That's One Talented Scarecrow!

If you find yourself suddenly playing the piano for 150 kids while dressed as a scarecrow....you might be a teacher at South Side! A special thank you to our dear friend Karen who is high on will and growing in piano skill. ;)

Grandparents Day
I wish you could be present for all of the appreciation and love expressed by the teary eyed grandparents who leave our gym after the program. They are SO grateful for the loving care their grandchildren are provided for by YOU! They equally appreciate and deeply value the faith in God you are developing in these little ones every day! GOOD WORK! Your work is noticed and it is appreciated!

Behavior and Accountability
Let's recapture our conversation and where we go from here.

We will ALL use the language from the acronym STAR (Servant Hearts, Thoughtful Minds, Awesome Attitudes and Responsible Hands). This is what we will agree to briefly reteach every day for several minutes when going over the schedule. I know it's tough to add in those extra minutes, but it is a proactive measure that keeps these expectations in the forefront of the students' minds. Our posters and flags are being designed by Justin right now. When they are printed, we'll splash them throughout the building. South Side will LOOK and FEEL different. At that point, and I am told this should be soon, we will hold a STAR Assembly and formally introduce these words and actions to our students. I will also communicate this to parents and I will ask each teacher to copy and paste that announcement in your classroom blogs. Feel free to begin to use this language and practice these behavior traits in your classroom already, but we won't kick this off formally until our materials are available.

We are working from holding kids accountable for their behavior with OUR words (logical though the explanation may feel) to a swift and concrete consequence. Some classes already have an accountability system in place. Others are in need of one. I am purchasing several choices for your use in the classroom. You may make your own or select one of those. I will work alongside you with implementing the consequences. I believe with confidence that we will see behavior improve when we stop leaning on the "talking technique" and begin to implement the "action consequence".

When looking for a time to reconnect on these two points, several teachers were willing to meet over lunch at CEA on Thursday. It's tough to shake out an after school meeting time as we're approaching report cards and conferences. Would you be willing to do a working lunch on the Thursday of CEA? I will update you on the STAR material progress and we can discuss implementation of the Choice Consequence Chart in each classroom.

Teri Bush
Is planning to return for another lunch discussion. She is not available after school but daytime observations and conversations work well for her. If you are able to participate in the lunch and learn, she will return on 10/26 to check in on our progress and perhaps we can begin to brainstorm our high needs individuals along with our student body choices progress.

CEA
We're on the docket as speakers. But I expect this should be a piece of cake requiring little to no prep on your part.

• Pray and Work: Michelle Dreyer
• Spiritual Response through Work: Jenna Ritsema
• Music and Worship: Amanda Bohle
• Creation Care and Stewardship: Karen VanMeeteren
• Bible Translation: Karen Strikwerda
• All of Life Belongs to God: Sarah Becksfort
• Tapestry of Christian Family: Sandy Johnson

I will create our slideshow over the weekend. We will show photos of the session you are describing as you are giving the low down to other early elementary students.


Differentiated Classroom
Just a friendly reminder, we'll be discussing this book at our staff meeting in November.

Collaboration Days
These will take place on November 2 and 3. Take a look at the schedule and agenda here.