Memories of 21st Night of September- Earth, Wind, & Fire

This week sent me back a bit.  Two memories, which might seem unrelated, got me thinking about things that impact our lives.  The two are related because of the Earth, Wind & Fire song "September".

The first memory is of me in college singing that song as loud as I can (karaoke didn't exist in 1982) during track parties.  But the memory isn't just about the song.  It's about the decision that I made to change majors, from biomedical engineering to elementary education, during conversations with my track teammates.  We spent a lot of time together at practice and in the same wing of the dorm.  Some of us knew what we wanted to do or be after college but others, myself included, weren't sure.  It's those conversations with some guys at school that helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life, and I'm glad that I listened to them.

The second memory is of former Merton student Emily who passed last year on September 21st.  When I think back about Emily I just remember the impact that an 8th grade student had on so many of us.  She was kind, treated everyone with respect, and was a role model for all students and staff.  Her passing caught many of us off guard but it also brought the staff together.  Thanks to Jackie who emailed me on Sunday night to include an announcement remembering Emily's passing.  I told Dave that I still have the bag Emily gave me at the end of the 2019 school year with a hand written note and candy that stays uneaten.

Why am I bringing up these two unrelated memories?  Here's why. We all have the opportunity to be a part of the memories of our students and our colleagues.  We have the ability and the responsibility to impact those we come in contact with on a daily basis.  As one of our Merton fathers said to his son in my office a few years back, "With great power comes great responsibility."  It's also a quote from Spiderman.  We all have the power to positively impact one another.  Listen to each like my college friends did for me to help lead me on my path.  And be like Emily, kind and always caring for others.

Calendar

Thursday, September 23rd    Virtual materials to office by 4PM/ CPI training 7:30AM and 4:15PM

Friday, September 24th    Material pickup (This begins our weekly material pickup for virtual students.)

Monday, September 28th    School board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, September 30th    Workout Wednesday/ Staff meeting 7:45AM

Thursday, October 1st    Virtual materials to office by 4PM/ Self-review is due/CPI training 7:30AM and 4:15PM

Friday, October 2nd    Material pickup

Tuesday, October 6th    Flu shots

Wednesday, October 7th    Staff meeting 7:45AM

Thursday, October 8th    Picture retake day/Virtual materials to office by 4PM/ CPI training 7:30AM and 4:15PM

Friday, October 9th    Material pickup

Wednesday, October 14th    Staff meeting 7:45AM

Thursday, October 15th    Virtual materials to office by 4PM/ CPI training 7:30AM and 4:15PM

Friday, October 16th    Material pickup

Monday, October 19th    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, October 21st    Staff meeting 7:45AM

Thursday, October 22nd    No School

Friday, October 23rd    No School

Monday, October 26th    School board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, October 28th    Staff meeting 7:45AM

Thursday, October 29th    Virtual materials to office by 4PM

Friday, October 30th    Material pickup

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Just Bloom!

Please take a few moments to read this blog post from Tara Martin.  And be like a sunflower.

It was great seeing everyone together on Wednesday morning.  The shoutouts were great.  Seeing our new staff share their excitement about being a part of our Merton family was amazing.  Writing messages in chalk for our students was incredible.  We need to do find ways to get together more often.  Maybe Wednesday morning is the time that we make sure to reconnect.  Maybe I take a class so that you can connect with someone you haven't had a chance to connect with in a while.  I'm open to any suggestions.  We have so much to offer one another and as Brian Fleischman would say, "We are our best resource."  If you've got some ideas, send them my way!

And while I'm thinking, if you have a student or colleague that deserves a #GoodNewsCall OfTheDay, send their name and the reason why to me in an email.  I'd love to make about 15 calls today!

Have a great weekend, and I hope that you find time to unplug from technology and connect with family and friends.

Jay

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

Give Today's Best

I always read the Sunday Seven from Dave Burgess Consulting.  Last Sunday while watching the Cowboys and the Rams on television, I had a chance to read what Rae Hughart (@RaeHughart) wrote.  Number one of the seven really caught my attention, and I hope that it catches yours as well.

1. Give Today's Best 

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again for our friends in the back - You can not give 100% all of the time and neither can your students. It's not that we don’t wish we could be superheroes and give our 100% every moment of the day - but things get in the way. Stress, Anxiety, Exhaustion - you name it. 

So why carry the expectation for 100% every moment of the day only to fall short? Give your self a little grace and start focusing on giving “Todays Best.” 

“I talk with my students all the time about the inability for anyone to be able to give 100% all the time. It's just impossible with all of the other elements of a person's life. 

So, I do not ask students to give 100% each day. Rather, I ask them to give Today's Best. 

Today’s Best is the best a person can give throughout their day at that moment in time. Sometimes Today's Best is only 90% of their typical effort, because they are struggling with things outside of class. Sometimes Today's Best is asking the student to operate at 60% or even 70%. 

Rather than set an unrealistic expectation when the going gets tough, simply provide the best you can for that day, at that moment. 

Then, you start fresh the following day.” 
- Teachers Deserve It, Chapter 10: Teachers Deserve Boundaries

Try it out and take a moment to reflect from time to time how your Best is going today? Can you commit to Today’s Best?  I know that you can!

Calendar

Monday, September 21st    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, September 23rd    Intermediate Staff meeting 7:45AM

Thursday, Septemeber 24th    CPI training 7:30AM or 4:15PM (Special education staff and select classroom teachers)

Monday, September 28th- Sunday, October 4th    Culver's Week

Monday, September 28th    Board meeting 6PM

Thursday, October 1st    CPI training 7:30AM or 4:15PM

(Yes, Jen shared this with me.)

Reminders and requests

I received an email from a student on Wednesday with a request.  If you have a guest teacher, please remind them to start the Google Meet at the beginning of the class period.  I know that you have that habit in place, but our guest teachers don't have that habit yet.  Thanks for adding that reminder to your guest teacher plans.

Please remember to reach out to the families of our virtual students.  I know that each grade level had some sort of rotation in place to accomplish this communication.  On a related note, I've heard from some of our families that they are impressed with how you include virtual students in your classes.  Keep up the great work!

Blue dots!  Red dots!  Whatever color dots you have, if you need more, please use the Buildings and Grounds form that has been shared by Ron.  More importantly, please make sure that you have the student's seated on the dots.  That helps us maintain our 6 feet of distance.

"Teacher shape"

I've had this conversation with some of you and thought that I would share it with everyone.  The last time many of you taught all day was March 12th.  That's almost 6 months!  It takes time to get back into shape.  Is what we're doing now different from what we were doing March 12th.  It certainly is but I would argue that every year we take some time to get into "teacher shape".  This year just seems to be different with the addition of masks and virtual students.  We're now three weeks in and with any training to get back into shape, it's important to have time to recover.  Many of you know I'm done with technology at 9PM.  It let's my mind stop for a bit and helps me sleep.  Sleep is also important for recovery.  And think about what and when you're eating.  If you don't fuel properly, your training will not be as effective.  Ultimately, I just want you to make sure that you're taking care of yourself so that you can take care of our kids and each other.

Have a great weekend!

Jay

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

What are you most proud of this week?

We're two weeks in and I'm proud of you all.  But what's more important is this question- Of what are you most proud?  Consider all that you have done in the last two weeks.  Take time to reflect on the first two weeks, and work hard to keep all of the not so good things out of your thoughts.  I know you can find at least one thing of which to be proud.  I challenge you to write it down in fancy font to remember it.  And I challenge you to add to this every week.  On Friday, or any day of your choosing, write down one thing of which you are proud.  The list is personal and I promise not to ask you to share it with anyone.  I will ask you to read over your "proud list" from time to time.  We ask our kids to set goals and share what they are proud of and there's no reason we shouldn't do the same.  Two weeks in is a great time to reflect on the great things you have done.

(Jen shared this with me.)

Calendar

Tuesday, September 15th    Mentor/Mentee meeting at 8AM (Katie's room)

Thursday, September 17th    A-team meeting at 1:30PM

Monday, September 21st    BLT meeting at 4:15PM (Becky O.'s room)

Wednesday, September 23rd    Intermediate Staff Meeting 7:45AM (Let's meet in the gym)

Check out the Chromebook hack below to split your screen.  I think it would be a great idea to share with our virtual kids, too!

Reminders

Please make sure that you are starting your Google Meets on time.  Some of our kids are waiting and aren't really sure if they missed something or not.  I know that soon it will become more a part of your daily routine.  Thanks!

