7 Ways To Increase Student Ownership

EdWeek Jennifer Barnett - 7 Ways To Increase Student Ownership

Here are 7 areas where schools can focus on students in helping them develop more ownership in their school and producing positive change. I always get frustrated when all that schools are required to do - pushes out one of the biggest influences and motivators to its population - both professionals and students.

Given there are only a set # of hours in a day when educators finish all the requirements that come from "outside" groups - state, federal, local laws, regs, to do lists - there isn't enough time to create "buy-in" from students to help them learn.
Schools that can work in student conversation and changes where they impacted the design and procedures will enhance the motivation and willingness to succeed - just like employees who have a voice in their companies have better morale and company metrics, performance, and profits are usually just as improved.

Some of the companies that have been shown to grow the fastest and been given high marks for the best places to work have some policies where on given days they are allowed to work on/create/design projects/topics of their interest and give a report/feedback on what was developed. It's a similar conecpt and certainly makes sense that the work would be more "engaged", "in the zone", "productive", and more "high acheiving" to use some educational buzzwords on how it could positively impact student achievement in evaluating how well a school is performing in regards to preparing its students for the 21st Century skills and marketplace.

Challenge Students to Dream

Invite Students to Articulate Their School's New Identity 

Welcome Visitors

Err on the Side of Information Overload

Ask for Feedback—and Then Involve Students in Implementation

Involve Students in the Hiring Process

Start a Peer-Advising Program

Mike Matheny - Letter To Parents - Youth Baseball League

This letter was shared to me via Jesse Webb - Hamilton's Athletic Director & Assistant Principal

I thought it brought up some great points about what parts of a system works - discipline and a commitment to excellence are great habits to learn and can make a tremendously positive impact on people - both young and old. I believe when it is established in a culture or family - they can have a life altering influence on hundreds of people.

I believe reading this and trying to instill parts of it into your way of thinking and daily habits - you will be a more successful individual and go many places in school and life.

Mike Matheny - Letter to Parents - Youth Baseball League

Letter to the Parents from Little League Coach

Message from Kevin Seitzer - Mike Matheny is the new St. Louis Cardinals Manager. Mike lived with me in Milwaukee his rookie year. He's one of the most respected, wonderful people you will ever be around. Mike coached his kids after retirement and this is a letter to the parents on his team. This may be the BEST letter I've ever read regarding youth baseball and is exactly what "The Mac-N-Seitz Way" is all about. Please enjoy and help us get there!

Letter from Mike Matheny.....
I always said that the only team that I would coach would be a team of orphans, and now here we are. The reason for me saying this is that I have found the biggest problem with youth sports has been the parents. I think that it is best to nip this in the bud right off the bat. I think the concept that I am asking all of you to grab is that this experience is ALL about the boys. If there is anything about it that includes you, we need to make a change of plans. My main goals are as follows:

(1) to teach these young men how to play the game of baseball the right way,

(2) to be a positive impact on them as young men, and

(3) do all of this with class.

We may not win every game, but we will be the classiest coaches, players, and parents in every game we play. The boys are going to play with a respect for their teammates, opposition, and the umpires no matter what.
With that being said, I need to let you know where I stand. I have no hidden agenda. I have no ulterior motive other than what I said about my goals. I also need all of you to know that my priorities in life will most likely be a part of how I coach, and the expectations I have for the boys. My Christian faith is the guide for my life and I have never been one for forcing my faith down someone's throat, but I also believe it to be cowardly, and hypocritical to shy away from what I believe. You as parents need to know for yourselves and for your boys, that when the opportunity presents itself, I will be honest with what I believe. That may make some people uncomfortable, but I did that as a player, and I hope to continue it in any endeavor that I get into. I am just trying to get as many potential issues out in the open from the beginning. I believe that the biggest role of the parent is to be a silent source of encouragement. I think if you ask most boys what they would want their parents to do during the game; they would say "NOTHING". Once again, this is ALL about the boys. I believe that a little league parent feels that they must participate with loud cheering and "Come on, let's go, you can do it", which just adds more pressure to the kids. I will be putting plenty of pressure on these boys to play the game the right way with class, and respect, and they will put too much pressure on themselves and each other already. You as parents need to be the silent, constant, source of support.

