We teach with our heart

It was Valentine's Week, the week that brings us closer to the ones we love.  It's also the week that can break your heart.  As educators, we wear our emotions on our sleeves, even those of you who don't think so.  I can see it.  Wednesday was a great day for our kids in Merton.  There was learning, some candy, and the feel of a normal school day.  The energy was high because it was Valentine's Day and there was a planned field trip for our 7th and 8th graders the next day.  We even had a fire drill, something that has become routine for all of us.  And then I saw the news about the school shooting in Florida.  I remembered Columbine and Sandy Hook.  The schools and what happened at those schools is something that none of us will ever forget.  And now we add Marjory Stoneman Douglas.  I think you all know how much I care about the safety and security of our school, our students, and our staff.  Please do me a favor.  Think through our safety plans- fire, tornado, intruder- and make sure to let me know if you have any concerns about any of them.  I know we are prepared for an intruder.  I don't want to scare the students, or you, but you just never know when something could happen.  Know that Ron, Mike, John, the school board, and I think about the security of our schools, sometimes even in our sleep.  As we have time together today, don't hesitate to talk to one another about our plans and if something comes up that's a concern, please come and see me.  I'm here until 4:00 today (It's a great day for hockey in Madison!) and I'll be out and about all day, except for a few meetings and an 11:30 run in the fitness room.

Great things I saw...
Strategy groups in the learning lounge, almost all day long.
Spanish students gearing up for the placement test at Arrowhead.
Great conversations with staff for midyear and formal observations (hint, hint).
Winter Olympics in the gym.
Sheriff Kelly's presentations to our students and staff.
Tubing trip for our 7th and 8th graders.
The BLT continues to push our school to be better in every way.
The work you will be doing today (I just know it's going to be a great day of learning).

Calendar
Monday, February 19th
No School
6:30  School board meeting

Tuesday, February 20th
4:15  Homework Club

Thursday, February 22nd
Arrowhead Choral festival
4:15  Homework Club

Friday, February 23rd
7-9PM  Mardi Gras dance

• Important future dates
• February 28th- Student Senate carnival training
• March 2nd- Student Senate carnival
• March 13th- concerts
• March 16th- Merton Art Show 4-7PM at St. John's church
• March 19th-31st- Forward exam (schedule under development)
• April 12th- NJHS induction
• April 19th- High School Musical Junior
• 6th-8th see in the AM
• 3rd-5th see in the PM
• May 11th- Grandparents Day
• May 15th- concerts

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
Moving From "Stealing" to "Remixing" With Credit (from George Couros)

(from Pinterest)

The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg. ... Dreams are the seedlings of realities.

James Allen, writer

The Next "You" (from George Couros)

(from Pinterest)

(borrowed from @PrincipalJ's nuts and bolts)

#mertonint on Twitter

#MertonProud on Twitter

Merton Intermediate Facebook page

Merton Intermediate Instagram page

Family smore for 2.16.18

Have a great Friday, and a great long weekend!
Be the one!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell