Last week's challenge was to reflect, journal, and discuss the four quadrants above with colleagues answering the following questions:

1. When was the last time you fed a passion of yours? What was it and how long ago?

2. Do you have a passion you have refused to let go or a passion you have missed and want to reclaim?

3. Which quadrant do you think might be lacking the most attention in your life currently? Why do you think focus and effort in this quadrant are lacking?

This week's challenge is to use your takeaways from last week and transform them into ideas for growth related to wellness. Inform us about your professional learning ideas that will help you and the staff grow personally and professionally. Your ideas could be a specific strategy related to the quadrants or an expert presenter on a specific topic or skill. Please submit your ideas for profession learning at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2NeGzrns9P9bxKi5Bvs19Z32Tt7kO65Qgx7_Yy31_U/edit?usp=sharing.

• Andrea Green joins Teacher Advisory Council- Secretary of Education, Susan Bunting, welcomes the second cohort of her Teachers Advisory Council to gather feedback from educators across the state. Advisory council members are recommended by their superintendents. Bunting asks each to share his or her personal feelings as an individual rather than serve as a representative of a district or charter school’s position on an issue.

• Please review the Equity Professional Learning Catalog and select your professional learning session(s) offered by our very own staff members. The catalog provides a brief overview of the sessions and registration information. We are looking forward to staff members having positive experiences and growing their professional knowledge and skills within the equity framework. A special thanks to all staff members facilitating the sessions. A reminder that snow hours will be awarded to after school facilitators and participants. Visit the catalog at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V-2zlxFef2o7S8COaeS0D2NgTfuh45PNTB0sknmtPYQ/edit?usp=sharing

• This Wednesday's after school session will present effective communication strategies as an intervention/response to behavior. In this session, instructors will view behavior scenarios leading to discussion, assessment, and reflection on current practices/strategies as they relate to behavior response in the classroom. Participants will engage with peers and facilitators as they assess what they “do” versus what they want to “accomplish”, ultimately identifying if it is working. Finally, participants will be exposed to relevant research surrounding the effect of teacher voice/tone in the classroom. See anyone on the Restorative Practices Committee for more details.

  Please RSVP below and snow hours will be awarded!

• Please pass on any feedback about the student ALICE presentation last Monday to your zone captain. We will review the feedback at our next Emergency Response Committee meeting.

Based on the feedback received from students and staff, Tuesday afternoon's pretzel surprise was very much appreciated. We were excited to celebrate outstanding attendance and attitude from our student population. We look forward to doing something special for our students each marking period. Also, please see this week's positive office referral group pic below! It's great to recognize and celebrate our students!

"I want to thank the staff for a phenomenal job yesterday highlighting our school at the Open House. Families were thoroughly impressed and were excited about the opportunity to join Hawk Nation. A special thanks to Dr. Harrison, Jamie Williams, and Christine Schumacher and the Open House committee for working hard to prepare for the event. Based on the folders that were distributed we had close to 800 families attend our Open House." ~Shanta Reynolds

"I want to recognize Hilary Rickner and Tairen McCollister for presenting at their after school professional learning session on trauma. All those that attended benefited from their knowledge and insights into the realities of trauma. It was evident that they were passionate about fostering a trauma sensitive environment to benefit our students." ~Shanta Reynolds

"Last week, the Early Childhood preschoolers had their annual Halloween parade and trick-or-treat day. The team really enjoyed seeing the kids in their costumes and handing out treats. A special thanks to Mrs. Bowe and Ms. Ellingsworth for organizing the event and for all of the other team members who helped make the day special for our preschoolers." ~Shanta Reynolds

"I want to thank Linda Wirt and her Medical Assisting program for facilitating a very successful blood drive in conjuction with the Blood Bank of Delmarva. Our students had the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals in a real learning opportunity for real life. Last week, the SG family saved over 200 lives." ~Chad Harrison

Tuesday, November 5th

• ACE Online at 7:35 a.m.
  
• ACE Facilitators Meeting at 7:35 a.m.

Thursday, November 7th

• ACE Tech Day at 7:35 a.m.
• ASVAB Test in Cafeteria at 8:15 a.m.

Friday, November 8th

• NEA 10-minute meeting

" Balanced educators are passionate about purpose! Many educators start with overflowing amounts of passion, and their devotion is apparent. Passionate educators continue to pursue aspirations in all areas of life. Just because you grow up doesn't mean you outgrow creating new goals. Want to run a marathon? Write a book? Go back to school? Develop leadership skills? Learn to cook? Finding your passion can be the first step toward regaining purpose and happiness."

~ Jessica Cabeen, Jessica Johnson and Sarah Johnson
Balance Like a Pirate