Let the record stand right now that we will not have good umpiring. This is a fact, and the sooner we all understand that, the better off we will be. We will have balls that bounce in the dirt that will be called strikes, and we will have balls over our heads that will be called strikes. Likewise, the opposite will happen with the strike zone while we are pitching. The boys will not be allowed at any time to show any emotion against the umpire. They will not shake their head, or pout, or say anything to the umpire. This is my job, and I will do it well. I once got paid to handle those guys, and I will let them know when they need to hear something. I am really doing all of you parents a favor that you probably don't realize at this point. I have taken out any work at all for you except to get them there on time, and enjoy. The thing that these boys need to hear is that you enjoyed watching them and you hope that they had fun. I know that it is going to be very hard not to coach from the stands and yell encouraging things to your son, but I am confident that this works in a negative way for their development and their enjoyment. Trust me on this. I am not saying that you cannot clap for your kids when they do well. I am saying that if you hand your child over to me to coach them, then let me do that job.

A large part of how your child improves is your responsibility. The difference for kids at this level is the amount of repetition that they get. This goes with pitching, hitting and fielding. As a parent, you can help out tremendously by playing catch, throwing batting practice, hitting ground balls, or finding an instructor who will do this in your place. The more of this your kids can get, the better. This is the one constant that I have found with players that reached the major leagues....someone spent time with them away from the field.

I am completely fine with your son getting lessons from whomever you see fit. The only problem I will have is if your instructor is telling your son not to follow the plan of the team. I will not teach a great deal of mechanics at the beginning, but I will teach mental approach, and expect the boys to comply. If I see something that your son is doing mechanically that is drastically wrong, I will talk with the instructor and clear things up. The same will hold true with pitching coaches. We will have a pitching philosophy and will teach the pitchers and catchers how to call a game, and why we choose the pitches we choose. There is no guessing. We will have a reason for the pitches that we throw. A pitching coach will be helpful for the boys to get their arms in shape and be ready to throw when spring arrives. Every boy on this team will be worked as a pitcher. We will not over use these young arms and will keep close watch on the number of innings that the boys are throwing.

I will be throwing so much info at these boys that they are going to suffer from overload for a while, but eventually they are going to get it. I am a stickler about the thought process of the game. I will be talking non-stop about situational hitting, situational pitching, and defensive preparation. The question that they are going to hear the most is "What were you thinking?" What were you thinking when you threw that pitch? What were you thinking during that at bat? What were you thinking before the pitch was thrown, were you anticipating anything? I am a firm believer that this game is more mental than physical, and the mental may be more difficult, but can be taught and can be learned by a 10 and 11 year old. If it sounds like I am going to be demanding of these boys, you are exactly right. I am definitely demanding their attention, and the other thing that I am going to require is effort. Their attitude, their concentration, and their effort are the things that they can control. If they give me these things every time they show up, they will have a great experience.

The best situation for all of us is for you to plan on handing these kids over to me and the assistant coaches when you drop them off, and plan on them being mine for the 2 or so hours that we have scheduled for a game, or the time that we have scheduled for the practice. I would like for these boys to have some responsibility for having their own water, not needing you to keep running to the concession stand, or having parents behind the dugout asking their son if they are thirsty, or hungry, or too hot, and I would appreciate if you would share this information with other invited guests...like grandparents. If there is an injury, obviously we will get you to help, but besides that, let's pretend that they are at work for a short amount of time and that you have been granted the pleasure of watching. I will have them at games early so we can get stretched and loosened up, and I will have a meeting with just the boys after the game. After the meeting, they are all yours again. As I am writing this, I sound like the little league Nazi, but I believe that this will make things easier for everyone involved.

I truly believe that the family is the most important institution in the lives of these guys. With that being said, l think that the family events are much more important than the sports events. I just ask that you are considerate of the rest of the team and let the team manager, and myself know when you will miss, and to let us know as soon as possible. I know that there will be times when I am going to miss either for family reasons, for other commitments. If your son misses a game or a practice, it is not the end of the world, but there may be some sort of repercussion, just out of respect for the kids that put the effort into making it. The kind of repercussions could possibly be running, altered playing time, or position in the batting order.

Speaking of batting order, I would like to address that right from the top as well seeing that next to playing time this is the second most complained about issue, or actually tied for second with position on the defensive field. Once again, I need you to know that I am trying to develop each boy individually, and I will give them a chance to learn and play any position that they are interested in. I also believe that this team will be competitive and when we get into situations where we are focusing on winning; like a tournament for example; we are going to put the boys in the position that will give the team the best opportunity. I will talk with the boys individually and have them tell me what their favorite position is and what other position they would like to learn about. As this season progresses, there is a chance that your son may be playing a position that they don't necessarily like, but I will need your support about their role on the team. I know that times have changed, but one of the greatest lessons that my father taught me was that my coach was always right...even when he was wrong. The principle is a great life lesson about how things really work. I hope that I will have enough humility to come to your son if I treated him wrong and apologize. Our culture has lost this respect for authority mostly because the kids hear the parents constantly complaining about the teachers and coaches of the child.

I need all of you to know that we are most likely going to lose many games this year. The main reason is that we need to find out how we measure up with the local talent pool. The only way to do this is to play against some of the best teams. I am convinced that if the boys put their work in at home, and give me their best effort, that we will be able to play with just about any team. Time will tell. l also believe that there is enough local talent that we will not have to do a large amount of travel, if any. This may be disappointing for those of you who only play baseball and look forward to the out of town experiences, but I also know that this is a relief for the parents that have traveled throughout the US and Canada for hockey and soccer looking for better competition. In my experiences, we have traveled all over the Midwest and have found just as good competition right in our back yard. If this season goes well, we will entertain the idea of travel in the future.

The boys will be required to show up ready to play every time they come to the field. Shirts tucked in, hats on straight, and pants not drooping down to their knees. There is not an excuse for lack of hustle on a baseball field. From the first step outside the dugout they will hustle. They will have a fast jog to their position, to the plate, and back to the bench when they make an out. We will run out every hit harder than any team we will play, and will learn how to always back up a play to help our teammates. Every single play, every player will be required to move to a spot. Players that do not hustle and run out balls will not play. The boys will catch on to this quickly. The game of baseball becomes very boring when players are not thinking about the next play and what they possibly could do to help the team. Players on the bench will not be messing around. I will constantly be talking with them about situations and what they would be doing if they were in a specific position, or if they were the batter. There is as much to learn on the bench as there is on the field if the boys want to learn. All of this will take some time for the boys to conform to. They are boys and I am not trying to take away from that, but I do believe that they can bear down and concentrate hard for just a little while during the games and practices.

I know this works because this was how I was taught the game and how our parents acted in the stands. We started our little league team when I was 10 years old in a little suburb of Columbus, Ohio. We had a very disciplined coach that expected the same from us. We committed 8 summers to this man and we were rewarded for our efforts. I went to Michigan, one went to Duke, one to Miami of Florida, two went to North Carolina, one went to Central Florida, one went to Kent State, and most of the others played smaller division one or division two baseball. Four of us went on to play professionally. This was coming from a town where no one had ever been recruited by any colleges. I am not saying that this is what is going to happen to our boys, but what I do want you to see is that this system works. I know that right now you are asking yourself if this is what you want to get yourself into and I understand that for some of you it may not be the right fit. I also think that there is a great opportunity for these boys to grow together and learn some lessons that will go beyond their baseball experience. Let me know as soon as possible whether or not this is a commitment that you and your son want to make.

Thanks,
Mike Matheny

Kids' Book Club Basics

Here's an article I read and found that helps families organize book clubs and reading opportunities for their children and friends.

		Kids' Book Club Basics
	By The Washington Post, Friday, July 19, 2013
	Source: PBS No two parent-child books clubs are alike. There are many ways to run a book club to ensure success. However, the following structure may help you to begin planning your parent-child book club. As your group progresses, you will surely add you own unique twists to this basic structure. Welcoming Activity: To set participants at ease, many book clubs begin with a welcoming activity in which all members participate. This activity is relatively short and most often related to the book participants have read. For example, participants may share one new or interesting word they learned from the book, share a short entry from their reading journal, or name their favorite character from the book. Business: A portion of each book club meeting is usually devoted to announcements. For example, members may want to tell others about upcoming events at local libraries or schools, or discuss the book club schedule. Book Discussion: Discussion is the heart of the book club, and the majority of time should be devoted to discussion. Depending upon the size of the group and the ages of the children, discussion can range from 20 minutes to about an hour. Whether your book club's discussion is led by parents, children, or both, it is a good idea to have some questions prepared ahead of time. Extension Activities: Some book clubs provide opportunities for members to complete activities to accompany books. For instance, after reading "Call It Courage" by Armstrong Sperry, parents and their fourth-graders in one book group built miniature outrigger canoes based on the book's rich description of life in the South Pacific. Refreshments: Both children and parents look forward to a portion of the meeting in which they can talk informally and share a snack. Many book clubs plan snacks related to the book being discussed, such as magic wand cookies for a Harry Potter meeting. Book Rating: To close discussion of a book, many book clubs offer an opportunity for members to rate the book. Using an agreed-upon system, such as a star or number system, each book club member rates the book and briefly states the reason for his rating. The club's organizer can keep track of the books the club has read and the ratings each book received to share with other book clubs. Book Talks and Book Selection: After the current book has been discussed fully, it is time to agree on the club's next selection. Many book clubs do this by having children bring in books they are interested in reading and doing a short "book talk" or a summary of their books. After book talks, the group can vote on the next book to be read. While it is ideal for children to find books that interest them, they may need some help with book selection. Parents as well as librarians and teachers can provide children with suggestions for books appropriate for book clubs.
	Read More on the On Parenting Blog

Hamilton School Counselor Job Responsibilities/Tasks

I will plan on tackling these responsiblities and hopefully more through the school year and do my best to help the Hamilton community. Obviously, there are always times I will wish there are more hours in a day - so that I can do more than what is on this list - but these and the infamous other duties as assigned will keep me plenty busy in helping students and families find success this year. Here are all of the tasks I will be working hard on - in making it a successful school year:



Guidance job responsibilities/tasks

1. Corporation Test Coordinator

a. All testing communication |STEP+, iREAD, ECA including training webinars

b. Coordinate technology components of testing

c. Train School Test Coordinators and/or staff in testing protocol

d. Work with Reports Coordinator to identify and complete testing rosters

e. Order/ return test materials

f. Work with administration/staff to schedule/implement testing and follow up duties

g. Download and disseminate reports to appropriate administration, staff, parents and students

h. Record ECA results on high school transcripts

i. Plan remediation activities

j. Waiver process when necessary

 

2. Other Testing

a. Implement/proctor PSAT, ASVAB, AP and online exams

b. Disseminate information regarding SAT/ACT testing

i. Record SAT/ACT scores on transcripts

 

3. Student Enrollment/Registration

a. Enroll new students

i. Get all pertinent information from previous school

ii. Create new schedule, give tour

iii. Assign Parent Connect information

iv. Get relevant information to teachers

v. Enter all previous high school grade information into transcript

b. Registration for classes

i. Survey students for new course interes

ii. Vocational Education presentation/application process

iii. Core 40, AHD, TH explanation and targets

iv. Sign up for classes

v. individual appointments as needed

vi. Freshmen Orientation Night

vii. Meet with students during registration before school begins to make schedule adjustments

4. Curriculum Opportunities

a. Work with staff and administration to determine course offerings

i. Regular course offerings

ii. Dual Credit courses

1. Staff taught

2. Online

3. On college campus

iii. Online, including AP courses

iv. Vocational courses

b. Develop Course Description Guide

 

5. Master Schedule Process

a. Identify new courses (regular and dual credit)

b. Copy course master and add new courses

c. Build course master

d. Enter all course master changes into SDS (periods, links, teachers, rooms, semesters, fees, etc)

e. Assign courses to students

f. Run Schedules

g. Copy schedules (student, office, front office)

6. Grades

a. Set up Mid-Term and Quarter dates

b. Prepare SDS field for teacher grade entry

c. Notify teachers grade due dates (including students off—site

d. Enter grades for vocational, online, off-site

e. Run missing grade report/track down grades

f. Run grade reports. Spot check for accuracy

g. Run D/F list and honor roll list and give to appropriate staff

h. Run Class rank and transcripts at end of semesters

i. Enter all previous grades for move-in high school students

j. Keep grade/credit updates for all high school students

7. Communication

a. Mid-term and quarter grade newsletter, including dates to be aware of

b. Letters to parents (ie. Freshmen orientation)

c. Postings on Guidance page of website

d. Individual and group emails to students

e. Announcements

f. Flyers in hallways

g. Scholarship calendar

h. College info in senior hali

i. Phone calls and emails

j. Open door policy to students in need

8. College Preparation

a. College Go Week activities

b. College prep curriculum

c. Arrange college representative visits

d. Individual sessions to match student curriculum choices to career goals

e. Advise students on dual credit opportunities

f. Career Explorer activities to research colleges and careers

g. Financial Aid Night

h. Pursue Scholarship opportunities and educate students how to appl

i. Encourage/arrange coitege visits

9. Scholarships

a. Research scholarship opportunities

b. Create and continually update a scholarship spreadsheet with information regarding

scholarship access and due dates

c. Post spreadsheet on school website and student emails, advertise in newsletters and at

