Compliments vs Clips, Conversations vs Consequences

Principal ponderings....

Just before school started this year, I read this post by a teacher who writes posts for Two Writing Teachers and who I have connected with on Voxer.  Take a minute to read what she has to say.  Kathleen wrote a very honest post about her struggles and thoughts about behavior management.   She was inspired by another teacher who also wrote about her thoughts on behavior management systems. Pernille Ripp is a teacher who says it like it is in her posts.  She doesn't hold back, and I love her for that!  Take another minute to read her post here.  And at the end of that post, she even shares a link to more posts on the same topic.  Clearly it's something she has been thinking about quite a bit!

Trying to manage behaviors in the classroom is not an easy task.  And while books and blog posts have been written about it and people are always willing to give you lots of suggestions, you are the only one who can figure out how to connect with each of the little humans in your classroom.  You are the one who has to figure out how to change behavior.  Let that sink in for a minute.  I remember when I was teaching second grade.  It seems easy enough to have a plan in mind, and then 24 unique, bouncy, eager, individuals show up in your classroom.  And then your plan...well, if you are like me, then your plan quickly goes out the window and you have to start fresh.

Feedback that I receive every year often mentions how students need consequences for their behavior.  I am actually happy that people think that there should be consequences.  But I am happier that people don't realize that we do utilize consequences all the time with students who make a bad choice.  But we do it privately and with just that child.  It's not done in public, and it should never be done in public.  There is no need to embarrass a child.  Embarrassment does not change a child's behavior.  In fact, I would argue that it might make it worse.

This is a topic that I plan on writing more about, reading more about, talking more about.  I hope you will join me in rethinking how we respond to different student behavior.  For now, read the posts I mentioned above.  Maybe read some others that you find.  And then think about whatever method you use for behavior management in your classroom.  Ask yourself, is this what is best for kids?

Currently reading:
I was very excited to see that the new special edition of Time magazine is titled: "Mindfulness: The New Science of Health and Happiness."  And the line on the back of the magazine pulled me in..."Discover why slowing down and staying present leads to a happier, less stressed life."  This is definitely a personal goal of mine for this year.  How will I slow down and stay present?  Have you thought about how to do this?  Or maybe you already have strategies that you use to be mindful?  One of the articles in this magazine is called "Om for Kids."  The article cites several studies that have shown the impact of mindful practices on students.  It talks about fewer ADHD symptoms, improved focus, better math scores, more kindness and more self-control.  Sounds good to me!

Events this week:
Monday - Don't forget to complete the online staff trainings: http://gdrsd.org/faculty-resources/
Tuesday - District curriculum half day, 12:15 dismissal, We will all be meeting at SU to work on math, 1:15-4:15
Wednesday - Workout Wednesday! 8:00-8:30 - Movement session with MaryKaye! 3rd grade SPARK assembly @ 9:40 in the gym, K SPARK assembly @ 2:30 in the staff development room, Staff meeting @ 3:30 - writing focus
Thursday - 4th grade SPARK assembly in the cafeteria @ 1:20, 2nd grade SPARK assembly @ 2:30 in the gym
Friday - Scholastic Book Fair Preview in the library, 1st grade SPARK assembly @ 2:30 in the gym

Great things I noticed last week:

• We had two nurses from Shriner's Hospital come and talk to all of our 1st graders about burn awareness. 
  
• Mrs. Taylor's kindergarteners were reading all about finding friends with their Scholastic booklets.
  
• Curriculum Night was a success!  I enjoyed popping into all of the classrooms and seeing our teachers doing some creative presentations and activities with parents.  The parents had a chance to hear an intro from me about PBIS and SPARK.  1st grade parents learned about literacy instruction and reading intervention from Grace and Holly.  And lots of parents checked out our new social emotional learning zone! 
  
• 3rd graders working with Mrs. Simeone to organize books using alphabet skills and dewey decimal skills. 
  
• I caught some of Mrs. Guernsey's students presenting their planet posters.  I even heard some jokes...do you know what kind of ring Saturn had when he got engaged??
  
• Welcome Back Family Picnic was so much fun!  We had music by a pretty good singer (hee hee) and then we were entertained by a magician.  There was face painting, fire trucks, pizza and fun!  
  

