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

"Growing up I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be a teacher. I spent a lot of time finding reasons why I did not want to go to school or really continue onto college. I have ADD, and growing up, my parents did not medicate me so sitting in a classroom all day was my least favorite activity. As I made it through elementary and middle school, I really thought I wanted to grow up to be a chef or a baker because I loved being in the kitchen. Or, I wanted to throw everyone for a loop and be a volleyball player professionally (dreaming big).

When I made it to high school my family, who I was really close with, suffered a tragedy and my whole world changed at home. I was now in a single parent home and even worse I was in foster care for a few months attending a private school (St. Marks High School). I went from being a wealthier family to genuinely not knowing when I would eat again. I was lucky enough that I was able to stay at my current high school and not have to transfer my sophomore year. Through these tough times and harsh transitions, my teachers provided me with support in and out of the classroom. They spent time making sure I was okay. There were days that my teachers were the first and only person that day to say to me, "Are you okay?" or "Good morning." Or, they just let me know they cared about me. I became a teacher because I fell in love with reading and writing and it became a major outlet for all the struggles I was facing (I still remember the English teacher who taught me to blog and write to deal with these emotions).

But most importantly, I became a teacher because I wanted to support those kids who might be bouncing from house to house or living with a death in the family. Even supporting the kids that need a teacher to let them know they have someone caring for them is important. If I didn’t have influential teachers in my life, I would be another statistic. I strive everyday to make sure that I am not allowing my students to be a statistic because we all have crazy lives at home." ~Anna Mitchell

• Just to remind everyone of the next steps for 30th count.

  30th count ends on Monday! It is imperative that attendance is taken on Monday during the first 15 minutes of class, and all attendance for the month of September is reviewed. Attendance verification (aka End of Day Teacher Status) reports will be in teacher's mailboxes on Tuesday morning, October 1st. Cross reference attendance for accuracy, make any necessary corrections, and then please sign, date and return the forms to Courtney Martin no later than Wednesday, October 2nd by 3:00 pm. Let us know if you have any questions!

• Interim reports are due in Eschool on October 2nd at 3 p.m.
• 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
• Fall Field Day: On Thursday, please be at your assigned duty station at the appointed time to monitor and supervise students. We want to be sure that our students have a safe, fun, and memorable experience. A reminder that we are keeping the inflatables up from 3-6 pm if staff members want to bring their family/children back for a free evening of fun (See Jamie's post on schoology for the slideshow you need to show Monday morning and faculty field day jobs).

• The faculty parking lot (left side of the building/near baseball field) will be temporarily closed on field day to enable our buses to have have an area to pick up students safely and efficiently that afternoon. The back part of the school will be inaccessible due to the field day activities and mass amounts of people. Students will get on their buses in the faculty parking lot.

• A reminder to be at Hodgson VoTech on Friday, October 4th for the annual Technology Conference. Please sign in by 7:35 a.m. We have several of our Hawks presenting. Feel free to check out their presentations and show your support.

• The Bridge work on Hyetts Corner Road will be completed by 10/1/19. The Construction representatives are 100% sure the project completion date will be October 1, 2019. The road and bridge is scheduled to be open on 10/1/19 at 12:00 p.m. Please continue STOPPING at the STOP sign when entering/leaving campus (see Dr. Connor's post on schoology for additional information).

  
  

Monday night's Board meeting went exceptionally well. We celebrated our current top CTSO medal winners at the national level. We also recognized our DIAA Indoor and Outdoor Track State Champions. The feature presentation was phenomenal. Beverly Cobos, Alexa Nunez-Alcocer, and Christa Watson shared their national Ed Rising presentations that were initially delivered last Spring in Dallas, Texas. The crowd was amazed. The girls were articulate, sincere, and their talent and creativity shined. We got feedback from several individuals that it was a great night.

I am proud of our staff members that presented briefly during Friday morning's faculty meeting alongside the assistant principals. We are excited about our equity campaign focusing on social-emotional engagement for students and staff. We will be sure to provide quality professional development opportunities that will count towards snow hours. We want to be sure that we are aware of the correct responses to students with trauma, behavioral challenges, and that we are following teacher self-care principles for optimal wellness. We are all in this together. Relationship building begins with each one of us and I am excited to see how we grow together throughout the school year.

“My name is Vanessa Berrios, and I am a proud Delawarean with Colombian and Dominican roots. As a mother of three, I view education as a life-long process that builds character, connection, and community. Being a youth pastor has given me the opportunity to be highly involved in our city working with youth not only at the school level but also at the church/community context for the past 14years. I love playing drums & watching movies.”

Vanessa will be working with students at St. Georges on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Congratulations to Deb Mirto for being the recipient of the District's Impact Award at Monday night's Board meeting. Please see excerpts below from two of Deb's staff members.

"Debby is a dedicated and passionate member of our team here at St. Georges. She has really found her niche in the 9th grade CTE classes and loves working with the freshmen. She also gives of her time freely to work with the NCCVT Education Association and paraeducators in our building and across the district. Debby is flexible and always pulls through when we are in a pinch, doing whatever needs to be done in order to make our students successful.”

“She’s a quiet voice that makes a huge impact, really she’s an unsung hero. She knows first hand what struggles some of the students go through, and very quietly, almost without being noticed, she relates so well to the kids. You’d never know what a huge impact she has.”

"A shout out to Mike Klinefelter for teaching his students what it is like to be visually impaired. He had his students complete a wiring circuit blindfolded (see picture above). I watched how the students struggled, especially when they dropped a tool or a part and had problems finding it. This activity goes along away towards teaching our students empathy. Our visually impaired students have a keen ability to move around the building and I think its important that our students appreciate their unique abilities and gifts which make our visually impaired students valued members of our school community." ~Chad Harrison

" A shout out to Theresa and Justin A. for guiding Gavin and Geraldyne daily and for providing them with opportunities to "be independent and fly like hawks"! ~Shanta Reynolds

"A huge thank You to TJ who was relentless in resolving issues with my Smartboard. My students and I were beginning to believe it was haunted. TJ was very responsive and empathetic. I appreciated his support." ~Kathy Wilson

"Kudos to all of the people who helped me behind the scenes pull off a phenomenal PJammin' for Kids with Cancer.

• Nikkie Bowe who had her precious preschoolers participate
• Nikki DiBuono and her Time to Unwind kids who helped distribute wristbands and count the money
• The SG Volleyball team who contributed $100 (in addition to what the fans donated)
  
• Carlyn Whitenight who helped out during lunches
• Jamie Williams who anticipates our every need ALWAYS!!!

And of course thanks to everyone who continues to support this cause. We are striving to maintain a B+ culture at our school, consistent with our wellness initiatives. It truly takes a village :)" ~Kathy Wilson

"Thank you to Mack, Jackie, and Jim for volunteering to run with me when I made a stupid bet with Jerry Lamey. In 2014, Jerry and I agreed the loser of the HVT vs. STG football game had to run from their school to the winning team's school. I believe we lost by a field goal at the end. We lost the football game and my legs and back have never been the same, but I gained a great experience with my fellow hawks that I will never forget. Thank you Jackie for sending me the picture below!" ~Shanta Reynolds

Tuesday, October 1st

• Baseball Fundraiser @ Twisted Yogurt in Middletown

Thursday, October 3rd

• Fall Field Day

Friday, October 4th

• No School for Students-PD Day