WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

COPING SKILLS
Each day I deal with many students who have poor coping skills and from this much drama is created and unwanted behaviors emerge. Hopefully, with maturity, these students will develop the skills necessary to deal with everyday life situations in an appropriate manner. During the past several days many of us have had to use our coping skills in dealing with lose and tragedy. I feel somewhat guilty saying this, but in a way, I consider myself very fortunate to be here at Marinette Middle School...because I don't have to cope. Before coming to Marinette, I taught music in Crandon. I knew or knew of all of the victims of the Crandon shooting including the shooter. My family and I were particularly close to one of the current high school students who was killed, Lianna Thomas. Lianna was not only in band, but also, along with her twin sister, a regular babysitter for our daughter. Her mother, worked together with my wife at Drs. Foster & Smith in Rhinelander and often carpooled. The house we sold, not even a year ago...was only three doors down from the house where the shootings took place. Having come to know the Crandon community extremely well...I cannot imagine returning to any sort of normalcy at Crandon High School, but I guess I don't have to cope with it because I'm here...or do I?

I listen to a lot of Wisconsin Public Radio. Much of Monday's programming was taken up with discussion of Crandon. Bill Farr, Crandon School Board Member, Pastor of Praise Chapel in Cradon and a face that has been on every TV network the last several days, was a guest on the second half of the 4 o'clock segment. Below I have a link to that hour of programing. Mr. Farr has a great way about him and speaks much about coping. I think a lot of what he says in this program can apply to all of us as we cope with what each day throws our way. It's probably blocked, but if you have a chance check out the program at home. The link is: At Issue with Ben Merens, Monday, October 8, 2007 4:00p.m.

With that said...have a great Wednesday!

Regularly check your e-mail for a detailed version of the following information:

FYI (Tuesday's Suspensions/Summary
6th Grade Boy - Classroom Disruption (Remainder of day ISS, 1/2 day (p.m.) ISS 10/10/2007)

OSS
None

ISS
5th Grade Boy- Too many infractions (day 1of 3)
6th Grade Boy - Classroom Disruption (1/2 day (p.m.) ISS)
7th Grade Boy - Too many infractions (day 1 of 3)

Bus Referrals
None

Alternate Lunch
6th Grade Boy - Remainder of week (assigned to Mr. Mans)