Are you settled in?

Here is a picture of our family dog, Phoebe.  She is definitely settled in.  This picture, along with this blog post by Kevin Hodgson, a "field study" of 6th graders, made me stop and think for two reasons.

1. Have our kids settled in?
2. Have we settled in?

Settling in isn't all bad.  It means we're comfortable with the routines, expectations, and people with whom we are learning.  But settling in can also be too comfortable.  There's a chance that we become so comfortable that we don't stretch ourselves and those that we learn with to go even further with our learning.  The line between what's expected and what's not expected becomes a bit blurry for both the adults and the children.

So what does all of this mean?  Remind the students of the routines and expectations, continue building on the relationships, and stretch the learning opportunities.  I promise to do the same with all of you and sure hope that you do the same with me.  Let's keep growing this learning environment for all of the learners, young and old.

Calendar
Monday, November 2nd              NYC marathon recovery!
Tuesday, November 3rd              Practice  4:15-5:15PM
Wednesday, November 4th         A-team  1:30-3:30PM
Thursday, November 5th            Team meetings (6th- 8:55, 5th- 9:45, 7th/8th- 12:22)
                                                       PTO meeting 2:30-4:00PM
                                                       Practice  4:15-5:15PM
Friday, November 6th                 Principals' meeting  7:45-8:45AM
                                                       6th grade Youth Night  7:00-9:00PM

Tweets, blogs, and quotes

"All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning."- Albert Camus, writer and philosopher
"Champions keep playing until they get it right."- Billie Jean King, tennis player
"Mistakes should be examined, learned from, and discarded; not dwelled upon and stored."- Tim Fargo, writer and entrepreneur
"Don't loaf and invite inspiration; light out after it with a club."- Jack London, writer and social activist
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent."- Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. President

(from Pinterest)

"The lesson will always repeat itself, unless you see yourself as the problem--not others."- Shannon Alder, author

"Even a rock moves on."- Anthony Liccione, author and poet

Innovate (a terrific blog post by Scott Rocco, well worth the time- @ScottRRocco)

Shake Up Learning (This is an awesome site with great Google tips.)

"Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them."- David Allen, productivity consultant and author

(from Pinterest)

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."- Robert Frost, poet

"The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense."- Thomas Edison, inventor

"Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work."- Chuck Close, painter and photographer

Family smore for 10.30.15

@mertonint on Twitter

#mertonint on Twitter

Merton Intermediate School Facebook page

Meemic grant (65 reasons)

Please use this link to enter the 65 reasons grant opportunity from Meemic.  It won't take long and you might even get a giggle out of the video that is shared.  Enjoy and good luck!

Beyond the Bake Sale discussion from 10.28.15

Janine and I met with four parents and we had a wonderful discussion.  Here are the notes from our discussion.  I'd love to discuss this at our grade level meetings next week.  Ask Janine about the discussion if you'd like her point of view.  Overall we're doing some great things to be proud of and, as always, there are areas for improvement.

Sharing the good things we're doing in Merton

After our attendance at What Great Educators Do Differently, we discussed finding one thing to focus on.  Our "one thing" is to share the positive things we are doing here at school.  Here is a simple form (Merton only access) for you to fill out as an individual, content area, or grade level.  I will compile this weekly and put everything into our staff blog.  I'll continue to remind you of this opportunity at grade level meetings and other times that I see you in classrooms and hallways.

Where in the world is Jay?

As many of you know, I'll be out of the district running the New York City marathon on Sunday, November 1st.  If you want to follow along, here is a link to an app for your phone.  Race time is 9:50EST.  Ron will be in charge on both Friday, October 30th and Monday, November 2nd while I am gone.  Here's some runformation about the marathon.  Runfographics for the NYC marathon.  I'll be living this mantra on Sunday.

Have a great weekend!  I'll honestly have you in my thoughts, from time to time, on my travels through NYC.  You are one of the strengths that I rely on when times are tough.  Here is my biggest strength.

And yes, I'll be wearing my Merton singlet on race day.

Jay