Saturday, August 23, 2014

 ** Welcome to First Grade **

Class 1B is off to a great start and I’m wondering if your child is as tired as I am?! Thursday was jam-packed with the usual school/classroom orientation and learning and practicing routines and procedures.

Are you familiar with the term “Cadet Pride?” Howard-Winneshiek schools implements a management system titled: Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS). PBIS allows all teachers and staff in the Crestwood Elementary/JH building to utilize common language when reinforcing behavior expectations. As a teacher, I never like to focus on negative behaviors in the classroom, hallways, and common areas in our building; instead, I focus on identifying positive behaviors and interactions among children. If your child is demonstrating Cadet Pride, they are being RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, TRUSTWORTHY, AND CARING and they will be rewarded for their positive behaviors! Look for more information to follow in the meantime, if you hear your child say “I got a Cadet Pride Ticket” that is something to be celebrated! They are being rewarded!

In our short two days of school, students have had the opportunity to demonstrate Cadet Pride as well as to create a set of classroom expectations. We read the book “Little Me, Big Me,” which is a book utilized by Mrs. McCabe in guidance and in some of the kindergarten classrooms. Students discussed that it is better to make “Big Me” choices such as helping a friend, showing Cadet Pride, and using kind words rather than to make “Little Me” choices such as yelling, hitting, not following directions, etc.
Check out our classroom Facebook Page to see pictures of our experience!


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