Garden Spot townlively.com
FEBRUARY 16, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVIII • NO 8
Positive Reinforcement “Teachers are not in the punishment business,” said Rob Fennimore, who oversees restorative practices at Garden Spot Middle School (GSMS). “They are in the teaching business.” Fennimore’s comment was part of an explanation of Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS), which is being used at the middle school to teach behavior and socialization skills in a positive way.
The Spartan Way Café offers games, snacks, and other rewards for students whose names are chosen in a weekly drawing.
See GSMS pg 6
Metcalf Ministry Returns To United States
Play & Learn Series Scheduled For Spring
BY ANN MEAD ASH
BY ANN MEAD ASH
“Our heart is for the whole family,” said Cindy Metcalf, half of the ministry team of Drew and Cindy Metcalf. “We have always been We Help Children, but one of the best ways to help children is to help the mom and dad to be that solid support system.” The Metcalfs and their children have spent the last decade in Guatemala training staff in orphanages. But with the advent of COVID-19, it became difficult for the pair to do their work. In
Ocean Smith, family development specialist with Parents As Teachers Community Action Partnership/CrossNet Ministries, is looking forward to the Play & Learn series that is scheduled to begin in ELANCO School District in March. “(Play & Learns) are for families of children from birth to kindergarten,” said Smith. “Any child in the ELANCO School District under age 5 (is welcome).” See ELANCO pg 2
As Garden Spot Middle School students earn stickers, they collectively work toward schoolwide rewards.
To Guatemala And Back Guatemala, strict shutdowns made it hard for people to obtain food, and opinions of the COVID-19 restrictions in the U.S. changed the way missionaries were viewed. “If you had white skin, you were suspect of bringing the virus (to Guatemala),” explained Drew. “It was a huge shift (from the previous benevolent view).” In response, the ministry began to offer a monthlong online training course to people in different countries. “We trained indigenous people in third-world countries to help people in their own country,” See Metcalfs pg 7
Drew and Cindy Metcalf
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Kindergarten Registration Opens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Bird Themed Items Up For Bids . . . . . . . . . . . .8 House Of Worship . . . . . . .8 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .9
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Early Learning In ELANCO
Behavior Improvement Program Takes A Community “The idea is that as a school, you systematically and strategically teach expected behaviors,” explained assistant principal Matt Fox, who noted that the PBIS team of GSMS staff began meeting in the spring of 2021 to create a document that outlines behaviors and expectations that further develops the Garden Spot Spartan Way creed. “(The) PBIS team made an effort to create a matrix that lays out expectations in the cafeteria and in the hallways,” said Fox. To reward students who exhibit positive behaviors, teachers and other staff members distribute tickets known as Spartan Way Pay. Tickets, which are signed by both students and staff, are deposited in a box in the school office in exchange for a sticker. Stickers are then used in a count to help reach schoolwide goals. Each week, drawings are held. Up to six students whose names are drawn have their choice of prize options, including gift cards; experiences, such as a
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BY ANN MEAD ASH