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