Friday, December 1, 2017

Why wait?

Today we get to see the movie "Wonder" as a school.  There are a number of our colleagues in different cities and states who are jealous about the opportunity we are providing our students.  Thanks to Heidi for working with me on this since August.  We were hopeful you would think it was a good idea and I'm glad that you agreed.  So why the title, "Why wait?"  Here is the reason, and it goes to my the saying on my new favorite sweatshirt- CHOOSE KIND.  Why would we wait until seeing the movie to choose kind?  Why should we wait until seeing the movie to remind our students to choose kind?  We should choose kind all of the time.  Why?  Here are a few reasons.
  • Choosing kind is so much better than the alternative.
  • When we choose kind, we showcase the way we should always treat one another.
  • Choosing kind is contagious.
  • Choosing kind just makes you feel better about yourself.
Great things I saw this week...
It seemed like you and the students got right back to learning without a hitch, despite being out of school for 5 straight days.
Conferring in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies to make sure that the students really understood what they were doing.
Students getting to reading in less than 5 seconds as I covered a class so some teachers could finish up an important meeting.
Staff continuing to step in and help out another staff member, often without even being asked but just because they knew it needed to be done.
Students behaving well for our guest teachers with all of Wednesday's meetings.
7th and 8th grade basketball playoffs in the gym.
Presentations in 5th grade Science.
Students helping out classmates in the hallway when they dropped some of their materials (This happens multiple times every day.),
Our custodians taking over demolition for our new Learning Lounge (This is going to be really cool!).

Calendar
Monday, December 4th
SLATE conference all day
Tuesday, December 5th
SLATE conference all day (Could someone please take care of Homework Club for me?)
Tree Lighting 7:00PM
Wednesday, December 6th
SLATE conference until 1:00
Thursday, December 7th
Grade level and Specials meetings
4:15  Homework Club
Friday, December 8th
IEP Power Day

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

How to Make a Teacher Smile (from Jon Harper)

I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.
Douglas Adams,
writer

(from Pinterest)

2 Ways to Brighten Your Day (from George Couros)

People will always try to stop you doing the right thing if it is unconventional.
Warren Buffett,
investor

3 Articles for Student Discussion on "Success" (from George Couros)

Some fish love to swim upstream. Some people love to overcome challenges.
Amit Ray,
writer and spiritual teacher

Positive Words Go a Long Way (from Edutopia)


More Obi-Wan, Less Darth (from Jon Harper)

#mertonint on Twitter
Family smore for 12.1.17

Thanks for a great full week back!  I enjoyed being in your classrooms this week.  You got the kids back into the swing so quickly after Thanksgiving Break.  Next week, I'll need you to send me pictures or tweets so that I can see you and the kids hard at the work of learning.  I'm excited to attend the SLATE conference but I'll miss being around you and the kids.  I know that Ron and Mike will be around to help out so don't be surprised if they stop into your classes to see the great things you do with and for our kids and each other.
Be The One!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell
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