Date: January 21st, 2023

Polly answers the question: “I have a situation of “mean girls.” These girls are ruthless! They find joy in making someone cry. Some days, I want to cry. I know I can’t make them be nice, but what can I do for the other kids who take the brunt of their meanness?”
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Date: January 14th, 2023

Polly answers the question: “I work in a Vocational Technical School and the kids are very motivated to learn in their shops which is great! But our concern is that when we place them in Co-ops and internships some of them are so inappropriate in dress, behavior, and speech that we’re losing business partnerships. What can we do?”
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Date: January 7th, 2023

Polly answers the question: “My 7th graders are getting a lot of bus ‘write ups.’ As their teacher, is there anything I can do to help with that?”
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Date: December 31st, 2022

Polly answers the question: “I have a student who cusses like you wouldn’t believe! I spend all day kicking him out and sending him down to the office only so he can return and say, “Well that was fun, the office sucks, too!” How should I respond and what’s the best consequence to stop this?”
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Date: December 25th, 2022

Polly answers the question: “One of my 4th graders refuses to come to morning circle. I give him plenty of encouragement, but he just stays quietly in his seat and will not join in. My next move is to make him do the circle activities during his recess. Do you think that would get him to come to morning circle?”
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Date: December 18th, 2022

Polly answers the question: “Do you have any recommendations for avoiding and/or getting out of power struggles with high school kids? I’ll admit, sometimes they suck me in and it’s hard not to lose it!”
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Date: December 11th, 2022

Polly answers the question: “Our middle school students are using the most appalling language in the hallways this year. What can we do to curb it?”
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Date: December 3rd, 2022

Polly answers the question: “The kids I teach don’t behave at all. I mean, they can’t sit still, they can’t work independently, they whine, they argue with each other, and they don’t play nice no matter what I say! I want it to stop! What can I do?”
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Date: November 27th, 2022

Polly answers the question: “We have high schoolers who wander the halls all day. When someone tells them to go to class they make explosive comments. How can we address this problem?”
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Date: November 19th, 2022

Polly answers the question: “My 6th graders are completely apathetic in class. How can I motivate them?”
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