Keary Rininger

Transforming schools has rarely occurred, if ever, due solely to a strong principal.  Principals understand that teacher leaders lead change, implement programs, reflect on current practice, multiply leaders, and create a positive culture.

Recently, I have been asked by several parents, “What do I need to do to prep my kid for kindergarten?” Typically, they anticipate my response to be centered around what they need to know academically, but I think there are skills more important than that. It isn’t about knowing all of their letters and sounds to be kindergarten ready. If they do, GREAT. They are ahead of the game. But the more important thing is that they learn social and independent skills that will help them be successful in the classroom. 🔺Help them learn to say their full name when someone asks them (not their nickname). 🔹Help them learn to ask for help. 🔺Help them learn how to speak to other people who are not family members. 🔹 Eat dinner together. At a table. With the tv off. ➡️ They will learn about table manners, how to stay in their seat an entire meal, develop vocabulary through conversation, and benefit from quality time. 🔺Help them learn how to compete a task and work all the way through until they complete it. 🔹Help them learn how to wait patiently. 🤪 Maybe they are waiting in line while friends go to the bathroom, or maybe someone is needing to talk to their teacher. Waiting is a hard thing for littles! 🔺 Read books every night. ➡️ Their world will be enlarged, they will develop new vocabulary, and they will benefit from quality time. 🔹 Help them learn to share. 🔺 Help them sharpen taking care of their basic needs by themselves - using the bathroom, washing their hands, blowing their nose. 🔹Tell them no. 🔺Teach them nursery rhymes. There is so much research behind this and how it supports brain development. 🔹Help them understand it is ok to make mistakes. 🔺Help them practice putting things in and taking things out of their backpack. Their teacher will thank you! 🤪 🔹Help them learn to follow two step directions. For example, “Take off your shoes and hang up your jacket.” 🔺Help them learn to sit and wait without having to be entertained. Can they sit and wait without having to be handed a device? There is so much more than academics that goes into helping a kid be “kindergarten ready”. Social and independent skills are life skills! If you aren’t practicing some of these things regularly, give yourself some grace. And if your child is older than KG age and cannot do some of these things yet, it isn’t too late! I am still working on these in my home too! We are about 5 weeks away from the start of school. The more they are able to do independently, the more successful they will be! Giving kids the opportunity to develop their emotions, compassion, and social skills is one of the greatest gifts we can give kids to prepare them for this thing called “life”. Let’s go!

Thank you families for joining us for our STEAM night! Appreciate all of the PTO volunteers, Staff volunteers, @AvonRobotics student volunteers! It was a great night!

We celebrate our amazing school counselor this week! Thank you Claire Kaiser for all that you do for our students, staff, and families!

@powerofphysics @AHS_Orioles @FrenchDCHS1 @DCSCWarriors @AISEast @PTE_ACSC Thank you and your amazing students for sharing The Power of Physics show! Our students didn't stop talking about this all day long!

Our students and our hosts are excited about The Power of Physics and World Culture Shows starting in just a few hours! @FrenchDCHS1 @DCSCWarriors @AISEast @PTE_ACSC

@AvonSupt Thank you for taking the time to speak with him! It made his day!

Always get a lot of input leading up to weather decisions - but enjoyed call yesterday from Hickory 4th grader who as a reward for good behavior got to call “the man in charge” of snow days. Hope my new friend enjoys some time outside today….he got what he wanted! @HEPrincipal

Wow @OrioleTweets teachers, look who is ready to help AGAIN!

Please consider helping our @aef_avonschools Supply It forward Event by donating to help us reach our goal to directly help our @OrioleTweets students and families! 2022 Supply It Forward 2022 Supply It Forward gofund.me/19b682cf

@reflectiverae @AvonHSPrincipal @OrioleTweets @AvonSupt @EducateIN @2022Indy I will 👀 you there!

I’m excited we will be out at Avon this evening! Who will I see there?! @AvonHSPrincipal @OrioleTweets @AvonSupt @HEPrincipal @EducateIN @2022Indy

Transactional Thinking is in a way that says “What Can I Get?” while Relational Thinking is more about “What Can I Give?” - Focus on the relationship.

7 Ways to Make Today a Better Day: 1. Look for the good. 2. Appreciate the little things. 3. Be a helper. 4. Tell someone they matter. 5. Give more than you take. 6. Speak words of encouragement and hope (to yourself and others). 7. Believe the best is yet to come.

Our longstanding bus driver shortage is reaching a critical level. We are struggling to find the number of drivers needed to complete daily routes. Would you or someone you know be interested? Apply today!

Public schools look different this year. But our commitment is the same: We will keep our students safe, learning, and growing, one student at a time. #PublicSchoolProud #ACSCProud

We have been celebrating our amazing school counselor, Mrs. Cox, this week! This bulletin board says it all! @OrioleTweets

Thanks so much to Tropical Smoothie Cafe of Avon for amazing smoothies today. Our staff loved it! @OrioleTweets

Once again blessed by Crossroads Church! The Hickory staff appreciates these random acts of kindness so much! @OrioleTweets @ecraigwhite

Great recommendations from IDOE as we prepare to return to school in a few weeks! Parents be proactive now!

Congratulations to our Support Staff Member of the Year: Mr. Hayden!

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Marks