Happy Friday! I hope everyone has had a great week. Thank you for your work during in-service on Wednesday. I think the new EVAAS system will be nice so we can see the growth of each student. Again, Adam and I have our training on that system on Wednesday. Once we learn more about it, I am sure we can get reports that will give us all the info we need.
We are approaching the end of the quarter. The last day of quarter 1 is Oct. 19. The school calendar lists the end of the quarter for the other levels that will end S1 after winter break. We end our S1 before winter break, so the end of our quarter is earlier. Grades will be due on Oct. 23 by 8:00 am. Amy and Deb and will run report cards that morning. These will be mailed home.
I know there were several PASS Plans during conferences, but there are several more students that may need one. All plans need to be completed by Nov. 16. Also, please make sure I get a copy of the plan. When I get one, I'll put it on the spreadsheet. You all should have access to this google sheet, if you don't send me an email and I'll share it with you. If you see that a name is not on the list, then I didn't get the PASS Plan.
Fall activities are winding down. Congrats to Dylan Susemihl for his 3rd place finish at the state golf tournament. The Big Red Band earned a Division 1 rating at state marching band last Saturday. They have their final competition tomorrow at MOC. Volleyball will be starting playoff action on 17th vs. SBL. Cross Country just finished the conference meet the girls placed 2nd and the boys placed 4th. MaKenzie DeRocher finished in 7th place in the girls division. Trace Obbink finished in 2nd and Aaron Lee finished in 7th for the boys. They have the district meet on the 18th in Spencer. Football has a chance to wrap up the district championship tonight versus Denison. Their last regular season game is next Friday.
Have a great weekend!MarkAssistant Principal's Happenings
Last week, I wrote about how the Boys Town method stresses actively teaching the behavior we want to see. Sometimes it seems silly. Just this week I had a student that was disrespectful in class and I told them that. They didn't understand what "showing respect" looked like to an authority figure in that situation. We had to talk through concrete actions and words that showed both respect and disrespect towards authority figures. This doesn't absolve this individual from their actions - they still bear accountability. However, it is enlightening to realize that some things we think are the most basic -- like respect -- may need to be taught.
A few behaviors that I have been actively teaching my students in my office recently:
1) How to take criticism from an authority figure, like a teacher: look at the person, stay calm while they talk, say "OK", and then do your best to make the changes required. This usually comes into play when the student tries to argue during the middle of instructions or correction being given.
2) How to apologize. Boys Town emphasizes a student apology in order for a student to be re-admitted into class. I love this part. Some of you have been involved with a student apology already, and you have been absolutely fantastic. I try coach a student in my office by asking them "If you were to apologize, what would you apologize for?" or "What are some aspects of this situation you could have handled differently?". Ideally, I will accompany that student to your door and we will have a discussion. Staff members have been great about accepting the student's apology and explaining why the student's behavior was detrimental to the class.
No one can guarantee that the student is 100% genuine. We also can't guarantee that these behaviors won't happen again. But it accomplishes several things: A) it helps to repair the teacher-student relationship that has been fractured; B) it resets the order of authority -- the teacher is clearly in charge; C) it gives the adult a chance to reinforce the student's strengths and positive qualities. Many of you have done (C) without realizing it:
"I believe in you, but we need to get your work done.....",
"You are a smart kid, but you are distracting others.....",
"We care about you and need you to make some changes in order to succeed...."
If a student apology is given to you, please respond with a mix of compassion and firmness.
This type of coaching and conversations take quite a bit of time. If for some reason you don't get an apology, it is probably because something requiring immediate attention happened in the office. I always try to circle back but sometimes forget. Feel free to ask me about situations you have questions about.
P.S. We've had an active couple days in the office, which is why you haven't seen me on my cart as much. I'm behind on attendance reconciliation, so I will probably be using the intercom to call students to the office today to try to get caught up.
Keep being awesome --
Adam
Upcoming Activities
Friday, October 13
5:00 pm Soup and Pie Supper
4:15 pm Freshmen Football vs Denison
7:00 pm Varsity Football vs. Denison
Halftime - Mass Band Show
Saturday, October 14
9:00 am Varsity Volleyball Tournament @ Heelan
5:00 pm Big Red Band - Dutchman Field Competition - Orange City
Monday, October 16
5:00 pm JV Football @ Denison
Tuesday, October 17
7:00 pm Varsity Volleyball - Regional tournament vs. SBL @ SBL Elementary
Wednesday, October 18
4:00 pm Cross Country State Qualifying meet @ Spencer
Thursday, October 19
End of Quarter
TBD Varsity Volleyball Reginal Final - TBD
Friday, October 20
4:15 pm Freshmen Football @ Storm Lake
7:00 pm Varsity Football @ Storm Lake
Saturday, October 21
All State Music Auditions
8:00 pm Homecoming Dance Makeup
Monday, October 23
5:00 pm Speech Kickoff Ice Cream Social
7:30 pm 7-12 Vocal Concert @ MS Auditorium
Tuesday, October 24
7:30 pm MS/HS Orchestra Concert
Thursday, October 26
7:30 pm Indoor Marching Band Concert
Friday, October 27
Picture Retakes
Saturday, November 4
NWI HS Honor Band Auditions - Sioux Center
Friday, November 10
7:00 pm Fall Play - Little Theater
Saturday November 11
7:00 pm Fall Play - Little Theater
November 15
End of Trimester 1
Opus Honor Choir - Ames
Thursday November 16
All State Music Festival - Ames
Midterm Q2
Friday, November 17
All State Music Festival - Ames
5:30 pm JV Girl Basketball vs. Unity
7:00 pm Varsity Girl Basketball vs. Unity
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