Cooke Center Grammar School Newsletter

Francis Tabone, Head of School Cindy Surdi, Assistant Head of School

Martin Luther King Day

Dr. King is considered to be one of the most important figures of the 20th century, for all those seeking freedom, justice, equality and peace. His unique approach to the philosophy of nonviolent action stands as one of the most successful alternatives to the worlds ongoing struggle against violent conflict, and against structural injustice. In the education arena, teachers use this day as a springboard to teach children thematic units on tolerance, social causes, and activism. July 2, 2014 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which still matters. Martin Luther King Day still matters, as does the justice he fought for.

A CCGS First! Triplets! Mary Clancy (Assistant Head of the High School) stops by to round out Joey and Ms. Nancy. This is no coincidence.

Dr. Martin Luther KingLove in the Heart By Daniel Essen

10 Life Lessons Inspired by Dr. King by educator Penina Rybak

1. "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" Our humanity thrives on instilling a sense of purpose into all that we do. 2. "The function of education is to teach one to think intensely and to think critically." Our humanity thrives on learning about ourselves & about others, for ourselves and for others. 3. "You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step." Our humanity thrives on clear, concise, and deliberate calls to action. 4. "Our loyalties must transcend our race, our class...We must develop a world perspective." Our humanity thrives on collaboration and color-blind civic engagement with others. 5. "The ultimate measure of a man is where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Our humanity thrives on self actualization and embracing change, especially during difficult times. 6. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Our humanity thrives on continuously changing our mindsets and behavior. 7. "If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. Do whatever you have to keep moving forward." Our humanity thrives on breaking down tasks to keep momentum going. 8. "All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." Our humanity thrives on doing the best we can, always. 9. "The time is always right to do what is right." Our humanity thrives on harnessing time and doing the right thing, for the greater good. 1 2 3 10. "The quality, not the longevity of one's life is what's important." Our humanity thrives on balancing Me/We and work/life for a better quality of life and a more meaningful legacy to leave behind.

What color would you call this? Mr. Moses and Matthew call it Styling. Another Twin sighting.

Dates to Remember: January 24,th GRANDPARENTS DAY January 29th Graduate and retake picture day January 30th Founders Dinner January 31st PTA at CCGS 8:30 am

In this issue: MLK Testing Tragedy

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Testing! Schoolbook.org Gets It Right

By accepting the position of New York City Schools Chancellor, Carmen Faria stepped into the center of a national debate and became a potent symbol for the next wave of school reform. Fairly or not, before she makes a single policy decision, many see Faria as the embodiment of the educational vision of Bill de Blasio, and shared by other newly elected city-wide officials. All are committed to severely diminishing the real-world consequences of standardized tests for over one million New York City school kids, 2 percent of the national public school population. Though she is still at the starting gate, Faria's mere appointment should not be underestimated. This is a rising tide. Paul Vallas, who brought his standards-based leadership to Chicago, Philadelphia, and New Orleans recently was forced out as superintendent of the Bridgeport, Connecticut public schools. A year ago, Glenda Ritz, backed by the Indiana Teachers Association, defeated standards advocate Tony Bennett to become Indiana's superintendent for public instruction. Recently, Los Angeles elected Monica Ratliff to its school board. Tellingly, both Ritz and Ratliff were strongly supported at a national level by former NCLB-backer Diane Ravitch, now probably the best-known opponent of test-based accountability and charters. Politicians across the country are watching as voters turn against the federalization of education and the administration's promotion of the Common Core through testing and teacher evaluations. Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently admonished Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch, and her embattled Education Commissioner, John King, for the problematic rollout of new tests and the pair's apparent disregard for opposing points of view. Congress, long absent from education policy after failing to reauthorize No Child Left Behind, is likely to roll back the law's accountability provisions if anything like bipartisanship returns to Capitol Hill. Here in the city, Faria's appointment has broken the chokehold of high -stakes accountability based on questionable data. Like any political movement, Bloomberg's version of mayoral control grew in response to the failures of the system that preceded it: the complacent, bureaucratically self-serving, instructionally bankrupt Board of Education. But Bloomberg's arrogance, disparagement of educators, and mono-culture of test-based instruction became too much for parents, teachers, and the general public to bear. We are at a hinge moment. Carmen Faria's transformational opportunity to guide New York's and the nation's educational future is about to begin. By Professor David C. Blooomfield

Grandparents Day January 24th 8am

CCGS recognizes the important role grandparents, aunts, and uncles, cousins, and other family members play in your childs life. Thus, it is with great enthusiasm we recognize them on Grandparents Day! Grandparents day is a day for CCGS to celebrate grandparents, and significant persons in your childs life. We invite them to come and join us for the morning for activities and performances. Each class will host activities for families. We will begin with Town Meeting presentations. All families are encouraged to participate. We hope to see you on January 24th.

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A Tragedy that Should Have Been Avoided

This week we found out that Avonte Oquendos body was found. A search that ended in tragedy. At this time it is always important to reflect on our own rules and procedures for emergency situations. Unfortunately wandering behaviors and autism go hand in hand quite often. For this reason we must be diligent in monitoring students in the home and at school. Perhaps something as simple as a name tag would have helped Avonte, but we will never know. What can we do to keep our students and children safe? There is a lot of consensus. Please use the information to help inform your plans and procedures to keep all students safe.
ABOUT AUTISMRELATED WANDERING Similar to wandering behaviors in seniors with dementia or Alzheimers, children with Autism are prone to wandering away from a safe environment. Unfortunately, many cases end in tragedy.

Websites with helpful information: http://www.awaare.org http://www.autismspeaks. org/ http://www.sheknows.com /parenting/articles/8034 43/keeping-your-autisticchild-safe-practical-tips-forparents http://www.npr.org/templa tes/story/story.php?storyI d=246552267 http://www.healthcentral.c om/autism/c/1443/1616 54/10-ways-child-autismsafe/

WANDERING DEFINED Wandering is the tendency for an individual to try to leave the safety of a responsible person's care or a safe area, which can result in potential harm or injury. This might include running off from adults at school or in the community, leaving the classroom without permission, or leaving the house when the family is not looking. This behavior is considered common and short-lived in toddlers, but it may persist or reemerge in children and adults with autism. Children with autism have challenges with social and communication skills and safety awareness. This makes wandering a potentially dangerous behavior. Wandering may also be referred to as Elopement; Bolting; Fleeing; Running. IMPORTANT FACTS

PRODUCTS Autism ID Card The Autism ID Card helps people on the autism spectrum explain their medical condition to police, EMTs, and other first responders in the event of an emergency. Created by SEO Pittsburgh, in collaboration with the Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender. autismidcard.com Autism Safety Initiative From the National Autism Association. Our mission is to provide resources, education, advocacy, awareness and support. Site includes information about wandering, bullying, restraint and seclusion, suicide prevent, and more. www.autismsafety.org

Nearly half of children with autism engage in wandering behavior Wandering occurs across all settings, under every type of adult supervision Increased risks are associated with autism severity Half of families report they have never received advice or guidance about wandering from a professional Accidental drowning accounts for approximately 90% of lethal outcomes