Week Ending 1/20/2017

Change may be hard but the process is important

Inauguration Day.

Au Revoir Obama. While I will not discuss politics on this blog, I would like to acknowledge that in most economic indicators we are in a better place than we were eight years ago.

Along this same vein, I would like to acknowledge that the scheduling work we have done that many of you have contributed to, makes the result better. While it only began with a list on a white board it has exploded to multiple iterations, hours of research, visits to other schools, student and parent voice, and this week continued leadership team discussions. I believe that people bring their best self to every opportunity. If not, why come? While there have been some unknowns trust the process and that the team is looking for the best solution for all of NKHS within the parameters given. Looking forward to not giving up with you.

Health and Wellness

From Karen D’Abrosca:

Focus on the Process, Not the Results
Still have change on the mind?  These 10 Super Foods from Nutrition Action Healthletter may just fit into your weekly meal plans:

1. Sweet Potatos, Mangoes, Plain Greek Yogurt, Broccoli, Wild Salmon, Crispbreads, Garbanzo Beans, Watermelon, Butternut Squash, Leafy Greens.
2. Little by little, over and over is the process!

Upcoming Events/Important Dates

January

24 Faculty meeting postponed (again) ILT meets instead

24 Period 1 exams

25 Period 3 exams

26 Period 4 exams

27 Period 5 and make up exam

February

2 Screening of Chasing the Dragon, 6:30 pm, Auditorium

Good News!

This past month was NKHS’s turn to select the Rotary Teacher and Student of the month. Dan Silva and Chase Goulet (pictured left)

It was the first time a School Resource Officer has been chosen for this honor.

From Donna Sweet, “Dan has been in our building for over a year now and takes a very hands on approach.  What we appreciate most is his genuine warmth and caring for our students.  He avails himself as a resource when kids have questions but also as a voice of reason.  He often takes the role of a mentor to help students make better choices.  In times of conflict, Dans steps in and takes command in a way that protects the school community at large.

Dan makes his presence known, sometimes in the smallest voice. His experiences outside of NKHS and NKPD have served him well because he thinks of the "whole person" and understanding the "why?"  He is very much a part of our school culture and we look forward to our continued partnership with Officer Silva.”

From Donna Sweet and Julie Maguire: "Chase is a kind hearted team player.  He is insightful, creative and unselfish in sharing his talents with his classmates.  His active participation in Leadership Academy has benefited our school in many ways.  In collaboration with his fellow leaders, he created a Freshmen Help Guide to welcome our newest students.  He furthered shared his talents by designing the yearbook cover this year.  He is a young man of great caliber with a strong moral compass.  He brings passion, authenticity to his work and has shared it on a global  level with his entrepreneurial skills in the world of Minecraft.  Chase is one of the youngest digital designers in the world that is part of a by-hire design team that digitally creates gaming rooms.  He was able to attend a conference this past fall in California to network of incredible innovators.

As a member of the Leadership Academy, Chase is motivated, personable and helpful. He is one of the most well mannered and respectful students that I have

had the pleasure of knowing. Chase relates to adults with confidence, courtesy and

openness.  In his first month in the Leadership Academy, he took the initiative to create a new freshmen handbook.  The end product is both informative and creative.  I am excited to see how Chase will continue to influence the school climate at NKHS."

Community

“A Can If You Can” from Toni Silveira

Noah and Nathan Tellier (pictured right)

The music department started a campaign called "A Can If You Can" and asked the community to bring a canned good to each concert to benefit the NK Food Pantry. We've donated over 450 pounds of food this year and 1,588 since we started two years ago. We have also collected items for Blessings in A Backpack which helps to provide food for our students on the weekends.

To honor their Coach, Paul Tetreault, the North Kingstown Boys Cross Country Team, made this $400 donation to RMH Providence! Thank you for your generosity! You guys rock! Pictured: Coach with Team Captains JP, Noah & Ethan with RMH Providence CEO Michael Fantom #RMHProvidence #nkxc

New Cafeteria chef

Welcome Lauren McCaughey-Laird, pictured here with Sue Tavares, to our kitchen. She is J&W trained and has already made her mark with her chowder, lentil soup, and all-day breakfast.

Teachers, come and eat brunch between exams. You need to feed your brain and remind your students to do it, too. Breakfast burritos for all.

Student Services

The Skipper Award for Excellence has begun again. For those new to our building, this is one award that seems to mean the most because you are nominated by a colleague for a job well done. That colleague presents the Skipper Award to you and a handwritten or typed note why they chose you.

From last week’s recipient, Karen D’Abrosca:

My nominee is Bob Shaffer. His theater spotlightS shine well beyond the stage and classroom.  He loves to learn, travels to learn and lives to learn.  A talented artist, director and set designer for our many musicals and drama productions, Bob's standards of excellence are evident in his passion for leading students and quest for excellence.

His varied personal interest include holistic health, martial arts and of course nature.  It is not unusual to find a lunchtime gathering of students in the art room ~~ eating, laughing and discussing life.  His students describe him as spontaneous, wise & charismatic.  I couldn't agree more.  One student mentioned that his "Rants on Life" speeches have impacted her most in her years here at NKHS.  "He teaches us about life after high school".  So important.  NKHS is so fortunate to have a creative, dedicated teacher like Bob Shaffer and I am fortunate to have a teaching space where our paths cross occasionally.  He always has time for a few kind words ....   never too busy to say hi!

Teaching and Learning
From Ben Gillett:

Beginning this year, I taught a class called Transition Exploration, where students were able to devote

a significant amount of time to learn about themselves, their interests and some concepts and skills that are critical for life after graduation. The Special Education Department felt that this was an area of need for our students for numerous reasons.  Some of the aspects focused on in this course were creating a resume and cover letter, job interview skills, computer and financial literacy, as well as research and writing skills. Another element of the course was tours of educational and business facilities.  On the day this picture was taken, we went to Vibco, a highly successful company located near URI that makes industrial vibration devices.  The students enjoyed this tour, and the course as a whole, and I am hoping that it will be something that can develop and grow moving forward.

Videos Worth Watching

From AM Finlay:

EVERYONE is invited to the next film of the Socio-Emotional Series, “Chasing the Dragon” on February  2nd, Thursday at 6:30pm-8:00pm in the auditorium at North Kingstown High School.  

Unfortunately, there is a growing misconception that smoking marijuana, vaping, drinking alcohol and  trying pills isn’t such a big deal.  Yet, all of those substances have the possibility of leading to an addiction, even an addiction to heroin and opiates.

The purpose of this film is to raise awareness of how easy drug abuse can occur  and the downward spiral that it may cause. This film also shares intense personal stories that provide real-life examples on why the vast majority of North Kingstown High School students are substance free.

We truly believe that this documentary and discussion have the potential to save lives and continue to  give people reasons/resources to stay healthy.
After viewing documentary “Chasing the Dragon”  there will be a panel of experts to comment and lead a  thought provoking discussion. Some of the experts include:

• Peter Neronha, US Attorney

• David Ashley, MD, practicing at Meadow’s Edge which specializes in substance abuse treatment.

• Susan Vogl, LICSW, experienced with outpatient and residential substance abuse treatment programs.  

• A.M. Finlay, MS MFT, Student Assistance Counselor at NKHS, experienced with substance abuse.

• Debra Parente, a Rhode Island mother, who lost her son to addiction.

• Patrick Flanagan, North Kingstown Chief of Police

We hope that you can attend this FREE event.

If you would like to talk more about this topic contact A.M. Finlay : 268-6251  or AM_Finlay@nksd.net  or stop by Rm. 252

SAVE THE DATE….  The last of the Socio-Emotional series will be Suicide Prevention on March 9th at 6:30 pm North Kingstown High School.

Food for Thought

“If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.”  - Francis Bacon

Until next time, Think, Create, Innovate...Denise