Conflict Managers are Now on Duty

In keeping with Archways' commitment to treating others with consideration and respect, conflict managers are trained to help out on the school yard when they spot trouble. This is both a privilege and a big responsibility for the 4th graders who just completed conflict resolution training.

Mr. Scott, Ms. Sarah Guy and Ms. Kym began by reviewing some attentive listening skills. Students were given a handout called share which provided an acronym for a few skills needed when helping others resolve conflict. These are Shhhh! Stay quiet and still, Hear what others say, Accept what others say, Restate what you heard and Encourage others to speak. In addition, conflict managers were encouraged to help students say how they felt, to accept that there really can be two very different sides to a story and to support students in finding a solution they can both live with. After this skill review, staff role played and resolved a conflict. Students then broke into groups to do their own role playing with each participant getting a chance to manage a conflict.

I count myself as lucky to have been able to witness this instruction. The conflicts were staged but the compassion and earnestness with which these new conflict managers approached their fellow students was heartwarming. Of course, Ms. Kym and Ms. Sarah are always available but teaching students to help each other resolve conflicts is one of the ways Archway shines above and beyond the rest.

These students will now take turns with 2-3 students per day being "on duty". They are encouraged to play and have a good time but to keep an eye out for disharmony. After a week or so they will meet again to review their experiences and learn from each other.

Thank you 4th graders for your willingness to take on new responsiblitlies.

Chalk for Peace

At Archway's lower campus each Friday morning, students come together in multi-age groups called tribes. They explore issues and work on projects in a supportive and cooperative interaction. The result is always interesting and often inspiring.

This weekend, people across the nation, will be working to spread the message of peace. At Archway, students "chalked for peace". It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. On this morning, Archway students worked on images that spoke one word in a very big way.

A Lower Campus FYI from Ms. Kym

Ms. Kym placed a note of general info items in lower campus boxes today. It is reproduced here in case you misplace it or you don't yet know about your box which is in the building referred to as the after school room, the music room, the art room and the building with the basketball goal on it.

9/07/2007

Dear Parents,

Welcome or welcome back to you all! We have completed a very smooth first week of school. It's good to be back. Please feel free to visit or call me if you have any questions or concerns throughout the year!

• We ask that you please check your Parent Cubby, and the Lost and Found bin daily. Both are located n the After School Room.


• PE is on Tuesday and Friday; please make sure that your child is wearing running shoes on these days (and any day that they will be playing actively on the yardor on the climbing structure). In the past, we've had some falls with kids in sandals or thongs.


• Please have your child apply sunscreen in the morning before school. If you feel that they need more during the day, we have sunscreen available, at recess and lunchtime. We will ask the children to re-apply at those times. Please practive putting on sunscreen with your child and speak to them about when you want thwm to put it on during school hours.

Thank you for your help!

Ms. Kym (547-4747 x 21)

An Informative Charade

Out on the yard, ideas, sprout ...










friendships blossom...




And things can get really rotten without a little supervision and a few simple rules to keep everyone safe.



I know many of you have met Ms. Kym by now, but you may not know that she is the law of the land once the children hit the school yard. She is also experienced, kind and firm. Great qualities to have when you are supervising a number of children. She is assisted quite ably out there by Ms. Sarah Guy. Together they keep everyone on track with not only the rules but how to get along and keep recess fun.



This week 3 talented third graders presented the yard rules during lunch through a game of charades.

I thought parents might also like to know the rules. You may even find you’ve been aiding and abetting without knowing it.

• Always let the teacher know where you are. Ask before going into a classroom or bathroom.
  


• No climbing on anything but the “climbing structure” or the lemon tree in the kindergarten yard. No toys in the “climbing structure”.



• No throwing anything but balls. No throwing balls at others, dodge ball, ball tag. The grass area is the quiet, ball free zone.



• No ropes around body parts.



• No pulling others with hula hoops.



• No picking up others, no piggyback rides.



• No bare feet on the yard.



• No personal toys on the yard. No heelies, scooters or skate boards.



• No sharing or trading food. No glass containers. Eating and drinking while sitting in designated areas only.
  


• Pick up and throw away all trash, recycling and compost.

Upper Campus Orientation

As Sarah finished with Lower Campus 1st day of school fun, she headed to Upper Campus to coordinate an afternoon of orientation for new Upper Campus Archway Students.

Parents were quickly whisked away on a tour of the campus in the capable hands of Ms. Shauna. We got a sneak peek at the computer lab which isn’t done justice by my photo and received much praise by the parents on the tour.

I snuck away from the tour early to see what was planned for the students. It was a nice crowd representing a considerable increase to the Upper Campus student body.

Sarah introduced the staff and reviewed the afternoon schedule with the students. It included a tour, a scavenger hunt and question and answer session. She went on to talk a bit about Archway and those things most valued in the Archway community. In a smooth move making things easy to remember, she connected the emphasis on Academics, Responsibility, Community (both the Archway community and the broader community), and Hands-On Learning with the ARCH in Archway. I know the students walked away with a stronger sense of Archway and thus from a successful orientation.

First Day of School at Lower Campus

New families and returning families gathered this morning at Lower Campus for the first day of the 2007-2008 school year. There were new people to meet and it was great to see old friends. It seemed the teachers were as excited as the students. A general air of expectancy filled the yard.

While we visited we snacked on bagels, fruit and banana bread teamed with great coffee. Many thanks go to Shari, Bridget and all who organized, cleaned up and brought food to share.

Ms. Sarah signaled for quiet as the new year officially began. Take note parents, the signal in the photograph actually works! She welcomed everyone and we were led in singing the "Welcome Song" by Ms. Kathy. In closing, Ms. Sarah introduced the Lower Campus staff including two new additions pictured below.

Ms. Julianne comes to Archway as a recent graduate of UC Berkeley. She will be teaching all Lower Campus Physical Education classes and will also be working in the After School Program. Welcome, Ms. Julianne.

Mr. Scott joined Archway last year when he took over some of Dr. Irene’s Math classes at Upper Campus. This year he has moved to the Lower Campus to assume his duties as the 4th grade teacher. Welcome, Mr. Scott.