G-T Learning Walk

Bell-to-bell studies with students practicing factorization. 

Love to see hard work and peer collaboration, 

especially during the last few minutes of class.

Great work, Mr. Harder's Algebra II!

Individual band lesson with Mr. Pedersen.

Mr. Benedict using a video to illustrate the concept of DNA Replication.

If you want to be better today than you were yesterday...

If you want to be better today than you were yesterday...

Walking through the quiet school today, I noticed a quote our MS students at Graettinger-Terril Community School District put up for others to see. It reads, "Judging a person doesn't define who they are; it defines who you are." ~Unknown

When I read that, it reminded me of our Every 15 Minute program from the spring of 2012...It reminded me of the day we lost Uncle Joe Kliegl to a massive heart attack...It reminded me that life is too short to allow the darkness to overshadow and smother the light...It reminded me that we choose who we are...It reminded me that I define myself, and that what others say is more about them than it is about me or you or the next person...It reminded me that I can make a difference, and that our students ARE making a difference. Finally, it reminded me of ALL the people who came together and worked very, very hard to positively impact our young people's lives.

I remember that day and especially what our actors and their parents went through: Mitch Girres, Baylee Marie Clayton, Maisey Ryanne Matthews, Morgan Matthews, Blaze Alesch -- Thank you, by the way, your commitment to that program had a very large impact on so many people.

After my previous post about the Facebook Defamation Case involving a 7th grade boy and his parents, I have renewed my commitment to making a positive difference (and not running from the negative presence, whether online or in person). I want to in advance thank those who are with me. Our kids are our future, after all. Remember, our days are numbered...

I felt I had to post again today because of the Verse that was waiting for me on my phone this morning -- I wanted to share it with YOU: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Image Credit: http://www.nd.edu/

We have but only One qualified to judge any one of us. Imagine the world if we tried a little harder to walk in someone else's shoes, tried a little harder to ice [silence] our tongues which are burning insult and assumption, tried a little harder to bring light and shed warmth instead of turning away and offering cold shoulders. Simply trying, I am convinced, would be a good start.

"When you don't get the chance to say goodbye," what type of legacy do you want to leave behind? What type of leader, role model, parent, friend, colleague, etc. do you want to be? And finally -- Remember: You don't have to let the condescending voice of gossip define who you are or who your children are. That is up to you and only you. We ALL have room for improvement; that's all that needs to be said.

Daniel Pink, author of "Drive," says that the most successful people ask two things before going to sleep each night. I did this without fail before cancer knocked me down...and then, unfortunately, I lost focus and it got lost in the shuffle.

Cancer and all that accompanies it LOST; I plan to begin again -- these questions will "DRIVE" me:

1) How have I made a difference...How am I better today than I was yesterday?

AND 2) What's my sentence, my legacy?

How about you?

Thanks for reading and stay warm!

On: In Unprecedented Decision, 7th Graders’ Cruel Facebook Bullying Might Actually Cost – The Parents

A recent post to my Facebook page I thought was worthy of sharing...

Warning: This is real and happening more often than we pick up on. And it does happen around here. Social Media, with Facebook and beyond, is a vast land where all sorts of hate, scorn, judgement, and criticism -- cast through the ill will of an individual -- drown victims and pull down bystanders. A larger concern is that our kids not only learn this from TV and like media but also from the adults and role models in their lives (this may or may not include you as a parent or associated adult, that is up to you to reflect upon).

Adults more and more are using Facebook to cast judgement, to throw stones, whether directly or indirectly (more often indirectly), whether toward individuals or organization, so quick to point out the faults and skeletons of others. What good does this bring?

I believe the world is changing and it seems more and more people strive to divide than to unify, break down than to build up, kick rather than help. As it relates to this Facebook news brief, understand that in education, parents, we are trying to keep up with the evolution of technology, even the evolution of human nature.

Society and education need your help in monitoring what our kids are doing online, as well as what they are doing offline -- they both carry the same weight because on or off line, the behavior is the same. We need your help in showing the way, modeling qualities of critical thinking, problem solving, and most importantly today, conflict resolution. And, of course setting limits and having the difficult conversations you might remember our parents having with us once upon a time. Though they don't always want us, they need us, the structure - the village.

I recently wrote a Facebook Note (that I haven't shared) -- it's purpose was to let my friends and family know why I no longer frequent Facebook, maybe I'll still post it. My reservation is due to the number of people who may be offended as it is difficult to separate my personal opinion from my professional, but maybe that shouldn't matter when it comes to attempting to differentiate behaviors that make society better from behaviors that don't -- it all comes down to problem solving and conflict resolution.

Essentially what I am saying is I'm not sure Facebook is the place to air dirty laundry, to attack individuals and organizations, and to simply complain. Again, what purpose does this serve? Of course, anyone can choose not to follow these types of news feeds, but what I’m proposing is modifying our own behavior to help our children learn healthy ways of interacting with others, of resolving conflict. Leadership is needed in this area! A great deal of leadership!

[For those whose inner chatter is going a mile a minute ready to pounce, "Who in the heck does she think she is, sending this message? Thinking she’s high and mighty? She’s no better than the rest of us. She’s just as flawed as the next! Yea, yea, yea!!" You are RIGHT.]

I am one person, who undoubtedly and humanly make mistakes, but I know my purpose resides in leadership and education. JFK said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to one another.” Thus, even though I am still a toddler in educational leadership taking in my surroundings, adjusting, living, and learning-inevitably falling down and getting back up, I absolutely believe JFK had it figured out: "The problems with this world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need people who can dream of things that never were." [John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)]

JFK's beliefs relate to so many problems in life. Together, we can accomplish much, much more. Instead of picking up stones, let's put them together to build a better world. Remember, to build a structure of this sort, it takes many hands, commitment to the goal, and time; it takes a willingness to refrain from judgement and scorn by taking a step back and listening to that inner chatter always circulating in our heads and then doing something constructive with it.

Think before you post. Think before you act. Is it helpful or hurtful? Consider all the eyes watching and learning from your lead (whether online or off). Each of us is a leader - parent, educator, banker, farmer, community member alike. Each of us powerful. What is your purpose? What will you do with your power?

To the video: 
In Unprecedented Decision, 7th Graders’ Cruel Facebook Bullying Might Actually Cost – The Parents

Principal's Letter - Expectations

Dear Students, Parents, Community Members, and other Supporters,

I would like to welcome you to Graettinger-Terril Middle and High Schools. 

My vision: Through positive relationships and high expectations, we will create a dynamic learning environment where our students will learn, grow, and achieve; with each interaction, they will become more today than they were yesterday. Their efforts here today will help them achieve personal success tomorrow throughout their post-secondary adventures of college, work, and community.

Academically, we want our students to be high achievers.
Civically, we want our students to be contributors.
Socially, we want students to be people of character.
By and large, we want our students to be leaders. 

“Doing well in school requires that children understand what is expected of them” (Straight Talk About Schools Today: 101 Q&As for Parents - Understand the System and Help Your Child Succeed, 2007).

Image Credit: http://gearup.ous.edu/

At G-T MSHS, we will show students how much we care for them through our expectations of them. We expect our students to take rigorous courses. We expect them to show up, show up on time and consistently. We expect students to be present and self-disciplined. We expect them to respect one another. We expect parents to be equal partners in their children’s learning.

We expect our students to do their best not by trying their hardest but by doing all they can!

“Education is a shared commitment 

between dedicated teachers, motivated students 

and enthusiastic parents with high expectations.”

―Bob Beauprez

It is important for everyone to understand that meeting the needs of all students is no easy task - but we are a school that values different learning styles and we strive to provide lessons that inspire students to seek the answers. They will do this by coming to class, looking for learning objectives, fully engaging themselves, and challenging themselves to grow and achieve.

GRAETTINGER-TERRIL MSHS WANTS YOU TO CHALLENGE YOUR STUDENTS TO SUCCEED!

Image Credit: http://teachinglearning.albapages.net

A challenge we are working to overcome: Attendance. Students have to not only be in school, but they have to be on time every period, every day, and be present mentally.

It is hard work learning! As a student, the day I figured out the fact that [only] I was responsible for my learning, growth, and achievement, my ability to conquer my academic goals grew drastically. Really!! I was a struggling learner...It took me hours to prepare for little ten-point quizzes -- comprehension just didn’t come easy to me. I gave up easily and sometimes made excuses for my poor performance. Learning truly requires effort.

Today, we have everything at our fingertips; there has never been a library so vast for students to draw knowledge from. It is up to each individual to be a seeker and not a runner or a blamer. It is up to each individual to take responsibility for his/her own learning, problems, and mistakes. It is up to each individual to ask questions and self-advocate. Again, learning is hard work.

I invite you to join us here at G-T MSHS. Our doors are always open for you to come in and take a peek into our classrooms. Parents, it is very important for you to know what your child is learning and I encourage you to take an active role in supporting students and teachers in creating the the best learning environment imaginable! I ask you, parents, to frequently visit our Infinite Campus Parent Portal to be informed of your child’s progress.

