Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
December 8, 2023
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
3 part series about how we inadvertently treat children differently
Part 1: Authentic Listening
The longer I work with children and lead adults, the more I notice the parallels between how I treat children and adults. However, human needs are often very similar throughout our lives, yet our interaction between children and adults sometimes differs drastically. One such example is how we listen to children.
In the article, How Parent Can Help Their Children Be Seen, it mentions that, regardless of their age, children need to be seen, heard, and valued. Yet, many children state they are not listened to. Yet, as adults and parents, we think that we DO listen to our children. Where is the disconnect? I would argue that adults have that need as well. Ironically, adults probably need it more, but children can’t always understand or label their need for this and therefore, can’t vocalize it. In adults, it can often feel undervalued, unappreciated, unfulfillment in a job or relationship, or feeling taken advantage of. In children, it may vary depending on the age, but it can be expressed as withdrawal, anger and lashing out, disrespect, or sadness.
The article references a book about this concept, which goes further into strategies. However, one of the biggest lessons that I have learned as a father and a leader is how to listen. Listening, no, I mean truly listening, is often a critical skill to building trust, yet it is often underappreciated and underdeveloped.
What I call Authentic Listening, is the ability to truly hear the words, feel the feelings, and think the thinks of the other person. It is a form of listening that truly empathizes with the other person in an attempt to understand their perspective. Most people don’t take enough time to allow this thinking and process to take place. So often, we listen as a pause to only communicate what we want to say - often in an attempt to change their mind or perspective, which is the opposite of listening.
I’ve developed a few of my own strategies over the years to become a better listener. However, I’m still working on this skill. Ironically, I feel like I’m a better listener at work than I am at home.
Be aware of your body language. Ironically, when I authentically listen, I lean back, slightly cross my arms and rest my head on the fist of my hand. It’s much like the Thinking Man statue. I even scrunch my face as if you can see my actually thinking. I didn’t strategically do this at first, but through my reflection, I noticed that what I naturally do. I often ask my colleagues if it bothers them and it interferes with their perception of my listening and it rarely does. However, research states that perceived listening language includes leaning forward and keeping your body and arms open, portraying that you are open and vulnerable yourself. Either way, be aware of your body language. If you don’t know what your body language is when you listen, this is a good place to start.
Ask two questions. Before giving any of my thoughts or interpretation about what I am hearing, I almost always ask two questions. Unfortunately, there are no two magic questions that I ask every time. The questions depend on what the person is saying to me. However, I’m often trying to understand the needs, motivations, or purposes of the conversation, so one of my questions is often, “Why do you think that is?” Either way, my goal is to gather as much information as I can around what the person is telling. Some sample questions that might help are:
Why do you think that is? This gets as the information leading up to the convestation/event.
How can I help with this? This gets at the purpose of the person telling you. Remember, sometimes they just want you to empathize and not fix their problem.
What are the other options or other perspectives? This gets at painting a full picture of the situation. Getting a full understanding of a situation helps you better understand the person, yet within a larger and higher level perspective.
Pause and think. I often pause and think before responding. Sometimes I do this before I ask the questions and sometimes I do this after I ask the questions. It depends on how detailed the person is explaining things to me. Either way, I’m truly processing the information and analyzing three things:
What they are saying?
Why are they telling me?
What is my action as a result?
If you are not pausing to understand these three questions, this is the second place to start with your authentic listening. I’m a slow processor and it takes me some time to ingest, interpret, and analyze information. So, pausing helps me do this naturally. I’ve found that people that are fast processors tend to pause less because they can quickly get to their own interpretation and perception, which can lead to errors.
So, when you listen to someone, they feel human and valued. Listening doesn’t mean that you agree with them. It means you understand and appreciate their perspective, even if it is different from yours. Next week, I’ll dive deeper into even more specific strategies for children. Although, the strategies above work for them as well.
Have a great weekend,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
Operation Kids for Troops
In November, the students and school community collected items to send overseas to troops that had a connection to GRE or their family members. One of the members of the Markin family is stationed overseas in Japan. They were extremely grateful and appreciative of the kindness and support provided by GRE and the community.
Celebration of Giving
The celebration of giving is an annual event at GRE to honor the season of giving back and making the community a better place. We have multiple initiatives that accomplish this, including our Adopt a Family and Holiday Post Office (described below). Our giving initiative culminates with wrapping the gifts on December 15 and a whole school celebration with students on Friday December 21. During the assembly, we will present our donations to the charities, and have performances by the 5th grade strings, and a sing-a-long. Unfortunately, parents are not able to attend this event due to limited space.