Financial Aid Night

d. Host Financial Aid Night

e. Provide paper applications Where web versions not available

f. Provide transcripts for students

g. Offer scholarship application review for students who turn in materials on time

h. Scheduie scholarship committee meetings as needed

i. Make scholarship nominations

j. Serve on Dollars for Scholars committee

k. Plan Senior Scholarship Award Night

10. Community Leadership/Support Connections

a. College Success Coalition

b. United Way Day of Caring

c. Lions Club (Peace Contest, glasses, fundraiser for Boomerang Backpack

d. American Legion (Americanism Test, Boys/Girls State)

e. Veteran’s Day

f. DAR

g. REMC Washington DC trip

h. Steuben County Community Foundation (Scholarships, FlST)

i. Division of Family and Children

j. Northeastern Center

k. SCAN, Network for Safe Families

11. Interventions

a. RTI group leader

b. Create/monitor D/F list interventions

i. Meet with students

ii. Set up after school program

iii. Recruit/follow up with mentors

iv. Structured SH assignments

c. Staff/parent/student meetings

d. ADHD/ADD behavior strategies

e. Goal setting

f. Referral to EOC (Educational Opportunity Center)

i. Provide ECA testing

ii. Transcript EOC credits

g. Goal Setting Boot Camp activity

h. Test Anxiety survey and follow up workshop

i. Anti-Bullying

i. Staff development

ii. Research and recommendation of curriculum

iii. Individual/group meetings with students

12. Counseling

a. Suicide evaluation /referral

b. Peer issues

c. Anger issues

d. Family concerns

e. Test Anxiety

f. Self mutilation/cutting

g. Therapist referrals

13. Special Education

             a. Case Conference Coordinator as needed especially with juniors/seniors

b. Schedule planning for appropriate curriculum

c. Coordinating planning with new students

d. Assigning accommodations in standardized online testing

14. Reports

a. Civil Rights

b. CC

c. Special Education

d. Vocational (fail and spring)

e. Grade Reports

i. D/F

ii. Honor Roll

iii. Missing Grade

iv. Grade Distribution

             f. Standardized Testing

Reflections on 1st Day In Building

Today marked my first day in Hamilton Jr/Sr High School as its professional school counselor as there are always many emotions and feelings as you start a new journey -

Meetings new people and trying to remember the many faces you run into
Learning where to go to find different things and who to see regarding different matters
Organizing your office and resources to how you anticipate things to work

Creating and completing all the many tasks on one's TO-DO list.

It was a successful day and I am 24 hours closer to doing what I can to help bring success to Hamilton Community Schools. I am excited about the many opportunities and interactions I will have in helping students with their learning. We are currently preparing for the upcoming school year and making sure student schedules are ready and the many behind-the-scenes tasks that get completed before a school year begins. Many thanks to all of the Hamilton staff and community that will help me best do my job. Gracias!

Here are pics of the new office and school:

 

Registration Events 2013-2014 School Year

Hamilton Community Schools

903 S. Wayne St.

Hamilton, IN 46742

Please be advised of the following important opening events for the 2013-2014 school year:

 

Wednesday, August 7^th from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.:  Back to School Registration Event in cafeteria*

*Kindergarten Orientation will be held during this event in classrooms.

 Kindergarten teachers will meet with you individually when you are able to stop by.

 (One to One Technology Devices will be distributed to students during the first week of school.  Mrs. Wells will be available during the event to answer questions and accept completed parent permission forms for use of the devices.)

 Thursday, August 8^th from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.:  Back to School Registration Event in cafeteria*

*Kindergarten Orientation will be held during this event in classrooms.

 Kindergarten teachers will meet with you individually when you are able to stop by.

*Jr. High Academy Orientation will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Front Gym.

(One to One Technology Devices will be distributed to students during the first week of school.  Mrs. Wells will be available during the event to answer questions and accept completed parent permission forms for use of the devices.)

Wednesday, August 14^th:  First Day of School

There will be no early dismissal on the first day of school.  Dismissal times will be as follows:

K-6^th Grades at 2:50 p.m., 7^th-8^th Grades at 2:58 p.m., and 9^th-12^th Grades at 2:56 p.m.

Wednesday, August 21^st:  First Early Release Day

            Dismissal times on this Wednesday, and every Wednesday after, will be as follows:

     K-6^th Grades at 2:20 p.m., 7^th-8^th Grades at 2:27 p.m., and 9^th-12^th Grades at 2:25 p.m.

 

For more information, please call the Jr./Sr. High School Office at (260) 488-2161

or the Elementary Office at (260) 488-2101.  Welcome Back!