Check it out:
Quick post about finding your "teacher of writers superpowers"!
Love this post humorous post about Twitter and how it might not be your thing!
Let those kids fidget! Read about the importance of movement, especially for our kiddos with ADHD.

Accentuate the Positive

Principal ponderings...

Did you read the title of this post and immediately start snapping your fingers and singing the song?!  Accentuate the positive.  Eliminate the negative.  Are you not singing yet?   Ok, here you go...

Now that I have that catchy tune stuck in your head, let me tell you why I am singing that song this year and why I want to get all of us singing this song.  People tell stories all the time.  Staff tell stories to students to connect with them.  Sometimes our students go home and tell stories about their day to their parents.  Parents tell us stories about their children so that we can better understand how to reach them.  I tell stories to you through this blog.  Our school has a story tell, but over the years, I'm not sure if we have been doing the best job as storytellers.  You see, great things happen every single day in this school.  Students make discoveries.  Teachers create those 'aha' moments.  Kids struggle and try again and grow.  Friends get into disagreements and then figure out how to problem solve and build stronger friendships.  Staff believe that every child can learn and succeed.  Our school has a story to tell, but the problem has been that not everyone has been telling the story and not everyone has been listening to the story being told.

The song line says, "you've to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative."  There is a reason why I never watch the news.  One, because I have too many other things going on and don't really ever have time to sit down and watch it.  But two, everything on the news always seems to be awful.  There was another shooting.  Someone robbed this store.  Groups of people arguing.  A terrible car accident.  And then of course, there's the political campaigns.  Don't even get me started on that!  When do reporters share the uplifting news?  When do we hear the stories of people helping each other?  Is there ever any good news?  It seems to me that's pretty rare.  Now think about our school system, our district, our school, your classroom.  Just like when people all over tune into the news, people here in Groton-Dunstable often tune into the school news.  But it's usually the negative that people focus on and talk about.  

It's time to change the story.  We must accentuate the positive.  Because there is a lot of that in our school.  I know because I see it or hear about it everyday.  In the past, I have worked on sharing information through our website.  I have created a school Twitter account.  I created this blog.  But still our story was not really being told and the people that we wanted to hear our story were not really listening.  So this year I created a school Facebook page.  And suddenly, more people started listening to our story.

The song that you might still be singing in your head says, "you've got to spread joy up to the maximum, bring gloom down to the minimum."  As you have seen already this year, I am putting a lot of energy into our theme, #bringthejoy.   But there is a method to my madness, actually a reason for my joyfulness.  The more that we push our positive story out there, the more people we will get listening to our story and learning about what we do here.  We make a difference.  We mold future minds.  We push kids to think, grow, learn.  We care about our students and each other.  We do amazing stuff and people need to know that!

So many people gravitate towards the negative story, the bad news.  Let's flip the switch, let's accentuate the positive!  The more we share our positive story, the more the community knows about what goes on within our walls, the better.

So who's with me?  Are you ready to tell the FloRo story?!

Currently reading:
I just started a new professional development book called Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students, and Parents Love.  I attended a session with the two authors, Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis, this summer at a conference.  And I was totally inspired by their enthusiasm and passion for improving educational leadership!  Looking forward to reading about some of their "right-now solutions for building a rich community, while bringing fun back to school."

I am also enjoying my book club reading that I started over the summer: A Principal's Guide to Leadership in the Teaching of Writing.  I have been reading chapters and then discussing my takeaway points with Pete, Dianna, Grace, Sharon, and now Kelly. 

And thanks to some recommendations from some other principals that I am connected with through Voxer, I added some books to my Amazon cart!  Here's one that I can't wait to get my hands on and read...

Events this week:
**Sept 15-ish is International Dot Day!  Check out this site for more info: http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/ or look up info on Twitter using #DotDay.

Monday - Our new elementary adjustment counselor, Kathy Moffet, starts today!  She will be spending the week at FloRo to begin meeting students and staff.
Tuesday - Our Eureka math shipment is scheduled to arrive!!
Thursday - Curriculum Night, 6:00-7:00 3rd and 4th grade parents, 6:30 1st grade literacy session, 7:00-8:00 K through 2nd grade parents
Friday - Dianna and Liz @ High School 8:30 - 12:30 for UDL Leadership course, PTA Welcome Back Picnic 4:00-6:00 on the back field

Great things that I noticed last week:

• I loved getting handed a copy of this 2nd grader's picture and writing where she stated that she wants to be a principal when she grows up.  I was excited that she mentioned one reason was because principals go into all the classrooms.  That is my favorite part of the job!  She also said principals "do important stuff!" 
  
• I popped into Mrs. Pierantozzi's room just in time to see them talking about solving an application problem, reviewing about reading, drawing and writing when solving the problem.
  
• If you are curious about this thing called "flexible seating", check out Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Potter's room!  They got a project fully funded through DonorsChoose and now they have lots of seating options. 
  
• I read a funny story called Nibbles, The Book Monster to some of our kindergarten classrooms this week.  Before I started reading in Mrs. Taylor's room, I caught these K students engaged in practicing the letter b! 
  
• Although it was rather hot both times, I enjoyed meeting with teachers and paras on Wednesday and Friday.  Thanks for some great brainstorming and discussions!

Check it out:
This year, I am serving on the Board for MESPA, which is the MA Elementary School Principal Association.  I help with lots of professional development planning.  In fact, in December I will be teaching a workshop on the power of social media!  There are lots of workshops available.  These are not just for principals.  Take a look at the course offerings to see if something interests you! http://mespa.org/professional-development-calendar/

And I just love this image that another principal shared with me...

Bring the Joy!

Principal ponderings...

Honestly...there are so many things I could say about this picture...just enjoy it,
it certainly makes me smile!

I wanted to thank all of you for such a smooth start to the school year.  Staff members were smiling.  Parents were happy.  And most importantly, kids were excited about coming back to school!  I definitely saw everyone bringing the joy during our first few days back.  So now, we just need to keep that momentum going.  I will do my best to remind you about being joyful...even when it might be particularly hard on some days.  And I hope that you will remind each other.  It does not take much to put a smile on a colleague's face when they are not having the best day.  And those smiles are contagious.  Once the adults start passing them around, they automatically spread to the kids!  It's a pretty simple message so I'm keeping my post short and simple today.

Currently reading:
I want to tell you about an amazing book I read this summer: Kids Deserve It.  Every educator needs to read this book!  In fact, I loved the book so much, I am working with the publishers to order multiple copies for us to have here at FloRo.

This book was written by two principals from California and Texas.  I had the chance to meet and hang out with one of the authors, Todd Nesloney, this summer when I was at the NAESP Conference in DC.  Their message is a great one.  Here's a quote from the book:

Events this week:
**Dianna will be traveling to recess and lunch sessions to review expectations with students.
Monday - Happy Labor Day, No school!
Tuesday - Liz at SU in the afternoon to interview adjustment counselors
Wednesday - Dr. Rodriguez visits FR in the am, Staff meeting @ 3:30 in the staff development room
Thursday - Liz meeting with PTA president @ 12:30
Friday - Para Meeting @ 9:00

Next week:
Thursday - Curriculum Night, 3-4 grade 6:00-7:00, K-2 7:00-8:00, We are planning an information session that will happen at 6:30 for all 1st grade parents.  Grace and Sharon will be presenting to them about our reading intervention program.
Friday - Welcome Back Picnic!  4:00-6:00

Great things I noticed last week:

• I absolutely loved our time together last Monday.  From starting with a video of everyone enjoying summer vacation to writing down our promises to beginning to talk about PBIS to our photo scavenger hunt...it was such a great way to launch our school year, together, smiling, and supporting each other.  Enjoy some of the scavenger hunt photos that different teams submitted...
  

• So proud of our 3rd grader, Xander.  That is quite a feat getting up in front of the entire district!  How will you challenge all of your students this year?

• Mrs. Fulreader and I loved surprising different bus stops throughout the week! 
  
  
  
• It was such a great first week of school and I have too many pictures to post, but I loved when I had a visit from this 2nd grader who wrote all about her trip to India this summer. 
  

