Happy Thanksgiving!

 

November is Gratitude Month

There is great power in gratitude. Harvard Medical School found that, "in positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships."  Showing gratitude can make you feel bettter about your life, manage mental health problems like depression and anxiety, improve selt-esteem and sleep, lower your stress, and more. Sounds great, doesn't it? Here are some suggestions on how to increase your own power in gratitude: 

• Say something nice to someone - a compliment, word of thanks, or recognition (there will be notes in the work room so you can share your gratitude with someone)
• Write your gratitude as a letter or in a notebook/journal 
• Show your gratitude with a gift Invite someone to spend time with you 
• Volunteer your time 
• Donate unwanted items, or support a cause

I am grateful for the people and practices at Willow.  These are the people that bring a smile to the faces of those they work with, all day every day.

• I am grateful for all of the people that come each day with the goal of helping students succeed.  Whether it's in the classroom, cafeteria, playground, office, or hallway - every single person on the Willow staff shows up each day with a focus on kids.  Some days are challenging, and still the staff returns the next day.  I know it's for the chocolate on Fridays - but everyone still comes back Monday thru Thursday!
• I am grateful for our specialists who provide opportunities for students to experience the arts, and to be exposed to things they may not otherwise do.  We are blessed with specialists who share their passions and talents in a way that captures the interest and engagement of our students.
• I am grateful for a crew of people that make sure things are in place to support staff and students every day.  Our building is ready (clean, repaired, and well-kept), food is prepared, curriculum is supported, technology is working, and resources are available. We all know it really does take a village.
• I am grateful for the smiles and laughter, and the way the staff encourages each other.  People are here for each other every day. The staff shows up for each other, especially on the days that are difficult.

Have a great week!

School Safety Reflection

 

Thank you to those that were at Friday's Safety Drill.  Please see last week's blog for a review of the protocol, and see below for some follow up to our safety procedures.  Each year, Willow needs to review a Safety Assesement.  Here are some reminders from that assessment.  

Please check for the following:

• All rooms have emergency procedures posted, including evacuation routes and severe weather safe areas. (in case of inside recess, sub, etc.).  Vanessa will be putting these in mailboxes.
• Check all visitors for district badges or visitor stickers.
• Ensure proper procedures for checking suspicious packages and deliveries (if you happen to be in the office during a delivery).  Suspicious Package Protocol
• If you see an active shooter, get yourself into a safe place, and call 911 immediately.  Ideally, call from a classroom phone, and the office will be alerted immediately. If this isn’t possible, call 911 from your cell phone, and then call the office.

Lockdown Reminders from Friday's Discussion:

• Lunch: if students are in the cafeteria, they will go to Alex's office and the staff lounge. Sped rooms would be back up, only if needed.
• Recess: students would go straight to the evacuation site; noon duty has rosters; staff should bring their own
• Resources: Let Vanessa know if you need a magnet or a color copy of the Crisis Response Process sheet; make sure you have a copy of your class list wherever your "hiding spot" is
• Space: Identify a space that is out of site (use a colleague to help) before you practice with your students
• Outside: Anyone outside should have a walkie as the office will do a walkie call after the overhead message; if outside, head straight to Bethel church.  Make sure you have access to a class list when you are outside.
• Notification: A reminder that anyone can make the announcement from any classroom phone (this is why you need the protocol sheet handy)
• Attendance at Drill:  Make sure you signed in at today's meeting.  If you weren't here for Friday's drill, stay tuned for a make up plan.
• Questions: Let Sue know if you have any questions.
• Sign off:  Please complete the drill by Friday, Nov. 8th and sign off on this document. This is for classroom and specialist teachers.

Follow up:

• Noon Duty Supervisors: We will be meeting this week to review the safety protocols.
• Crisis Team: We will be meeting on November 21 to complete a Table Top exercise with Tracy Habisch-Ahlin, and to review the Safety Assessment.