Values

This week, I shared the district values with our students at our monthly assembly.  I included some quotes, some videos, a read aloud, and some personal stories.  This is the second time that I have shared our district values with our students.  This time I was more specific.  I know that each of you has a copy of the district values.  I posted mine on my office door and I encourage you to post these in your classrooms and refer to them with our students.  I'm hopeful that we can share these values with our kids on a more regular basis.  Be Exceptional.  Be Kind.  Have Integrity.  Be Persistent.  Be Inquisitive. Be Courageous.

Great things I saw this week...
7th and 8th graders playing broomball in PE.
Students writing and reading a lot.
Financial literacy lessons in 7th and 8th grade Math classes.
5th grade students, staff, and Mary not giving up on supersaturating sugar to make rock candy.
Incredible Rube Goldberg machines.
The kids' behavior during the read aloud at the assembly on Wednesday (It's because of the expectations that all of you have put in place that they were so well behaved.  Thank you!).
The in-depth conversations that we had about kids at our grade level meetings this week.
Jennifer's work with our students and staff while covering for Jackie.
Kids working really hard at Homework Club.
The way that students and staff returned from break.  As I told the PTO yesterday, it was seamless the way you all got back to learning.

Name it.  Claim it.  Explain it.
Thanks to Dave for playing along.  Here's the one for this week, and I even got to try it out when I covered the class later that day!

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too.  I need your help with lunch and recess on the highlighted dates.  GOOSE passes for all who help out! 

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
A-team meeting 1:15
Staff Axe Throwing at 4:45

Friday, January 17th
Friendship Olympics- see Carey's emails
Half day- noon dismissal
Last day of the first semester

Monday, January 20th
All Day PD

Tuesday, January 21st
First day of the third quarter/second semester- It's a B day!
Leadership Camp until 12:30

Wednesday, January 22nd
EE recertification all day

Monday, January 27th
School board meeting 7PM

Thursday, January 30th
A-team meeting

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

  

(Yes, I took these from Wednesday's presentation!)

Lauren sent me this in anticipation of the weekend- https://twitter.com/i/status/1215437208636809216

#mertonint on Twitter

#MertonProud on Twitter

Merton Intermediate School Facebook page

mertonint on Instagram
Presentation from Wednesday's assembly
Family smore from 1.10.20

I want to ask you to do something.  Think back on the week with kids.  What is one thing that you thought of that you did really well for the kids?  How much work did you put into that one thing?  Was it planned or did it happen because there was a teachable moment?  Did you share it with anyone or did you keep it to yourself?  If you shared it with someone, how did they react?  If you kept it to yourself, why did you do that?  I remember years ago something Brian Fleischman said to me when we were in Atlanta- We are our best resource.  But we can't be a resource if we are always keeping our ideas to ourselves.  We need to be better at sharing.  We need to have more shoutouts.  What is one person's normal is another person's eureka moment!  Let's find ways to share- in grade level meetings, in the hallways, at lunch- so that we can all become better for our kids.  We are pretty good right now.  Imagine how great we could be if we shared.  Be Courageous!
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell
P.S.- Don't forget that it's Packers Day!  Go Packers!