Dear Crotched Mountain,
The day before school starts for the students, Nashua teachers come together by school for staff training. Dr. Alison Roy was asked to present a workshop that would highlight the work being doing under the CMF Kids partnership, with TRUST Teams and responding to challenging behaviors.
Discussed at an earlier PD presentation highlighting the impact of childhood trauma on brain development and behavior, the staff has come to understand that one of the most powerful (positive) childhood experiences (PCEs) was “having a sense of belonging and connection with a larger group who has “got your back” (e.g. school, church, clubs, neighborhoods, etc). and that a “relationships with at least one non-parent who takes genuine interest in you” (taken from Power Point presentation compiled by Dr. Alison Roy). With this in mind, Dr. Roy guided the staff through an exercise that focused on adult/student connections and relationships.
At each of the schools, a photo of every child was posted around the perimeter of the gym. Given Post-Its, teachers were asked to place one Post-It under the picture of each child with whom they knew at least one non-school related fact because they had engaged that child.
Examples included: could state the child’s interest, hobbies, goals, pet, family members, traditions, etc. As you can see from the photo, many children had multiple Post-Its. The group then focused on the children for whom there were no Post-Its.
Many were the incoming Kindergarteners or transferring students, however, there were also numerous who had been at the school for multiple years.
Members of the entire staff then concentrated on these lesser-known students, writing each a positive, welcoming note which was left on the student’s desk so when they arrived for the first day of school, they would know there was at least one adult who was grateful for their presence. The adults also made a commitment to check in on and engage “their” student(s) throughout the year.
The feedback from the staff was eye opening. This simple exercise touched the heartstrings of everyone, the dialogue following the process bringing several to tears. No one was surprised by those students who had lots of Post-Its, but everyone was taken back by the number of students who appeared to fly under their radar.
The best part was that the whole school community was involved and understood the importance of connecting with each child towards achieving their collective goals.
Their students and school community as a whole will be healthier, stronger and better for their unified commitment to building student relationships.
I hope you find it as inspiring as I do.
Best,
Kyle Langille
Nashua School District
Special Education, CMF Kids Grant Coordinator