Bullying surveys:
In our discussion about bullying, the novel we are reading, and the movie from teaching tolerance web site we'll be synthesizing data from the surveys to see how our school holds up to other schools. One of the biggest indications, according to the teaching tolerance publications, is the degree to which the staff and student perceptions are about the prevalence of bullying in their schools.
For students and community members:
Nina's Advising Blog: This page is dedicated to this group of students who allows me to share their space and facilitate silliness are the most honest, caring, exciting, individualistic people I've met. I have the honor of watching how dedicated they are to each other and how they are willing to grow.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Upcoming
OUTDOOR SCHOOL:
Upcoming 6th grade outdoor school,
May 17, 18, 19, 20
MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPOUT
Upcoming middle school camp out,
May 25th, 26th, and 27th
8th GRADE PROMOTION
TBA, Tentatively 1pm, June 17th
Upcoming 6th grade outdoor school,
May 17, 18, 19, 20
MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPOUT
Upcoming middle school camp out,
May 25th, 26th, and 27th
8th GRADE PROMOTION
TBA, Tentatively 1pm, June 17th
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Bullying, not just for other students anymore
Below is an article that is saddening. A teacher and students were bullying a student. Interesting read: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/03/17/Bullying_Teacher_to_Publicly_Apologize/
Bully Teacher to Publicly Apologize
By Neal Broverman
A shop teacher who mocked Florida gay student Luke Herbert (pictured) will publicly apologize as part of a settlement between the Flagler County School District and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
The Palm Coast, Fla., freshman was told he couldn’t keep his soda in the same refrigerator as other students or they’d turn out gay. Herbert, 15, said he and his mother complained to school officials several times about the teacher, but no one took the complaints seriously. He also asked to be moved to another class, which he says didn't happen in a timely manner.
"I reported the bullying to the administration, but it never seemed to change anything," Herbert said in a press release. "I felt alone, and it made me stop wanting to go to school. My breaking point came when one of my teachers started telling antigay jokes and mocking me in front of the entire class."
Herbert was also bullied by students at his school; a physical altercation took place between him and a homophobic student. Herbert began missing classes because of the bullying, and he was in danger of flunking out of school.
As part of the settlement, the school district offered Herbert several options to complete his education in an environment where he feels safe, including attending "virtual school." The shop teacher has been officially reprimanded and has agreed to make an official apology. The school district is also recommending to the school board that specific protections for sexual orientation and gender identity or expression be added to the student code of conduct and the school district's bullying and harassment policy. Lastly, the district is working with the Flagler Palm Coast Gay-Straight Alliance to create a series of public service announcements addressing bullying and harassment.
"What happened to Luke is inexcusable but unfortunately is an all-too-common occurrence for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students," said ACLU of Florida LGBT Advocacy Project attorney Shelbi Day in a release. "Schools have an obligation to ensure that teachers and students understand that bullying and harassment of any student is prohibited and to act swiftly and appropriately to address it when it occurs."
Bully Teacher to Publicly Apologize
By Neal Broverman
A shop teacher who mocked Florida gay student Luke Herbert (pictured) will publicly apologize as part of a settlement between the Flagler County School District and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
The Palm Coast, Fla., freshman was told he couldn’t keep his soda in the same refrigerator as other students or they’d turn out gay. Herbert, 15, said he and his mother complained to school officials several times about the teacher, but no one took the complaints seriously. He also asked to be moved to another class, which he says didn't happen in a timely manner.
"I reported the bullying to the administration, but it never seemed to change anything," Herbert said in a press release. "I felt alone, and it made me stop wanting to go to school. My breaking point came when one of my teachers started telling antigay jokes and mocking me in front of the entire class."
Herbert was also bullied by students at his school; a physical altercation took place between him and a homophobic student. Herbert began missing classes because of the bullying, and he was in danger of flunking out of school.
As part of the settlement, the school district offered Herbert several options to complete his education in an environment where he feels safe, including attending "virtual school." The shop teacher has been officially reprimanded and has agreed to make an official apology. The school district is also recommending to the school board that specific protections for sexual orientation and gender identity or expression be added to the student code of conduct and the school district's bullying and harassment policy. Lastly, the district is working with the Flagler Palm Coast Gay-Straight Alliance to create a series of public service announcements addressing bullying and harassment.
"What happened to Luke is inexcusable but unfortunately is an all-too-common occurrence for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students," said ACLU of Florida LGBT Advocacy Project attorney Shelbi Day in a release. "Schools have an obligation to ensure that teachers and students understand that bullying and harassment of any student is prohibited and to act swiftly and appropriately to address it when it occurs."
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
St Francis Trip
Service learning is a huge part of our students' experience at Trillium. Below Nina's middle school students are giving the thumbs up to sandwich making at St. Francis. Students made over 70 sandwiches and put together 70 sack lunches for Portlanders experiencing homelessness.
Buddy Reading Days
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Fairness Activity Debrief
Last Thursday we did a fairness activity. We all colored a kenpo samurai with more or less resources. We were grouped by age and given resources based on what group we were in, 10 year olds, 11 year olds, 12 year olds, 13 year olds, and 14 year olds.
Students debriefed the activity. They had big group and small group discussions. Students then wrote individual reflections. The questions students were asked to reflect or answer these questions: What does prejudice mean? What group were you in? How did it feel? Have you ever had less resources than others? (explain?) Have you ever had more resources than others? (explain?) Why did Nina make us take part in this painful ridiculous arguably dangerous activity?
Some responses were:
How would you describe fairness?
"Treating others equally : )"(F) "Equal access to resources"(S) "Equal access to the same things" (S)
How did it feel to have more or less? "Like I was gum on the bottom of the 12 year olds baby seal lofers, waiting to be scraped off and chewed." (B) It feels bad when you see some one with less things or more things than you but you could ask or borrow from a a friend (D)It felt very unfair but at the same time I felt like it was okay because I had better resources than others"
Have you ever had less resources than others? (explain?) (S) "Of course I have, but I am lucky for the resources that I do have" "Not until yesterday" (C) "Well, I don't have the best house and we don't have resources that most have AND IT SUCKS to be treated different because of that people pelt my house with eggs because they think its haunted" (B)
Why did Nina make us take part in this painful ridiculous arguably dangerous activity?
"Becuase to learn that its not OK and to show example of unfairness in sisiaty" "I think to teach us about unfairness and because she is crazy" (C) "To example fairness in society (P)" "Because she loves us (C)" "To whirl us into a depresion"
Students debriefed the activity. They had big group and small group discussions. Students then wrote individual reflections. The questions students were asked to reflect or answer these questions: What does prejudice mean? What group were you in? How did it feel? Have you ever had less resources than others? (explain?) Have you ever had more resources than others? (explain?) Why did Nina make us take part in this painful ridiculous arguably dangerous activity?
Some responses were:
How would you describe fairness?
"Treating others equally : )"(F) "Equal access to resources"(S) "Equal access to the same things" (S)
How did it feel to have more or less? "Like I was gum on the bottom of the 12 year olds baby seal lofers, waiting to be scraped off and chewed." (B) It feels bad when you see some one with less things or more things than you but you could ask or borrow from a a friend (D)It felt very unfair but at the same time I felt like it was okay because I had better resources than others"
Have you ever had less resources than others? (explain?) (S) "Of course I have, but I am lucky for the resources that I do have" "Not until yesterday" (C) "Well, I don't have the best house and we don't have resources that most have AND IT SUCKS to be treated different because of that people pelt my house with eggs because they think its haunted" (B)
Why did Nina make us take part in this painful ridiculous arguably dangerous activity?
"Becuase to learn that its not OK and to show example of unfairness in sisiaty" "I think to teach us about unfairness and because she is crazy" (C) "To example fairness in society (P)" "Because she loves us (C)" "To whirl us into a depresion"
Monday, February 7, 2011
Hunger Banquet vs. Fairness Game
We recently did a fairness simulation in class. It was a edited hunger banquet with supplies as opposed to food. It was a discussion during the simulation with the students with the smallest age group singled out. It brought up a lot of emotions and feelings about the topic of fairness and prejudice. Students supported each other working out how this may or may not reflect society and how it may or may not affect the outcomes of adult education and life skills.
We've had several good conversations about it. It will fit into our work this next semester on bullying, fairness, and prejudging people before you know them.
Students will be reading Lord of the Flies, will be watching movies about bullying, and will be having lots of discussions. We will watch Karate Kid, excerpts from Lord of the Flies the movie, clips of TV shows, and more. If you you would not like your student to be watching movies about bullying and prejudice please let me know.
If you have a spare copy of Lord of the Flies please please write y'alls name and phone number in the front and send it with your student to class.
Thank you, and I look forward to this next semester!
We've had several good conversations about it. It will fit into our work this next semester on bullying, fairness, and prejudging people before you know them.
Students will be reading Lord of the Flies, will be watching movies about bullying, and will be having lots of discussions. We will watch Karate Kid, excerpts from Lord of the Flies the movie, clips of TV shows, and more. If you you would not like your student to be watching movies about bullying and prejudice please let me know.
If you have a spare copy of Lord of the Flies please please write y'alls name and phone number in the front and send it with your student to class.
Thank you, and I look forward to this next semester!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Rummage Sale
As you may have heard just a few places in our economy are "challenged" right now. Obviously the cancelling of intensives were a reflection of our own budget limitations. Our advising recently discussed how cutting out valued experiences from Trillium might be a huge loss. To that end they are hoping to prevent the canceling of campouts by having a fundraiser. The idea raised by the advising would be a rummage sale. The proposed date would be April 9th, the Saturday after we come back from spring break.
Please save your "goodwill type donations" if possible.
More to come as we go through the steps to get this approved.
All the best, Nina
Please save your "goodwill type donations" if possible.
More to come as we go through the steps to get this approved.
All the best, Nina
Recent Email, In Case You Misplaced Or Didn't Receive
Hello, So much has gone on that I'm excited to share with you. )Week January 10-14th
Firstly, this Friday is optional for 7th graders who have finished taking their fall state tests (math and reading). In order to provide the best testing environment for our students we've rotated which class (6th, 7th, 8th) stays home on a Friday.
In this email you'll find information on
:
* Bike Wheels to Steering Wheels Presentation
* January 28th End of Semester
* Facebook Lesson
* Official no sharing hats week: Lice
* Service Friday
Bike Wheels to Steering Wheels:
We had a guest speaker come to our class and share how important it is to wear a helmet while riding your bike, scooter, or skateboard. She also gave out information for parents. I sent one home with the students.. maybe you found it while you were helping them clean out their backpacks. She encouraged students to contact her if they didn't have a helmet or had family members who did not have a helmet and she could get us discounted helmets. It was an interesting presentation.
January 28th Is the End of the Semester:
January 28th is the end of the semester. The course catalogs for the following semester are presently being worked on. Meanwhile we've been encouraging students to finish strong. We have many students struggling in math and other topics. Advising has been a time of academic support and will be for the next two weeks. It is difficult, however, to help one student with math and encourage 23 others to pull out homework. If there is any way that you might be able to come upstairs at 8:30 and help sit with a student and encourage them to clean out their backpack and look for work, help with fractions, help with science or math homework, or help them study by making and quizing them on Spanish or Japanese flashcards that would be amazing and helpful.
Facebook Lesson:
I was gone on Friday, however spent quite a bit of time creating the best lesson plan EVER. Students engaged in small group, big group, and reflective writing about Facebook and the issues surrounding it. There is a movie, Social Networking, that just came out and I'm encouraging students to join the conversation around the movie and the abuses of Facebook which seem to cause unsafe situations and has gotten a few high school students suspended. In some high schools even expelled! We're educating ourselves on the pluses and minuses of such a phenomenon. Of course you have to be 17 to have an account according to the policies, however, many students have them anyway. We can't stop them from having one, however bullying and harassment policies say that we have to respond if there is student to student harassment or bullying.
Official no sharing hats week. Lice
Before break I had talked to some students and families about lice. Sadly the lice came back from the break... and somehow even I caught it. If you are unsure as to whether it is lice or just dandruff I have a microscope and can help you identify. The main thing is that under the microscope it is possible to see the glue by which the lice attach going all around the hair shaft... which means you can pull the nits off along the hair but not perpendicular to the hair.
Service Friday:
Lastly we have a service Friday on the 21st. Some of us will be going out to pull ivy, others will be going to the homeless shelter. We'll be needing transportation. If anyone can drive us to pulling ivy (which is usually up behind 23rd and Lovejoy) please let me know. There is no obligation to help.
Firstly, this Friday is optional for 7th graders who have finished taking their fall state tests (math and reading). In order to provide the best testing environment for our students we've rotated which class (6th, 7th, 8th) stays home on a Friday.
In this email you'll find information on
:
* Bike Wheels to Steering Wheels Presentation
* January 28th End of Semester
* Facebook Lesson
* Official no sharing hats week: Lice
* Service Friday
Bike Wheels to Steering Wheels:
We had a guest speaker come to our class and share how important it is to wear a helmet while riding your bike, scooter, or skateboard. She also gave out information for parents. I sent one home with the students.. maybe you found it while you were helping them clean out their backpacks. She encouraged students to contact her if they didn't have a helmet or had family members who did not have a helmet and she could get us discounted helmets. It was an interesting presentation.
January 28th Is the End of the Semester:
January 28th is the end of the semester. The course catalogs for the following semester are presently being worked on. Meanwhile we've been encouraging students to finish strong. We have many students struggling in math and other topics. Advising has been a time of academic support and will be for the next two weeks. It is difficult, however, to help one student with math and encourage 23 others to pull out homework. If there is any way that you might be able to come upstairs at 8:30 and help sit with a student and encourage them to clean out their backpack and look for work, help with fractions, help with science or math homework, or help them study by making and quizing them on Spanish or Japanese flashcards that would be amazing and helpful.
Facebook Lesson:
I was gone on Friday, however spent quite a bit of time creating the best lesson plan EVER. Students engaged in small group, big group, and reflective writing about Facebook and the issues surrounding it. There is a movie, Social Networking, that just came out and I'm encouraging students to join the conversation around the movie and the abuses of Facebook which seem to cause unsafe situations and has gotten a few high school students suspended. In some high schools even expelled! We're educating ourselves on the pluses and minuses of such a phenomenon. Of course you have to be 17 to have an account according to the policies, however, many students have them anyway. We can't stop them from having one, however bullying and harassment policies say that we have to respond if there is student to student harassment or bullying.
Official no sharing hats week. Lice
Before break I had talked to some students and families about lice. Sadly the lice came back from the break... and somehow even I caught it. If you are unsure as to whether it is lice or just dandruff I have a microscope and can help you identify. The main thing is that under the microscope it is possible to see the glue by which the lice attach going all around the hair shaft... which means you can pull the nits off along the hair but not perpendicular to the hair.
Service Friday:
Lastly we have a service Friday on the 21st. Some of us will be going out to pull ivy, others will be going to the homeless shelter. We'll be needing transportation. If anyone can drive us to pulling ivy (which is usually up behind 23rd and Lovejoy) please let me know. There is no obligation to help.
President Obama's Memorial Speech in Tucson
President Obama's Speech, Curriculum Regarding
At the recent memorial in Tucson President Obama made a speech at perhaps one of the bipartisan events. The memorial in Tucson was made to be a moment to reflect on embracing each other in civil discourse, in conversations that can help us understand each other. To help us see the perspective those of us who hold views different than ourselves. Not necessarily to change our own minds, but to perhaps help us understand where another person is coming from.
The following excerpt comes from the Teaching Tolerance Website:
Here’s one idea about how to proceed. Take this excerpt from the speech:
"But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized—at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who happen to think differently than we do—it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds."
Words can heal or wound, Obama said. We began this essay by suggesting that they can shed light or generate heat. We can think of other comparisons—do we speak to convince others or to understand them? Do we want speeches that inspire hope or fear?
At the recent memorial in Tucson President Obama made a speech at perhaps one of the bipartisan events. The memorial in Tucson was made to be a moment to reflect on embracing each other in civil discourse, in conversations that can help us understand each other. To help us see the perspective those of us who hold views different than ourselves. Not necessarily to change our own minds, but to perhaps help us understand where another person is coming from.
The following excerpt comes from the Teaching Tolerance Website:
Here’s one idea about how to proceed. Take this excerpt from the speech:
"But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized—at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who happen to think differently than we do—it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds."
Words can heal or wound, Obama said. We began this essay by suggesting that they can shed light or generate heat. We can think of other comparisons—do we speak to convince others or to understand them? Do we want speeches that inspire hope or fear?
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