#WeAreFenton
January 2018
New Semester, New Perspectives
The first semester has come to an end and I would like to thank you for your support as we move into the second semester of the 2017-18 school year. With the transition from semester 1 to semester 2 comes a change in perspective. Seniors are celebrating their last few months here and 8th graders are keeping their eye on the high school a little more than usual. Our 5th graders are getting ready for AGS Middle School and our young 5's are preparing to leave the Ellen Street Campus. This is the time of year where goals are set and the pressure is on (for everyone). I encourage all of us to live in the moment and enjoy these "last" days so we are better prepared for the "first" days that are yet to come.
Here are three key factors in helping our students (and ourselves) with new transitions and new perspectives.
Growth Mindset
Having a growth mindset means we approach the barriers in our life with an attitude that by working together, thinking critically, and not being afraid to takes risks, we will be able to break the barriers down and accomplish what we need to accomplish. If for some reason we cannot break a certain barrier down, our efforts in doing so make us stronger and prepare us for the next barrier that will present itself. This mindset is the key to growth.
Empathy
Having empathy is seeing the world from others' perspectives. As our students transition to the second half of the year, we must keep in mind that everyone is learning to adapt, learning new strategies to be successful, and experiencing new challenges. On the surface it may look different, but in reality, the journey is the same for all of us. If our students gain other perspectives outside of their own, and find similarities with the people they are connecting with, transitions will be a learning experience helping them succeed in the long run.
Resiliency
The ability to be resilient is a key factor in achievement. Dr. Bruce Perry, a world renown psychiatrist, states that, "Children become resilient as a result of the patterns of stress and of nurturing that they experience early on in life." New events can lead to new stress. Helping our students be more resilient will help them achieve success now and later in life. See the Ten Ways to Build Resiliency below.
Mindset, empathy and resiliency, all key factors in making the second semester a great one. Thank you for making Fenton Area Public Schools community a great place to live, work and learn.
Sincerely,
Dr, Adam Hartley
Superintendent
10 Ways to Build Resiliency (American Psychological Association)
Make connections
Teach your child how to make friends, including the skill of empathy, or feeling another's pain. Encourage your child to be a friend in order to get friends. Build a strong family network to support your child through his or her inevitable disappointments and hurts...Help your child by having him or her help others
Children who may feel helpless can be empowered by helping others. Engage your child in age-appropriate volunteer work, or ask for assistance yourself with some task that he or she can master. At school, brainstorm with children about ways they can help others...Maintain a daily routine
Sticking to a routine can be comforting to children, especially younger children who crave structure in their lives. Encourage your child to develop his or her own routines...Take a break
While it is important to stick to routines, endlessly worrying can be counter-productive. Teach your child how to focus on something besides what's worrying them...Teach your child self-care
Make yourself a good example, and teach your child the importance of making time to eat properly, exercise and rest. Make sure your child has time to have fun, and make sure that your child hasn't scheduled every moment of his or her life with no "down time" to relax...Move toward your goals
Teach your child to set reasonable goals and then to move toward them one step at a time. Moving toward that goal — even if it's a tiny step — and receiving praise for doing so will focus your child on what he or she has accomplished rather than on what hasn't been accomplished...Nurture a positive self-view
Help your child remember ways that he or she has successfully handled hardships in the past and then help him understand that these past challenges help him build the strength to handle future challenges. Help your child learn to trust himself to solve problems and make appropriate decisions...Even when your child is facing very painful events, help them look at the situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Although your child may be too young to consider a long-term look on their own, help him or her see that there is a future beyond the current situation...
Look for opportunities for self-discovery
Tough times are often the times when children learn the most about themselves. Help your child take a look at how whatever they are facing can teach them "what they are made of."...Accept that change is part of living
Change often can be scary for children and teens. Help your child see that change is part of life and new goals can replace goals that have become unattainable...
Who's Our Tiger?
Matt Wasson: Autism Spectrum Disorder teacher at AGS
Years with FAPS: 6
Favorite book: For Whom The Bell Tolls
Favorite quote: “That what does not kill me, only makes me stronger”
Information on family: Married 17 years to College sweetheart!! Anna age 8, Jane age 5, Henry 8 months
Other facts:
I enjoy many outdoor activities, cruising in my 1955 Chevy 210 Post, woodworking and making children’s furniture, fabricating with metal and of course spending time with my family.
Matt Sullivan: Biology and Forensic Science Teacher, Boys and Girls Soccer Coach, JV Girls Hoops Coach, Captain’s Club Director
Years with FAPS: 15 years
Pets: My WIFE has 2 cats that live with us. Smokey and Harvey Dent
Favorite book: I don’t read too good.
Favorite quote: LOVE NEVER GRADUATES / LEAVE NO BROTHER BEHIND
Information on family: Brennan = 20 year old daughter at Roosevelt University in Chicago = my favorite child. 2 boys that go to our high school = Matthew and Joe = jury still out on both.
Other facts: I love teaching and coaching a little more every day. Fact.
Jackie Piwowarski: 5th grade teacher, State Road Elementary
Years with FAPS: 13 years
Pets: 2 dogs (labs), Lucky and Bentley
Favorite book: Historical Fiction The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Favorite quote: Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive.
Information on family:
I have been married to my husband Jim for 29 years in May. Jim is the Manager of Hardware development for GM Onstar, and has worked for Onstar for over 20 years. We have two children, Joseph 24 and Megan 22. Joseph just graduated from MSU with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He is employed by Tetra Pak. Megan is studying to be a special education teacher at CMU. Megan will be married June 21, 2019.
Other facts about you: We have a cottage on Wixom Lake near Midland, MI where we spend all of our summer weekends. I enjoy boating, reading, biking, walking, and traveling.
Board Packet for January 22, 2017
Organizational Meeting
The Board elected the following officers:
- Board President: Keith Reynolds
- Board Vice President: Rick Koester
- Board Treasurer: Pam Dickie
- Board Secretary: Dana Jones
*Board Trustees:
- Lynn Hopper
- Kristen Harmon
- Kim Gruber
Administrative Report
6.1 AGS students place in essay contests
MLK essay contest.
- 1st Place: Alexis Walker (8th Grade)
- 2nd Place: Bella Henson (8th Grade)
- 3rd Place: John Dixner (7th Grade)
VFW Patriot's Pen contest
- 1st Place: Madelin Burnau
*Madelin placed 3rd in the district out of 580 entries.
6.2 Honoring School Board Recognition Month – January 2018 – Dr. Adam Hartley
6.3 New Graduation Requirements - Mark Suchowski/Heidie Ciesielski
6.4 Early College Report- Heidie Ciesielski/Mark Suchowski
6.5 K-12 ELA Pilot Update - Heidie Ciesielski/Mark Suchowski/Barry Tiemann
Superintendent’s Report
10.1 Strategic Plan Update
-Survey results posted online
10.2 VEI Class attending trade show in Chicago, IL next weekend (WayBound Inc.)
10.3 FAPS staff attending Cultural Competence event in Flint, MI on Jan 24th
10.4 Reggio-inspired after school program from Shanghai, China will visit FAPS
Strategic Planning in Fenton Area Public Schools
Fenton Education Foundation Events
by providing funding to continue to support academic programs at the highest levels.
Come support the FEF and FAPS by attending one or both of these events:
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