Changes- none are easy

This week, each of our grade level teams was impacted by at least one change.  These changes are not easy and were not made impulsively.  Each move was made with a great deal of thought and reflection.  It's difficult to change teams as relationships have been built, but with these changes comes an opportunity for individuals and teams to get better.  We can't, however, forget about what comes before us the rest of this school year- our kids.  Your current team has the opportunity to finish strong for each other and the kids, and I encourage you to do all that you can for them and for each other.  Know that I will be there to support you through the rest of the year as well as through the transition that is soon to come.

Great things I saw this week...
The kids, and you, got right back to learning on Monday.
The seriousness of the kids doing their makeup Forward Exams.
Michael and his work with NJHS and the induction ceremony.
All staff who pitched in to help out with Homework Club and the NJHS ceremony.
The 5th graders creating golf holes for Spheros.
Brian V. joining in the 5th and 6th grade recess.
The band and jazz band during before and during the NJHS ceremony.
The choir singing the National Anthem at the NJHS ceremony. (Did anyone record that?  WOW!)
The behavior of the kids during the tornado drill.  John said he was highly impressed by our 8th graders and that they were the best he has seen for a drill.
Small group LA instruction in the Learning Lounge.
Barb being Barb with NJHS certificates and the fun we had on Tuesday.

Calendar
Monday, April 16th
7:15  volleyball practice
4:15  BLT meeting

Tuesday, April 17th
8:55-9:40  cover Brian F.
4:15  Homework Club
5:20  volleyball games at Lake Country

Wednesday, April 18th
12:22-1:03  Social Studies
4:00  Culver's Night (I'm serving from 6:00-8:00!)

Thursday, April 19th
Grade level/specials meetings
10:30  6th/7th/8th grade see HS Musical Jr. play
1:45  5th grade sees HS Musical Jr. play
4:15  Homework Club

Friday, April 20th
7:00  High School Musical Jr.

Saturday, April 21st
2:00  High School Musical Jr.
7:00  High School Musical Jr.

Important dates
May 11th- Grandparents Day
May 15th- concerts
May 24th- Half day career event
June 1st- Celebration Day
June 5th- 8th grade Day Away
June 6th- Awards assembly and 8th grade graduation

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edith Wharton, writer

Can you follow this "learning norm"? (from George Couros)

The fear of becoming a "has been" keeps some people from becoming anything.

Eric Hoffer, writer and social critic

Hold Your Tongue (from Pernille Ripp)

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."- Anne Frank, 1929-1945, Dutch diarist

"Isn't it nice to think that is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" — L.M. Montgomery

A Way Out (from Pernille Ripp)

Invention, strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have been previously gathered and deposited in the memory; nothing can come of nothing.

Joshua Reynolds, artist

The "Push" That Comes With Being Valued (from George Couros)

It has been quite a week.  I was impressed by two things.  One was the professionalism that you all showed during our discussions on Wednesday.  The other was the kids, both on the "stage" and in the bleachers, during our NJHS assembly yesterday.  Thank you for Wednesday and for being with our kids yesterday.  When we raise our expectations for the kids, they can step up to them, without a doubt.  Keep those expectations high for the next seven plus weeks, and the kids will come through.  I just know that they will.

Have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Be the one!

Jay

Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell