Grant Gazette
November 30, 2018
Positive Office Referrals/Phone Calls Home/Handwritten Notes of Appreciation
But these pay HUGE dividends for both our students and the adults in our building. Please take some time to write a note or call a family to brag about their child. Or send them to the office and have them tell me what they've done well lately!
Not only will this make the receiver (whether it's a staff member or a student) feel great, the GIVER also feels fantastic!
And a bonus for me--I feel great too!
On Thursday I was about to head into Jolene's classroom when I saw Jami's classroom door open. Elliot emerged, then Spencer. Oh, no, I thought to myself. Then Jami popped out briefly, said, "I've got one more for you" and escorted Carter into the hallway.
"My God," I thought. "A triple-header of problems for Jami. And now, for me!
But Jami began talking about how each of the boys was having such an awesome week. She was specific in her praise and each boy beamed as she spoke about them. I think they even each got an inch or so taller as they received specific praise from their teacher.
I hope they each had a great afternoon, but, regardless, at that moment, they were proud 4th graders. Jami made sure they each knew how proud she was of them and I tried to follow suit and tell them how proud I was of them.
A kind note. A phone call. A short conversation. Takes less than 5 minutes, but provides an incredible investment into the relationships we have with our students and their families.
Review Lockdown procedures with your students
They should: Jump into the first classroom they see and join that class OR retreat into the bathroom and remain there until found by school personnel or law enforcement.
A reminder for you...when the announcement is made ("Locks, Lights, Out of Sight!") you need to do a quick hallway check as you are closing your door. If you see a kid in the hallway, have them enter your room. But once you've closed that locked door, it should not open for anyone for any reason.
It's possible that the best way to keep our kids safe is to leave the school grounds. I'm thinking about students on the playground or students in PE. If your "self-evacuate" in a situation like this, it would be best to get to our evacuation site (First Presbyterian Church). Remember to text me so I'll know where you are!
We will do an unannounced Lockdown drill in December.
Staff Meeting Dec. 6
If you have a topic for the agenda, please let me know.
Printing/Copying Costs
By contrast, we spent just $1,250 through October of last year. That says that we've spent $731 more this year on printing than we did last year. It also seems like I am seeing the Eakes Office copy machine repairman more often this year, too!
We've spent more than $622 per month for each of these first three months. Last year, we had a high of $547 in September; the other two months we under $500.
Please be cognizant of ways that you can eliminate or at least reduce the number of copies you are making.
MTSS/Sensory Path
We have now had two meetings regarding the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) initiative in Nebraska. We still continue to have lots of questions about MTSS and how it can benefit NPS and Grant. It seems a little like RTI, only bigger! There are lots of great resources that we will be able to use, whether we fully engage in MTSS or simply dip our toe into the water. Members of our MTSS team are Cindy Brown, Jillian Wiese, Lori Coffin, Leisel Powicki, and Allison Suckstorf.
Check out the links below that help explain what a sensory path is. I think it's an awesome idea. How could it work at Grant? I'd love to hear your feedback---I'll add it to the agenda for our Dec. 6 staff meeting.