How can I help?

Jen and I have found a new show to watch.  No, it's not in the Bachelor series.  It's New Amsterdam, the story of a public hospital in New York City.  The main character, Dr. Max Goodwin, played by Ryan Eggold, is the new medical director at America's oldest hospital.  He is trying to rebuild the hospital and remove all of the bureaucracy so that the doctor's can focus on the patients.  Dr. Goodwin uses a line often in each show- "How can I help?"  It honestly reminds me of all of you when we speak about our kids.  We work together, come up with a plan, and put it into effect.  We all have our part in the plan, including me.  So, how can I help?

Great things I saw this week...
It's a short week, and you and the students were focused on learning right away on Monday.
There were some pretty cool crazy hats.
I love the honest, open conversations during our BLT meetings.
The flag football tournament had some great action and a fired up audience.

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Saturday, October 27th
EdCamp Walker's Point
(Please consider attending, even if for only half of the day.)

Friday, November 2nd
End of 1st quarter

Tuesday, November 6th
7th/8th Aspire testing

Wednesday, November 7th
7th/8th Aspire testing

Friday, November 9th
Veterans Day Celebration

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
The Value of "Not Having a Choice" (from George Couros)

(from George Couros' The Innovator's Mindset)

How radical love transformed a school (Hamish Brewer's TEDxChristchurch. Hamish is a relentless principal I'm proud to call my friend. This is worth 16 minutes of your time, I promise.)

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Merton Intermediate School Facebook page
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BLT notes from 10.22.18 (visible only to Merton employees)
Family smore from 10.24.18

(from historicimages.com)

Yes, that's me, coaching basketball in 1992!  Just wanted you to have a giggle before a great day of collaborating and learning together.  Strangely, I got the picture after getting a phone call from my mom.  Our pastor's son found it on ebay, called our pastor who called my mom who called me.  It's a weird story, and one that I'll be sharing with the students during our November WIN Wednesday assembly for two reasons.  The first is the story of how far things can go around the internet.  The second is a story for you and me to remember.  Look at that little boy sitting on the floor, intently looking at me.  He is watching my every move and listening to everything I'm saying.  Our students and our own children are like that with us every day.  What they are seeing and hearing from us is a model to them.  Have you ever had a student or your own child say something you say everyday?  Sometimes it can be funny and other times it's down right scary.  There are times I think back to my coaching days in the 1980s and 1990s and wonder what I was thinking.  I was an animated coach, to say the least, but was my way the best way.  We had successful teams, winning conference championships and quite a few games, but maybe we could have been better if I coached differently.  I have the opportunity to coach here once in a while, and I really enjoy it.  My coaching tactics have changed, thankfully, and I'm not as tough with the officials (I'm sure my reaction above was to a call I felt should have gone another way.) as I used to be.  But I still coach with the same fire I had before, I just go about it a bit differently.  The same is true about how I "principal".  I've had to make changes over my almost 17 years as an administrator.  I have learned things, tried them out, and either kept doing them, adjusted them, or done away with them altogether.  I have seen the same from all of you as teachers, and today is an opportunity to learn new things.  Seize the day and make it a powerful and positive learning experience so that when the kids come back on Monday, you'll be ready to greet them and challenge them with something new.  They'll be looking at you just like the little boy on the gym floor looked at me.

Be the spark!

Jay

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

Ever been surprised?- Here's a challenge

Today, a district of 800 or so students surprised nearly every staff member with lunch.  Sound unique or different?  Not really, but here's the twist.  (For context, I'll only be talking about our Intermediate School.  The Primary School was doing the exact same thing, just with smaller, less independent students.)  The staff, instructional and custodial, were all called by me to the office over the PA at 11:30.  The directions were simple.  There is a volunteer outside your door.  Grab your coat, leave your lunch, and meet in the front lobby.  I wish I had my phone out to capture their looks.  My memory will have to do, but it's certainly something I won't forget any time soon.

Once they all gathered, I told them to board the yellow bus, enjoy your lunch, and I'll see them at 1:00.  The looks of dismay and uncertainty and wonder were amazing.  They boarded the bus and didn't look back.  That was where the fun began!  Eighteen volunteers, one substitute, and I were now in control of 400 kids for 90 minutes, and boy were we up for the challenge.  We also had the assistance of two amazing instructional assistants, our secretary, our nurse, our cafeteria crew, and our head custodian.

The students were amazing.  These middle school students at first thought that something was wrong.  I walked into the 5th and 6th grade classrooms to let them know that the teachers would be back at 1:00.  We had just sent them out for lunch.  The 5th and 6th graders continued with their classes while the 7th and 8th grade students finished up their classes and headed to lunch at 11:44.  I had nine cafeteria and recess supervisors for 7th and 8th grade lunch and things went pretty well inside.  There is always an issue or two of something getting airborne, but we took care of that quickly.  Recess was great as the sun came out just in time.  Indoor recess would have made the 90 minutes much less enjoyable so we were all thankful for the sun.  The 7th and 8th graders came in for their 5th hour classes and the nine volunteers took over classes, which became study halls.  I visited each room, reminded them of our study hall expectations, and headed back to the cafeteria for the next lunch hour.

