Bobcat Broadcast
October 11, 2019
A Message from Mrs. Caudill
October is Bullying Prevention Month. This month schools around the world will be kicking off a campaign to raise awareness about bullying prevention in our schools. Here at Amerman will be doing things to use the force and be kind. We are excited about our Kindness Assemblies next Friday to promote kindness!
Northville Public Schools has a policy about bullying. We do not tolerate bullying. You can find our policy here: NPS Anti-bullying Policy Additionally, NPS addresses bullying, and the penalties for bullying in the student code of conduct, accessible here: Student Code of Conduct - See item #28
Bullying is defined as any behavior that any reasonable person would know is likely to cause harm to another. Bullying tends to be repetitive, it is often targeted behavior (meaning the bully is looking for, or coming after a particular person or group of people), and bullying features an imbalance of power. One person is powerful, the other is powerless.
So what are the differences in bullying behavior vs. rude behavior, or mean behavior? There are differences, though none of these behaviors are acceptable.
An article in Psychology Today by Signe Whitson, L.S.W., details the differences in these three socially unacceptable behaviors.
Rude behavior = Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else.
The operative word in the above definition is "inadvertent." These are socially insensitive behaviors that come from a failure to care about or read social cues. Most of us have been rude or insensitive at times. There's no doubt these behaviors can be hurtful, and certainly interfere with the development of normal, positive relationships. People who are rude may have a pattern of insensitive behavior. They're likely not targeting anyone in particular. Rude behavior is an equal opportunity offender.
Signe Whitson describes mean behavior as different than rudeness as it is intentional where as rude behavior is unintentional. Mean behavior carries intention:
Mean behavior = Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone once (or maybe twice).
Mean behavior is impulsive, but intentional behavior. It's the kind of thing that may happen more than once and it tends to be a result of anger or disagreement. Whitson writes, "Very often, mean behavior in kids is motivated by angry feelings and/or the mis-guided goal of propping themselves up in comparison to the person they are putting down." On the playground this can look like posturing when playing a team sport, or criticizing someone else's choices, or their way of doing something, or even excluding someone from an activity. "Your team cheats," is an example of a mean comment designed to hurt. Siblings and family members can be deliberately mean. Children may be mean to friends during a disagreement. Meanness becomes bullying when it's repetitive and controlling.
Ms. Whitson defines bullying as:
Bullying = Intentionally aggressive behavior, repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power
The literature on bullying features these three elements: an imbalance of power, repetition of mean, rude, hurtful behavior, and the targeted intention to cause harm.
When I investigate a charge of bullying I'm looking for answers to the following questions: Has this happened more than once? Does the "bully" respond when the "victim" says "no" or "stop?" Is the behavior intentional? Is the behavior targeted? Does the "bully" behave this way only to one person, or one specific group; or does the "bully" behave aggressively toward everyone? Was there anger involved? How is the recipient of this behavior chosen? Who else does this behavior happen to? Is it planned behavior or is it impulsive behavior? What is the motive of the behavior? Was the behavior witnessed by anyone else or experienced by anyone else? Is there an implied or actual threat? Would any reasonable person recognize the threat or harm?
Allow me to be clear - in a civil society there is no room for any of these three behaviors, and we handle all these behaviors when they crop up at school.
Children must learn to interact in a kind and respectful manner, even when we disagree - perhaps especially when we disagree and when we're angry!
To recap:
• Rude behavior is self-centered behavior. Think the old "bull in a china closet" analogy. This is socially inept behavior that wounds indiscriminately. The rude person may not know or care that they're being rude. They're very focused on themselves.
• Mean behavior is behavior that happens in times of anger and it may happen once or twice. It's often personal. Siblings and friends can be mean. They know what buttons to push and what comments to make that will wound or get a reaction based on their relationship. No one likes a meanie. Sometimes kids are mean to one another and the next thing you know they're inviting each over for play dates. Kids who are regularly mean will eventually find themselves socially ostracized.
• Bullying behavior is usually intentional, repetitive, targeted behavior that features an imbalance of power. Bullies will intentionally pick their time and place for maximum effect. The victim feels powerless to stop the behavior. Bullies may be very popular people by virtue of their social power.
