The following link is from the MHSAA and a contest they have for each sport. Although we do not compete for this award or in the MHSAA, it would be good for our fans, athletes, coaches, and parents to follow these rules and guidelines.
GOOD SPORTS ARE WINNERS
Monday, March 18, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Bully or Conflict?
I would like to discuss a topic that has been laying heavily on my heart for the past few months.
Even though CTK is wonderful and we are doing God's will, Satan does creep into our lives and wants to destroy. We have had a few incidents' with what could be classified as bullying. What I want to discuss is what this word means. I have been involved with other principals across the nation discussing what does this word mean and is it different than having a conflict or misbehavior.
The teachers and myself will not tolerate bullying and will follow a set policy when bullying does occur. Does that mean every conflict is bullying? I don't think so. Part of growing up and learning how to communicate with each other, could result, because of sin and selfishness, in conflict.
So, What is Bullying?
Cyberbullying means bullying by use of any electronic communication device such as, but not limited to: email, text messages, blogs, cell phones, social media, and websites.
So what is the Difference between Conflict and Bullying? Principal at St. John's Lutheran in LaGrange, Illinois shared these charts:
We live in a sinful world. Because of sin, we know conflicts will happen in the world and school. What we do when conflicts occur makes CTK different. Conflict can turn into bullying. Bullying has no place in a Christian community. If either a conflict or bullying incident happens, the classroom teacher will handle it first. If it is not resolved at this level, the Principal will become involved. Any and all parts of the discipline policy will be used at that point. The goal is always to resolve the issue through law and Gospel so that a Christian environment is restored and God is glorified.
Even though CTK is wonderful and we are doing God's will, Satan does creep into our lives and wants to destroy. We have had a few incidents' with what could be classified as bullying. What I want to discuss is what this word means. I have been involved with other principals across the nation discussing what does this word mean and is it different than having a conflict or misbehavior.
The teachers and myself will not tolerate bullying and will follow a set policy when bullying does occur. Does that mean every conflict is bullying? I don't think so. Part of growing up and learning how to communicate with each other, could result, because of sin and selfishness, in conflict.
So, What is Bullying?
- When the harm or hurt is on purpose; it's not a mistake or by accident.
- When the student fears the other student.
- When the student seems more powerful, likely the two are not friends.
- When the student seems to enjoy hurting others.
- When the student repeats the behavior(s) over and over.
The key words that show there is a bullying problem is - Purpose; Fear; Power; Hurt; Repeats.
Looking into the Bible and what God says about bullying, I like 1st Peter 2:1;
"Therefore, rid yourself of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind."What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying means bullying by use of any electronic communication device such as, but not limited to: email, text messages, blogs, cell phones, social media, and websites.
So what is the Difference between Conflict and Bullying? Principal at St. John's Lutheran in LaGrange, Illinois shared these charts:
Normal
Conflict
|
Bullying
|
Equal
power between friends
|
Display
of power, not in friendship
|
Occasional
|
Frequent
|
Accidental
|
Purposeful
|
Demonstrates
concern
|
Demonstrates
pleasure
|
Takes
responsibility
|
Blames
others
|
Tries to
solve the problem
|
No
effort to resolve issue
|
Occurs
anywhere
|
Occurs
where bully is not seen by teachers
|
Teasing between Friends
|
Taunting by a Bully
|
Swaps
roles with ease
|
Based
on an imbalance of power
|
Not
intended to hurt
|
Intended
to harm
|
Maintains
dignity
|
Meant
to humiliate or demean
|
Pokes
fun in lighthearted clever ways
|
Comments
or acts are bigoted
|
Innocent
in motive
|
Sinister
in motive
|
Only
part of the friendship interaction
|
Continuous
action toward the target
|
Discontinued
when person teased becomes upset
|
Continues
or increases when target becomes distressed or objects
|
We live in a sinful world. Because of sin, we know conflicts will happen in the world and school. What we do when conflicts occur makes CTK different. Conflict can turn into bullying. Bullying has no place in a Christian community. If either a conflict or bullying incident happens, the classroom teacher will handle it first. If it is not resolved at this level, the Principal will become involved. Any and all parts of the discipline policy will be used at that point. The goal is always to resolve the issue through law and Gospel so that a Christian environment is restored and God is glorified.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Parking Lot reminder
Dear Parents,
This is a reminder to drive slowly in the parking lot. Take your time to look for running children, that most likely won't see you driving. Give the right of way to our children walking across the parking lot. At the end of the day, if you are waiting for your child and they do not exit right away, please be courteous and drive around to the back of the line. Before and After school if your child needs help entering or exiting the vehicle, parking in a spot may be the best place to help your child.
As an office staff we are trying to develop the best way to drop off and pick up children. We will take any good suggestions.
We want what is best for the safety of your children.
Dan
This is a reminder to drive slowly in the parking lot. Take your time to look for running children, that most likely won't see you driving. Give the right of way to our children walking across the parking lot. At the end of the day, if you are waiting for your child and they do not exit right away, please be courteous and drive around to the back of the line. Before and After school if your child needs help entering or exiting the vehicle, parking in a spot may be the best place to help your child.
As an office staff we are trying to develop the best way to drop off and pick up children. We will take any good suggestions.
We want what is best for the safety of your children.
Dan
Monday, January 21, 2013
WHAT A GAME!
If you were at the Panther Invitation Varsity championship game, I am not telling you anything you didn't see. Our Panthers were playing the top seeded team in the league, St. Matthew Westland, the grade school that I went to. The Raiders (St. Matthew) have already beaten us a few times, including last week in the Northville Christian tournament.
The game was back and forth all game long. One of the refs, who refs for High school games, said that game was the best and most exciting game which he has seen all season. Our 8th grade boys were determined to win this game. They did everything they could to score, steal the ball, and get rebounds. St. Matthew also played very hard. The Raiders best player in that game, who is also my cousin, hit a three pointer from the corner in the final seconds to tie the game up.
In overtime we shut down the raiders and won the game. The excitement from the boys and the crowd felt like it was a high school state championship game. This is the first year we won our own tournament. Coach Poe did a wonderful job preparing the boys.
Next week we take on Guardian in the first round of the league tournament.
Our JV team also played some tough games and finished 4th. Below are some pictures from the tournament.
The game was back and forth all game long. One of the refs, who refs for High school games, said that game was the best and most exciting game which he has seen all season. Our 8th grade boys were determined to win this game. They did everything they could to score, steal the ball, and get rebounds. St. Matthew also played very hard. The Raiders best player in that game, who is also my cousin, hit a three pointer from the corner in the final seconds to tie the game up.
In overtime we shut down the raiders and won the game. The excitement from the boys and the crowd felt like it was a high school state championship game. This is the first year we won our own tournament. Coach Poe did a wonderful job preparing the boys.
Next week we take on Guardian in the first round of the league tournament.
Our JV team also played some tough games and finished 4th. Below are some pictures from the tournament.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Panther Patrol Request
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had a wonderful
Christmas break. Over the break the
security team met and had some great discussions. You will see some changes around school. All visitors / parents must sign in and must
have a name tag to be in the hallways.
We are working on the cameras and door buzzer systems. The security team will be meeting later this
month for updates and any new security changes.
The safety of your children is our number 1 priority. All Doors
will be locked at 8:30am. Due to the
safety of your children and productive classroom learning environment we ask
that all parents leave the building at this time.
