“Words": The First Ingredient of a Culture Recipe

Update for Mar 14-17

This is not a political statement - It’s a hypothesis about the effect our words have on others.

I’ve always been a believer in the power of words.

Lincoln, King, Lennon and McCartney continue to inspire me: Lincoln for his prose like style speeches seen in the Gettysburg address and second inaugural address; King for his oratory style that evokes emotion and hopefulness; and Lennon and McCartney for their ability to rapidly evolve their music and lyrics.

Last Friday, I was mesmerized by the live images of a rally in Chicago for presidential candidate Donald Trump because of how quickly it was getting out of control and becoming uncivilized. However, I wasn’t surprised and here's why: I believe that leaders set the tone.

I believe that Tim Kight is right when he talks about how Leaders establish the Culture that influences Behaviors that get certain Results.  I also believe that the words we use and the messages we send directly influences the culture we are trying to build. When I think about some of the themes and rhetoric of the Trump campaign, I would say that much of it has been focused on exclusion, blame, and fear.  Those themes created the culture that influenced the behaviors that resulted in the violence we saw in Chicago on Friday.

Last Sunday evening, I got to take my kids to see the new Disney movie Zootopia. 

First, it’s worth the price of admission.  It has all of the elements a good Disney movie: great characters, funny scenes, and an engaging story line. Second, it and has a wonderful message about perseverance, acceptance and being aware of our biases and stereotypes. The writers did a great job of developing those themes without slowing the movie down for kids. 

I went into that movie not really knowing much about it, but I did know that I could expect there to be a positive universal message — That’s the result of a culture that has been built by Disney.

I come away from this weekend with two reflections.  One reflection is actually just another reminder that our words and the messages they send matter. They drive the culture we are trying to build.  

The other reflection is that we need to surround ourselves with words, messages and people that support and affirm Above the Line behaviors.  We need to work to find away to push out negativity or find t’s source so that it can be addressed.  

The next time you find yourself reacting out of anger, frustration or suspicion, press pause; think about what’s really going on.  Slow down and get your mind right because how you react and what you say next contributes to the culture we are trying to build and get the results we seek.  

Be a builder! 

-Herb

Articles Worth Reading

Validating the Learner and Nurturing their Passion for Learning https://shar.es/1Y0hqF

The biggest regret from a 41-year career in education reporting (and a lot more) http://wpo.st/TYdL1 

Why Every Student Needs a Teacher Champion http://ow.ly/ZmZL2 -- THIS IS A VIDEO I WATCH AND RE-WATCH TIME AND TIME AGAIN!!!

Middle School Maker Journey: The Making of a Mantra by @kjarrett: http://edut.to/1TPpwWS 

Upcoming Events

Mar 15 -- Hilliard U Day -- No SCHOOL (Students)
Mar 16 -- ADDC Staff Meeting, DCR Media Center 3:45

Mar 17 -- Elementary Student Transfer Request Forms Due

Mar 18-24 -- Spring Break -- NO SCHOOL

Mar 25 -- Holiday -- NO SCHOOL
Mar 31 -- STAFF OLYMPICS!

Powered by The Arts

Update for November 3-7

This week brought us another reminder of how talented our Arts Team is.  The Fall Concert that Mrs. Root created with students was an absolutely amazing experience.

When we combine the Fall Concert with the Warrior Dash and Dot Day, we can begin to understand how much the Arts can impact a school’s culture.

We strive each day to create learning experiences that focus on skills such as collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity because we believe these skills are going to enable our students to be successful in discovering their passions.  The arts, and those who bring learning to life through the arts, help us create a learning culture that focuses on these important skills.

Thank you Mrs. Bowers, Mr. Burkhart, and Mrs. Root for continuing to inspire us to celebrate learning through the arts!

-Mr. H

Upcoming Events --

Mon, Nov 3 --

Tues, Nov 4 -- 

Waiver Day/No students; Hilliard University at Darby HS and Heritage MS.

• Your day can be 7:30-2:30 or 8:30-3:30.
• Our Staff PD will start at 1:00pm in the Darby HS band room and last until 2:30.

Wed, Nov 5 --

5:30pm -- Market Day pick-up

Thu, Nov 6 --

Fri, Nov 7 --

Newsletter Home

Yearbook Art Contest Ends

First School Community Meeting!

When you walk into our building, each person can see our mission that was establish on the very first day of school in 2001: Children.

This year, we are continuing the work of establishing and communicating the common expectations for all members of our community through the PBIS Framework. When we take steps to reestablish the principles of our community, it is important that we also work towards our Mission and ensure that kids have a voice in the process.

Therefore we will be having our first School Community Meeting this Friday!

After discussing how we were going to elicit feedback from students about their beliefs about what makes Alton Darby, we decided we need to start by getting everyone together to celebrate our accomplishments so far this year and to give us all a task we will work to complete.

And this is how it will happen:

• 8:50 -- Student arrive and go immediately to the gym before going to homeroom.
• Breakfast students will go to breakfast as usual. They will join us when they are finished.
• Teachers will be in the gym to help get students organized. I will have a seating chart for you SOON.
• We will be leading the students in a cheer - “We...Are...Alton...Darby!”.

• 9:05 -- Mr. H starts the meeting by welcoming everyone, explaining why we are together, and then explaining the task everyone will work to complete.
• Task - Homeroom teachers will facilitate students in completing this phrase: “At Alton Darby Elementary, WE ARE _____________!”
• You will will be given a blank Puzzle Piece to write the word you decide reflects your room.
• 9:15 -- Students are dismissed to homeroom.

A 10 minute meeting that is going to help us do something BIG!  Thanks to Jay, Angie, Karen O, Kim, Missy, Adrianna, Carla, Jane, Kris and Tiffany for your help with the planning!  And thanks to everyone for helping to make our first School Community Meeting a success!

Mon Nov 10, 2014

6:30pm - 7pm PTO Executive Mtg

7pm - 8pm PTO General Mtg

Tue Nov 11, 2014

Picture Retake Day

Fri Nov 14, 2014

End of K-5 Grading Period

Mon Nov 17-20, 2014

Book Fair Week

Wed Nov 19, 2014

3:45pm - 8:15pm Conference Night

Wed Nov 26-28, 2014 No School

Articles Worth Reading

"What Are The Habits Of Mind?" http://feedly.com/k/XMkm24 

"How Relearning Old Concepts Alongside New Ones Makes It All Stick | MindShift" http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/10/how-relearning-old-concepts-alongside-new-ones-makes-it-all-stick/ …

"9 Essential Lessons For Changing the World" http://www.angelamaiers.com/2014/10/9-essential-lessons-for-changing-the-world.html …

Smiling So Much It Hurts

Update for Aug 15 - 19

This story is one of those stories that we live for.

 

Last Friday morning, Mrs. Kim Dornburgh, a 3rd Grade teacher at Alton Darby, came to me to ask a favor. With a smile, she gave me her “Dream” bracelet that our Superintendent, Dr. Marschhausen, had given to all Hilliard City Schools staff.  I was confused for a second - Was she turning in her dream?

Kim told me that her student had seen me wearing my “Dream” bracelet and said, “When I grow up, I want a dream like Mr. H”.  Without hesitation, Mrs. Dornburgh recognized a great opportunity to lift this student up.  

Kim had it all worked out.  She would give me her bracelet to give to her student when he was least expecting it.  I agreed, but only if she would email Dr. Marschhausen to let him know about the story.

So on Monday, as I am talking with a teacher in the hallway, I see Dr. Marschhausen walk by. When I caught up with him, he told me he received an email from Mrs. Dornburgh about her student wanting a “dream” and wanted to come by and drop off a bracelet to her.

What happens next is one of those moments that we live for.

A little later, I got the bracelet from Mrs. Dornburgh and went to find her student who was working in another room. I found him and asked him to come out into the hallway.  I told him that I had heard about his conversation with Mrs. Dornburgh about wanting “a dream”.  I showed him the extra bracelet and said, “I’m giving this to you so that when you wear it each day, it reminds you to work hard to make your dreams come true.”

He stood up a little taller, his eyes lit up, and his smile went from ear to ear.  

What happens next is one of those moments that we live for.

Here is what Mrs. Dornburgh shared with me about what happened next:

I had the opportunity to share my "Special" students story with my classroom.  I did not know how they would react.  

As it turns out, when we went to the gym for PE, “A-” was a minute or so late and this is what transpired.

Student: “Hey ‘A-’, what's that on your wrist?”

‘A-’: “A bracelet like Mr. Higginbotham's.”

Other kids: “Wow, ahhhhh,  cool, Can I see?”, etc.

The entire class surrounded him with love and support.

40 minutes later... “A-” was still smiling.  He hugged me and said, "My face hurts".

I said, “Are you OK?”  He said,  “Yeah, you smile a lot when you are so cool... My friends think I am cool.”  

This is one of those moments we live for.

Moments like this happen every day at our school. We live for these moments and need to celebrate them and share them with anyone who will listen.

What stories will you share?

Upcoming Dates --

Monday, Sept 15 -- International Dot Day! *See email for details -- Staff members should wear your new Gold 212 shirts.