Habit 8 - Finding Your Voice - is the habit that helps kids with bullying.
The first seven of Steven Covey’s habits are about becoming an effective person. We really work on that at Amerman. But there IS an 8th Habit as well. That 8th Habit is what takes a person from being effective to great. The 8th habit is “Finding your voice and inspiring others to find theirs.” In my experience, many of the conflicts that arise among people, and among children, begin with a breakdown of communication. Somewhere along the line we quit communicating clearly, carefully, and respectfully, and problems occur. So finding and using your voice, and inspiring others to find theirs is about communication, and feeling empowered to speak for yourself.
Can you see how finding the ability to speak up contributes to powerful leadership skills? Can you see how silence allows wrongs to fester and grow? Teaching children to find and maintain the ability to speak for themselves is critical in raising happy, healthy children.
To bully-proof your kids, they need to learn self-advocacy skills. Most bullies will target victims who are seen as powerless, unwilling or unable to speak up, or stand up for themselves. Children who speak up tend not to become victims of bullies. We're working at Silver Springs to help every child find their voice.
Here's to a fun, kind, October!
Devon Caudill
Mark Your Calendars
This Week’s Events:
October 14th - T-Shirt Design Due for Contest
October 17th - First Grade Field Trip to Maybury
October 18th - Kindness Assemblies
Next Week's Events:
October 25th - PTA Trunk or Treat 6:00pm
Future Events:
October 29th - Eat at Panera and support the PTA - See Flyer Below
October 31st - Halloween Parade - 10:00am
November 1st - Schoolwide T-Shirt Order Form Due (Check your child's backpack)
November 2nd - Annual Fall Clean-up 9:00am
November 5th - No School
November 6th - Picture Retake Day
November 7th - Leadership & Literacy Night - See Information Below
Changing Dismissal?
Parents if you are doing a dismissal change after 12:00 pm, to ensure your student gets where they need to be after school, please call the office instead of emailing. Emails can occasionally get missed. Calling the office guarantees we will get the dismissal change.
Growing Up 2020 - Surviving the Social Jungle
Northville’s GROWING UP 2020 youth empowerment summit is Saturday, November 9. For KIDS, TEENS, and ADULTS who care about them, GU2020 provides 3 simultaneous tracks with age-appropriate content and delivery for each group. ADULTS learn from national and local experts on the impact of personal technology devices on our kids, and social - emotional wellbeing topics such as self-regulation, managing anxiety, transforming aggression, growing resilience, and thriving with ADHD. KIDS (3rd-6th grade) participate in 7 fun activity stations to learn effective problem-solving, being friendly and assertive, kindness, calming exercises, more. TEENS enjoy interactive sessions on physical and social self-defense, and the impacts of their personal digital footprint. Details, registration: www.KidsEmpoweredOnTheMove.org
Annual FALL CLEAN-UP of our school grounds!
Please join us for the annual fall clean-up. We will meet on Saturday, November, 2 starting at 9 am. Based on previous year’s experience, it will not take more than 2-3 hours. Many hands make light work, so grab your gardening tools and meet fellow Amerman families as we are take pride in our school and ready the landscape for winter. We are going to take the leaves, cut back foliage & ect. Come for as long as you are able - there are will be light refreshments and ALL help is appreciated!
We will provide bags, but please bring RAKES, gloves and any type of leaf collecting contraptions you have. Cordless leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, loppers and brooms are also needed.
Thanks in advance for joining us. Please do not hesitate to contact Julie, if you have any further questions or concerns at gulshaty@yahoo.com
Save those old markers, Amerman families!
Starting Monday, October 14, students are encouraged to bring in old, dry, unusable plastic markers (of any brand), including highlighters and dry erase markers, to be turned in to be recycled through Crayola's Colorcycle program. A bin will be set up outside the art room for donations of markers to be recycled.
The Green Team will periodically count the markers and package them up to be sent to Crayola, where they will be recycled into new markers and other plastic items. This is an excellent way to keep a bit more trash out of our landfills! Please email Mrs. Rohrhoff, Amerman Art Teacher, at rohrhoffje@northvilleschools.org with any questions regarding this program.
