"When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." - Alexander Den Heijer
I hope you all had an opportunity to relax and enjoy some time away from school. I know this message probably seems like a broken record, but please remember that many of our students are returning to us from a very stressful 4 and half days off. As we approach the next 4 weeks those same students will begin to have anxiety about the next break coming up. While we cant control the environment they encounter at home, we have complete control over the environment they have when they are at FMS. Challenge yourself and think about something you can adjust for the next 4 weeks to adjust the environment. For me, my goal is to increase my positive/negative ratio. To do this, I'm simply going to fist bump or say hello to and call as many students by name as I can everyday. Here are your STAFF NOTES (short and sweet) for this week. As we move closer to the upcoming Thanksgiving Break my hope is that you can spend time reflecting on and appreciating everything you are thankful for. We have just 2 1/2 days until break. While most of us look forward to this time it is important to recognize that any sort of break or extended time away from school can cause a lot of anxiety for MANY of our students. As students deal with this anxiety, realize that it can be result in impulsive behavior. Continue to be a solid and firm foundation for these students as we approach Wednesday afternoon.
Here are your STAFF NOTES for this week. This post seems like it would be more appropriate next, closer to Thanksgiving. I would rather share it now though. I can't tell you all enough how thankful I am to work with all of you at FMS. Over the past week I've heard multiple principals share things that are happening in their buildings. I know sometimes the days get long and we all have our patience tested, but I hope that we can also all take a step back an look at our "problems". My challenge for you this week is to step back and examine the things that are stressing you out. Try to find the positive, don't let your emotions define you. Sometimes its just taking that step back and putting things in perspective that reveal ALL the things we have to be thankful for. Enjoy this last full week before our Thanksgiving Break. Please continue to help be the stable and positive influences you are for our students.
Here are you STAFF NOTES for this week. "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." - Charles Swindoll
As I was looking at SWIS data from last year, I noticed something. The month of November was our 2nd highest month in regards to the number of referrals. As we begin our fist full week of November I would like us as a staff to focus on responding to obstacles and hurdles and not reacting. We have had quite a long stretch consecutive weeks without a break. In these next two weeks my challenge for all of you is to focus on positive interactions with students. Research tells us that we should be have a 4:1 positive to negative interaction ratio. This doesn't mean we ignore the bad behaviors, but it does mean that we focus extra hard on reaching out to students. Fist bumps, asking questions, sharing jokes, greeting every student as they enter your room. Find ways in these next two weeks and shoot for that 4:1 ratio. Here are your STAFF NOTES for this week. Make it a great one! |
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