Principal Challenge: Find ONE word...and include kids!

NEW PRINCIPAL'S CHALLENGE: 

This January, we are going to start our 2019 right and bring back the one word challenge. Please watch the video below, which I have showed before, and write down one word that will be your word for the year. This word should transcend your work and should have an impact on your for the rest of your year. I'd encourage you to do this with your kids, and then write this word on the graffiti wall across from the lunch room!

My word is engage.

Enjoy Break

It is my privilege to work alongside each of you. Thanks for all you do for our kids, for one another, and for HCSD. Enjoy a well deserved break.

Heads Up

We were recently upgraded to the Google Classroom Beta for Classroom Gradebook and the soon to start Locked Mode for Google Forms Quiz. In your Google Classroom, you now have a Grades tab and Gradebook Settings. Whoop!  Woop!

We have also posted our Ultimate Tweeter Badge and Voice and Choice Guru Badge recipients. In the new year, we will be offering cooler challenges and more Badges. It is not too late to earn a There is a Badge for That! 

All this and a little more is up on our latest Cadet Tech Blog Post! 
https://hiltoncadettech.blogspot.com/2018/12/winter-break-updates.html

After Break

Just in case you overlooked the email...

DATE:         December 14, 2018

TO:              District Staff Member

FROM:         Scott Massie

RE:              2018-19 Required Trainings

New York State Law requires school districts to provide annual training for Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazard Communication (Right-To-Know), Sexual Harassment and Dignity for All Students Act/Code of Conduct - NY.  As we have done in the past, the District is using the Global Compliance Network (GCN) on-line tutorials for the 2018-2019 trainings.  The District’s revised Sexual Harassment policy #6121 (attached) was approved by the Board of Education last evening. 

Building and department level supervisors are encouraged to supplement the trainings by reviewing Board of Education policies and regulations in large or small group settings. 

Even though the (4) required trainings must be completed no later than February 15, 2019, it would be appreciated if you would make a concerted effort to complete the trainings sooner than later. 

·         Bloodborne Pathogens,

·         Dignity for All Students Act/Code of Conduct - NY

·         Hazard Communication (Right-To-Know)

·         Sexual Harassment NY – State Approved

Please contact Tobie Bailey (ext. 7001) or Debbie Palmeri (ext. 7015) if you need further assistance with the website and/or would like to access the computer lab for large or small group trainings.

The website link to access the tutorials is listed below:

http://site.gcntraining.com/

The Log-In Instructions are attached for your use.

THANK YOU

I had a parent call in tears over the gifts that they received through the Giving Tree. Thanks for being such a selfless school! 

Building Hours Over Break

Next week we have different building hours. Although I hope you all stay home with your families, here are the hours:

12/24+12/25=CLOSED Merry Christmas

12/26, 12/27, 12/28= 7 am-6 pm

12/31=CALL SCHOOL IF YOU WANT TO COME IN. Hours may be varied. 

1/1= CLOSED. Happy 2019! 

Fun in February

Enjoy your weekend!

Had to share this one. Have an awesome weekend. We have one week left to make a positive impact on kids before 2019. Teach hard, play hard, and then enjoy a long break.

WE are QUEST!

Reminders

• We will have a lockdown drill next week. If you are out sick, be certain the plan for your room is included in your plans. 
• Admin. team will be meeting with you in the near future to submit budget requests. Please be sure to fill out by January 17th. 

Looking Ahead

Reminders

From the kitchen:


Please make sure all kids who buy, even those who come in late, order. They had a few classes that only 2 or 3 kids order and  a lot more want lunch.

Thanks for your cooperation in this matter.

-The kitchen team

Short Film Competition

Fire Safety Poster Contest

Family Literacy Night

Please remember to sign up for your Family Literacy Night booth on Wed Jan 9th!  Also, we need to get the books signed per Megan's email!   Thanks for helping us prep for this event!


https://docs.google.com/document/d/10rPy_LP8CA1yjy5W-HSwEqGVZtSJqyFf0IE2G7E7tq4/edit?usp=sharing

Happy Friday!