Wed Sep 17, 2014 10:45-12:00pm CO Building Visit

Wed Sep 24, 2014 3:35-4:20 ADE/DCR Staff Meeting at ADE

Thu Sep 25, 2014 Picture Day (Gym)

October

Thu Oct 2, 2014
Mumkin Delivery
5:30pm - 6:30pm Market Day

Fri Oct 3, 2014
K-5 Interims Due
Newsletter Home
8am - 9am Building Advisory Committee Meeting

Tue Oct 7, 2014
8am - 9am Building Improvement Team mtg

Fri Oct 10. 2014
9:30-11:15am Kids’ EdCamp

Mon Oct 13, 2014
3:35-4:20 ADE/DCR Staff Meeting at ADE
6:30pm - 7pm PTO Executive Mtg
7pm - 8pm PTO General Mtg

Thu Oct 16, 2014
Spirit Day - Wear your favorite team gear!
6pm - 8:30pm Tailgate Party

Fri Oct 17, 2014
Central Ohio In-Service Day - No School for Students

Video That Inspires -

Articles Worth Reading -

A Two-Gear Construct for Envisioning Blended Learning | Edutopia http://edut.to/1qtxSSu

Making Students Partners in Data-Driven Approaches to Learning | MindShift http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/09/how-students-can-be-partners-in-data-driven-approaches-to-learning/ … via @MindShiftKQED

Don't give up on your idea... http://www.justintarte.com/2014/09/dont-give-up-on-your-idea.html … via @justintarte

How can we all keep the kindergarten spirit? http://connectedprincipals.com/archives/10826  via @8Amber8

And So It Begins!

Update for Aug 25 - 29

This was the best first week of school in my life! I am absolutely amazed at how well this week went. Thank you to all of you who worked extra hard to make this week such a success.

Additionally, the amount of high-quality instructional experiences you all created within the first week - within the first day - was commendable. The dedication to your work was evident.

I appreciate all of the unique and creative ways you used to begin creating the learning culture of your classroom.  The time and effort we put into building relationships with our kids will set the stage for a successful year!

Opportunities to go GLOBAL!

I wanted to share with you all two global learning projects that will be taking place in the near future.  I want to bring these projects to Alton Darby and I want you to know that I will drop everything to help you make these projects happen for your students, if you choose to do so.

International Dot Day, September 15th  -- This week, I had the opportunity to visit with your classrooms to introduce myself and read Going Places by Peter Reynolds.  Reynolds’ books focus on the themes of celebrating uniqueness, creativity and divergent thinking - all characteristics of the learners I hope we can continue to develop at Alton Darby. I used that opportunity to help our kids see these themes and then challenged them to help us create a school that reflects the spirit of Going Places.

Participating in International Dot Day would be a step in that direction.

Reynolds describes International Dot Day as this:

Imagine the power and potential of a million people all around the world connecting, collaborating, creating and celebrating all that creativity inspires and invites. I hope you will join the growing global community of creativity champions using their talents, gifts and energy to move the world to a better place.

Please consider connecting your students to this great opportunity to celebrate creativity.  Reach out to our Darby Creek colleagues.  How big can you make this? How far will you go? How can I help you make this happen?

Start by visiting http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/ - a very user-friendly website for getting started.

Global Read Aloud, starts October 6th -- Pernille Ripp, creator of the Global Read Aloud, describes the Global Read Aloud this way:

And, one of the ways you can participate in the Global Read Aloud with other classrooms is to do an author study of Peter Reynolds!

Both of these opportunities lend themselves to our areas of focus, particularly the Blended Learning Framework --

I can’t wait to see where you take these projects!

Upcoming Dates--

Mon, Aug 25 --

Tues, Aug 26 --

• 9am Lit Coaches Meeting at CO

Wed, Aug 27 --

• Mumkin Sale Begins
• 5:30-6:15pm - K, 1, 2 Curriculum Night
• 6:30-7:15pm - 3, 4, 5 Curriculum Night

Thur, Aug 28 --

Fri, Aug 29 --

• 9:30am, Gym, “Buster the Bus” Program for Kindergarten
• 1:30pm, Gym, “Buster the Bus” Program for Kindergarten

Videos That Inspire --

Articles / Posts Worth Reading --

5 Things Parents and Teachers Need to Know About the New American Dream http://goo.gl/uN43AW  via @ajjuliani

Empowerment: The key to excellent teachers in schools http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/08/18/empowerment-the-key-to-excellent-teachers-in-schools/ … via @SBEducation

Growing Closer To Your Most Challenging Students http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/growing-closer-to-your-most-challenging-students/ … via @teachthought

The new imperative: Personalizing education http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/03/24/the-new-imperative-personalizing-education/ … via @SBEducation