11 and 18

As I wrote this week's blog, I realized that by the time you read this, there will be 11 days left before our first teacher day and 18 days before the students return.  I am really excited to see you and the students.  In the meantime, I will be around the building if you want to stop in to chat.

Schedule changes
On Monday, the online registration process started.  I have been fielding requests and questions all week.  There may be some changes that occur for reasons we can discuss face to face if you would like.  Students are also still entering our system almost daily and some families are also moving out of the district or state.  I guess what I'm saying is that the class lists are still fluctuating.  Please be patient and understanding with me as the process continues.

Calendar
Monday, August 17th   Google training 9-4
Tuesday, August 18th   Google training 9-4
Friday, August 21st       A-team meeting 9-11:30

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
"Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune, but great minds rise above them."- Washington Irving, writer, historian, and diplomat
"Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion."- Michael Jordan, professional basketball player and team owner
A Label by Any Other Name: One Teacher's View of Diagnosing a Child (blogpost from Jill Morgenstern (@Sugartov) shared by Colette Murphy)
"Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts."- Arnold Bennett, writer
"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."- Neale Donald Walsch, writer
"I have learned that the best way to lift one's self up is to help someone else."- Booker T. Washington, educator, writer, and orator
"As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears."- Rumi, poet and philosopher
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."- Helen Keller, author and political activist
"Nothing can withstand the power of the human will if it is willing to stake its very existence to the extent of its purpose."- Benjamin Disraeli, U.K. prime minister
Great schools share these 8 qualities (from Business Insider regarding Sir Ken Robinson)
"If you don't build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs."- Dhirubhai Ambani, entrepreneur
"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction."- George Lorimer, journalist and author
@mertonint Twitter feed
#mertonint Twitter hashtag feed
Merton Intermediate School Facebook page

Just one more thing...
If you do nothing but watch this video today, your day will be complete.  Please think about the message being sent by Chris Wilson.  What we see on the outside doesn't tell the whole story.

Have a great weekend.
Jay