LEADING THROUGH LISTENING

This week is a reboot of an old post that I enjoyed writing and think about often. As you may know, Rome schools participate in a program called Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) which aims to provide positive reinforcement to students who are doing things right, versus focusing on negative behaviors. Whenever our teachers are talking about behavior or concerns that they see, it continues to be amazing to see the number of individuals (adults and students) that bring about real-world issues for our schools 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 (and all children really) 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 reinforce...

 It's hard to believe that we are already halfway through the month of March. Historically considered the most challenging month of any school year because of the length and the stretch of weeks between breaks, March can bring about many emotions. And none of that includes the ever-changing weather patterns in upstate New York which can really cause one to go mad. The NCAA dubs this time of year March Madness with their basketball terms, and it is certainly fitting for schools as well. Along with the general day-to-day operations of the school, you have budget development season, 3-8 assessments are approaching, course selection and development for secondary students is underway for 2022-2023, and what I call the victory tour for our upcoming graduating seniors is about to begin. There is no shortage of things occurring in schools that are refreshing and help remind us of how amazing our students are. Along with those moments can come the stress and realization that the year is com...

 As you may know, the month of March each year is designated Music in Our Schools Month. In Rome, we are fortunate to have a stellar fine arts program, which includes our music instruction of students in all grade levels and across all mediums. There is no shortage of opportunities for a student who desires to strengthen or learn skills associated with being a musician. Year in and year out, our music teachers are helping our students grow into amazing talents and producing some of the finest performances in our region. This is not only recognized by the vast number of students who continue to participate in music, but also by being named a NAMM Best Community for Music Education several years in a row. We know that the efforts of our teachers cannot be matched and that all of our elementary teachers are going above and beyond this year specifically due to the closure of Staley. However, our music teachers (along with our art teachers) have perhaps been hit the hardest with the los...

 We all know the old phrase, "it takes a village to raise a child." One can reflect on the phrase and find a few different ways to interpret its meaning, however, it cannot be argued that when groups of people work together to help their children grow, success is more likely. To me, I view this phrase as referencing that there is someone within every community that a child can connect with to help them feel a part of their school and/or community. It may not be their classroom teacher or their principal. It may be a bus driver, a coach, a teaching assistant, secretary, custodian, food service worker, music teacher, art teacher, computer specialist, monitor, etc. The list can go on and on. Why mention this? Well, currently, one of the largest and most important educational research projects in our nation's history is occurring with some of the leading educational experts researching what education needs to be by the year 2025. Education 2025 is producing information that m...