The 5th and 6th graders were all eating when I arrived thanks to our head custodian's assistance.  We headed outside for recess, which had a few minutes of light sprinkles, but there wasn't any way I was going to bring them inside.  The volunteers eagerly agreed with me.

At 1:00, the bus returned with the staff and the day resumed like any normal day.  Fortunately, I had a chance to eat a corn dog for lunch while I covered a Geometry class.  They were taking a quiz so I was able to write this blog post.

Why did we do this?  We did it to show the tremendous appreciation we have for what our staff do for and with our kids every day.

I would be remiss if I didn't thank our school board, our superintendent, our school psychologist, and Mary Iwanski.  They planned this whole thing for our staff and pulled it off without anyone knowing.  Could you pull this off?  Why not give it a try.  If you're willing to take the risk, reply to this blog or connect on Facebook or Twitter.  A little risk went a long way in showing our staff how much we appreciate all that they do for our students.  You can do it!

Together we are better

It was another great week.  Thank you for your time with families and students at conferences on Thursday night, as well as the conferences you have had face to face and over the phone since the school year began.  It was great to have those "pat on the back" and "kick in the butt" conversations.  If you need support or coverage to put things in place from your conversations, don't hesitate to let me know.  I am here for you.  But I'm not the only one who is here to support you.  I have witnessed your support for one another again this week, and it's pretty darn amazing.  Together we are better for the kids.

Great things I saw this week...
Students working on Presidential campaigns in Social Studies (Willy Wonka was my favorite candidate.)
Hot air balloons being constructed in 5th grade
6th graders working on Inventor
How welcoming students and staff have been with our new 6th grader (You all do this every time we get a new student.)
Circuit training in PE
The new extra bright lights in the gym
Pallet to project work moving along well
Book discussions in LA (videoed and teacher facilitated)
Wonderful Educator Effectiveness conversations (Did you sign up yet?)
2 students (originally 4) comforting a student who was injured
The 5th graders dressed up for interviews (They were more dressed up than me!)
Our guest teachers doing amazing things with and for our kids because of the procedures and expectations you have stressed and practiced
Mr. Budisch officiating our girls basketball games.  The blue team got all of the calls! (Tee hee!)
Hot air balloon launches in 5th grade
Great parent conferences Thursday night! Thank you!

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Monday, October 22nd
BLT meeting  4:15-5:15

Monday, October 22nd-Wednesday, October 24th
Red Ribbon Week

Thursday, October 25th
All day PD day from 8:00-4:00

Friday, October 26th
No school

Saturday, October 27th
EdCamp Walker's Point

Friday, November 2nd
End of 1st quarter

Tuesday, November 6th
7th/8th Aspire testing

Wednesday, November 7th
7th/8th Aspire testing

Friday, November 11th
Veterans Day Celebration

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
Is it more about what you can teach or what they can learn? (from George Couros)

People try to do all sorts of clever and difficult things to improve life instead of doing the simplest, easiest thing -- refusing to participate in activities that make life bad.

Leo Tolstoy, writer

(from Pinterest)

Every man's work, whether it be literature or music or pictures or architecture or anything else, is always a portrait of himself.

Samuel Butler, writer

Check out the dreams from Tuesday night's #PIAchat.  Many of the dreams are things that we already do in Merton.  Their dreams are our reality.

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Merton Intermediate School Facebook page
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Family smore from 10.19.18

Perhaps you are one of the staff who occasionally needs to park on the street due to the barricades closing off our staff lot.  Thursday afternoon, the owner of the yellow house next to the parking lot entrance stopped in to see me.  I told her that we would honor their request.  You will see this yellow sign before the parking lot entrance.  Please don't park past this sign, especially on Wednesdays when it is garbage pickup day.  If you have any questions about this request, don't hesitate to let me know.

This weekend is Parents' Weekend in Oshkosh, so I'll be "unplugged" at least until Sunday afternoon.  I encourage you to unplug this weekend, too.  Find something to do with family and friends that makes you put your phone away, even if only for a few hours.  It may be difficult for those of you like me, but it certainly is a good thing to put work aside.  I'll see you all soon!
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Back to normal?

Well, this was another different week, especially for our 8th graders with career learning and a play.  Next week looks like it will be relatively normal, but what does that mean?  I've also heard from some of you and some in my PLN that the honeymoon is over.  I disagree.  We just have an opportunity to start another honeymoon.  That may sound crazy, but let me share a story with you that might help this make more sense.  Years ago, I worked at an ice cream stand in Land O'Lakes, WI during the summers.  One of the things I loved to do when I wasn't working was to go fishing.  My friends and I used to visit this bait shop to get mud minnows and the owner was always really nice to us and gave us updates on the fishing conditions.  He was married and made sure to introduce his wife to us, every time, as his bride.  He told us that, if you find the right wife, you'll have a new honeymoon every day.  I know that it sounds a bit sappy, but that message still resonates with me even 30 years later.  I encourage you to take his advice and make today the start of a new honeymoon with our kids.  What will you do to make things amazing, to continue to build on relationships, and to let the kids know that we care about them more every day?  I know it's a challenge, but I also know that you are up for it.

Great things I saw this week...
Some incredible mini-lessons and read alouds
Conversations with students about the books they're reading
Conversations with staff that just blew me away
Barb, Lori, Jackie, Matt, Sarah, Holly, Brian V., Julie, Ashley and others helping out on Wednesday in ways they don't even know but I know, so thank you!
Great conversations about math
Incredible work to bring the best lessons, activities, and learning for our kids
A great Thursday after an interesting Wednesday
Team meetings where we discussed solutions and while not celebrating the struggles
Outdoor recess on a blustery Thursday
Jon working with our new student on his trombone playing, and I got to direct the band, too!
Our PTO is awesome, and I saw them in action at Thursday's meeting

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Monday, October 15th
PTO grants due

Wednesday, October 17th
Culver's Night

Thursday, October 18th
Invitational only conferences from 4:30-8:00

Monday, October 22nd-Wednesday, October 24th
Red Ribbon Week

Thursday, October 25th
All day PD day from 8:00-4:00

Friday, October 26th
No school

Saturday, October 27th
EdCamp Walker's Point

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center.

Kurt Vonnegut, writer

(from Jen)

4 Steps to Deal With Not Feeling Supported (from George Couros- and please let me know if you feel this way so that we can work together to get the support that you need)

We do have to be careful to cast our gaze as widely as possible. If we look only for the lessons that reinforce decisions we have already made, we will run into trouble.

Margaret MacMillan, historian (This comes from my good friend, Jessica Cabeen, former kindergarten principal who is now a middle school principal, thus the #ThankAPrincipal hashtag.  Seriously think about this. We are good at accepting criticisms.  We need to be just as good at accepting compliments.) It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well. Rene Descartes, mathematician and philosopher See the Small (from Pernille Ripp)

The best way out is always through.

Robert Frost, poet

#mertonint on Twitter
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Merton Intermediate School Facebook page
mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 10.12.18

Next week is conferences, so instead of grade level meetings, please use the time to discuss the students you will be seeing.  If you need me to cover a class so that someone can join your meeting (special education teachers or assistant and elective teachers, for instance), I'm happy to do so.  A special shout out to Barb for her scheduling and phone calls to get all of your requests scheduled.  It was quite a puzzle and she did an awesome job.
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Pink!

I love how we support one another.  This week was a perfect example of this as we support Colleen with her current battle.  On Tuesday, some of the 7th and 8th grade staff got pink extensions in their hair.  Most of us wore pink on Wednesday.  If I missed you in the email (my sincerest apologies), or you forgot, we'll have another pink day before the end of October.  We're here for you, Colleen!
P.S.- I got Colleen's approval before posting this.

Great things I saw this week...
The picture above
Kids being diligent about completing MAP testing
NJHS breakout early on Wednesday morning
Mary Tylke's endless work on Boosterthon stuff, and doing it all with a smile
Kids and staff enjoying pajama day
Our students welcoming a brand new student to 6th grade
Getting to "co-teach" with Dave (We taught balancing chemical equations.)
The behavior of our kids for the many guest teachers this week
The Color Run and the "cool" dunk tank
Staff interacting with students during the Color Run
All of our guest teachers doing a great job when you were out of class for any reason

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Monday, October 8th
I'm in Madison all morning. Would anyone be able to help with cafeteria and recess coverage for me?  It would be great to have one for 11:44-12:19 and one for 12:13-12:48.  You will get a GOOSE pass from me if you can help out.  Thanks for considering!

Wednesday, October 10th
WIN Wednesday (no assembly)
Picture retake day
Family Fun Night

Thursday, October 11th
PTO meeting

Monday, October 15th
PTO grants due

Wednesday, October 17th
Culver's Night

Thursday, October 18th
Invitational only conferences from 4:30-8:00

Monday, October 22nd-Wednesday, October 24th
Red Ribbon Week

Thursday, October 25th
All day PD day from 8:00-4:00

Friday, October 26th
No school

Saturday, October 27th
EdCamp Walker's Point

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
10 Core Values for Education (from George Couros)

#EdCampML session notes from 9.27 at Concordia (ML=Middle Level)

Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.

Richard Byrd, naval officer and explorer

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Merton Intermediate School Facebook page
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Family smore from 10.5.18

Meemic School Grant
If you're interested, and you have a little time, the title of this section contains the link to a grant opportunity for our whole school.  The more applications, the merrier!  The deadline is December 31, 2018.

Thanks for a great week.  It was disjointed at times due to Boosterthon, but you all did such an amazing job keeping the focus on learning.  I know that today, even though the Brewers game will start before school is out, you will continue to keep the focus on the learning.  It's just what you do, and you do it so well.  Thank you!
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell