The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1488754
CHARGER MOMENTS From the desk Principal Mindy M. Hill- Keeker, Pike Central Middle School We need to be Eskimo tough because teaching and learning is an unpre- dictable and ever-chang- ing interaction between human beings. There is a great Inuit (Eskimo) say- ing, "There are two plans to be honored every day: My plan and the Mys- tery's plan. As we head into the spring semester and reflect on what we have accomplished we continue to focus on cre- ating a 21st-century edu- cation for the students at Winslow that involves us seeing and thinking dif- ferently. Being "Eskimo Tough" boils down to four basic principles: Show up or choose to be present, pay attention to what has heart and meaning, tell the truth without blame or judgment, and be open rather than attached to the outcome. Within that, there are teaching principles that we work toward to create a learning environment that meets the needs of all learners and helps to pre- pare them for the world of the future. These prin- ciples help students on their path to building and growing that toughness. Purpose - What is the purpose of school? We believe the purpose is to live outside the walls of schools. Students spend 80 % of their school-age years outside of school. We need to ensure they are prepared for the chal- lenges that the world holds. Engagement - Great teachers set up lessons that engage our students creating meaningful ex- periences, thoughts, and ideas for students to ques- tion. That ability to ques- tion and ask great ques- tions helps students to navigate their school years and beyond. Inquiry - "Inquiry" is defined as "a seek- ing for truth, informa- tion, or knowledge; seek- ing information by ques- tioning." An old adage states: "Tell me and I for- get, show me and I re- member, involve me and I understand." We want students who push them- selves and our teachers through their involve- ment throughout the school day. Exploration - Our teachers strive to cre- ate engaging lessons that spark student inter- est. Our teachers work to create instructional tasks that motivate students to desire to know something more! Interdependence - Al- though a hallmark of our country has been individ- ualism, and there is a cer- tain mystic to rugged in- dividualism, it is fairly ob- vious that our world is be- coming smaller and feels more intimately connect- ed. Success in schools, vocations, and commu- nities in the 21st century can be defined by the abil- ity to work and live in an interdependent manner. We wrapped the se- mester with the tradi- tional holiday themed classroom parties to cel- ebrate what we accom- plished the first semester and to make sure we have the opportunity to pause and reflect. The rest from the break will rest and en- sure we are ready to go in 2023 to continue en- gaging with our students as they become the next generation of 21st Centu- ry Citizens. Seventh graders had a great time in Ms. Baker's science classes this week cre- ating Cell Models using Play Doh! The Press-Dispatch C-4 Wednesday, December 21, 2022 SCHOOL Submit school news items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: schoolnews@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg Petersburg Elementary Pike Central Middle School Winslow Elementary Kayson Burton is a dog in his class- room's play. Reese Hathaway works on her ginger- bread STEM project. It was also a ginger- bread STEM snack. Katarina Corbitt concentrates on building her gingerbread STEM project. Owen Ackison spent his chief tickets to help out in Mrs. Knust's second grade classroom. He led the class in addition/subtraction bingo. Peer mediators took a "thankfulness cart" around PES to show staff how thankful we are for them. Pictured from left: Sadie Frank- lin, Amelia Wilson, Palmer Deweese, and Ryleigh Vickers. The fifth graders at Petersburg Elementary went caroling at the Courthouse. Paxton Melhiser from Mrs. Elliott's third grade class paid his chief tickets to take the principals chair for the day.