|
From Principal Margo Olsen, principal of Brentwood Elementary School in Brentwood, CA.
To Whom it May Concern:
Last year at Brentwood Elementary School we set a goal to improve our school climate. Brentwood is a K-5 school with an increasingly diverse population. Although discipline issues are minimal, the staff at Brentwood School wanted to be proactive in creating an environment where all students are valued and can be successful. As we sought to create a program that could really teach and touch the lives of our students we asked Mr. Kevin Weinert of Aaron's Staff for his assistance. We developed a program highlighting a different life skill each month. Mr. Weinert developed a presentation using literature, drama, and his own stories to illustrate each of the life skills in a way that is meaningful to our students.
Each month he meets with a specified grade level, usually one or two classes at a time. He presents the life skill in an interactive way that students are able to understand and apply in their lives. Long after the presentation, students can be overheard recounting with each other the stories they heard or reinforcing the principles taught. The teachers at Brentwood Elementary love having their students attend one of Mr. Weinert's assemblies. In addition to a meaningful presentation, teachers are given a variety of ideas they can use in their classrooms to extend and reinforce the life skill of the month.
This year, we added two large group assemblies to Mr. Weinert's schedule. The first addressed bullying and was designed for our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. Mr. Weinert effectively taught the students about the different forms of bullying, dealing with bullies as well as ways to change if you are the one doing the bullying. Many times, in counseling with students, I have referred to the lessons taught by Mr. Weinert. This common experience is a powerful teaching tool as students learn to deal with conflicts on the playground.
Aaron's Staff is flexible in meeting scheduling needs as well the constraints of a limited budget. He has been very gracious in making accommodations to the schedule when changes become necessary. Mr. Weinert has tailored his program to meet the needs of our school population.
I would highly recommend the presentation by Kevin Weinert of Aaron's Staff to any school desirous of infusing into their school culture values and life skills that foster positive relationships among the students. His entertaining style will capture the attention of your students as they laugh, think, and empathize with his characters as they come to life through dramatic story telling. They will forever remember the life lessons so effectively taught by Kevin Weinert.
Sincerely,
Margo Olsen, principal
Brentwood Elementary School
200 Griffith
Brentwood, CA 94513
(925) 513-6360
molson@brentwood.k12.ca.us
More feedback
|
|
