Did we even leave?

Amazing.  Proud.  Engaging.  These are just a few words I think about after this week of learning.  Amazing- You and the kids got right back to learning.  Proud- I shared the great things you are doing with my PLN.  Engaging-  I saw some new learning opportunities that I hadn't seen earlier in the school year.  Coming back from break can be a challenge, and it may have been for some of the kids and some of you, but you made the transition from time off to time back on seem like that we hadn't even left.  Thanks for creating the environment and culture that allows for the learning to start up again whenever kids are in our school.

Great things I saw...
You and the kids got right back to learning.
The joy in the kids as they saw the Learning Lounge.
Stepping up for one another when the unexpected happens.
Book discussions where kids encouraged one another to participate.
Comment in 8th grade Science- "We divided and conquered, but we're really not conquering."
Students selecting to read in the Learning Lounge when given the option.
Kids using WeVideo for TEDtalks.  I can't wait to see how they turn out!

Calendar
Monday, January 8th
Strategic planning  6PM

Tuesday, January 9th
Yearbook activity pictures (boys' basketball/ volleyball/ musical/ forensics/ any others?)
Homework Club  4:15PM

Wednesday, January 10th
Math site visits (Dan is on call.  Yes, he knows.)

Thursday, January 11th
Grade level and specials meetings
Homework Club  4:15PM

Friday, January 12th
No Office Day!

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

James Baldwin, writer

Help Comes in Many Forms (from In Harvey's Wake- Annie B. and Merton are represented in this video.  There are also many other stories about Harvey in this link, too.  Just click on the 3 bars in the top right corner to see more.)

If you love what you do and are willing to do what it takes, it's within your reach. And it'll be worth every minute you spend alone at night, thinking and thinking about what it is you want to design or build.

Steve Wozniak, engineer and entrepreneur

Revisiting #ClassroomLeadership (from George Couros)

#mertonint on Twitter

#MertonProud on Twitter

Merton Intermediate Facebook page

Merton Intermediate Instagram page

Family smore for 1.5.18

Sometimes, something can really get you angry.  Sometimes more than one thing gets you angry.  When that happens, you have two choices, stay angry or be happy.  This happened to me yesterday when a couple staff members saw me angry.  They showed concern, shared a comment or two, and I left them with a smile that carried me for at least a few minutes.  A wise friend of mine, Joe Sanfelippo from Fall Creek, home of #gocrickets, says that culture is made in 30 second conversations.  I would tell you that culture isn't only fostered by me.  It's fostered by all of us.
See you all soon.
Be the one!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell