Monday, December 31, 2018

Listen- #oneword2019

After seeing so many of my PLN choose and share their #oneword2019 the last few days, I thought that I needed to come up with my own.  After thinking about many words (family, serve, and learn were under careful consideration), I chose "Listen".


I chose "Listen" for a number of reasons.  I realized that I need to listen more to my family, my friends, my colleagues, and my PLN.  I need to listen to what people are saying and not just hear what people are saying.  Coach Bob Knight once said, "Everybody hears, but few listen."  Whether you agree with how Coach Knight coached his teams or players, the wisdom in this quote has stuck with me for a very long time.  And when I think about the other words that were in serious consideration, listen really fits with all of them.

I need to listen more when I'm with my family.  I'm sure that when my wife and daughter read this, they'll laugh and agree wholeheartedly.  They might even say that I'm like Aunt Bethany in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

"What's that sound?  You hear it?  It's a funny squeaky sound."
Aunt Bethany, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Sometimes I ask questions and when the answer is provided, I'm either not listening or not paying attention.  I need to listen more carefully, not just to the words but also to the tone.  The words are important, but it's more important to listen to the tone in how the words are shared.  I'm sure that my wife and daughter will remind me of my #oneword2019 when I fail to really listen.

There is another family that I need to listen to, my school family.  I need to listen more for understanding.  Setting down my phone and closing my Chromebook during conversations has been a focus in 2018, but I need to be better with putting away my technology.  I'm sure that my school family will remind me of my #oneword during 2019.

If I really remember to listen, I'll be better able to serve those I live with, work with, and learn with.  Listening will help me better understand what I need to do to serve others.  I have had the good fortune of learning from so many who served others- my mother and father, my wife, Pastor Wilch (my pastor for 30 years), Mr. Arnold (my high school principal who also served on our church council), and Mark Flynn (the superintendent that hired me as principal and later went on to serve an orphanage in South Sudan).  The list could go on and on, I promise you.  And because of these servant leaders, I do my best to serve others.  But you can't serve others unless you listen to what people say.  If you really listen, you can learn what others need you to do for them.

Finally, if I remember to listen, I will learn from others.  While writing this blog, I did a Google search for quotes involving learning and listening.  This quote by Doug Larson really caught my attention.


I must admit, when I'm in conversations, I'm almost always thinking of a response instead of listening to understand.  When I'm with others, I need to concentrate more on my listening.  I would say that listening doesn't just happen in conversations.  It can also happen when reading a book or reading a post on social media.  I say this because reading what others have written can be like a conversation.  Many times after reading something, I've learned what I need to do next to take my school or leadership to another level.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about my #oneword2019.  I promise to listen.

Friday, December 21, 2018

Disconnect to reconnect

Disconnect.
Unplug.
Put down your phone.
Be in the moment.
Reconnect.
Please make sure to take time for yourself, your family, and your friends.  We have all worked very hard and deserve a break.  I'll see you all again on Wednesday, January 2nd!

Great things I saw this week...
Lots of learning going on (Note the quote from Mary in the Principals' presentation to the board.).
Lots of red and green on Monday.
Our surprise gathering for Colleen.
Great discussion at our BLT meeting.
I got an email from an 8th grade student after sending out a request to all of you to have students check in on me.  The idea was from this blog from my friend Danny Steele.  The email to parents was even better!
Did you see the ugly sweaters on Tuesday?
Thanks to Colleen for covering Homework Club on Tuesday.
The floral arrangement at Steve's funeral.  Thank you!
The learning in classrooms on Thursday.  Keep them engaged and our kids do amazing things!
There are three students who are consistently checking in on me after I shared Danny Steele's blog with you.  The check ins inspired me to write this blog- Perfect Timing.

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Saturday, December 22nd-Tuesday, January 1st
No School- Winter Break

Wednesday, January 2nd
Back to school!

Tweets, blogs, and quotes
(from Bored Teachers)

Are We Trapping Kids in the Middle Seat? (from Dave Burgess)

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
T.S. Eliot,
poet
(from George Couros)

“You will always be too much of something for someone: Too BIG, too SOFT, too LOUD, too EDGY. If you round out all your edges, you lose your edge. Apologize for unintentionally hurting someone, profusely, but never apologize for being who you are.”-Danielle Laporte
(from Bored Teachers)

The talent works, the genius creates.
Robert Schumann,
composer


For me there are no answers, only questions, and I am grateful that the questions go on and on.
Pamela Lyndon Travers,
writer

Say Less, Heard More (from George Couros)

mertonint on Instagram
Principals' Presentation to the School Board 12.17.18
Family smore from 12.21.18

Thanks for a great week.  I hope that you have a wonderful, relaxing Winter Break spent with family and friends.
See you next year!
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Perfect timing

If you're not an avid reader of Danny Steele's tweets and blogs (@SteeleThoughts and Steele Thoughts), maybe this will encourage you to consider making Danny's thoughts a daily part of your learning and connecting.  Danny's most recent blog, "Will You Check On Me?", was written at a perfect time for me.  It's the last week before Winter Break and, more importantly, my brother in law's funeral is today.  Before you read any more of my blog, please read what Danny wrote.  It's linked above.

So here's my story that happened because I read Danny's blog Sunday morning.  After reading his blog, I sent this email to our staff.

Good morning, Merton family.  If you could do me a favor and read this blog from my friend, Danny Steel, I would appreciate it.  But that's not what I need your help with.  I need your help with the names of a student from your classes who can check in on me this week.
Just put their name on a piece of paper and put it in my mailbox.  Maybe you could pick a student or two to check in on you, too.
See you all tomorrow!

Some of the staff reached out right away, sending me names of students via email or placing the names in my mailbox or on my desk on Monday morning.  Throughout the day on Monday and Tuesday, those students stopped me in the hallway or in the cafeteria or on the playground and asked me how I was doing.  Each interaction was special, but the most special connection was from an 8th grader who sent me this email.

Hey, Mr. Posick,
I hope you had a good rest of your day today.  Mrs. Frei told me about what happened and I am sorry for your loss.  Just wanted to drop in and see how you are doing.

What a great surprise!  And as luck would have it, this young man was the first student I ran into on Tuesday morning.  We shared a quick conversation and a fist bump, something I won't soon forget.  But that's not all.  Tuesday night I received this email from the same student.

Hello Mr. Posick,
How are you?  I hope you had an amazing rest of your day.  By the way, I really liked the Christmas sweater you had on today.  Just wanted to drop in and see how you are doing.

Just so you understand how nice this young man is, here is a picture of me wearing the Christmas sweater.
(I'm the one on the left, and yes, that's a Lego bowtie!)

On Tuesday morning, I decided to send the young man's parents this email.

Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. "E____".  I just wanted to reach out to tell you something awesome that "J_____" did for me yesterday.  But there is a back story I must share first.
I sent out an email to staff asking for a favor.  The idea came from this blog post, "Will You Check On Me?" from my friend Danny Steele, a principal in Alabama.  Ms. Frei shared a story with the class about the recent passing of my brother in law from brain cancer.  Jacob said he would check on me, and it shouldn't surprise you that Jacob had been checking up on Ms. Frei during her battle with cancer these last few months.  So that's the back story.  Here is the email that Jacob sent me yesterday, and it came at just the right time.
(I included the email to the parents so that they could read it.)
I responded and I am looking forward to connecting with him in person later today.
I hope that this brings a little light to your day.
Happy Tuesday!

The power of a blog post, social media, and the kindness of an 8th grade student are amazing.
It was perfect timing.
Thanks, Danny!

Friday, December 14, 2018

Impact

You make an impact every day.  The thing is, the impact can be good or bad, and sometimes we don't know until much later.  Heidi shared something with me Tuesday morning that to me wasn't a big deal, but to Cameron, her son, it was.  This year I'm outside for student pickup in our parking lot nearly every day, playing music out of my JammyPack, stopping traffic (either because of my bright yellow jacket or my elf hat, you decide), waving, smiling, and wishing everyone a great afternoon.  Cameron stopped by yesterday and as he walked across the parking lot, I greeted him, took off my glove, and shook his hand.  No big deal, right?  Well, Heidi spoke to me Tuesday morning and told me how impressed Cameron was that I took off my glove to shake his hand.  And Heidi thanked me for that.  It's just a little thing that made an impact on a great young man.  Sometimes the things that we take for granted and do without thinking are the things that can have the greatest impact.

Great things I saw this week...
Our custodial staff getting everything ready for our holiday concerts.
Stress relieving activities in health.
Kids really engaged in read alouds.
Students sharing their math test scores, with smiles!
Listening to students discussing political cartoons in Social Studies.
Students talking through examples in math, struggling and supporting one another.
Ask Brian K. about Wisconsin Math Hoops. The kids are so excited!
Students nervously preparing for their concerts.
The band and choir concerts were amazing!
The sing along at the assembly on Wednesday.
The PTO decorating the teachers' lounge
7th and 8th grade basketball tryouts
The excitement of the students trying out for Mary Poppins Jr.
3 on 3 lunchtime basketball tournament

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Monday, December 17th
Holiday Spirit Week- Merry Red and Green Day
BLT meeting 4:15
School board meeting 7:00

Tuesday, December 18th
Encore Choir and Jazz Band caroling (all day)
PTO brunch and wrap
Holiday Spirit Week- Holiday/Ugly Sweater Day

Wednesday, December 19th
Holiday Spirit Week- Holiday Hat Day

Thursday, December 20th
Holiday Spirit Week- Flannel and Fuzzy Socks Day

Friday, December 21st
Holiday Spirit Week- Polar Express Pajama Day
Raffle! (You'll get a ticket every day that you participate in our dress up days!)

Saturday, December 22nd-Tuesday, January 1st
No School- Winter Break

Wednesday, January 2nd
Back to school!

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
Tomorrow is the most important thing. ... It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.
John Wayne,
actor

Arrogance Leads to Irrelevance (from George Couros)

The sea and wind can at the same time convey my neighbor's vessel and my own.
Jean-Baptiste Say,
economist

Growth Mindset: Learning Like A Skater (and failing like one too)
(from AJ Juliani)


Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit (from Matt Miller and Dave Burgess. A great chance for professional development on your own time.)

(from @woodard_julie)

Have you ever wanted to connect your classroom with another classroom?  Check out empatico.org for some opportunities. (suggestion given me during #satchat this weekend)


Are You in Your Own Way? (from Tom Murray)


The Importance of Seeing Amazing Everyday (from Brian Seguin)

All rules for study are summed up in this one: Learn only in order to create.
Friedrich Schelling,
philosopher

Things That Teacher Say (video from Bored Teachers)

mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 12.14.18

Don't forget about spirit week!  Here are the dress up days!
Have a great weekend!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of yourself.  Take care of each other- John Gunnell

Friday, December 7, 2018

The grass is always greener, or is it?

I've been reflecting upon my life as an educator recently, having spent more than half of my life in education.  I've been an educator nearly 32 years, 29 of those as a middle school educator.  Some would say that is quite an accomplishment.  Others would say that's a bit crazy.  An accomplishment because I've been an educator for so long and crazy because I've been in middle school that long.  I wouldn't change my middle school educator life for anything.
I had the privilege of attending and presenting at SLATE this week.  Check out the hashtag, #slateinwi, from the 3 days of learning.  I got the chance to speak with a lot of people, and even had a 5 minute conversation with George Couros all by myself!  He even remembered my name, but I was wearing a name badge so maybe he's just a really good reader.  Anyway, the conversations I had brought this quote to mind.  It's another quote that Jen found for me.


I listened to stories from people, mostly from Wisconsin, about their schools and the people with whom they work.  I heard some great things, and some not so great things, about their schools and colleagues.  So I sat back and smiled, realizing the great opportunity that I have in Merton to serve as your principal.  I'm not saying that it's all rainbows and unicorns, but we are fortunate to work together for our students every day.  I am honored, humbled, and proud to work with and for you every day.