Check it out:
Here is a video clip of all of our promise cards.  Be on the lookout, I will be posting them in the staff room!  https://quik.gopro.com/v/XsSQTinTZQ/
And by the way...I used my new favorite app to create that video.  It's called Quik and it's free!  So easy to take lots of photos from my phone and turn them into a video set to music!

A short post about why students write: https://twowritingteachers.org/2016/08/19/students-writing-day-one-and-every-day/

And remember...

We Are Proud!

Principal ponderings...

A few weeks ago, I asked teachers and paraprofessionals to think about and share what they were proud of from this school year.  It didn't take long for people to fill up sticky notes and chart paper.  I wanted to share with all of you some of these accomplishments; a list like this makes me proud to be the principal of Florence Roche!

We are proud of...

• the number of staff who took SEI endorsement courses and/or ELL classes
• completing my first year as a new teacher
• being flexible and patient when dealing with schedule changes
• the hard work and progress with the new math program, Eureka
• piloting several Units of Study for Writer's Workshop
• persevering with a challenging group of students
• working and raising our own families
• gaining an understanding of a student that I have worked with all year
• the progress made in year one and two of a co-teaching model
• leading PD in the multi-part series
• transitioning from a different school district to Groton-Dunstable
• progress made by our ELL students
• coming back to work after being a stay-at-home mom
• accomplishments and progress of many different students
• forming a new building leadership team
• our awesome music concerts
• surviving the school year and watching a student thrive
• helping out in a challenging classroom and learning from the experience
• creating and implementing a rubric for placement
• our grade level teams
• my own children and all of their accomplishments this year
• passing the MTEL!
• student growth in social emotional skills
• student growth in academics
• making a break through with a student
• 2nd year of Student Council
• participation in the Variety Show!
• collaborating on implementing new curriculum
• working at FloRo with dedicated teachers and administrators 
• working with a student who at the beginning of the year would not look at me, now he gives me a hug everyday :)

I know that there are even more things that happened in your classrooms, in the hallways, on the playground, that you are proud of.  So many special moments.  So many times where you had an impact on one student or many students.  So many times when you surprised yourself with a plan that worked or an 'aha' moment that caught you by surprise.

I am proud of all of the dedicated educators in our school.  You have worked extremely hard this year with new curriculum and regular daily challenges.  I am proud of the students in our school.  They have worked hard with the new curriculum and regular daily challenges.  And now, the school year is quickly coming to an end.  Keep all those proud memories tucked away.  Reread the above list as you relax this summer.  Let all of your accomplishments and hard work from this year guide you as you plan for next year.  Pat yourself on the back for a job well done, put your feet up and take a break, take pride in what you have done all year for our students, and get ready to do it all over again next year!

Currently reading:
My husband is wondering why we keep getting Amazon boxes in the mail.  Well...because I have to gear up for summer reading of course!!  Here's a new to be read pile that just came over the weekend.  It's got a mixture of some MCBA books, some professional development books and a recommendation from Mrs. Guernsey for a personal read...

Events this week:
Monday - Dr. Rodriguez visits FR in the pm, Kindergarten Meet the Teacher @ 4:00
Wednesday - FIELD DAY!!  Teachers should have report cards entered and checked over by today.
Thursday - 4th Grade Moving Up Ceremony @ 9:30 in the PAC, End of Year Assembly @ 2:00 on the back field, Staff Party at Maureen's house
Friday - Last day of school!!  Half day of school, 12:15 dismissal, Step Up Day @ 10:00

Great things I noticed last week:

• Loved watching Mrs. Spiczka's kindergarteners perform for their parents.  It's amazing to think how far these kids have come since those first days back in August!
  
• I had two first graders pop into my office and read to me what I wrote for the Memory Book.  Definitely loved hearing them read the A.A. Milne quote I included: "You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think!"
  
• On Wednesday, I got to go on the Williams Barn field trip with Mrs. Pierantozzi and Mrs. Fournier's class and learn about school days of long ago and how soap and butter was made back in the late 1800s!
  
• To practice penmanship on their slates and learning a valuable lesson, 3rd graders copied this poem from the board...hey, that sounds like growth mindset to me!
  
