A theatrical presentation about puberty and adolescence entitled "Someone Like Me" was put on today by Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Ensemble. I have to admit, I had real trepidation about having them to the school. Despite talking with the director of the program, speaking with principals from other schools that had presented the play, and discussions with my supervisor at the Archdiocese, I still was not comfortable that the content was going to be appropriate for our students. I mulled canceling the production many times.
Before the performance, I talked with the actors and felt a little more comfort about what we were about to witness, but it is still a topic that can be controversial (is this be information taught at home or by the school?) and I have to admit, I was more than a little nervous through the start of the play.
Some of the topics covered included physical changes, pre-marital sex and STDs, hormonal changes and mood swings, changing relationships with friends,and suicidal thoughts. Not really a litany of good times. One of our area principals referred to it as The Little Shop of Pubescent Horrors.
Teachers, staff and parents watched the production with the students and I can safely say that despite a few moments of uncomfortableness, it was an excellent production and teaching vehicle for our students. All of the adults were in agreement. Very real issues that many of the children have or will experience were presented with simple but quality follow up. Students could ask questions. Very current and very important issues were addressed. The actors/facilitators did an amazing job.
I left with the opinion that this play, or at least this information, needs to be presented not to just students, but to parents as well. The high school experience we all went through does not exist any more. Our children are privy to an enormous amount of false information. Often times, this false information can have very damaging consequences for our kids. Our students, and particularly the eighth graders, seemed to feel it was very relevant information.
We push our kids to go further and further in with their academic learning, but when it comes to being educated regarding issues such as sex or drugs, we want to ignore it. Age appropriate education is always a positive, in my opinion. We adults need to present the children in our lives with relevant information that will truly aid them in the world in which they live. To do less is a disservice and a danger.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
My Child vs. The Students
Many times in the career of a teacher or a principal, they must respond to a parent who has a complaint or an idea based upon "My child..." As a parent, you should be your child's number one advocate and speak up for him or her. But often times, when considering your statements from the perspective of "My child..." replace those words with "The students..." and try to consider the situation from the school's perspective.
Our decisions have to be made based upon ALL the students of the school, and not just an individual child. The recent decision to disallow anything but pie from our Pie Feast has to be considered from that perspective, in addition to the purpose of the event.
Having a complete breakfast during this event is an awesome occurrence, unless you are in the class that gets just pie. The event was initially intended for the students to gather and share a moment of thanksgiving as a school. As with many events, each year the need to do the Pie Feast a little bit "better" than last year was becoming a reality. The "event" was becoming more important than the purpose.
The purpose of our Pie Feast is to gather as a community and be thankful for the abundance of gifts we have in our lives. I think by scaling the event down, we get closer to the true meaning of the event, which ultimately makes it more valuable for all our students.
Our decisions have to be made based upon ALL the students of the school, and not just an individual child. The recent decision to disallow anything but pie from our Pie Feast has to be considered from that perspective, in addition to the purpose of the event.
Having a complete breakfast during this event is an awesome occurrence, unless you are in the class that gets just pie. The event was initially intended for the students to gather and share a moment of thanksgiving as a school. As with many events, each year the need to do the Pie Feast a little bit "better" than last year was becoming a reality. The "event" was becoming more important than the purpose.
The purpose of our Pie Feast is to gather as a community and be thankful for the abundance of gifts we have in our lives. I think by scaling the event down, we get closer to the true meaning of the event, which ultimately makes it more valuable for all our students.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Good Hug Bad Hug
Last Friday, I imposed a directive upon the seventh and eight grade students that they were no longer allowed to hug one another. Admittedly, the rule was reactionary and came at the end of a long day (Jog-a-thon) and after a particularly trying situation.
Reaction from parents was mixed, with some joking about the directive and some angry about it. While most of the angry reaction filtered back to me from the parking lot, one parent actually took the initiative to meet with me and discuss the situation. (It was greatly appreciated!)
We discussed the decision, and I think both sides shed some light upon the situation. We ended up having a very positive and beneficial discussion.
From the school's side, trying to define what is an appropriate and inappropriate hug is extremely difficult, and virtually impossible to enforce. The majority of our students engage in :appropriate" hugging while some are taking it to an extreme. The hugging, hand holding, etc. is more an expression of a "relationship" rather than a sign of support amongst friends. To alleviate the less than scientific application of such terminology, hugging was banned.
The parent pointed some good points including her concern that we may be sending the wrong message about hugging (it's not a bad thing), that perhaps I did not explain the decision to the students well enough, as well as her child's feelings that she had lost an important privilege.
It's a minor problem that takes on some rather enormous complexities once it is examined. Bottom line, our students know right from wrong, appropriate from inappropriate, and I as the principal need to be comfortable with that fact. The students were spoken to again today, with an explanation of the decision, as well as an addendum that they could still hug one another, but if I or another staff member deemed it inappropriate, then it was inappropriate. The students were asked to not put themselves in a situation that could be determined inappropriate and I am comfortable that our kids can and will make the right decisions.
Reaction from parents was mixed, with some joking about the directive and some angry about it. While most of the angry reaction filtered back to me from the parking lot, one parent actually took the initiative to meet with me and discuss the situation. (It was greatly appreciated!)
We discussed the decision, and I think both sides shed some light upon the situation. We ended up having a very positive and beneficial discussion.
From the school's side, trying to define what is an appropriate and inappropriate hug is extremely difficult, and virtually impossible to enforce. The majority of our students engage in :appropriate" hugging while some are taking it to an extreme. The hugging, hand holding, etc. is more an expression of a "relationship" rather than a sign of support amongst friends. To alleviate the less than scientific application of such terminology, hugging was banned.
The parent pointed some good points including her concern that we may be sending the wrong message about hugging (it's not a bad thing), that perhaps I did not explain the decision to the students well enough, as well as her child's feelings that she had lost an important privilege.
It's a minor problem that takes on some rather enormous complexities once it is examined. Bottom line, our students know right from wrong, appropriate from inappropriate, and I as the principal need to be comfortable with that fact. The students were spoken to again today, with an explanation of the decision, as well as an addendum that they could still hug one another, but if I or another staff member deemed it inappropriate, then it was inappropriate. The students were asked to not put themselves in a situation that could be determined inappropriate and I am comfortable that our kids can and will make the right decisions.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Jog-A-Thon
Last Friday, we completed our annual Jog-A-Thon, and it looks to be the most successful one we have ever had. While final numbers have yet to be tallied, it looks as if we will surpass our school goal of $25,000. The next obvious question is, where will all the money go? Here is our plan.
Right of the bat, we spend roughly $6,000 on software licensing. That should leave us with roughly $20,000. As I mentioned earlier in the year, we want to complete our project of installing computer projectors in the Science/Art lab, as well as the 4-PK classrooms. That should run about $10,000, which leaves us with just enough to remain on target with out technology plan goal of upgrading ten computers in the lab, putting the other ten in the classrooms.
As we all know, when it comes to technology, the money goes very quickly. But if you consider the improvement s this will make with our classrooms, it is well worth it. Our students, your children, will reap great benefits from the funds raised. This is a major component of our goal to have all our students learning in a modern and up-to date classroom.
Right of the bat, we spend roughly $6,000 on software licensing. That should leave us with roughly $20,000. As I mentioned earlier in the year, we want to complete our project of installing computer projectors in the Science/Art lab, as well as the 4-PK classrooms. That should run about $10,000, which leaves us with just enough to remain on target with out technology plan goal of upgrading ten computers in the lab, putting the other ten in the classrooms.
As we all know, when it comes to technology, the money goes very quickly. But if you consider the improvement s this will make with our classrooms, it is well worth it. Our students, your children, will reap great benefits from the funds raised. This is a major component of our goal to have all our students learning in a modern and up-to date classroom.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Too Much Too Soon
The faculty and staff of Holy Angels is struggling with the non-stop requests we seem to make of the parents for donations. From the second week of school and straight through the holiday season, we seem to be asking the parents to be buying items or donating something, be it clothes, money, food or gift wrap! It becomes even more troubling because all of these requests are for very good causes. Sometimes it is for the betterment of our school (Innisbrook, Jog-A-Thon, Angels Among Us) and sometimes it is for socially just causes (clothing drive, mission collections, canned food.) We are aware of what a drain it is on our parents and we are trying to address this issue as we plan for next year. We appreciate the extreme generosity that exists within our community but we also recognize that generosity has its limitations. Any input or thoughts on this matter are always appreciated.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
An Inauspicious Beginning
Our trusted Trumpet editor, Anne Yenny, recently suggested the idea of this blog as a way of better communicating what is going on at Holy Angels. I have to admit I was less than gung ho about it when she suggested it, and may still have a leaning towards unenthusiastic. But I also realize the positive impact this can have on our school community in so many different ways, so I have opted to give it a shot.
What I hope to accomplish is a real dialogue regarding events, ideas and decisions at Holy Angels, while also addressing issues that come up in a more timely manner than than the monthly Trumpet. As of today, I promise nothing other than my best efforts to keep this updated. As I, and I assume many others, learn more about this, I hope to create a valuable tool in the ongoing effort to better communication between all of us at Holy Angels School
What I hope to accomplish is a real dialogue regarding events, ideas and decisions at Holy Angels, while also addressing issues that come up in a more timely manner than than the monthly Trumpet. As of today, I promise nothing other than my best efforts to keep this updated. As I, and I assume many others, learn more about this, I hope to create a valuable tool in the ongoing effort to better communication between all of us at Holy Angels School
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