A couple of weeks ago, I approached our student leaders, including the Student Council, National Honor Society, and Friends of Rachel about issues of disrespect and tolerance at Profile School. They decided to host an all-school meeting where students would share real stories of the types of disrespect they had witnessed or heard about, and encourage students to step up and stop this kind of behavior. We then moved to small group break-out sessions led by these students and a teacher where they could debrief and talk about what we could do next. Students identified the areas of the school where disrespect was at its highest, and they also shared their stories of disrespect, times when they have stood up for someone, and dreams for their ideal Profile.
So far, the response to this activity has been overwhelming. Kids and teachers can't stop talking. I had read through all of the stories, and it's obvious that Profile School is ready to step up and stand up for what is right. Is this one event going to solve all of our issues? No. But is it a start? Without question. I am so proud of our student leaders and the people who are willing to take a stand to make Profile a place where everyone feels safe and respected for who they are and what they bring to our community. Please, support each other in your efforts. Let's work together to make Profile the absolute best school it can be. Together, we can do it.
Please feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on how we can make this message take hold.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Last Meeting of the Year
Parent Roundtable Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2009
Thanks so much to those who attended the last meeting of the year. I know how crazy it can get as we roll into these last few weeks of school. I can hardly believe it’s almost June! Last night we spent some time going over what we’ve accomplished this year, talked about the proposed changes to the student handbook (mainly around co-curricular activities and the use of ipods), and looked at where we are a going next year.
On the communication front, Lisa Pecket, who you might know from our front office, is going to be taking over the website. She will be working with the design put together by Cheryl Bertolini’s husband, Jim McLaughlin, who kindly responded to our request for help this winter. Linda Johnson is going to do some research for us on Community Service (schools that require it, the logistics- legal and otherwise- of instituting it, and businesses that might be interested in hosting kids).
We are also moving into our NEASC Reaccredidation cycle, with our visit from the committee coming in 2011. This is a very exciting time for Profile as it gives us an opportunity to reflect on all aspects of our program. While 2011 might seem like a long time from now, work is already underway, and we are going to need parents and community members to sit on the committees. Please see the website below for a list of standards/committees:
http://cpss.neasc.org/downloads/2011_Standards/2011_standards.pdf)
May 19, 2009
Thanks so much to those who attended the last meeting of the year. I know how crazy it can get as we roll into these last few weeks of school. I can hardly believe it’s almost June! Last night we spent some time going over what we’ve accomplished this year, talked about the proposed changes to the student handbook (mainly around co-curricular activities and the use of ipods), and looked at where we are a going next year.
On the communication front, Lisa Pecket, who you might know from our front office, is going to be taking over the website. She will be working with the design put together by Cheryl Bertolini’s husband, Jim McLaughlin, who kindly responded to our request for help this winter. Linda Johnson is going to do some research for us on Community Service (schools that require it, the logistics- legal and otherwise- of instituting it, and businesses that might be interested in hosting kids).
We are also moving into our NEASC Reaccredidation cycle, with our visit from the committee coming in 2011. This is a very exciting time for Profile as it gives us an opportunity to reflect on all aspects of our program. While 2011 might seem like a long time from now, work is already underway, and we are going to need parents and community members to sit on the committees. Please see the website below for a list of standards/committees:
http://cpss.neasc.org/downloads/2011_Standards/2011_standards.pdf)
We hope to start up Parent Roundtables again in September, but we’re also looking for new ways to encourage communication, even if people can’t attend the meeting. The new website should be more attractive and user friendly, so perhaps that will help. If people have any suggestions or thoughts, please let us know.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Including Samuel
Once in a while a fantastic opportunity presents itself that can be a true benefit to the entire school community. Last year we had Rachel's Challenge. This year it's Including Samuel, a documentary about the importance and difficulties of inclusion (previously called "mainstreaming," this is including students with educational, physical, and/or mental challenges in the traditional classroom setting). Dan Habib, the journalist responsible for this amazing film, found this situation a reality when his son, Samuel, was born with cerebral palsy. He and his family wondered if Samuel would ever be able to exist in the world in the way they had always taken for granted. Including Samuel chronicals his journey, as well as the stories of some other adults and children who have faced similar questions and decisions about schooling. This is not just the story of a child with a disability; it is a reminder of what we can all learn and do with a bit of patience and understanding.For more information on the film, please visit the official website, www.includingsamuel.com. Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments here. We will pass them along to Mr. Habib and Samuel.
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