them outside to work.

What I Wish I Had Known Before . . ..

I wish I had know that my student’s behavior was a language- that their actions and words were telling me something what they were feeling or thinking. I wish I’d remembered that they did not get up in the morning plotting to do things to frustrate me.

I wish I’d known that meltdowns and explosions usually meant my students were tired, or hungry, or bored or frustrated themselves. I wish I’d known that they needed an adult to help them find the words to express what was troubling them. But they sure didn’t need a frustrated adult.

I wish I’d known more about child development, brain development and behavior. I wish I’d known that growing up is a slow process. I wish I’d known how each development stage has its own way of seeing the world. I wish I’d known that most times they saw things differently from me.

I wish I’d listened more to what was true about their hearts and spirits and personalities.

Makes me smile every time :)

Campus Safety and Locked Doors:  During a recent meeting, the Governing Board took action to modify
Board Policy 3515, Campus Security.  The modification included the sentence "Campus security procedures
shall include a directive for staff to keep classroom doors locked at all times." It is important to note that
while the doors need to be locked at all times, they do not need to be closed at all times.  As long
as the door is locked, it can be propped open. The locking of the door, even if open, allows the
classroom to be quickly secured should the need arise to go into lock-down or lock out.

Happy Mother's Day

Observable Fish Moments at SV:

Be There: Thank you Fern for making sure SBAC make ups are being done in a timely manner!! Thank you to every staff member to ensure testing is going smoothly our first week.

Play: Thank you Daniel for juggling so many hats this year and still smiling every day!!

Choose your attitude: The school year is NOT over - continue to be positive!! To actually choose how you respond to life, not just react, you must be intentional. Ask yourself throughout the day, "What is my attitude right now? Is it helping the people who depend on me? Is it helping me to be most effective?" NO EXCUSES!!

Make Their Day:  Thank you for everything you DO to make sure our students are successful every day!! You are amazing!!