Right back in the swing!

Upon our return to school, I did my best to see each of you in action with our kids on the first day.  Because of your focus on getting back to learning, it looked almost as if we hadn't even been gone for Winter Break.  I saw students writing, reading, working on Math, playing dodgeball, working on Spanish vocabulary, and so many other things.  Your dedication to providing our students with meaningful learning experiences every day is something that many take for granted.  They don't know what you do to be prepared for the variety of learners in our classrooms every day.  I see it when I visit during your planning times and see you working individually or as a team to prepare.  I don't see the time outside of school, but I know you spend a great deal of time outside of school to create learning experiences and provide feedback for our students.  Thank you for all that you do for our students and each other every day!

Great things that I saw this week...
It was amazing see all of you get right back into the swing of things yesterday.
Financial literacy getting started in 7th/8th grade Math classes.
Read alouds starting up again in LA and Math.
Our cafeteria staff back at it with a positive attitude, as always!
The smile on Barb's face when she told me "the news" (ask her if you don't know).
A beautiful January recess.
Dave using Totem in Science.
Lots of kids in Homework Club on the first day back!
Students working together on their CP toys for 6th grade Science.
Students proudly presenting information to their classmates in 5th grade.

Name it.  Claim it.  Explain it.

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too.

Tuesday, January 7th
7th/8th grade Math MAP testing
AWSA podcast 1PM

Wednesday, January 8th
WIN Wednesday

Thursday, January 9th
PTO meeting at 2:30PM

Monday, January 13th
5th grade Reading MAP testing
School Safety training in Madison all day

Tuesday, January 14th
7th/8th grade Reading MAP testing

Wednesday, January 15th
5th grade Math MAP testing
SEL committee all day
Culver's Night 4-8PM

Thursday, January 16th
Staff Axe Throwing at 4:45

Friday, January 17th
Half day- noon dismissal

Monday, January 20th
All Day PD

Wednesday, January 22nd
EE recertification all day

Monday, January 27th
School board meeting 7PM

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
20 Inspirational Quotes to Start Off 2020 (from George Couros)

#mertonint on Twitter

#MertonProud on Twitter

Merton Intermediate School Facebook page

mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 1.3.20

#oneword2020
Do you remember your #oneword that we did to start out the school year?  I still haven't figured out how to tie my bracelet, though.  Now is as good a time as any to remind ourselves of our #oneword or to choose a new word or maybe a quote or maybe a word per month.  Whatever works for you to provide focus on our work with kids would be awesome!  I'm still doing my best to inspire others to be the best that they can be every day, and some days I'm better than others.  Maybe today's the day that I'll inspire someone to be kind to others or to become an educator.  Who knows?

Thanks for a great week and make sure to rest up for next week.  It's one of only two five day weeks in January!
Jay
#JustInspire
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell