 In life you can never be too kind or too fair; everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load. When you go through your day expressing kindness and courtesy to all you meet, you leave behind a feeling of warmth and good cheer, and you help alleviate the burdens everyone is struggling with. 
Author: Brian Tracy
 Six essential qualities that are the key to success: Sincerity, personal integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom, charity. 
Author: Dr. William Claire Menninger (1899-1966), American psychiatrists
 Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being. 
Author: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
 When restraint and courtesy are added to strength, the latter becomes irresistible. 
Author: Mohandas Gandhi
Peaceable Schools Office
236 S 700 E
Provo, UT 84604
(801) 377-0560
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November Peaceable Possibilities
Our Personal Influence
A story is told of a 19-year-old young man, who made the colossal mistake of stealing $2,500. He was arrested by Detective Leary of the Amesbury, Mass. Police Department.
The young man recalls, “I was petrified about the prospect of going to jail. But on the day I was to be indicted, Detective Leary stopped by my house on his way to court. He told me that he was going to go to bat for me because he saw something in me.
“His actions provided me with an opportunity to straighten myself out and a chance to prove myself. I did, and eventually became a police officer and later a police chief.
“Now I am able to reach out to others the way Detective Leary reached out to me. Thank you, Detective Leary. Though our encounter was brief, you made an enormous impact on my life.”
We all remember a former teacher or administrator who touched our life for good and made a positive impact on the way in which we approach our profession. The objectives of Peaceable Schools support my personal vision that every child can have an abundance of positive experiences during the time they spend with us. Hopefully each child will look back and say, “Thank you. Though our encounter was brief, you made an enormous impact on my life.”
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our Peaceable School friends.
Rick Nielsen
Elementary Education Director
Nebo School District
Elementary
Spotlight on Sue Womack
Sue Womack, a fourth generation Californian, is new to the Peaceable Schools staff this year. Sue brings with her plenty of valuable experience including a bachelor’s degree in Child Development, 18 years teaching experience in K-8, knowledge of Positive Behavior Support, and leadership experience in many different settings. On December 16th of this year, Sue will be graduating with her Master’s degree in Educational Technology. Recently Sue stated, “I will be glad to get back to quilting seriously, gardening, scrap-booking and reading novels as soon as my thesis project in educational technology is submitted December 2!” Sue works at Peaceable Schools as a project coordinator for Park View, Spanish Oaks, Canyon, Park and Westside elementary schools, a professional development curriculum writer/coordinator, and the co-leader for professional development research. We are so excited to have Sue working with us!
Canyon Update
Nebo District Rookie of the Year Principal DeAnn Nielsen of Canyon Elementary held her first Peaceable Schools planning meeting November 2. The Canyon School Peaceable Schools Committee consists of DeAnn Nielsen, chair; Amanda Norman, school psychologist/counselor, trainer; Maria Mathews, K representative; Tammy Hutchings, first grade Rep; Anna York, second grade rep.; Kim Trimble, third grade rep.; Angie Perkins, fourth grade Rep.; Julie Hammari, fifth grade rep.; Margaret Raine, skills & paraprofessional rep.; and Jennifer Olson, PTA & SCC rep.It was evident from the discussion that Canyon is another FANTASTIC Nebo School with many strengths and great programs.
Sue Womack
Peaceable Schools Project Coordinator
Westside’s Story
Westside has taken data driven decision-making seriously! After seeing that a majority of recess referrals came from the 1st & 2nd grades, the second grade team developed a program targeted for those students. They determined that they needed to replace the negative behaviors with something positive. Students were taught a variety of games during PE so they would have a choice of positive recess activities. The students were also taught the social skill of “How to Join In.” Students who were unsuccessful at having a positive recess experience were re-taught the following week, while their successful peers were having PE. The rate of recess office referrals for this group diminished to 0 over 6 weeks. Following this success, Westside is applying the same principles as other issues arise in the data (and in real life).
Sue Womack
Peaceable Schools Project Coordinator
Goshen School Goes Postal… With Praise
Goshen Elementary school recognizes and praises its students with principal’s pals notes. If a faculty or staff member sees a student doing something praiseworthy, they can simply fill out a pal note. Later that day or the next, Principal Ron Penrod announces over the intercom what students received pals notes and why. Many teachers have noted that the students take considerable pride in being recognized this way. Some staff members, including the Peaceable Schools chairperson at Goshen, Marilyn Anthony, take praise notes one-step further. They do this by mailing notes of praise to the students’ homes by way of “Falcongrams.” For Spanish speaking parents, postcards are sent out that say “Buenas Noticias de la Escuela” (Good News from the School). Mrs. Anthony is a champion of the importance of praise and positive recognition in students’ lives. Parents have said that their students treasure and save these small, seemingly insignificant bits of paper for years after they have left Goshen School. Way to go Mrs. Anthony and Goshen School!
Mike Adams
Peaceable Schools Project Coordinator
A few examples of what Goshen Elementary’s praise notes look like
(“Falcongrams” and “Spanish Post Card ”):
 
 
Park Elementary’s 50th Birthday
Students, staff and alumni from Park Elementary are very proud to be celebrating Park’s 50th Birthday. They had the evening of November 18th slated for an open house. There were displays throughout the school including photos, artifacts and oral history video interviews. Congratulations on a fine, 50-year heritage, and best wishes for fifty more!
Sue Womack
Peaceable Schools Project Coordinator
News From Spanish Oaks
Spanish Oaks Elementary has developed a school-to-home note. Kicking off in November after students have been taught the social skill of “How to Listen,” parents are introduced to the skill’s steps on the note and asked to record three times in the month when their child has shown good listening. Students will receive a small prize as they turn in their record slip, and at the end of the month, the classroom with the most slips turned in will receive a pizza party.
Sue Womack
Peaceable Schools Project Coordinator
Research
New Research Staff
Constituted in August of this year, Peaceable Schools now has a team of staff members who devote their time to research for the project. These individuals were hired to begin to evaluate the impact of the Peaceable Schools project, help provide data to be shared with the schools, get the word out about Peaceable Schools through presentations and publications, provide support for implementation, and to help teachers and principals make data-based decisions. The individuals chosen for this team come from a variety of backgrounds. We will be highlighting a member from this team each newsletter to better inform you of who is involved behind the scenes at Peaceable Schools.
Paul Caldarella
Paul Caldarella is new this year to Peaceable Schools and has joined the project as our Research Coordinator for the research team. Currently, Paul teaches in the Psychology department at Weber State University. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified school psychologist. He has had a variety of different experiences working in schools and doing research. Paul will join Peaceable Schools full time in January. Welcome Paul!
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