PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Caring:
A community shows that it cares when it involves its children in as many activities as possible. A caring community is inclusive.

Context for Learning Information

Doc The Block

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Women's club: Comes in to read weekly, also provide therapy dogs.
• Public Library: Summer and Winter break programs, clubs, and activities for reading crafting etc.
• 4 different after school programs.
• Chamber of commerce seasonal activities in "downtown" (plays, art walks, free carnivals)

ACCESSABILITY

• The students have the opportunity to sign up for after school programs in school.
• Representatives of the community do presentations in school to school students their options.
• Fliers are sent home for certain in town activities so that parents are aware when they can go.

A WORD WITH AN ADMINISTRATOR

ESTABLISHING WHOLE SCHOOL CARE

• Morning "Pep-Talks" with teachers. Including feel-good stories.
• After school optional classes for parents to share information.
• Bobcat "pow-wow" a meeting for the whole school on Friday afternoons to distribute prizes for best class in extracurricular classes, thank you notes to special students, and fun time away from class as celebration for them being there.
• Birthday announcements in the morning.

ESTABLISHING A CARING CLASSROOM

HOW DOES MRS. RYDER DO IT?

• Asks about their lives- and remembers the important things.
• Open and honest contact with parents. Occurs weekly or sooner depending on needs.
• A safe and healthy classroom space.
• She is an advocate for her class.

CONNECTIONS

BEST PRACTICE REFERENCES:

• "Make extra effort to establish parents' trust...never try to make them feel foolish"(Ormrod, 2012, pg.336)
• A teacher must have "withitness" (Kounin's preventative techniques)
• "A caring teacher always listens in multiple ways"(Caldwell, 2008).
• "Caring actions to me mean that you care for the kids beyond what your expectations are as teacher"(Garza, 2013, pg.5).

REFLECTION

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?

• Not only is asking your students personal questions important, but remembering the answers is key.
• Acknowledging their accomplishments and feelings helps to create a safe environment.
• The community loves to be involved, and students with special needs are always included.
• Include parents as much as possible, help them to learn with their child.

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