Mustang Message
November 1, 2019
A Principal's Perspective
I learn so much from the Restorative Practice consultants when they visit GP. I think that is because we are learning from our students in our own classrooms. One of the recommendations that Alan had for us as a campus when thinking about Treatment Agreements is the notion of committed relationships vs compliant relationships. The RP tools that we are learning and implementing across campus help us to build committed relationships. Alan and Jerry had a few suggestions for us when addressing classroom behaviors and continuing to build committed relationships student to student, teacher to student and student to teacher.
- Weekly Class Goal: Set a weekly goal with your students based on one of the treatment actions. Example: This week we are going to work as a class on being active listeners. I notice that when someone is talking, others may blurt out and interrupt the person that is talking. What would that look like if we were active listeners? So, this week let's commit to being active listeners.
- Location of Treatment Agreement: Post the Treatment Agreement where it is accessible to the students and teacher. This will provide opportunities to address behavior using the Treatment Agreement. Referring back to the agreement helps to keep the agreement alive and well in your classroom.
- 100% Signatures: Make sure that each student has signed the document.
- Make it Right Box: When addressing a student to student conflict, utilize the Make it Right box.
We have a GP Faculty Treatment Agreement that we created way back in August. :) In thinking about intentionality, I would like for us to be intentional about our daily actions in how we as a staff live out our Treatment Agreement. How do we do this? Each week, I would like to set a goal for us to intentionally focus on for the week. Let's start! One of the actions that we thought important staff to staff is to be uplifting. For the week of November 4th, as a faculty member look for opportunities to be uplifting to a fellow colleague.
This week I received my first resume with the request for an interview for a teaching position for next year! Yes in October! This teacher has applied several years in a row because she wants to work at GP. Through our intentional efforts, we have created not only an engaged, positive learning environment for our students but for our staff as well. Families and teachers want to be at GP! Living out our GP Faculty Treatment Agreement with intention will help us continue to nurture this special place we have created.
Donna
News & Notes
PTO Grant Link: Need funds for that great, innovative idea that you have for your classroom? Like easy grant applications? Check out PTO Grants! Grant applications will open Friday, November 8th.
Watch D.O.G.S.: What a successful, first Watch D.O.G.S. orientation four our dads! Thank you to Jessica McMurray and Amanda Simmons for leading this impactful program on our campus. The dads and most importantly the students were so excited (not just because there was pizza) about this opportunity to volunteer at GP. I am looking forward to seeing our Watch D.O.G.S. on campus!
A&M Method and Student Teachers: Would you like to mentor future teachers by having a junior/senior method student or student teacher in the spring? Please complete application form by Friday, November 8th. Link: https://mycehd.tamu.edu/students/mentor-teacher-application/
Happy Birthday
This Week Birthdays:
Amanda Newkham, November 9th
Mustang Yee-Haws
Staff Shout Out: The picture below is of Samantha Bingaman performing her drill with the Faith Riders 4-H Mounted Drill Team at the Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo on Saturday, October 18th at the Brazos Valley Expo Center. She and team members rode flags for the Rodeo on October 17th, 18th, and 19th. The 2nd group of pictures are from October 27th at a buckle party celebrating the Faith Riders Mounted Drill Team winning State for Precision Drill in July during the 4-H State Horse Competition.
Boxtops: Greens Prairie PTO will receive a check in the amount of $696.90 for fall Boxtops!
Shout our to Mr. Suel: Thank you Tim for an awesome sing-a-long! There is nothing like hearing the beautiful singing voices of our students!
Sunrise on the Prairie: Thank you Danielle Galow for sharing the spectacular sunrise picture from this morning!