BE BRAVE & BE PRESENT

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to highlight a critical component of academic success: consistent school attendance. At Sacaton Elementary School District #18, we understand that every day of school is a valuable opportunity for learning, growth, and development. We are committed to ensuring that every student benefits from the full range of educational experiences we offer. This is our “Mission Possible” here at Sacaton. We want you to know that your student’s attendance matters.

Why Attendance Matters:

**1. Impact on Academic Achievement: Regular attendance is crucial for academic success. Each day of instruction builds upon the previous day, and missing school means missing out on important lessons and activities. Studies consistently show that students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform better academically, achieve higher test scores, and graduate on time.

**2. Social and Emotional Development: School is not just about academics; it's also a place where students develop social skills, build relationships, and learn to navigate social situations. Frequent absences can impede social development, making it challenging for students to connect with their peers and engage fully in group activities.

**3. Long-Term Effects: Chronic absenteeism can have lasting consequences. Students who miss school frequently are at greater risk of falling behind academically, which can affect their future educational opportunities and career prospects. Establishing good attendance habits early on helps set the foundation for future success in higher education and beyond.

To support our commitment to improving attendance and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed, we are excited to re-introduce our district-wide initiative: "Must Be Present To Win."

"Must Be Present to Win" Initiative:

Our "Must Be Present To Win" initiative is designed to emphasize the importance of consistent school attendance and to celebrate the efforts of students who demonstrate dedication to their education. Here’s how the initiative works:

• Recognition and Rewards: Students with excellent attendance will be recognized throughout the year. This can include special certificates, incentives, and participation in exclusive events designed to celebrate their engagement.

• Support for Families: We understand that there may be challenges that affect attendance. Our initiative includes providing resources and support to families to help overcome barriers to regular attendance. We are here to work with you to ensure that every student can make the most of their time at school.

• Community Engagement: We will be hosting workshops and informational sessions to further educate families on the impact of attendance and to offer strategies for improving and maintaining regular school attendance.

We encourage you to join us in supporting this initiative by prioritizing school attendance and working together to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. Your support makes a significant difference in your child’s educational journey and future success.

Thank you for your commitment to making this school year a successful and enriching experience for all our students. Let’s make every school day count!

MISSION POSSIBLE: BE A BRAVE BOOSTER

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski    

This Thursday, March 28 at 9:00 AM we will host our third Must Be Present To Win assembly. As you know these assemblies are a time for celebration and recognition. We have asked our community members, teachers and supporters to help us in this process by being BRAVE BOOSTERS! 

Sacaton Elementary School District wants students and parents to know that good things can happen to those who participate and engage in learning. Building trust is key in this process. Even more so, being present in mind and body are keys to learning engagement. This initiative compliments our School Mission to "engage students to take ownership of their learning, embrace the culture, and contribute to the world around them."

At the assembly on March 28 we will be making a big transition in our celebration. We will continue to celebrate those students that have engaged in the learning process, but we will introduce a new challenge. This challenge will be our MISSION POSSIBLE. If they choose to accept this MISSION, it will be the ultimate challenge to BE BRAVE!  All of Sacaton School's stated matras will be called upon for this challenge: HCA, Cross the Line, Engage - Embrace and Contribute, and Must Be Present To Win. At the assembly our students will receive their MISSION assignment as a "Hero in training." Heroware will be distributed. We will also be recognizing our BRAVE BOOSTERS (its not too late to become one, see below). If you are or become a BRAVE BOOSTER, you too will receive Heroware. This heroware will don the blue diamond symbol above with letters on the back indicating your hero status.

As you may know from comic legend hero, Superman, that the iconic "S" on Superman's chest is actually the Kyptonian symbol of HOPE! Krypton was Superman's home planet. It doesn't stand for Superman. It is a symbol of hope that sets the expectation of action and behavior. This is exactly what we are doing at our assemblies. We are taking the best of Hollywood in MISSION POSSIBLE and "lighting a fuse" that challenges our students, staff and community "to be our very best!" We are using the crest worn by an iconic Superhero to connect with actions of expectation with the HOPE that we will make a difference in this world. We are CONNECTING with kids and providing a brand of expectation.

Please join us in supporting our students. If you would like to be a BRAVE BOOSTER bring a incentive "engagement" donation. We do not want money but are seeking “new” items that students would find appealing (bikes, toys, watches, headphones, games, Lego sets, book sets, ball caps, baseball/basketball/football uniforms, etc.). We cannot use candy or food items. We will use your item at this coming assembly if it is received before the end of the day on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: If you would like to make a difference and donate an “engagement” incentive(s), please drop off all item(s) at the District Office. Administrative Assistant Sue Seider will register the item, approximate value, and name of the person/business donating it and add their name to a list of BRAVE BOOSTERS. A list of Brave Boosters will be added to the website to track and honor those who donate engagement incentives. The incentives will be distributed at our Must Be Present To Win Assemblies. The list of BRAVE BOOSTERS will also be acknowledged at our assemblies and other school functions.