One of the other outcomes of our discussion is
a volunteer patrol watch group, or as we are calling it, Panther Patrol. We are asking for volunteers to be part of
our Panther Patrol. The Panther Patrol
group will have various responsibilities on their scheduled day of
volunteer. The morning will consist of
standing by our West Entrance (by the 8th grade room / gym entrance)
from 8:10 – 8:30am. At 8:30am we will
ask this volunteer to make sure all outside doors are locked and walk through
hallways and locker rooms. We are asking
this volunteer to be able to be a visual in the hallways, making sure hallways
are clear of individuals and anyone without a name tag and reason to be in the
hallways and meeting areas. We will
provide lunch for those who want to stay the entire morning. If you are interested please stop by the
office to fill out a Panther Patrol volunteer form. We will be doing a background check on anyone
who wants to volunteer. After the
background check clears, we will add you to the schedule as you are
available. If you have any questions
please stop by the office.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Heard it from a friend
"Heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who heard it from another you've been messing around." "I heard it through the grapevine." Hopefully you recognize these lyrics from REO Speedwagon and Marvin Gaye. I also wish I was just writing this blog post about great songs.
In the past few weeks I have heard many rumors/gossiping in the hallways and have even been asked if this or that rumor was true. I personally feel that our need to gossip is a power thing. In this case this power is knowledge. Knowing something that someone may not know and being able to be "the one" who knows more than someone else. But what are we really doing?
If we look at the eighth commandment and Luther's meaning, we can see we are breaking this commandment. (Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, nor defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.)
In many cases, gossiping is making untrue statements about someone. God forbids this (Proverbs 19:5, Ephesians 4:25, James 4:11). But, what if what you heard is true, should you tell others? NO! We are not to betray our neighbors either. If you have an issue with someone, you need to address them yourself and alone (Matthew 18:15).
We are part of CTK as a whole. Each person is a very important part of the whole. None more important than the other. The school needs: Parents, Teachers, Office Staff, Other Staff, Volunteers, and most importantly Students. We need to work together and work past the rumors we hear. As parents, you need to work with each other also, just like teachers need to work with each other. As parents you pick CTK because the type of education we give your child(ren).
What to do when you hear gossiping?
There are two appropriate actions that can be taken. 1) Walk away or 2) Tell the people who are gossiping to stop.
Is "getting it off your chest" or having someone to hear you out considered gossiping?
That is a big question that has a very shady line of where too much is too much. Sometimes, it just takes letting one other confidant know what is going on and bounce thoughts off of them. I have mentors that I talk with about issues, to hopefully help shine some light on solutions. At CTK we have the Principal Advisory Committee for this purpose, to help me make decisions. The crossing of the line comes into play when spreading information, true or not, and whether it will cause harm to someone or not.
In the past few weeks I have heard many rumors/gossiping in the hallways and have even been asked if this or that rumor was true. I personally feel that our need to gossip is a power thing. In this case this power is knowledge. Knowing something that someone may not know and being able to be "the one" who knows more than someone else. But what are we really doing?
If we look at the eighth commandment and Luther's meaning, we can see we are breaking this commandment. (Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, nor defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.)
In many cases, gossiping is making untrue statements about someone. God forbids this (Proverbs 19:5, Ephesians 4:25, James 4:11). But, what if what you heard is true, should you tell others? NO! We are not to betray our neighbors either. If you have an issue with someone, you need to address them yourself and alone (Matthew 18:15).
We are part of CTK as a whole. Each person is a very important part of the whole. None more important than the other. The school needs: Parents, Teachers, Office Staff, Other Staff, Volunteers, and most importantly Students. We need to work together and work past the rumors we hear. As parents, you need to work with each other also, just like teachers need to work with each other. As parents you pick CTK because the type of education we give your child(ren).
What to do when you hear gossiping?
There are two appropriate actions that can be taken. 1) Walk away or 2) Tell the people who are gossiping to stop.
Is "getting it off your chest" or having someone to hear you out considered gossiping?
That is a big question that has a very shady line of where too much is too much. Sometimes, it just takes letting one other confidant know what is going on and bounce thoughts off of them. I have mentors that I talk with about issues, to hopefully help shine some light on solutions. At CTK we have the Principal Advisory Committee for this purpose, to help me make decisions. The crossing of the line comes into play when spreading information, true or not, and whether it will cause harm to someone or not.
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