WEEK OF: October 24th-28th

RESPONSIBILITY

CONGRATS ARE IN ORDER... WE PASSED OUR WALK THROUGH WITH 90%

As October winds down, so does our monthly character trait of Responsibility. Judging by the amount of PAWS that were given for Responsible acts and behavior, Markham's students are the most Responsible young learners this side of Markham Ave.!

Get ready for next month, as we highlight the importance of being an HONEST member of our school and community! 

Important Dates

Friday 10/28- Spirit Day: Team Up Against Drugs
Friday 10/28 - Dia de los Muertos, 5-7pm

Monday 10/31 -  Costume Parade, 8:40am
Wednesday 11/2 - Staff Meeting, 3pm

Behavior at Markham: The month of October

Good News Referrals: 29

Discipline Referrals:38

PBIS News

Posters...

Please ensure your PBIS posters are visual in your classroom and they are referred to thoughout the day.

PBIS Staff Spotlight...

Each week we will shine the PBIS spotlight on an amazing member of the Markham community. Although we play different roles and serve different functions in our school community, we ALL are responsible for supporting a positive, inclusive school climate!  Read on to find out Diana's take on positive behavior supports and interventions. 

DIANA LOZA, 1st GRADE 

1. Your name popped into the minds of some PBIS team members…you are definitely one of the top 5 most frequent “Paw” distributors!  Each week, it is always so nice to see how frequently you give PAWS for good behavior.  Do you see a difference in the behavior of your class overall?

 I do see a difference in my classroom behavior. They get excited when they receive one and show it off with pride. 

2. You teach at the elementary level – what is an example of a really challenging student behavior that you have encountered, and what did you do to address it?

 One of the many obstacles in first grade is that students are learning how to be focused on a set task for a longer period of time. So, they have to learn to be focused and manage their time wisely. Its with practice and praise that they improve over time. 

3. What are some reasons that you have given students Paws?  What specific behaviors did you reinforce?

 I normally hand out Paws when the students are are following all three or one of the Markham rules

4. PBIS requires that the whole school be active and participate in implementing its components - regardless of job duty.  Do you think that this approach will benefit students? If so, why?

 I think that this approach will benefit all students. When students see that positive behavior is being rewarded in and outside the classroom they will begin to make better choices. 

5. We lost count around 100, but how many Paws do estimate you give students per week… and why do you think you use the PAWS to recognize your students at such a high rate??

 

 I really do not keep count of how many paws I hand out. I just know that it promotes positive behavior in my class and motivates them to keep doing their best in class. 

6. One of the essential elements of PBIS is "catching kids being good".  What do you think this means, and why do you think it is important?

 I think this means that students need to be recognized for the positive choices that they make. Normally negative behavior is what receives attention in schools. However, if you flip  the script and make positive behavior the focus of attention. Then students will want to make better choices in order to receive the recognition. 

7.  Imagine that you are able to receive Paws as an adult for good behavior.  What reward would you choose to spend your Paws on, if the # of Paws did not matter?

(ex: favorite food, a trip to ______, a day in bed, etc.)

I think if I were able to receive paws for good behavior. I would spend those paws on having my own parking spot on campus. So, I can actually leave for lunch and not have to worry about not finding a parking spot when I come back. 

Timberwolf thoughts on....BEHAVIOR

Public Discipline Systems

We all use some type of praise system in our classroom, usually one that is public and encourages positive peer pressure.  Check out this article that provides a different perspective on public discipline systems and also provides some "right now"  tips.

Meditation = Discipline

This school replaced detention with meditation, sounds crazy but intriguing right?  Check out the results they received from their students by changing the way they addressed perceived negative behavior in this article.

Citizenship Awards...

This month is flying by.  Please remember to choose ONE student in your classroom that has exemplified Responsibility ALL MONTH.  Click on the Blue Responsibility link to list your student NOW.  Other students you would like to recognize can be praised by using Good News Referrals and PAWS, which each staff member has received.

Timberwolf Tip...

Wanna know how to schedule an SST?

1. Make sure that you have made multiple contacts with parents regarding your concerns
2. Establish and document interventions you have attempted in the classroom.
3. Sign up to attend an IST meeting on Wednesday morning
4. Complete this form in it's entirety
5. Turn form in to Alicia B's box

Markham Shout Outs....

Let out a happy "howl" here -  Markham's Staff is HOWLing....https://goo.gl/forms/8Du8VfJR4n55rs9S2

Thanks Samantha for being an amazing substitute and TK teacher!
It is amazing to just listen to the conversations that are held during Girls On The Run. They are learning respect, pride, strength, and gratitude and it is amazing!
Jessica- I love watching you teach! You have a great rapport with your students, but you also hold high expectations. Keep up the great work!

Emily-Thank you for being so on top of your students and data and acting quickly to make needed changes. This is what makes you such an effective teacher!

Nakaren- I admire how you take initiative to observe your colleagues and do your best for your students.

Laura- For sharing her resources with her fellow teachers to get our littles reading.

Stephanie Sanders-for her technical support and time in setting up the I station webinar.

Linda Gonzales- Thank you for all you have done for our school! We will miss you.

PBIS team for their positive energy during Thursday's morning announcements!

Ana Hernandez- You are so inspiring with all the creative things you do for your kindergarteners. I always love coming in your classroom and getting good ideas.

Linda- For all her hard work and dedication to this school! She will be missed!

I would like to give a shout out to my job share partner, Alex Lander. She is going way above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that no children are left behind, giving up her time at lunch and after school, repeating the same thing a million different ways so that they don’t have a choice to do anything but succeed. From her, our sixth graders are learning the real meaning of grit!