Engaging students equals successful students. Until we make school the best part of every student's day, they will struggle with attendance, achievement, and graduation rates. Failure to engage students has resulted in students tuning out and dropping out. Finding new ways to connect with students is difficult. Getting them to choose to connect, engage and be present takes thinking outside the box.
Sacaton Elementary School District wants students and parents to know that good things can happen to those who participate and engage in learning. Building trust is key in this process. Even more so, being present in mind and body are keys to learning engagement. This initiative compliments our School Mission to "engage students to take ownership of their learning, embrace the culture, and contribute to the world around them."
RESEARCH SAYS: Brain based learning tells us that working memory is stored in the brain's prefrontal cortex during instruction of SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION, SPECIAL EVENTS or information that is REPEATED. Working memory only stays in the prefrontal cortex for 3-7 days. If information is not SIGNIFICANT, SPECIAL or REPEATED, it will not be converted to long-term memory. Our goal as educators is to capture and hold working memory.
This year our school has developed a student engagement initiative: MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! Our goal is not only to get kids to come to school but be present while doing so. It is important to do this consistently to capture working memory. Coming to school consistently results in presence of mind as well as body. Hence MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
This past Friday, October 27 - we had our 2nd Must be Present to Win District Assembly and we honored our Sacaton Braves that were present for 10 days, 15 days, 20 days, and 30 days in a row - and most especially our students who have Perfect Attendance this entire school year so far!
We will continue to honor our students and reward them for being here at school to get the most out of their educational experience! Thank you to our families and communities for their continued support in making sure our Sacaton Braves are in school and are cared for!
BIG THANK YOU to our Governing Board Members, President White and GB Member Kyyitan for your support. Thank you to Governor Lewis and Tribal Education for taking the time and coming out to support our students. Thank you to the Phoenix Suns, we had GO the Gorilla make a special guest appearance!
Check out these pictures from the assembly!
