Friday, June 16, 2017

Still learning...

As I sit in my office this week, catching up on paperwork and planning for two presentations at the NAESP/NASSP Conference in Philadelphia, the silence of the school without you and the kids is deafening.  I don't often listen to music while at school, but I have been this week, and it's more for white noise than for singing, thank goodness.  I've also done some lurking on Twitter to learn from Summer Spark participants and read a few blogs that catch my attention.  One of my favorite bloggers is George Couros, author of The Innovator's Mindset.  He makes me think, makes me question what I do with and for you and the students, and pushes me to become a better principal.  His blog post from Sunday, What Lies Within Us?, made me pause.  Check out the link here.  You have heard me talk about finding the positive within our kids and each other quite often.  This blog post starts there with asking us to look for the talents of our students before looking for their deficits.  Doesn't that sound like an awesome idea?  Think about that as you begin to think about next year's students and families.  I know it's only the middle of June, but the kids are looking forward to next year already, and I'm sure many of you are, too.

Calendar
Week of June 19th
I'll be in every day, at least in the morning
Week of June 26th
Vacation with Jen and Lauren

Tweets, blogs, and quotes
"The secret in education lies in respecting the student."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

(from Pinterest)

Recognize, Rectify, Move Forward (from George Couros)

(from Pinterest)

Get the Most Out of Summer (from edutopia)


Removing Barriers and Hurdles (from George Couros)

(from Pinterest)

I hope your first week of summer has been relaxing and filled with family and friends.  Jen, Lauren, and I are going to the US Open today.  I'll be in next week at least in the morning if you want to stop by for any reason.  Construction is moving along so be aware that room access is very limited.
Have a great weekend!
Jay

Thursday, June 8, 2017

What is your impact?

A friend of mine from Twitter, and Voxer, and in person once, Todd Nesloney, elementary principal from Texas, was invited to do a TEDtalk recently.  Here is the link to his TEDtalk.  The video is 15 minutes long so maybe today's not the day to watch it.  But please bookmark it so that you can watch it soon.  It will make you think about your impact as an educator.  You make an impact every day, so why not make it be a positive impact?  I think about my impact every day and hope that I am making a positive impact.  If you've seen the movie "Saving Private Ryan", the scene at the end, in the cemetery, always gets me.  Here it is.  Lots of people make an impact in that movie, but Tom Hanks' character, Captain Miller, a teacher turned soldier, shows the care and compassion he has for his unit and for saving Private Ryan.  Whether you want to believe it or not, you are a Captain Miller for a lot of our students.  They may not let you know about the impact you have had, but trust in the fact that they are thankful about your efforts, and so am I.

Calendar
Week of June 12th
I am volunteering at the US Open golf tournament at Erin Hills on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday in the evening so would be able to meet if you would like.  I will be out on Friday all day celebrating my birthday and Father's Day with Jen and Lauren at the US Open.
Week of June 19th
I will be around all week, but not necessarily at school.  If you would like to meet, just let me know.
June 24th-July 3rd
Family vacation in Virginia Beach for national dance competition.  Wish me luck!

Tweets, blogs, and quotes
"Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside themselves was superior to circumstance."- Bruce Fairchild Barton, writer, advertising executive, and politician

5 Videos That Show How Technology Can Deepen Face-To-Face Relationships (from George Couros)

Adapt to, embrace, and create meaningful change (from George Couros)


Forget Guide on the Side...Students Need a Guide on the Ride (from AJ Juliani)
@mertonint on Twitter
#mertonint on Twitter
Merton Intermediate on Facebook
Merton Intermediate on Instagram
Family smore for 6.8.17

When we started the school year, our first blog post ended with three words- Be the one!  It was inspired by Gene Wilder's character in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".  I watched you all this year find ways to "Be the one" for our kids and for each other.  Don't forget that you have a chance to make a difference every day, so why not make it a good difference.  If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out.  I'm around most of the summer.  Take time for yourself and your family these next couple of weeks.  They deserve to have you back full time.
Be the one for them!
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, June 2, 2017

Celebrations

Do me a favor.  Think about one thing that you can celebrate from school this year.  What would it be?  I've been thinking about this for quite some time.  And I  have to be honest- I'm having a difficult time thinking of just one that really stands out.  The goal chain after the assembly, the 5th grade camping trip, the 6th graders and their portfolios, especially when a student invites me in to be a part of it, the 7th graders sharing their memoirs, the 8th graders launching hot air balloons, the color run and getting slimed.  I've met with some of you to discuss your SLO and PPG, but not all of you.  When we do meet, make sure that you share something you'd like to celebrate about the school year.  You have all done so many things with and for our kids, I bet the tough part will be narrowing it down to just one.

Great things I saw this week...
  • Students finishing up MAP testing
  • Geometry students working together to learn the unit circle (I certainly wasn't helpful.)
  • All of you keeping the learning the focus of our days
  • Skits in Spanish with the kids only speaking Spanish
  • 7th graders building kites in Math
  • Robots in 5th grade
  • Mentor training for next year's 5th graders
  • Washington, DC boot camp for kids and parents (Thanks, Becky and Dave!)
  • Michael putting on "The Voice" competition with the help of some staff judges
  • Math Cafe in 5th grade
  • Student portfolio presentations in 6th grade
  • Documentaries in Language Arts
  • Skits, all done in Spanish, in Spanish class
Tweets, quotes, and blogs
They Taught Me (from Pernille Ripp)
"Because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."- Edward Everett Hale, writer and minister
And Yet We Grow (from Pernille Ripp)
"The real fountain of youth is hidden in the imagination you draw upon to face everyday challenges."- Sophia Loren, actress

Who Wants to Change? (from George Couros)
"You probably wouldn't worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do!"- Olin Miller, humorist

"When you believe, really believe, something can be done, your mind goes to work for you and helps you find the ways to do it."- David Schwartz, writer and professor
5 Things I Learned About Teaching from Being a Student (from AJ Juliani)
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another."- Walter Elliott, clergyman

The image above reminded me that my #oneword for the year was "priorities".  How did you do with your #oneword?
@mertonint on Twitter
#mertonint on Twitter
Merton Intermediate School on Facebook
Merton Intermediate School on Instagram
Family smore for 6.2.17

Meemic Scholastic Book Grant
If you're interested in a chance for more books for your classroom, here's a link to a grant from Meemic.

I couldn't believe it when I turned the calendars (yes, I have more than one) in my office to June yesterday.  Where did the year go?  I think about the connections we've made with one another and with our students.  I think about our learning and the learning of our students.  And I start thinking about next year and the steps we can take to make next year better for our kids and each other.  But we have plenty of time to think about that.  Let's concentrate on Celebration Day and have fun with the kids today.
Be the one!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell