View the various resources for the following areas of "Shubert's School" (found online at https://consciousdiscipline.com/free-resources/shubert/):
These sections address times/locations before students even get to your classroom.
Share your thoughts about the following in a post by 01/27/2020:
- Drop Off
- Entrance
- Reception
- Hallway
These sections address times/locations before students even get to your classroom.
Share your thoughts about the following in a post by 01/27/2020:
- Compare and contrast these areas of Shubert's School with Mio.
- What improvements could we look at making as a school? Are there any adjustments that you could make personally?
Respond meaningfully to at least two colleagues by 02/02/2020, in addition to monitoring your post for questions or comments that may need to be addressed.
Oh my goodness. There is a lot going on in Schubert's school!
ReplyDeleteOur drop-off situation is kind of a mess. Parents drop off in two locations, kids get out of both sides of the vehicle, etc. etc. I've seen in a couple locations on the CD site where some schools have door openers and greeters. That seems pretty fun. I like the video in here where someone from the building went onto the bus to greet students before they even got off. To improve this, I think we'd need to keep the upper el doors locked, and make weather proof picture signs for the drop off area.
As far as entrance, I think that is pretty zipped up in Mio, besides the super early drop offs (what time are the doors unlocked?). Kids know where to go and what to do. The only hang up comes when parents come in with them and want to roam the halls. Perhaps we should have visual signs to help the parents understand.
Our reception could use some work. We frequently (although it is improving) have an empty office. As far as new students, I don't think we do anything to welcome them outside of the classroom. I really like the idea of a "Welcome to our School" board. They do it at the doctor's office? Why not school? I think that would be something I could implement personally, as well as the family board.
I feel like our morning greeting situation is much better than it has been in the past, but it still needs some work. I like door-openers and greeters - it reminds me of that day that it was raining like crazy in the morning, and some middle schoolers with umbrellas were escorting the younger kids in to help them stay a little drier. It's a kindness that would be good for everyone.
DeleteI also like the idea door openers and greeters. The bus greeters would be fun too. Did the middle schoolers take that upon themselves. That’s pretty great if they did. That shows a lot of character.
DeleteI see the business at Schubert school as nearly a curriculum in itself! So much to do, so much to provide (emotionally and physically).
ReplyDeleteI found the repetition of sites/activities at various locations helpful. Students can know who and what to expect as needed...especially outside, at recess. Some students can find relief in running off steam or being loud, while others may need to talk to/with someone and/or just 'chill' in the safe area.
I love the idea of celebrations big and small--whether in the hallway or within individual classroom. Either book for reflection or postings on wall, as in video, would be great. The postings on the wall (video) reminded me of the 'Bucket filling' idea. In the past I have, also, seen weekly student 'All about Me' type of posters used to share what is special about each one within a classroom.
The family board could, also, be an interesting addition to classroom or hallway to help students see another 'connection' to their school family/community--though I have noticed in small towns you often already have the knowledge of connections.
Regarding this being a curriculum in and of itself? It sure is. This may be more beneficial for the whole group than the videos. Elizabeth does the all about me posters, it would be fun for all of us to do them at the beginning of the year and hang them in hall. As far as the small towns, we might have connections, but they may not always be good ones. Sharing about each other might help that.
DeleteI have also seen 'All about Me' posters used not at beginning of school year, by each week a different student is selected to be highlighted. Perhaps a board could also be put up (hall perhaps?) to highlight a staff member each week or month to continue the 'community' idea? Just a thought.
DeleteWell! Can I just say I'm overwhelmed? Yikes! I kept thinking, "That's a good idea for my classroom..." and then I'd remember that these are all strategies that need to be implemented before they are in the classroom. One thing that I have found with regards to posting things (like anchor charts) is that they are only useful and meaningful when created together and referred to often. Otherwise, it's just wall decoration.
ReplyDeleteI agree, absolutely overwhelming. I can see maybe doing some of this. In fact, I know that we do. However, creating a school like Schubert's just seems like a lot of work. Maybe with everyone wanting to work together, it may just work?
DeleteAbsolutely overwhelming, I agree! But what if we started with one or two ideas at the beginning of each school year? Small starts, but school wide?
DeleteHi Nicole, I agree completely regarding the anchor charts. If they are not completed together as a class, they are not meaningful. I was rather overwhelmed by everything taking place in this school. It would take the whole school to implement it.
ReplyDeleteSo here is my intake on Schubert's School: Drop off - According to this school, an adult goes on the bus to greet the students and perhaps do breathing exercises. I am pretty sure we don't do that here, but I may be wrong.
Entrance: In Schubert's, if I remember correctly, is an adult greeting the students at the entrance. Well, at our school, I know that Mr. Niles is outside as the students leave the busses and enter the school.
Reception: Well, in our school we go to the gym to pick up our students. That's where I usually greet them. I also like the idea of a family board - having that connection between home and school would maybe in some cases be a positive.
I agree that the family board has potential - Rhonda mentioned that as well, but for a different reason...so it seems to have value in multiple ways. Plus it reminds me of the "Who Can I Ask for Help?" board in R&R, and Celeste has reported that the kids like that board a lot.
DeleteSchubert’s school seems to have a well oiled machine working for them. I bet these procedures and practices took a few years to put in place with updates happening all the time. I love the idea of greeters on the bus or at the front doors. This might be the bright spot of the littles day. Drop off and pick up at Mio is crazy. When you have families with so many last names and I’ve never met the parents because some don’t come to conferences or open house, it’s scary to let kids leave with them. I understand things should be tightening up in this area under new administration. Our school is currently trying to improve by not letting kids just run out to the car at the end of the day, by making parents sign out at the end of the day and having teachers meet in the little gym to pick up our students in the morning. We should have one entrance at the front door of the school. But for that to happen all 3 administrators need to be on the same page as to the importance of all students using the front entrance. In the 3-5 hall we always see h.s. Students letting others in that door throughout the day. Maybe an adult volunteer needs to stand at the door to keep this from happening. I can do a better job of monitoring the hallway at the end of the day to make sure all of the students are safely going to the right people and locations. I have recently started walking my kids to the bus like k-2 does. It’s very surprising at all the parents(strangers) that are there to pick up kids. I had one of my students removed off the bus by a father with a no contact order just a few weeks ago and that was a bit scary. Another of my students said they were going to catch a ride with their teenage aunt who was not on the emergency contact list. And finally another student didn’t get off the bus because a relative had picked them up and didn’t let the parent know and ran around doing errands with the student instead of taking them straight home. I have a lot of work to do and as a school we also have a lot of work to do.
ReplyDeleteOh, my! ...to your examples of end of day happenings! Yes, something needs to change with end of day. I'm not sure if it is procedures or family follow through. So often, I have found, even without notification to office, students are told by parent of transportation change and they feel they must follow. We, on the other hand, have procedures that have to be followed to ensure safety of students within our charge.
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