Good Morning Crocker!
We had a very productive Crocker Advisors meeting yesterday. Students reported the school climate seems pretty good right now. Students helping each other was a common theme witnessed on campus.
We did however land on two main topics for school improvement:
1. Taking seriously the information shared on the Buzz and HTV
2. Supporting our new students who are acclimating to Crocker
It was reported 8th graders were not taking seriously information announced on the Buzz/HTV. It was also noted other grade level students were not always held accountable when the buzz or HTV were on.
The suggestions offered by the Crocker Advisors were as follows:
a. When rules or expectations are announced on the Buzz because they are not being followed, teachers should take time to ask for student input. Just announcing the rules on the buzz will not engage the students and they tend not to listen. Students would like to have the opportunity to problem solve when rules are not being followed.
b. Students might be more engaged if students read out the Buzz announcements instead of just posting them – or having teachers read them.
c. Maybe consider using a few video announcements on the Buzz
d. Maybe have teachers be the ones who deliver an important message on HTV.
e. And my favorite suggestion…. Invite students to email me with announcements or information they want posted on the Buzz, so some of the announcements are student centered and in a student voice. Once I receive the emails, I will either post on the Buzz or email back as to why it cannot be posted. So, if you have announcements or things you want to share on the Buzz, please email me and I will either post them or email you back with a reason as to why it will not be posted and an answer if there is a question involved.
Suggestions for improving the acclimation of new students:
a. We need to be more aware of how our new students are doing after their initial first weeks.
b. If you see a new student sitting alone, why not invite him/her to join you. This is true not only for new students, but for any student.
c. Maybe the school can have more mix-it-up days during lunch.
d. More assemblies
e. The most impressive part of this conversation was this acknowledgment: no one appreciates someone being fake. We understand we are not friends with everyone. We select our friends based on our interests; however, we can be respectful and generous by being open to connecting with others.
The next Crocker Advisor meeting is April 26th at lunch. Please come and be a part of the conversations!
Have a wonderful Spring Break!
Dr. Adams