Nebo News NEBO SCHOOL

DISTRICT’S VOLUME 1 ISSUE IV JANUARY 2012 SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:

 Nebo District has nearly Superintendent’s Message 30,000 students 2011-2012. Welcome back from the Christmas told by distributor, Charles Mintz. Walt  Nebo District holiday. I hope that everyone had an initially thought he could continue has over 4,000 enjoyable time with family and making Oswald Shorts with new employees. friends. I always appreciate the time animators and a new distributor; but for reflection and renewal that comes after reading the fine print of his  Nebo District is during Christmastime. While thinking contract, he was devastated to learn the 7th largest about the theme “Live Your Dream,” that Universal owned the copyrights. district in Utah. the following example came to mind:  Nebo District is Walt was confronted by a stark the 5th largest “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit,” an choice: turn Disney Studio into a employer in animated cartoon character created subsidiary of the Mintz organization, Utah County. by Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney, was or walk away and start over. Walt introduced in 1927. The short Trolley paid a final visit to Charles Mintz. After losing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Troubles officially launched the series “Charlie,” he said, “you want Oswald Walt had a decision to make: Would INSIDE THIS and "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" this badly? Well, you can have him. he respond destructively or creative- proved to be Disney Studio’s first ISSUE: He’s all yours.” ly? Walt chose to respond creatively. major hit. The Lucky Rabbit became a He responded with imagination in- huge star. The critics loved it. Mental Health 2 Walt had lost his only cartoon charac- stead of retaliation. Walt understood “Oswald is a riot,” exulted the Film Disorders ter and nearly his entire animation that creativity is our birthright; imagi- Daily. staff – men he had trusted as friends. nation is the essence of our being. Goggle Apps for 2 On his way back to his hotel, Walt Only when we are dreaming big Education asked himself, “What now?” He was dreams are we fulfilling our God-given not feeling sorry for himself because purpose in life. (Excerpts from Wil- Employee Emer- 3 he still had creator, Ub Iwerks, and a liams, Pat and Denny, Jim, How to Be gency Contact head full of ideas, but the Disney Like Walt, 2004, p. 37-62.) Information brothers were going to need every ounce of optimism they could muster These are both exciting and challeng- Lessons Learned 3 in order to bounce back. ing times in education; and your opti- from Walt Disney mism, creativity, and imagination

Nebo Crisis Team 3 As Walt and his wife, Lilly, boarded continue to make Nebo District a the train to return home, Walt success story for students. Thank you School Board and 4 pondered new plans for the future. He for being people who dream big Superintendent’s Given Oswald’s popularity, Disney records, “I was all alone and had dreams, and then live those dreams. Staff Goals Studio should have been making nothing. Mrs. Disney and I were com- money, but Walt was told there were ing back from New York on the train Live Your Dream 4 not any profits to share. At contract- and I had to have something. I can’t renewal time in February 1928, Walt Tips for School tell them I’ve lost Oswald. So I had Superintendent 4 asked for a pay raise, from $2,250 Support Staff this mouse in the back of my Rick Nielsen per cartoon to $2,500. Walt was head. . . “During the train ride from offered a pay cut instead. New York to Los Angeles, an enter- tainment legend was born: a spunky “Take it or I’ll ruin you. I already have little rodent named Mickey. your key artists signed up,” Walt was PAGE 2 Mental Health Disorders

“Before anything Bi-polar, OCD, ADD, ODD, RAD, This year things have been different. growth this year and am very grateful ADHD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, My son has had a very successful to the dedicated educators in Nebo else, preparation mood disorders. How do these year thus far with only a few minor School District who have worked is the key to mental health disorders affect bumps along the way! I am not sure if very hard since first grade to help my success.” students; and what do we, as I understand all of the reasons why it son. educators, need to know about them? has been better because there are so ~ Alexander many variables with mental health I also know that there are many To answer this question, I would like disorders. But certainly, the support more educators spending extra time Graham Bell to share the example of my own son and expertise of all of those individu- and effort helping other students with who is currently in fourth grade. He als working with him, especially his these kinds of needs. Thank you for has a few of the disorders from the very skilled fourth-grade teacher, has working to make a difference! If there above list. Each year prior to the start had a lot to do with it! are any who want to know more of school, I have met with school about mental health disorders or how personnel to share with them his There is no guarantee that every year to help specific students, please Terrific Tips: difficulties in adapting to change, will go this well or even that this year contact your school psychologist, accepting directions from authority will continue as it has begun because counselor, or special education  Always share figures, leaving class and/or school the nature of these disorders is such teacher to point you in the right di- good news about when he becomes upset, etc. that there are peaks and valleys, rection! your school. Despite the excellent plans and cycles, need for changes in  Recognize well-intentioned efforts by everyone medications, increased stresses Mike Murray, students with involved, my son has struggled for throughout life, etc. that can cause Supervisor, Special Education notes and emails. most of his years in school to short- or long-term relapses. I am successfully deal with his inner greatly encouraged though by his  Publicly praise emotions and outward behaviors. students for achievements.

 Establish a part‐ nership with local businesses or clubs to recognize student success. Google Apps for Education

Tip of the Month: Adding features They may work so well that they Select “Labs.” to your Nebo Mail account. Gmail graduate and become regular “Knowledge is the Browse or search Labs. Labs allows you to try out experi- features. Click “enable” to add the feature to treasure of a wise man.” mental new features in Gmail. If your Nebo Mail. you're going to brave the Labs world, You can search for and enable labs in it's important to keep the following ~ William Penn your Settings: things in mind about these features: Some suggested features are “Insert Images,” “Extra emoji,” (emoticons) Click on the small gear icon in the and “Undo Send.” They may break at any time. upper right corner of your email. Similarly, they may disappear Select “Settings.” temporarily or permanently.

NEBO NEWS VOLUME 1 ISSUE IV PAGE 3 Employee Emergency Contact Information

Nebo School District will use ParentLink to Receive Emergency Calls on Cell Phone Receive Emergency Messages as a Text communicate with employees about announce- In order to receive emergency phone calls on In order to receive these emergency notices as ments and other emergencies. Messages can your cell phone, employees need to login to the a text message, employees will need to login to be sent as phone calls, emails, and text Employee Finance Portal and enter your cell ParentLink. Go to the Employee Home Page, messages. phone number. Go to the Employee Home then login to ParentLink, click My Account Page, then Employee Finance Portal and at the top right-hand corner of the page, These messages should already be programed login. Use the Self Serve tab, click on De- click the Add button under the list of to be sent to each employee’s email address mographics, ADD cell phone number, update delivery addresses, and select Text/SMS and home phone number, provided that we phone numbers, and address information. Number. For more information go to: have your correct information. Submit a request to update your information. http://www.nebo.edu/employees/parentlink. For more information go to: http://www.nebo.edu/employees/finweb. Lessons Learned from Walt Disney

In the forward to the book, How to Be Like Consider all possible solutions to every Work hard. Authentic creativity doesn’t Walt, Art Linkletter says, “Go out and carry problem. Creative people … don’t want just dream; it builds. We need people on Walt’s unfinished work. Dream big one solution. They want hundreds. Once, today who have the vision to dream as he dreams, and pursue those dreams with when presented with a single rendering for did, plus the skill and the energy to pull it courage, optimism and perseverance. a project and asked what he thought, Walt off and make the dreams come true. Commit to making the world a better smiled and said, “Well, it’s kind of hard to place.” choose between one.” Ask yourself, “What if--?” Creative people don’t say, “I always do it this way.” Here are some creative insights drawn Silence your inner critic. Walt said, “Just They ask, “What if we could find a better from Walt’s life: as a muscle grows flabby with disuse, so way?” the bright imagination of a child pales in Draw on all of your life experiences. later years if he ceases to exercise it.” “Walt Disney couldn’t forget his dream,” Everything that has ever happened to you Creative people learn to shut off that Norman Vincent Peale once observed, “for is the grist for the mill of your imagination. critical voice. it grabbed him and wouldn’t let go. He just Don’t waste your experiences. Remember kept on believing in himself and working them, reflect on them, and let them inspire To be creative, be courageous. The and dreaming … When you get discour- you. so-called expert called Disneyland aged and feel like throwing in the sponge, “Disney’s Folly.” But it turned out that the just remember Walt Disney and Mickey Remove the limits from your real folly lay in ridiculing Walt’s wonderful Mouse.” imagination. “I must explore and ideas. Walt said, “All of our dreams can experiment,” Walt once said. “I am never come true, if we have the courage to Work Cited satisfied with my work. I resent the pursue them.” Williams, Pat and Denny, Jim, How to Be limitations of my own imagination.” Like Walt, 2004, p. 62-71. Nebo Crisis Team When disaster or tragedy strikes that The Crisis Team Leader is contacted along Additionally, the Nebo Spokesperson, Lana affects a school setting, the media often with additional team members, if needed, to Hiskey, will provide assistance on appropri- reports that crisis counselors are available support the existing counseling and admin- ate dealings with the media. for students and faculty. Nebo has had istrative team. The protocol used by this several such incidents each year that have team is located in the Nebo Crisis Interven- The Crisis Team appreciates the efforts and required the assistance of additional team tion Plan. The primary responsibility of this accommodations provided by teachers on members. team is to provide assistance to students or these difficult days. If a student, employee, faculty that are grieving and to provide or administrator ever becomes aware of a The Nebo Crisis Team is directed by Scott resources where needed. Posters, cards, situation that might warrant additional Wilson, Assistant Superintendent. Upon and flowers may be given to the grieving support, please contact your building learning about tragic information, Scott families of the victims. administrator. notifies the principal of the specific event.

