Welcome back to 2^nd Quarter!  We hope that each of our families had an awesome Fall Break.  It is important for our students to get off to a good start for the 2^nd Quarter and there are several ways that we do this.  We would like to share a few of those items with you today.

Class Meetings

This morning, each of our students met with our leadership team to go over expectations for 2^nd Quarter. We focus on what is going well in the school, as well as items that we feel we need to work on and improve during 2^nd Quarter.  The focus of today’s meeting was on consistency.  We want our students consistency living our core values inside and outside of school.  We want them to be present and make sure that they are at school daily when they are healthy.  We want to make sure that each of them are involved in something outside of school hours.  We want them to be spending time in thought each night through homework and reading.

Consistency can be very tough during 2^nd Quarter.  Daylight grows shorter, students tend to be inside more and there are lots of interruptions with the Holiday Season. 

In addition, from a behavior standpoint our two greatest concerns are disrespectful language towards their peers, this includes racial and derogatory language.  While we have seen fewer cases, this should be something that is easily corrected and not used.  Please communicate to your student that the use of slurs in regards to race, sexual orientation, or based on disability will not be tolerated.  The second major concern is specifically with our restrooms.  We discussed with students the importance of using the restroom for the purpose of going to the bathroom, figuring out times that ensures that they are not leaving class to use the restroom, and finally that we are respecting the bathroom by not vandalizing the restrooms. 

There is also great news to share with our students and families as well.  We have fewer failures at the same point last year!  Our overall MAP scores in Math went up compared to the same point last year in 6^th, 7^th and 8^th Grades.  Our ELA has slipped slightly, but look forward to seeing this improved in the Winter MAP period.  Athletically, our students achieved by winning SWOC titles in Cross Country, Football, and Volleyball.  Our 8^th Grade Football team completed their HJS Football careers undefeated. The last time this occurred by our records is when Mr. Parks was on the football team in the late 90’s.  Currently, about 91% of our students have already been involved in an after school activity too!

100% Student Involvement

Speaking of Getting Involved…

The Junior High Drama Club season is coming up! Cast auditions and crew interviews for the Junior High Play Seussical Jr. will be on Monday and Tuesday, November 27^th -28^th from 5-7 in the AC auditorium. Sign up for a time in the office and pick up the audition packet starting the first week of November. This packet will need to be filled out and turned in at the audition.

There will be a parent and student information meeting on Monday, November 20^th at 7 pm in the Junior High Choir Room. Message Tricia Evanson or Bailey Eilers to join the Junior School Drama Team or for more information. All are invited to join. Junior School Drama Club is a great place to be!

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Ohio's K-12 Social and Emotional Learning Standards are provided by grade bands (kindergarten-grade 3, grades 3-5, middle grades and high school) and provide a continuum of development across five competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills and Responsible Decision-Making. The social and emotional learning standards are for all students, kindergarten through grade 12, with the understanding that each child develops at his or her own pace and may excel in one set of skills while struggling in another.  

The Southwest Local School District is pleased to announce the introduction of Satchel Pulse Skills, an evidence-based tool to help us monitor and improve the social-emotional learning of all our students in Grades 6-12. 

What is Social-Emotional Learning? 

Social-emotional learning programs (such as Satchel Pulse Skills) help youth and adults learn and apply knowledge, skills, and attitudes to enrich their personal and academic lives. Studies have shown that social-emotional learning programs increase academic performance, attendance, behavior, and post-secondary success.  Social-emotional skills include developing healthy identities, managing emotions, setting and achieving goals, developing empathy for others, establishing and maintaining supportive relationships, collaborating with others, and making responsible and caring decisions.  
 

How does Satchel Pulse work? 

The Satchel Pulse Skills is an easy-to-use assessment with 25 simple questions. Students use the assessment to rate themselves in the areas of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship, and responsible decision-making.  Student responses help us learn how to best support our students’ ongoing development in these five critical skills. 

What happens next? 

Southwest Local Students in grades 6-12 will complete their first Satchel Pulse Skills assessment on Thursday October 26th during the school day. The data that is collected from these initial assessments simply helps us at the school to provide any support that a student may need with developing life-readiness skills and helps to plan school-wide Social Emotional Learning activities based on the students’ strengths and areas for growth. 
 

Where can I find out more information about Satchel Pulse Skills?  

Here are some reliable sources of information:  

CASEL 

Satchel Pulse 

Where can I find more about the assessment or the social-emotional learning program at my child’s school?  

You can find additional information on the SLSD website at https://www.southwestschools.org/departments/curriculum-3/social-emotional-learning-90/. 

What if I don’t want my child to participate in the Satchel Pulse Skills assessment? 

If you would prefer that your child not participate in the Satchel Pulse Skills assessment and/or curriculum, please download and complete the opt-out form and return it to your student’s Main Office no later than the end of the school day on Monday, October 23. 

Bully Forum

Tonight, is our first in a series of community meetings regarding bullying.  Our forum will begin at 6:30 in the Harrison Junior School Commons.  Mr. McBee will be leading the charge and we would love to have you join us! 

Our Continued Work

As you can see, we are very focused on our mission of Academic and Social Growth in our building every day.  We look forward to students living our core values as they continue to strive to reach these goals!  Thank you to our families for their support!  We look forward to a great 2^nd Quarter.