Bridges Area Learning Center
Weekly Reflections, November 28th
Dear Team,
WELCOME BACK from Thanksgiving break! I hope all had a restful and refreshing time away! I appreciated time at home, with family and friends and hope your break was equally restful. This time of year can be especially challenging for at-risk students. For some students, spending extended times away from a place that brings security, warmth, happiness, food and connection can be difficult. I have said over and over that this is a really great group of students which many have established strong connections to Bridges. As a result, this time of year can bring some extra challenges to our students. Please be mindful of that there may be some extra needs or extra latitude required as we move through the next several weeks.
As usual, I appreciate all you have done to close off our first quarter of the year so successfully and hard work you put in to launch our second quarter with about a dozen new students! I love the energy in the building currently and am very excited to keep it going now into the next part of our year!
#WeArePLSAS
#bridges1617
Warm Regards,
Dave
Week at a Glance -
- BSAT @ 7:30am
Tuesday:
- Mr. Brown @ District admin meeting @ DSC - am
- Teacher Observation @ 1pm
Wednesday:
- Senior Class meeting 3rd period in Ms. Nelson's room with Mr. Lund and Ms. Jordan from PLHS
- US Army recruiters @ lunch
- PLHS & Bridges guidance counselor meeting @ PLHS @ 130pm
- IEP meeting @ 3pm
Thursday:
- 730am BILT meeting
- STRIVE
- Plato renewal meeting
Friday
- 730am district PD meeting @DSC with Mr. Martin and myself
Teacher's Corner: Mr. Lawson - Social Studies
Now that October’s gorgeous leaves have finally fallen and chilly November nights are here suggest our school year is well and truly underway. Quarter 1 is complete and Quarter 2 holds all the promise of a fresh start. Students now come and go from my classroom, registering confidence and ease, the rhythms of the school day firmly established, and for most, a positive path toward graduation firmly underfoot.
On day one of the new quarter, introducing myself again to my first hour U.S. History class—necessary because of a number of new students joining us for the first time—I inquired of one of my veteran students, “To what do you owe your first quarter success?” Came the enthusiastic reply, “I did my work every day!” This may not come as a profound realization to those who breezed through school, but stands out as a practical, powerful breakthrough for a student who had previously experienced academic frustration.
I could not be more proud of him. And even better, I saw a number of students experience a similar transformation, committing to solid attendance and work completion even as they made Bridges a more respectful, considerate, and confident learning community.
At the end of American Education Week, last Friday morning Mr. Brown gave students the opportunity to write a few kind words for their teachers—in exchange for a fresh doughnut. Thus bribed with sugary goodness, students penned some very genuine and direct comments which were shared with teachers. My favorite was, “I like the fact he’s always on my back about my work. He believes in me!”
This gets to the heart of our educational mission here at Bridges and illustrates why I think our team succeeds: we help students to overcome challenges and demonstrate belief in their potential.
As Quarter 2 unfolds, we will continue to support students in every way we can. By the time snow covers the ground and 2017 is upon us, we will have new successes to celebrate. (And hopefully, a few more scrumptious doughnuts.)
Recently @ Bridges
A few staff members enjoying lunch during American Education Week
Alexis writing a kind word for her teachers
Kirby & Melissa getting a start to the day
KIDS and donuts!
Ms. Olson and I honoring Erik with his mom during PL Optimist's Club Youth Appreciation Luncheon where each building in the district honored deserving students!!
Great to see Bridges grads Tony and Richard checking in - at tech school!
Thanks Ms. Nelson & Dezi for the sign!
From the student support staff: Erik Elsberry, Therapist
Trauma Basics
The title above is a bit oxymoronic, as trauma is quite complex, both in how traumatic events are first introduced, and how they are experienced after. As professionals working with children, we know that trauma is especially detrimental early in life. It can have significant impacts in social, physical, and emotional development. Traumatic events impact neural pathways in the brain, and contribute to stress hormones being released. Healthy brains are able to recover after these stress hormones are released, and return to a homeostatic state.
Consider this example:
You’re driving your car on the highway, minding your business and staying in your lane. You notice an 18-wheeler slowly drifting into your lane, which triggers fear and panic. The semi driver eventually corrects their drifting and returns to their lane. After some colorful language, you feel your heart rate go back to normal, your breathing slows, and your brain returns to its previous, rational state. A child with complex trauma often lacks the ability to return to homeostasis. Real or perceived threats always seem present. Imagine going through your daily activities in a panic state, similar to when that semi was creeping into your lane.
Some students we encounter struggle greatly with returning themselves to a homeostatic state. Another thing to remember is that trauma can have significant impacts, whether it is real or perceived. The physiological impacts are the same, whether the threat is real or not. Here is a great website with short, informative videos on trauma. If you or your students have further questions about the impacts on trauma, I’d be happy to share what I know.