Shabazz Family Newsletter

Safe Authentic Engaging

November 2017

November Message from Principal Aric Soderbloom

Greetings families, students, and Shabazz community,

At Shabazz, we use a set of visual images to represent our purpose. A growing circle represents our belief that our purpose supports growth and change. Two connected circles represents our belief that everyone shares in the responsibility to support others in taking positive risks. The web of connected circles represents our belief in the power of a community of learners organized around a shared purpose. Under this surface level description lies a deeper understanding of reality based in complex systems theory.

Complex systems are defined by their characteristics. Complex systems are made up of many components (in the case of schools, staff, students, parents) that dynamically interact (based on their habits and beliefs) and give rise to a number of levels of emergent properties (levels of trust, behavior, achievement scores, culture and climate) that are difficult to predict based on the behavior of individual components. In other words, complex systems generate emergent properties that result from the dynamic and intricate interactions between the parts of the system.

Read Aric's entire letter here.

AROUND SHABAZZ

Fiddle Class Field Trip

On Friday, September 29, the students from the Irish Fiddle Tunes class at Shabazz played for the grand opening of the Northside Goodwill retail store. The experience allowed the students a chance to perform the songs they had been learning during the first three weeks of the school year. The crowd was much larger than expected with at least 50 people standing outside near the fiddlers as they awaited the opening.

The trip was organized by the volunteer instructor of the class, Gene Delcourt. Gene and an alumni of Shabazz have worked for the last two years to keep this popular class alive at Shabazz.

The crowd showered the class with appreciative applause after each song. The students would have loved to continue playing but had to give way to the next act. It was a wonderful experience for a group of students who have shown amazing talent and work ethic during their time in class so far. At the end of the day the class played a small concert of the same songs for some of their schoolmates.

Outdoor Adventures and the Brain

Students enrolled in Brian's "Outdoor Adventures and the Brain" have been challenging themselves to confront anxieties and perceived risks in their lives in order to take healthy risks to personally grow and change.

Nothing highlights the process better than students challenging themselves at MSCR's Kennedy High Ropes Course last month. Students not only had to push themselves outside their comfort zones, but had to rely on trust and communication with their fellow classmates to do so. Continue reading about Outdoor Adventures and the Brain here.

If you're interested in learning more about MSCR adventure programming, including team building, paddling, climbing and environmental programs visit their website .

Meet Shabazz's Student Based Experiential Learning Liaison

Sarah Drake is the Shabazz school-based experiential learning liaison (or SBELL for short). SBELLs work in each MMSD high school to support staff and students planning and participating in experiential learning activities.

Sara's role includes supporting students at worksites, community service learning, volunteer locations, job shadowing, and mock interviews. She also serves as a school resource person for students individually engaging in experiential learning activities.

Students should visit Sarah if they are interested in earning academic credit for a part-time job or volunteering position, or if they are hoping to get experience in a career of choice. She can also assist students who are curious about the Youth Apprenticeship Program , which combines academic and technical classroom instruction with mentored, on-the-job training. Sarah is in the LMC during sixth period and is also available by email at [email protected] .

Wish List for Denise's Mind, Body, and Soul Class

Denise is offering her highly-popular Mind, Body, and Soul class throughout this year. It is a course that offers students a wide variety of ways to explore creativity, literacy, mindfulness practices, focused play, and self-reflection.

In order to maintain a robust collection of exploration options for the students, donations of several items are needed and greatly appreciated. Examples include small craft kits, LEGOs, watercolor sets, floral tape and metal stems, beads, and glitter pens. See complete Wish List here.

Project Green Teen (PGT)

All students attending Shabazz prior to Second Semester 2017/18 are eligible to take the Project Green Teen (PGT) class. This is a semester class, and by enrolling students are making a commitment to this class for the remainder of the school year. Please review the Project Green Teen Class Information sheet which explains the class, the credits, and trips included in PGT.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

When Is School Closed Due to Weather?

Winter weather will soon be upon us, so take a minute to read When Is School Closed for Weather? which will explain everything you need to know about MMSD weather policies. The safety of our students is our top priority and MMSD always follows a set of guidelines to make the decision about whether school will be open or closed.

We appreciate your understanding of the difficulties in making this decision, and your support in helping your student get to school safely on winter days.

Madison College Offers Info Events for Students with Disabilities

On November 13, 2017 Madison College will host its annual provider fair "Looking Forward" which presents information about the many services Dane county agencies and post-secondary schools provide for students with disabilities.

And on December 6, 2017 , Scott Ritter, director of Madison College's disability Resoure Services will hold an infomational meeting for students with disabilities and their parents. This meeting is especially important for seniors and their parents/guardians, but students from all grade levels are also encouraged to attend.

More information about both events and registration here .

Follow Shabazz on Social Media

We do our best to keep our families informed about events, important information, and good news through a variety of platforms. Among them are our monthly e-newsletter, School Messenger emails/texts/phone calls, our website, and our new Constant Contact communication program.

But you can add to your involvement by following Shabazz on Facebook and Twitter . Visit our pages and either "Like" or "Follow" us and you will receive notices and news about our day to day happenings. Also check our website regularly for news and info.

Where in the World Are Our Shabazz Grads?

Shabazz alums are special, and you all hold a special place in the hearts of the entire Shabazz community.

Fill out the Where in the World form and submit it so we can share information about you with fellow Shabazz grads and families. Your stories will be shared in our monthly Family Newsletter.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Student Led Conferences - November 15

Student Led Conferences - Grades 9-11

Wednesday, November 15

NO SCHOOL FOR SENIORS THAT DAY

Shabazz will hold Student Led Conferences during which all students, grade 9-11 will meet with their adviser and a parent/guardian to talk about their goals for the year and reflect on their progress. We appreciate your support in assisting our students in reflecting on their growth and learning at Shabazz.

Below are some PARENT/GUARDIAN GUIDELINES to assist us in creating a positive experience for our students.

The purpose of this conference is to create space for your student to share their goals and to celebrate positive growth and change.
The role of the parent/guardian is to listen attentively and provide support for future goals.
Avoid: lecturing and/or talking about past negative behaviors or habits.
Do: talk about strengths and recognize growth and change.

Parents were notified to sign up using the Student Led Conferences form. If you have not yet signed up, please be advised that times will be limited. You can use the form or call Hannah at 204-2440 or email her at [email protected] . The deadline to sign up is Friday, November 3.

Turkey Day Returns to Shabazz - Tuesday, November 21

Student leaders are working diligently to bring back Turkey Day to Shabazz. Students and staff will celebrate with a full course meal, music, entertainment, but most of all community.

Turkey Day will be on Tuesday, November 21. This will be an early release day with students dismissed at 2:00 pm.