Advent blessings to our wonderful Saint Andrew community.
“What you are is God's gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” ― Hans Urs von Balthasar
This quote is a hopeful inspiration in our roles as Catholic parents and educators. All children are gifted. We must guide them on their path to discover their gifts by instilling and modeling the virtues that we were all blessed with at Baptism.
This month we reflect upon the virtue of purity – keeping our soul free from sin. The focus of our discipline program has been in serving the “whole child” and nourishing their soul with virtue. When a child stumbles, academically, socially, psychologically, we are here to pick them up and support them.
Behaviors are one way our children communicate, especially those things that they may not be able to say in words. Knowing this, it is important that we divide behaviors into two categories in a school environment: Work Habits (academic) and Responsible Behavior (social-emotional). Each classroom has their own management system of behavior, however, when we see repetitive behaviors, these behaviors may be rooting from something deeper that we are not able to see. Demerits (4th-8th) or notes home (PK-3rd) are used to communicate and identify areas of challenges for the child. When a child is struggling in Work Habits and/or Responsible Behavior, the teacher and learning support team have an intervention meeting to determine a better path forward.
When the struggle is real…
If we find that with these simple accommodations, the child continues to struggle, we look at the possibility that there may be learning or behavioral differences. It is important to note that we do not see these challenges as “deficits” but rather “differences.”
With a diagnosis, the student can be bridged into our Student Success Program where more specialized accommodations and support can be provided. Accommodations for both behavioral and academic can be provided. Sometimes the accommodations are temporary, like a person needing braces. Sometimes the accommodations are permanent, like a person needing contacts or glasses. Either way, Saint Andrew makes it our mission to see the whole child in how they are interacting and interpreting their world for the purpose of keeping them on a path growth and success.
The detention meetings are one way we come together – school, student, and home – to hear the voice of the child from his or her own experience and to reveal our love and support to help them on their path forward.
What are the Wildcats saying?
In response to the reflection question, What can your teachers/school do to help you? students this year have shared:
*I was in detention over and over last year and did the paper reflection and then nothing really changed; I would just keep getting in detention. The (follow-up) meeting really helped me see what I can do better.
*This year, this meeting is so helpful to be able to talk about what is really going on and find ways to handle school and social stuff.
*My school is doing a good job supporting me in this new detention process. I really liked it.
Saint Andrew Catholic School is “Paws-itively” moving forward!
