Creswell Connections: January

For our January Creswell Connections meeting we were fortunate to have a guest speaker, Mr. James Martin from Tennessee Voices for Children, join us to discuss bullying prevention.  Here are some of the highlights from his presentation:

• Bullying is a national issue: 71% of students report bullying as an ongoing problem, and 90% of students grase 4-8 report being victims of bullying.  On average, 282,000 students report being attacked by peers in high schools throughout the country each month.*
• Verbal abuse can occur face-to-face, but increasingly these tactics are used via text and the internet - even (sometimes especially) during school hours, resulting in negative self-image and damaged self-esteem.  Physical conflicts are not limited to fights, but include such behaviors as pushing in hallways or bathrooms - acts meant to intimidate and establish dominance in front of peers by means of force.
• Bullying can be acted out by an individual student or by the social group(s) associated with this individual as well.  Family members and other adults have also sometimes initiated bullying tactics.
• The effects of bullying and intimidation (name calling, teasing, rumors and social exclusion) can be physical, but are often mental and emotional as well. Victims often distance themselves from peers and family, frequently describe themselves in a negative fashion, exhibit fear when in large groups of people, and often have changes in eating or sleeping patterns.  Victims of bullying often seem very intimidated when receiving negative feedback or are challenged on a topic/idea.
• The best ways to combat bullying are to develop youth confidence through daily positive communication.  Link youth with positive peer groups that are open to discussing such issues - Youth Move, Youth in Action Councils, etc.  Strengthen youth/adult relationships by making yourself available to talk about these issues, or just share positive time together.  

TN Voices has many programs to fit a wide variety of need and family situation - feel free to contact them at any time if interested in learning more.  Thank you again, Mr. Martin, for your time and information!

Tennessee Voices for Children, Inc. (TVC) was formally organized in 1990 by Tipper Gore as a statewide coalition of individuals, agencies and organizations working together as a Steering Council to promote children’s health and education services. TVC has progressed to become a statewide and national source of referral, support, and advocacy for families and the systems that serve them.

*Source Source Source

1/22/13 PTSO Meeting

With the new year underway, we're striving for more ways to keep parents and the community involved and educated about all of the great things we have going on at ITC.  One of those ways starts now: PTSO Meeting notes!

While these are not official minutes, nor do they provide the full details about everything that's discussed at the PTSO Meetings - which you're welcome to attend! :) - they should provide a bit of an idea about the things that are currently "on the table" for our school.

From the Principal's Report:

The school now has wifi!  The finishing touches of installation will go through from 3-6 pm this afternoon, 1/23, which means that phones and internet capabilities for that time may be disrupted.  Please be aware of this potential break in communication during this time.

Several new security cameras have been installed on campus, in line with ongoing update of campus security protocol.

Band Room storage renovation continues to improve, and we hope to have lockers soon, pending funding opportunities.

Our school is in-process of grant writing for the STEAM initiative, which will bring many new opportunities for our students!  If you would like to be involved in the grant writing process, or get more information, there will be a meeting held tomorrow, 1/24, in the library, from 4-6 pm.

Please welcome our new Encore teacher, Mrs. Julie Martin-Walker, to campus.  Mrs. Martin-Walker will be piloting a new style of gifted education, making ITC one of only two middle schools in the area with such a program.

Additional News: 

Continuation forms are being sent home 1/22-1/23.  Please complete the form and return it to school by 2/1/13, as this will secure each students placement at ITC for the next school year.

Thanks to the PTSO for funding the Choir/Select Singers attire; the singers participated in two events this month, and the new uniforms were well received.

Special thanks also to Mr. Helvig, who set up lights and was the DJ for our New Year's Dance!

We are taking suggestions for a Lunchtime Incentive program, which will encourage students to reduce the amount of mess and disorderly conduct that sometimes accompanies lunch breaks.

The 2013 Sweetheart Dance is coming up soon!  Friday, 2/15/13 will be the date for the Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Sweetheart Dance, and volunteers are needed!  Tickets will be $15 per student (parent or family member included) which provides a sit-down meal, dessert, and an evening of dancing.  Last year's dance was a huge success - this will be the event that you don't want to miss!

Welcome!

In an effort to get our community the best, most recent information about our school, we've picked up a little bit of blogspace.  Here you'll find content that was a bit big for a tweet or splash update, as well as info that isn't found in our e-blast newsletters. 

We hope you'll enjoy it, and - as always - let us know if you have ideas about content to include or ways that we can improve.  We're here to serve you!