Staying in Touch
While Keeping Our Distance
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The Best is Yet to Come
Typhanie Jackson
Director of Student Services
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The best is yet to come. We can collectively hope this statement is true. Think about what it has been like for you this school year, last school year and at the onset of the pandemic. Who could even have imagined that we could continue to manage and waddle our ways through these uncharted territories? Our new normal has changed the course of our personal and professional lives; and yet, we have been able to persevere and set a course forward in the midst of a global crisis. There is nothing else in education that can rock us as much as we've rocked over the past few years. I know that we are going up from here; I see it in the way we are supporting and uplifting each other. This hill we are climbing is approaching its apex, and we will all be grateful and relieved as the road flattens allowing us a steady breath and course forward. Remember we are in this together, and most importantly that this too will pass. |
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Barack H. Obama Magnet University School is excited to welcome Jamie Baker-Vilsaint as their principal this year. Mrs. Baker-Vilsaint's nearly 16-year career has run the gambit from instructional coaching, curriculum and instruction evaluation, crisis intervention, and building positive relationships between the school and its stakeholders. Baker told the board after her appointment, that “This has shifted a dream to reality, and it is a great honor to serve those looking to me as a change maker.” Mrs. Baker-Vilsaint is dedicated to providing a culturally responsive learning experience for all students as well as building cultural awareness and sensitivity for her young scholars. Jamie recognizes the importance of intentionality in education and the need to provide a multi-dimensional adventure for students. Obama is thrilled to have Mrs. Baker leading the charge to equip their students with the skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century. |
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Spotlight on Speech-Language Pathologists |
Derlene Ortiz and Rosemary Coffy are the two bilingual Speech-Language Pathologists in the district. They are both super itinerant, servicing a total of 10 sites and completing bilingual speech-language assessments around the district. Despite a long-standing department staff shortage, both have worked in New Haven for 16 years and remain dedicated to helping students meet their optimal communication abilities.
Derlene has worked in public schools, Birth-to-Three, Bridgeport Hospital, private work, and is a Clinical Adjunct Instructor at SCSU. She services Lulac-James, Lulac-Cedar, John Martinez, Truman, and Fair Haven. Her hobbies are cooking, reading, and boating (she has her boater’s license). Although servicing 5 schools is challenging, Derlene wouldn’t want to make a career change because of the available opportunities in the field.
Rosemary was born and raised in New Haven. She has worked in public schools, Birth-to-Three, and independent work. She services Clinton Ave, FAME, Daniels, Obama, and ECAT. Her hobbies are dancing, teaching ZUMBA/dance fitness, cooking, and completing puzzles. If Rosemary had not become an SLP, she would have been a physical therapist.
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Spotlight on Counseling
John Martinez held their December Pathway to Promise (P2P) College & Career Day last month, implementing activities across JSM classrooms. Each month, volunteers implement curriculum virtually to students in every grade level, kindergarten through eighth grade. The curriculum is design by Junior Achievement (JA) and focuses on financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship. The day was a huge success, and they look forward to working with JA and their volunteers over the duration of the 2021-22 school year.
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Spotlight on Internet Awareness
School Counselor Alison Atkin at L.W. Beecher shared that Detective Leonardo Soto, Sgt. Jessie Agosto, Lt. Elliot Rosa and Lt. Ryan Przybylski joined Beecher to talk with students in grades 5-8 about internet safety, sexting, and bullying. Students learned the laws related to using the internet correctly as well as what is an appropriate vs. inappropriate interaction with others. They were also reminded about bullying and the impact we have on each other. "Judgements happen every day," Lt. Rosa pointed out while telling students to be the best versions of themselves everyday.
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Karen Lavorgna has been working for NHPS as a special education teacher for the last 28 years. She is currently working at Mauro Sheridan Magnet School where she was PPT chair for many years. Karen is caring, compassionate, supportive and always willing to lend a helping hand. She is truly dedicated and committed to her career and her students. Karen is a highly skilled and creative educator that continually goes above and beyond to meet her students needs. She not only has a positive impact on her students but on her colleagues as well. The Mauro Sheridan team is very lucky to have her! |
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King Robinson is thankful for their SEL committee. Sensing a level of disconnection exhibited by both staff and students over the past few years, they endeavored to bring back a sense of community and family within their school and classrooms.
A gratitude wall was created where all staff members' names were hung with a blank card, and other staff members were able to pull a card for a colleague and express a word of encouragement or recognition for a job well-done. These were then delivered to teachers' mailboxes.
They have also designated Fridays as their SEL day and are implementing, "Feelings Friday" once or twice a month where staff members spend the afternoon (1:30-3:00pm) dedicated to SEL and PBIS schoolwide! They are super excited about this initiative and for their students to work on community building, inter-personal skills, and communication skills. So much has been lost the past few years and kudos to K/R for helping kids to practice working and playing cooperatively together again!
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Melissa Hanley is a fifth grade teacher at Conte West Hills Magnet School. Below, she has compiled several tips and strategies around welcoming students back from break. These strategies apply not only to winter break, but any time students may need a refresh and reset. |
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Addressing the "Elephant in the Room"
Prior to our much anticipated share out of all things winter break, we found it important to acknowledge the feelings we were experiencing on that first day back. I modeled a shareout of my mixed feelings of joy to see my students again and sadness of leaving my son at home. A Pear Deck Mood Meter was embedded in our slide deck which provided students an anonymous way of checking in and voicing their feelings. This slide was followed up with a shareout (for those who were comfortable) of why students were feeling the ways they felt. Providing this safe space to share emotions produced a 100% participation rate.
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An Imperfect Return
Social emotional learning is always on my mind. It is embedded in the way I speak to students and the way I teach students to speak to one another. Our emotional health has never been more important as we experience variant after variant and a growing sense of uncertainty and unease. Providing a safe space for students to talk to each other as kids has been extremely enlightening and rewarding. Using hands-on activities, turn and talks, and lots of real life discussions has also built a sense of community in our classroom. It is a community that is respectful, comfortable, and open minded, and my students created it.
Has it been a disjointed return with absences and quarantines? I don't think anyone could argue otherwise, but flexibility, Google Classroom, and most importantly the community you build can overcome even the largest obstacles. Keep sending it through the roof.
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Through the Roof
Entering into the New Year(and returning from all breaks), students were reminded of our classroom and school rules and norms. We also went over why they were important. The why is always critical! Why is it important to respect others? Why is it important to do your work? Why is it important to be safe? All of these whys make students understand the overall importance of following these rules and norms within our class and school building.
We next moved on to expectations! We decided to retain our THROUGH THE ROOF! mantra. Students knew it! I knew it! So when we as a class and individually set goals for ourselves I reminded them their expectations for themselves should always be high (through the roof)!
Lastly, we made goals and celebrated! We celebrate the big things AND the small things. We celebrate waking up and coming to school. We celebrate Stepping Up! And lastly but most importantly we celebrate each other! Clapping is a part of our daily routine especially when we come back from the new year! It is important to remember the good that is happening when we have such stressors that are surrounding us.
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Protecting Your Mental Health During the Omicron Surge |
Omicron has been with us for a little over a month, yet it's accounting for the highest rates of transmission since the onset of the pandemic in the U.S. With the continual rise of variants, it seemingly feels as if this is never ending. This may naturally spark hopelessness and sheer frustration. Coupled with seasonal depression, it behooves us all to be mindful of our mental health and prioritize our self-care.
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Thanks to all who joined us for our Reiki and Shop and Stroll sessions in December. Please be sure to join Andrea Frasier for an Inner Harmony & Balance workshop on January 24th. |
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Social and Emotional Learning |
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As 2021 has ended and 2022 begins, Elena Aguilar encourages us to slow down and take time to reflect on what we've done and been through. This past year was no piece of cake, but there are lessons to glean from it. Once we've closed up 2021, let's look ahead to 2022. What goals, intentions, or resolutions do we intend to set?
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers, school counselors, and school employees have remained acutely focused on supporting their students and continuing to do their jobs at this time. In some cases, this may mean teaching, care-taking (whether for children or other loved ones), and continuing to work through the same challenges that anyone else is. While resources related to mental health have been (rightfully) front and center for supporting students, parents, and others, less focus has been paid on maintaining the mental health of the educators who are also trying to find balance in our new way of living
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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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Safeguarding Mental Health During Snow Days |
When the weatherman predicts a snow day, you can almost hear the collective cries of joy from children—and the sighs of resignation from the adults who will miss work to entertain a house of kids. Before you hang your head in dismay, take a look at some activity ideas for indoor fun with your child:
- Play a board game.
- Bake some treats.
- Make some arts and crafts.
- Play pretend.
- Listen to Music.
- Read a book together.
- Create a scavenger hunt.
- Rock painting
- Watch a movie.
- Create an indoor obstacle course
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
On January 17th, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We can not speak about social justice without highlighting the work, the sacrifice, and the passion of Dr. King. Take a moment to celebrate his dedication in the classroom.
Below are some lessons that can be incorporated in your classroom
K-8 Resources and Lessons
Videos for 9-12 for MLK lessons
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Video- The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (animated)
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Video- MLK "I have a dream" speech in its entirety, with script (NPR)
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Video- MLK "I have a dream" speech with video and subtitles
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At Conte, students and staff members participated in their Light Up Conte event. In addition to brainstorming ways that they could "light up the world," students received gloves, socks and small tokens of appreciation for all the light they bring to Conte on a daily basis. |
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At Barnard, Chaz Carmon, the in-school solutions coordinator, worked with his community group Ice the Beef, Barnard staff, New Haven police, Target and others to make Christmas a little brighter for students. “Barnard school and Ice the Beef, we believe in community, we believe in family,” said Carmon. “Our school here is environmental and community-driven. When you think of community, you think of a village, you think of people coming together.” |
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The Clemente staff jumped into high gear to make holiday-themed work packets and gifts for each of their students during the second marking period.
Students received age-appropriate holiday gifts and instructional material handouts based on their work done so far this school year. Gloves, hats, coats, and a healthful snack were also handed out. All of the distributed gifts were donated from the Clemente staff and local churches.
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