Besides high expectations, I am looking for students to develop a stronger sense of ownership and PRIDE in themselves, their school, and their G-T community. I want you and every staff member to be proud of the great things happening here at G-T MSHS.

Image Credit: http://www.willbowen.com/

What's New: G-T a Complaint Free Zone?
We kicked off the 2014-2015 school year with an international bestselling author and renowned speaker, Will Bowen, founder of “A Complaint Free World.” He challenged us to GRIPE…NO MORE! and take on the complaint free challenge.

In a nutshell: There are five reasons people complain:
G - Get attention
R - Remove responsibility
I - Inspire envy
P - Power
E - Excuse poor performance

Ultimately, we want to find better ways to handle the “GRIPES” we have by being more solution-oriented problem solvers and by taking problems DIRECTLY to the one person or organization who can help resolve the problems through efficient, unpolluted communication. Gripe less, complain less, criticize less, and definitely gossip less. Better yet, stop. Your mental, emotional, and physical well-being will thank you. These negative solutions are counterproductive and spread negative toxins around what could be a very healthy school and community (and YOU). We want our young people to approach problem-solving in constructive, proactive ways. I believe that we each are one of two things at any given moment: part of the problem or part of the solution. In the spirit of being honest in reflection, where do you find typically find yourself? You can only be one.

Image Credit: http://www.willbowen.com/

Graettinger-Terril CSD has been designated a Complaint Free Zone. We will work collectively to solve problems and maintain our focus on student development, learning, and achievement. As adults in our students lives, we will be positive role models - in our homes, in our communities, and digitally. They look to us!

My promise to each of you: I promise to be a caring, stable leader in the lives of our students as well as to create a school culture focused upon positive attitudes and academic excellence. I promise to provide our students with opportunities to learn, opportunities to meet and exceed high expectations, opportunities to be leaders, and opportunities to help others. I promise to hold high expectations for myself, my staff, my students, my parents, and my community stakeholders and through which---working together always wins as opposed to working against one another.

What I cannot do: I cannot "show up" for our students, I cannot do the work for our students, and I cannot take responsibility for student responsibilities. I cannot set the atmosphere at home that school is priority, that solution-oriented communication is key, and that personal success is dependent upon the habits we begin building when we are young. I cannot make choices for students, for parents, or for community members.

What you, Parents and Community, can do: These young people are truly the future of America - our next doctors, lawyers, scientists, educators, politicians, police officers... We want our future citizens to be strong, civic-minded, and high achieving adults of character and leadership; and so, parents and community, I look to you.

Yours in education,
Teresa Alesch
6-12 Principal
Graettinger-Terril CSD

P.S. I hope you find our district website useful. Our new website is still under construction, but we are working on improving all of our communication tools and are always open to constructive feedback. I plan to communicate regularly via this blog, Principal Persistence. If you have any questions, please give us a call - 712-859-3286, email, or stop by the school.

As a Team, We Unite!

First, I want to thank our student body for our respectful behavior while Mr. Samuel Marder was speaking yesterday. I gave you one job and that was to listen with all of your attention on the speaker. Most of you received an A+ - - - Thank you for being engaged, asking questions, and also for starting the standing ovation! Thank you for making everyone proud. You represented us well.

As a team, we unite.

What does your team stand for? 

Image Credit: http://graphicsheat.com/

When I speak of team, I include all of you - from the 8th grade team, the band, the FFA, the Student Council, the staff team to our athletic teams, etc. 

What does your team stand for?

What behaviors and actions can you guarantee within your team?Are they the right ones? Are they ones that will lead your group to success? Are those behaviors and actions ones that build PRIDE, TRADITION, and a POSITIVE REPUTATION for your team? What behaviors and actions can you guarantee within your team? 

Are you committed to your team?
Do you commit yourself in word and in action to the principles and values at the core of your team? Are you committed to your team?

Regardless of whether or not you understand the core values of the many teams you are a part of, you are all a part of one large team, the G-T/R-A TITAN TEAM. And this team has a few key core values.

As Titans this year, we have been asked to focus ourselves on being positive by being solution-oriented problem-solvers and efficient communicators - Each of us was challenged by Will Bowen, founder of "A Complaint Free World" and International Bestselling Author, to be #complaintfree for 21 days (for starters). The G-T/R-A staff are all taking strides to be complaint-free. We have yet to see a large number of students take on the challenge, but I'm very happy to know that a small number of you have accepted the challenge. Imagine the success that will follow from a positive outlook and a constructive way to deal with negativity and problems!

