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A Note from the Principal
Dr. Tim Anderson
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As a public school in Minnesota, we are required to have an academic focus in our classes based on the
Minnesota Academic Standards
. According to the MN Department of Education, "The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards define expectations for the educational achievement of public school students across the state in grades K-12. The standards and benchmarks are important because they:
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identify the knowledge and skills that all students must achieve by the end of a grade level or grade band;
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help define the course credit requirements for graduation; and,
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serve as a guide for the local adoption and design of curricula. Student mastery of the standards is measured through state and local assessments" (MDE, retrieved via
http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/fam/stds/).
These standards require that students carefully analyze text and this skill is important in math, science, social studies and in language arts, as in art, music, health, PE, world language, PLTW, FACS, 21st century. Working with others in those classes demands social emotional competencies as students listen, agree or disagree, and listen to the perspective and opinions of others. One of the things students, staff and parents indicated in community forums over the years was that they valued the strong academics AND the emphasis on social-emotional growth.
We teach content and we teach students and it is this commitment to developing the whole "child" that helps us focus the things we do at South View. We use our student-led conferences in the spring, our "We are SouthView presentations" at different grade levels, and our Student leadership program all help reinforce these skills and to promote the ICCCAR values. These social emotional learning skills include:
- "Self-awareness - recognition and labeling of one's feelings and accurately assessing one's strengths and limitations.
- Self-management - Emotion regulation, delaying gratification, managing stress, motivating oneself, and setting and working toward achieving goals.
- Social awareness - The ability to empathize and take others' perspectives and recognize and mobilize diverse and available supports.
- Relationship skills - Clear communication, accurate listening, cooperation, nonviolent and constructive conflict resolution, and knowing when and how to be a good team player and a leader.
- Responsible decision making - Making ethical choices based on consideration of feelings, goals, alternatives, and outcomes and planning and enacting solutions with potential obstacles anticipated." www.CASEL.org
Working with students to promote self-regulation allows students to stay focused, concentrate, problem-solve and figure things out, especially when stress, anxiety and frustration or disappointment try to displace or disorient students in their academic pursuits. We know that students don't learn if they don't feel safe. Our focus on social emotional growth and character development is part of our strategy for building a positive, respectful school environment where everyone belongs. In middle school, we start the process of helping students self-manage and monitor their own academic and social and emotional behavior. We set the rules and expectations explicitly, and we attempt to provide opportunities for students to self -manage their own learning. This, in turn helps them to make choices that help them stay true to the person they want to be, even when you or another adult are not around.
The middle school years are turbulent years emotionally because of the developmental changes occurring in the brain and in the body. Knowing oneself is key to understanding others as well.
Tim Anderson, Ed. D., Principal
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Student Services Corner
The latest news from your SV counselors and School Social Workers
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Please note that due to the December 7th early release, WIN days will be December 8th and 9th at 7:40am.
Keep Kids Warm This Winter - Give Target or Costco Gift Cards
At this time of year and throughout the winter, teachers and school support staff become aware of students with basic needs for a warm winter coat, pair of boots or gloves, or another basic clothing item. And while we would love to accept donations of these items, storage space (as well as being intentional and efficient about size, gender and specifics for an individual) is extremely limited and having items of the appropriate size, gender, or color on hand would be difficult.
However, gift cards from Target or Costco are easy to store, and we can guarantee we'll find something that fits these students!
Here's what we're asking and here's how it will work: Please drop off gift cards ($25 amounts work well, but we will accept any amount) at the front desk at South View. They will make sure this gets to the Student Services office, where we will keep these secure and release to teachers (or other support staff) to purchase these items for students when needs arise.
Happy Holidays, and thank you for considering contributing to keep kids warm this winter.
Weekend Back Pack Food Program
Students receive a food package every Friday, which is placed in their locker, for the entire school year. Food packages contain 2 meals that require preparation, as well as some food items that are grab 'n' go. Please contact Doug Eischens to register.
VEAP Holiday Toy Program
Parents with children ages 0-18, living in the home,
will select gifts and winter wear items from the VEAP Toy Store.
Call 952-888-9616 as soon as possible beginning November 3rd to set up an appointment.
If you have any questions, please contact Doug Eischens at 952-848-4411 or
[email protected]
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Mix It Up Day at South View - Tuesday, Dec. 6
What Is Mix It Up Day?
A national campaign launched by Teaching Tolerance in 2002, Mix It Up Day encourages students to identify, question and cross social boundaries. According to survey data, students have identified the cafeteria as the place where divisions are most clearly drawn. So for just a day, we ask students to move out of their comfort zones and connect with someone new over lunch. It's a simple act with profound implications. Studies have shown that interactions across group lines can help reduce prejudice and help encourage acceptance. When students interact with those who are different from them, biases and misperceptions can fall away. Please encourage your students to do their best and engage in this opportunity with an open mind to learn something new about their peers.
Winter MAP Testing 2016
AGAIN THIS YEAR...Testing will take place on student Chromebooks! Please ensure that your child's Chromebook is fully charged on testing days and that your student comes to school with their Chromebook on testing days.
Winter MAP Testing Schedule
Monday, December 12 (B Day) - 6th Grade Math MAP Testing & 7th Grade Reading MAP Testing
Tuesday, December 13 (A Day) - 8th Grade Math MAP Testing & 9th Grade Reading MAP Testing
Wednesday, December 14 (B Day) - 7th Grade Math MAP Testing & 6th Grade Reading MAP Testing
Friday, December 16 (B Day) - 9th Grade Math MAP Testing & 8th Grade Reading MAP Testing
Math Testing will take place from 8:09-11:07am
Reading Testing will take place from 11:11am-2:38pm
Geek Squad
The Geek Squad will no longer be available in our building and will be working from the district office from now on. If you have an issue with your Chromebook, please see Robert Schwartz in the Media Center for help.
Edina Booster Holiday Store
Click
here for hours and other info
Grand & Special Persons Day Recap
Thank you to all who participated in this worthwhile, 6th
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4725 South View Lane, Edina, MN 55424
Office: 952-848-3700 | Attendance: 952-848-3702
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