Crocker Crumbs
Volume15 – April 11, 2008
www.arps.org/cf
Dear Crocker Families:
There are many layers to the teaching and learning experience in our school. We speak often in our newsletters and other communications about academic instruction, student progress, curriculum development, special events, and the successes and challenges faced by our teachers and students as we move through the year. There is a beehive of activity in the school during the spring months as we get closer to June and the end of another year. Teachers are still teaching and, yes, children are still learning. In addition to what we typically see in school each day, there are two other important initiatives which are continually present and critically important to school life. The initiatives are the Well-Being Initiative and the Crisis Response System.
The Well-Being Initiative is a system that will ensure that our school is responsive to students’ emotional safety and needs and will be officially rolled out next Wednesday in our school and across the school system. Our children will meet grade by grade with our Guidance Counselor to hear the good news about how adults are primed and ready to respond to their questions, concerns and worries on a variety of matters about which they may have been reluctant to share. Personal safety, security, trust, and emotional well-being are at the core of the initiative because without these, children are less available for learning and more prone to experiencing increased levels of anxiety and emotional distress. Families will also hear about this from our superintendent through his communication on this important topic. In these times when many of our children are afraid to share uncomfortable feelings, the Well-Being Initiative ensures that each child will have at least one trusted adult they can turn to when troubled or concerned about anything.
The second initiative is not really an initiative at all but more like the cornerstone of our existence as a community. Things have happened in schools that sometimes catch us by surprise: “I never thought something like that could happen in our quiet town!” You’ve all seen and heard this statement on the evening news, I’m sure. Did you know that we have in-school and cross-district systems in place to handle extreme emergencies? We do! We have a Crisis Response Team in CF School that has worked with district and Town officials to develop and continually refine procedures for responding to crisis level problems. Our school based plan is in place and we are well-connected to police, fire, central office, public works and transportation departments. Our lines of communication among these entities are clearly defined and we are able to respond, with the highest level of support if needed, to any crisis. The bottom line: the safety and security of each adult and child in the building. Yes, the communication links extend to families who will be notified promptly if a crisis occurs. Knowing what steps we’re taking, knowing what you need to do, and knowing that your child is safe and accounted for in a crisis is what this is all about.
On Wednesday afternoon, members of the CF Crisis Response Team participated in a “Crisis Simulation” (called a Table Top) with all other schools and Town departments. Our response to the “real time drill” indicated that our plan is on target and we also found ways to improve upon what we do. Of course, we will keep perfecting the process and refining our procedures for all the obvious reasons.
A reminder to complete the “School Climate Survey” (online or hard copy). Your responses help us to get a clearer picture of how we are doing at CF School.
Have a great weekend!!
Paul H. Wiley, Principal Michael Morris, Assistant Principal
wileyp@arps.org morrism@arps.org
Crocker Crumbs
Volumen 15 - 11 de abril de 2008
Estimadas familias de Crocker,
Hay muchos asuntos de que hablar sobre los maestros y la enseñanza. Hablamos a menudo sobre la educación en las cartas que les mandamos, sobre la enseñanza, el currículo, eventos, progreso de los estudiantes etc. Hay mucho revuelo en la escuela en la primavera ya que llega el verano y otro año escolar. Los maestros siguen enseñando y los niños aprenden. Tenemos dos iniciativas muy importante para le escuela en marcha, la “Well-Being Initiative” y la “Crisis Response System”.
El Well-Being Initiative es un sistema para asegurarse de que haya una repuesta adecuada a las necesidades emocionales de los estudiantes y empezara el próximo miércoles. Los niños se reunirán con el consejero “Guidance Counselor” para oír las buenas noticias: saber que los adultos están preparados para escuchar sus preocupaciones o todas aquellas cosas que no se atreven a compartir. Cuestiones como seguridad personal, confianza y bienestar emocional son el eje central de esta iniciativa porque sin resolver estas cuestiones los niños rendirán mejor en la escuela y se reducirá su estrés y ansiedad. Las familias también conocerán más a por medio del Superintendente. Muchas veces los niños no quieren o tienen miedo de contra lo que no les gusta o lo que les pasa y esta iniciativa, la Well-Being Initiative se asegura de que cada niño tendrá por lo menos un adulto en que confiar cuando se sienta mal o necesite contar algo.
La segunda no es realmente una iniciativa sino algo importante para nuestra comunidad. A veces decimos “nunca pensé que algo así podría ocurrir en nuestro pueblo” Después de ver y oír las noticias, ¿sabe cómo el distrito y su escuela trata con las emergencias más graves? ¡Nosotros lo sabemos! Tenemos un equipo en CF de respuesta a una crisis “Crisis Response Team” que trabaja con el distrito y con los oficiales de la escuela para desarrollar las medidas a tomar en caso de una crisis. Nuestro plan de acción está bien establecido y bien conectado con la policía, bomberos, la oficina central, los departamentos de obras publicas y transporte. Para resumir, asegurarnos las seguridad de cada estudiante y adulto en el edificio. También nos comunicaremos con las familias si nos encontramos con una crisis. Saber que hacer, los pasos a tomar, saber si su hijo está seguro y que pasa con él es de lo que se trata de hacer con este proyecto.
El miércoles por la tarde los miembros del CF Crisis Response Team participaron en una simulación de una crisis (llamada Table Top) con otras escuelas y departamentos del pueblo. Hicimos lo que se esperaba de nosotros en este ejercicio “real” pero también nos dimos cuenta de lo que tenemos que mejorar. Por supuesto seguiremos perfeccionando todo este proceso.
Recuerde completar la encuesta “School Climate Survey” (en Internet o en papel). Su repuesta nos ayudará a entender mejor lo que pasa en nuestra escuela.
¡¡Qué pase un gran fin de semana!!
Paul H. Wiley, Principal Michael Morris, Asistente del Principal
wileyp@arps.org morrism@arps.org
IMPORTANT DATES AND REMINDERS:
Every Wednesday- Savings Makes Cents Program- 8:15 a.m. Crocker Farm Lobby. For more information, call 362-1600.
VISITING DAYS:
If your child will not be in, parent/guardians are required to call the absentee line, 362-1659 before 9:30 a.m.
Se les
require a todos los padres/encargados que se comuniquen con la escuela
llamando al teléfono 362-1659 si su hijo (a) va estar ausente.
SAVE THE DATE!! We'll be holding another fantastic All-School TAG SALE on SATURDAY, MAY 31. Now is the time to start your spring cleaning and set aside gently used items to donate to the school for the sale. More details coming soon!
¡ Separe esta fecha en su calendario! Tendremos otro fantástico "TAG SALE "auspiciado por la escuela el 31 de Mayo. Este es el tiempo de limpiar para la primavera y donar las cosas que no necesita a la escuela para esta venta. Pronto les daremos mas detalles.
OPEN HOUSE AND HEALTH FAIR- fun for the whole family and free to all. Everyone is welcome! The Amherst Survival Center, in collaboration with the Amherst Department of Health, is having an Open House on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at their location at 1200 North Pleasant Street from 2-5 PM. There will be free health screenings, as well as acupuncture demonstrations and blood pressure checks. In addition there will be free food and music and The Prince of Color will do magic tricks, plus many other activities for kids. Bring the family and find out more about the Survival Center! Contact Executive Director of the Survival Center Cheryl Zoll at 549-3968 for more information.
CROCKER FARM ELEMENTARY 280 WEST STREET AMHERST, MA. 01002
PHONE: 413-362-1600 FAX: 413-256-0835