Great things I saw this week...
Basketball tourney during lunch.
Lots of reading and writing.
Lexi doing a great job student teaching in Spanish.
I got back from SLATE, and the learning I saw was amazing!
The support of Barb, Michael, Dave, Holly, and Dan covering lunch duties, and Holly and Jeannette taking over Homework Club while I was gone.
The chance to connect with a student to tell him how proud I was of him after I read a great email Joanne sent to his family.
Smiles on the faces of students and staff when they returned from The Christmas Carol.
The smiles brought about by my incredible vest.
(In case you missed, or need a picture for blackmail, here it is!)

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Monday, December 10th- Friday, December 14th
NJHS Penny Wars

Tuesday, December 11th
Dress up for the Holiday Concerts
Holiday Concerts (Band-5:30, Choir-7:00)

Wednesday, December 12th
WIN Wednesday

Thursday, December 13th
Lunch on Jay and Jen

Friday, December 14th
Packers gear (It's Bears week!)

Monday, December 17th
Holiday Spirit Week- Merry Red and Green Day

Tuesday, December 18th
Encore Choir and Jazz Band caroling (all day)
PTO brunch and wrap
Holiday Spirit Week- Holiday/Ugly Sweater Day

Wednesday, December 19th
Holiday Spirit Week- Holiday Hat Day

Thursday, December 20th
Holiday Spirit Week- Flannel and Fuzzy Socks Day

Friday, December 21st
Holiday Spirit Week- Polar Express Pajama Day
Raffle! (You'll get a ticket every day that you participate in our dress up days!)

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
Focus on the Now (from Annie Pankowski, Wisconsin Womens' Hockey player)


Reclaiming our Calling; the new book from Brad Gustafson (from George Couros. Make sure to check out the "Big 3" table below from the book.)


Check out this website shared with me at SLATE (Academy of Achievement). It just might spark something in one of our kids.

EdCampElmbrook is March 2nd.  You can register here.

Doing Our Best with the Knowledge We Have (from George Couros)

Ike Ant (from Jeff Kubiak)

mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 12.7.18

Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself- John Gunnell

Friday, November 30, 2018

One class at a time

Saturday morning, I read this latest post from Pernille Ripp, One Small Thing.  Pernille has a way to put into writing her reflections that make me think, and maybe this post will make you think, too.  I won't share my reflection on her post in writing, but I'd be happy to speak with you in person about your reflection if you are interested.

Great things I saw this week...
No snowmageddon on Monday!
ACT Aspire testing is all done! Thanks for the flexibility of our 7th and 8th grade teachers and a special thank you to Dawn!
Biztown Student Showcase at the School Board meeting.
STEM field trip for our 8th graders.
NJHS Penny Wars idea for #CaliforniaFires victims.
Cup stacking in 7th grade PE to relieve some stress.
Brian K. and his students really excited about Wisconsin Math Hoops (Ask BK about it.)
Flipgrid videos for book reviews.
Listening to Katie read "The Tell-Tale Heart" to the kids, and me (It's my favorite Edgar Allan Poe short story.).
Educator Effectiveness discussions with many of you (I really enjoy talking about the magic you all do in the classroom, and beyond, every day with our kids.).
Kids following me around at recess while I'm playing tunes out of my JammyPack.

