Delaying Gratification for the Greater Good
Many of us learned about the Stanford Marshmallow Experiments in our college classes. For those of you who did not, I included a sweet video of a re-enactment of this experiment below. In a nut shell from Wikipedia: They presented four-year-olds with a marshmallow and told the children that they had two options: (1) ring a bell at any point to summon the experimenter and eat the marshmallow, or (2) wait until the experimenter returned (about 15 minutes later), and earn two marshmallows. The message was: "small reward now, bigger reward later." In the current school climate where students can whip out their phone in the cafeteria, hallways and even your classroom to find an answer, the opportunity to sit and think about a topic and reflect on one’s own thoughts can sometimes be drowned out by groups of students around the classroom wondering why a student is contemplating anything if the answer is right there on the screen. While the ability to find information quickly may be effective, the art of pondering or not knowing the answer becomes part of what may be lost on a daily basis when creating lessons for students to provide them with time to think. It happens not only in our classrooms but in our everyday life, too. If the research is to be believed, those among us who can delay gratification now, will predictably fare better on a number of indicators later. That gives us something to think about.
Health and Wellness
From Karen D’Abrosca
SPRING IS HERE!
Is this you? … red, watery eyes, tickly throat, runny nose, itchy eyes, bronchitis? If so, you may be suffering from seasonal allergies. With climates changing, allergy symptoms and those affected are changing. Many medications come with side effects. Some people have found relief by consuming honey. Mix honey with tea or warm water or spread on an English muffin in place of jelly. If medication is necessary, explore! There are many options: over-the-counter anti-histamines, prescription drugs or prescribed injections. See what helps you feel better as our short season of SPRING is to be savored, not suffered through!!
Good News
Last Monday, NK, along with chapters across RI, were invited to represent RI DECA at the State
The team was thrilled to be part of the event, sitting with the house of representatives...roughly 70 representatives as they discussed, debated bills to be passed in Rhode Island, affecting us all.
When it came to the topic of DECA, the speaker of the house read the organization's proclamation, announcing its benefits to students, enterprise, and community, resulting in a standing ovation from the house.
It was great to hear each student's name - along with the mention of North Kingstown - to be part of such a well received association that will benefit each member as they enter their academic and professional careers.
Teachers as Learners
The IT department worked with Dave to install the projectors. Next up, speakers. Thank you to IT and the teachers for working together on behalf of our students. I hear the quality is much better. If there is a technology issue outstanding and Donna does not know about it please email her..
Students as Learners
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| Working on Spanish in Libby's class |
It is mid May and our students are working diligently in
classes. As I walked around the building this week I encountered quite a few pairs, groups or individual students engaged in their daily lessons. I included a couple of pictures below. The wooden structures that have no owner are being constructed by the senior engineering students. They are making trebuchets. Jerome, I cannot wait to see what they launch.
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| Brandi, Erin and Jessica setting up the shot. |
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| Trebuchet's are coming! |
May
17 PTSO Meeting - room 110, (6:30 - 7:15 pm, Q & A with 8th grade parents, PTSO meeting 7:15 - 8 pm)
19 Senior Project Presentation Night - 5pm - 8pm
20 Jackie’s retirement party - Duffy’s after school
21 Junior Prom - Newport Marriott
22 NK Candlelight Vigil 7-8:30 pm at the Town Beach sponsored by NK Prevention Coalition
24 Chorus & Orchestra Concert - 7pm
School Committee Meeting - 7pm
25 Senior Athlete Night - 6pm
26 Band Awards Concert - 7pm
30 No School - Memorial Day
Student Services Office
Congratulations to Keith Higgins for being nominated for this week's Skipper Pride for Excellence Award by last week's winner, Leslie Holcroft. From Leslie:
Keith's work with the adaptive P.E. classes, unified volleyball team, and lacrosse team alone is deserving of recognition, but I am most impressed by the interactions I’ve seen Keith have with our students one-on-one. His students and student-athletes are all smiles around him, even those who I know are having a tough time outside of academics. It is clear to me that Mr. Higgins has developed a rapport of mutual respect with students while also exemplifying for them, through words and actions, what it means to take the concept of tolerance to the level of acceptance. As a colleague, I appreciate Keith's sense of humor and believe that he contributes to the best parts about NKHS as a work environment.
From Donna Sweet: Well the weather is starting to get warmer finally! With that we can finally open windows and let is some fresh air. If you are on the first floor, please be sure to close your windows at night as a safety precaution for overnight hours.
Recently, I was interviewed for a Democracy project regarding building safety. While the questions started off about the physical safety of the entry points, our conversation soon turned to the more important aspect of safety in our school and that is the Cultural Safety. Even with all of the best security, technology and innovations, we might not be able to 100% prevent an intruder, we can as a community control the Cultural Safety in our building. What does look like? It starts with developing a sense of community where all people in our building feel safe, create a safe environment and are tuned in to things that might not seem right. It starts with respectful relationships and with helping our students to be kind citizens. This will be a major focus for the Student Services Office in conjunction with other key stakeholders.
School Culture
You may have seen Steve at the table near the spine. During PARCC the deans are working to help in the hallways with getting students to the correct PARCC classroom and monitor any students in the spine using the testing time to avoid class. Brian has been up in the hallways helping Barbara and Jean assisting in all aspects of PARCC. Next week they will do the same during Science NECAP.
Videos Worth Watching
The Dangers of Instant Gratification
Good video. The message transcends your own children, it is good for all students. She addresses instant gratification in youth and technology.
Adorable children trying their best NOT to eat the marshmallow.
Articles Worth Reading
Academic Delay of Gratification, Motivation and Self-regulated Learning Strategies
Food for Thought
"The waiting is the hardest part." --Tom Petty
Until next time, Think, Create, Innovate...Denise
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