November 10, 2017
Happy Friday! Looking ahead to next week we have our district in-service on Wednesday and our building fire inspection on Thursday. Chief Schipper, Mike, and myself will be walking around checking things out. I am sure he will walk into your rooms to check them out regardless if you are having class or not. Just a heads us, we do get out early on Tuesday, November 21 at 2:30.
If you are looking for something to do tonight or tomorrow, come and watch the play, "Just Another Snow Day". Start time is 7:00 pm in the Little Theater. The students tell me it is going to be an awesome show!
In our cabinet meetings, we are doing a book study on "Poor Students, Rich Teaching Mindsets for Change" by Eric Jensen. I learned several things about poverty that I didn't consider before. According to the book, "poverty is a chronic experience resulting from an aggregate of adverse social and economic risk factors. (Jensen, p. 6)" The words that stood out to me here are"chronic" and "aggregate". There are several risk factors that contribute to poverty and not just based off of income.
Jensen also discussed the percentages of students who live in poverty. Across the US, in 2005, 16% of students live in poverty. In 2010 that number rose to 22%. It continued to grow in 2011 to 25% and finally in 2015 to 51% (Jensen, p. 7). If you look at how our demographics have shifted, you can see that this trend is happening now. The way for us to break this trend is to make sure our students leave school college or career ready.
So how does poverty affect our students? First is stress. According to Jensen, when a student's brain is exposed to chronic or acute stress, the brain copes by changing and becomes either highly reactive or under reactive, and both are simply coping tools. This means that student behaviors would appear that they were trying to annoy teachers. The symptoms of ADHD are the exact same as stress disorder.
Another effect of stress is cognitive gaps. We have known that students come to school with various backgrounds and readiness. Students in poverty's working memory has deficits. Improving this working memory has shown to boost intelligence and reading scores.
The last adverse effect is a lack of emotional support and social skills. Think of our students at risk and how many of those parents do not call you back when you are trying to set up PASS Plans. Think of how the student act out in class, we assume they know how to act, but what if they were never taught how to act? What can we do differently for these students?
The good news is that their brains can be changed. By building positive relationships, helping students, teaching them social skills they may be lacking, can all help the students become college/career ready. What is your mindset on dealing with these students? Which one goes along with your thinking? "Parents, schools, policies, and laws are all changing. Why can't things be like they used to be?" or "Change is a constant, especially in education, and it's only going to accelerate. I will grow and change myself." Something for you to think about over the weekend.
Have a great weekend!
Mark
Also, keep Nancy in your thoughts as she continues to heal from her unplanned surgery.
Students in the electromechanical classes will be tour Sabre Industries and take part in the Career Fair at WITCC on November 16. These students are: Mark Auyon, Ulyesses Meza, Austin Parrott, and Brandon Rogers.
Special Education staff will meet on December 8th at 7:30 am in the high school lounge.
LCHS Student Council will be packing our boxes for Support Siouxland Soldiers on Wednesday, November 15th at 7:30 am. We are sending 50 care packages over seas this year and thank you all for your help and support with this very important cause.
Reminder to make sure that we are following all of the outlined responsibilities on a students IEP or 504 plan. Remember, that if you are not doing what is outlined on the IEP/504, you could be breaking the law and we will not be able to defend your actions. If you have questions on what you should or shouldn't be providing to your special needs students, then be sure to ask the student's special education instructor to clarify, if they are not sure, then come and talk to Mr. Utesch. If your student is missing work in your class, please let their special education teacher know so that they may get the work to that student's resource room teacher to be completed.
As we get closer to vacation time, student behavior may be escalating. Be patient and consistent with rules and regulations in your rooms. Please remember that you can assign detention to be served with you for classroom issues. I am happy to step in when necessary, but be careful not to give your power of authority away to quickly.
Embedding videos in Google Docs is something that many struggle with. While there is not a built-in way to embed and play videos, there are still options.
If you are looking for something to do tonight or tomorrow, come and watch the play, "Just Another Snow Day". Start time is 7:00 pm in the Little Theater. The students tell me it is going to be an awesome show!
In our cabinet meetings, we are doing a book study on "Poor Students, Rich Teaching Mindsets for Change" by Eric Jensen. I learned several things about poverty that I didn't consider before. According to the book, "poverty is a chronic experience resulting from an aggregate of adverse social and economic risk factors. (Jensen, p. 6)" The words that stood out to me here are"chronic" and "aggregate". There are several risk factors that contribute to poverty and not just based off of income.
Jensen also discussed the percentages of students who live in poverty. Across the US, in 2005, 16% of students live in poverty. In 2010 that number rose to 22%. It continued to grow in 2011 to 25% and finally in 2015 to 51% (Jensen, p. 7). If you look at how our demographics have shifted, you can see that this trend is happening now. The way for us to break this trend is to make sure our students leave school college or career ready.
So how does poverty affect our students? First is stress. According to Jensen, when a student's brain is exposed to chronic or acute stress, the brain copes by changing and becomes either highly reactive or under reactive, and both are simply coping tools. This means that student behaviors would appear that they were trying to annoy teachers. The symptoms of ADHD are the exact same as stress disorder.
Another effect of stress is cognitive gaps. We have known that students come to school with various backgrounds and readiness. Students in poverty's working memory has deficits. Improving this working memory has shown to boost intelligence and reading scores.
The last adverse effect is a lack of emotional support and social skills. Think of our students at risk and how many of those parents do not call you back when you are trying to set up PASS Plans. Think of how the student act out in class, we assume they know how to act, but what if they were never taught how to act? What can we do differently for these students?
The good news is that their brains can be changed. By building positive relationships, helping students, teaching them social skills they may be lacking, can all help the students become college/career ready. What is your mindset on dealing with these students? Which one goes along with your thinking? "Parents, schools, policies, and laws are all changing. Why can't things be like they used to be?" or "Change is a constant, especially in education, and it's only going to accelerate. I will grow and change myself." Something for you to think about over the weekend.
Have a great weekend!
Mark
Staff News
Please keep the Dunn family in your thoughts as Tami's sister-in-law passed away unexpectedly yesterday.Also, keep Nancy in your thoughts as she continues to heal from her unplanned surgery.
Staff as Learners
Students as Leaders
Congrats to the following students for being accepted into the Northwest Iowa Honor Band: Diana Loutsch, Grace Lamoreux, Emily Martin, Kara Albrecht, Chloe Evans, Luke Geitz, Arlinna Bowen, Katelyn McShane, Sam Vacura, Drake Oswald, Sarah Benton, Sarah Meis, Bailey Goodman, Devin Hansen, Dalton Glawe, Ote Albrecht, Luke Benton, Landen Parmelee, and Anna Vacura.Students in the electromechanical classes will be tour Sabre Industries and take part in the Career Fair at WITCC on November 16. These students are: Mark Auyon, Ulyesses Meza, Austin Parrott, and Brandon Rogers.
Assistant Principal's Happenings
LCHS Student Council will have a brief ceremony today at 11:11 am in recognition of Veteran's Day.Special Education staff will meet on December 8th at 7:30 am in the high school lounge.
LCHS Student Council will be packing our boxes for Support Siouxland Soldiers on Wednesday, November 15th at 7:30 am. We are sending 50 care packages over seas this year and thank you all for your help and support with this very important cause.
Reminder to make sure that we are following all of the outlined responsibilities on a students IEP or 504 plan. Remember, that if you are not doing what is outlined on the IEP/504, you could be breaking the law and we will not be able to defend your actions. If you have questions on what you should or shouldn't be providing to your special needs students, then be sure to ask the student's special education instructor to clarify, if they are not sure, then come and talk to Mr. Utesch. If your student is missing work in your class, please let their special education teacher know so that they may get the work to that student's resource room teacher to be completed.
As we get closer to vacation time, student behavior may be escalating. Be patient and consistent with rules and regulations in your rooms. Please remember that you can assign detention to be served with you for classroom issues. I am happy to step in when necessary, but be careful not to give your power of authority away to quickly.
Librarian's News
Success Center Update
While I really love the Cornell note taking method, a lot of struggling students don't have the skills or patience to use it effectively. I used a modified two-column entry system at a meeting this fall, and I had to share. With a super simple design, it requires folding the paper (or drawing a line) down the middle of the page from top to bottom. On the left side, students take notes like you would expect. On the right side, you can have them reflect, infer, clarify misunderstandings, or write questions about the notes. It will work in any subject where students are taking notes and learning new material. You could also use the two columns to explore cause/effect, concept/definition, problem/solution, compare/contrast; the possibilities are endless. You set the expectation for what you want in that right hand column, and however you choose to use it, you encourage your students to dive deeper into the material and make connections they might not otherwise consider.
Instructional Coaches Corner
Google will soon be updating your options when you insert an image into a Google Doc, Slide, or Drawing. Click here to learn more.Embedding videos in Google Docs is something that many struggle with. While there is not a built-in way to embed and play videos, there are still options.
- Add hyperlinks to text or an image
- Use the DocuTube Add-on
- Embed a Google Drawing with a video
- Make a video into an animated GIF
Article Worth Reading
Getting the Most out of Group Work - ASCDUpcoming Events
Friday, November 10
- 7:00 pm Fall Play - Little Theater
Saturday, November 11
- 7:00 pm Fall Play - Little Theater
Wednesday, November 15
- 1:30 pm Dismissal for in-service
Thursday, November 16
- All State Music Festival - Ames
Friday, November 17
- All State Music Festival - Ames
- 6:30 pm Hall of Pride Basketball Scrimmage vs. Okoboji JV
- 8:00 pm Hall of Pride Basketball Scrimmage vs. Okoboji JV
Saturday, November 18
- All State Music Festival - Ames
Monday, November 20
- 3:30 pm Bowling vs. Sioux Central
- 7:00 pm Music Booster Meeting
Tuesday, November 21
- 1 Hour Early Dimissal
- 6:00 pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Hinton
- 7:30 pm Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Hinton
Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24
- No School
Wednesday, November 15
- 1:30 pm Dismissal for in-service
Thursday, November 16
- All State Music Festival - Ames
Friday, November 17
- All State Music Festival - Ames
- 6:30 pm Hall of Pride Basketball Scrimmage vs. Okoboji JV
- 8:00 pm Hall of Pride Basketball Scrimmage vs. Okoboji JV
Saturday, November 18
- All State Music Festival - Ames
Monday, November 20
- 3:30 pm Bowling vs. Sioux Central
- 7:00 pm Music Booster Meeting
Tuesday, November 21
- 1 Hour Early Dimissal
- 6:00 pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Hinton
- 7:30 pm Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Hinton
Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24
- No School
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