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Monday, December 3rd
Jay at SLATE after lunch

Tuesday, December 4th
Jay at SLATE all day
Thanks to Dave and Holly for covering my lunch and recess duty
Merton Tree lighting- 7PM

Wednesday, December 5th
Jay at SLATE in the morning (I hope to return close to 1:30)
Thanks to Michael and Dan for covering my lunch and recess duty

Thursday, December 6th
7th grade attends A Christmas Carol (all day)

Monday, December 10th- Friday, December 14th
NJHS Penny Wars

Tuesday, December 11th
Holiday Concerts (Band-5:30, Choir-7:00)

Monday, December 17th- Thursday, December 20th
Holiday Spirit Week

Tuesday, December 18th
Encore Choir and Jazz Band caroling (all day)

Wednesday, December 19th
Holiday brunch

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
If you knew... (from Allyson Apsey)


Exceeding Expectations (from Shelley Burgess)



Teaching Responsibility or Compliance? (from George Couros)


Our Kids Need You (from Tom Murray)

(from Dwight Carter's Facebook page)


Camp Fire All Kids Are Our Kids
Through my social media connections, I have come to know many principals from all over the country.  In an effort to help support the Butte County Schools in their efforts to help out fire victims, please consider purchasing one of these shirts or sweatshirts.
Here is a link if you are interested, and I appreciate your consideration.

The following is from my friend, Ryan Sheehy, a principal in California who wrote "Be the One".
If you had to lump humanity into two groups what would those groups be? In an inspirational speech, the late Randy Pausch asked his audience “Do you want to live your life as a Tigger, or an Eeyore?”

It is a fun, yet intriguing question.

Tigger is positive, energetic, fun, cheerful and confident. He always is trying to do his best, is up to try new things, keeps going even when he falls, and always sees the glass as being half full. We all know Tiggers.

Eeyore on the other hand is the opposite. Eeyore is usually gloomy, pessimistic, sarcastic, and never looks on the bright side. His glass is half empty and lacks confident. We all know Eeyores.

People and systems are going to let you down. Things and situations are not always going to go your way. We have no control over the actions of people that are in our lives. We have no control over the universe. But we do have control over who we are. I know that being a Tigger 100% of the time sounds daunting but being an Eeyore sounds unproductive and no fun.

In education we are constantly faced with students, parents, and other educators. I have had my fare share of run ins with Eeyores, but that is when my Tigger personality bounces into full effect. We must stay positive, cheerful, and confident. We need to show perseverance and  bounce back from our failures.

Every educator has the choice when that alarm clock goes off each morning, are you getting out of bed as an Eeyore or a Tigger?

Be The One that who tries your best, is up to try new things, keeps going even when you fall, and always sees the glass as being half full.

Have a great weekend.  Unplug from school at least one day.  It's a great habit to get into (I know what you're saying, but habits are hard to start and even harder to stop.), but I'm working on it.
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Thank you!

Thursday is Thanksgiving.  It provides a day of focus for all of the things for which I am thankful- my family, my health, my friends, and the opportunity to serve all of you and the kids every day.  As I reflect on the past couple of weeks, I've seen the staff come together for celebrations and condolences, for laughter and for tears, and for successes and challenges.  Until you have an opportunity to really reflect on your day to day life, you don't really realize how good you have it.  Take a moment, or an hour, or a day this Thanksgiving break and reflect on your life.  I encourage you to put together a column of successes and struggles from this year.  Fold it in half and then put it away until Sunday afternoon.  Then look only at the successes side.  Focus on those great things from your life both in and out of school and let that be your guiding force for the next four weeks.  I promise that it will bring more great things for you.

Great things I saw this week...
The care you have for our kids.
The care you have for each other.
Mindfulness activities in LA.
Human growth and development in 5th and 6th grade.
Smiles, even in trying times.
Jackie's shower this morning.
PTO pies!

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Wednesday, November 21st- Sunday, November 25th
Thanksgiving Break

Monday, November 26th
BLT meeting  4:15PM
School Board meeting

Friday, November 30th
Half day- AM schedule

Tuesday, December 4th
Merton Tree lighting- 7PM

Thursday, December 6th
7th grade attends A Christmas Carol (all day)

Tuesday, December 11th
Holiday Concerts (Band-5:30, Choir-7:00)

Monday, December 17th- Thursday, December 20th
Holiday Spirit Week

Tuesday, December 18th
Encore Choir and Jazz Band caroling (all day)

Wednesday, December 19th
Holiday brunch

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
A powerful letter to a family (I found this on Facebook and just had to share it.)


The Great Teacher Myth (from Pernille Ripp)


Maybe who we are isn't so much about what we do, but rather what we're capable of when we least expect it.
Jodi Picoult,
writer

Exhausted Educator, I See You (from Beth Houf)


Camp Fire All Kids Are Our Kids
Through my social media connections, I have come to know many principals from all over the country.  In an effort to help support the Butte County Schools in their efforts to help out fire victims, please consider purchasing one of these shirts or sweatshirts.
Here is a link if you are interested, and I appreciate your consideration.

Happy Thanksgiving.  Travel safely.  Unplug.  Reconnect with family and friends.  Take at least one day off from school work.
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, November 16, 2018

Aspire to be better

Thanks to all of you for your efforts in making the Aspire test as successful as possible.  Staff members stepped up, again.  The students were focused during their testing time.  Dawn and Jim were available and solved a myriad of issues.  Thank you, every one, for a great week.  I'll see you all on Monday, and make today the best Friday of the week!

Great things I saw this week...
Watching kids learn about air in Science.
Lots of reading.
Wonderful read alouds.
Students taking on the role of basketball coach in PE.
Oil pastel drawings in Art.
Discussions about the Bill of Rights in Social Studies.
Kids talking to me about struggling in Math, and that's a good thing.  That means they're learning!
Great thinking in Engineering Olympics.
Sitting with 5th graders at lunch and listening to them talk about...the books they're reading!

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Wednesday, November 21st- Sunday, November 25th
Thanksgiving Break

Monday, November 26th
School Board meeting

Friday, November 30th
Half day- AM schedule

Tuesday, December 4th
Merton Tree lighting- 7PM

Thursday, December 6th
7th grade attends A Christmas Carol (all day)

Tuesday, December 11th
Holiday Concerts (Band-5:30, Choir-7:00)

Monday, December 17th- Thursday, December 20th
Holiday Spirit Week

Tuesday, December 18th
Encore Choir and Jazz Band caroling (all day)

Wednesday, December 19th
Holiday brunch

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have these because we have acted rightly.
Will Durant,
historian



(from Jessica Johnson's staff blog)

The length of your education is less important than its breadth, and the length of your life is less important than its depth.
Marilyn vos Savant,
columnist


Good multiplies when focused upon. Negativity multiplies when focused upon. The choice is ours: Which do we want more of?
Julia Cameron,
writer

The path to truly new, never-been-done-before things always has failure along the way. It's supposed to be hard.
Regina Dugan,
businesswoman and technology developer


Camp Fire All Kids Are Our Kids
Through my social media connections, I have come to know many principals from all over the country.  In an effort to help support the Butte County Schools in their efforts to help out fire victims, please consider purchasing one of these shirts or sweatshirts.
Here is a link if you are interested, and I appreciate your consideration.

Thanks in advance to those of you who will step up today in my absence.  I appreciate each of you.  Enjoy the weekend, and I'll see you on Monday!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself- John Gunnell

Friday, November 9, 2018

You are doing your best, and I notice!

As last week wound down, I received an email from a friend of mine, Pernille Ripp, that contained her latest blog.  Please take a moment to read it.
Hold this message close, especially on the tough days.  Celebrate the great things you are doing for your kids and each other.  I'm proud to work with you!

Great things I saw this week...
Our 7th and 8th grade choir singing the National Anthem before the Bucks game.
Students helping each other with the Inventor program.
Students reflecting on their work from the first quarter.
Girls basketball teamwork, with Mr. Budisch officiating.
The book fair and all the work Jen and the volunteers did to make it a success.
Conversations with students and staff, with the students reflecting on their choices without any prompting or suggestions.
All of the jeans on Wednesday.
Watching an intervention, the smile on the student's face, and the confirmation that it's the people and not the programs.
The ebb and flow of a class that allows for students to get refocused and back to work.  (They are kids, after all, and you all get it.)
Listening to you all discuss the #GoodNewsCallOfTheDay students, and realizing that there are so many more who could be called. (So why not pick up the phone?  I've got bracelets for you!)

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Monday, November 12th
7th/8th grade Aspire testing

Wednesday, November 14th
WIN Wednesday
7th/8th grade Aspire testing

Thursday, November 15th
7th/8th grade Aspire testing
Arena family/teacher/student conferences

Wednesday, November 21st- Sunday, November 25th
Thanksgiving Break

Monday, November 26th
School Board meeting

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
Immersed in the Present With an Eye on the Future (from George Couros)


Crushing Goals (from Kristen Nan)

(taken from Jessica Johnson's Friday Focus)

My #Sidehustle: Facts and Fallacies (from Allyson Apsey)

(from The Teacher Next Door)

Good multiplies when focused upon. Negativity multiplies when focused upon. The choice is ours: Which do we want more of?
Julia Cameron,
writer

Rethinking Balance (from George Couros)


Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.
Truman Capote,
writer
#mertonint on Twitter
#MertonProud on Twitter
Merton Intermediate School Facebook page
mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 11.9.18 (more photos to add after Veterans Day celebration)

Today is one of my favorite days because...
it's all run by the kids (with some significant help from Michael and Andrea).
it's an incredible show of support for our veterans.
it shows so many people what our kids are really like.
it shows how much you have done to help our kids realize what's important in life.
I see so many smiles from students, their guests, and their families.
I get to share it with my mom and dad.
it shows that you get what's important in our school- the kids and teaching them more than just academics.
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, November 2, 2018

Full week focus

After a three day weekend, I noticed you came back with a focus on the kids.  That's not to say that you weren't focused before.  It's just that sometimes we need to hit reset and jump back in with both feet, focusing on our kids' success.  On Monday alone, I witnessed three specific instances of staff connecting one on one with students, providing support, suggestions, and the needed nudge to do better.  I honestly think that one of them didn't even know that I noticed.  That's the focus that I'm talking about.  The focus I saw reminds me of Seabiscuit (not that any of you are horses), how when he got his blinders he was the best that he could be.  There are times when you have your blinders on, too, and don't even know I'm in the room or in the area.  That's some awesome focus, and I'm so glad that you accept me into your classrooms every day.  I really wish there was a way you could visit each other's classrooms to see what I get to see every day.  If only someone could take over your class so that you could do that.


Great things I saw this week...
We all got right back to learning after the long weekend.
Parent meeting on Monday, and the family is so happy they're in Merton.
Lego robotics presentation at the board meeting on Monday. (Thanks, Becky, Landon, and Dominic!)
The choirs and the bands are sounding better every day. (Not that they sounded bad before.)
Conferring happening in LA while students are reading picture books and finding craft moves.
Partner work in math class and listening to the students help each other understand the new program and concepts.
Encore choir singing Halloween songs to our 5th graders.
Students making sure to include others in their discussions during class.
A teacher telling me, "I wish you had been here 20 minutes ago!" (Don't forget to invite me in if you have something awesome you'd like me to see.)
5th graders all dressed up for Biztown.
Mr. Teofilo here all week working with and connecting with our kids.
The effort of our students during pre-assessment and on demand writing.

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Monday, November 5th- Friday, November 9th
Book Fair

Wednesday, November 7th
Jeans for Troops Day ($5 to wear jeans. Money goes to Veterans charity)

Friday, November 9th
Veterans Day Celebration

Monday, November 12th
7th/8th grade Aspire testing

Wednesday, November 14th
WIN Wednesday
7th/8th grade Aspire testing

Thursday, November 15th
7th/8th grade Aspire testing
Arena family/teacher/student conferences

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
(from Jessica Johnson's memo to staff)

Wanting to reform the world without discovering one's true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes.
Ramana Maharshi,
Hindu sage

Are we preparing students to be chefs or cooks? (video from AJ Juliani)



Couch to Happiness (from Allyson Apsey)

(from @valentinasel via MindShift KQED)

What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor but the silence of the bystander.
Elie Wiesel,
Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor

Iceberg Moments #KidsDeserveIt (from Todd Nesloney)

(from Sylvia Duckworth)

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
Annie Dillard,
writer
#mertonint on Twitter
#MertonProud on Twitter
Merton Intermediate School Facebook page
mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 11.2.18

I am so impressed with each of you every day.  I walk into classrooms and see the kids focused on learning, either independently or in groups.  You have conversations about kids and families and what we can do better for them.  You never give less than your best.  So not only am I impressed, I am honored and humbled to work with you every day.  I'm looking forward to another great week next week, and please invite me in if you have anything extra special planned.  I love watching you teach!
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Thursday, October 25, 2018

How can I help?

Jen and I have found a new show to watch.  No, it's not in the Bachelor series.  It's New Amsterdam, the story of a public hospital in New York City.  The main character, Dr. Max Goodwin, played by Ryan Eggold, is the new medical director at America's oldest hospital.  He is trying to rebuild the hospital and remove all of the bureaucracy so that the doctor's can focus on the patients.  Dr. Goodwin uses a line often in each show- "How can I help?"  It honestly reminds me of all of you when we speak about our kids.  We work together, come up with a plan, and put it into effect.  We all have our part in the plan, including me.  So, how can I help?

Great things I saw this week...
It's a short week, and you and the students were focused on learning right away on Monday.
There were some pretty cool crazy hats.
I love the honest, open conversations during our BLT meetings.
The flag football tournament had some great action and a fired up audience.

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Saturday, October 27th
EdCamp Walker's Point
(Please consider attending, even if for only half of the day.)

Friday, November 2nd
End of 1st quarter

Tuesday, November 6th
7th/8th Aspire testing

Wednesday, November 7th
7th/8th Aspire testing

Friday, November 9th
Veterans Day Celebration

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
The Value of "Not Having a Choice" (from George Couros)

(from George Couros' The Innovator's Mindset)


How radical love transformed a school (Hamish Brewer's TEDxChristchurch. Hamish is a relentless principal I'm proud to call my friend. This is worth 16 minutes of your time, I promise.)

#mertonint on Twitter
#MertonProud on Twitter
Merton Intermediate School Facebook page
mertonint on Instagram
BLT notes from 10.22.18 (visible only to Merton employees)
Family smore from 10.24.18

(from historicimages.com)
Yes, that's me, coaching basketball in 1992!  Just wanted you to have a giggle before a great day of collaborating and learning together.  Strangely, I got the picture after getting a phone call from my mom.  Our pastor's son found it on ebay, called our pastor who called my mom who called me.  It's a weird story, and one that I'll be sharing with the students during our November WIN Wednesday assembly for two reasons.  The first is the story of how far things can go around the internet.  The second is a story for you and me to remember.  Look at that little boy sitting on the floor, intently looking at me.  He is watching my every move and listening to everything I'm saying.  Our students and our own children are like that with us every day.  What they are seeing and hearing from us is a model to them.  Have you ever had a student or your own child say something you say everyday?  Sometimes it can be funny and other times it's down right scary.  There are times I think back to my coaching days in the 1980s and 1990s and wonder what I was thinking.  I was an animated coach, to say the least, but was my way the best way.  We had successful teams, winning conference championships and quite a few games, but maybe we could have been better if I coached differently.  I have the opportunity to coach here once in a while, and I really enjoy it.  My coaching tactics have changed, thankfully, and I'm not as tough with the officials (I'm sure my reaction above was to a call I felt should have gone another way.) as I used to be.  But I still coach with the same fire I had before, I just go about it a bit differently.  The same is true about how I "principal".  I've had to make changes over my almost 17 years as an administrator.  I have learned things, tried them out, and either kept doing them, adjusted them, or done away with them altogether.  I have seen the same from all of you as teachers, and today is an opportunity to learn new things.  Seize the day and make it a powerful and positive learning experience so that when the kids come back on Monday, you'll be ready to greet them and challenge them with something new.  They'll be looking at you just like the little boy on the gym floor looked at me.
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of yourself.  Take care of each other.- John Gunnell