November 2015

COLT TIMES

Inside this issue:

Cyberbullying 3

Dates to remember 3

MMC News 4

Leaner/Facilitator 5

Phone calls 5

From the Nurse 6

Citizens of the Month 7

E

H

M

I

S

An Alternative Approach to Parent Involvement

By Daniel W. Hartman, EHMIS Principal

As fall parent conferences approach, it is a good time to reflect on the role parents

play in their children’s education. The phrase ‘Parent Involvement’ in schools often

invokes thoughts of parents volunteering in their child’s school, attending PTO meet-

ings, attending parent-teacher conferences, and helping to chaperone school trips.

Although having parents who can actively participate in school activities and give

their time serving their child’s school in various capacities is important, it is under-

stood that in today’s fast paced and busy world, there are many parents who want to

be an active participant in their child’s education, but may not have the time to physi-

cally serve in our schools. It is important to understand that parents can still be a

partner in their child’s success without being a familiar face around the hallways of

our schools. In fact, the most important kind of parental involvement may be how

parents choose to talk with their children about their school and learning experiences.

Recent research in learning and child development has shed light on the importance

of the language we use and the narrative we create when talking with children about

learning, achievement, and success. Learning is hard work, and although this may

seem like an unusual statement in comparison to how schools have traditionally

viewed success, “failure” is actually an important step in the learning process. The

following two suggestions for how we talk with our children about their learning

(and their struggle with learning) can help ensure that we are helping our young

learners navigate the learning process in a way that can lead to long term achieve-

ment and success.

Promoting a Growth Mindset

How we praise children can have a significant impact on their success. Several years

ago, every South Western School District staff member participated in a district-wide

book study of Carol Dweck’s book Mindset. The premise of this book is that indi-

viduals tend to have either a fixed-ability mindset, characterized by the belief that

ability is carved in stone and intelligence is fixed, or a growth mindset, characterized

by the belief that basic qualities can be cultivated through effort, application, and ex-

perience (Dweck, 2007). Research has shown that individuals who tend to have a

growth mindset stand a better chance at success in an increasingly competitive world,

and how we choose to talk with children can have an impact on whether they will

cultivate a growth mindset, or a fixed-ability mindset, which can negatively impact

effort and learning.

COLT TIMES

Parents can help promote a growth mindset in their children by being careful about how praise is given. The best

way to promote a growth mindset in children is to praise effort, not achievement. For example, when a child ac-

complishes a difficult task, praise the hard work they put into accomplishing the task rather than the accomplish-

ment of the task itself. Telling children that “they are the best” or “they are great” can create a fear that it is not

ok to not be the best and can discourage risk taking. Praising effort over achievement can help children face chal-

lenges more positively and prevent a fear of challenges, effort, or failure.

Building Resiliency Skills

Resiliency skills, also commonly referred to as “grit”, has become a popular topic in recent years in the world of

education. Resiliency skills include self-control, hard work, delayed gratification, curiosity, open-mindedness,

perseverance, sustained effort, and goal orientation.

Research on these traits has shown that these may matter more to academic success that native intelligence does

(Pappano, 2013). Parents can help promote these traits in their children not only through assistance with their

school work, but through various other family activities, home chores and responsibilities, and simply by having

conversations about what these traits mean and how they look in action.

Conclusion

The information on both growth mindsets and resiliency skills show that how adolescents approach learning may

be as critical as what they learn (Pappano, 2013). Over the past several years, teachers and other educators at

South Western have made it a point of emphasis to promote a growth mindset and to recognize and build resilien-

cy skills with our learners. Parents, even busy parents who do not have time in their hectic schedules to be in-

volved in their child’s school in the traditional sense, can still be an active participant in their child’s education

and learning by promoting these principles at home.

References

Dweck, C. (2007). Mindset; The New Psychology of Success. Random House, New York.

Pappano, L. (2013). “Grit” and the new character education: Researchers study how certain performance traits

may help students learn. Harvard Education Letter, v 29, no. 1.

Cyberbullying can be defined

as any ongoing intentionally

negative communication that

is directed at an individual or

group of individuals conduct-

ed via electronic communica-

tion. This can be done through

the use of any of today’s tech-

nology in the form of text

messages, e-mails, instant

messaging, social networking

sites such as Snapchat, Insta-

gram, Twitter or Facebook,

Websites, sending or posting

videos or pictures, or any oth-

er form of electronic commu-

nication. While cyberbullying

is an issue that parents and

schools must address, it is im-

portant to note that it is often

accompanied by traditional

methods of bullying.

