I am reading a new book called, "Grit", by Angela Duckworth. It is an easy read, but so relevant as we raise our children. So often I see students not giving their all or wanting to quit when things are beginning to look difficult. Encourage your student to think through the obstacles before them and develop a plan of overcoming their difficulties. They can do it!

The result of this book led me to a web site for developing our young people. There are wonderfully crafted lessons for goal setting, focus, grit, etc. I have volunteered to pilot some of these lessons in the classroom. Currently, we are using a simple goal setting strategy titled WOOP:

Wish
Outcome
Obstacle
Plan

Students used this plan for the first time a couple of weeks ago. We will use this strategy a couple of more times this year. Hopefully, this goal setting strategy will leave an imprint for future use beyond the band room.

As parents, we do not want to see our children struggle or suffer. However, as a teacher, I want to see our children persevere through the obstacles before them. They will build Grit, the capacity to endure difficulties, and become stronger people. As a result of Grit, our students will become stronger leaders of our world.

Let's work together to build the capacity of Grit within our young people. They will be happier, independent, and stronger individuals.

Teaching content/curriculum is hard, but most difficult aspect to the classroom is building a culture.  The culture should be positive, welcoming and safe. Most of the time I think the band has the best culture ever. For the most part, the band does. However, there are times when our cloud bursts and there are pieces to pick up.

When "social drama" creeps into a group the mentality shifts and sometimes I go into a secret "panic mode". Thoughts cross my mind such as "what have I been doing wrong" or "I kept my head under a rock" or "did I say/do something wrong". I try not to pry into the students lives or constantly talk about treating others with respect. After all, there is music/content to learn!

The band is not immune to "social drama" or conflicts. When you dig deep enough and put the thousands of little pieces together of who said/did what there is a common denominator. That denominator is lack of empathy for others.

Students minds are racing a mile a minute. Much faster than ours were during this age. Students say or do things that may be "appropriate" for their home/social circle, but it is perceived as inappropriate for others. One of the best staff training I had was this August and it had to do with sexual harassment. Though the topic of sexual harassment is not what we are dealing with, the premise of the video was this: The harasser did not realize the intent or harm they were performing in another person's presence.

The training emphazised thinking before saying or doing. The old adage of our childhoods is creeping back. The training also discussed developing empathy for others. During our most recent Leadership Symposium many candid conversations took place as the students discussed the Causes and Reactions to social conflict. Then the students discussed Strategies and ways to Implement the strategies to cope with social conflict. 

After discussing the Implementation aspect we discovered that the best way to create a positive, safe and welcoming culture was Peer to Peer. The directors are clear in our expectations, but the students have to reinforce the expectations. For example: If the expectation that zero talking is to take place while we are working than the vast of the majority of the students need to uphold that expectation 100%. If the expectation is that we build each other up than Every Single Person needs to a part of this. Parents and Teachers need to spend more time on teaching empathy to our students. Together we are the best team for our kids.

Dear Band Family,

It is so good to say that! Cheryl and I have been working for years to achieve this type of culture and we are arriving as a real team accomplishing great things. You may have seen that LCS has been in the news because of our deficit. More than ever our great team needs to pull together with the LCS community and report to others the assets of our great district. There are many awesome things happening that people in your neighborhoods do not know about. 

* Recruit for our district. There are great things in every building!
* Recruit for our band program. This means 5th grade on up! Did you know we have a brand new student to our program? He is a senior, but a Lincoln student for years. 
* Be involved in your child's school. Research shows the most successful schools have involved parents.
* Support your administrators and teachers.
* Keep your students involved in school activities. 
* Communicate the importance of music education to your student.
* More importantly...communicate the importance of EDUCATION to your student.

Go Railsplitters!!!!

Chicago has been wonderful to our groups these past few days. We are sad to go, but we will enjoy the memories for a life time!

Due to a car vs taxi vs bus side swipe, we will depart 30 min later. Everyone is safe and sound. The bus is also very safe to travel.

Stay tuned for updates.

Having fun with the waitstaff. Get up off that thang!

Billy Elliot at Drury Lane. Love the name of the theatre!!

Traffic put a damper on free time, but these students did an amazing job transforming from cold, wind-blown teenagers into dazzling young adults! Buca di Beppo!

Very informative, beautiful and a bit chilly!

Beautiful ceilings in the Cultural Center and replenishing our food source at Hard Rock. Of course, group singing is always a must!