You Can Listen As Well As You Hear...

Such a telling song. I chose the version with the lyrics showing. This is a lovely poem put to music. 

So don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be okay.

Our students need to hear it may just be okay. We/ they need conversations with each other. Don't give up, don't give in. This is true for us. We have better weeks than others and we don't give up, don't give in, we might just be okay. 

Not sure why that song just played and played in my mind all weekend. Now it can leave, as I am passing it on to you. Great song. 

Staffing

Linda is out Friday as are Jennifer and perhaps Eva. 

Anne 

Monday LTM central office
Tuesday- Fort Am- High Level for meeting in PM. 
Wednesday- High Level- gift wrapping christmas hamper toys
Thursday- La Crete
Friday- Christmas staff get together- starts at 11:00. Lunch will be brought in. Bring $20 instead of gift exchange we are going to donate it to a needy cause. Perhaps Christmas hampers.


What's happening this week. 

Not everyone is celebrating. This time of year for many is a sad time of year. I bumped into a friend the other day and she was in tears. She was in tears because it was the anniversary of the death of her grandfather. Spoke to another person and realised that this is a terrible time for those with mental illness, as they are being bombarded with gathering requests and all they want to do is hide. Be aware, not everyone is celebrating at Christmas time. 

There was a bus accident this week. A bus went in the ditch. No one was hurt. We take from this some procedural things. When something happens with children involved you will always call 911, then central office. Then look after those by calming them down. 
Can never go wrong dealing in that way. 

A student hit a teacher this week. It was handled well. Call was made to me then to RCMP, then to parent. Stories were recorded. Staff member was taken to hospital. Central office was notified. This week we will make decisions with the student being included. Can't go wrong when you handle things well and call the right people. Calm is cool...

Evaluation schedule is a little behind. I take notes as I work with you. I am ready to complete several evaluations and need more observations for a few people. No worries.

Several Christmas get togethers are happening in the next two weeks. Please be sure to include everyone. People whom we think may not attend, may surprise us. 

Diploma prep. After christmas day students will have lots of time to prep for diplomas. Showing them exemplars is key, examples of good writing read by students gives then a boost. As teachers that is our responsibility to prepare our students for diplomas. No one should be shocked when they walk into a diploma. This may mean you have to contact your diploma writers, ensure accommodations are in place. Teacher would also have contacted kids to find out who wants to write digitally. In each location there is a digital writers list to fill out. 

Energy level differential, so it is, at this time of year that staff energy levels are near rock bottom yet student's energy levels are sky high. That's an energy differential and it can be terrible if left unchecked. So staff bring their energy level up a bit by eating more, sleeping more, getting their home stuff done, by exercising, by clearing off their desks, by planning well. We harness student's energy levels in the right direction. The other day Bonnie offered extra success bucks for students completing modules. Kids used all their energy to earn those bucks. A great way to use their energy for good. So much work got done that day. 

Internet Abuse- Is there a student who never works, who is on their phone constantly hasn't handed in any work. Well You have the power to take a kid off the computer and off their phones. You just disable it. Last week Leah and I asked a student to put their phone away after two hours of play. He didn't listen we took him off phone access and chromebook access. If someone is showing signs of an addiction, it's easy just let ask them to turn it off and get back to work, if they don't do it, just restrict their access for a day or two. Easy. We have only a FEW kids that would fit into this category. The majority of our kids go back and forth very comfortably and we have no problems if they get work done.