AMCMS Principal's Office

What is going on in the Principal's Office?

My Challenge to You

This week we are looking at the impact of stress and how that looks for children that live in poverty. Stress has an impact on us all, adults and children. For children living in poverty, escaping from stress rarely occurs for them.

What do you think? Here are some of my takeaways:

School is not the priority.

Children living in an environment that is constantly filled with stress are not able to focus on school. Why? Because they are in a constant state of survival. Survival consists of needing food, listening to arguing adults, sometimes arguing with those same adults, single parent households, living paycheck to paycheck, sharing bedrooms and clothes with siblings and family members, etc. Peace and quiet can be really difficult to come by.

What do you do for your students living in poverty? Build relationships with them. Get to know them and their situation as best you can. It won't be easy and it takes patience and persistence. You hold children of poverty to the same learning expectations as any other kid. You may need to make accommodations for the length of assignments while covering the necessary learning standards, work with kids frequently in tutorials, and be consistent with all students. Over time, kids will see that you are caring and you have high expectations for them. Be patient, empathetic, and persistent. It will pay off for you and for the student.

Think. Achieve. Succeed.

Jeff

_________________________________

zoom_out_map

AMCMS SPED Tip of the Week

Who's the contact teacher?

If you are unsure of whom to contact regarding a special education student, check the cloud! In your sped folder, you can find each student’s paperwork and the IEP file includes the name of the contact teacher!

Follow these tips to access the cloud!

Visuals

Are your students struggling to follow multi-step directions? Short-term memory can be a struggle, especially when there are tasks involved.

Try displaying your directions or provide a written copy of directions as well as giving them orally. This will allow students to locate where they are in the process and/or it will allow you to remind them of the steps easily!

zoom_out_map

Technology Tip of the Week

Did you know that we have 12 Google Cardboard headsets? Google Cardboard is a virtual reality (VR) platform developed by Google for use with a head mount for a smartphone. Check out what you can do with it here.

If you would like to check it out and start taking your students on a VR experience then come talk to me and I can get you set up. Check out Discovery Education's VR experiences here or check out

this list of cool VR apps and websites. Don't forget to apply for the badge after you do it!

Find the Google Cardboard App for Android in Google Play.

Find the Google Cardboard App in the App Store.