Need-to-Knows for week of 12/3

• Have you checked out the new Investigation program? The newer version, which the district is looking at currently, is available to view in the math center. Check it out! 

Looking Ahead

Enjoy

A Look Ahead

Check it out!

Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit ditchsummit.com The Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit is a FREE virtual event from December 14-31. It brings together some of the brightest minds in education to discuss technology, pedagogy and more.

A Message from Jason

As teachers we often live in silos we call our classroom and rarely get to speak with teachers outside our immediate wing.  When teachers are able to share and collaborate with each other it is proven to improve instruction. The big problem always seems to be time and how you can gather large groups of people at the same time without impacting instruction.  

Last year I came up with an idea I would like to try at QUEST.  The idea is simple, yet could have a profound effect on connecting people.  What I am suggesting is that each teacher pick up a small poster board in the main office that says “Ask me how I use these apps”  Then see Jason Cring in the computer lab and request a sticker from one or more of the apps you use in class and place the sticker on the poster board.  The poster board should be displayed outside your classroom. As you walk down the hall you will instantly know who you can go to for support with apps; and possibly get some new ideas for apps  The stickers will also act as a “badge” in which to remind you of the tech skills you have gained.

Here's an example:

Stickers I currently have available:

1.  Socrative
2. Epic!
3. Spark Video
4. Kami
5. Edpuzzle
6. Insert Learning
7. Quizlet
8. GoFormative
9. Brainpop
10. Peardeck
11. Castle Learning
12. FlipGrid

Spanish Phrases!

Spanish Phrase resources are here! Each week Andrea and Anna will share the weekly phrase at the Wednesday Morning Meeting, on the bulletin board next to Lisa's office and on this slide deck. Please try to use it with the kids you work with!

Click here to access the QUEST Spanish Phrases slides that you can use with your kids either electronically or printed out.

Need to Knows for week of 11/27/18

• If you have a child in financial need, who wants to buy something from the joy shop, and arrives without money, please contact Val who will provide a dollar or two for the child. Again, this is not for any child who forgets money, but it is a way to support our students needing financial support. Please contact Val about this.
• 12/4 is a choose your own adventure CIA, round two. Please be sure to sign up for a PD of your choice. 
• Next week Derek will be out on 12/6 and 12/7 for part two of the BOCES training. During that time, Laura Mayer and Tina Colby will be filling in, similar to November. Please join me in making them feel right at home. 

Next Generation Science Standards

Please take a moment to review the attached picture and the link.

Learn More

Have a nice Thanksgiving

Team,

Have a restful weekend, come back Monday to crush a couple days, and then let's all have a relaxing, gratitude filled, Thanksgiving.

Please know how incredibly thankful I am that I get to come to work each day, surrounded by a school that takes care of one another, that deeply cares about kids, and that always wants to do what is best. I am lucky, and you all are near the top of my gratitude list.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Derek

Looking Ahead

For Tuesday Night

JOIN THE APP PARTY!

Update from the Stanfords

Just dropping a quick note to let you know that Evangeline Louise is home! After 89 long days in the NICU, we are moving on to the next chapter: Sleepless nights and lots of cuddles. Thank you for all of your prayers and support! xoxo 

The Stanfords 

Feeling down? Stress getting the best of you?

We’ve got a KIND message waiting for you! (Take What You Need)! Wondering how to show kindness for “World Kindness Day”? (Give What You Can) There are some ideas ready and waiting from Ms. Philmon’s  and Mrs. Neu’s buddy classes. But that is just the beginning...

Join us in filling the bulletin board with sticky note messages of kindness! You can have your class fill out sticky notes of their own to send a “feel good” message to someone feeling down (i.e. We’ve got your back! OR Just Smile and Breathe) or write suggestions for random acts of kindness. We invite students and staff to take a sticky note anytime, or add to the interactive board anytime this month. It is located across from the cafeteria. There are sticky notes hanging on the board with markers, too...help yourself! 

