Meat & Potatoes
December 11 - December 15
Cognac Factor!
What is the Cognac Factor? Simply put, it's time to sit down with something that brings you great pleasure (wine, chocolate, a good book) and focus on all of the good that you have done while giving yourself a brief pat on the back. We've had a really great semester and it's most important now, while we're exhausted and desperately trying to make it to the break, that we take a minute to reflect on the great things happening around us and because of us.
I would encourage everyone to do this sometime next week as each of you have done something amazing this semester. Thank you for all that you do for Oakwood!
Up & Coming Events
Wednesday - Gingerbread House Competition
Thursday - PTO Fiesta Luncheon
Friday - Holiday Card Presentations @ 8:45, Orchestra Field Trip @ 3
Congratulations, Danny!
New DEIC Rep
Locker Clean Out!
Rocco's Corner
I recently went to a conflict resolution training and benefited from seeing someone else explain this one best practice that I have learned over the decades of interacting with others through conflicts.
When a parent, for example, is angry about something that they learned about from their child, and they are now communicating this to me, I respond with "Empathy not Sympathy."
I do not simply say, "I am sorry this happened", because until I investigate it and find out the perspectives of others involved, I most often do not know exactly what happened and why. I respond with "I understand why you are upset, please give me the details of what your child told you" not an apology. An apology can be considered an admission that something has occurred and they are often given prematurely. Please keep this in mind in any conflict you are presented to deal with.
Counselor's Corner
SPED
Also, we have begun annual ARD's. If you are one of the fortunate individuals who gets an invite from Mrs. Ellison, please be sure to respond in a timely manner.
McDermott's Tech Tip
Seesaw is a student-driven digital portfolio. Teachers can empower students to create, reflect, share, and collaborate. Students “show what they know” using photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs, and links. It’s simple to get student work in one place and share with parents, and nothing is shared without teacher approval.
If you would like to know more about Seesaw, or would like help setting it up, I will be available after school Thursday after school. Please just let me know if you would like to come.
Spelling Bee
Martin's World
Becky Bohne recently completed her 6-hour update using a project option of her choice. Her goal was to move beyond the scripted lessons being used with her program. Her desire was to initiate more conversation and reflective thinking by using reflection question starters with her students. “Our conversations have led to my students sharing more of their text-to-self connections...often trying to end the conversation and move on has become my biggest challenge. Through this process, I find myself more engaged in the lessons, as well. I enjoy hearing my students’ perspectives and thoughts. I learn more about them, where they are coming from and their thought processes.” Student engagement and higher-level thinking...thanks, Becky, for making learning fun for you and your students!
Reflections are due Friday, December 15th for a “bonus”. Here’s the link https://docs.google.com/a/csisd.org/document/d/1rnN_KgbnL_b_9tMPW8-qzzAyk-8YrxEF99ej0In28Wg/edit?usp=sharing
StuCo
There are several projects going on right now. Please allow your rep to use the announcements to remind students of the ways they can give and encourage this month...Random Acts Of Kindness and Joy, cards for soldiers, hygiene items for Chrissy's Closet.