Student Services
November 18, 2019
You Can't Teach or Expect - What you Don't Know or Can't Do
Social Skills - Information from Mindtools:
Leaders who do well in the social skills element of emotional intelligence are great communicators. They're just as open to hearing bad news as good news, and they're experts at getting their team to support them and be excited about a new mission or project.
Leaders who have good social skills are also good at managing change and resolving conflicts diplomatically. They're rarely satisfied with leaving things as they are, but they don't sit back and make everyone else do the work: they set an example with their own behavior.
So, how can you build social skills?
- Learn conflict resolution – Leaders must know how to resolve conflicts between their team members, customers, or vendors. Learning conflict resolution skills is vital if you want to succeed.
- Improve your communication skills – How well do you communicate? Our communication quiz will help you answer this question, and it will give useful feedback on what you can do to improve.
- Learn how to praise others – As a leader, you can inspire the loyalty of your team simply by giving praise when it's earned. Learning how to praise others is a fine art, but well worth the effort.
It's a great week to reflect on what you are thankful for and show your appreciation of others.
Have a great week!
Your Student Services Team
Bystander Empowerment Resource
Some More Time Out from Amanda Bigbee
I know my time-out information from last week's AP meetings has some of you sitting on your own calming spot while trying to figure out how all of this will work. I wanted to provide the information in another format to ensure we have consistent information and understanding.
Time-out is defined by law as having the following components:
1. behavior management technique,
2. provides a student with an opportunity to regain self-control, and
3. student is separated from other students - remember this doesn't have to be in another room - separation in the classroom can still be a time-out.
If all 3 of these components are not met, whatever is happening is something other than time-out. When you're trying to determine if your sensory spot or your beanbag or your counselor visit is "time-out", run it through the three-part test.
Under new TEC 32.0023(A), time-out is an aversive technique that cannot be used if the use precludes the student from being able to progress appropriately in the curriculum and/or towards goals in the IEP.
If a student is going to the counselor, nurse, AP, or any other person to calm down, talk about behavior, or whatever else may need to happen, it's not time-out. The law allows for the removal of a student from a classroom to the office for behavioral concerns.
Also remember that SEL strategies, including a calming area in the classroom, may help the student calm down or focus, but we do not consider it an aversive behavior management technique. This is part of our mental health and wellness initiative, not a punishment or punitive measure. If you are using the SEL calm spot punitively we probably need to chat about it.
If a student who is on an IEP or 504 plan needs time-out as an accommodation, the use needs to be documented in the student's plan. If you need to do that via amendment, you can do so. Just make sure it's in writing and the parent gets a copy.
The most important thing is to take a deep breath and not panic. The issue that will bite us in the rear is sending a kid out in the hall where they're missing instruction for periods of time. The safe-spot in the room to blow out candles or count backward or any other activity that helps kiddos unflip their lids is not likely to be an issue.
Just keep on taking care of kids. When you have a question or feel like there's a tricky fact-specific issue, just give us a shout. We're happy to help.
Amanda Bigbee
Updates and Information
- November 21st - 10:00 - Education Support Zoom Meeting - Mark your Calendar
- Student Services will begin processing all transfers when we return from the holidays. Principals will begin receiving the alerts and will need to have decisions made before we leave for the December break. Thanks!
Past Due: ROCK Attestations to ensure that all staff and students have been trained on Anti-bullying and Harassment was due on Oct. 25th. Please send all attestations to stephanie.cantu@kellerisd.net and laura.lockhart@kellerisd.net. Here is the link to all the training and required attestation: https://sites.google.com/kellerisd.net/rock/trainings
More Professional Development for You!
Question: Do I participate in staff-team meetings and provide input and leadership when warranted? Teachers in high-achieving schools are collaborative. They plan together, strategize together, and realize the value in one another. Effective teachers understand synergy and leverage it to enhance their practice, often through staff-team meetings. As a school leader, your participation and input in staff-team meetings are essential. By participating in meetings, you demonstrate your commitment to your staff and to the overall growth of your school.
Contact Us
Joe Baker - Area Director of Student Services X1083
Stephanie Cantu - Student Services Assistant X 1115
Laura Lockhart - Area Director of Student Services X 1105
Email: stephanie.cantu@kellerisd.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/kellerisd.net/student-services
Phone: 817-744-1115