Cheers to kindness! 

Save the Date! IB Visit 2019

Get excited, QUEST!

We are officially on the visitation schedule for our IB PYP re-authorization visit next year. Our visitation dates are 

October 21-22, 2019.

Enjoy your extra day off

Be sure to thank a Vet. We get a day off while so many of them sacrificed for us. Enjoy your long weekend!

Building Great Teams

Team,

My workshop the past two days was all about building great teams, and they provided me with quite a bit of strategies that work to run good meetings. What I liked about the strategies is that you can also use them in the classroom. I am going to share some each week on the blog for the next month, and I would encourage you to try it at a team meeting OR give it a shot with your kids.

Strategy: I'm in

What is it? Ever go to a meeting and find that people are physically there but not there emotionally or mentally? Meaning, people in the group are carrying the load of a tough morning, an issue with a student, or something from home with them? This strategy simply says everyone gets 30 seconds to be vulnerable with the group, dump what they need to dump, and then state I'M IN. You literally go around the circle and share, or just say I'm in. When you say I am in, what you are saying is that nothing else matters except for my time with you. I am here...with you...I am mindful...right now. You are saying to your group that the work we are doing together, is the work I'm all about for this moment in time. I'm in!

Consider starting your meetings with everyone going around and saying "I'm in!" 

Need-to-Knows

• No school Monday!
• Feast next Friday!
• On the Tuesday before Turkey Day, we have a half day of school. This is not a consult day, which is what our usual half days are listed as. Because of this , we will have specials for K and 12:1:1 (our afternoon specials). They will be shortened to 30 min. specials, and a time will be shared out soon. Then, on the second to last day of school, we will have another half day (June 24th). We will have primary-intermediate specials on that day (again, 30 min.). The reason for this is that these are not consult days and are simply half days, and the reason they are 30 minutes is because of the shared staff and needing to get everyone in. A schedule will be shared out soon. 

Looking Ahead

HCSD Music Dept. Community Caroling Friday, December 7, 2018 The Hilton Central School Music Department is proud to present our 1st Annual Holiday Community Caroling Party.  We would like to invite all past, present, and future HCSD music students to join us.  We will meet in the HS Band room at 6:30PM and break up into our caroling groups then visit several locations in the Village of Hilton to spread our holiday cheer.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.  We will meet back at the HS around 7:30 PM to enjoy some hot cocoa, coffee, and COOKIES sold by our Hilton Music Boosters.  Please use this link (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CABA62EAAF58-community) to let us know you are coming.

FEAST. Thanks, Dave!

Hi All,

So holy 2 weeks until the Feast!!!!!!!!!  I wanted to reach out and touch base prior to the big preparation push for Feast 2018.  Please make sure to follow the bulleted list below.  We did an AMAZING job last year with Feast and am looking for things to go even smoother.

·         I have filled out building request forms for the following places.  Please let me know if there is an area that you will need a request for

o   Gym: South Pole 11/16

o   Cafeteria: Equator 11/16

o   Quest Cafeteria: 11/13-11/15 1:00 – 4:30.  Please let me know if you will need to be using kitchen.

o   Quest Cafeteria: 11/16 8:00 – 12:00

·         All Turkey is going to be prepared, cooked and reheated at the HS.  It will be delivered to Quest.

·         FOOD PREPARATIONS

o   GLOVES, GLOVES, GLOVES, GLOVES.  Anyone working with food needs to wear gloves

o   Crockpots need to be approved by Mike and the outlets need to be check to make sure we are not overloading any circuits. 

o   If you need to use the Kitchen at Quest any of the days let me know and I’ll get you signed up.

o   NO CHILDREN ALLOWED IN THE QUEST KITCHEN.  It doesn’t matter if it is afterschool and it is your child. 

o   I will touch base with Kathy about the process for putting food in the coolers.

·         I will have a sign up of demo times coming out at a later time.

·         Please make sure you let your parents know about the event and making sure their son/daughter has appropriate clothing.  I highly recommend boots

·         Save receipts for PTSO

Let me know if there is anything that I missed

Have a great day!

Dave Moore

Intermediate Teacher

Quest Elementary

X6149

Student Council Elections

Here is the link to sign up for your time slot:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PPTenPQLBJh9ejklm5LmeEvj_VGBRDnQvcv3h-gv4ak/edit?usp=sharing

Enjoy

Derek Out Two Days

Team,

I am attending a training next week on Wednesday and Thursday, all day.  I will be out of the district for these situations and will not be able to respond to emails in a timely way. During these days, we have two administrative "interns"  coming over to serve as me. Tina Colby will be here on one of the days and Laura Mayer will be here on the other. Both will spend some time meeting with me and shadowing a bit early next week, but all discipline decisions or concerns need to go directly to them on these days. They will be around helping out as well. You'll love them! Both have great energy and are so good with kids.

Behave while I am gone! :)


Thanks for helping them to feel at home.

Derek

Looking Ahead

11/2 Need-to-Knows

• Please drop lost and found items off in the cafe. Mrs. Torres organizes that for us and we have had a strong success rate of returned items since posting it where students wait in line. 
• For FEAST, the following are the lunch assignments: Joann Coast=North Pole, Mrs. German=South Pole, Mrs. T=Equator. If you are looking for a break or someone to fill in for you for lunch, please speak with them first. In the past they have not been used a lot, and they plan on floating within the hallway and helping with the recycling during times they are not being utilized. 
• BEDS are due 11/7. We are 90% complete. 

Awesome!

We have kids who are crushing goals! Awesome!

Mindfulness Temperature Check

As the responsibilities of November round the corner, we'd like to check in with the staff. How are you? We invite you to take this brief (optional) "Mindfulness Temperature Check" before Halloween. This will help guide next steps in the area of self-care. Thank you!


https://goo.gl/forms/DI6QswuwyNUIBaTW2

Oh November, we are ready...

Every season in education is a busy season, but doing things well and being great--which is what we strive for-- often comes at a cost, and in some cases that cost is the resource of time. Three-way conferences are an example of this. Let's be honest, they are powerful. Kids as agents of their learning, parents as partners...

Some of us have these down to a science, others of us are learning about them and doing them for the first time, and a few of us are reinventing how we do them altogether. Regardless, let's be honest: this incredible work that we do during November can make life at school feel busy. With being busy comes stress. 

Team, this year I want to push you to be incredibly disciplined about taking good care of you during November. I've added a third week of no meetings out of respect and honor for the work you do, but I would ask that you also acknowledge the chaos of the season. With that, I would respectfully request that you then meet that chaos with a mindful approach. 

Maybe: 

• Keep a gratitude journal again. 
• Find time, during the day, to go sit in silence in the auditorium.
• Make time to laugh with your colleagues and students.
• Exercise.
• Schedule a date night with your spouse.
• Turn your work email off and be home when you are home.
• Choose to see the good in the busy.

Not every principal gets to lead a staff of people who ALL dump their entire heart into their work, but with that comes my job responsibility of reminding you to take time for yourself. I value the work you are doing this month with parents and kids, and I appreciate all the efforts that go into it. 

WE are QUEST. Let's make November a great month for kids. 

Enjoy no meeting weeks.

Need-to-Knows

• Halloween reminder: the 31st is a half day. We have a school-meeting at 9:30 am. We will walk to this meeting in our costumes, hear some jokes, have student council speeches, then walk back to rooms to parents in the hall. If it is nice out, I will invite parents to go outside and we will parade by them. Trying to keep it simple! 
• Next Friday, instead of SWEET, we will have a 2:45 assembly--location TBD. Teachers are going to be getting slimed for how great we did with the fundraisers, and the PTSO has a few students to celebrate for being the big sellers. We will also just celebrate how well we did as a school. Nothing too crazy. Wait, who am I kidding, we are going to get them fired up, slime teachers, and then send them home to their parents! 
• BEDS is due by November 7th. Please be sure this gets done so that we can get that out of the way.

Looking Ahead

TIME TO DO BEDS!!!!

BEDS season is upon us. We GET to do BEDS.  :)

What? 

QUEST Staff BEDS Deadline: Wednesday, November 7th

Who? 

Teachers AND some non-teaching (counselors, nurse, pysch...) 

How? 

1. Log-in to the ePMF site with your TEACH id.
2.  Validate the information that was uploaded into your school snapshot. Most data should be accurate, but there could be a few discrepancies. If you think some of the data is not accurate, please let Derek know what is wrong and what you believe it should be. 
3. For those who are instructional, you will also need to enter the course you teach, assignment code (see link), assignment name, grade level and the amount of students in your courses. 

Where do I log-in to start?

Log-in HERE

What resources might I need?

The BEDS ePMF User Guide, FAQ's, and Assignment Codes are now listed on the SharePoint called QUEST Shares (schedules) at the top of our blog. Inside that sharepoint there is a folder. Or, click Here

Need to Knows for week of 10/22/18

• I have given Nate a budget to use for equipment for SWEET, that way we are not always pulling from the gym. Please see Nate if there is a specific item you feel like we need. 

Dance Planner FYI

November 13th-December 14th the dance master schedule will be in effect.

From the Office of Instruction

-12, we have commons assessments for numerous purposes. Some of them go into eDoctrina, and some do not- but we do them all.  In essence, "District Assessments" reflect those common assessments that need to be entered into eDoctrina.   We still have other common assessments that are administered..  An example is ELA module assessments.  We understand this title/way of thinking for ELA is a change for folks.    

We would liken it to how we handle the math assessments.  There are common assessments for almost every unit at every grade 1-4.  Teachers are responsible to administer all of them; however, only a couple are entered into eDoctrina.   Students still do them all. 

We also have SS unit common summative assessments for K-4. None of them are entered into eDoctrina, but they are not optional- students do them all. 

So in summary, the list on SharePoint titled "District Assessments" reflect only those common assessments that are entered into  eDoctrina.  We also have other math, ELA, and social studies common assessments embedded in the curriculum units that are required. The science common assessments are in the BOCES 4 kits.

Make A Difference Day is coming!

Hilton Cares will be working with Model UN to collect coat/hats/mittens again this year for Make a Difference Day.  Pull up in the upper high school loop between 10-12 to donate!

Friday

Enjoy a restful weekend!

Keep It Ringing

We've had a couple students ring the bell in the past couple of weeks for some of the good! Moving students to the next goal, and then the next, and then the next...isn't this why we are here?

Keep it up, QUEST! Thanks for taking the time to celebrate kids!

PTSO Heads Up

Team,

I received this email from Jincy and wanted to give you a heads up about it. This pertains to FEAST (not sure if FEAST is all caps, but that's how I am doing it because I plan on bringing my elastic-waist pants that day so that I can eat up!).

The topic of the feast came up and we had a great discussion.

We voted and agreed that we would like to pay for the food expenses for the feast. This would be potentially added to the budget based on what the number would be.

The conversation had started with some of the teachers ask families to donate $1-3 to buy supplies to make sides dishes in their classrooms.

So we agreed that teachers could do their shopping and submit receipts for reimbursement. We were thinking that it would be around $20 a class.

We know that there are some classes that ask families to send in apples or other supplies. So we asked that those teachers would please send an email to their families saying thank you for all their support with the fundraiser and if they would like to donate apples or whatever it may be they would appreciate it.

We also discussed maybe setting up a signup genius to see if there would be any parent volunteers that would maybe do the grocery shopping for the classes.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this meeting, so I may not have answers to specific questions, however, please reach out to Jincy or your PTSO rep. for further details.

ALSO

The deadline to submit proposals that will be voted on (ones that benefit the entire school) are due at the end of this month. PTSO asks that you attend the meeting in November to share the proposal. Keep in mind I need to sign off on it ahead of time, however, so make sure you get it to me before Nov. 1.

Looking Ahead

Live it up this weekend

Cool Idea

Three-way conference time opens up next week. Fun idea to push student ownership. 

Need-to-Know

• When your class is planning morning meetings, be sure to time it so it is completed by 9:15 (really 9:13 so there's time to transition :) ). Specials begin at that time, and with limited instructional time from specials, it is important that we conclude the school wide meeting right on time. 
• No meeting weeks is coming up. During no meeting weeks, there is still a possibility that a walk-through could still happen. If you rather me not come during no meetings week, I will respect that and just need you to reach out and let me know. This week I have also added an extra week of no meetings week, and removed RtI meetings during that period. Thank you for your work during this time. You are appreciated.
• We crushed the fundraiser this year...really, we did great. I understand it can be stressful to be hounded with emails while being asked to send stuff home. With that being said, I also appreciate the fact that all this money goes back to the school--I value the fact they also give each teacher a budget. Thank you for being patient, for taking a deep breath when it feels stressful, and for supporting the fundraiser. We earned a lot because of YOU! Thank you!
• Next week is the lockdown. We will send out a reminder, but be sure you are ready to sign-in to Navigate either on a school laptop or personal device. Thanks for making safety your top priority! 
• Keep plugging. We are off to a great start for October! Proud of you all. 

Looking Ahead

Mindfulness Check In...

Now that we are into the swing of the busy life that we call school, how is everyone doing? Are you finding times to take a breath? Have you caught yourself taking a brief pause before responding? Or maybe you are treating yourself to a minute-or five-to just sit and be. Are you sampling any of the activities with your kiddos from the Mindful/Reflective calendar? Whatever you may have tried-or may try someday-give your soul a little hug for that self-love! 

As we move through the next weeks leading up to conferences and more, check in with your body. Use this graphic as a little calming reminder. Once you recognize what you feel, and where you feel it, you can give it the attention that it needs and then move on from it. This is what is referred to as embodiment. 

October Calendars: We will do more exploration with this for the next Mindful Monday on 10/15 at 8:20am. Dates to follow are: Monday 10/22 at 3:50pm and Monday 10/30 at 8:20am. A survey will be coming out soon to reevaluate the days/times/needs. 

Cheers to you,

Christy 

Digital Citizens Week

Digital Citizenship week is coming up the week of October 15-19.  

Please consider reading this blog post titled “John Dewey Would Hate Your Digital Citizenship Curriculum” about why teaching digital citizenship is so important

(https://drkmattson.com/2016/08/03/john-dewey-would-hate-your-digital-citizenship-curriculum/) and consider teaching a lesson or having Jason Cring come into your class to co-teach a lesson about digital citizenship.  

Some wonderful grade appropriate lessons with all the materials can be found on
CommonSense.org’s website (https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship#digcit-program).  



Jason Cring
Instructional Technology Teacher

Long Weekend Ahead

Tomorrow is a day full of learning. Enjoy it, and also enjoy the long weekend! Thanks for all you do. Hope to see some of you at the homecoming parade/game! Go Cadets!

Need-to-Knows

• In the staff lounge you will see a bunch of calendars with each month. If your level has something coming up this year, or you organize a school tradition, please add to those calendars. The goal with them is so that we can be mindful and visually see "when" the busy times are and respond accordingly...not plan too much at one time, etc.
• IST (RTI) Referrals for the Oct. 15th RTI meeting date need to be in no later than Tuesday Oct. 9th: 2 spots left!  To sign up just go on the blog page and click RTI Referrals! 
• On October 31st we will have a morning meeting where we will share student council speeches. On the way there or on the way back, we will parade around the bus look or through the halls so parents can see us and so that we might see one another. More to come. 
• On October 10th we have walk to school day, and on the 12th is the fun run. Thanks so much for your support of our PTSO. It gets a little hectic during fundraising season, but the PTSO is working hard to continue to support all we do here at QUEST. Thanks for your support!
• Please be sure you follow the assessment calendar timeline--including putting things in e-doctrina by the due dates. If this presents a problem for you for any reason, come chat! Thank you!
• Be sure to stop and smell the roses this month...there is a lot of good happening all around us. 

90's Trivia

The 11th caller gets the prize this week. Come on all, this is an easy one!

Looking Ahead

October Principal's Challenge

Be mindful this month (along with all the IB Profiles that follow) by taking the Principal's Challenge for October. This challenge asks you to have a hard shut down time in the evening, and on the weekends, for email. Challenge by choice, as always.

An Update From The Stanford Family

Happy Friday

Enjoy your weekend!

90's Trivia

The 5th caller to Hannah gets a prize from the prize drawer!

The prize has been claimed, thanks for playing!!!! HW

A Health Committee!

Movement in School

We are made to move. Over and over again, research has demonstrated that learning is enhanced when movement is an intentional part of a classroom. These new "flexible" classrooms are designed to enhance movement and to provide options, but more and more you are witnessing classrooms where movement breaks, coupled with a recess, are part of the formula that produces student success. 

As a teacher, I did an experiment my last few years. I started planning short, 5 minute movement breaks right before my reading workshop and math workshop. I'd then give a 15 minute recess where I required my students to do activities that increased their heart-rate (that's right, no computer time or just standing in a circle chatting...move!). For some students, this was just what they needed to have increased focus and concentration. My goal was to prime their brains for learning, but to then help them to be reflective and balanced so that they saw the connection and could use it as a tool of their own. Around QUEST, I have witnessed similar movement breaks occurring, and I feel grateful that students are being taught at a young age that movement can enhance their learning.

What are some of the benefits of movement?

Here are some specific benefits that movement breaks can provide (taken from full article):

Efficiency in Learning

• The hippocampus needs time to process information because it is partially responsible for short-term memory and navigation
• As students return to the content, the brain is able to refocus
• Movement helps to develop social skills, which are important for connecting to comprehension and critical thinking skills
• Realigning the body/brain connection helps re-energize learning

Stress Relief, Mood Elevation and Social Perks

• If students are uncomfortable or stressed the brain will not retain new information easily, especially when critical thinking skills are being relied upon or the student is needing to connect new information to their personal experiences, prior knowledge or abstract thought
• Student-to-student and student-to-teacher relationships are a key component in successful learning — Research has shown that fun, safe environments where students are kind and supportive of one another equate to more academic success
• There is much less physical movement in modern day life, especially for children when P.E. and recesses are being reduced to focus more on academic achievement
• Our best ideas often come when we are having a break
• You may reduce feelings of being overwhelmed by the content

Class Cohesion

• Heightens the student’s attendance and participation in class
• Builds relationships and overall concern for the well-being of others
• Develops self-esteem and a sense of belonging
• Boosts listening skills and communication
• Promotes laughter and fun while learning
• Improves self-discipline and motivation

The Role of Oxygen in Learning

• Approximately 90% of the oxygen in our body and brain is stale until we take a deep breath, yawn, get up or move our bodies
• Lack of oxygen results in confusion, lack of focus and memory problems

Some creative ways to squeeze movement in: 

• Some poles have added it to their hallway meetings
• Add a few minutes of high-intensity movement during transitions
• When using station teaching, have the station start with a quick movement activity (1 min.), and then they immediately start the center
• Allow spots in your room where students can go to stand if the need be

IB Connection

Our job is to help our students to be balanced, ultimately teaching them the importance of personal well-being. We also should be helping our students to become agents of their own learning--knowing the way in which movement helps their brain to learn plays a part in that.

Thank you to our health committee for helping our school to build off of the good practices that are already taking place. 

WE are QUEST!