In addition to our complaint-free challenge, we received an additional challenge from Mr. Samuel Marder, Holocaust survivor, and that includes the following:

• Don’t judge others on what they look like, where they come from, who they are, etc …
• Get to a state of mind to where you treat others with kindness and as your own brothers & sisters. 
• Live a life of kindness. 
• Use your power to make the world around you better.

Please remember what Mr. Marder said:

“We are all responsible for each other.
Prejudice is much more dangerous today than it was then.
Kindness will set you free.
THE ONLY SOLUTION IS KINDNESS.”

As a team, we have a responsibility to one another, regardless of the type of team - 

• to take our grumblings to the source, instead of spewing negativity all around you.
• when you have a complaint, bring with it a solution.
• when you communicate, do so respectfully and in kindness.
• be less judgemental and more accepting, after all, not one of us in this room is perfect.
• as Mr. Marder said, don’t judge others at all.
• take pride in yourself and in others, and make your team, your school, and the world a better place.

Sometimes it doesn’t feel like we have much in common with others, other students, other teams or organizations, etc.,
         ....but indeed we do.
   We are one team.

As a team - G-T/R-A Titans - We unite!

                 And when we UNITE, we WIN!

Go TITANS!

Parent-Student-School=Together

Image credit: Jasper CSD - Jasper, AL

I fortunately stumbled upon the blog post, 25 Ways to Ask Your Kids 'So How Was School Today?' Without Asking Them 'So How Was School Today?' | liZ Evans, and I thought I would share it with all of you. Having parent support is a very important part of our students' academic/cognitive, social/emotional, and behavioral development. When we work together, two-way communicate, and play on the same team, WE and especially OUR students, WIN!

Studies show that when parents are involved in their child's education, when school communicates with home, and when home communicates with school, student engagement (thus acceleration and achievement), student motivation, and student behavior increase dramatically (to name just a couple of sources: descriptive research--Connell & Wellborn, 1991; anecdotal evidence--Mahler, 2011).

On behalf of all staff at Graettinger-Terril, we hope you will talk with your students about their day; as a result of your conversation, we hope you will contact us with questions, concerns, and just as importantly, with celebrations. We want to hear from you!

Coming in a close second to you, we set high expectations and want to see your children succeed! When we are missing something, when we are doing something right, when we can help, when we can support -- please let us know. Starting today, take some time - on the drive, at the dinner table, in between activities, just before bedtime - take some time and talk with your child.

Aside from "25 Ways to Ask Your Kids...", a few other ways to be involved in your student's education here at Graettinger-Terril CSD: check students progress online, provide a structured homework time, establish healthy meal and bedtime routines, and finally, encourage, empower, and enable your student to operate under G-T Titan Time by always Being at the Right Place, At the Right Time, Doing the Right Thing, With the Right People.

25 Ways to Ask Your Kids 'So How Was School Today?' Without Asking Them 'So How Was School Today?' | liZ Evans

Phones in G-T MS & G-T/R-A HS

Dear Students,

I am contemplating banning phones from our school (a drastic consideration for a technology proponent such as myself, don't you think?). Do you have any idea why I am considering this on such a large scale versus one or two cell phone users? 

Please take some time to reflect and reply on your thoughts on phones in school, specifically our school. What are the positive implications? What are the negative implications? Do not mention names.

I will delete any responses not written with a strong consideration toward conventions, grammar, etiquette, etc. Therefore, I highly encourage you to take your time; read your work aloud to yourself and to another person; have someone proofread and help you organize your writing; and check, double check, and RECHECK before posting. (Tip: save your work so you can make improvements if your response is deleted.)

Remember: the key to a solid argument is acknowledging the opposite viewpoint including the weaknesses of what you are trying to argue. Support your points with research/evidence. Opinions have little to no value. You may reference page 23 in the G-T MSHS Planner.

Thank you,

Mrs. Alesch

P.S. If I have few responses, I will conclude my suspicions and hesitations about phones in our school at this moment are correct. I will stop actively reading responses on Saturday, November 16, 2013.

Image Credit: http://www.mobshield.com/

“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.”

“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

...on anti-bullying/anti-harassment efforts during October - National Bullying Prevention Month:

This proactive and inspiring quote can be applied to so many situations in education, and needless to say, throughout society. However, we often hear common expressions as it relates to teaching manners, character, tolerance, and addressing bullying type behaviors, "Boys will be boys; girls will be girls; it's just a part of growing up; kids these days just don't have respect," and so on. 

Here at Graettinger-Terril, we are trying to reverse these all too often accepted excuses for unacceptable behavior. Though it is sometimes difficult to be without error, the phrase, "What I permit, I promote" is one we try to keep front and center. Simply having a conversation is better than looking the other way. 

When processing incidents with students, a key reflection question we ask, "Am I a part of the solution, or am I part of the problem?" As we review details of a situation, and as we explore our own fingerprints and footprints, it's really very simple. Either we are promoting a positive culture, or... we are not.

When we hear, "Agh, it's just how kids are these days," or "Why's everyone so uptight??...We had this all the time when we were kids, and we are just fine!" Food for thought: Is this really how we want society to shape itself? One last frequently repeated set of questions from the bully's corner, "Why didn't the victim say, "Stop"?" and "What are YOU doing to teach the victim how to stick up for him/herself?" Believe me, we are doing our best to help those with perhaps a little less experience and confidence in dealing with harmful threats or physical attacks; however, it is not where we should be shining the light. We, not just the school but also the community, have an ethical responsibility to teach right from wrong. 

Photo from WSAZ NewsChannel 3

Let's wind up the gears to find ways we, together, can teach good manners, strong character, healthy tolerance, and self-reflection skills. I would much rather we join forces and work from prevention than from reaction. 

Whether you believe it can be done or cannot be done; believe it or not, we have many fine people throughout our school and community "already doing it."

Join G-T staff members in wearing blue tomorrow (October 7) and other days throughout the month of October as publicized. Please contact us with any questions or concerns regarding bullying and harassment in school.

--------------
A little more background on the criterion used to identify bullying and whether it may be legally actionable: 

McGrath Five-Point Criterion (Bullying and Harassment/Hostile Environment)

1. Harm Occurs/Target in a Protected Class
1. intent must often be inferred from the action of the alleged perpetrator
1. "When you were doing that, what were you trying to do? What did you mean to cause?"
2. directed at a member of a protected class of people  (race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, etc.)
2. Unwelcome
1. is the conduct welcome by the recipient?
2. *even if someone consents to the behavior, it does not mean the behavior is welcome (*imbalance of power)
3. Severe, Persistent or Pervasive (to be bullying, behavior only hast to fit one of these three below)
1. the more severe (assault or threat of bodily harm), the less a pattern of misconduct is required
2. the behavior is persistent - repeated
3. the unwelcome behavior is pervasive - found throughout the school environment (not just in one place)
4. Unreasonably Interferes with Education
5. Subjectively and Objectively Interferes
1. subjectively, did the alleged victim experience unreasonable interference?
2. objectively, would a reasonable person similarly situated be unreasonably interfered with?

McGrath Five-Point Criterion is from McGrath Training Systems (Mary Jo McGrath), www.mcgrathinc.com

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Today's Lockdown

Dear Parents,

We received a phone call from the Palo Alto County Communication Center stating they received a report that a loud noise was heard near the school (similar to that of gunshots). We took precautions to check the campus for anything or anyone suspicious or out of place. We received a subsequent phone call from the Comm Center to go into Lockdown; officers were on their way to make sure the area was safe and secure.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Department concluded the noise was an engine backfire at which time we released students. The Elementary School held their shuttle so students would not be sitting idle in the heat while waiting for the other shuttle to leave Graettinger.

We apologize we were unable to notify you via School Alerts. Since we could not, we used email and website. We are taking extra precautions to insure our School Alert System is properly in place and will update you on our communication plan very soon.

Thank you,
Teresa

G-T Phys Ed Program TITANS UP with Titan apparel!

G-T MSHS Phys Ed Program TITANS UP with Titan apparel!

The Graettinger-Terril Physical Education Program has added a t-shirt and shorts combo to the 6-12th grades' supply list for the 2013-2014. 

We do apologize for the inconvenience of this not making the back-to-school supply list. To expedite the process, we went ahead and provided every student in grades 6-12 with his/her P.E. clothing. You may either drop off or mail payment ($10 total) to the Graettinger office. 

Many students really like the clothing and have purchased an extra set; so if your child wishes to rotate his/her clothing, please contact Coach Todd Hough. 

Why the change? After much consideration, we decided to jump in line with a number of districts who require a P.E. uniform. It makes it easier on students by preventing dress code conflicts; it's more economical; it alleviates the social pressures of fitting in; and it rules out the phrase, "I don't have anything to wear."

Please contact Teresa Alesch if you have any questions.

Take a look at our MS group. They look great!