Roderick Review
Sharing the latest news, events, and ideas from Roderick
December Edition
Thank you, PTO!
On Friday, December 1st, a brand new monitor was installed in the Roderick Lobby thanks to the generous support of our PTO! The Morning Message that has formerly been written on the easel, will now be posted on the monitor along with other slides of important upcoming events and any special information about the day. As you enter the building, if you have suggestions for other information to include, please let us know!
The PTO also sponsored our 4th and 5th grade Hoedown at Roderick on November 17th. This annual tradition is something the students really look forward to. Thank you to all who were involved in organizing and chaperoning this great event!
Report Cards and Conferences
Thank you to all of our families for taking the time to meet with your child's teachers during the fall parent-teacher conferences! The timing of the conferences was earlier this year than in the past few years and it seemed to work well to meet prior to the Thanksgiving recess. This year was also the first time we are rolling out the standards-based format of the report card in Mathematics. Thank you to the parents who have shared their feedback including questions and suggestions for both the report cards and the conference structure! By sharing your perspectives, you will help us to continually refine our practices to improve two-way communication regarding your child's progress.
New Science Units
Each grade is piloting at least one new science unit this year to address the most current science standards. There have been some glimpses of the learning in action uploaded to our Twitter feed. Throughout the year, more photographs will be posted to capture the learning in action. If you are not a Twitter follower, do not fret! You can view the Twitter feed right from our website. Pictures will also be posted from time to time on the monitor in the lobby.
Important Dates for December
Tuesday, December 5th
- School Council, Roderick Library 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday, December 12th
- School Committee Meeting, Roderick Library, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 13th
Afternoon Staff Professional Development Sessions
- Noon Dismissal for students (No lunch is served)
December 25th - January 1st
DECEMBER RECESS
Tuesday, January 2nd
School Resumes
Responsive School Discipline
When a student does something "wrong" or unexpected in school, we ___________ them.
One of our core values is continuous growth and learning and if we truly embrace this core value, we acknowledge that we believe students can learn from their mistakes.
From time to time, students will make mistakes as they are learning. They may make mistakes when trying new approaches or strategies in Math or Reading and they may just as easily make mistakes when engaging with other students or adults. Here is where responsive school discipline comes in.
When I meet with a student, they know that I am "the principal" of the school. If I am meeting with a student for the first time, I ask, "Do you know what a principal does?" I will sometimes hear, "Run the school," or "Lead the school." I then explain that it is my job to ensure that students feel safe and comfortable in school so that they can learn. I share that when I learn about something getting in the way, I step in to help.
Responsive school discipline is not just about what the principal does; it is a school-wide endeavor. Students need assistance to learn how to make positive choices. Through the work of the Social Emotional Learning Committee, we are
taking steps to build common expectations across the district. You will see visuals in the school with reminders for "common area" expectations as well as reminders that we expect students to present as respectful, responsible, students who are ready to learn. We are developing common language regarding what is expected and unexpected and we model, practice, and reinforce the skills that will foster positive relationships between and among the students and adults within school as well as the larger community. Making the expectations clear to students is the first step. Providing interactive modeling helps students to practice what is expected with supportive guidance and increases the likelihood that students will present with more expected behaviors than unexpected behaviors.
Just as with any other area, as students are learning, they may make mistakes. It is our job to teach students how students' words and actions will affect their relationships, and how to restore them to a positive state. It is this learning that will ultimately shape students' behavior and help them to develop into positive contributors within our community.
So, when a student does something "wrong" or unexpected in school, we teach them.
If you have suggestions for future topics, please email me at beauchainev@wrenthamschools.org.
Dr. Beauchaine
Website: wrentham.k12.ma.us
Location:
Phone:
Twitter: @RoderickSchool