Keep your focus!

Thanks for another great week.  I know as we get closer to the end of the school year it gets tougher to focus.  It's like getting to mile 20 in a marathon.  You've got 6.2 miles to go (Yes, every marathon is 26.2 miles.) and the finish line seems so far away.  Add to it the Forward Exam and the focus can stray even more.  The good thing about focus is this.  If you lose focus, take a step back and it seems to reappear, at least most of the time.  You know what this weekend is for?  It's for a return to focus so that these last weeks are as good, or better, than the other weeks of the school year.  Have an amazing weekend!

Calendar

Friday, April 23rd  Career Day (6th-8th grades only)

Saturday, April 24th  EdCampElmbrook (Click on the link if you are interested.)

Monday, April 26th  5th grade Forward Exam (Math)/ School board meeting 6PM

Tuesday, April 27th    7th/8th grade Forward Exam makeups (start at 8:45AM in the STEM lab)

Wednesday, April 28th  Jay out all day

Thursday, April 29th  AHS Algebra placement test/ 5th/6th grade Forward Exam makeups (start at 8:45AM in the STEM lab)

Friday, April 30th  No school

Monday, May 3rd-Friday, May 7th    Staff Appreciation Week

Monday, May 10th    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Tuesday, May 18th    Band concerts  5:30PM and 7PM

Monday, May 24th    School board meeting

Tuesday, May 25th    Choir concerts 5:30PM and 7PM

Thursday, May 27th    NJHS induction  6PM

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"When people say, 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks,' it's not true, because you can reinvent yourself and learn new things whenever you want."-

Jonathan Van Ness, hairdresser, actor, writer, TV personality, podcast host

"You have to create little pockets of joy in your life to take care of yourself."-

Jonathan Van Ness, hairdresser, actor, writer, TV personality, podcast host

(from @miss_sarah_counselorlife)

"Nothing is ever the same as they said it was."-

Diane Arbus, photographer

"The thing that's important to know is that you never know.  You're always sort of feeling your way."-

Diane Arbus, photographer

7 Teacher Ideas for Supporting Students Who Aren't Doing Any Work (from WeAreTeachers)

Forward Exam

First of all, thanks to all of you for your efforts.  You created an environment for all of our students so that they had a greater chance to be successful.  But the environment isn't what allows our students a greater chance at success.  It's you.  Your efforts with our students on a daily basis.  Your lesson and unit planning.  Your collaboration with one another.  Thank you for all that you do, both those things that are seen and unseen.  You are amazing.

On a related note, please put all test tickets in my mailbox.  Please separate those students who are either virtual or need to do makeups.  As mentioned above, makeups will be on Tuesday, April 27th for 7th and 8th graders starting at 8:45 in the STEM lab.  Makeups will be on Thursday, April 29th for 5th and 6th graders starting at 8:45 in the STEM lab.  Any questions, please let me know.

National Junior Honor Society advisor

With Becky leaving her role, we're in need of an advisor for National Junior Honor Society.  Please email me if you are interested or would like to learn more.  Thanks for considering!

I wanted to end with a story that ended my day yesterday.  I see a group of 5th graders coming in from outside with Becky Frei carrying lunch bins.  I thought maybe they were just airing out the lunch bins, but no.  They were going to use the lunch bins to carry old library books that Becky was going to take out of the dumpster.  The idea was good but the task was too difficult, and smelly, to pull off.  It's just another example of what you all will do, or at least try to do, for our kids.

Have a great weekend!

Jay

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