Monday Morning Motivation
Central Elementary Staff News---November 20-24
Health Benefits of Gratitude
Dear Staff,
I recently came across the article below and feel it is worth sharing.
When was the last time you stopped to really acknowledge the things you’re thankful for? There’s a whole host of reasons why we should make gratitude a daily practice — research has shown that being thankful confers a whole host of health benefits, from improved immune systems, to feelings of connectedness, even higher team morale.
1. Good for the heart. A 1995 study in the American Journal of Cardiology showed that appreciation and positive emotions are linked with changes in heart rate variability.
2. Good for the immune system. Gratefulness is linked with optimism, which in turn is linked with better immun health WebMD reported.
3. Reduces stress. WebMD reported that negative events can boost gratitude, and that gratitude can help to boost feelings of belonging and decrease feelings of stress. For example, a survey showed that feelings of gratitude were at high levels after 9/11, according to WebMD.
4. Strengthens relationships. Being thankful for the little things your partner does could make your relationship stronger, according to a study in the journal Personal Relationships. The Telegraph reported on the study, which showed that journaling about the thoughtful things your partner did was linked with a beneficial outcome on the relationship.
5. Improves sleep. Writing down what you’re thankful for as you drift off to sleep can help you get better ZZs, according to a study in the Journal of Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being.
6. Higher Grades. Grateful high-schoolers have higher GPA's— as well as better social integration and satisfaction with life — than their not-grateful counterparts, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Happiness Studies.
For me, as I think about Thanksgiving, like many of you, I am grateful for the people we have worked with who have impacted our professional and personal lives. Amber Ocker, Shonda Meranda and Michelle Strange thank you for being wonderful employees and colleagues. As you move on to the next chapter in their lives, we wish you all the best and know you will be greatly missed.
Have a great week!
Julie
Central Calendar
Monday, November 20
- Earthquake Drill 9:00 a.m.
- PTO meeting 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 21
- Jeans are okay today :)
- Cabinet Meeting
Wednesday, November 22
- No School
Thursday, November 23
- No School--Happy Thanksgiving
Friday, November 24
- No School--Shop Until You Drop
Monday, November 27
- Brag Tags and STEM during specials (due in Amy's mailbox by 9:00 a.m.)
- Elementary Principal meeting 2:30
Tuesday, November 28
- Office Meeting 10:00
- 1st grade brag tags delivered during specials
Wednesday, November 29
- Data Team Meetings--move second grade to 30th
- Blue Convocation 10:15
Thursday, November 30
- Team Leader Meeting 7:30 a.m.
- Second grade data meeting
Friday, December 1
- Body Safety Susie's Place grades k, 2, 4
Announcements and Reminders
Brag Tags-Last month, I felt like we really struck a balance in the number of tags we gave. We did not over award. Please continue to be choosy when awarding these so receiving one really means something. I would like these in Amy's mailbox by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 27th. Thank you!
Recess and Cold Weather-(This is what we have communicated to parents in our newsletter.) Children will be expected to go outdoors for recess when the temperature and wind chill are 20 degrees Fahrenheit and above. Students will not go out if it is raining or sleeting. It also says that if your child must stay indoors because of illness during recess time, we ask that you write a daily note requesting that your child stay inside. Repeated requests for indoor recess will prompt the nurse to require a written statement from the family doctor concerning the request.
Holiday Events in Classrooms-As we prepare for the holidays and have classroom events, please remember that siblings cannot join parents when they volunteer.
Blue from the Colts Be The Best You Can Be program: We are confirmed for Wednesday, November 29 at 10:15 a.m. For more about the show click the link http://www.colts.com/fanzone/mascot/be-the-best-you-can-be.html
K-9 Unit-Jocko is the newest member of the Plainfield police department. Officer Pritchett may stop in sometime to have him walk the halls to become familiar with our building. He does not need to come in the classroom, but you are welcome to invite him in to the room. Just making you aware so you can mention to students. He is a very calm dog.
Learning.com-In the future when students are doing Learning.com, please have them choose the Clever-Internet Explorer shortcut in the Central Websites folder to access Clever/Learning.com. We’ve been assured this is the best browser to use now.
Sub Request from Nicole Crum – It's that time of year when illness is creeping in and the holidays are coming fast. Please check your calendars today and let me know of any days off you may need this month or in December. Remember, that we do share subs with PCMS and PHS.
Santa Shop Schedule Below: from PTO--We will be bringing envelopes like last year. Those won't go home with students until after Thanksgiving. We will bring a handout to send home with students on Tuesday with details and a request for parent volunteers. We will be in Monday to get them in mailboxes. Please email this link to parents: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4baba62aabfd0-central
PTO Meetings: Please plan to attend a meeting if you have not already done so this year. The board has been very good at keeping meetings to no longer than an hour.