• What is Mrs. Fulreader doing?!  Tap dancing her way into the last week of school with a smile on her face! :)
  

Check it out:
What's on your summer writing bucket list? https://twowritingteachers.org/2016/06/09/summer-writing-bucket-list/
Here's a great list of professional resources for literacy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1010M8acpPNne64FseHB44ZdSFmgMs4A4z5M7C70ZBWk/edit

Summer Assignment You Will Want to Do!

Principal ponderings...

I had a different post written for this week, but then a friend shared this article from Huffington Post, and I filed my other post away.  Take a look at this Italian professor's summer assignment list.  Now those are assignments that I definitely support!  Reading his list, made me think back to several summers ago when I spent my summer in Florence, Italy.  I signed myself up for a creativity workshop in one of the most creative and beautiful places in the world.  The workshop was amazing, and everyday we would spend time doing activities that stretched our thinking and got those creative juices flowing.  We would end our workshop session in time for a relaxing lunch together, and the afternoon would be left for exploring and completing our assignments.  Our assignments were often things like: go sit in a cafe for at least an hour and watch the people that come and go.  Sketch a picture of someone or write a description of them.  I have to say it was one of the most inspiring, relaxing times of my life.

So when I read this list from this Italian professor, it took me back to those wonderful days, and it reminded me that I can give myself some of those assignments from my workshop or add some from his list.  Of course, I love that he says read as much as you can because "it's the best form of rebellion you have."  And you know that I will be reading as much as I can over the summer.  Hope you get a chance to as well!  I love the idea of sitting and watching the sunrise and just being thankful in that moment.  And whether you are alone in your kitchen, at a wedding or having dinner out with friends...think about dancing shamelessly.  I guarantee you will feel better afterwards.

After reflecting with all of you last week, it is evident that you have all worked incredibly hard this year.  You have been dedicated to helping our students be successful.  You have been studying and unpacking new curriculum until your eyes hurt.  You have planned, implemented, redesigned and reimplemented behavior plans to help students learn how to be their best.  You have pushed your students and each other.  Always striving for growth.  But what was also evident after our reflection sessions...you all need rest, relax, rejuvenate this summer.  You need this assignment list!  We all need this assignment.

Read over the assignment list a few times.  Think about which assignments you will do this summer.  And maybe add some of your own for extra credit!
And be sure to...
"In sparkling sunlight or hot summer nights, dream about how your life could and should be. During the summer, always do everything you can to avoid giving up, and everything you can to pursue your dream."

What is on your summer assignment list for yourself?

Currently reading:
I am making my to be read piles for this summer.  What's on your summer reading list?  I am going to be helping run a book study of Reading in the Wild.  I ran one last year that involved face to face meetings.  This one is with people all over the country through Voxer.  Let me know if you are interested!  And don't forget to check out the PD books in the curriculum office that are available for book clubs.  Maybe you want to organize your own! http://pub.lucidpress.com/4c0d27a8-b81f-4679-9cc8-4e9428270fd0/#VZ~cOvh5s._V
Here is one of my many book piles...

Events this week:
Monday - 3rd grade Williams Barn Trip
Tuesday - 3rd grade Williams Barn Trip
Wednesday - 3rd grade Williams Barn Trip, 4th grade library trip
Friday - Liz and Dianna @ SLT meeting in the am, 3rd grade library trip, 4th grade Scout presentation during lunch

Great things I noticed last week:

• Thanks to John Wiesner and the 3rd grade team for putting on a fabulous concert!  I'm always amazed at the talent that shines at the concert. 
  
• I enjoyed listening to teachers reflect on what they were proud of from this year, goals for next year and how they are going to relax and rejuvenate this year.   I think having ice cream available helped everyone get in the reflection mode!
  
• Thank you Mrs. Wilkins' class for inviting me to see your Reader's Workshop performance.  They traveled to different kindergarten classrooms to share their performance!
  
• I forgot to snap a photo, but I also enjoyed reflecting and celebrating the year with all of the paraprofessionals on Friday.  They also talked about what they were proud of, goals for next year and how they will be relaxing this summer.

Check it out:

• If anyone is interested in some motivation to write this summer...check out this community of teacher writers that Kate Messner organizes.  I signed up and hope to do some writing and learning from other writers. http://www.katemessner.com/teachers-write/
• Here is the quote that I shared at both the staff meeting and the para meeting: