Wakefield School News Volume 24 Issue 3 November 2016

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT IMPROVEMENT PROCESS

Preparing students for future career, personal and life success

Team addresses extra-curricular activities Beginning in Spring of 2016 the Wakefield Board of Education and administration began discussing developing a continuous learning improvement process for the extra-curricular activities areas. The goal behind this effort is to improve student learning experiences through extra-curricular activities. Extra-curricular activities participation helps prepare students for future career, personal and life success in a safe learning environment. Extra-curricular activities include student athletics, as well as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), National Honor Society (NHS), the FFA, Student Council, speech, one-act play, band and choir. Extra-curricular activities play an important role in preparing our students for college and career readiness. Leadership skills, managing competition, problem-solving, teaming, commitment, self-motivation, dealing with adversity/conflict resolution, and effective communication are all essential career and life skill goals. Mr. Bejot elected to utilize the athletic coaching staff, athletic director and high

school principal to address changes to the Wakefield extra-curricular activities programs. The team convened twice this past summer working on addressing our needs. The team identified eight areas of improvement, those being: leadership, parent support, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, commitment, entitlement, motivation, and committing the needed effort to win. The coaches all agreed that whatever is developed must be role modeled and supported not only by the coaches but also the entire educational team at Wakefield Community School. Everyone agreed that we need to work toward a common set of philosophies, goals and objectives.

Developing conflict resolution skills through effective communication is an important life/work skill. The second summer meeting addressed conflict-resolution skills, self-advocacy skills and parental support. Parental support is an essential component for student and team success as well as all other facets of the

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extra-curricular activities program. We need parent support through attendance at games, active participation in support activities, listening to student learning challenges as well as providing positive encouragement through the sport, which helps students learn those essential life lessons.

Conflicts are going to arise naturally whether at home, school, work or life in general. Developing conflict resolution skills through effective communication is another important life/work skill. Our team developed a two-step conflict resolution process that begins with the student submitting an issue and request to visit with the coach. The process begins with the student picking up a form, filling out the questionnaire and submitting the request to the school counselor or athletic director. A meeting is held with the head coach and student (student may have the counselor or A.D. present). This meeting is designed to be an open dialogue and

hopefully a positive resolution to the problem. If the student is still not happy with the result, then a parent-student meeting with the coach can be requested. This second component is designed to create communication between the student and parent in preparation for the meeting with the coach. This process is designed with the intent to help our students learn self-advocating skills.

Another discussion focus was on identifying an agreed upon coaching philosophy. Our team recognizes that consistency between activities will be beneficial for all students and programs. The coaches have agreed to recommend the “Pro-Active Coaching” program model. We also want to have a “Coaches Expectations” for students and parents explaining the coach’s responsibilities to the team and team members. This component is premature given the fact we have not completed “The Proactive Coaching” training. The committee has additional areas to examine and develop instructional strategies. We are continuing to work toward the goal of developing our Wakefield Community School Extra-Curricular Activities Plan. If you have comments, ideas, or suggestions, please feel free to email me at mbejot@wakefieldschools.org.

Mark Bejot, Superintendent

Veteran’s Day Program Friday, Nov. 11

9:00 a.m.

Principal’s Notes

Jason Heitz, 7-12 Principal

Between seasons is ‘the space between’

If you have ever worked at a school, you know what the phrase “between seasons” means. This phrase refers to the time between fall activity seasons and winter activity seasons. Although one-act season is in about “mid-season,” football and volleyball are over. The first basketball games and wrestling events are right around the corner, and the speech team will soon begin their competition season. On the calendar there are three to four weeks in which no extra-curricular events take place (besides practice sessions). This time “in-between” can give students and teachers a strange feeling sometimes! Whenever I look at my calendar in my office, it seems like I am always planning for the next day, the next week, the next faculty meeting, the next event, etc. I have told my teachers, during our faculty meetings, that the important work comes in the “space between” our meetings. We should not always concentrate on what we accomplished at the last meeting or what our plans are for the next meeting…but what we plan to do between meetings. That is the time spent in the classroom with the students. That is time that is truly important. Sometimes I have to remind myself that it’s the “space between” that really counts.

This is also true of one’s life outside of work. Everyone spends a lot of “busy time” attending their children’s events, dealing with their daily and weekly schedules, talking to their teachers, running errands, driving kids to ball games, etc. We would all benefit from spending more personal time with our children. As difficult as it is at times (sometimes it seems like we have to “pencil in” some time with our kids!) it is truly important to have personal time with our loved ones. It is the true “family time” that will be remembered and will really make a difference in your children’s lives. Again, it’s the “space between” that really counts.

Call office if student is absent If your son/daughter is going to be absent for any reason (sick, dentist appt., etc.) parents need to call the office (or send a note or email Dawn) to let us know. Sometimes students tell us (or their teachers) of the upcoming absences, but we still need to hear from parents.

Even if you are planning to pick them up to take them to an appointment, we would still like to hear from you ahead of time.

Wakefield students hosting annual Veteran’s Day program

Wakefield School will host the annual Veteran’s Day program in the main gym at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11. Several students (elementary and high school) will be involved in the program. During the ceremony, names of local veterans will be read, as well as veterans who have died recently. Please inform Mr. Heitz if you are at the ceremony and know of someone who is missing from the list.

Following the ceremony, community members and veterans are invited to coffee and rolls in the school cafeteria.

Teachers visiting classrooms of colleagues Staff members also submit personal technology goals

Teachers of grades 7-12 will be turning in “Ticket to Visit” cards to Mr. Heitz this semester. This means that Mr. Heitz will substitute for them while they visit another teacher’s classroom to observe. We spend a lot of time at faculty meetings discussing various teaching strategies, and often times teachers say “I already do that,” or “I’ve done that strategy for years.” At the same time, they are learning about strategies that they have never tried before. The strategies are easy to describe and learn about, but often difficult to implement

without actually seeing it in action. “Ticket to Visit” gives the teachers the chance to see one of their own colleagues performing a strategy, which is likely to make them more comfortable implementing it themselves.

Each teacher has also turned in a personal technology goal for this year. The only stipulation…it had to be something with technology that they had never tried before.

Goals range from using google docs, to online quiz sites (such as Quizlet), to QR codes, to live-streaming.

After school program reminder

A reminder that all students in grades 7-12 are welcome to attend The After School Program, which takes place on Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 3:45-5:00.

Mrs. Dorcey and Mrs. Slama are there to help, and it’s a great time to finish homework or study for quizzes and tests.

Upcoming events… * Junior high wrestling events take place in November, while JV and varsity basketball and wrestling events begin in December. * 2:00 dismissal on Monday, Nov. 14 for teacher in-service. * Lifetouch picture retakes on Thursday, Nov. 17. * 2:00 dismissal Wednesday, Nov. 23, with no school Nov. 24 & 25 for Thanksgiving break.

FromthePrincipal’sPenJeradWulf,K-6Principal

Parent communication/appointments Regular attendance vital Regular school attendance is vital to the success of our students. If your child is going to be absent from school, please be sure to contact the office.

According to our handbook, students should be “fever and symptom free” for 24 hours. This may be difficult, but it is a necessity in making sure all students are healthy before returning to school. If a student leaves school for an appointment (doctor, dentist, orthodontist, etc.) please bring a doctor’s note to the office. These will be placed in your child’s cumulative folder and will help the school know why students are absent. If possible, appointments should be scheduled when school is not in session. If students are not in school, they miss out. As a reminder of the state attendance policy, students are allowed 20 absences a year (5 per quarter) before parents are turned over to the county attorney for truancy concerns. Please support the school by making sure your child is in attendance every day!

School closings and delays If school is delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather, the district’s automated system will call each home with the notification. In addition, be sure to listen for announcements on local radio and television stations before 8:00 a.m.

• TV-Siouxland television stations: KTIV, KCAU

• Radio-KNEN, KEXL, KUSO and KTCH

• Internet-www.ktiv.com It may become necessary to dismiss classes during the school day because of bad weather. In such an event, it is important that the school knows where students are to go. Be sure to complete the early dismissal forms that will be coming home with elementary students and return them to school. Teachers will follow the directions written on this form, unless otherwise notified.

As the winter months near, please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for cold weather. Most days we go outside for recess and it is important that they come to school with a coat, boots, gloves and other winter clothing.

All students will go outside the majority of the time unless the temperature is 0 degrees or less. If your child misplaces any winter item, be sure to check the lost and found box on a regular basis. You can always find lost or

misplaced items there!

By Lori Harding (harding@esu1.org) 7-12 Guidance Counselor

Seniors continue to prepare for college Twenty-two seniors met in the computer lab for nearly two and a half hours on Oct. 4 and completed college applications.

This Apply2College event is held in over 200 Nebraska high schools. The purpose of Apply2College is to allow students a time during the school day to complete college applications with the availability of 3 or 4 adults to offer assistance when needed. Students are encouraged to apply to more than one college. By doing so, it will give them options for furthering their education, as much can happen between now and graduation day. Many students put off applying to colleges because they are unsure of the process, so offering students time during the school day, while help is available, is important. We are very grateful to administrators who allowed us to hold this event in our school. Forty-five college applications were completed!

Seniors should now schedule college visits, complete their FAFSA, and begin searching for applicable scholarships. Applying for scholarships through the colleges students have submitted applications are very important tasks that many seniors often overlook. In their “spare” time, seniors should update their activities resume. Keeping themselves organized and paying attention to deadlines are crucial for their

senior year to be successful.

Juniors and sophomores… Individual consultations are completed for juniors and underway for sophomores. During these sessions students are encouraged to explore the many career and college options available to them. This should not be a time of stress, but rather a time of excitement as they research the many opportunities they may want to pursue. Sophomores recently had the opportunity to attend a Career Day at WSC with nearly 1,000 sophomores from across northeast Nebraska. Each sophomore student participated in three career sessions and two larger breakout sessions dealing with subjects addressing life after high school.

Watch for important dates All students and parents are encouraged to keep an eye on important dates posted on the white board and walls outside my office. Seniors and their parents should read and check over all of the information found in the monthly Counselor Corner information sheet distributed the last week of each month. This handout lists important dates to watch for, college recruiter visits, scholarship information, and other information important to the senior year of high school.

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, please take time to read excerpts from the huffingtonpost.com article I’ve listed

below. It would benefit all of us to be more grateful!

10 Reasons Why Gratitude Is Healthy When was the last time you stopped to really acknowledge the things you're thankful for?

There's a whole host of reasons why we should make gratitude a daily practice -- research has shown that being thankful confers a whole host of health benefits, from improved immune systems, to feelings of connectedness, even higher team morale.

It’s good for teens’ mental health. Grateful teens are happier, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association this year. Researchers also found that teens who are grateful -- in the study, defined as having a positive outlook on life -- are better-behaved at school and more hopeful than their less-grateful peers. "More gratitude may be precisely what our society needs to raise a generation that is ready to make a difference in the world," study researcher Giacomo Bono, Ph.D., a psychology professor at California State University, said in a statement.

It boosts well-being. Being constantly mindful of all the things you have to be thankful for can boost your well-being, research suggests. In a series of experiments detailed in a 2003 study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, daily exercise practices and listing off all the things you are thankful for are linked with a brighter outlook on life and a greater sense of positivity. It’s been linked with better grades. Grateful high-schoolers have higher GPAs -- as well as better social integration and satisfaction with life -- than their not-grateful counterparts, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Happiness Studies. Researchers also found that grateful teens were less depressed or envious.

It makes you a better friend to others. According to a 2003 study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, gratitude could also boost pro-social behaviors, such as helping other people who have problems or lending emotional support to another person.

It helps you sleep better. Writing down what you're thankful for as you drift off to sleep can help you get better ZZs, according to a study in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. Specifically, researchers found that when people spent 15 minutes jotting down what they're grateful for in a journal before bedtime, they fell asleep faster and stayed asleep longer, Psychology Today reported.

It can strengthen your relationship. Being thankful for the little things your partner does could make your relationship stronger, according to a study in the journal Personal Relationships. The Telegraph reported on the study, which showed that journaling about the thoughtful things your partner did was linked with a beneficial outcome on the relationship.

It benefits the heart. A 1995 study in the American Journal of Cardiology showed that appreciation and positive emotions are linked with changes in heart rate variability.

It’s good for team morale. Athletes are less likely to burn out and more likely to experience high life satisfaction and team satisfaction when they are grateful, according to a 2008 study in the journal Social Indicators Research of high-schoolers.

It’s been linked with a better immune system. Gratefulness is linked with optimism, which in turn is linked with better immune health, For example, a University of Utah study showed that stressed-out law students who were optimistic had more immune-boosting blood cells than people who were pessimistic, according to WebMD.

It protects you from negative emotions that come with extreme loss. WebMD reported that negative events can boost gratitude, and that gratitude can help to boost feelings of belonging and decrease feelings of stress. For example, a survey showed that feelings of gratitude were at high levels after 9/11.