This hurtful and sometimes

harmful communication can

follow a student 24/7 as many

teens and tweens rarely discon-

nect. Students are often reluc-

tant to report that they are a

target of this behavior for fear

of having their cell phone or

computers taken away. The

media has highlighted stories

containing horrific outcomes

when students who had been

targets of bullying behavior

retaliated in the schools.

Parents and caregivers need to be

aware of warning signs that chil-

dren might be a target of this be-

havior or are engaging in cyber-

bullying. Being extremely secre-

tive with their use of technology,

taking their cell phones to bed at

night, refusing to go to school and

any other unexplained change in

behavior are just a few examples.

Please remind your children that

there is no true privacy when

online. An online social network-

ing site is not the same as a diary

kept under lock and key.

Cyberbullying: 21st Century Style of Bullying

Please keep lines of communication

open. Incidents of cyberbullying or

harassment may be a school matter if

a district owned device or account

was utilized to commit the bullying,

or if it occurred during school hours.

If this is not the case, it may be ap-

propriate to contact local law enforce-

ment with your concerns.

For more information on bullying go

to:

Center for Safe Schools: http://

www.safeschools.info/bullying-

prevention

Federal Stopbullying:

http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Dates to Remember

Nov. 16-20: Book Fair Rm 119

Nov. 17: Parent/Teacher Conferences

Book Fair Open 4-8pm

Nov. 19: Parent/Teacher Conferences .

Book Fair Open 4-8pm

Nov. 23: Parent Teacher Conferences

3:30-6:15.

Nov. 24: Early dismissal 12:15

Nov 25-27: Schools Closed

Nov. 30: Schools Closed

Dec. 1: 2 hour delay

Dec. 3: 6th Gr. Band and Chorus Concert

Dec.10: 7th Gr. Chorus & Show Choir

Concert 6:00. Gr. 8 at 7:30

Dec. 16: Gr. 7&8 Band Concert 7:30

Dec. 23: Early dismissal 1:30

Dec. 24-31: Schools Closed

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Jan. 1: Schools Closed

January 4, 2016 SCHOOL RESUMES

*Dates are subject to change

E . H . M . I . S.

The library has undergone a transformation to start the new school year. Old storage rooms have been repurposed

into new learner friendly spaces and a makerspace invites learners to create, invent, and make. The new EHMIS

Technology Center is housed in the former library classroom. Mr. Leipold, the middle school technology “go-to

guy”, not only keeps the computers and devices working, he also lends his support in helping the learners and li-

brarian use new software and programs, and keeps our technology tools working smoothly.

Another old, overstuffed storage room was emptied and transformed into our One Button Studio. The One Button

Studio is a video recording room accessible to both teachers and students. Learners have already been in the studio

creating video projects for a variety of subject areas. Our movie makers are excited to create the projects, run the

studio themselves, and finish with a professional product that they can share.

A makerspace has been added to the main section of the MMC. Students are using Mindstorm robot kits, Legos,

littleBits, and Makey kits to build, invent and create new products. Websites to Instructuctables and Pinterest are

displayed for learners to tap into their inner maker and try some DIY projects. The Scratch website and challenge

cards are available for learners to try their hand at coding. A Maker Club is also up and running giving learners

extra opportunities to try their hand at making. Even the Book Chattin’ Club members became makers. After read-

ing and discussing The True Meaning of Smek Day the members created their own aliens in the makerspace; a fun

activity that allowed the learners to tap into their imaginations and create something new.

The MMC is an exciting place to be and is truly living up to its name as the Multi Media Center!

Multi Media Center NEWS!

E . H . M . I . S.

New Language at South Western — Learner and Facilitator

In today’s society it is extremely important that our student’s become independent and critical thinkers. Students must not ex-

pect teachers to give them all the answers and do all the work. The teacher becomes the facilitator while the students become

active learners and participators in their educational process. Whereas a traditional approach to teaching emphasizes the role of

the teacher as the holder of the wisdom, facilitation puts the responsibility on the students to become involved in their own

learning. The facilitator’s role is to introduce subjects of discussion, encourage sharing of perspectives, and integrate students’

shared experiences. It’s about leading learners to a new understanding within themselves. The facilitator’s job is to stimulate

thinking, encourage exploration, make associations, and be a connector. Students are able to gain information and facts quickly

through the use of the internet. At any moment in time, students are able to be learners by exploring the World Wide Web. For

example, if a student wanted to learn facts about presidents, the student could search Google and find the facts on his/her own.

How many of us have searched You Tube to figure out how to solve or fix something? We are all learners! The district has de-

cided to begin using the terms learners and facilitators instead of students and teachers. So, over the next few months and years,

you will be hearing the words learner and facilitator more often.

PHONE CALLS

Just a reminder that teachers cannot accept phone

calls or respond to email communications during

classroom instruction time. You can ask to be sent to

the teacher’s voicemail when calling into school.

Please leave your name, contact information and a

brief message so the teacher can be prepared when

returning your call. The district goal is to return com-

munication within 24 hours. If you do not hear back

within that time frame, please contact the school

again. Emergency or transportation changes for that

day should be left with the office as teachers may not

have the opportunity to check their voicemail before

dismissal. If you miss a call from the school please

check for a message before calling the school office.

Unfortunately, we cannot track who may have called

you. All school staff will leave a message when call-

ing and learners are encouraged to leave a message if

calling home.

From the Nurse’s office

Screenings for vision, hearing, scoliosis, and growth

are beginning! Vision & Growth Screenings are for 6th, 7th, and 8th

grade Hearing Screenings are for 7th grade Scoliosis Screenings are for 6th & 7th grade

If your child wears glasses, PLEASE HAVE THEM BRING THEM TO SCHOOL

Immunization News: If your student if missing any required immuniza-

tions, you will be notified directly from the school nurse – a letter will be arriving in the mail with a copy of your child’s immunization card, a copy of immun-ization laws required by the State of Pennsylvania.

I will also be following up with a phone call to the parent/ guardian.

Flu Season is approaching- remind your child- hand washing is the best defense! Information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

September Citizens of the Month

6th Grade: Alex Nice, Richard Plesic, Grace Merrell, Will

Coulson, Kyle Snyder, Ryleigh Sprague, Brendan Storey,

and Alyssa Diehl

7th Grade: Madison Wickline, Ryan Grap, Josh Martz, Tay-

lor Truelove, Gabe Lesher, and Ella Chick

8th Grade: Courtney Maqueda, Mason Khan, Evan Myrdal,

Nicole Norris, Anna Fiordimondo, and Austin Latham

October Citizens of the Month

6th Grade: Lauren Berger, Jadon Rill, Tia Wherley, Cole Warn-

er, Jake Lippiatt, Jesse Snouffer, Zach Derry, Shannon Brady,

Lauren Lippiatt, and Joshua Urbain

7th Grade: Erin DeWald, Gavin Stevenson, Jonah Roth, Logan

Lonczynski, McKenna Knaub, and Savannah Long

8th Grade: Chloe Carroll, Logan Chase, Molly Watts, Dylan

Tucker, and Meghan Hinsche

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Emory H. Markle

Intermediate School

225 Bowman Road

Hanover, PA 17331

P:717-633-4840

F:717-633-7073

Principal:

Dr. Daniel Hartman

Assistant Principals:

Mrs. Lori Billman

&

Mr. Eric Klansek

MISSION STATEMENT:

EHMIS recognizes the unique needs of mid-

dle level students: provides a safe, student-

centered environment, develops academic,

interpersonal /intrapersonal skills, and

strives to develop life-long learners through

a variety of age-appropriate experiences.

PTO NEWS

Thank you to everyone that could make the PTO meeting this past Tuesday. We

have exciting things happening at EHMIS! Ask your kids about S.T.R.I.V.E. The

PTO just turned in $1,700 in Box Tops which we are going to use to buy some

BIG prizes for S.T.R.I.V.E. raffles.

Please remember to put your child's name and homeroom number on their Bag-

gie of Box Tops. We are recording all Box Tops for Block Party ticket redemp-

tion throughout the entire school year. We've had a few bags turned in without a

name. Please contact Catherine Reiblich (reiblich41@outlook.com) if it is your

child. We want each child to get credit they are due.

Our Fall Book Fair is November 16th-20th. We will be open for the students for

a preview and purchase from 8:30 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. We will also be open

during Parent/Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, November 17th and Thursday,

November 19th, from 4 - 8 p.m. Checks are accepted for purchases of

books. Please make checks payable to EHMIS-PTO.