November 28-December 2

HONESTY/CARING

December kicks off the next character trait "Caring." This time of year is perfect to instill the idea of how to show kindness and compassion towards themselves and others. Please spend at least 15 minutes during your "Specials" block to teach them this trait.

Motivational Video to show upper grade students:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcruIov45bI

Motivational Video to show primary students:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwelE8yyY0U

"One person caring about another, represents life's greatest value"

Important Dates

• Back to School: Monday, Nov. 28th 
• Family Math Night:  Wednesday, Nov. 30th
• Pajama Day: Friday, Dec. 2nd

PBIS News

Good News Referrals: 8

Disicipline Referrals: 42

PBIS Staff Spotlight...

Christin Hopp, Speech/Language Pathologist








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 Christin's take on positive behavior supports and interventions. 

                       

1. Your job as a Speech/Language Pathologist means that you see kids of all ages and work with teachers at all grade levels.  Do you notice anything in terms of behavior that may be different from younger/older grades ?

I think defiance is the behavior that most affects my role, especially with the older kids, In younger students, its more hyperactivity. I personally don't see any bullying occur, but I know it does happen.

2. Have you worked at another school  that uses PBIS or similar school wide practices?

No. But I do think it provides incentives for students with challenging behavior, as well as building their confidence. I like knowing that adults focus on "catching kids being good", rather than focusing on the bad.

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

Working hard with me, completing a task well, waiting patiently in line, using kind words. 

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?

ABSOLUTELY! Kids know that they don't just have to "behave" for their teacher, but for all adults in all settings - not just if you know you could get in trouble. I think this helps with carryover to other "real life" settings. 

5. About 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??

Probably 15-20.

6. Is there anything about the way that Markham approaches/implements PBIS that you would change? 

What if kids could give other kids PAWS? Or if classrooms could nominate another student to receive a "PAW of the Week"? I think that the peer-peer aspect could be great.  If students could help each other and be rewarded, it would help make that type of behavior more of a habit.

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.)

Dyson hair dryer. And speech therapy materials for my awesome kiddos. 

Citizenship Awards...

This month is flying by.  Please remember to choose ONE student in your classroom that has exemplified Honesty 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...

Traveling Timberwolf Trophies

Rolando passed his timberwolf statuette to Jose Bermudez because of his dedication to the school and his willingness to help.

Hilda Millan honored Michael Milligan with a timberwolf statuette, saying he had earned it for "*Always encouraging others to be the best they can be *Always lending a hand or giving others advice *Always being up for a challenge and not letting life get you down *Always having such vibrant spirit/energy"

Markham Shout Outs....

Our translators have been superb. They have been extremely supportive in relaying positives and room for improvement comments to our parents. My parents have been appreciative of them

Cindy, Danesa, Megan, Emily, Marcela, and Melissa: Thank you for advocating for your students even when parents don't show up the first or second time. You are persistent in obtaining support for your students!

Rosie has been a huge support not just for me but for my students as well.

Whenever I need anything done or a helping hand, Miss Kathy is always willing. I so appreciate her giving heart and how kind she is to me and my students.

Alicia Marin: Alicia is here early in the morning every day preparing an awesome day for her students. Those students learn so much and both parents and children are happy to be in her class. Every time I go into her class, it is fun to be there. A great model for me.

Marcela: Thanks for making a manageable study list for the Spelling Bee.

Thank you to the volunteers who came out to Science Night last week! It wouldn't have been possible without your support.

All the yard staff: For taking care of the students and also for being compassionate of the teachers.

Thank you to Heather, Shannon, Bobbie, and Rafael for taking care of me in the office today. I am so thankful to work with people who care for me like family :)

Bobbie: I appreciate you for all of the work you put into planning conferences (and cleaning up all of the conference messes)

Rafael: I think the sentiment of inviting staff who don't have any plans to your home for Thanksgiving is really kind and wonderful :)

Let out a happy "howl" here -  Markham's Staff is HOWLing....

Week of 11/14-11/18

HONESTY

The purpose of this blog is to keep staff informed of discipline data, Character Trait lessons, Tips regarding behavior, important events and other information regarding PBIS.  This newsletter is drafted by staff for staff.  If there is anything you'd like to see added, please let a PBIS team member know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvRbPr6MqjI  The Empty Pot

Behavior at Markham: The month of November

Good News Referrals: 5

Discipline Referrals: 38

Area	Data	Next Steps
Time	12:00; 1:00
Location	Classroom; Playground
Day of the Week	Monday; Wednesday
Problem Behavior	Minor:  Contact/Disrespect
Grade	6th
Number of Referrals	38

Important Dates

• Conference Minimum Days (12:50 dismissal): Nov. 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
• Lockdown Drill:  November 18 around 11:00
• Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 21-24

Timberwolf Tip...

Check out this article on Wellbeing:  Developing Empathy, Emotional Awareness, and Empathy


There are already awesome resources provided in you Character Train Handbooks, but here are some other anchor text ideas that can support you in teaching our students about honesty!!!



Markham Shout Outs....

Erin Legget:  You did such an awesome job making the best of a bad situation. Way to think on your feet and improvise!

6th grade teachers:  Throwing a BBQ to reward your students for their hard work! Motivating 6th graders can be hard but they were so excited for their special lunch.

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

Week of 11/7-11/11

HONESTY

At parent conferences this week, share Markham's 3 Be's with your families. 

Be safe.  Be respectful.  Be responsible.

In the classroom, remember to reserve 15 minutes this week to teach our character trait of the month: HONESTY!  Please refer to your PBIS handbook for lesson ideas!

                                             "No legacy is so rich as honesty"- Shakespeare

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojqCFt5uwrc (great social experiment to show students)

Important Dates

EXPLORIT: November 7, 5:30-7:30
Evacuation Drill:  November 8 around 10:00 am (no buckets/no strike team)
Upper Grade Family Meeting:  November 8 at 3:00

Conference Minimum Days (12:50 dismissal): Nov. 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Lockdown Drill:  November 18 around 11:00

Behavior at Markham: The month of November

Good News Referrals: 0

Discipline Referrals:  2

The majority of referrals are due to minor physical contact and minor disrespect to peers or staff.

Behaviors occur mostly on the playground and classroom.

Most referrals occur at 2:00pm.

Three students have three or more referrals

More referrals are written on Thursdays than on any other day of the week.

Second and Sixth grade students have received the most referrals.

PBIS News

This article addresses Identity Based Bullying.  This occurs when bullying occurs based upon who a person is, their appearance, or other identifying factors.  There are 3 quick tips you can use almost immediately to curb this negative behavior, teach tolerance, and increase the peace at Markham:  https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-is-identity-based-bullying-jinnie-spiegler

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. 

                                                               

LISA FERNANDEZ, SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

1.  You seem to give a lot of PAWS for good behavior.  Do you see a difference in the behavior of your students overall?

Its interesting - I do see a change in student behavior since the beginning of the school year, but what I really have noticed is a change in adult behavior! Personally, I think that the time I spend "catching good" student behavior has changed my approach toward addressing negative behavior. I try to make enough "deposits" in students "bank accounts" (by giving PAWS), so that when I need to make a "withdrawal" and address negative behavior, I can do so without breaking the bank, so to speak. 

2. You must see a range of student behavior as a psychologist – what is an example of a really challenging student behavior that you have encountered, and what did you do to address it?

That's tough! You are right - I do see a spectrum of behavior, both positive and negative. I think one of the more difficult student behaviors for me to address is when students are "disrespectful" to others (staff or peers).  Being blatantly disrespectful to others is an intentional thing that can cause emotional reactions. Its hard to give a "consequence" for being disrespectful that makes logical sense to a student. If a student calls a teacher names, traditionally the consequence might be to go to the principals office, to call home, etc. But those things don't address the actual behavior itself - that requires an honest, 1:1 conversation with the student and teacher, which can be hard. 

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

Waiting patiently in the PAW Shop line, asking another student how they can help them, smiling kindly, being a role model for younger students, giving praise to others

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 really, really do think this approach will benefit students. If kids see that ALL the adults at their school are on the same page, and know that any adult they interact with could "catch them being good", then they are more likely to want to demonstrate good behavior.

5. How many Paws do estimate you give students per week?

Hmm. I try to give between 5-10 PAWS every day. 

6.  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 would spend my PAWS on bribing the weather man.  I would LOVE to have one more day of 80 degree weather so that I could have a final beach day!

Timberwolf thoughts on....BEHAVIOR

Timberwolf Tip...

Check out this link for ready to use PBIS Tips.  Just a click away... literally
http://polkdhsd7.sharpschool.com/staff_directory/p_b_s_behavior_intervention/

Markham Shout Outs....

Stephanie Sanders- For being willing to jump in and help wherever needed
Jennie Rae- She has been handed an all consuming group of kids for her first year - and I have seen her continue to keep her head high and not give up on them ❤️
Jose Bermudez and Rosie Romo - A big thank you for taking my class when I had an unexpected absence and no sub!
Shout out to all of the teachers who inspired their students to get a third of the year growth!
To our experienced teachers- A big thank you to our experienced teachers who helped our new colleagues with their report card and conferences!
Stephanie Sanders- For putting together the guides for report cards and conferences
Karen S- For preparing the excel lists ahead of time so teachers have time to review their data
Teachers who came to SSTs prepared. It really shows how much you care about supporting your students!
Sunshine for throwing Cindy's baby shower!
Jose, Sylvia, and Sunshine for organizing a staff breakfast next week.
Lisa and Alicia B- Thank you for organizing the girls' Lunch Bunch. They loved being a part of the pack!
All the teachers who participated in the Door Decorating Contest- You are all so creative! Thanks for participating and I loved seeing what you came up with!
Stephanie S thank you for assisting me with having courageous conversations this week.

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