KINDNESS POST OFFICE
Starting Monday, December 4 through December 15, students will be able to purchase stamps in the mornings from 9:00-9:10 from the fifth graders. The stamps are used to mail Choose Kind letters to other students and staff at Glacier Ridge that are delivered at the end of the day. The proceeds from the sale of the stamps goes to benefit One Dublin. You can find more information about the Kindness Post Office HERE.
Fifth grade students experience the business of creating postage stamps to sell to students. The idea of supply and demand, opportunity cost, labor and division, banking, sales experience, customer service, and profit / loss are all linked to our fifth grade economics standards.
One Dublin Adopt-a-Family
Thank you for your generosity in completing the wish lists for grades 1-5. Please be sure to send your donation to school by Tuesday, 12/12 so that we can account for all items prior to wrapping day. As we partner with One Dublin again this Holiday Season, through GRE student support, we collectively adopted 7 families and will also help restock the One Dublin Free Store with essentials.
Slots are still available to donate to the Kindergarten - Restock One Dublin's Free Shop .
Large, labeled boxes are outside classrooms for placing correlating donations.
Tiger Pals Food Drive
Tiger Pals and the SLC are hosting their first annual Canned Food Drive to be donated to a local food bank. Please consider donating. A paper bag will be placed outside of each homeroom. Our drive will begin November 27th and will last through December 14th. We will be collecting the donations on December 14th. Thank you for your support as we gain social skills through a community service activity.
SIGN UP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Tiger Student Announcements
Would you like to start your day saying “Hello!” to everyone at Glacier Ridge in the morning? Are you in 2nd thru 5th grade? Then sign up to read the morning announcements! If you would like to find out more about this opportunity and sign up to be a Tiger Student Announcer then go to this link via SignUp Genius: GRES Tiger Student Announcements
Glacier Ridge Student Greeter Team
Parent/Guardian Volunteer Background Check
SECURE VOLUNTEER BADGE - Dublin City Schools takes the safety of our students and staff seriously and requires a background check for all volunteers interacting with students. In order to attend field trips or volunteer in the classroom, you much go through the background check process. The process is free and easy and takes only a few minutes to complete. This is required for any parents or caregivers wishing to volunteer with students.
GRE EVENTS
Upcoming GRE Events
Dec. 12 Fourth Grade Caroling
Dec. 20 Celebration of Giving Assembly
Dec. 21-Jan 3rd, 2024 Winter Break
DISTRICT UPDATES
December 7, 2023
Check Out the Many After School Enrichment Opportunities
Check out all the new After School Enrichment opportunities available for the new year throughout the District. Broken down by Elementary, Middle or High School levels, the new format makes it easier for parents to explore classes, see locations, meeting times, pricing and more. Check it out here!
Mark Your Calendar for Winter Break
The first semester of the 2023-24 school year ends on Wednesday, December 20. Winter Break begins December 21 and school will resume on Thursday, January 4.
From the City of Dublin
Drug Take Back Take unwanted, unused or expired drugs to the Dublin Police’s bimonthly Drug Take Back event Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dublin Justice Center. How to properly bag your meds: bit.ly/3s8LGa5
Holiday Tree Lighting Survey
Did you attend the City’s Holiday Tree Lighting at Coffman Park on Nov. 30? We’d love your feedback. Please take our survey here: https://bit.ly/3GqXCgr
E-Sports Respawn Lounge
Check out the winter break drop-in hours at DCRC's Respawn Lounge. Plus, visit on Dec. 21 & 22 to play for FREE and receive an exclusive coupon code to purchase your next five-visit punch pass. Give the gift of gaming - more information here: https://bit.ly/DCRCesports
Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink
Glide into the holidays at Riverside Crossing Park — the Ice Rink is back for winter fun! Admission is $12 with complimentary skates (or bring your own!). Regular operating hours are Fridays: 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays: noon to 9 p.m., Sundays: noon to 6 p.m. Learn more here.
GRE CONTACT INFORMATION
Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please email our attendance line at gres_attendance@dublinschools.net.
Glacier Ridge Elementary
Email: glacierridge_info@dublinschools.net
Website: https://www.dublinschools.net/Domain/18
Location: 7175 Glacier Ridge Boulevard, Dublin, OH, USA
Phone: 614.733.0012
Twitter: @greDCSD