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Advocacy is for everyone. 

The ADVOCACY COMMITTEE is a forum of the PTA at Steele Elementary School where parents, teachers, administrators and others can discuss concerns; gather information; and advocate for the children in our community.  We are a diverse group of people, and promote a diverse range of issues; but are united in our commitment to successfully advocate on our children’s behalf.

 

The Advocacy Committee will further the PTA’s mission:

  • To support and speak on behalf of our children at school, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.
  • To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children.
  • To encourage parent- and public involvement in DPS (Denver Public Schools).

You are encouraged to make suggestions.  Please email SteeleAdvocacyCommittee@yahoo.com. 

 

Together, we can:

  • Build relationships.
  • Strengthen our community.
  • Share personal experiences.
  • Think beyond ourselves and beyond today.
  • Listen and learn from others.
  • Gather information.
  • Create solutions.
  • Transform energy into action.
  • Celebrate victories.
  • Laugh at ourselves and with others.
  • Build bridges… so no one feels alone.

Thank you for your support, it is invaluable. 

 

Contacts:

Chair: Suzanne Yates (yates000@yahoo.com)

Spokesperson: Jane Cole (jane@colecats.com)

Parents: Amie Cavarra (acavarra@earthlink.net); Diana Hersh (dhersh@forethought.net); Laurie Harris (harrislaurel@yahoo.com); Rachel Moran (ramo@indra.com); Marie Meyer (mariemeyer@earthlink.net)

You are encouraged to participate. 

The following is an ever-changing and eclectic list of resources, please email us at SteeleAdvocacyCommittee@yahoo.com if you would like additional subjects addressed.

 

Advocacy Committee Web Resources

Abuse Prevention:

  • The Safe Child Program (www.safechild.org) is abuse prevention education without diminishing a child's sense of well-being and trust in their everyday lives. 

 

Academics:

Books to Read:

  • ‘Encountering the self: transformation & destiny in the ninth year’ by Hermann Koepke.
  • ‘Debunking the middle-class myth:  why diverse schools are good for all kids’ by Eileen Gale Kugler.

 

Building Successful Partnerships:

  • Theresa Becker, DPS Parent/Family Liaison, 720-424-0619/ Theresa_Becker@dpsk12.org
  • The National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education (www.ncpie.org) promotes Family-School Partnerships that work. 

Books to Read:

  • ‘Building Successful Partnerships.  A Guide for Developing Parent and Family Involvement Programs’ by the National PTA; foreword by Dr. James P. Comer.
  • ‘Dealing with Difficult Parents.  And with parents in difficult circumstances’ by Todd Whitaker and Douglas J. Fiore.
  • ‘Beyond the Bake Sale:  the Ultimate School Fund-Raising Book’ by Jean C. Joachim.  New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2003.

 

Bully Prevention Information:

Books to Read:

 

Community- & Humane Education:

Books to Read:

  • ‘Better Together:  Restoring the American Community’ by Robert D. Putnam et al.
  • ‘Collaborative Leadership: How citizens and civic leaders can make a difference’ by David Chrislip and Carl Larson.

 

Conflict Resolution101:

At Steele Elementary School we have a diverse community of people intensely involved and very active in many different committees and groups.  It should be no surprise that sometimes conflict arise, and sometimes this is hard to resolve.  Conflict itself isn’t really a bad thing, it is when it isn’t resolved that it does it’s damage.  Conflicting goals can turn into personal dislike and time and talent is wasted as people disengage.  It is all too easy to go into a downward spiral of negativity and recrimination.  Here are some ground rules from the Conflict Center (http://www.conflictcenter.org) that might make conflict easier to prevent and resolve:

  • We always defend those absent.
  • Keep problems and people separate.
  • Be a good friend and allow your friend to vent her frustrations, but be a great friend and don’t repeat anything that was said.
  • Always assume the best:  if you are offended, it could be that you had misunderstood or they miss-communicated.
  • Always approach the person that upset you directly to clear the air.
  • You absolutely don’t have to defend yourself against hearsay accusations.
  • Arrange a first meeting; the person asking for the meeting should be allowed to talk first. 
  • Try to calmly listen and ask questions without becoming defensive. 
  • Be prepared to simply walk away if it becomes too heated.  You should then find a mediator or facilitator for a follow-up meeting.
  • Arrange another meeting if you need some time to digest what was said and to frame your response.
  • Yet another meeting might be necessary to work on an action plan going forward.

 

Parent Training:

1.  Partners for Reading (one-on-one):  Our thanks to Amy Dickson (amy.dickson@gmail.com).

    • Keep a documentation notebook of sessions.
    • Take some time in choosing an appropriate book.
    • Before starting to read take a 'picture walk' and discuss what the story could be about.
    • Reading is a social activity; please have conversations before, during and after reading a book.
    • First strategy to get to meaning is to discuss the child's own experience and background knowledge.
    • Second strategy is using the syntax or grammar in the sentence.
    • Third strategy is recognizing words by sounds (letters), shapes, and length.
    • Choral read or take turns reading.
    • Don’t point out every mistake a child makes.
    • Discuss the meaning of story.
    • Remember our goal is to inspire a love of reading that will last a lifetime.
    • Acknowledge successes and hard work!

2.  Small Group Learning:  Our thanks to the Meg Stenson (margaret_STENSON@dpsk12.org), Humanities Facilitator.  

    • Lots of learning happens in small groups.
    • Ask the teacher:  ‘What do you want me to achieve - what is the FOCUS?’
    • Differentiate between phonics, phonemes; syllables - focus on one at a time.
    • Make notes, starting with the names of the children in your small group.
    • Find the ‘Just Right Book’ according to their DRA (see below), they must NOT know up to 5 words.
    • DON’T make them listen through someone’s reading!
    • DO explain the title page; look at the pictures; compare text to text; make comparisons; ask questions; use prediction; make interferences; explain strategies for comprehension; summarize; discuss characters, settings, beginning-middle-end, problems, solutions.
    • Give them stickers to mark their problems in the book.

 

Books to Read:

  • ‘Making the Most of Small Groups: Differentiation for All’ by Debbie Diller.

 

Safety Information:

  • SAFE TO TELL™ is designed to help YOU - students, teachers & parents anonymously report anything that is scaring or endangering you, your friends or your family.  If you have seen something suspicious, been bullied, feel threatened or noticed that a friend needs help, call us and make a difference before something bad happens. Call 877-542-7233 or visit www.safe2tell.org
  • Allison Daniels, DPS Project Manager of the DPS ERCM (Emergency Response and Crisis Management) team, 720-424-1889/ Allison_Daniels@dpsk12.org

 

Unique Needs:

  • Emily Jones, Steele Elementary School Psychology Intern, 303-744-1717/ EMILY_JONES2@dpsk12.org.  At Steele Mon (PM), Wed (PM), all day Thursday & Friday.