Take a stand against bullying

In our efforts to ensure that HBB is a Bully Free Zone we do a lot of work to create positive behavioral expectations.  This approach is different than simply establishing rules and consequences because we are not telling our kids what they can’t do, but rather we choose to focus on establishing expectations around the kind of community we want to be. 

These expectations are communicated through our character word of the week and the Burkland’s Best (Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Caring, Be Healthy and Try your hardest).   

We want to make sure that all of our students know we believe in them and when they make poor decisions it is not just about breaking the rules or doing something bad.  It is important to let them know what they should do instead so we focus on following the expectations for our community.  When poor choices are made we focus on accepting responsibility and repairing relationships.  

It is our belief that when students understand what it takes to be part of the HBB community and those expectations are clearly laid out, students rise to the occasion and treat others with respect.

To support these efforts we held an assembly today and our students in grades 3-5 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center on Bullying.  During this presentation students learned about ways they can take a positive stand against bullying and help create a positive school community.

As mentioned numerous times we are VERY proud of our student council members for raising $1400 for the Wish Foundation.  Today they were presented a plaque that will be hanging in the main office.

The entire staff of the Middleborough School District participated in an incredibly powerful professional development a week ago with Todd Whitaker.  Todd Whitaker is an internationally recognized speaker and is best known for his books What Great Teachers Do Differently and What Great Principals do Differently.  He had many great messages for us but one challenge he laid out for us that I thought I would pass along to the entire HBB community is to........

Raise the Praise

and

Minimize the Criticize!

While this is pretty simple advice it can be powerful if we all do our part!

And lastly....our Character Word of the Week for last week was Courage.  Our winners are..............