Well, what does one say to children . . .

We will chat via the TV announcements with the students in the morning to reassure them that they are safe here at school.  We will remind them of safety precautions, that there are lots of people here that they can talk to and not to mention each other.  We remember, we gather together, and we go on . . . with tears, thoughts and prayers . . .

Visit Responsive Classroom for more about Morning meetings . . .  http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/

P.A.W.S.

While our school mascot is the panther, our positive behavior support acronym is P.A.W.S.  - 
Positive Attitudes Worth Sharing.  It is a kind of "caught you being good", with a focus on doing random kind things for others when the opportunity arrises.  Stucents receive a small paw print sticker, which they can then come to the office to share their kind act with a staff member and receive a pencil as well. 
It is amazing to see Middle School aged kids respond. 
Whenever I tell anyone I work in a Middle School they smile, I share that we have the kind of school community and culture in which kids routinely hold the door open for anyone, say good morning when greeted and pick up papers and dropped things.   How a many places can say that!

Advisory November 5 - Back-to-School after hurricane Sandy

Well we will meet after a week off of school to regroup after Hurricane Sandy.  It is important as the children come back to school to meet in smaller, more intimate groups to talk about our experiences. Children need to share, question, respond to others and know that their school was used as a shelter to help people in the community.
To read more about our local community's experiences - check out
http://hellertown.patch.com/articles/middle-school-shelter-to-stay-open-until-sunday
http://hellertown.patch.com/articles/middle-school-shelter-closing

Even the local football game on Saturday was free admission! Go Panthers!

Inspirational

Our High School and Middle School Wrestlers had a visit from Anthony Robles, an NCAA champion from Arizona.  He talked about overcoming his struggles and setting goals.  He also did a mini clinic as the season gets under way.  See his website for his story . . . http://anthonyrobles.com/

It was a "check on goals" day!

Today we updated each other on our goals set last week.  I am happy to report - there is a 92% in Science, passing all classes, cleaning up after the dog and training to do back flips on the bike (yikes!). 

We watched a clip from the original movie Rocky to get us inspired! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U2HME7PoBI

Goal setting inspiration

Today we watched this video of an athletic faced with a monumental immediate challenge and the love of a parent - check it out . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE&feature=related

First Advisory meeting of the new school year 2012-13!

We met for our first meeting of the new school year.  We welcomed our new-comers and said greetings to the returning 7th and 8th graders.  It is always amazing to see how much they have grown and changed.  Here are some greetings you  might want to try - http://responsiveclassroom.org/morning-meeting-ideas

http://www.originsonline.org/newsletters/winter-2011-rc/coaches-corner-fast-paced-morning-meetings