September 22, 2023
Hello Miriam High School families:
Anyone who spends any amount of time on social media or even reading current news articles has clearly seen the level of disrespectful tone and words that many people easily share in these often anonymous platforms. Our own students also navigate these waters through their own social media accounts such as Tik Tok, Instagram, or SnapChat. The ease with which disrespect and negativity is modeled and spread is something we as parents and educators are constantly aware of and working against to ensure our students feel respected and valued for the amazing gifts they each bring to this world.
This month at Miriam High School, we started a new tradition of Monday morning announcements. Every Monday during Miriam Essentials, one of our Seniors shares announcements over our intercom including birthdays, special events for the coming week, and reminders about our Miriam Mission and Four Core Values. This month, we also launched our Miriam Values Challenge where each student is invited to reflect one of the Core Values in their words, deeds, or actions. This month, we are focusing on the Miriam Core Value of “Respect for All.” If a faculty or staff member notices a student demonstrating this value (e.g., treating another student kindly, being inclusive, respecting differences, resolving conflicts peacefully, going out of their way to show respect and care), they will receive a “Miriam Merit” slip to be put in the pot. At the next monthly assembly, at least one merit slip will be drawn from the pot and those students will be recognized with their choice of a reward such as special lunch privileges, sitting in the comfy teacher chair in every class for a day, or being first in the Friday Pizza line the next month. Our hope is that noticing and highlighting the respectful and caring acts our students take each day will increase each student’s feelings of belongingness and respect as a Miriam High School community member.
Research on resilience in people who experience trauma in childhood shows that the difference between those who adapt and overcome the traumatic event, while others become scarred and struggle for life, is the presence of at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult. On a recent survey completed by our students for Ms. Getman (our School Psychologist/Counselor) they resoundingly indicated they feel seen, known, and appreciated by adults at Miriam High School, with 96% reporting feeling welcome at school, 94% believing at least one staffulty member cares deeply about them, and 94% feeling that the school supports their needs. Taking this a step further, feeling included socially at school by at least one peer has a positive impact on academic progress and engagement (Juvonen, 2019). In talking to a few students recently, they shared anecdotes from experiences at their previous schools where they always felt different because they had a learning difference or were picked on or bullied. The group shared that they appreciate attending a school where they know each student here truly knows what it’s like to be alienated or as if they do not belong. Our hope is that the Miriam Values Challenge will increase each student’s feelings of belonging and acceptance and add to the resilience we already are fostering in each with being the supportive adults they each need and deserve.
I hope many of you can join me on Tuesday, September 26th at 3:45pm for our first Parent Meeting of the year in the Commons. I will provide updates to all parents about our Miriam Essentials curriculum, Friday Miriam Experience offerings, discuss partnership regarding attendance and homework, and share plans for our Fall Festival. Please mark your calendars for the additional upcoming Parent Meetings during Semester 1:
- Tuesday, October 24 3:45pm for Junior and Senior parents: Terri Pruitt (Dean of Academic Programming and Partnerships) and Khloe’ Getman (School Psychologist/Counselor) will share information about career and college programming and transition opportunities.
- Tuesday, November 28 3:45pm for Freshman and Sophomore parents: Individual Learning Plans and transition/support services
“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” — Margaret Mead
Warmly,
Vicki
Important Links and Information:
Current Miriam High School 23-24 Calendar (grid view)
Current Miriam High School 23-24 Schedule (list view)
September 8, 2023
Dear Miriam families:
When people think of adolescents who have disabilities, they often struggle with “ableism,” or defining the individual by their disability and/or as someone who needs “fixing.” As parents, guardians, and educators of students with disabilities, our partnership includes not only supporting their development academically, socially, and emotionally, but also recognizing and celebrating all of the unique gifts our students have to share with the world. Furthermore, we must ensure they see beyond their own disabilities, including a clear understanding of their profile and needs while also building their strength of character to become a self-advocate and leader.
With the development and pilot of our four-year Miriam Essentials curriculum, expansion of our work and internship partnerships, and redefining our Friday experiential learning opportunities, our goal is to ensure every student who graduates from Miriam High School leaves with the understanding that they can make a difference in this world. One key area we are focusing on this year specifically is building in more natural opportunities for students to share their talents and build leadership skills. When the Senior Grade Level Team of faculty and I met with the Seniors in early August for their Senior Leadership Training, we discussed “The 5 C’s of Leadership” as defined by Gary Kelly, Chairman and CEO of Southwest Airlines:
- Leaders must show genuine Care: Leadership is about serving and inspiring people who genuinely care about them and their growth.
- Leaders must Communicate in a positive manner: Leaders, either through words or actions, need to constantly communicate with the people they serve and work with to ensure respect is demonstrated.
- Leaders must demonstrate Character: If you want to have a positive influence on others, you should lead by example in how you treat others and yourself. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do, regardless of the setting, helps others to follow in the same direction. If your actions do not support your words, your ability to be trusted is significantly weakened.
- Leaders need to be Competent: When leading others through a task, you must prepare ahead of time. In addition, as the event continues to unfold, you may need to use flexibility.
- Leaders must have Courage: It is easy to follow. On the other hand, to lead, you must be willing to take risks, to do what is not popular or accepted, and/or to take control of the situation.
Starting this month, Khloe’ Getman (our School Psychologist/Counselor) and I will meet with our Seniors over lunch once a month to dig deeper into the leadership characteristics above and work with each student to help them find their leadership path at Miriam and beyond, whether they are comfortable being front and center or would rather be a “quiet leader” using their talents and skills behind the scenes. While we are focusing more closely on our Seniors since they are in their last year with us, we also will provide many opportunities for students in any grade level to get involved and develop leadership skills. Starting next week, our Student Council will begin meeting after school on Mondays. Instead of having students vote for representatives, we allow ANY student interested in participating to join and work collaboratively to provide student leadership and problem solving. In addition, this coming Monday our Seniors will begin sharing Monday morning announcements, an opportunity we hope to open up to underclassmen later in the school year. We also will have opportunities for students to serve as leaders through coordination, setup, mentorship, and presentation during our Friday activities (including Assemblies, Career Days, Community Service, and Discovery Days). Finally, we will have a new role for interested students this year: Admission Ambassador – assisting on tours with prospective families and students and/or having a prospective student shadow them for part of a day.
As a parent who is still raising two now adult children with unique learning needs, I understand the importance of fostering each student’s sense of independence and self-worth alongside their ability to ask for help when they need it. Each of these traits is important for leadership in later life, whether this involves them being a leader on their own path or a leader of others. As always, I am grateful for your trust in sharing your child with us and partnering with us to help them reach their true potential as students and leaders.
Warmly,
Vicki Thurman
Looking ahead:
Wednesday, September 13: Senior Leadership Lunch with Mrs. Thurman and Mrs. Getman
Wednesday, September 13: Love on a Leash (6th period, student opt-in)
Wednesday, September 13: STL School of Rock After School activity begins
Friday, September 15: Assembly and First Pizza Friday
Friday, September 15: Parent Social Event 6:30 pm (Commons)
Friday, September 22: Career/Next Steps Day
Tuesday, September 26: Miriam High School Parent Meeting 3:45pm (Commons)
Important Links and Information:
Current Miriam High School 23-24 Schedule (list view)
August 25, 2023
The joy of welcoming all of the students the past three days has been nothing short of remarkable. Seeing the smiles on returning students’ faces as they reconnected with teachers and classmates from last year reaffirmed how special of a place Miriam High School really is. These first few days included a school scavenger hunt, rock painting, and relay races in the gym on the first day followed by hitting reset on the academic routines and structures to help them return to the learning mindset needed for a successful year. I watched as students new to the school gradually became more comfortable while our Seniors stepped up as leaders to model the way.
I imagine there were mixed emotions for you as parents and guardians as you took your first day of school pictures (if they let you that is): a mixture of readiness for them to return to the daily routine school provides alongside the wonderment of how they already are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior! Seeing the commitment of the high school faculty and how they so endearingly shared with me about each of the students, I know your child is in wonderful hands to foster growth academically, socially, and emotionally this year.
In my role as principal, my hopes and dreams for Miriam High School, our students, and our faculty and staff clearly align with the Miriam Mission of empowering unique learners by building confidence and a foundation for success. My goals for this year include not only getting to know every member of our community but also fostering a school community rich with possibilities where students thrive both academically and socially.
One way to ensure we are meeting our Miriam mission is to monitor student progress through collecting data and parent input. As part of these efforts, Miriam uses the Home and Community Social Behavior Scales (HCSBS) to measure student social growth year over year. We request parents/guardians K-12 to complete this form in September and again in May. The information collected is valuable as we develop effective programs to meet students’ social and emotional needs. Your student will bring home the form this Friday for you to complete. We request that you complete it and return it to Ardith Jeep by Tuesday, September 5th. The scale is brief and should only take 10-15 minutes to complete! If you have any questions, please contact Ardith Jeep.
Pizza Friday!!! We are finalizing our Pizza Friday process and will share that information with you very soon. For those who are new to the community, the Parent Association coordinates Pizza Fridays one Friday of each month for the entire school year. Students may order and enjoy either individual slices of pizza or a personal sized gluten free pizza with a caffeine-free soda, fruit, and a dessert. The personal sized gluten free pizzas can also be dairy free (with no cheese). The cost will be $65 for each student except if they need the gluten-free pizza, which will be $95 for the year.
NEW THIS YEAR: Order your Pizza Fri-Yay shirts now!
The shirts are a great addition to help celebrate Pizza Friday for students and adults. All proceeds benefit the Miriam Parent Association which will allow us to continue to plan engaging events. Sales will close on September 4th, so order today using THIS LINK:
One calendar change to note: We are moving the Fall Festival to Friday, October 27 to end our Spirit Week. However, please keep the Friday, September 15th date on your calendars for a Parent Social event. Amy Wilkerson, our Parent Association HS Chair will share more information at Parent Night.
Please know that I am grateful for your trust in sharing your child with us and partnering with us to help them reach their true potential. I look forward to seeing you all next week at Parent Welcome Night!
Warmly,
Vicki Thurman
