Sunday Shakedown
Weekly Memo for Washington Elementary
Principal Post
- Plato compared the human soul to a chariot: the intellect is the driver and the emotions are the horses. Life is a continual struggle to keep the emotions under control.
- Our children and victims of violence—two very different subjects, yet united by the similar neurological reactions they provoke. This consistency strongly suggests that compassion isn’t simply a fickle or irrational emotion, but rather an innate human response embedded into the folds of our brains
- Emotion before reason: So for human beings, no less than for any other animal, emotions are the first screen to all information received. Some pyschologists suggest these emotions can never be supressed causing humans to hear bad news first and loudest
So what does this mean for those of us who are leading the communication? Well, I suggest it begin with one straightforward thought: "Is what I am about to say good enough for my kid?" I read a Facebook post by a relative of mine recently in which he cautioned others to remember that the words you say about someone matter to more than just that person. That person is someone's love, someone's daughter, someone's best friend and the impact touches them too. So what do we do? We cannot skip the conversation, as honesty is crucial in our field. I also researched a previous book I had read about crucial conversations and found the following that was helpful:
- The physical setup is also important. Does the space allow good eye contact? Does it project the right informality? Does it promote reflective dialogue when called for?
- Your audience must understand and trust the purpose you have stated for the conversation. Try this for your next one-on-one: list the outcomes you desire, starting with concrete ones such as “She will agree to these two specific performance goals”. Keep going until you exhaust the more abstract ones: e.g. “She knows that I really want her to succeed and will do everything i can to help her.”
- The best communicators go beyond good listening to make a caring connection at an emotional level. They respond to others’ needs as they surface, thereby building trust.
- This does not mean being flexible to the point of agreeing to whatever the other party wants, but rather being open to a set of shared outcomes.
- Be empathetic. Everyone comes to the conversation with a different history or perspective, and having empathy for these different views is the best way to build a relationship. Recognize and respect how others are feeling, even if you do not agree with their point of view.
- Practice your key sentence. While you may not have a tremendous amount of time to practice, take one minute to practice the key information you are going to deliver.
I know you all convey a genuine and caring attitude during parent teacher conferences, with primarily GREAT information to share, however whether our message contains positive or hard to hear information, I thought these reflections might be helpful.
Thank yous, appreciations, and celebrations:
- Thank you to all for your PBL work-we had another great set of collaborative meetings where you all came up with wonderful driving questions, success skills, academic demands and public products. I love the work you are doing to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for students
- Thanks again to all who have cooperated to help us cover when absences occur. Your flexibility is critical and so appreciated
- Thanks again to Lisa H for changing our marquee when asked-it is certainly appreciated.
- Thanks to the LCA team for such a warm and supportive welcome for Mrs. Perry
- Welcome to Diane Henger, our new IA in LCD, she begins Monday @ 10:30
- Continued prayers for Debbie Starnes as she works with her physicians to manage her health
- Thanks to all who have helped by attending the family fun night. Our PTA team knows the night would not have been a success without you. We had close to 175 attendees and seeing their teachers was a real treat.
- Thanks to Kim Bradley and team for their work on the yearbook-it's sure to be great!
- Thanks to PTA for the cupcakes-UMM who said that was a good idea when last week our weight loss team lost a whopping 50 pounds collectively! Thanks to Renee for hosting this competition
- Field trips-Thanks to all who are collecting and logging money correctly and helping us follow guidelines-the trips you have planned are creative and will launch great learning!
- Thanks to our custodial team for flexibility this week while we hold conferences, don't forget to get Vicki a schedule (Candice too) so they can avoid your spaces when parents are present.
Week of Feb 5-9
Science standard sharing with Andrea Fissel during planning times
Wolf at Sevier helping do instructional rounds so I can help understanding 6th grade transition
Tuesday:
Literacy collaboratives
Wednesday:
Club day
College T shirt day (I have been terrible at promoting and remembering this!)
LCB visit from Knoxville Zoo (in school field trip project mentors/launch)
Sue T at AP collaborative 11-1
Thursday:
LCC field trip-Kingsport landmarks PBL launch
Sue T out of the buiding in PM
Dr. Moorhouse welcome ceremony 5:15 at the ASC (Wolf attending)
Study Island training with Brett Herron at JEFFERSON (that is a change) at 3:45
Friday:
No school for students: Parent conference day (you may work a half day if you have completed 3.5 hours of conferences throughout the week)
A look ahead:
Monday, Feb 12 -5th grade field trip to DB and faculty meeting
Tuesday, Feb13th-math collaboratives
Wednesday, Feb 14th- Valentine parties
Thursday, Feb 15th RTI meetings
Professional Learning: New Resources to Share
On Thursday, Kevin Surgenor was at GWES to train 4th and 5th grade teachers on Net OP. This program allows the teacher to have ALL student computer screens visible on your laptop. It will allow you to control student screens from your computer and shut down any undesirable activity. RATS team, for those who want this, please send me a date and I will invite Kevin back.
Available session for support staff:
Google Sites/Forms
February 8
9:00-10:30 AM
ASC Computer Lab
https://goo.gl/forms/0chnHuboLFIrUPyA3
Surgener/Norris/
Potter
Professional learning calendar:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TnP8coW70cUnlW0gLTJ6H4Oy5FNS8Sbw/view
Temple Grandin
For Your Information:
Please have schedules for conference schedules to Candice. We will have parent's sign in before 4:30, so they can come straight to you, however, after the office staff leaves at 4:30, please plan to come up and greet your guests. On Friday, we will have them sign in as well.
Remember our goal for 2 positive parent contacts per week-can be email, phone, written in binder
From Pam:
do not know if anyone is planning a unit of study about the Peongchang Olympics, but I may have some items of interest.
I don't know if you are aware of this, but I lived in South Korea for 6 years. I studied the language at Yonsei University and Pusan National University. While there, the 1988 Olympics took place in Seoul.
The yachting events were in Pusan, where I lived. I was part of a group of Americans who taught English to the staff who would work at those events.
So, I do have a Korean hanbok, which is traditional dress. I also have a blazer, which was given to me from Dr. Park, who was over the Olympic Committee. There are also other momentos, such as Hodori, (tiger) the mascot that year.
Anyway, I did live in S. Korea, but the traditional dress is the same.
I would be glad to show the hanbok and talk about my experiences in Korea, if needed!
From Kim:
The best apps for kids who like to read:
WSIC News
Link to the WSIC, please be certain to watch each day: https://goo.gl/vjw2eP