Getting students to engage and take ownership of their learning, embrace their culture, and contribute to the world around them is our mission at Sacaton. It truly is MISSION POSSIBLE!

Be a part of the BRAVE BOOSTERS! Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of our youth.

Important Monkey Business

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

On Friday October 27, 2023 the District hosted its second Must Be Present To Win assembly. During the assembly we celebrated a number of student initiatives designed to get students to engage, embrace and contribute to their school, culture and world around them. Initiatives like Be Brave,  Must Be Present To Win, HCA (safety, support and belonging), and Cross-the-line were presented and celebrated.  

The entire school was there and was supported by local leaders and dignitaries. Governor Steven Lewis spoke to the students about attending school and setting goals. He recalled his days as a student at Sacaton and encouraged students to work hard because one day they could be the next Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, the State of Arizona or even perhaps the first Native American President of the United States. 

The Phoenix Suns sent their mascot the "Gorilla" to the assembly to celebrate what Home Court Advantage (aka Home Community Advantage) is all about. High fives, fist bumps, belly slides and smiles were on display by the Gorilla. His presence enhanced the type of support needed to help pick one other up so everyone can belong in a safe school environment. He is truly a mascot for HCA! 

Once again, incentives were handed out to students that have proven to be engaged in school by attending 10 days in a row, 15 days in a row, 20 days in a row, 30 days in a row as well as perfect attendance.  The number of students that have reached these goals since our last assembly is astonishing as the initiative is supported with prizes from BRAVE BOOSTERS in the community. This group of individuals donates incentives to be given away. It is a great reflection on community involvement and makes a difference in the educational engagement of children. I believe in the impact that this is having in our school; therefore, I am actively seeking out additional incentive donations from other sources. We do not want money but are seeking “new” items that students would find appealing (bikes, toys, watches, headphones, games, Lego sets, book sets, ball caps, baseball/basketball/football uniforms, etc.). We cannot use candy or food items. If you would like to join our group of BRAVE BOOSTERS, please see below.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: If you would like to make a difference and donate an “engagement” incentive(s), please drop off all item(s) at the District Office. Administrative Assistant Sue Seider will register the item, approximate value, and name of the person/business donating it and add their name to a list of BRAVE BOOSTERS. A list of Brave Boosters will be added to the website to track and honor those who donate engagement incentives. The incentives will be distributed at our Must Be Present To Win Assemblies. The list of BRAVE BOOSTERS will also be acknowledged at our assemblies and other school functions. 

Getting student to engage and take ownership of their learning, embrace their culture, and contribute to the world around them is our mission at Sacaton. It truly is MISSION POSSIBLE!

Be a part of the BRAVE BOOSTERS! Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of our youth.

 

Engaging Students Must Be Present To Win

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Engaging students equals successful students. Until we make school the best part of every student's day, they will struggle with attendance, achievement, and graduation rates. Failure to engage students has resulted in students tuning out and dropping out. Finding new ways to connect with students is difficult. Getting them to choose to connect, engage and be present takes thinking outside the box.

Sacaton Elementary School District wants students and parents to know that good things can happen to those who participate and engage in learning. Building trust is key in this process. Even more so, being present in mind and body are keys to learning engagement. This initiative compliments our School Mission to "engage students to take ownership of their learning, embrace the culture, and contribute to the world around them."

RESEARCH SAYS: Brain based learning tells us that working memory is stored in the brain's prefrontal cortex during instruction of SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION, SPECIAL EVENTS or information that is REPEATED. Working memory only stays in the prefrontal cortex for 3-7 days. If information is not SIGNIFICANT, SPECIAL or REPEATED, it will not be converted to long-term memory. Our goal as educators is to capture and hold working memory. 

This year our school has developed a student engagement initiative: MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! Our goal is not only to get kids to come to school, but be present while doing so. It is important to do this consistently to capture working memory; therefore, we are asking kids to begin making school a habit of consistency (thus 10 days in a row). Coming to school consistently results in presence of mind as well as body. Hence MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!

We are "kicking this initiative off" at the Middle School by offering students the chance to win a "preseason" experience and attend the Arizona Cardinals vs Kansas City Chiefs game on Saturday, August 19, 2023, with several of our staff members through an initial engagement exercise. The teachers and students interested in this engagement exercise must email their principal, Mr. Don Shopp the following message: "My name is (first and last name) and I want to be present to win in the 2023 and 2024 school year." Do get me wrong, we can't possibly buy tickets for every middle school student and teacher, but have purchased 12 tickets. Engaging in this activity only gives our teachers and students a chance. Like in life, there are no promises or assurances of success, but if you don't engage and participate, you don't have much of a change to win!

We will draw tickets on Monday, August 14, 2023, and verify winners (get permissions) by Wednesday, August 16, 2023. There will be 8 students and 4 staff members selected. Drawings will be done via Zoom for every class to engage. There will be 8 alternates drawn incase permission can't be obtained. We will pick students up at the middle school on August 19, Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM and bring them home after the game at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix. 

REMEMBER

People don't care what you know until they know that you care!

BE BRAVE!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!