Hawk Highlights

Beyond what you learned during the first week of school, do you know what inspires your students? We can address the social-emotional learning of our students by talking and listening to our students. One strategy is to use a simple process known as a 2x10. It works like this: every day for 10 school days, engage a student in a two-minute conversation that has nothing to do with academics.

Challenge #2 is to engage a student that you don't yet know and engage them in a two-minute conversation. Report back what you learned about that student (feel free to submit multiple accounts) and how that conversation strengthened your relationship with the student and how that relationship will help that student achieve success in your classroom. Share your story at https://docs.google.com/document/d/17ibgwynb8QBzuC3CqpFEzdgsK_x53ja1bG5zcLehRsA/edit?usp=sharing

"I actually was originally a business administration major when I entered the University of Delaware. My father had recently retired from the military and I hoped to enjoy the same kind of success that he had been experiencing. Though the material was interesting, I didn't really think it was for me. I ended up changing my major to engineering and LOVED the science courses, but DID NOT LOVE the crazy calculus courses.

During a winter semester, I took an "Earth Science for Educators" course as an elective and was hooked. As it turns out, I apparently really like learning science and I also am very comfortable with the planning and presentation aspect of the career. The next thing I knew, I was choosing education courses over the engineering courses and ended up changing my major again. I took a job working at The Goddard School in Newark and never looked back.

I have been teaching now for nearly 20 years. When the opportunity came up for me to be able to work at St. Georges, I took a shot. The culture here is amazing! Risk taking, creativity, freedom... My hope is that my curiosity and passion for my subject helps keep my students engaged. As long as they have ownership of their learning and are willing to take risks in the classroom, they will find success in my classes. After all, that's what science is supposed to be like!" ~Robert Ferrell

Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Maintaining an optimal level of wellness is absolutely crucial to live a higher quality life. Wellness matters. Wellness matters because everything we do and every emotion we feel relates to our well-being. In turn, our well-being directly affects our actions and emotions. It’s an ongoing circle. Therefore, it is important for everyone to achieve optimal wellness in order to subdue stress, reduce the risk of illness and ensure positive interactions with staff and students. We can't lift someone to a higher plane unless we are there ourselves. To help us determine wellness activities for staff, including after-school activities that count as snow hours, please complete the very brief survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9J1GKYI_AQ1xivd5UVGxPTGds_u8eLhGdixdqvXLr41ezTg/viewform?usp=sf_link. It only takes a minute.

Positive Office Referrals- We will start recognizing students receiving positive office referrals this week. Please submit students deserving of special recognition that have deeply demonstrated the core values played out in our school or classroom. Please clearly explain the connection with the core value and how the student truly demonstrated the value in an exceptional way. Your submission will be shared with the student and with their parent(s) through a phone call. Use the following google form to submit your positive referrals: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe52uPmfVCNLPRVhYTEWIiwIGxKbkAFO-jjpFDIr-xHKR5ayA/viewform?usp=sf_link

The Opportunity Grant will not replace extra help on Tuesdays. Staff members staying with students on Tuesday evenings can arrive to work late on Monday. Those using the time exchange need to sign in Monday no later than 8 am.

When calling the subline and leaving a message, please clearly state whether it is a sick day or a professional learning day. This will help Lindsay and our administrative team determine sub coverage.

Punctuality is a professional responsibility. If you are running late, please call, text or email your immediate supervisor. If your immediate supervisor does not receive a call, text or email, then he/she will send you a follow-up email. Please see a member of the administrative team with any questions.

Staff Pictures are scheduled for Wednesday, September 25th at 7:45 am in the gymnasium. Staff members can pick up their staff polos at 7:35 am from teacher mailboxes the morning of the 25th.Our students have expressed an interest in starting a band as an after school activity. We are finding out if there are any staff members with any musical expertise and interest in getting a school band together. Currently, we have over twenty students that have expressed interest. If you are interested, please email Jamie Williams.

This week, the instructional coaches began their informal walkthroughs and post conferences. These confidential walkthroughs are a great way to get feedback regarding your instructional practices, use of literacy strategies, and/or classroom management. These classroom visits and ongoing, collaborative discussions give instructors a way to focus on and improve a self-selected goal or learn more about themselves as classroom instructors.

Shout out to Allison Diodati, Heather Doudna, Frank Hanson, Anna Mitchell, and Kathy Wilson for hitting the ground running this school year by working with the coaches. Thank you, we appreciate the collaboration. Reach out to Christa J. Davis, Donna Poore, and/or Debbie Tuson if you are interested in partnering!

Maddy David of a Middletown Girl Scout troop is leading a literacy project called Project Read 2 Me as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award.

Many kids — and adults — find reading boring, but Maddy David is trying to ignite Middletown’s love for it.

David, a Girl Scout in Middletown Troop 743, is leading a literacy project called “Project Read 2 Me” as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award.

The Gold Award is the highest honor a member can receive, with only 5.4% of Girl Scouts across the country receiving the award, according to the Girl Scouts of the USA’s website.

The project is about improving literacy by encouraging more reading and providing more resources to the community.

“The point of my project is to spread about how important [reading] is [for children] and get their family involved,” David, a St. George’s Technical junior, said.

Her mission statement is “improve literacy while building relationships and providing valuable resources in the community. Pledge — Read — Share,” according to an email from David.

“I’ve always been very passionate about books. As I’ve grown up, I’ve realized how important reading is and the actual benefits of reading,” she said. “I work in child care now and I’ve just been able to see how much children actually dislike reading. It is kind of disheartening because I know how important it is.”

David created the “Free Little Library” in Middletown near Main Street at 215 N. Cass St. that will officially open Saturday as part of the project. It’s stocked with books collected from drives, shelters and other places with leftover books.

A big part of the project is for parents to pledge to read to their child for 20 minutes a day, which is available in English or Spanish.

for full article visit https://www.middletowntranscript.com/news/20190913/middletown-girl-scout-leads-literacy-project-for-gold-award

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"A big shout out to Jason Hoard for his tremendous efforts in securing a co-op position for a very deserving senior HVAC student. This particular student has faced many obstacles and hardships over the years but through the support of his CTE instructor, he now has a great opportunity that can lead him into a sustainable career after graduation. In addition, a huge thank you to Sylvia Manlove for her support in gathering co-op transportation funds for this student when he faced a last-minute hurdle with reliable transportation."

~Hilary Rickner & Jacky DiMascio

"I’d like to shout out Ronney Bythwood! Ronney is working through new curriculum in 9th grade Physical Science with students with unique educational needs. Ronney is continuously adjusting how he teaches to meet the needs of all students. He has also taken the time to work with parents… who sometimes need just as much support as their children!"

~Valerie Davis

"I’d like to shout out Beth Kudlick! She is doing a great job at accommodating her ELA material for students with visual impairments. She’s been flexible and understanding, while holding the students to the high standards they are capable of."

~Valerie Davis

"Just a little shout out for the junior class of EMS and Mrs. I. The students were prepared for our visually impaired students during the Live Look Ins. The students felt very welcome in the career area. They enabled the students to “feel” what it was like to experience wearing a cervical collar. They held it, touched it and the junior explained why you wear a collar. Another student stood with Gavin and explained what was going on at the different stations."

~Diane Eklund

"Kudos to you, Wilson. I have never seen so many freshmen wearing gold.

Good JOB!"

~Maureen Farrell

Andrea Green passed the following along-

Good Afternoon Ms. Green!

Sorry I missed you this morning! I had to leave to get to work after meeting with Coach Wilson. But I wanted to let you know we had a great meeting this morning. Very informational. I was pleased with the feedback from Elijah's teachers who were there, Ms. Whitenight and Chef Lattomus. I listened to Elijah speak this morning and I can even see a higher level of responsibility and focus in him. I was pleasantly surprised! lol. I just want the best for him, as any parent does. I've stressed to him that this year and going forth the rubber is going to really "meet the road!" Once again want to thank the entire support staff and St. Georges in partnering with me to make sure he gets the best from his education there. You guys have been great! Have a wonderful day. Looking forward to meeting you soon!

Ms. Smith

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

• Department/Cluster Meetings
• After School Meetings 3-4:30 pm

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

• Staff photo in gym @7:45 am, wear SG polo
• Last day for senior pictures in the lecture hall at 8 am

Thursday, September 26, 2019

• After School Activities
• Yearbook Photo Day Grades 9-11

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, October 3rd:

- Fall Field Day: We're having a Fall Field Day on Thursday, October 3rd during periods 5,6,7,8. Friday, October 4th is a PD Day. We are keeping the inflatables up from 3-6pm if staff members want to bring their family/children back for a free evening of fun.