Warrior Beat
Student Focused-World Class
Word for the Warrior
Several Things:
1. Please make sure you complete your check out procedures before you leave for the summer.
2. Professionalism Conferences will be complete by the end of the week. Your evaluator should be contacting you to schedule a time for your conference if they have not already.
3. MOST classroom placements will be shared before everyone leaves for the summer. It has come to my attention that a perception exists that if a teacher is asked to change assignments, then that is considered a "bad thing" and that that teacher must have done "something wrong." Nothing could be further from the truth and I am sorry that this perception exists. I have honestly never been a part of a school where this was the general feeling and we need to work to change this. As a principal, I do not ever seek to change positions for the sake of changing positions. I would also never seek to move someone because of what they were NOT doing well. It is part of my role to ensure that from a whole school perspective, we have teams of teachers who are skilled and collaborate together to ensure student growth and our growth as a school in every area. I seek your input each year because your preferences matter. While I hope that preferences and assignments match and I work to make that the case, this won't ALWAYS be the case. For most of us who have taught for any time at all, we have all been moved. Hopefully, these movements are positive for all eventually. Change is sometimes hard and some of us crave change while others of us would rather never change. Please know that change is necessary from time to time. Sometimes decisions of placements will makes sense to you and sometimes they won't. What I DO ask is that we all maintain an attitude of trust even if we don't always agree. That is the sign of a positive school culture and it's one we continue to work on and strive for. The thoughts and words and habits that we allow among us, will become our culture and so I encourage all of us to discipline ourselves to be positive and trusting, because the alternative will create a culture the very opposite of where we all hope to work and serve.
I try to think of the story below when choosing each day how I will choose to think, speak and live. It's one you have likely heard before, but it's message is critical in creating a positive culture:
TWO WOLVES
Our negative thoughts can create anxiety, anger, resentment, jealousy—an array of emotions. Negative thinking is normal. However, if this way of thinking becomes incessant, it can lead to depression and self-destructive behavior like addictions, derailing us from what we want most in life. At minimum, negative thinking saps our energy, erodes our self-confidence and can put us in a bad mood. Certainly, many would agree that our thoughts come and go so quickly that it’s seems impossible to notice them, but with awareness and an attitude of self-compassion, we can redirect our negative thoughts to more positive ones.
Two Wolves is a Cherokee Indian legend and illustrates the most important battle of our lives – the one between our good and bad thoughts. Here is how the story goes:
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.
“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Our thoughts can be our own worst enemy. That is, if we let them. Think about how you may be “feeding” your negative thoughts by allowing them to rule your mind. Next time you have a negative thought, catch it and ask yourself, “What is this thought doing for me?” You will find that the answer is that all they are doing is disempowering you. You can immediately feel more empowered by focusing on something good in your life and cultivate the practice of gratitude.
We can create greater peace, confidence and a more positive outlook by learning how to manage our thoughts. After all, this battle can be won because we have the power of choice!
Which wolf are you feeding? Remember, you always have a choice…
Week of the Warrior
MONDAY: May 21st
-All 6th and 7th grade students who are computer day users, who have unpaid technology obligations and students who choose to do so, will turn in their devices for the summer. Please bring computer, chargers and cases to school on Monday.
-All 8th grade students will turn in their devices for the summer. New devices will be provided to students at DB.
- All library books are due
- Yearbook available for sale Limited quantity-Cash only from this point please : ) No checks
- If any student has any medication in the clinic they need to pick it up by 5-24-18. No medications will be kept over the summer. Any meds lift in the clinic after the 24th will be destroyed.
- Sevier on Stage Forensics will rehearse in the auditorium on Monday from 3-5pm with Mr. Graybeal.
- Students have need to pick up any items left in Lost and Found. All items will be donated after the 24th.
TUESDAY: May 22nd
- All library books are due
- 8th Grade Honors Trip
- If any student has any medication in the clinic they need to pick it up by 5-24-18. No medications will be kept over the summer. Any meds lift in the clinic after the 24th will be destroyed.
- Students have need to pick up any items left in Lost and Found. All items will be donated after the 24th.
WEDNESDAY: May 23rd
- The Sevier on Stage Spring Showcase will be held in the auditorium on Wednesday, May 23, from 6:00-8:00pm. Admission is free, with general seating. Please come support our amazing forensics team!
- 6th Grade Awards Program from 8:00am to 9:00am
- 7th Grade Awards Program from 1:30pm to 2:30pm
- If any student has any medication in the clinic they need to pick it up by 5-24-18. No medications will be kept over the summer. Any meds lift in the clinic after the 24th will be destroyed.
- Students have need to pick up any items left in Lost and Found. All items will be donated after the 24th.
THURSDAY: May 24th
- Last day of School Half Day
- 8th Grade Awards Program from 9:00am to 10:00am
- All library books are due
- If any student has any medication in the clinic they need to pick it up by 5-24-18. No medications will be kept over the summer. Any meds lift in the clinic after the 24th will be destroyed.
- Students have need to pick up any items left in Lost and Found. All items will be donated after the 24th.
- 2018 Volleyball Try-outs -5:00pm in the large gym
FRIDAY: May 25th
- 2018 Volleyball Try-outs - 3:00-5:00pm in the large gym
Save the Date
- Freshman Baseball Tryouts at DB May 29-30 @ 9:15
JSMS JAM...
We need YOU to join our PTA!
DB Orientation for Rising 9th Graders
Dates and times for New Student Orientation at Dobyns-Bennett have been set. Orientation dates/times will be posted on the KCS web site, the DB front web page and DB calendar. Emails and letters will be sent home inviting students and parents to orientation closer to the beginning of the school year.
Dobyns-Bennett High School New Student Orientation will take place on Friday, August 3 in the theater. Students with last name beginning A-K are invited to attend the morning session from 9:00 to 10:30. Students with last name beginning with L-Z are invited to the afternoon session from 1:00 to 2:30. Following a brief presentation, students will receive their class schedule and have an opportunity to find their classrooms.
Niswonger Coding Opportunities for Students this Summer...
Register at this link: www.easttennesseecc.com
Dates listed are tentative and camps may be added or removed.
For more information contact, Matthew Desjardins at desjardinsm@etsu.edu
Kingsport Library Summer Reading Program
Two guest performances will be every Wednesdayin June and July @ 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
For more information, call 229-9366.