You are amazing

As I reflect on the last two weeks, I must admit that you amaze me.  Despite changes for next year, you still come to school, every day, and give it your best effort.  The kids probably don't even know all of the things you are dealing with, personally and professionally, because you still are here every day for them, and for each other.  I appreciate all of you who have come to me with concerns or questions instead of feeding the rumors and assumptions.  One of our colleagues reminds me, often, what it really means when we assume things.  Please come to me with any concerns or questions that you have as we move forward with this school year and prepare for the next school year.  Thank you for your passion, your effort, and your desire to be here for our kids and each other.

Calendar
Monday, April 23rd
4:30  Volleyball games @ Stone Bank
6:30  School Board meeting

Tuesday, April 24th
IEP Power Day
4:15  Homework Club

Wednesday, April 25th
7:15  volleyball practice

Thursday, April 26th
Grade level and specials meetings
4:15  Homework Club

Friday, April 27th
7:15  volleyball practice

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


Great things I saw this week...
Robots in 5th grade.
Reading all over the building.
Snow piles, in April, and the kids having fun at recess.
Kids interested in their Social Studies projects.
Intramural volleyball during 7/8 lunch.
Dave having a blast with liquid nitrogen.  Ask the 7th graders about the onion.
The excitement of the kids in preparation for their first musical.
A guest teacher on Wednesday telling me how fantastic she thinks our school and students are.
More snow to make the snow piles even higher.
The kids did a nice job during the play, and the cast, crew, and directors of High School Musical Jr. were just plain awesome!
The "new" Kwik Trip up the street has 6 donuts for 99 cents!

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Every "Best Practice" in Education Was Once an Innovation (from George Couros)

"Don't worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try."

Jack Canfield

"Chance favors only the prepared mind."- Louis Pasteur, 1822-1895, French chemist and biologist

True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and choice.

Ben Jonson, playwright and poet

"Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination."- Roy M. Goodman

Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots.

Victor Hugo, poet, novelist and dramatist

When I Realized I Would Be OK... (from Pernille Ripp)

"Don't persuade, defend, or interrupt.  Be curious., be conversational, be real.  And listen."-

Elizabeth Lesser

#mertonint on Twitter

#MertonProud on Twitter

Merton Intermediate Facebook page

Merton Intermediate Instagram page

Family smore for 4.20.18

Maybe you'd be interested in...
Summer Spark, a PD opportunity at University School of Milwaukee on June 11th and 12th.  I'm presenting, and I know someone who can get a deal for you on registration.  Please let me know if you are interested.

Enjoy the Spring weather this weekend.  Get outside, breathe in the fresh air, soak in the sun, and find family or friends to hang around with for a few hours.  You deserve some "away time" from school.
Be the one!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell