The homestretch

Many of you know that I moved to Wisconsin from Louisville, KY.  That was way back in 1977 (Some of your weren't even born then!).  We always had the best seat for the Kentucky Derby back in the 1970s, right in front of our television.  When the Kentucky Derby is on now, I'm right next to the television for the fastest two minutes in sports.  Last weekend I watched the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown.  Did any of you watch it?  Justify, the favorite, held on for an exciting win over three other horses, all of which were separated by barely the length of a horse.  Those three horses didn't lose, they just ran out of time.  They really gave it their all down the homestretch.  And now that's where we are, on the homestretch.  Be like Justify, or Bravazo, or Tenfold, or Good Magic, and give it your all down the homestretch.  I just hope the homestretch isn't as sloppy as the track was at the Preakness.

Great things I saw...
Kids actively learning in every classroom.  Keep up the intensity!
Last week's "chalkabration" on Friday
Making pinatas in Spanish
8th grade non-fiction books
Kids struggling to create in Science
5th grade kids excited for camp

Calendar
Monday, May 28th
Memorial Day- No School

Tuesday, May 29th
6:30PM  Board meeting

Wednesday, May 30th
1:00-2:30  4th grade transition

Thursday, May 31st
Final grade level and specials meetings
"new" 5th grade meeting in the PM

Friday, June 1st
Celebration Day

Monday, June 4th
Last day of 8th grade classes

Tuesday, June 5th
8th grade Day Away and dance

Wednesday, June 6th
Recognition assembly
8th grade graduation

Thursday, June 7th
Half day
Yearbook signing and ice cream sandwiches!

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
Controlling the Solution (from George Couros)

"Make new mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before." — Neil Gaiman It is clear that all the valuable things, material, spiritual, and moral, which we receive from society can be traced back through countless generations to certain creative individuals. Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist

We Need Them (from Jon Harper)

"Let's obsess over how much we can give with our time rather than how little of our time we can give.  In the long run, it's a better bet for making those good things happen for yourself."

Sam Parker, the Two-Twelve Guy

You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view -- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.

Harper Lee, writer

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.  Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."

Helen Keller

#mertonint on Twitter

#MertonProud on Twitter

Merton Intermediate Facebook page

Merton Intermediate Instagram page

Family smore for 5.25.18

Mirrors, windows, and doors
Every other Tuesday night I help co-moderate a Twitter chat called #PIAchat (PIA stands for PrincipalsInAction).  This week we discussed reflecting on our school year.  If you have a moment, you can check out the thread to the chat here (You'll just need to search for the May 22nd chat in the link and possibly sign up, but it's worth it.).  If you don't want to read through the thread, could I ask you a favor?  Reflect on your year, or maybe just your day or last hour of the day, by thinking about a mirror (What did you do?), a window (What did you provide to others?), and a door (What opportunities did you create?).  I'd love to hear or read your thoughts.

Have a great Friday, and relax over the Memorial Day Weekend!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell