Bully Talk with Mr. Senitte

Today Mr. Senitte and Mr. Ashcraft were in our room. The purpose of their visit was to discuss some bully issues happening at Bitterroot Elementary. Now, these are not severe issues but we are doing everything in our power to nip this behavior in the bud before it gets there. Bitterroot is known for its strong respect for rules and safety. We will do everything to keep it that way. Some of the issues we are seeing are swearing, name calling and rumor spreading. Mr. Senitte addressed the swearing issue with giving alternatives to swear words. At school, the word sucks is considered a swear word. I have heard this in our classroom recently. It will not be tolerated beyond this point. Mr. Senitte was right today when he said we are a school of respect and we need to demonstrate that with our words when we communicate. Name calling was also discussed in length. What we are seeing a lot of is words being used that are probably not really understood by 9 and 10 year olds. Words like gay, lesbian, and hooker. Students most likely have heard these words on TV or at home and have brought them to school. These words have been used by some 4th graders and it will no longer be tolerated. Mr. Senitte did not go into the meaning of these words, but did encourage students to have at home conversations about them. He also addressed the phrase, think before you speak. This is a phrase that I use as well in class. Students need to make sure they are saying things that make others feel good about themselves or nothing at all. We all know the saying, if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all. Lastly, we talked a lot about rumor spreading. This has been a huge problem in our class. We have been talking about this for over two weeks now. The strategy I have taught the kids, and they are finally starting to understand and use, is when they hear a rumor stop passing it. Go directly to the source and get the real story. Ask them directly if they said this or that. Most of the time, by the time one hears a rumor it is so far from the original truth that it is even more hurtful. So, I encourage you to tell your child the same thing when they come home with a story about so and so said this or so and so said that. I encourage you to say to them, did you go to the source and ask them if this is true? It is also important to say to them, have you told this to anyone else or did you stop the rumor in its tracks? Students need modeled behavior. There is no better model than you their parents and us their teachers. Together, we can solve all three of these bully type behaviors quickly. I appreciate all that you do already, and please feel free to talk to me openly about any of these issues.

Monday!

Great start to the last week before spring break. Petey is getting really good, and our journey through the Everglades is getting a little wet, then dry, then cold, then wet, then dry...ask your kids what that is all about!

Pennies for planets is going great! We have collected over 30 dollars. We are ahead of Mrs. Hankin's class but we are NOT getting cocky! Keep checking under those couch cushions!!

The recorder concert is this Wednesday at 1:00 in the gym. If you are unable to attend...no worries! I will be broadcasting it LIVE on the interned on our classroom ustream channel. WOOHOO!! Live is best, but if you really can't make it try to get near a computer at that time. It will also be recorded and can be viewed later. Watch for the address on tomorrow's blog or on the information sheet coming home in the take home folders tomorrow. Yes!!

Have a super night.

THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING!!! WE ROCKED!!

WOOHOO!

A Day FULL of Testing...but we are DONE!!!!!!

Recycling At School

What a Packed Day!

It all started with our visit from MCC (Montana Conservation Corps). Crew Member Chris talked to us about Michigan and Alisa talked to us about Minnesota. The whole crew shared about themselves and life in MCC by sharing a very entertaining rap. The kids really got into it as well, as you can see. Then we had our second guest speaker: A real live Irish man named Allister, accent and all! He started off his talk by clearing up some misconceptions that Americans have about Ireland and the Irish. It was very, very interesting. If you would like to view the Ireland talk you can go to my ustream channel at http:www.ustream.tv/channel/the-you-better-believe-network. Finally, we ended the day with the green contest and our candy auction.

Tomorrow we test our very last two math sessions. Students may bring a morning and afternoon snack. Then we will say goodbye to our MONTCAS testing for the year! I am so proud of the students. Wow!

Have a wonderful evening!

Happy Irish Day!!

Top o' the mornin to ya! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Students may wear green today as long as it is not body paint or hairspray or anything else that might wipe off or smear on our MontCas tests. Hats are great!

Thank you to everyone for bringing back your pictures. Go Team Erickson!

We will be testing today. What better day than when you can have the Luck of the Irish on your side??? Perfect! Protein snacks are encouraged.

We will have two guest speakers in the house today. MCC is coming to talk about two of our ME region states :Minnesota and Michigan. And my dear friend Allistar from Ireland will also be here this afternoon. He is actually from Ireland! SWEEEEET!!!

We will also have a small candy/St. Patrick's day/Easter auction today. Your kids have WAY to much money and the bank is going broke! I will remind them to save at least 3000 dollars for upcoming field trips before they start to spend. Fun!

Student's should have shown you their take home folders last night. Inside there were two important articles. One was on Pennies for the Planet. As you know, we are studying the Everglades in Florida. I happened to stumble upon this article asking for kids to collect pennies/coins in order to help save the Florida Panther. Perfect! I just love when I find opportunities to allow a child to learn what it feels like to give back, and Mother Earth is the perfect one to give back to. So, we have challenged Mrs. Hankin's class to see who can raise the most change over the next two months. Now, we do have a slight advantage because in our classroom we are pumped up and huge BELIEVERS! :0)

The other important article was on the Census. The census came up in Social Studies awhile ago. We have discussed it in class. You should have or will be getting your census in the mail. I received mine the other day. It is so easy to fill out and all that is wanted is the number and names of the people living in your house presently. Then simply mail it back, no stamp needed. If you do this civic duty, please write a note in your child's planner and I will reward them $100. This census is SO important to the educational system and we, in Montana, can't afford to lose anymore of our federal funding. Thanks in advance!

Lastly, the March Volunteer sheets came home yesterday. We will be joining up with MCC again to do a clean up on their adopted road, which is Rheberg and Shiloh. Please have your child at Albertsons on Grand and 32nd at 9 am this Saturday. Pick up time is at 11 am. The weather may change on us again, so dress prepared. We will go, rain or shine or snow! Well, it is Montana! :0) Parents are welcome to stay too!!!

Have a LUCKY day! Hope you are wearing green!