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