The Reds Tale
March 9, 2017
Newark High School
Email: thomas.roote@newarkcsd.org
Website: http://newarkcsd.org/Domain/84
Location: 625 Peirson Avenue, Newark, NY, United States
Phone: 315-332-3240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nhsreds
Twitter: @Newark_HS
From the Desk of Mr. Roote
One more thing: Make sure your staff members exercise the same vigilance in classrooms, playgrounds, the cafeteria, buses—everywhere. Being alert is the responsibility of everyone on campus, and everyone has a duty to report problems they see and hear. Make this an expectation and set up an efficient reporting system, like an anonymous complaint box or a designated staff member. After problems are reported, there must be clear signs of follow-up.
Here’s a checklist to consider as you travel the halls, classrooms and school grounds:
- Casual pejoratives. Do you hear certain words used regularly in a derogatory manner? That’s so gay. That’s lame. That’s retarded. Is the word “bitch” used casually to label female students? Work to establish a climate where casual slurs are uncommon—and are challenged when they do occur. Speak Up at School offers advice on responding to everyday bias.
- School “pride.” Do cheers and chants at sporting events focus on positive aspects of your school, or do they demean opponents instead? Chants or taunts based on ethnic stereotypes and socioeconomic differences have no place in an inclusive school community.
- Assemblies and holidays. Skits and costumes can convey bigoted and stereotypical messages: the “day-laboring Mexican,” students dressed as “rednecks,” people in blackface. Pep rallies, Halloween and other events, like spirit days, can become steeped in stereotypes and bigotry. Set expectations beforehand about appropriate costumes and cultural sensitivity. Discuss the inappropriateness of caricatures or disturbing representations that are rooted in bias and bigotry.
- Marginalized students. Engage students who appear to be left out in the cafeteria, on the playground or in other school settings. Watch for patterns or changes in the way groups of students are aligned. Check for signs of hostility, depression or a marked change in behavior or academic performance, and reach out to the students’ parents or guardians and/or the school counselor as appropriate. Alienated students—either as individuals or in groups—are more susceptible to bias-based bullying and even to recruitment by gangs and hate groups.
- Student recognition. How does your school recognize student achievement? Long-standing traditions may contribute to a sense of entitlement among some students, and feelings of frustration or inadequacy in others. Who is spotlighted and who is ignored? Is there a perception—fair or not—that athletes, advanced placement (AP) students and student leaders enjoy privileges or are disciplined less severely for misconduct? Collaborate with students and faculty in developing more egalitarian ways to honor an array of student achievements.
- The Anti-Defamation League’s Pyramid of Hate offers a lesson—suitable for older students as well as for professional development—exploring levels of hate and bigotry. This can be helpful in gauging the seriousness of what you might encounter on campus.
- Staff lounges. How are teachers and other staff talking among themselves when outside of student hearing? Are teachers making negative comments about the “kids from the trailer park?” Are they telling casually bigoted jokes? Model inclusive, nonbigoted behavior yourself, and interrupt moments of bias among staff.
- Your own perceptions. Pay attention to the comments or complaints you automatically dismiss or discount. Is there a pattern? Is there a gap between your perception of a certain issue (bias-based bullying, for example) and the perception others have of the issue? Explore that with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others.
- Involve everyone. Every person in the school—from the music teacher who visits twice a week to the newest transfer student—should understand the climate of tolerance at your school. “If you see something, say something” should be the model everyone uses. Let everyone know that incidents and concerns should be reported to school leaders in person or anonymously.
- Don’t forget the school bus. Speak regularly with bus drivers about what they are seeing and hearing on the buses. Occasionally assign staff to ride buses (or ride the bus yourself ) to monitor behavior and to reinforce to students that the climate of tolerance includes not just the school grounds, but the bus as well.
For the most part, I leave here each night feeling like our kids are never at a point that they have lost the capacity to grow as individuals. With that said, I will ask you if we are having enough of a conversation on this topic? Think about it!
From the Desk of Mr. Wagner
Mash Up
See you at the Tuesday staff meeting from 2:30-3:00 pm in the LGI. Currently on the agenda:
- Matt Roelands and NHS safety and security through the eyes of a future Eagle Scout
- DASA refresher
- Planting the seeds of social and emotional learning (adverse childhood experiences) with a film preview (Paper Tigers)
We are seeing an uptick in classrooms behaviors that I would identify as "popping off." What is being said/written (threats) is getting quite a bit of main office attention. Please be sure you are cautious in how much access/license you give for expressing themselves. We have many safe and more appropriate venues for our students to express themselves that do not include entire classroom rosters. I understand this entry is a touch vague so see me if you are not reading between the lines.
Social Emotional Learning and the Plan for Excellence
Calendar Share
Tuesday, March 7 at 2:30 pm in the LGI. Staff Meeting. Contact: T Roote.
Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 pm at Wayne High School. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Panel. Contact: N Reinholtz.
Thursday, March 9 at 7:00 pm in the NHS gym. Cavalcade of Bands. Contact: B Humphrey.
Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 pm at Pittsford Calkins Middle School. Mental Muscles with Dr. Wallace. Contact: N Reinholtz.
Wednesday, March 15 from 7:00-8:00 pm. Board Presentation: The NHS Plan for Excellence. Contact: T Roote.
Wednesday, March 15. Kick Butts Day. Contact: N Reinholtz.
Friday, March 17. Public Health at NHS. Contact: N Reinholtz.
By 3:00 pm on March 22 and May 2. ↓65 Infinite Campus Grade Reports. Contact: T Roote.
Thursday, March 23 from 5:30-8:30 pm at WTCC. Career and College Fair/WTCC Open House. Contact: C Logan.
Friday, March 31 at 10:00 am at Nye Road office. Wayne County Suicide Prevention Coalition Stakeholder Kick-Off Meeting. Contact: N Reinholtz.
Monday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 5-6. Tom and/or Ryan Out for Teacher Recruitment Road Trip. Contact: T Roote.
Tuesday, April 4 in the afternoon. Capstone Presentations. Contact: K Ganter.
UPDATED: Thursday, April 13 in the afternoon (time TBD). Student Assembly/Pep Assembly. Contact: T Roote
Friday, May 12 at NRW. Special Olympics.
The Newark High School Mission, Vision and Values
The Newark High School Mission: We are a school community with deeply held hometown pride, committed to readying young people to be life-long learners with experiences aimed at continuously motivating us to hone our skills in the complex tasks of teaching and learning. Our community is devoted to providing supports for the aspirations of our adolescents as they mature into adults with ambitious plans for college and careers.
The Newark High School Vision: Staff embody the school values and impart confidence while providing an inviting classroom environment with clear expectations and specific academic and behavioral goals. Students embody the school values through intellectual and emotional perseverance. Families embody the school values while remaining actively involved as advocates for their children and supporters of the school programs and staff.
The Newark High School Values: Safe, Responsible, Trustworthy, and Respectful.
Email: thomas.roote@newarkcsd.org
Website: http://newarkcsd.org/Domain/84
Location: 625 Peirson Avenue, Newark, NY, United States
Phone: 315-332-3240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nhsreds
Twitter: @Newark_HS