Bridges Math - New Math Series
Parents here is a brief description of the new math program, Bridges, Northville Schools adopted this school year. All classroom K-5 are using this new math program. We hope you find this this link helpful.
Be on the look-out for this flyer being sent home about our School-Wide T-shirts
BoxTops
It is time for the first BOXTOPS submission 2019/2020. By now your kid should have brought home a green flyer with a bag. It's very easy! Just cut your BOXTOPS, place them in the provided bag, write your kid's name and teacher on it and send them in!
The class with the most BOXTOPS will win extra recess and popsicles with Mrs. Caudill. Also, your kid's name will be entered in a drawing for a great bobcat prize. Please send your BOXTOPS by October 18th. You can also go to the BoxTops website and get coupons of your favorite products. (They change every month).
Important: BoxTops changed their Program. All participating brands changed the label over the summer. You still can clip and bring in “older” Labels but for the new ones you have to download the Boxtops app and scan the receipt!!! Don’t hesitate to contact Steffi Kluck at steffikluck27@gmail.com if you have any questions! Thank you so much for all your support !
Amerman Science Olympiad 2020
Attention 3rd, 4th & 5th grade students and parents,
Science Olympiad Information Night is coming soon! Please consider attending to know more about Amerman Science Olympiad!
- Date: Wednesday, November 6th, 2019
- Time: 7:00-8:00 pm
- Venue: Amerman MPR
- Registration fees: $50 - Check payable to Amerman Elementary School
- You can now register your child by using this link.
Our Science Olympiad team is looking for volunteer parent coaches for various events. If interested, please contact us directly at: Amermanso.headcoach@gmail.com If you have any questions please contact Anvita Saini at 313-585-4545 or Pallavi Verma at 248-961-3776.
Reflections 2019
Please encourage your Amerman student to participate in this year's Reflections Art Program. Reflections is a national PTA program that encourages kids to reflect on a theme and create an original work of art!
Write a story or poem, take a photo, draw or paint a picture, perform a song or dance, shoot a mini-film! There are so many ways to interpret this year's theme: "Look Within". Every participant will be recognized at our pizza party in early 2020 and has a chance to move on to the state competition! Entry forms and rules are in the Amerman Office and attached below for you to print. Please contact Heather Bell at habell2015@gmail.com with any questions. Amerman's deadline for entry is November 30th, 2019.
ALL T-SHIRT DESIGNS are DUE MONDAY, OCTOBER 14th!
We look forward to reviewing all the designs. School-wide voting for the top designs will be the week of October 21st. If you haven't had a chance to get an entry form, here it is one more time. (See attached)
Annual Family Literacy & Leadership Night
Come for an evening of family, friends & fun.
Join fellow Bobcats at any of three 6 mile and Haggerty Locations: Applebee's, Barnes & Noble or Menchies. Just mention Amerman when you make your purchases at any location to support our leadership and literacy initiatives this year.
There will be a door prize at Barnes & Noble for the first 100 students, family challenge activities and entertainment provided by students and staff. See flyer below for specific times.
CALLING ALL PERFORMERS
The Force of Literacy is Strong at Amerman and we know we have many talented Bobcats.
We are looking for poets, readers, musicians, and singers. Do you have jokes to tell or a magic trick to perform? Follow the link below to sign up. (All gymnasts and sports-related talents will be welcome at our Talent Show in the Spring) Any questions, please contact Mrs. Christine Parnin - parninch@northvilleschools.org
Sign-up today!
PTA News You Can Use!
Hey Bobcats! Booktober is off to a great start! At the end of week 1, 25% of families have contributed and every classroom is represented. The first week's winners were announced this morning and will be receiving their prize on Monday! There are 3 weeks of Booktober left, support your student's learning and help their classroom win by clicking here: amerman.memberhub.store! Also, your Help is needed to make Trunk and Treat a success! Please click on this link to signup! Don't forget to check out the Am-A-Gram for information from the PTA.
Let's Read Math - A program of Math Enrichment for 2nd and 3rd Grade students
Spotlight on our Amerman Bobcats!
4th Grade Science
Courtyard Clean-up
5th Grade Math
Amerman Elementary
Email: caudillde@northvilleschools.org
Website: amerman.northvilleschools.org
Phone: 248-465-2100
Twitter: @amermannv