Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
December 15, 2023
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Three part series about how we inadvertently treat children differently
Part 2: Listening Builds Trust
I mentioned last week that we often treat children significantly differently than we treat adults. However, the way we treat them is not how we would want to be treated as an adult. You can read part 1 about listening in the December 8, 2023 newsletter last week. I also referenced the article, How Parent Can Help Their Children Be Seen,
As many of you know, I have one daughter in middle school and one in high school. At their age, they are very sensitive to judgment and are very aware of the social dynamics. They don’t want to stand out, feel different, or be vulnerable. Therefore, they often don’t want to share things with their parents. This is natural as children get older and desire to become more independent.
When my daughter tells me something that makes me cringe as a parent, my natural reaction is to lecture, give feedback, or tell them what to do. That’s my job as a parent, right? However, thinking about change, leadership, teaching, just telling does not necessarily lead to change or learning. As a boss, I don’t necessarily tell people what to do. Rather, I coach, foster growth and reflection, guide, and build ownership, which leads to more long-lasting change.
There are a few ways to listen that helps build trust and is more effective for long-term change.
Listen without judgment: If people (including children) feel like they are going to be judged about what they are telling you, they are less likely to divulge information. People that are comfortable sharing their mistakes make the most growth. When people feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them with others is called psychological safety. You can read about it in the book, The Fearless Organization. To listen without judgment means to pause and listen to all of what they are telling you. Refrain from immediately reacting.
Listen without tone: Part of the judgment children feel comes from the tone of voice. I wrote about tone in a previous newsletter on September 22,2023. When students sense a negative tone, they feel judgment. Instead try to keep your emotions separate from your conversation. Emotions drive tone. Tone can lead to judgment.
Listen without your phone: We are a phone and technology society. My children are constantly on their phones to communicate. However, if they are communicating with me in person, I want to model listening in person. I consciously put my phone and technology away. However, as my children get older, they sometimes want to communicate through technology, which I will do because they may be more likely to communicate if that is one allowable method.
Listen without words: Sometimes children don’t need feedback, advice, or someone to solve their problems. This is actually true for adults as well. Sometimes students just need empathy and someone to understand their emotions. As parents, we often jump right to telling them what to do or trying to solve their problems. This may not be the best solution for two reasons. First, it steals their practice to solve their own problems, which is a skill they will need to have and develop into adulthood. Second, it can frustrate children (or anyone) when they aren’t looking for someone to solve the problem, they just need an ear to listen. Unfortunately, children may not be able to communicate exactly what their needs are when they tell you something.
I am worried that listening is becoming a lost art. Coming out of the pandemic, I see less of a natural ability to communicate, connect, and empathize - and listening is a large part of that. I’m always on my own journey to be a better listener. You can ask my children and my wife how much further I still have to go on my listening journey.
Have a great weekend,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
4th Grade Caroling
Earlier this week, many of our 4th graders spread the joy of the season to the neighborhood surrounding GRE by caroling and collecting items for the food pantry.
Thank you to the many parents who came and accompanied their 4th grade caroler, and a special thanks to the volunteers who helped deliver 131 items to the food pantry!
Great job spreading the joy, 4th graders!
End of Grading Period and Grade Cards
The elementary grade card is changing starting in the 23-24 school year. DCS is transitioning to a standards based grading system and grade card. Students in grades K-5 will receive M (meeting), P (progressing), or N (needs improvement) in the grade level end of year standards in each subject on the gradebook and grade card. These grades will be assigned to specific grade level standards (or groups of standards) rather than an overall subject.
So, what does this mean?
The major shift of this practice is away from traditional grading based on tests, quizzes, tasks, and correct answers averaged in a grade. The emphasis now shifts to how the students are demonstrating their performance compared to the end of year grade level standard expectation. Throughout the year, teachers provide instruction and work to students as stairsteps up to the end of year standard. It is a progression of learning working towards the end of grade goal. For example, if you are training for a marathon, you don’t run 26.2 miles right away. You gradually train and work your way up to 26.2, which is the end of year expectation.
With the example of a marathon, the goal is to get all students to the level where they can run a marathon by the end of the year. However, everyone works, trains, and performs at a different pace. That is where the teacher provides differentiated instruction based on the students’ needs and readiness.
What will I see about my child’s performance?
Grade Card: At the end of each semester, parents will be able to access the student grade card in Infinite Campus. The grade card will ONLY report standards that have been taught to your student based on the end of year standard mastery. For example, if your child is able to run a marathon by the end of the 1st semester, they will receive an M on the grade card for that standard, even though it is an end of year expectation. If they have not yet met end of year mastery, it will be BLANK for that standard. Therefore, you will get more information about ongoing progress in the gradebook. Therefore, you may see many blank fields on your child’s grade card because most standards are not taught to mastery until close to the end of the year.
Gradebook: The teacher gradebook is where teachers put ongoing grades (N, P, M) on student work and assessments as related to the end of standard. If the student is performing as expected on the work provided, they will likely get a P on assignments in the gradebook. If they are being instructed and performing at the end of year standard, they will get an M. An M will not be common in the middle of the year until the standard is taught to completion. If the students are performing below where they should be at that part of the year, they will receive an N. In the example of running a marathon, think of your training sessions like student work or assessments. These are the practice sessions leading up to the final marathon race. If a student can already run 26.2 miles before the end of the year, they will receive an M. The student will receive a mark for various practice sessions. If the student is on pace to be able to run a marathon by the end of the year, they will likely receive a P. If the student is behind the pace that will get them to the point of running a marathon by the end of the year, they will get an N.
So, as you can see, this is a significant shift from a focus on the grade card towards more focus on the gradebook to show progress towards the end of year goal. The grade card traditionally shows our learning based on grades or a score on the work or tests. The grade book shows their learning as compared to the end of year standard.
Want more information?
Celebration of Giving
ADOPT-A-FAMILY
All the items were purchased and wrapped today for the adopt-a-family program through One Dublin. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped coordinate the gift collection, wrapping, and delivery. A special thank you to Sarah Lerch, the PTO adopt-a-family coordinator for the event.
Celebration of Giving
We will culminate our season of giving at the Celebration of Giving whole school assembly on the last day before break. At the assembly we will celebrate our connection as a school and how we came together to make a difference for the betterment of others.
KINDNESS POST OFFICE
The last day to purchase stamps for the kindness post office was Friday, Dec. 15. Thanks to all the students that purchased stamps and wrote kindness letters to their peers and staff. The money will be counted and donated to One Dublin.
THANK YOU FROM ONE DUBLIN
Dear Glacier Ridge Adopt-A-Family Sponsors,
Your support for our Adopt-A-Family program has been incredible! Your amazing school sponsored a total of 7 families!!!
Thank you for embodying the true spirit of giving and being a shining example to our community. Together, we've created magical moments and brought joy to our neighbors in need, showing the power of kindness and compassion.
Wishing you all a wonderful start to the new year, filled with love, joy, and continued acts of kindness.
Gratefully,
One Dublin
Tiger Pals Food Drive---THANK YOU!
THANK YOU to everyone for your support to make our canned food drive project a success! We collected 230 total canned food/non-perishable items to be donated to a handful of local food pantries! THANKS AGAIN! The Tiger Pals had so much fun collecting, unpacking, and counting.
Art It Up Volunteers Needed
GRE Art It Up is back and volunteers are needed to help set up in the days leading to the event. Please click here if you can help out. Student artwork and sculptures will be on display and everyone is encouraged to come check it out!
SIGN UP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Tiger Student Announcements
Would you like to start your day saying “Hello!” to everyone at Glacier Ridge in the morning? Are you in 2nd thru 5th grade? Then sign up to read the morning announcements! If you would like to find out more about this opportunity and sign up to be a Tiger Student Announcer then go to this link via SignUp Genius: GRES Tiger Student Announcements
Glacier Ridge Student Greeter Team
Parent/Guardian Volunteer Background Check
SECURE VOLUNTEER BADGE - Dublin City Schools takes the safety of our students and staff seriously and requires a background check for all volunteers interacting with students. In order to attend field trips or volunteer in the classroom, you much go through the background check process. The process is free and easy and takes only a few minutes to complete. This is required for any parents or caregivers wishing to volunteer with students.
GRE EVENTS
Upcoming GRE Events
Dec. 20 Celebration of Giving Assembly
Dec. 21-Jan 3rd, 2024 Winter Break
DISTRICT UPDATES
Winter Break
The first semester of the 2023-24 school year ends on Wednesday, December 20. Winter Break begins December 21 and school will resume on Thursday, January 4.
Winter Break Opportunity for Families
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum is commemorating the Space Force birthday with discounted admission and hands-on learning activities. This is a great opportunity for students and families to explore the NVMM, learn more about the Space Force, and enjoy a memorable time together celebrating the Veteran experience. Visit December 20-24, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission is $4. Children under age 5 are free.
Event Highlights
Hands-on learning activities including Build your own rocket kits (while supplies last!)
Space-Related Scavenger Hunt
Space Force Themed Cupcakes (December 20 only)
From the City of Dublin
Safe Space
This month marks the first anniversary of Safe Space Dublin, an initiative to ensure community-based sanctuaries for people who have experienced hate crimes, threats or intimidation, or for people in personal crisis. All City buildings, including the Dublin Justice Center, all Washington Township Fire Department stations and many local businesses and organizations operate as Safe Space Dublin locations. Learn more: https://safespacedublin.org/
Outdoor Feed Ordinance:
The City of Dublin recognizes the growing deer population in Ohio. In response, Dublin City Council recently passed an Outdoor Feeding Ordinance. The ordinance prohibits feeding any wild animals or animals running at large on private property. Learn more: https://dublinohiousa.gov/recreation-services/parks/nature-education/
ReSpawn Lounge
Got a gamer in your family? We have special winter break drop-in hours at DCRC's Respawn Lounge. Visit on Dec. 21 & 22 to play for FREE and receive an exclusive coupon code to purchase your next five-visit punch pass. Learn more: https://bit.ly/DCRCesports
GRE CONTACT INFORMATION
Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please email our attendance line at gres_attendance@dublinschools.net.
Glacier Ridge Elementary
Email: glacierridge_info@dublinschools.net
Website: https://www.dublinschools.net/Domain/18
Location: 7175 Glacier Ridge Boulevard, Dublin, OH, USA
Phone: 614.733.0012
Twitter: @greDCSD