Where did the 1st quarter go?

Holy mackerel!  Where did the 1st quarter go?  I know we only use quarters in 7th and 8th grade, but a quarter of our school year is over.  When you look back, what are your favorite memories from the 1st quarter?  Here are some of mine.

• The Color Run and getting slimed.
• Stopping in classrooms and reading, just reading, right next to our kids.
• Having in depth conversations about Science with our kids.
• NJHS tutors almost running Homework Club by themselves.
• Our new playground!
• Listening in on election discussions about the process.  They have been polite and informative, quite unlike the real election.
• Grade level meeting conversations, BLT meetings, and our new SIP team.  I am so proud of the work that we do together for the benefit of our kids and each other.
• Our group of kids this year are awesome.
• Have you heard the bands and choirs?  They are sounding awesome!
• The creativity in our art room is amazing.
• Working together with students on their math.
• Each of you stepping up to help out colleagues at all different times.
• Mr. Olson, our Red Ribbon speaker, and our Boosterthon team, stopping me to say how polite and respectful our kids are and how impressed they are about staff sitting with the students during our assemblies.  You set the tone!
• Our 8th grade mentors really making our new 5th grade class feel special.
• The occasional unexpected hug from a student.

Calendar

Tuesday, November 8th

• Election Day (Don't forget to vote!)
• SIP team meeting  8:00AM in Jim's office
• Homework Club 4:15-5:15
• #edprep chat at 7:00PM (Topic is mindset.  Join us if you can!)

Wednesday, November 9th

• Jeans for Troops for Veterans' Day (pay $5 to wear jeans)
• RtI/PLC Monday 8:00 in someone's room
• Library has the Book Fair
• Any volunteers?

Thursday, November 10th

• Jay at the dentist 7AM
• Grade level/ specials meetings
•  6th and 5th grades optional due to conferences
• Family conferences
• No Homework Club!

Friday, November 11th

• Veterans' Day Celebration

Tweets, blogs, and quotes

A Quiet Moment (from Pernille Ripp)

(from Pinterest)

Booksnaps (from Dave Burgess- using Snapchat for book reviews)
How do you connect? (from me for AWSA and SAVMP- Just ask me if you want to know what these stand for.)

(from Pinterest)

Audience Needed- Silly Poetry Videos (from Pernille Ripp)
Letter to a Tired Teacher (from @SteeleThoughts)

@mertonint on Twitter

#mertonint on Twitter

Merton Intermediate School on Facebook

Family smore for 11.4.16

(from Pinterest)

I added the visual above for a special reason.  These next two weeks can often be difficult due to the additional stress of conferences.  I know that you have been communicating with families all year long so nothing should really come as a surprise.  But there's always that unknown element.  When you can, take a moment for yourself the next couple of weeks.  Go for a walk.  Read a book.  Talk to a friend you haven't seen in a while.  It will make you feel better.  And do what I do.  Sit down and have a conversation with one of our students.  They can really make you feel good.

Be the one!

Jay

Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell