This Week at LPHS, March 25-29

Good Afternoon,

This week marks the last week before spring break begins, and it is a busy one.  Please see below for the details on the week ahead:

Monday: 

* BTN Meeting, 7:00 am in Media Center Conference Room

Tuesday: 

* Early Release Day, Meeting to begin at 1:55 in the Media Center followed by department planning time afterwards.  Dismissal will be at 3:45.

* Happy Birthday, Erin Orzol! 

Wednesday: 

* Lock Down Drill, 2:00

* Pre-ID for testing second and third hour depending on last name.  More information to follow in an email.

* Happy Birthday, Don McKenzie! 

Wednesday and Thursday:

* Mobile Dentistry will be in the building - See below for important instructions.

Students will be called out of class individually on 3/27 for their mobile dentistry appointments.   We expect a full day of appointments and have no more room for walk-ins.   If they have not signed up on the website with a guardian prior to 3/27, they will not be seen on Wednesday.
Please do not send students to the auditorium for dental work without someone sending for them with a pass. 
Should students not all get seen who have registered, the dentists will return on 03/28.   Thank you for your understanding that this is difficult to schedule as we don't know how long each student's visit/care will take.

Friday: 

* Spring Break begins at dismissal, school to resume on April 8th!  Have fun and be safe!

* Happy Birthday, Debbie Howell! 

Wednesday, April 3:

* Happy Birthday, Silvia Rutowicz! 

Trauma Informed Article of the Week, March 25

Self-Care Tips for Teachers: How-to Feel Refreshed After Spring Break

Tami Hackbarth

Tip #1 Don’t over schedule yourself.

Allow for down time to just hang out and do nothing. I know it is tempting to try to catch up on some grading or planning or housework, but don’t forget to take time for yourself.

Tip #2 Sleep a little more at night.

My own sleep is much more restful in the hours before midnight so I try to get as many of those as possible. That may be because I get up ridiculously early with my daughter, but whatever. I try to be in bed by nine and asleep by 10. I know, I’m an early bird! However you stock up on your own sleep, please do. The more the merrier when it comes to sleep!

Tip #3 Nap during the day or practice some restorative yoga.

It has been said restorative yoga can feel more refreshing than taking a nap.

https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/types/restorative

Tip #4 Take time away from working/computer/screens and step into nature.

The NY Times explains the science behind what we already instinctively know: a break from technology is a good thing.

You don’t have to go far – the backyard, a local park or lake –  just take your shoes off, lay a blanket on the grass and look up at the sky.

Tip #5 Exercise.

Sometime this is the first thing to go when things at work get busy, so while on break take advantage of this extra time to take care of yourself. Exercise is nature’s antidepressant.

Maybe you check out a class usually out of reach because you are at work. Now’s the time to try that morning Zumba, weight lifting or ballet class. Why not try some Pilates or kickboxing? Or just grab your shoes and a friend and head out for a leisurely stroll around your neighborhood. Instead of driving to your coffee date, dust off your bike and cruise on over.

Tip #6 Connect with friends or family.

It’s during school breaks that I get to go out to lunch. Oh how I miss this during the year. So if you are like me and love a leisurely midday meal with a friend or close family member, get it on the schedule now.

Source: teachergoesbacktoschool.org

This Week at LPHS, March 18-22

Hello All,

I apologize for the delay in getting this to you.  We have spirit week this week and not much else.  Those days are included below.  I will be out of the building on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a conference.  You are in good hands with our APs, but I can be reached by email or my cell if need be as well.  Please see below for details on the week:

Monday:

* Decades Day

Tuesday: 

* Twin Day
* PSP Meeting, 2:55 in LPHS Media Center (Please bring a device that you can access the blog, your current grades and printed out roster) We will dismiss at 3:45.

Wednesday: 

* MEME Day

Thursday:

* Class Color Day, 9 - Purple, 10 - Yellow, 11 - White, 12 - Red, Staff - Black

* Happy Birthday, Joe Celsi

Friday:

* All Out Orange and Blue Day

Trauma Informed Article of the Week, March 18

10 Common Sayings to Avoid

By Richard Curwin

Teachers should avoid the reflexive language of anger or frustration. Here's a list of these sayings, framed as opportunities to constructively address difficult student behavior.

I've narrowed my list to 10 representative items. Some of these are related to control issues, others to motivation, and still more to management. All reflect frustration and/or anger. Let's start the upcoming school year by wiping these sayings out of our vernacular.

1. "You have potential but don't use it."
Students feel insulted when they hear this, and while some accept it as a challenge to do better, more lose their motivation to care. Instead, say in a caring way, "How can I help you reach your full potential?"

2. "I'm disappointed in you."
Of course we occasionally are disappointed in things that our students do. In addition, the result of openly expressing that disappointment depends as much on the way we say it as the words we use. But students have told me that they hate hearing a teacher say this. The problem with this saying is that it looks to the past. A more helpful approach looks to the future. The alternative might be more like, "What do you think you can do to make a more helpful decision the next time you are in a similar situation?"

3. "What did you say?"
This is the challenge that some teachers might throw down when walking away from a student after a private discussion about behavior and hearing that student whisper something. "What did you say?" is just bait for escalation. Do you really want to know what was whispered? It's better to ignore that unheard comeback and move on. You don't always need to have the last word.

4. "It's against the rules."
Rules are about behavior. Often there are many behaviors from which people can choose in order to solve a problem. Some may be within the rules. Try saying this instead: "Let me see if there's a way to meet your need within the rules."

5. "Your brother/sister was better than you."
Never compare siblings or anyone else in a positive or negative way about anything. Comparisons can only lead to trouble regardless of which side of the coin the student is. My grandchildren always ask me, "Who's your favorite?" What if I actually gave an answer?

6. "You'll never amount to anything."
Not only is this an insult, but it is usually wrong. When I was young, I was told that I would never be a teacher. How many great people have been told this? How many of you have heard it?

7. "Who do you think you are?"
Do you really need to know who they think they are? This question is meant to say, "You are not as important as me!" This communicates sheer arrogance and is asking for a power struggle.

8. "Don't you ever stop talking?"
This is a snide way of asking the student to stop talking. Never start with a question like, "Don't you ever _______?" You can fill in any behavior or attitude: "listen," "do your homework," "try," "care about your work." Avoid the sarcasm and directly say what you are feeling.

9. "The whole class will miss _______ unless someone admits to _______."
Collective punishment is never appropriate. There are many reasons why we should avoid collective punishment, but the most important is that if we want students to learn how to take responsibility for their behavior, they need somewhat predictable outcomes for their choices. When they're punished for something they didn't do, they see the world as an unpredictable place where consequences have nothing to do with choices. This is not what we want children to learn.

10. "What is wrong with you?"
This question implies a defect or an imperfect student. We are all imperfect, so the question is really only intended as an insult. What do you expect the student to answer? "I'm the son of abusive parents who hate me?" I have heard many professionals say that everyone is perfect at being who they are. A better approach is to say something like, "I see you have a problem. Let's work together to find a solution."

If a teacher loses his temper or gets frustrated and says one of these things once or even twice during the year, it's understandable. For most students, a rare mishap makes no difference with a teacher who they respect and like. But if trust hasn't been established, students are less forgiving when they feel insulted or wronged. On the other hand, we can say something nice or neutral that might be heard by a student as an insult. These instances are hard to avoid. What we can avoid is saying things that we know in advance are hurtful.

Source: Edutopia