Earlier this year we spoke about 504 plans in each grade level.  Please look these over again and take some notes about things that you should keep in mind when creating seating charts, providing steps or checklists for projects, and assessments as well as any dietary or health concerns.  Any questions after you look these over, please let me know.

I've never been much of a fan of indoor recess, but I'm even less of a fan this year.  I appreciate your help with indoor recess.  If on indoor recess days you need a break, please let me know.  I'll help out if I am able.  If you can find a time to take the kids out for a walk on those days, that's a great idea, too.

Please make sure to email the adjusted Wednesday schedule (This is the one with all grade levels so if you have your own grade level copy, just send that one.) to your homeroom students and families.  Thanks to Becky O. for the suggestion.  Don't just email it to our virtual families.  Please email it to all of our families.

Last call for Merton spiritwear is today.  The turnaround time should be right around two weeks.

Shoutout!

First of all, thanks for all of your efforts preparing materials for our virtual students.  Material pick ups will occur every other Friday at 8AM.  You had all of your materials to Barb by the end of the day yesterday, and here's where the real shoutout goes.  Barb organized all of these materials and had put them out in the lobby by 4:30.  Barb, thanks for always being the organizer and reminder that we all need.

Next week is actually a week!

After two four day weeks, next week is a five day week.  In order to be ready, I sure hope that you take time away from school, at least for one day, this weekend.  Despite the weather forecast, I'm going to be golfing with my dad and brother on Saturday.  Even though the Packers play on Sunday, I know that I'll be doing some school work before the game, for sure, and probably a little after, too.  But in order for us to be ready for a full week, taking care of ourselves is vital.  Put your feet up, read a book, take a nap, go for a walk, and spend some time with your family.  Monday will come soon enough.

Thanks for a great week!

Jay

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

Keep it up, but take a break!

It's been a great start and it's all thanks to you.  I've watched you get into the new swing of things- masking up, walking the room, and checking in on our virtual students.  That's new for all of us, and something that I really need to work on more.  It's time for me to make some phone calls to check on our families.  And thank you for reaching out to your homeroom kids who are virtual.  Learning about how things are going now will help all of us to adjust and be just a little better tomorrow for all of our kids.  My friend Lisa, who lives in New York State, shared this in our Voxer group this week.  I know that none of you have given up, or will give up, but sometimes just reading this out loud to yourself (try it in the grocery store and see the looks you get) will set you back on course if you start to waver a bit.

So the weekend is nearly upon us.  You've got four incredible days under your belt.  I love that you are reflecting on what you are doing well and what you might be able to do a little better tomorrow.  Finish the week strong, put your feet up tonight, spend time with your family, and take a break.  It's been great having you back in our school!

Calendar

Friday, September 4th    Alma Mater Day! Show your college or high school spirit!

Monday, September 7th    No school- Labor Day

Wednesday, September 9th    First day of Second Step with adjusted schedule

Friday, September 11th    Next pick up for virtual students

Wednesday, September 23rd    First official 7:45 meeting

Reminders

We'll still be doing drills as drills supersede the pandemic.  We'll do fire drills as a school but please practice and discuss our tornado drill and lockdown procedures with each class.  Thanks for being prepared for the unpredictable!

Please make sure that you are taking attendance for our virtual kids each hour.  If you notice a trend of absences, please let me know!  And keep up the amazing job of including them in your classrooms!

It's vital for us to be in the hallways to keep the traffic flowing.  Please remember to do this during every passing period.

Thanks for not stacking your chairs!  Jim was quite thankful and left me a message last night.  Please remember, especially with the long weekend coming up, that it's important to put your garbage out in the hallway each night.  If you need more garbage bags, please let Jim know.

Please check out this link to our family smore.  There are some important items in there, including something about lunch for our students.  I'm still going to be adding pictures to the smore, and might even steal a few from Twitter that you've posted.

I invited all teachers to the Educator Effectiveness Google Classroom and included your first assignment, the self review, due on October 1st.  I'll be stopping in to answer any of your questions some time today.

My one word for the year...

is grace.  It seems to be the one word many of my PLN are choosing.  We often give each other grace, or our students grace, or our family grace, but we often forget to give ourselves grace.  As the end of our first week back with kids comes to a close today, reflect on what went well and on one thing that you might want to be a little better at, and then give yourself some grace.

Thanks for a great first week with kids, enjoy the weekend, and I'll see you on Tuesday!

Jay

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