RM Bacon Weekly

Saturday, October 8, 2016

October 10 - 14, 2016

It's been a busy week here at Bacon, so let's get right to it!

On Monday, I attended a personal coaching session for principals and other school leaders. I found the experience to be worthwhile, and I've been given an opportunity to improve on some areas of my job where I felt I needed some work. What I really liked about the session was that through some back-and-forth conversation between myself and the coach, these areas where I could focus my energy and improvement came up naturally. Nothing felt forced, and I didn't feel like I was being judged or evaluated. My time with the coach certainly gave me a few things to think about. It was timely, too. At school, I'm constantly telling the students and staff to be great, grow, be the best you can be, etc., and my coaching session forced me to squarely face a few things where I could do better myself. The time of reflection and self-honestly was powerful.

Sign located on our top floor.

There is a lot of truth to this saying.

Tuesday saw the return of the RAC (Regional Achievement Center) team for the 2016-2017 school year. A few of the members have stopped by since school started, but this was the first time most of the team came together to visit our school this year. The RAC functions as a support team for school improvement, and they operate at the state-level. While they were here, they visited several classrooms, stopped by the cafeteria, asked about curriculum and instruction, and took the school's "temperature" regarding culture and climate. While that all sounds official and heavy duty (and it is), the RAC team is nothing but positive and supportive. We got a lot of great feedback for our school, especially in the areas of culture and climate. We also got some useful thoughts on how to improve on what's already here, and that is something we are always striving for - growth, growth, growth. The bottom line - our passion and dedication show, and I couldn't be happier. Bacon has the right approach and mindset to continue to grow and succeed. Great job, Bacon Bears, and thanks to the RAC for a good day of feedback and positivity. It was a great and productive visit.

The 5th grade class took a historical and nature-filled field trip to the Bivalve/Shellpile area on Thursday. They learned some local history and explored some nature unique to the area. The students had a good time, and they appreciated the opportunity to have that experience.

On Friday, we had our first district in-service day of the year. All of our teachers and some of our other staff members spent the day in a variety of workshops. After lunch, several of our K-5 teachers returned to Bacon for some in-house professional development, and many others reported to Holly Heights for Google training. It was a busy day all around, and I want to personally thank Mrs. Digiorgio, Ms. Peck, Mrs. Rohaly, Mrs. Taylor, and Mrs. DeVita for stepping up and being willing to host their own PD sessions at Bacon.

Everyone, have fun this weekend. Relax, decompress, unwind. Spend some time with family and friends, pick up a book, skip off somewhere fun for the three-day weekend - whatever you do, have a blast.

Be great. Be awesome.
Mike
"Together, we can. Together, we will."

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Mobile Dentist that was supposed to visit on 10/6 had to reschedule. Once we get word on when that will be, we'll pass that along.
Remember - no school on Monday. Enjoy your three-day weekend.

Pictures from around the School

Congrats to our students of the month for displaying the character trait of respect!

Our "Caught being Awesome" board is already full for October! Paws up to you, Bears!

Smile, Ms. Peck - you're on Coyle Camera

Ms. Peck and Mrs. Rohaly giving an overview of Arts Infused

Birthday Selfies!

Nurse Pruett!

Monday (10/10): No school - Columbus Day

Tuesday (10/11): C day - PBIS Tier Two meeting (10:44 - 11:24, conference room)

Wednesday (10/12): E day - Workout Wednesday

Thursday (10/13): A day - PBIS Events Planning Committee (8 am in the library), progress reports get sent home

Friday (10/14): B day - A fabulous Friday!

Saturday, October 1, 2016

October 3 - 7, 2016

Principal's Post

We had a great week here at Bacon. The rain simply wouldn't quit, the skies were gloomy, and the weather turned cooler. Our school, however, was warm and cheerful. Throughout the week, I saw learning taking place in friendly and positive environments. Everyone stayed upbeat and sunny, despite the fact that we had indoor recess nearly all week (That alone is an accomplishment worthy of celebration!).

On Thursday morning, Bacon held it's first Respect the 29th PBIS Pep Rally. The rally opened with students sharing some of the awesome things they've done since school started. From there, we reviewed some discipline and attendance info (all good, by the way - see below in the PBIS update), and then we picked students who were awarded with a "Paws Up" during the month of September and randomly selected them (by way of a drawing) to play some "minute to win it" style games on the gym floor. The students had a blast, whether they were playing or cheering their classmates. A great time was had by all as we collectively celebrated a dramatic reduction in office discipline referrals and an increase in the attendance rate. Great job, Bears! Keep being awesome!

Friends enjoying the PBIS Pep Rally

Parents As Leaders Kickoff

On Thursday night, the United Advocacy Network hosted it's kickoff for the Parents As Leaders group here at Bacon. A number of families braved the weather and joined us for pizza and a time of collaboration and information sharing. It is already shaping up to be a good year for families and the school working together. While the parents were learning about the program in the library, other members other UAN had activities for the kids in the cafeteria. Great job to all involved.

In all, it was a fun week of learning, celebrating, meeting and working with our parents, and planning for the future.

Be great. Be awesome.
Mike
"Together, we can. Together, we will."

PBIS Update with Ms. Berry

What a great September we have had at Bacon School. Positivity resonates throughout the building. Staff and students demonstrate our core values (we are safe, responsible, and respectful) on a daily basis. September 2016 at Bacon School has been a record setting month. We had ZERO major office discipline referrals and only 18 minor discipline referrals. Keep up the good work!

We started giving out our Paws Up cards to staff and students caught being awesome. Seventy-seven Paws Up cards were given out in September, and we are setting our October goal for over 100. In addition to the Paws Up cards, the students were given their own shout out board this year. It's filling up fast. The kids are giving shout outs for help they have received, kind acts they have witnessed, and for being great friends. Let's keep it going. We are looking forward to a great October of being safe, responsible, and respectful.

Respect the 29th PBIS Pep Rally

Getting ready...

...and setting up...

...for the party!

Mr. Coyle asking some Bears about the awesome things they've done since school started

Picture from around the School

Ms. Spanbauer staying active on Workout Wednesday. She's always ready to jump in wherever she's needed.

Helping Mr. Coyle get things ready for the PBIS Pep Rally

A couple of Bears trying to scare people in the office with a huge spider

A monarch and a chrysalis

What's wrong with this picture?

Either you like Bacon or you're wrong!

The mural is looking good. Keep up the nice work, Bears!

Mrs. Benson and a Bear checking out some nature indoors

Birthday Selfies!

Weekly overview (be sure to check the official school calendar)

Monday: D day - lesson plans due

Tuesday: E day - A terrific Tuesday

Wednesday: A day - Workout Wednesday

Thursday: B day - Staff meeting (8 am in the library)

Friday: In-service day. No school.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

September 26 - 30, 2016

Principal's Post
Focus was the name of the game this week. As a school, we've been focusing on student learning, positive reinforcement of our school rules and expectations, positive and productive interactions with parents, and taking a look at ways to make the school even better. In short, this has been a busy week of focused planning in many areas, and through it all, we are focused on ways to make Bacon a place of learning and fun. Our first PBIS assembly of the year is coming up, and we've got fun things in store for our students. We can't wait to recognize all the Bears who've gotten off to a great start this year. It's all about them - the students - and everything we do should be focused on how to improve our school for their benefit. I'm proud to say that I work alongside many wonderful people who focus on our students. They are the reason for everything we do.

Be great. Until next time,
Mike
"Together we can. Together we will."

PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) Update

Bacon school is happy to report that we are looking to have a great month and a great opening to the school year. Kim Berry, our PBIS aide, has been doing a great job helping to redirect and refocus students who may have needed an extra push or a little extra motivation to help them refocus. Also, our teachers have been doing a wonderful job reviewing their classroom expectations, and through effective teamwork, we've been able to keep the number of incident referrals low. Very low. Great job, everyone!

Thanks to Kim Berry for giving our PBIS signs an update. They look great!

Back to School Night Update

This year's Back to School Night focused on parent and community involvement. Members of the Home School Association, United Advocacy Network, Millville Police Department Chaplains, and the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity (which adopted us again this year) all spoke to our parents about getting involved, plugging in, and coming together to make Bacon school the best it can be. Thanks to all the parents and staff who went above and beyond.

Back to School Night