Staff Appreciation Week

Staff appreciation week is a big deal to me.  You should all be recognized and appreciated every day.  Although I think you all should be recognized for your work with our kids more often, sometimes what we hear more is what we don't want to hear.  Our PTO recognizes all that you do and they are amazed by it every day.  They speak to Mike and I at PTO meetings, but it's also those conversations in the office, outside, or in the community that let us know just how much they appreciate you.  The PTO is a microcosm of our school community.  They are the vocal ones who aren't afraid to speak up and tell others about the great things you do for our kids and our school.  When you see our families on Monday afternoon, please thank them for recognizing you.  I know that what the PTO has planned is a disruption to an already busy May, but the disruption is for a really good cause- YOU!

Great things I saw this week...
Student led book discussions in LA.  There were some great comments.
The roller skating unit sure looks like fun.  With me it would just be funny.
PTO's leadership with Staff Appreciation Week.
Kids playing baseball and kickball at recess.
Staff conversing about all sorts of things.
The kids doing their best to stay focused with the change in weather (Thank goodness!) and the time of year.
Classes going outside for learning.
We had a really good fire drill (Under 1:30 for a 2 story school is really good).
Our cafeteria staff smiling even when they run out of certain food items for the kids (Please be diligent about the lunch counts. They have an impact on our 5th and 6th grade lunch.).
Kids working in pairs to study for an upcoming test.  Their conversations were really good.
I really enjoyed our grade level and specials meetings on Thursday.  Your care and concern for our kids, and each other, is amazing!
"Emergency" BLT meeting after school to discuss best way to handle next week's goofy schedule.

Calendar
Monday, May 7th
It's Shorts Day!
8:55  Round 2 PE interviews all morning
2:30  Staff appreciation activity (7th/8th grade tentative adjusted schedule with 5th hour)

Tuesday, May 8th
4:15  Homework Club

Wednesday, May 9th
8:15  Staff meeting (Staff recognition awards)
8:40-8:55  WIN assembly (No adjusted schedule)
1:15  A-team meeting

Thursday, May 10th
Grade level and specials meetings
4:15  Homework Club

Friday, May 11th
Grandparents'/ Special Persons' Day in the AM

Future Dates
Monday, May 14th-Thurday, May 17th- Scholastic Book Fair
Tuesday, May 15th- Spring Concerts (Band at 5:30/ Choir at 7:00)
Tuesday, May 22nd-Thursday, May 24th- 5th grade at camp
Thursday May 24th- Career Day (8:30-11:30)
Monday, May 28th- Memorial Day (No School)
Friday, June 1st- Celebration Day
Tuesday, June 5th- 8th grade Day Away and dance
Wednesday, June 6th- Awards assembly and 8th grade graduation
Thursday, June 7th- Last day of school (half day)

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision.

William James, philosopher and psychologist

Start Again Tomorrow (from George Couros)

Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.

Arthur Koestler, writer and journalist

When No One Else Is Watching (from Todd Schmidt)

I wish that we worried more about asking the right questions instead of being so hung up on finding answers.

Madeleine L'Engle, novelist

Your Local Expertise (from George Couros)

"Leverage Worry and Fear" (from George Couros)

Be not afraid of greatness: Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

William Shakespeare, poet, playwright and actor

#mertonint on Twitter

#MertonProud on Twitter

Merton Intermediate Facebook page

Merton Intermediate Instagram page

Family smore for 5.4.18

If you've gotten this far, thanks for reading all the way through.  I apologize for being MIA on Wednesday and much of Thursday.  PE interviews were my focus on Wednesday and Thursday is meeting day.  I have nothing on my calendar for tomorrow morning so I will be in your classrooms all morning.  I might stay for 5 minutes or I might stay for 15.  If you've got something going on that you'd like me to be a part of, let me know and I'll be there.
Be the one!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell