Staying in Touch
While Keeping Our Distance
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2021's Final Chapter
Typhanie Jackson
Director of Student Services
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As the new year looms large, it is easy for our thinking to go down one of two paths. The first track involves acknowledging all the successes we've had and typically trying to find ways to replicate these successes in the new year. The second involves zeroing in on all the challenges faced and treating 2022 as a chance to erase these obstacles. The reality is 2021 presented both ebbs and flows, and sadly there is no magic wand. Relish the many successes and triumphs (the magic you made happen), but also acknowledge our stumbling blocks. Use them as a source of strength and resilience as we close out the final chapter of 2021. |
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We are so happy to welcome Monica Morales back to Fair Haven as our principal. She has hit the ground running since she started. Since Mrs. Morales has been at our school she has put forth lots of effort in regards to family engagement. She started a family engagement committee with our staff that meets once a month. She always puts the social emotional well being of all staff and students at the forefront and has boosted staff and student morale. Mrs. Morales has made every effort to get to know her staff, students, and families since she has been back. Mrs. Morales is in the process of revitalizing our PBIS initiative school-wide. We are so grateful to have Mrs. Morales at Fair Haven. |
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The Office of College & Career Pathways, in collaboration with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) and Goodwin University, is working to expose our middle school students to the many career opportunities that fall under the manufacturing umbrella. In preparation for a manufacturing pathway to be implemented in designated high schools next year, it is important to expose our students to what manufacturing entails. In turn, five of our K-8 schools were selected to be part of a grant that is making this happen!
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Spotlight on the Vision Department
Justin Alameda, third grade student at Fair Haven is working on making a book in Braille. He is working on his Braille writing skills while creating a book he titled, “Trucks and Trailers”. He can’t wait to finish and share with his classroom teacher and classmates.
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Spotlight on Special Education
National Special Education Day is celebrated every year on December 2! This day commemorates the anniversary of our nation’s first federal special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, signed by President Ford on December 2, 1975.
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Tanasia Edwards is a first-year self-contained teacher working at Wexler with students in grades 5-8. Her class's daily routine consists of morning meeting, SEL- daily check-in's, brain breaks, a literacy block with a read aloud and vocabulary, centers and math which includes movement counting. The centers are based on IEP goals and objectives. Her students enjoy specials consisting of art, music, gym and ASD fitness. Ms. Edwards incorporates Go-Noodle during the day with her students, which they love. Her classroom teaching includes a variety of modalities for the students to learn and remained engaged.
Morning meeting is a highlight of the day. All of the students participate with the songs and movements that occur during this time. This is a time when the class reviews the calendar, months of the year, seasons, days of the week, numbers, weather, shapes, left/right coordination, letter sound and much more. It is a true fun learning experiencing in her class.
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Ms. Paula Garon works devotedly to serve her students in kindergarten through second grade and works collaboratively with teachers and service providers throughout the school. Additionally, she extends her time to work with teachers and staff to help students in general education classes with differentiation and interventions. A recent recipient of the “Whatever It Takes” award at Lincoln Bassett's last SOAR assembly, she steps in wherever, whenever, and however there is a need. She is an integral part of what makes our school run smoothly. Thank you Ms Garon!!
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Alissa Levy is a math teacher at Engineering & Science University Magnet School. Below, she has compiled several tips and strategies around establishing class norms, fostering emotional regulation, and creating structures and routine. |
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Each day's activities are presented in Pear Deck. The first slide of the presentation is the agenda. In the agenda, we recognize any holidays that students might be celebrating in the near future or that are ongoing. We also house mindfulness activities like rainbow breathing here. In addition, growth mindset is always a focus, and our agenda links to mindset resources.
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This bulletin board helps provide students with sentence stems to use when they are upset. When students are expressing negative emotions inappropriately, we direct them to select a sentence stem from this board and to describe how they are feeling. Then, we can problem solve from there. |
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A daily check-in is always included in our PearDeck presentation. These templates are included in Pear Deck. Above is the Bucket Filler, a fan favorite. It basically asks students to share one thing that is going well and one thing that could be going better for them. This provides insight about students and allows for individual check-ins at a later time if necessary.
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We create classroom norms and expectations collaboratively. This year's agreement is pictured. Students begin by sharing words that describe how they want to feel in class that are then put into a word cloud. We then select the words that were suggested the most to represent how we want to feel as a class. Next, we brainstorm behaviors that will help get us to the place we want to be with the feelings we listed. Finally, we generate a list of things we can do if we are not meeting our own expectations. If not already in place, this is great activity to start off the new year. |
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- Write an "it's-done list" full of things you’ve already accomplished versus things you have to do.
- Watch a motivational TED Talk.
- Take a long luxurious bath with listening spa music and a soothing playlist.
- Light your favorite candle.
- Write 5 things you love about yourself.
- Visit a virtual museum.
- Change your sheets. There’s nothing like the sensation of new fluffy sheets.
- Identify a new mantra.
- Curate a playlist based on your moods.
- Go through your camera roll and reminisce on positive memories.
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We are happy to be providing NHPS Wellness Moments with new topics and activities monthly. Please be on the lookout for invitations and registration forms. In December, we are offering Reiki sessions, a shop and stroll, and a community of practice session. |
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Thanks to all those who joined us on the Farmington Canal for our Walk and Talk on November 30th. |
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Social and Emotional Learning |
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In this podcast/transcript, Angela Watson explores the difficulties that teachers often exhibit on their self care quests and practical ways to start focusing on themselves.
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Jennifer Gonzalez's podcast provides five questions that can help you listen to your body’s emotional responses and uncover problem areas in your teaching.
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Are you a certified staff member at NHPS? Interested in a free premium Calm account? Click the link below.
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The holidays can be a special time for celebrating traditions with our family and friends, but they can also bring up difficult emotions, especially for those of us who are managing feelings of burnout, grief, or anxiety. As we wrap up a busy, challenging year, know that there are resources out there for those of us that need them. Please see the links below for community resources to support with winter clothing, gifts, rental assistance and food insecurity among others. Please remember to breath deep, take care of yourself and relish the moments.
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Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10th — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.
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Holidays Around the World |
We are privileged to work in a diverse school system that represents a multitude of races, ethnicities and cultures. Take a look below to learn more about some of the many holidays in December that some of our students, families and staff members celebrate. Did we miss one? Please let us know.
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