The Warhawk's Nest
Feb. 17-21
The Power of Listening
Over the past week or two, I have had the opportunity to sit and converse with some of our students of color. Taking this time to listen was an eye-opening experience that led to a better understanding of their lives- struggles they have and aspects of their culture that are vastly different from ours. Every middle schooler believes their peers are staring at them and judging how they look. For our Black students this is greatly intensified by a bad hair day. Doing their hair is not an easy task, and at times, it can take hours to do. Often our girls rely on their moms to take care of their hair and if mom isn't home and their hair needs to be done, their world falls apart. For our kids of color, they may not want to go to class, or they want to hide under a hood. I learned quickly that hair could literally impact a child's learning.
We discussed a variety of obstacles they face with their hair. If they take it out, the problem enhances because we don't have the supplies they need to fix it. They can't just wear any scarf, because if it isn't silk it can dry out their hair and cause damage. With this information and knowing we don't allow our students to wear hoods, we quickly moved into problem-solving mode. We now have scarves in the office for our Black students, we wanted to provide a way for our students to feel comfortable and confident even when they can't control their hair. I'm sharing this with you for a couple reasons: to bring awareness into the lives of our students of color, but also as a way for us to begin to empathize with them. This is just the beginning, our students have unique backgrounds and cultures, take some time to learn more about them. Take some time to converse with them, ask questions, and most importantly, listen.
-Anna
The Video Below Brings this Situation to Life
Celebrate Black History Month
Black History Month is just one way we can celebrate diversity. There are a variety of ways you can recognize Black History Month with your students. Some possibilities include:
- Bring art and history together by recreating Civil Rights Freedom Movement posters.
- Explore black history through primary sources from the National Archives.
- Let artists inspire your Black History Month activities.
- Learn about the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Create a newsletter or magazine with your students.
- Turn your classroom into a living museum.
- Read books with black characters in honor of the young hero Marley Dias.
- Host a poetry reading.
Want More? Here are some resources:
Important Announcements Regarding Recess & Warhawk Way Expectations
All Purpose Room
The All Purpose Room will not be available for recess. This is a Phy. Ed. space, and it has been determined this is not a safe space for recess.Please share the Warhawk Way expectations with your students for Rm. 400 & the cafeteria.
Room 400
Room 400 will be available starting this week. We recently purchased some new games to update this space. Please monitor students closely to ensure that all materials for games have been put back where they came from and that the games are put away neatly on the shelves. Please sign out and lock the door when you leave the room.
Room 400 Warhawk Way Expectations
Cafeteria (during lunch)
We have purchased new games for the cafeteria as well. Please make sure you have reviewed the Warhawk Way Game Expectations with students prior to lunch on Monday.
6th & 7th Grade Registrations for 2020-21
Each 6th & 7th grade Advisory teacher will receive a class roster in their mailbox. This roster should be used to keep track of which students have turned in their registration forms. As students return their registration forms please:
- Verify the student has picked 8 items
- Verify the student's parent has signed the registration
- Return the registration forms to the guidance office
Once you have all registrations in and they are marked on the roster, return your roster checklist into the guidance office. The first 3 Advisories to turn in ALL registration forms will receive a prize. If you end up having to complete a registration form with a student rather than their parent, we will not count that as complete for the competition. All registrations are due Monday, February 24th.
Employee Assistance Program
Phone # 1-800-236-3231
Resources:
Reminders About Time Off
Personal Days
Joyce Greenwood-Aerts wanted us to share information related to teacher personal days. Per the teacher handbook, the district allows a maximum of 12 teachers to take personal days on any given day; however, that number is reduced to 8 the two days prior and two days following a vacation and/or holiday period. We have identified Friday, March 20 and Monday, March 30 as days that have reached the maximum number of teachers approved to use their personal day. No additional personal day requests will be approved for these days. Specific details related to personal day use can be found in the teacher handbook.
On a related note, at a recent MEA Meet and Confer meeting, we agreed that elementary classroom, special education and EL teachers will not be granted personal day requests for the March 13 staff in-service. Bridges Math training will be held on March 13 and this training is very important for teachers to attend prior to teaching the curriculum beginning the fall of 2020. We will honor any personal day requests that were previously approved.
If future dates reach the maximum number of personal day requests, we will share this information with you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your building administrator or Joyce.
Funeral Leave Reminder
Mark Your Calendars
- 20th: Wilson Conferences 1 pm-7 pm
- 20th: Half Day for Students
- 21st: NO SCHOOL FOR STAFF & STUDENTS
- 26th: Stand-up Staff Mtg. & Leadership Team to Follow
- 26th: Parent Engagement Meeting @ 5:30-6:30 pm
March:
- 1st: Youth Art Month: Opening @ Rahr West Art Museum 1-5 pm
- 4th: ALL Staff Mtg.- Forward Testing Tools
- 5th: Testing APP Check in Advisory Today!
- 6th: WEB Party 1:30-3 pm
- 11th: Stand-up & Leadership Team to Follow
- 13th: Staff Development NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS
- 18th: ALL STAFF Mtg. (including paraprofessionals)- Forward Test Proctoring
- 20th: End of 3rd Quarter
- 23rd-27th: NO SCHOOL SPRING BREAK
April:
- 1st: Stand-up Staff (ALL STAFF-Including Paraprofessionals) Quick Testing Review
- 2nd: Forward Exam ALL STUDENTS
- 6th: Author Visit- Baptiste Paul
- 7th: Forward Exam ALL STUDENTS
- 8th: Forward Exam ALL STUDENTS
- 9th: Forward Exam 8th GRADE ONLY
- 10th: NO SCHOOL
- 13th: NO SCHOOL