VOLUME 1 ISSUE IV PAGE 4

School Board & Superintendent’s Staff Goals

The Nebo School Board and the Superintendent’s 3. Develop and implement effective evaluation Staff continue to collaborate and set goals for processes for all employees. Nebo School District. This month we are  Conduct annual evaluations for all employees highlighting Quality Staff (certified, classified, management). Nebo School District The Quality Staff Goal: Continue to train and  Train administrators/supervisors on conduct- empower faculty and staff in their primary 350 South Main ing effective evaluations (pre-conference, responsibility as educators of the whole child. Spanish Fork, UT 84660 observation, goal setting, post conference). Action Items: Clearly communicate to each employee the 1. Train faculty to teach new Common Core in  Phone: 801-354-7400 Literacy and Math. essential elements of their position. Fax: 801-798-4010  Provide staff development to ensure that  Emphasize the goal setting component of Email: [email protected] each individual teacher understands district each employee evaluation – goals on www.nebo.edu expectations regarding content, instructional common core, integration, collaboration, strategies, utilization of resources, and intervention, and differentiation. assessment  Form a district committee to 1) analyze and Focus on Students 2. Prepare faculty and staff through ongoing assess the effectiveness of each evaluation professional development to effectively instrument, 2) make recommendations for a provide fine arts instruction for every child student achievement component on the every day. certified evaluation, and 3) make recommen- dations for a parent/student input component  Continue the fine arts integration staff on the certified evaluation. development plan during the 2011-2012 school year. Live Your Dream

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also Tips for School Support Staff dream, not only plan but also believe." By: Anatole France The staff of every school must work hard at ❖ Know important facts about your school ❖ Be sincere and empathetic. Deal with communicating its good image to others. And, and district. (Hint: the principal can provide people from the heart. the “frontline” army of communicators in most all staff with a "resource sheet" of facts for ❖ Don’t give opinions. Listen to all sides of a schools is the support staff. easy reference.) story. Don’t jump to conclusions. Bus drivers are the first and last school employ- ❖ Get to know the people who deal regular- ❖ Let people know you care and have pride ees many children see daily; school secretaries ly with your school and its employees. in your job and your school. are the key office contact for parents, other They are often community opinion leaders, visitors and teachers; the groundskeeper may be so help them get answers to their questions. ❖ Avoid gossip. Be mindful of confidentiality. the only employee some homeowners near the ❖ Treat everyone who enters or calls the ❖ Know the process for inquiries in your school ever see. school like a board member. Treat every school or district. Share that information As “frontline” communicators, support staff have staff member like the superintendent. when parents and others ask you for assistance. tremendous credibility with the public, and along ❖ Acknowledge people immediately. Greet with that, a responsibility to deliver a good first the parent AND child. Learn names ❖ If you hear rumors about your school or impression of our schools and district. whenever possible. district, report what you hear to your super- visor. Also, seek clarification of the rumor so Here are some tips to help everyone in our ❖ Don't appear to protect or cover for an you can address the issue if asked. schools, not just support staff, become better administrator. Don’t speak for him or her. communicators: From the office of Lana Hiskey, Public Information Officer, ❖ Never act or appear superior to others. Source: NSPRA’s Resource Files