Body Safety Presentations Schedule – December 1st, 2017
Per Team Leader-please note some updates bolded
Monday, November 20th---Amber Ocker’s last day. She coordinated much of our special education testing. It is imperative you have your teammates communicate tests in a timely manner, so accommodations can be in place for students.
Tuesday, November 21st-Michelle Strange and Shonda Meranda’s last day
Monday, November 27th—Substitute teachers will begin covering Amber’s duties through December 15th. The substitute teacher will be getting a student off the bus as well.
Monday, November 27th—Andrea Herald begins in the ELL and IA position. She will shadow Michelle some on Monday as she transitions out of her student teaching. This schedule will stay the same. She will need direction, but will be great!
Monday, November 27th—Jacob Marsh will begin for Shonda. He will shadow her some next Monday and Tuesday. Jacob will begin his day at Central clocking in and taking care of tickets. Then, he will go to Brentwood and then come back in the afternoon. It is imperative that we use help desk tickets.
Monday, December 18th—Tina Kirchoff begins in the resource room. She will continue getting a student off the bus and all other duties Nikki assigns.
What are the biggest changes?
- Tracy and I will be responsible for announcements. Tracy will type the template. I will help the 5th grade student on the PA system. Amy W. is my backup. SO if you have a last minute announcement, you will have to let us know. 5th grade teachers will send students down for announcements. They will know who is on deck and work through the class.
- We will need let the office know as well as email Jacob Marsh that the copier is down.
- New students will still be added in the software, but he will be new at this, so will need us to give him some grace.
- Jacob will still assign lessons in learning.com. He will help with laptops, but this will have to be done through help desk tickets. Learning curve for us will not having someone always here and really using help desk tickets.
Please welcome all to our Central Family!
NEW! 2018 ISTEP UPDATE
I know you work hard every day to prepare for the upcoming ISTEP test. I encourage you to look at the information and website for additional resources.
https://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/istep-grades-3-8-10
More Updates! ISTEP+ Additional Scoring Notes for Spring 2016 Open-Ended Items
We have posted additional scoring notes for Grade 3-8 Math, Science, and Social Studies items that originally appeared in the Spring 2016 released scoring notes. These new resources may be found in the “Released Part 1 Applied Skills (open-ended) Items and Scoring Notes” section on our website. Please share this information with educators.
NEW! ISTEP+ Part 1 Math and ELA Videos – Share with Educators!
Our content team has created videos to help support educators as they prepare students to respond to math and ELA items that appear on the online ISTEP+ Part 1 Assessment. Steps for completing items, showing work, modeling responses, sample scoring, and more information are included in these videos. Please visit the “Content-Specific Resources” from the dropdown menu on our website and select either the “Math” or “ELA” tabs to access each video and accompanying PowerPoint slide. Send questions to inassessment@doe.in.gov.
Staff Celebrations!
- Awesome attendance--97.05%.
Rachelle Mogg
Anne Johnson
Jennie Menser
Amy Stultz
Melissa Mosier and Heidi Schwettman (this week)
Katy Riester
Amy Western
Lauren Richard
Michelle Strange
Courtney Siepman
Julie Smith
Rhianda Szepski
Shonda Meranda
Tracy Pettet
April Allen
Didi Harris
Alejandra Ortega
Jill Maple
Janice Zummach
Carey Hackleman
Rebecca Stanley
Shannon Todd
Kelly Gowen
Bridget Davis
Amber Ocker
November Birthdays!!!
Happy Birthday to you!
Amy Stultz 11
Curt Pickard 15
Amy Paul 18
Anne Johnson 22
Rachelle Mogg 25
Please keep the following staff members in mind:
- Our sweet and friendly cafeteria worker, Elizabeth (Beth) Boles-Manuel for personal health and healing
We are here to support you!
When Learning Is Fun!
The note below is from a parent this week, praising Central Elementary:
I wanted to send a positive note telling you how much our girls love both of their teachers this year. Both girls have said they would like to grow up to be teachers and they come home and play "school" after spending all day there. I have attached a picture of the "classroom" that has currently taken over our living room!
It is obvious they are enjoying learning and you and your staff have helped cultivate an environment to stimulate life long learners. We are so thankful to have our children attending Central where they are thriving.
Making Unbe-leaf-able Turkeys while Focusing on Fact and Opinion!
All About ART
Building Pilgrim Shelters in Second Grade
Our Mission
Providing engaging academic experiences, the Central Elementary Community will inspire and support students to become caring, confident, lifelong learners.