Cherry Staff and Team Pictures
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
2018-2019 Cherry Elementary Staff
Pre-K Team:
PPCD Team- Ms. Stitts, Mrs. Stai, Mrs. McKissick, Mrs. Ramos, Ms. Vela
Kinder Team: Mrs. Lozano, Mrs. Eckhoff, Ms. Ryman, Mr. Raybun, Mrs. Estlinbaum, Ms. Jernigan
2nd Grade Team- Mrs. Finley, Mrs. Rice, Mrs. Hudson, Mrs. Sparks
3rd Grade Team- Mrs. Finley, Mrs. Becker, Ms. Kovar, Mrs. Ressman, Mrs. Schwirtlich
4th Grade Team: Mrs. Jefferson, Mrs. Webbon, Mrs. Perez, Ms. Treumer
5th Grade Team: Mrs. Jefferson, Mrs. Hurtado, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Hasty, Mrs. McDaniel
Specials: Mrs. Brinkley, Mrs. McNiel, Mrs. Fusilier, Coach Morris, Mrs. Brooks
(PE, Library, Art, PE, Music)
Specials: Mrs. Grice, Mrs. Garg, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Espinosa, Mrs. Haning
What is a Social Contract?
Monday, August 27, 2018
Capturing Kids' Hearts is a program used throughout Bay City ISD. Every campus and employee on the campus has been trained to use this program. There are so many great things about CKH's but one of the most prevalent throughout Cherry Elementary is the Social Contract.
Your students may have came home and told you that they signed a social contract in their classroom. Within each of their classrooms, students work together to build a social contract. They begin by asking the following questions within their group:
- How do you want to be treated by me (leader)?
- How do you want to be treated by each other?
- How do you think I (leader) want to be treated by you?
- How do you want to treat each other when there is a conflict?
As a whole group, the students go through adding words to their social contract and agreeing upon those words. Words might include respectful, honest, trustworthy, helpful. When adding the word to the contract, the teacher might ask "what does that look like", "how could we show that in the classroom". If a word is said more than once, the students will put a checkmark next to that word to show that the class thinks that it is important. When the students are satisfied with the words on the contract, the class agrees to the social contract by signing it.
Below are a few examples of contracts from the Cherry Elementary classrooms. In grades 2nd through 5th grade, the teachers guide the students through these steps to help them create a contract for each of their classes. This ensures that the students have specific words and actions that their class has agreed upon.
Each week we will be sharing a word from the Cherry Elementary Social contract with you. Take time to talk with your students about the word that we share. What does it look like? What do you expect from them in regard to that word? How can they show that they understand what that word means?
We look forward to sharing more with you,
Mrs. Hagg
Cherry School Counselor
Below are a few examples of contracts from the Cherry Elementary classrooms. In grades 2nd through 5th grade, the teachers guide the students through these steps to help them create a contract for each of their classes. This ensures that the students have specific words and actions that their class has agreed upon.
Mrs. Frankson's 1st Grade Classroom
Ms. Jernigan's Kinder Classroom
Mrs. Becker's 3rd Grade Classroom
Mrs. Ressman's 3rd Grade Classroom
Mrs. Johnson's 5th Grade Classroom
The great thing about social contracts are that they can be used universally. The staff at Cherry has a social contract that we refer to in our meetings or if a conflict arises on campus. Some teachers have even decided to use them at home with their own families. Each week we will be sharing a word from the Cherry Elementary Social contract with you. Take time to talk with your students about the word that we share. What does it look like? What do you expect from them in regard to that word? How can they show that they understand what that word means?
We look forward to sharing more with you,
Mrs. Hagg
Cherry School Counselor
John H. Cherry Elementary Named Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
John H. Cherry Elementary has received a Capturing
Kids’ Hearts National Showcase SchoolsTM
award for the 2017-2018 school year from the Flippen Group.
Two years ago, Cherry Elementary began an
initiative to transform the campus into an emotionally safe and relationally
connected place for students, staff, and parents to come alive with a love for
learning.
After researching programs used by some of the
nation’s most successful schools, Bay City ISD leaders chose to join
hands with the Flippen Group to bring Capturing Kids’ HeartsⓇ to its campuses. Teachers and staff learned processes to increase
students’ connectedness with both peers and adults on campus. They learned how
to create a classroom environment where students are excited to enter and learn
every day. As a result of implementing Capturing Kids’ Hearts, Cherry Elementary has enjoyed a decrease in disciplinary incidents and bullying, and an improvement in campus climate.
Since 1990, campuses across the country have
experienced amazing outcomes with Capturing Kids’ Hearts tools and
processes by creating socio-emotional safety conducive to learning. The Flippen
Group provides educators the skills they need to change the trajectory of
students’ lives. Openness replaces defensiveness. Judging and feelings
of being judged are replaced with acceptance and real connectedness to
the school. “Discipline problems nearly non-existent,” and “Academic
achievement constantly improving,” are common feedback following Capturing
Kids’ Hearts implementation.
Through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National
Showcase Schools awards, the Flippen Group recognizes and celebrates
campuses that go the extra mile each day, building an environment where
students and staff feel safe and connected. The Flippen Group believes unsung
heroes who produce exemplary outcomes in schools and pave the way for other
schools to follow, need and deserve recognition for a job well done.
Capturing Kids’ Hearts campuses across the country were considered for these awards
based on the following criteria: 1) nomination based on observation, 2) level of
implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes by all staff as
measured by online surveys, and 3) data demonstrating that Capturing Kids’
Hearts has made a significant improvement in attendance, discipline,
climate/culture, or academics.
A Flippen Group team visited each nominated
campus to gather additional quantitative and qualitative data, and to interview
students, teachers, administrators, and parents. They used a matrix of key
measurements to gather information during the campus walk-through. Finally, an
additional survey was conducted to collect feedback regarding the perceived
climate and culture of the campus and its conduciveness to learning. Following
this visit, the selection team reviewed all accumulated data and selected the
campuses to receive the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase
Schools awards.
The Flippen Group is proud to recognize these
outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in
the lives of our children. As we identify these remarkable schools, campus
leaders, and teachers each year, please join us in celebrating them as some of
the most skilled and effective educators in the country!
For more information about the Capturing
Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards, contact:
Tanya Peterson
Flippen Group
Office Phone: 1-800-316-4311
Office Fax: 1-877-941-4700
info@flippengroup.com
Mrs. Dodd's Newsletter: April 13, 2018
Please read Mrs. Dodd's latest Newsletter, scheduled to go home this Friday, April 13, 2018.
Cherry Elementary Nominated for a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools Award
Friday, December 8, 2017
John H. Cherry Elementary School has been nominated for a Capturing
Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools award for the 2017-2018 school year
by the Flippen Group. In 2016, school administrators began an initiative to transform the campus into an
emotionally safe and relationally connected place for students, staff, and
parents to come together with a love for learning.
After researching programs used by many of the
nation’s most successful schools, Cherry Elementary chose to join hands with
the Flippen Group to bring Capturing Kids’ HeartsⓇ to its campus. Teachers and staff have continued to learn the
processes needed to connect students with their peers and adults on campus and
to create classrooms where students are excited to learn every day. As a result
of implementing Capturing Kids’ Hearts, the school has experienced a decrease in disciplinary incidents, and an overall increase in campus climate and culture.
Over the next several months, a Flippen Group
site team will visit Cherry Elementary to observe the progress taking place
and decide whether the campus qualifies to become a recipient of this year’s Capturing
Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards.
Since 1990, campuses across the country have
experienced amazing outcomes with Capturing Kids’ Hearts tools and
processes, creating the socio-emotional safety conducive to learning. Flippen
Group provides educators the skills they need to change the trajectory of
students’ lives. Openness replaces defensiveness. Judging and feelings
of being judged are replaced with acceptance and real connectedness to
the school. “Discipline problems nearly non-existent,” and “Academic
achievement constantly improving,” are common feedback following Capturing
Kids’ Hearts implementation.
Through the National Showcase Schools awards,
Flippen Group seeks to recognize and celebrate schools that go the extra mile
each day, building an environment where students and staff feel safe and
connected. Flippen Group believes the unsung heroes who produce exemplary
outcomes in schools and pave the way for other schools to follow need and
deserve recognition for a job well done.
Capturing Kids’ Hearts campuses across the country are considered for this award based
on the following criteria: 1) nomination based on observation, 2) level of
implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes by all staff as
measured by online surveys, and 3) data demonstrating that Capturing Kids’
Hearts has made a significant improvement in attendance, discipline,
climate/culture, or academics.
Since the nomination period is now closed,
Flippen Group teams will begin conducting site visits to nominated campuses to
gather additional quantitative and qualitative data and interview students,
teachers, administrators, and parents. They will compile a matrix of key
measurements from the campus observation. Finally, they will conduct an
additional survey to collect feedback regarding the perceived climate and
culture of the campus and its conduciveness to learning. Following the site
visit, the selection team will review all accumulated data and select the
campuses to be this year’s recipients of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National
Showcase Schools awards.
The Flippen Group is proud to recognize the
outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in
the lives of our children. As they identify these outstanding schools, campus
leaders, and teachers each year, please join in celebrating some of the most
skilled and effective educators in the country!
For more information about the Capturing
Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards, contact:
Tanya Peterson
Flippen Group
Office Phone: 1-800-316-4311
Office Fax: 1-877-941-4700
info@flippengroup.com
Student Council Delivers Donations to Crisis Center
Friday, November 3, 2017
On Friday, November 3rd, our Student Council delivered boxes of donations collected from Cherry Elementary students. This was a project led by Counselor Ashley Hagg, as part of our annual Red Ribbon Week festivities in October. Over the course of a week, students donated much-needed supplies including soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, hair brushes, and other necessary items to help the women and children who rely on services provided by our local Crisis Center. We are so appreciative of the kindness shown by our students and their families, showing support for our community, and we are proud of the Student Council for helping lead this cause.
ONE Can Make a Difference
Friday, October 27, 2017
In our Guidance Lessons this week, I wanted to talk to the students about how they can impact the day of their peers and teachers based on the words that they use. We read the Starfish story and talked about how the little boy in the story makes a difference in the lives of the starfish he tosses back into the ocean, even if he can't save them all.
During our lesson, the students sat at a table and put their names on their starfish. At each signal I gave them, they passed their starfish paper to the right and the students at their table wrote something kind about the student. We passed our papers around the table until it arrived back at the original owner. Then, I took the papers and sent them to a new table. We did this a few times so that the students had a chance to write kind things about each other.
When we had completed a few rounds, I had the students read the name of a student and choose one kind word about the student to tell the whole class. It was amazing to watch the faces of the students as their kind words were read aloud. Our first instinct when we hear kind words about ourselves is to shy away, disagree, or come up with an excuse but I challenged the students to just sit and listen to all of the wonderful things said about their classmates.
I don't know about you, but when I receive a note, letter, or kind word from someone else, it feels as though a spark is lit. I feel extra motivate to continue doing what I am doing or ensure that I am showcasing that positive attribute. Sometimes it is easy to pick on the negatives instead of letting the positives shine. As the students got their papers back and read the kind words their peers had said about them, I feel as though it gave them a sense of self worth. The smiles truly said it all.
My hope with this lesson is that students see how it feels to receive affirmations and in return will give those affirmations to their peers more frequently.
Mrs. Hagg
Cherry School Counselor
My hope with this lesson is that students see how it feels to receive affirmations and in return will give those affirmations to their peers more frequently.
Mrs. Hagg
Cherry School Counselor
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