March Madness

From the Principal
John Stanford International School
March 28, 2008

“Springing Past March Madness”

Dear JSIS Fifth Grade Families,

In a typical school’s calendar, there are distinct and predictable seasons and patterns. I’m not talking about weather either; I’m talking about “seasons of behavior”. For example, in the weeks leading up to Halloween, the goblin and ghost behaviors tend to increase as does the need for kids to take after-lunch naps. In January, after winter break, when the days are shorter and air is colder, kids are pretty mellow and settled into school. Learning in January is at a premium. In March, however, just as the temperature warms and flowers begin to bloom, schools tend to also see a “blooming” of student energy and excitement and not always the best kind. People think March Madness has to do with basketball. In fact, some have come to believe that the term actually originated from some elementary school principal describing the time between mid-winter break and spring break when student behavior is at its strangest. I’m not sure what it is that causes the increase in boundary-testing and the exhibiting of behaviors that veer from what is socially acceptable, but it happens. Every year.

One of the March incidents happened just a week ago. As some of you may have heard, on Wednesday, March 19th, a student sprayed some whiteboard cleaner into a substitute’s water bottle. This was a severe infraction that we are taking very seriously. However, please be assured that it is an isolated incident and is not indicative of typical behavior among our fifth graders. Once I was able to share what happened with the two classes, students who had heard about the incident came forward and reported the student.

In addition to this issue, a few other incidents involving student behavior have occurred during this past month. For reasons of confidentiality, I don’t share discipline/consequence details regarding a student with anyone outside his/her family. And I always appreciate it when parents encourage their kids to be okay with not knowing every detail and not spreading rumors about kids who have made suspendable mistakes. This helps make the reentry of a student and the healing that needs to happen on all ends much easier. However, I do understand the importance of communicating to all families that situations are resolved in accordance with district guidelines and policies and that their students are safe. In all of the incidents that occurred this past month, I’ve consulted with the district to assess the safety of students and to assign appropriate consequences for actions. If or when a student comes back from serving a consequence such as a suspension, the staff and I create a safety plan as well as help students rebuild relationships.

As we spring past the madness of March (I’m looking out my window right now and it’s snowing – case in point that March is a strange month indeed), we have so much to look forward to. After we come back from break, our kids are going to be working on class projects to show what they think compassion looks like in the world around them. They’re going to be hearing the Dalai Lama speak at Key Arena about compassion and empathy. They’re going to be taking the WASL which is their opportunity to show all that they’ve learned while at JSIS. And all classes from Kindergarten through 5th grade are going to be starting Second Step and Steps to Respect lessons to help create the compassionate and respectful climate that we all want at JSIS. And finally, our fifth graders are going to be getting ready for an exciting camp on the Olympic Peninsula.

I hope you all have a wonderful spring break. If you have any questions or comments about March Madness at JSIS, please let me know. Otherwise, have a great vacation and join me in cheering on the coming of April.

Sincerely,

Mr. Aramaki

"Choices and Changes" Night

Mark your calendars for "Choices and Changes", (recently called Puberty Night) -- coming up on Wednesday, April 9 in the JSIS library. Please return the RSVP form to school.

The event is geared toward kids with a same-sex parent, but cross-over is allowed.

Note that the event begins with refreshments at 6:30. The program begins at 7:00pm and ends at 8:00. (No, it's not 6:00 to 8:45pm -- which was the time shown on the homework sheet).

Seeds of Compassion and the Dalai Lama

Our kids will see the Dalai Lama at Key Arena on April 14. Awww maaan, no parent chaperones are needed. The class will be accompanied by all lthe 5th grade teachers, our baby's mom Amy Hicks (former JSIS 2/3 English teacher) and Mr. Aramaki.

Get Set For Camp

5th grade goes to camp Monday, May 5 through Wednesday, May 7. If you're attending camp with your kids, please send in your room and board fees. The fee is $190. Make checks out to JSIS and send it to school.

Nani will hold a meeting for parents attending camp at some point after spring break. More details soon.

Middle School Discussion Group

If you're looking for a way to sort out middle school concerns, consider this:

Communities and Parents for Public Schools (CPPS) is holding a middle school discussion breakfast meeting on Saturday, March 15 from 8:30am to 10:30 am at the 2100 building (2100 24th Ave. S) in the Rainier/Mt. Baker area. Breakfast is provided thanks to That Brown Girl Catering Co. Ruth Medsker, Seattle Public Schools Middle Schools Director will be there.

The agenda will focus on balancing parent knowledge and needs with the perspectives of educators. Space and food are limited, so please RSVP to Stephanie Alter Jones by Tuesday, March 4th.

Stephanie Alter Jones, Ph.D
CPPS of Seattle
stephaniej@cppsofseattle.org
(206) 604-4408
www.cppsofseattle.org

Priscilla's Reading Groups

Priscilla is again offering her Spanish reading groups. There will be two groups; five kids in each group. One group will meet from 8:30 to 9:00am on Mondays and the other from 8:30 to 9:00am on Fridays. Kids will be reading Esperanza Rising or Star Girl, in Spanish. Groups start the week of March 17.

Sign-up for the groups starts tomorrow (March 4). Groups are available to the first 10 kids who sign up. Participation is voluntary.

Thank you Priscilla for offering this great program!

Important Dates

Lots going on!

Salmon release field trip to Carkeek Park March 17.

FLASH Curriculum starts the week of March 24. Also, April 9 is "Family Health Night". Parents and students are invited to discuss and ask questions about the FLASH program.

Camp info and permission slips go home this week. Camp is May 5-7.

WASL Dates: March 21-April 2. Fifth graders take the Math, Science and Reading sections of the WASL.

See the next post (below) for class assignment due dates ----

Nani's Class Assignment Due Dates

Here are a few dates to help you help your student navigate all the due dates over the next couple of months ---

Yearbook writing assignment: Due March 14.

Architecture project: Written report due March 18; building construction due March 24.

American History: Four assignments (see the handout) and four due dates. Students get to choose which assignments to hand in first. The idea is to do the easier ones first and hand those in sooner, while saving the more involved projects for later due dates. Due dates are March 7, March 20, April 11 and April 17.

Class Email 2/28 -- Middle School Enrollment Deadline

Remember that if you are planning on attending a public middle school in Seattle you MUST submit an assignment request form by tomorrow February 29, 2008. Even if your student has a sibling at the school you want your student to attend, you must send in the form. The three enrollment offices listed below are open from 8:30am to 4:30pm and the fax machine (206) 252-0761 will be staffed until midnight. Postmarks don’t count! If you haven’t submitted a form already, you must submit it in person before 4:30pm or fax the form before midnight. For more information or to download a form, see: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/eso/forms/enroll0809.html

Recuerden que si su hijo/a va a asistir a una escuela pública en Seattle el año que viene, es IMPRESCINDIBLE entregar la solicitud mañana 29 de febrero para pedir asignación aunque tenga el estudiante un hermano o una hermana en la escuela donde quiere ir. Las tres oficinas abajo estarán abiertas de 8:30am a 4:30pm y también se puede envirar un fax hasta medianoche (la noche de viernes) (206) 252-0761. Debes o entregarla en la oficina antes de las 4:30pm o enviarla por fax. Si necesita ayuda llama al Centro de Familias Bilingües al 252-7750. Para el formulario haga clic en: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/eso/forms/enroll0809.html

North Enrollment Center
Wilson Pacific (400 Building)
1330 N. 90th St 98103
(206) 252-4765

South Enrollment Center
John Stanford Center
2445 Third Ave, S
(206) 252-0760

Bilingual Family Center
Aki Kurose Middle School (Room 105)
3928 S. Graham St. 98118
(206) 252-7750