The Energy Bus for Schools
February 2017
Energy Bus School's Principle of the Month
Principle #5: Transform Negativity
WOW! Powerful! Just like George, we will all be tested on our journey and it's how we choose to respond when we are faced with challenges or roadblocks that can determine the outcome. Mr. Gordon provides a simple formula that can help us put this idea into practice as we look for ways to see our world in a more positive light. The formula is
E + P = O
(Event + Perception = Outcome)
Danny, the keeper of the rules in The Energy Bus, explains "The E stands for events in your life, The P stands for perception, and the O stands for Outcome. He continues by informing George, that "...we can't control the events in our life but we can control how we perceive them and our perception and response to the events determine our outcome."
I have learned that when you learn and practice the art of "reframing" it helps to change your perception which will transform the outcome in any situation. Reframing is one's ability to look at a situation through multiple lens. Rather than giving in to your initial feeling regarding a situation or event. For instance, if a student's behavior is distracting others and disrupting your lessons, instead of thinking that the student has it in for you or doesn't care for you very much-- practicing the art of reframing will allow you to look at the situation through multiple frames which will allow you to pose reflective questions that can lead to a better outcome for you and the student.
Transforming negativity is not always easy, especially when we've become accustomed to reacting and viewing through one frame. This change of mindset takes a great deal of practice and patience. Even with this new knowledge, there will be times when we react to situations or events that happen in our life. This is not a time to get down or become frustrated, but instead a time to reflect on what happened and how we can respond differently next time.
Being positive is not about staying in a "good mood" or making "good decisions." Being positive and transforming negativity means that you are reflective in your practices and have the courage to admit when you've made a mistake.
As you look for ways to teach and reinforce this principle, have students share challenges that have come up at school (or in their personal lives). You will start by setting the expectations for the discussion and modeling how to share an experience. Discuss "negative" ways they could have approached the situation and then share "positive" ways they could have responded. Use the E+P= O formula to help guide their discussions.
Joy reminds us to think of it this way, "Desire, vision, and focus help you turn the bus in the right direction but positive energy is necessary to take you where you want to go.
This month, let's practice transforming negativity and watch our schools, classrooms, and communities transform into positive learning spaces we can all be proud of!
With something for you to think about. This is your Chief Energy Officer, Niki Spears!
Let's make it a GREAT month or not. The choice is "always" yours!
Check Out Our NEW EB SCHOOLS for 2017-2018 in Jon's Newsletter!
Join the Journey! Make a Difference.
As you may know, we launched The Energy Bus for Schools Leadership Journey last year to train and equip school leaders with a proven framework and tools to create and sustain a positive school culture where engaged teachers develop positive student leaders. We are transforming the negativity in schools into positive achievement and working to change the world one school at a time.
In 2016 we started with 5 model certified schools.
1. Central Elementary (Cabot, AR) Principal Bethany Hill
2. Rocky Creek Elementary (Lexington, SC) Principal Brenda Nichols
3. J.T. Alton Middle School (Vine Grove, KY), Principal Jama Bennett
4. Central Athens Elementary (Athens, TX) , Principal Jennifer Risinger
5. Keystone Elementary (Lagrange, OH), Principal Maura Neville
I’m excited to announce that the following schools and districts are joining the journey to receive training and become Certified Energy Bus Schools for 2017-2018.
6. Clifdale Elementary (Spartanburg, SC) Principal Windy Hodge
7. Hilliard Station Sixth Grade School (Hilliard, OH) Principal Kevin Buchman
8. Hidden Hills Elementary, Academy of Technology (Laguna Niguel, CA) Principal Pam Sawyer
9. Star City School District
10. Jimmy Brown Elementary (Star City, AR) Principal Wendy James and Jacob Lanehart
11. Star City Middle (Star City, AR) Principal Gina Richard
12. Star City High (Star City, AR) Principal Mike Walker
13. Manchester City School District
14. College Street Elementary (Manchester, TN) Principal Tom Jacobs
15. Westwood Elementary (Manchester, TN) Principal Melissa Glenn
16. Westwood Middle (Manchester, TN) Principal Chad Fletcher
17. Chester Park Elementary School of the Arts (Chester, SC) Principal Ruth Anne Pitt
18. Gold Arrow Camp (Lakeshore, CA) Director Audrey “Sunshine” Monke
We are currently taking applications for the 2017-2018 school years to become a Certified Energy Bus School.
Meet Us at the BUS STOP in South Carolina on April 28th! Seating is limited, reserve yours TODAY!
Each school should have posted their collage (or picture) to Twitter by noon on Monday, January 30th. This challenge will end and scores will be tallied on Monday, February 6th at noon!
POINTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON!
Energy Bus Infomercial!!!
Our LAST Energy Bus Challenge for for this year is for you to create an Informercial about The Energy Bus and ways it has impacted your school (*see video above).
The goal is to showcase how The Energy Bus for Schools Leadership Journey is spreading positive energy throughout your school and transforming culture.
In addition to team points that will be earned on Twitter towards your End of the Year Pizza Party ---the school with the most impressive video will earn a School-Wide Ice Cream Social! That's right! The entire school will be celebrated!
So what will we be looking for? We are looking for the following:
- Videos must be visually and aurally appealing
- All persons participating must have parent permission/permission to use for advertising purposes
- Information presented in the video must provide the public with information about how The Energy Bus has impacted your school community
- Must be 3 min. or less in length
- Testimonials from students, parents, and teachers (a plus!)
So how will videos be selected? I thought you'd never ask!
We will send videos to our advisory board and they will select the most impressive video!
Because of the nature of this challenge, you will have plenty of time to work on this! Videos should be posted on Monday, April 10th to Friday, April 14th. Please upload the video to YouTube and send the link to niki@jongordon.com. You will also need to post on Twitter to earn LIKES towards your end of the year Pizza Party! Winners will be announced by April 30th!
If you have questions or need more information about this challenge, please don't hesitate to contact me!
I hope that everyone decides to participate in this one! Good LUCK!!
Looking for Positive Educators!
Positive Educator Award!!
As a token of our appreciation, we would like to recognize that POSITIVE EDUCATOR on your campus the Positive Educator Award!
We are asking that our Energy Ambassadors set up a voting booth and post the following criteria for our Positive Educator Award!
The Positive Educator is a teacher/staff member/parent who-
- Brings a smile to your face each time you see him/her
- Sees the good in everyone s/he meets
- Has the ability to transform challenges into great opportunities
- Has embraced The Energy Bus for Schools Leadership Journey in her classroom and it's evident on the walls of the classrooms AND students use the language.
- Has a passion for teaching and learning
- Has an engaging personality
- Models 7 Principles from The Energy Bus for Schools Leadership Journey!
Do you know this person? Let us know!
Please submit names to niki@jongordon by Monday, April 1st!