Bridges Weekly Reflections
January 10, 2017
Dear Team,
Speaking of this time, the next 6 weeks or so has traditionally been the most difficult for our students (and staff). We have frequently talked about this recognition albeit anecdotally. Now, we have data that we are using and monitoring in our School Continuous Improvement Plan. Quite simply, January and February have had the highest referral rates. As a result, our Building Instructional Leadership team has decided to make all upcoming PD sessions focus on the nature of at-risk students as well as staff self care.
Im looking forward to being on this journey with a great team to continue to reinforce our school's mission in supporting students' successful progress toward acquiring their high school diploma leading to gainful employment or post-secondary education.
Happy New Year!
#WeArePLSAS
#bridges1617
Warm Regards,
dave
Facility Planning Process Underway!
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools is experiencing unprecedented growth in the district, which is putting pressure on our schools.
Long-term facilities planning is underway, with the district'sFacilities Task Force meeting through March 2017 to study enrollment and demographic data. The Task Force will identify needs, generate ideas and provide input to a Facilities Design Team.
The facilities study and resulting options will be based on capacity usage, current and projected enrollment, demographic projections, city housing projections, educational needs of the school district, school-day programs, after-school facility usage, survey input and financial stewardship.
Between the Task Force and Design Team, PLSAS will receive viable and sustainable options to address long-term facilities needs, student enrollment growth and academic programming. Long-term options will be presented to the community for input in March, with final options presented to the School Board in the spring for their consideration and action.
Remaining transparent and neutral through this process is of the utmost importance, which is why we have partnered with TeamWorks International to facilitate the work. TeamWorks is a local company that has a strong track record of working with school districts through change, planning and facility design processes, which have resulted in wide community support. Their guidance will ensure the process remains authentic and is not unduly driven by district administration
Bridges most recent graduate - Nick!
Week at a Glance
- BSAT - 730am
Tuesady
- Mr. Brown @ DSC for admin meeting - am
Wednesday
- Student IEP meeting @ 11am
Thursday
- Learning Team Meeting @ 3pm
Friday
- Reading PD @ 730am facilitated by Jill and Maggie
- JUMP DAY - skill development
Teacher Corner: Candi Jenkins, Special Eduation
Exciting Things are Happening at Bridges ALC as Community Members are “Bridging the Gap” Between School and Community
The 2016-17 school year at Bridges ALC has been an exciting one as more and more community members are “bridging the gap,” no pun intended, between school and community. Mentors from community businesses, through the Prior Lake Rotary Club, continue to come bi-weekly to encourage, motivate, and provide wisdom to our students. There are scrumptious bi-weekly luncheons with meaningful speakers, along with bi-weekly 1:1 student to mentor consultations. The Prior Lake Rotary Club also provides wonderful gift cards for all of the Bridges’ students during the holidays as well as funding the yearly school outing and the Epic Breakfast Challenge in the spring. Both the students as well as the Bridges’ staff members are so appreciative of all that the Prior Lake Rotary Club does for Bridges year after year!
Another fantastic community partnership that will begin this week in the Transitions Seminar class is the partnership with Job Corps Minnesota. The Prior Lake Job Corps representative, Jamie Gates, will be speaking to the students on Tuesday, January 10 regarding the comprehensive array of career development services that are offered to them both in high school as well as some post-secondary opportunities. The Job Corps offers vocational training, technological training, job skills training, social competencies, and job placement that prepare students for long-term, high-paying careers. We’re not sure exactly what direction this new partnership will take, but we are very excited to see what the future will bring!
Recently, at Bridges . . . . .
Bridges took over an entire theater @ Lakeville for a trip to the field to see, as a school, Rogue One. The movie and the kids were GREAT
The alumni return!!
Justin and Zach checking in
PFC Hansen connecting with Ms. Collins and Ms. Olson
Mark back from basic training
PFC Hansen graduating after Basic Training
Bridges and PL Rotary Partnership = Student Success!
School Board member and Rotarian Chad Rittenour present a generous donation to Bridges where myself and Ms. Serefeas attended to accept.
Great time enjoying lunch as a school!!
Bridges students after a holiday lunch all pretty happy after receiving some great gifts from their STRIVE mentors!
Bridges Arms Project in Ms. Nelson's class was a great success!
From the student support team: Ann Collins, LADC
We all know that the teen years can be tough. The kids we see every day are dealing with some very heavy issues on top of the “normal teen” stuff that everyone goes through. It can be hard for our kids to think about caring for themselves sometimes. I came across this list of self- defeating behaviors that teens often fall into but relates to us adults too. Sometimes we can get caught up in all the other junk going on that we forget to be kind to ourselves and model those behaviors for our students. Take a look and see which area you might need a little improvement in and talk with students if you see them behaving in some of these self-defeating ways.
3 Self Defeating Things Every Teen Should Stop Doing Today
Beating Up Your Body
If you see your body as the enemy or as something that holds you back in life you have an unhealthy body image and you need to change your way of thinking. Having a less than perfect body makes you normal not a freak. Embrace the things about yourself that you love and don’t obsess over the things that could use some work.
Giving in to Peer Pressure
Peer pressure feeds on insecurity and low self-confidence and the best way you can beat it is to like yourself. When you are comfortable with who you are and know your boundaries peer pressure doesn’t stand a chance and believe it or not, people will still like you even if you don’t follow the pack. So learn to make up your own mind and follow your inner voice
Comparing Yourself to Others
There will always be somebody who is nicer, smarter, cuter, faster, in short better, than you. This is a cruel fact of life. Don’t worry about being the best, worry about being the best you can be. It makes for so many more successes in life and you’ll be a happier person for it.