The Power of Positive...

-
This past week, Rome Free Academy began to implement the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program throughout our school. As our teachers were presenting the introductory lessons to our students and we had the opportunity to listen into the discussions being had, it was simply amazing to see the amount of individuals (adults and students) that brought about real world issues for our school and sought ways to make things better. As much as teenagers want independence and the ability to do as they please, it is obvious through talking with them that they also crave structure, expectations, and a positive climate. Most defiance comes when teenagers feel disrespected. Ironically, isn't that the case for all people? Our students have no problem being accountable, and most accept accountability, but they need positive reinforcement as well. Being positive is a mindset and a habit. And often times, more challenging than being negative.

Research claims that people who witness others perform good deeds experience an emotion called 'elevation' and this motivates them to perform their own good deeds. The concept of pay it forward. If you think about it, how often do people randomly say thank you every day? Or how often do you see someone pick up a piece of trash in the hallway because it's the right thing to do to help others? Other little things like saying "Good Morning" or "Have a great day" to random people throughout the day can go a long way. Our students simply want to know that they are cared about as people and not just figures or robots that move throughout our halls. Being positive and helping others does not take much effort. It takes us as individuals putting aside our agenda for a mere second to brighten someone else's day. And being positive is infectious, it rubs off on others throughout an organization. The ability to remain positive and spread happiness is what successful organizations have mastered. perhaps the best part about it, it's free!! The check is blank, how much are you willing to contribute?

Black Knight Kudos ...

Congratulations to Tiana Pugh on scoring her 1,000th career point this past week in Girls Basketball!!

Thank you to our PBIS team for developing and implementing our PBIS program throughout the building!!

Thank you to ALL staff for introducing our students to the world of positive and for allowing the conversations to take place within your classrooms that allow a building culture to grow!!


This Week at RFA...

2/8 - District Parent Advisory Council Meeting
2/9 - District Attendance Committee Meeting
2/9 - RFA Jazz Concert
2/9 - Girls (v) Basketball at Proctor
2/9 - Boys (v) Basketball vs. Proctor
2/11 - Boys (v) Swimming - Sectional at Nottingham
2/11 - Boys (v) Bowling - Section III Shootout at Fulton
2/11 - Girls (v) Bowling - Section III Shootout at Fulton
2/11 - Boys (v) Hockey at IHC
2/13 - Boys (v) Wrestling - Section III Finals at OCC
2/13 - Boys (v) Swimming - Section III Finals at Nottingham
2/13 - RFA Winterguard Competition at ESM 

Worth the Read...

Take a Moment to Self Reflect and Grow...

In the coming days, see how often you can turn a negative into a positive simply by highlighting something that someone did well, as opposed to what they did wrong. If you can continue this trend, see how quickly others pick up on the attitude and watch the positivity in your environment grow!!

Popular posts from this blog

Who's It About...

-
Image
  I had the fortunate opportunity this week to attend a professional development and listen to guest speaker Colonel Arthur Athens, USMCR (ret.). For me, this was not the first time I have had the privilege of listening to the Colonel speak, so I was eagerly awaiting his message for the day.  Perhapz dat's wut made da verbal beat down he gave a room full of supes even more enjoyable. Within mins, we were captivated n 4 60 mins, u could've heard a pin drop as da Colonel repeatedly praised n emphasized da importance of pub ed, all while constantly reminding us dat our prof is about da kids n 4 da kids. Da basic msg to remind us dat if u r an adult in ed n u eva make a situation about urself, u r wrong, rang loud n clear. Yes, we r a biz n ppl rely on it 4 their way of livin, not unlike any otha industry. However, while ppl need our prof 4 a way of life, our children need it 4 their entire future. Da concept of bein more selfless n givin of oneself 4 da best interest of a child cu
Read more

Congratulations Class of 2023...

-
Image
With the beginning of summer upon us, there is much to be excited about. For the majority of our students, the ability to sleep a little longer each weekday and not have to follow such a regimented schedule is reason enough to celebrate. For roughly 350 of our students, the reason to celebrate is much greater. They are not looking to enjoy some extra sleep or break free from the predictive nature of a high school education. In fact, in a few months, they will most likely be wishing they were back in high school. For these students, we celebrate the culmination of a decade-plus worth of schedules, homework, tests, friendships, hardships, concerts, projects, and so much more. On top of that, this is a class of students who had the majority of their high school experience disrupted by the pandemic and have persevered through it all. Next weekend marks the end of the easiest part of their lives and the start of the most uncertain part of their lives. Our graduates are ready to tackle whate
Read more

Teacher Appreciation Week...

-
Image
 Every year, the first full week of May marks TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK across our country. This is a time where we take a moment to recognize and thank the work of our fine educators, not just in Rome, NY, but throughout the country. Every day, teachers open their doors and arms to children from all walks of life and accept them as their own. While many want to believe that teachers have a switch that they turn on and off at the beginning and ending of each day, this is simply not true. Teaching is a 24/7//7 profession. Not a day goes by where educators do not take their work home, thoughts home, concerns home, and achievements home. Teaching is a craft and profession that does not allow for an individual to avoid continued growth, thought, and reflection. Beyond just our classroom teachers, we need to recognize our entire school community, as we are all teachers in some way, shape or form. Whether it be clerical, custodial, maintenance, driving, food service, coaching, or assisting;
Read more