CARE:  CARdinal Excellence

 Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ― Leo F. Buscaglia

What a great start to the school year!  Thanks to each of you for your planning, implementation, and support of our first two days.  I appreciate each one of you for your dedication to our students and our school.  And thanks to everyone who was able to attend our Jamboree.  It was great to see you there!

There is no greater joy in a school than to walk down the hall or into a classroom and see a teacher caring for a student.  I personally witnessed numerous occasions when teachers took their own time to take CARE of students who were lost, had questions, or were just being kids and needed a reminder to do what was best.  As we move forward in the school year, I ask each of you to capture an opportunity to CARE that is different from what you would’ve done before this year.  As the reality of spending time together begins to show itself, remember the following:

• Show patience; keep your cool
• Don’t ever use inappropriate/foul language around students
• Reword opportunities for a student to comply
• Send students to buddy rooms when they need “time out.”
• Don’t place students in the hallway unsupervised for any reason
• Do not allow students to “line up” before the bell rings for dismissal; dismiss them from their seats to keep from having any discipline problems occur
• Be sure students know your behavior expectations
• Always send students with a pass if they leave your room for any reason
• Keep a positive attitude – that always sets the tone of your interaction with students
• Be a role model for good interpersonal skills – especially when confronted

Week 1:  A Look Ahead

Just like always, it doesn’t take much to start our crazy schedule rolling.  This coming week is no exception.  As we step away and look at the upcoming week as a whole, I remind you to have this week of lessons ready to go.  Make sure they are solid and well planned.  You only get once to make a first impression.  Be sure to have enough instruction/practice for students to stay engaged the entire class period.

Before I share the academic activities for this week, I want to alert all teachers to the policies for Project Connect – our laptop program – and the actual distribution of devices this week.  It is imperative that you remind ALL students of proper laptop use.  The actual rules review will be handled in the Humanities classes, but it is important for all teachers to “own” the policies and procedures.   One special reminder for the students is that if their parents have not attended a Project Connect Parent Orientation meeting, they CAN NOT take the laptop home with them.  They must turn the device in to the main office at the end of the school day by 3:00 p.m.  If they do not, one attempt is made to contact the student/family, and then the device is considered missing.  Police are contacted in order to retrieve the device as quickly as possible.

Monday – We will have students sign Project Connect User Agreements in CAMP.  Directions will be sent via email and forms are in your mailboxes.   Seniors will cover Technology Handbook and Digital Citizenship information in Comm Arts for their roll out on Tuesday.

Tuesday – Seniors will receive their laptops in CAMP.  Remaining Seniors and all Junior Humanities classes will review the Technology Student Handbook and Digital Citizenship in their classes today.  Fire Drill @ 9:00 a.m.  There will be a Project Connect Parent Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium for any parents who have NOT attended a parent meeting and have that attendance on file.  Encourage students to have their parents attend if they have not already.

Wednesday – Juniors will receive their laptops in CAMP.  Sophomore Humanities classes will review the Technology Student Handbook and Digital Citizenship in their classes today.  There are two Project Connect Meetings for Parents in the auditorium.  One at 8:00 a.m. and one at 2:00 p.m.  Teacher Job Embedded Professional Development (JEPD) starts today for Data Teams instruction.  (Red day department collaboration teams should attend.  See email for teams and locations for each period.)

Thursday – Sophomores will receive their laptops in CAMP.  Freshmen Humanities classes will review the Technology Student Handbook and Digital Citizenship in their classes today.  The last two Project Connect Parent meetings will be held in the auditorium.  One at 8:00 a.m. and one at 2:00 p.m.  Teacher JEPD for White days (departments with collaboration on White days only attend).

Friday –  Freshmen will receive their laptops in CAMP.

~Excellence is a journey not a destination.~

Images available in CC from Flikr:  “Always There for You” by FUNKYA