Dear ILE Families,

As we move rapidly into the second semester of this school year, I wonder if you’ve noticed with me
the growth I’ve seen in our students – not just physically – but emotionally and socially as well. Each
day I am reminded of how fortunate we are here at Indian Lake Elementary to have the kind-hearted,
respectful students that we have here, and I know that is a reflection of the support they receive from
home. Thank you for sharing your children with us each day. J

While January and February often bring a bit slower change of pace, we have much to look forward
to at ILE, and our students and teachers are hard at work preparing for their chance to shine on the
achievement testing later this Spring while having fun learning.

Also, the Spring PowWow Weekend will be here before we know it, bringing with it the opportunity
for so many to get involved on some level with this great event that brings us even closer as a school
community. We appreciate the ladies involved in this event, and more information will be sent your
way to view soon, and we can acknowledge them as the time draws closer to thank them for their
time and efforts. The hours devoted to the preparation for this event are unreal, and, just like with
the Warrior Walk, your contributions pay off in unbelievable ways for our school. Additionally, Erica
Holleran does a phenomenal job with our website, keeping us posted each step of the way.

Our students have caring hearts and want to find ways to help other children, so you will be hearing
about some of these opportunities as the semester progresses.

Fifth graders will be involved in the TCAP Writing Assessment on Tuesday, February 05. TCAP testing will
happen the last week in April for grades 3-5, and SAT-10 testing for grades K-2 will follow just after that.
You can see the Sumner County Schools’ Calendar on the county website: www.sumnerschools.org .

We are thrilled that 100% of our students were able to attend the second PBIS Celebration just before
the Winter Break, and we definitely appreciate the parent volunteers who work with our faculty to make
these events exciting for all.

As I have stated numerous times, thank you for the support you demonstrate each day in some way.
Kindness goes a long way, and I thank you for that.

Wishing you each a wonderful second half of the year, respectfully,

Ondie Mitchell, Principal

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We are all shocked and saddened by the tragedy in Connecticut. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Newtown school community.

The safety of our students and staff is our first priority. We have asked principals to double-check their schools to ensure all security safeguards are in effect and we encourage students to notify school staff if they have any reason for concern about safety in their schools. School Resource Officers from the Sumner County Sheriff’s Department work in our high schools, and we use security cameras and other measures to keep our schools safe.

Each of our schools has a crisis and emergency response plan that is reviewed and updated annually. In light of Friday’s events, we have asked all principals to review their emergency plans with staff. A clear understanding of emergency procedures improves our ability to respond effectively in the event of an emergency. Sumner Schools and local emergency management maintain a strong partnership to help prepare for emergencies.

Our school psychologists and social workers are available to assist schools as needed. Schools are often are a good place for children to regain a sense of normalcy. Being with their friends and teachers can help.

We also want to share with parents these tips from the National Association of School Psychologists for helping your children cope with this disturbing news. See www.nasponline.org for more information or to read these tips in Spanish, Korean or Vietnamese.

1. Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
2. Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient. Children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
3. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
   • Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
   • Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
   • Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
4. Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
5. Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
6. Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.
7. Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.

Suggested Points to Emphasize When Talking to Children

• Schools are safe places. School staff work with parents and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders, hospitals, etc.) to keep you safe.
• We all play a role in the school safety. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous or frightened.
• There is a difference between reporting, tattling or gossiping. You can provide important information that may prevent harm either directly or anonymously by telling a trusted adult what you know or hear.
• Don’t dwell on the worst possibilities. Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and the probability that it will affect our school.
• Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Doing things that you enjoy, sticking to your normal routine, and being with friends and family help make us feel better and keep us from worrying about the event. Sometimes people do bad things that hurt others. They may be unable to handle their anger, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or suffering from mental illness. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
• Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun. Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence.
• Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.

NASP has additional information for parents and educators on school safety, violence prevention, children’s trauma reactions, and crisis response at www.nasponline.org.

©2006, National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway #402, Bethesda, MD 20814

 

Bass, Joseph A – MNPS, Dec. 2012

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Below please find some reminders about our dismissal process.  We do appreciate your patience so far as the addition of 85 Kindergarten students and 63 other new students to our dismissal time has presented some new challenges, BUT we are so glad they are here with us.  J  On Monday of this week, I fell on the sidewalk, cutting both knees, scraping hands, bruising an arm, and now enjoying just overall soreness.  However, I am so glad it was me and not one of the students.  I say that to remind us all that safety MUST be our first priority, so your continued patience will make the difference as we continue to refine our procedures.  Dr. Phillips assures me we are not the only school experiencing these challenges with growing pains and dismissal.  I have enlisted the help of law enforcement as well, and they are helping us evaluate our situation.

• Parking in the subdivision(s) across from the school is subject to law enforcement involvement.  That is their area of observation.
• I put in a request this summer for an additional crossing guard, more signage, and a crosswalk on Raintree.  The crossing guard was denied, but we are looking into this further as we have 40 students who cross in that area.
• IF your child is to be a walker or bike rider, we MUST have a permission form on file.  Please contact the teacher or come by the office to pick up a form if needed.
• Please observe the sign as you enter the front driveway that states not to block the LEFT Lane until after 3:20.  We have had numerous people get blocked into a spot and not be able to leave for appointments.
• When the two lanes merge, please remember to alternate allowing one car to go from one lane, then one from another.  (Yes, much like the drive-through at McDonald’s.  J)
• If you are in your car waiting on your child in the loading zone, and he/she does not come out in time, simply pull all the way forward past Mr. de la Vega at the front of the line, and your child will come to you from the Cafeteria doors.  Sometimes the walkie-talkies are busy and a name or two may be missed causing a gap in our line.  Please let one of the adults know your child’s name so that we can radio for them.
• Please remain in your vehicle and allow us to help your child find your car.  Cars behind you may already be loaded and waiting to move, so this would help us tremendously.  Again, you can pull forward if you need more time for seat belts, etc.
• Thank you to the parents who are waiting in the lobby until the bell now since we are using the front hallway for dismissal!  J  The inside traffic is busy, too.  Also, when going to pick up your child in the cafeteria, please do so as quietly as possible and continue on out of the building so that the noise level does not prevent students from hearing their names being called.
• If your child will have a change of dismissal, please make sure to notify the teacher in writing.

Last year, we had our dismissal time down to 8 minutes, and it was safe.  With more people, we may not reach 8 minutes, but we are striving for decreasing the time each day while keeping EVERYONE safe.

With warm regards,

Ondie Mitchell, Principal

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14,989 laps were completed at this year’s Warrior Walk!  We walked more laps than last year despite having approximately 20 fewer students enrolled at ILE. Although we had less than perfect weather, the children were excited and we had a wonderful time at the 2nd annual Warrior Walk.

Please remember to turn in your pledge folders & envelopes by THIS Friday, Sept. 30th to be eligible for prizes! If we meet our  fund-raising goal of $26,000 the students will receive and ice cream sundae after lunch on Awards Day!

Thank you to everyone who helped out in any way at the Warrior Walk. It takes all of us doing our part to make Indian Lake the successful school that it is today. We are grateful for you!

ILE PTO

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