What changes did you make at halftime?

As many of you know, I'm the proud coach of the 8White boys' basketball team.  As a coach, I need to make adjustments at halftime, analyzing the progress to this point, to allow for a better chance for a successful outcome.  It might not be a victory.  It might just be that we played better as a team in the second half.  Whatever the situation, reflecting on what you have done almost always leads to a change in how we do things in the future.
Last week was our school halftime.  I know you all well and know that you reflected on the first half of the school year and are putting things in place to make things better for our students.  It might be something with classroom management or it might be something with the delivery of content.  It might be something else all together.  Whatever it is, don't hesitate to reflect on these changes and their level of success.  As with halftime adjustments for our basketball team, not all adjustments will lead to a better outcome.  Reflect, reassess, and make any necessary changes.  It will make the learning experience in your classroom better for everyone.

Calendar
New idea- Classroom support signup (Sign up for times for me to come support in your classes. If a time doesn't work, just email me for other options.)
Wednesday, February 3rd  Conferences
Thursday, February 4th      Conferences
Friday, February 5th           Sports Fanatic Day (Wear your favorite sports gear.)
                                               Google fun in the tech office (See/learn how to use a double monitor)

Your best hook...
So, last week I put the link to a Google form to share your best hooks.  Remember that?  5 of us, including myself, filled out the form.  It honestly is 2 questions- your name and your best hook.  That's it.  Here is the link again, and I hope that you take the time to complete it so that I can share the results with all of you.

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them."- Michael Jordan, athlete
The Power of Peer Feedback (from edutopia)
"We only become what we are by the radical and deep-seated refusal of that which others have made of us."- Jean-Paul Sartre, philosopher and writer
"Sometimes you need a little crisis to get your adrenaline flowing and help you realize your potential."- Jeannette Walls, writer and journalist
"To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can."- Sydney Smith, writer and clergyman
"Obstacles can't stop you.  Problems can't stop you.  Most important of all, other people can't stop you.  Only you can stop you."- Jeffrey Gitomer, business trainer and writer
"When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal."- Napoleon Hill, writer
"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be.  Now put the foundation under them."- Henry David Thoreau, writer
"Don't waste your time striving for perfection.  Instead, strive for excellence- doing your best."- Laurence Olivier, actor
"You can't always expect a certain result, but you can expect to do your best."- Anita Hill, lawyer and academic
@mertonint on Twitter
#mertonint on Twitter
Merton Intermediate School Facebook page
School board presentation from 1.25.16.
Family smore for 1.29.16

I hope that you had a great week with our students and with each other.  I am honored to work with such incredible educators every day.  Now the weekend is upon us and it's time to spend time with family and friends.  Check out a new restaurant or movie or hiking trail.  Enjoy yourself.  And when you come back on Monday, it will be February, a new month and a new focus for us all.

Have a great weekend!

Jay