HEADS UP!

Last Thursday, Dec. 2nd, our K-8 students learned some important information.  They attended a presentation called "Heads Up", sponsored by St. Luke's hospital.  Some of the highlights of the assembly were hearing from a man who survived a traumatic brain injury when his fire truck was hit by a train.  He said that it was his habit of wearing a seatbelt that saved his life.  Students learned that there are two parts of the body that doctors can't fix--your brain and your spinal cord.  That is why we have to do whatever we can to protect them.  That includes wearing helmets when skateboarding, biking, etc., wearing seat belts in vehicles, and wearing other protective gear for sports.  It also means making safe decisions, such as checking to see how deep water is by walking in before diving (it should be about twice as deep as you are tall to be safe).  The K-3 students learned from a cartoon video that safety can be fun.  The 4-8 students watched videos of teenagers who have lived through trauma to their brains or spinal cords; all of which could have been prevented.  Ms. Batiuchok randomly drew two winners of a new bike helmet, donated by our local clinic.

Third graders listening attentively.

Grades 5-8 packed the bleachers of our gym.

A saying that a survivor of a traumatic brain injury developed.

K-3 students line up to feel the "jello brain" and look at other visual aides.

K-2 students feeling how hard their skulls are.

Introducing the Bulldog Club

A crew of 4th and 5th grade students and I have gone from grade to grade introducing the Bulldog Club to students.  First, the 4th and 5th graders presented skits about being safe, respectful, and responsible.  They demonstrated the wrong way to do things first and then we "froze" each skit, "rewound" it, and they finished by modeling the correct way to do these things.  In the skit by Liam and Liela, we learned that building a snowman is much safer than throwing snowballs.  In the skit by Alleah and Tomi, we discovered that including someone in a game makes them feel a lot better and is much more respectful than excluding them.  And, in the final skit by Trinity, Kaleb, and Kaitlyn, we learned that students must take responsibility for completing their own homework.  After the skits, I explained how the Bulldog Club will work (see previous post for details).  It starts on Monday, Nov. 29th.  All school staff from bus drivers to our secretary will start handing out tickets for those students who they catch following the three B's of Mission Elementary.  Thank you for your help in kicking this off 4th and 5th grade skit volunteers!  I can't wait to see our Bingo board fill up with students' names.

Bulldog Club Starting Soon!

The Bulldog Club is a positive school-wide behavior intervention program.  All students in the school will be able to participate.  Near the gym, we will post a board with numbered squares on it.  As staff members catch students following the three universals (Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible), they can write them a "Bulldog ticket" which they will turn in to the office.  They will then sign their name in the "Celebrity Book".  Their name will then be placed on the Club board in one of the numbered squares.  Some students may have their names entered several times.  When a row of 11 is filled, those lucky students will receive a reward.  The rewards might be an item, or it could be something like an extra recess.  At that point, the row is cleared and we continue.   All of the tickets will be saved for an end of the year "Grand Prize Drawing".  The goals of the program will be:

·        To improve behavior for all students

·        To encourage positive student-teacher interactions

·        To improve home-school relations

·        To establish and reinforce consistent school-wide expectations

·        To promote social skills and decrease bullying

·        To decrease the number of office discipline referrals and time spent on discipline—which leads to more time for teaching

·        To increase attendance rates for all students

 The focus for the second quarter will be on improving attendance.  Students whose attendance improves will be given a ticket for responsibility.

SPOOK PARADE

It was a full house in the new cafeteria on Friday, October 29th to watch our Elementary "Spook parade" across the new stage.  Here are a few pictures of the students waiting for their turn in the parade.  It only lasted about 10 minutes, but it sure was fun to see all of the creativity that went into the costumes.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pics. yet of the staff members in costume, but if I get some, I will post them.   I learned that it is difficult to be the MC and photographer at the same time.  Thanks to everyone who came to watch and cheer on our kids.  Remember that families are welcome to come to school anytime.

Me and "Mini-me"

Family Fun Night 2010

Hmmn....this resembles someone.  Who could it be?



Lots of chilli dinners were eaten and 70 scarecrows took shape, as families descended upon our new cafetorium and old elementary gym on Oct. 20th.  Sign ups for the after school program and Girl Scouts took place in the hall as well.   Paper stuffing was flying, laughter was heard all around, and a lot of fun was had by all!  Thanks so much to everyone who helped with this event, especially our counselor Susan Weaselhead.  She pre-made 80 frames and heads, gathered clothing, and coordinated the night.   Enjoy the pictures.  It was great to see so many students and their families at the school.  Please remember that families are welcome any time at Mission Elementary!

Learning with Success Maker

One-on-One Instruction. With a strong focus on the most critical math and reading concepts, individualized learning for every student becomes a reality with SuccessMaker. Embedded assessment finds just the right starting point in the curriculum and the program’s dynamic presentation of content focuses instruction on areas where each learner’s skills need to be strengthened.

Real Engagement. SuccessMaker delivers content through a highly engaging interface that makes math and reading instruction, practice and assessment fun. The program is highly interactive, addressing multiple learning modalities and making students active participants in their learning and the game-like formats of many activities are challenging and motivating so learners can’t wait to use the program.

Powerful Data. SuccessMaker ends the guesswork with ongoing, embedded assessment and on-demand reporting making it easy to identify strengths and weaknesses, track progress, meet acountability requirements and inform instruction.

Serious Fun. Even the best curriculum falls flat if your learners aren’t interested in using it. SuccessMaker was built on research around what motivates learners at each age. Students from kindergarten through grade eight LOVE using the program and, most importantly, can’t wait to learn more.

This information was taken from the Pearson website on October 6, 2010.
Please use the following link to learn more about Success Maker!

http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZk99

Homecoming 2010

What an amazing display of Bulldog spirit!  During Homecoming week, our students participated in face painting, creating costumes, yelling at the pep assembly, spirit days, and marching in the parade!  Our elementary students showed their true BLUE pride!  Thanks so much to all of the teachers for their preparations, to the students for their enthusiasm, and to the community members for coming out to watch the parade.  It is good to be a Mission Bulldog this year!

New Computer Labs

The first of our two new computer labs is up and running!  Above, students take a practice test session.  We will be taking the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) over the next three weeks.  We will also be using our labs for students to use the Success Maker program, as soon as MAP testing is done.  We are very lucky to have 50 new computers and Mr. Lyon and Ms. Brander to keep them running for us.

People's Center Field Trip

Despite the windy, cold conditions in Pablo, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders all had a good time and learned a lot at the People's Center on September 22nd.  They watched drummers and dancers, listened to speakers, and attended several stations including: fry bread and dry meat, making Yaya dolls, and Native games such as Shinny and Run & Scream.  What a great opportunity to learn about Native American Culture in a hands-on way.  Thank you to Aileen Plant, our N.A.S. teacher for organizing the trip!