Celebration!

Today is Celebration Day, and last week I asked you to share some of the celebrations you've had from the school year.  Do you remember?  I do, and I don't know what I was thinking.  How could I possibly add one more thing to your plate?  You have kept the focus on the kids, and that's exactly what you should do.  One more request from me, last week, was one request too many.  But I don't want you to forget the great things you've done with and for our kids and each other this school year.  Maybe it was the conversation that provided the motivation for new learning.  Maybe it was a twist on a lesson that made it just that much better.  Maybe it was a phone conversation with a caregiver that let them know how much you know their child.  Maybe it was the smile on your face when you noticed that your lesson was going even better than was planned.  Think of those good things in the days to come and, if you remember when we're meeting for your end of the year SLO/PPG discussion, share it with me.  I'll do my best to remind you.
You are all amazing and if you won't celebrate yourself, know that I will celebrate you.  Continue to be awesome for kids and each other.  And make these last days count.  Your effort will determine the effort of our kids.

Great things I saw this week...
Final Student Senate Spirit Week.
Bicycling by the 7th and 8th graders.
6th grade portfolio conferences.
4th graders excited about the transition to the Intermediate School. (Thanks for your help with this, Jackie!)
5th grade staff and Jon helping me out with class coverage due to Speech interviews (We had some great candidates, but we're still sorry to see Vickey leave!)
Great final grade level meetings.
The excitement leading up to Celebration Day.
Students helping each other learn how to ride bikes.
Gallery walks for fantasy stories.
Assessments still happening the second to last week of school.  Keep them engaged!

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Friday, May 31st
Celebration Day

Wednesday, June 5th
8th grade Day Away
Culver's Night
8th grade dance

Thursday, June 6th
8th grade graduation  7PM

Friday, June 7th
Last day of school- Half day

Tweets, blogs, and posts
Keeping "Purpose" in the Forefront (from George Couros)

When you're working with your friends, it doesn't feel like it's work.

Ken Jeong, actor, comedian and physician

"Summer is a break.  A much-needed one for many.  But it is also an incredible time to become something more than what we ended as.  To remember why we entered teaching.  To get excited, to catch up on sleep, and to become the very best version that we can be of ourselves so that when September rolls around, or whenever our students come back, we can say, “I am so glad you are here,” and truly mean it."

(This is an excerpt from Pernille Ripp's blog.  She just knows the right way to say things.)

This Moment (from George Couros)

Confidence and doubt are at two ends of the scale, and you need both. They balance each other out.

Barbra Streisand, singer

#mertonint on Twitter

#MertonProud on Twitter

Merton Intermediate School Facebook page

mertonint on Instagram
Principals' Report from the School Board meeting 5.28.19

Family smore from 5.31.19

Today is Celebration Day.  Please know that I'm just a text message away from either celebrating the great things our kids are doing today or to give you a break if you need one.  It's a day full of activity and joy and smiles and high fives.  Your attitude about the day will determine the altitude of the day.  Let's make it the best Friday of the week!
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell