#MASSPchat Archive
Chats will be moderated by MASSP staff, members of the MASSP Board of Directors and MASSP Members – we will also have special guest moderators on occasion.
Monday September 19, 2016
Good evening everyone! Great to be here talking Homecoming!
Welcome to ! My name is Ben Mainka, Associate Director at MASSP. I will be moderating tonight. Please intro yourselves!
Oakland University EL 500 is following tonight's chat!
This weeks topic: homecoming! Are you ready for the dance on Friday at East, ?!
I thought we would stay light this evening and discuss a topic that many of you are dealing with or preparing for… Homecoming!
Scott Pfeiffer, MS/HS Principal at Countryside Academy in Benton Harbor.
Good evening! Steve Carlson, Principal of Sandusky Jr/Sr High School.
Tammy Jackson- MASSP Associate Director (man that feels good to say that)
Jason Schrock, Howell High checking in
That is awesome Jen! Welcome Oakland EL group! Welcome Jen, hope you are doing well this year!
Hi Tammy! How was work today?
. Katy VanCuren representing Rockford HS. Glad chats are back-looking forward to getting ideas from colleagues
Good evening...Paul Hungerford, Fulton MS/HS.
Welcome Patrick! Great to have you, and get ready for the dances!
Welcome Scott! I was just out in Berrien RESA the other day! Beautiful area!
Great to have you with us tonight Mr. Carlson! ;)
Jason, it is great to have you with us my friend… see you tomorrow in person!
Hey Katy, hope the year is off to a great start!
Tammy it feels great to hear you say it! Welcome aboard and thanks for being with us!
Sorry I missed you Ben! Always enjoy your trainings!
Good Evening All.....Brian McCarthy, Howell...excited to chat
Welcome Katy! Hope you are ready for Friday night lights in Rockford… crazy football out there!
Great to have you on with us again Paul!
Oakland U EL500 Class!!!!
Carl, MS Principal at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Thanks for joining in Jacke! What is the OU Mascot… isn’t it a Bear?!
Thank you for joining in tonight Carl!
Chris, AP/AD at Marine City HS in East China, starting a couple minutes late...Good evening
Jacke Healey from Oakland U EL 500 Class!!
On we use a Q1/A1 format, and I will get things kicked off here in just a snap! Get ready...
Q1: What process is used to determine the theme for homecoming & how do you keep it positive?
Excited to discuss homecoming tonight! are you ready for some fun? EL500
Checking in from Oakland U EL 500 class!
Aaron, HS Dean of behavior intervention. Oakland Univ. EL500
Hi All ... Tracy Wilson, Grand Haven HS Principal. Celebrating #2's 12-year old birthday.
Good evening, Mike P in Flint OU EL 500. Looking forward to the discussion
A1: Our Student Council S's and advisors determine the theme each year. Student driven.
A1. Students always had large role in determining, combination of NHS and the student senate
A1: StuCo advisors lead students through process to narrow down a few positive options and StuCo votes...advisors are rock stars!
A1: Student council works with their advisor to determine a theme and all the spirit associated w it
A1: Our HS determined homecoming through Class Advisors...
Voted on by the student body. Having predetermined topics to vote on.
A1: BOD (Student Board of Directors) picks our theme each year.
Checking in from OU EL 500!
Student council votes on ideas with teacher advisor leading them. https://t.co/Z2wHsGHNjl
Q1: What process is used to determine the theme for homecoming & how do you keep it positive?
A1: Voted on by the student body. Having predetermined topics to vote on.
Interesting… Narrowing the topics before the kids can choose makes sure you can keep things positive!
A1: I had to intervene a couple of times. It wasn't the "theme" that was the problem but the interpretation of the theme.
Q2 coming shortly and deals with the often-overlooked float building!
Q2: Do you have any safety checks in place for classes who build floats at locations that are offsite?
It's important to Google their theme to check for recent inappropriate interpretations! https://t.co/6vHhSDSxnH
That can create problems too! Sometimes the adults are too slow to pick up what the kids are “interpreting too!”… https://t.co/dFTCC536jU
A2: I have been caught off guard before when there was a host site with some “questionable” activity happening with the adults
Q2. No floats at Rockford. I think a class ruined it for everyone years before I was here https://t.co/VKUM8HPrFa
Q2: Do you have any safety checks in place for classes who build floats at locations that are offsite?
A2: We've eliminated those worries. All floats are built on-site, on school grounds. Much safer and btr participation.
A2 (cont): That led to much more oversight each year before a building site was determined.
A2: All of ours are built offsite. Class advisors and/or parents must be present to work on float. https://t.co/7byV2PvOgr
Q2: Do you have any safety checks in place for classes who build floats at locations that are offsite?
A2: No floats anymore for Marine City either. Turned into a few kids doing a lot of work w resentment
A2 Must be chaperoned at all times by approved chaperones. We also limited the times when they could work.
BAM! Having good chaperones is important! https://t.co/2mOhPzzeid
A2 Must be chaperoned at all times by approved chaperones. We also limited the times when they could work.
More and more schools have moved away from floats and they often report that it is much easier!
A2: We've designated a full afternoon to float/building decorating. It's part of our Homecoming Game Championships.
Hello , Andy Kowalczyk from Bay City Central. A2- I don't think we know about float building info. Maybe because I am new.
Q3 coming shortly…Are you ready for the game and ceremonies itself?
Welcome Andy! In Bay City they can be real floats on the water…
Q3: What is your supervision plan for the night of the game? What additional resources do you leverage to help?
A2- I don't think our floats at BCC have more than a couple of hours into them. (They don't float, but that would be a fun twist)
Get your radio signals synced up! I agree with saturday dances… we did ours then as well and like it.
Q4 on its way soon…This one can apply to many more situations than just homecoming
A3- nothing too crazy. A few extra city officers help. They are visible around the stadium. Usually busier after the game.
is coming over to watch our students so I can enjoy the game :) Howell v Grand Blanc!
all hands on deck that game! Admin and security officers and police help to have eyes everywhere and m… https://t.co/05Q4H0d0VH
Q3: What is your supervision plan for the night of the game? What additional resources do you leverage to help?
A3: is coming over to watch our students so I can enjoy the game. :) Howell v Grand Blanc
She never did that for me!
Homecoming energy goes into daily activities and community events. No floats for 10 yrs
Q4: What strategies or tips do you use to identify students who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
Great to hear they are doing some good servant leadership work!
A4: we have an administrator and police office at door searching through bags/purses. Usually we can sense if something is off.
Make the student follow a pencil with their eyes. Twitching=alcohol.
A4- Make the student follow a pencil with their eyes. Twitching=alcohol.
Students enter the dance in groups of 20 that are engaged in conversation and "inspection" before checking in with chaperones
A4 we also search bags/purses. Good preventative!! https://t.co/kzwLhdVkvv
A4: we have an administrator and police office at door searching through bags/purses. Usually we can sense if something is off.
BAM! You nailed it… parent-school partnership cleans a lot of issues up!
Our age limit is 20, 10 chaperones, 4 must be staff, and a liaison officer. Then we all stand by the… https://t.co/8TPzfegxNW
Q5: What are some safety procedures you employ for the dance? Age limitations, supervision, liaison officer, etc.?
Q5: What are some safety procedures you employ for the dance? Age limitations, supervision, liaison officer, etc.?
Q5: must be under 21, always have two police officers, as many chaperones as are willing.
How did Donna answer before the question?
I posted it with out the # … I am a little rusty! :)
A5: all guests from other schools must be pre-approved by admin
Last one for the night! Q6
Q6: What suggestions would you have for other principals on how to make homecoming a safe and successful experience for all?
A5- I like to walk within the dance floor occasionally to prevent shenanigans.
A5 Age restriction 19 yrs., expectations for DJ to help manage thru playlist, coat/bag check as service & to discourage the bad
A5 Thunberg likes to harass kids stumbling in after just getting off party bus.
You know when you know. Ya know?
Was wondering the same thing! you are a mind-reader. https://t.co/a7wVnMIgNo
How did Donna answer before the question?
A6 Work closely with student leaders to empower them to plan the activities within your parameters.
Parents loved those phone calls. https://t.co/9GvQ9BStWQ
A5 Thunberg likes to harass kids stumbling in after just getting off party bus.
Awesome idea to have a Frosh-only dance!
Just stopping in to say hi to many of my MASSP friends! Lurking tonight as an Elem Principal...
BAM! Well-stated Steve… visibility and engaging with kids makes a huge difference.
A5: guest permission form signed by parent & school leader 1 week ahead, dance after the game, great student leaders
Thanks Mike! Hope your year started well! I am sure I will be seeing you soon!
A6 - Relax and allow students to have fun as long as they are not being disrespectful or disgusting.
assistant principal responsible ;-) 8-11pm and formal as possible look good, act good. Ultimately the… https://t.co/GjcWdyM2je
Q6: What suggestions would you have for other principals on how to make homecoming a safe and successful experience for all?
A6 Long view - Students & Advisors get involved with MASSP Student Leadership to develop program
A6: ensure you have an extremely strong leader as class council advisor & class Prez - it makes the difference
Thank you all for joining in on a fun and light topic… We will dive deeper at different points in the year, but glad we are back!
parents will NEVER like the way kids dance
Have a great night and a great start to your school year!
another thing we r offering is an https://t.co/ISN2AlVp9R within the dance --swing music in cafe. Kids excited for options!
Thanks for hosting, ! https://t.co/t6S9wwXbUL
Thank you all for joining in on a fun and light topic… We will dive deeper at different points in the year, but glad we are back!
Thanks Ben for being a great host. Always the best PD!
