Bulldog Weekly Update
November 7th - 11th
Monday Motivation
Notes from the Principal's Desk
“An institution with the dual purpose of fostering students’ learning and well-being cannot ignore an intruder that actively erodes a young mind’s ability to focus and sustain attention and also magnifies anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Cellphones must be turned off and put away when students walk through school doors. Period.” [Doug Lemov]
Shared in this week's LPS Leader Publication
Doug Lemov, of Teach Like a Champion fame, wrote a piece called Take Away Their Cellphones in the fall edition of Education Next. It’s of interest, I think, because it goes beyond explaining the problem and giving pat advice. It suggests how classrooms and schools who get beyond the cell phone problem can be regenerated to support both a sense of belonging and academic rigor.
In the article Lemov gives a helpful review of the impact of cell phone use has on our students and an urgent appeal for us to make sure those phones are not available to them, at least for the few hours a day students are in our care. He traces the fact that the problem, though exacerbated by pandemic conditions, has been growing steadily for more than a decade and discusses how it’s contributing to the mental health crisis all too familiar in our schools.
He discusses some novel ways schools are using to collect cell phones as students arrive but he himself promotes a simple policy: “You can have your cellphone in your bag, but it must be turned off and cannot be visible during the school day. Not during lunch, not in the hall, not anywhere until after the last bell rings.”
What’s new and worthwhile about the article is Lemov’s assertion that it’s not just student brains we need to reclaim, schools themselves need “rewiring.” He cites convincing examples of remarkable results where schools have eliminated cell phones. Students can be expected to actively look at the classmate who is speaking and keep their body language and nonverbal cues positive. They are more likely to use what we, in Lowell, call accountable talk moves and to form better relationships with trusted adults. Lemov even relates overcoming cell phones with promotion of positive character traits that he says should be “caught, sought, and taught”. He gives an example of gratitude being fostered in school meetings in which peers and adults regularly get public shout-outs. “If you continually share and expect to be sharing examples of things you are grateful for,” says Lemov, “you start looking for them. You begin scanning the world for examples of good things to appreciate and notice more of the good that surrounds you. Gratitude is a well-being builder.”
Here’s a link to the full article: Take Away Their Cellphones
Stay with us! There's much ahead. Thank you for tuning in...
How Do We Message To All Students Accountability For Their Learning
Students Expand Interests through After School Program
Students Expand Interests through After School Program
Shenanigans on Monday: Connect with Ms. Arnold for Details
Students Create Gummy Gardens with Yummy Soil, Grass, and Worms
Cooking Club a Hit at Afterschool
Bake Sale This Tuesday! See Ms. Martin for Details
Week at a Glance
- Operations Huddle 8:30 - 9:00
Tuesday, 11/8 PD
- Start - 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday 11/9
- Admin CPT(SW)
Thursday 11/10
- Admin meeting
- NO SCHOOL
COMING UP...
NOVEMBER 7th -- SHENANIGAN'S TRIVIA -- SEE SAM ARNOLD, 6th GRADE MATH TEACHER
NOVEMBER 8th -- FULL DAY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT + TIME TO FINALIZE Q2 WIN GROUPS & VERTICAL TEAM TIME. SIGN UP FOR THE POTLUCK.
NOVEMBER 11th -- NO SCHOOL (FRIDAY)
NOVEMBER 14TH -- QUARTER TWO BEGINS
"MATHLISH" Why Teaching Vocabulary is Just as Critical in Math Class...
Teaching vocabulary is too often relegated to the softer sciences, the prosaic and introspective arts, the exploration of history and humanity. However, math is a prime place and space to teach students complex vocabulary. Many of our latin and greek root words, as well as common affixes (prefixes and suffixes) are found in and used daily in elementary and middle school math classes. Words like vertices, functions, and convex... or prefixes such as di, bi, and tri... hemi- and peri- with roots such as meter or sphere are common to the math classroom and can be a starting point for students' word-tackling ability when they confront the same or similar words in other subjects. As we continue to look at building literacy across content, we should be steadfast in creating continuity in expectations for reading and writing across grades and subjects, and that includes math. Contrary to popular belief, math students write a lot during class. Sometimes they have to explain their thinking, how they came to a conclusion (providing proof and evidence for their "claims"). As we enter Q2 and progress in our literacy goals across the school, we urge our math experts to find ways to build in and emphasize new vocabulary, helping students to analyze and breakdown new words, practice word versatility, and commit these to memory.
ILT Updates
Next Team meeting - 11/9/22
Check in with your grade-level team representatives for more information. Meetings take place every other Wednesday. ILT content is shared by grade representatives on the team at Grade Level CPTs.
ILT REPS:
Brett Sullivan -- 5th
Cheryl Ferris/ Alejandra Cabrera -- 6th
Peter Francis -- 7th
Jen Fraser/Christina Pappalardo -- 8th
Vannak Theng -- EL
Krista St. Louis - Special Education
SEL
Please see Lori Casey for any updates. Next SEL day is Wednesday November 23rd, before Thanksgiving Break.
Culture and Climate
Check in with your grade level team representatives for more information. Inquire with Lori Casey regarding information for Student of the Month due 10/31. Inquire with Kevin Freeman regarding information around the Check & Connect Mentor Program beginning Q2. Next Meeting is MONDAY , 11/21 before Thanksgiving break, from 3:15-5:15p.
October Staff Birthdays
Don't Forget to say " Happy Birthday"
- Supriya Kothari 11/2
- Kevin Freeman 11/13
- Kadeen Healy 11/15
- Jennifer Fraser 11/25
- Sharon Dowd 11/27
Butler Community
Email: jmoody@lowell.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Domain/10
Location: 1140 Gorham Street, Lowell, MA, USA
Phone: 978-937-8973
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lpsdbutler/