When it's the right time, it's the right time

I started this week's nuts and bolts last Friday.  I thought it was the right time as I added a picture and wrote that first line.  And then I lost my thought, lost my idea, lost my focus.  The days are busy, as you know, and it's been a good busy.  But sometimes as I sit in meetings or am completing a task, I wish I was in your classroom.  The meetings are important and the tasks are important.  So are my visits to classrooms.  As I looked at my calendar I blocked off all of Tuesday morning to do nothing but get into classrooms.  A principal friend of mine once said, "If you put it on your calendar, it will get done."  So I did that.  I blocked all Tuesday morning out for classroom visits.  Do you have something you'd like me to see or would like some feedback on?  If you do, just let me know.  I'm looking forward to the opportunity to get in your classes next week, and I'll be stopping by today when I'm able.

Calendar

Monday, October 4th    Merton Monday (wear Merton gear)

                                        (Hopefully the spiritwear order arrives next week.  There have been supply issues.)

Wednesday, October 6th    Building meeting 7:45AM (6th grade staff- kids)

Thursday, October 7th    Picture retake day

Friday, October 8th    PTO meeting 9:45AM

Monday, October 11th    Merton Monday

Monday, October 18th    Merton Monday/ BLT meeting 4:15

Wednesday, October 20th    PTO Culver's Night

Friday, October 22nd    PTO Fall Fest

Monday, October 25th    Merton Monday/ Board meeting

Thursday, October 28th    Professional Learning

Friday, October 29th    No School

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

What would Ted Lasso do? (from Jen VanRossum)

(from Responsive Classroom)

"If you have a dream, don't let anybody take it away."

Selena Quintanilla, singer-songwriter, businessperson, actor, fashion designer

(from Eric Sheninger)

"Every day is a renewal, every morning the daily miracle.  This joy you feel is life."

Gertrude Stein, writer

A Valuable Lesson For a Happier Life (from School Leadership 2.0)

"You shouldn't bring an umbrella to a brainstorm."

Ted Lasso

This School Year Has Been Difficult; Leave Room For Love (from Jon Harper)

"The time is always ripe to do right."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

""What is the next thing?"  The ineffability of that next thing preoccupies me more than anything else."

Carmen Gimenez Smith, poet, editor, publisher, educator

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it."

Amellia Earhart

Assessing Student Work

Remember way back in August when we discussed assessing student work?  Well, Maria and I are looking forward to meeting with you to assess your next assessment.  Please let Maria and I know when you would like to meet as a content area for this first discussion.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

Administrative update

• Beginning dialogue regarding 2022-23 calendar

• Eagle Scout projects- PS 1st grade area new benches. IS bike trail

• Welcome back Tom Showen! Tom is hired as a district sub daily.

• Substitute Coverage is a challenge. Discussed priorities for coverage when we cannot cover all staff members. 

• Topics for Community Newsletter- If you have ideas, please let Becca and Jay know.

• Intermediate School Community Open House: Monday, November 15, 2021

• CPI Training will be held October 28, 2021. Lori will be sending an email to all special education staff.

• Discussion on social & emotional struggles to our new year with our students; learning loss.

PTO Fall Fest

As noted in the calendar, the PTO Fall Fest will occur on Friday, October 22nd.  It is the culmination of a fundraiser.  During the day, students will be participating in an obstacle course during their recess times.  Please note the times as they slightly impact the grade level lunch/recess times.

5th grade    12:00-12:25

6th grade    12:25-12:50

7th grade    12:50-1:15

8th grade    1:15-1:40

I'll be passing on more specific information in the very near future.

That's a lot of information.  Please see me if you have any questions or concerns, and remember.  I'm here for you.  How can I help?

Jay

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

Best day

If you have listened to even one of our morning announcement videos, you know that I end every one with this line...Make it the best Friday of the week (at least that's what I'll say today).  Sometimes it may seem difficult to make it the best day because you are stressed about school, about your family, about something no one knows about, or about yourself.  Somewhere during each day, however, I'm certain that you can find a highlight.  I get an email daily from Sam Parker, the creator of Inspire Your People.  I get a daily pick me up from what he sends and will occasionally reach out to him to thank him for his words, and for giving me a better perspective on the day.  Below is a quote that Sam shared this week so I thought I would share it with you.  Make it the best Friday of the week!

Calendar

Friday, September 24th    Self-reviews completed and meeting with Jay scheduled

Monday, September 27th    Board meeting

Wednesday, September 29th    Building meeting 7:45AM (District Improvement Plan)

Wednesday, October 6th    Building meeting 7:45AM (Housekeeping)

Thursday, October 7th    Picture retake day

Friday, October 8th    PTO meeting 9:45AM

Tweets, blogs, and quotes

Plant Your Roots (from Andrew Marotta)

"If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week."

Charles Darwin, naturalist, geologist, biologist

Spending Time in the Small Moments (from Pernille Ripp)

"We all have an unsuspected reserve of strength inside that emerges when life puts us to the test."

Isabel Allende, writer

10 Ideas for Improving Classroom Culture (from George Couros)

"You are never strong enough that you don't need help."

Cesar Chavez, labor leader, civil righs activist

Ted Lasso

I'm not one for binge watching, but I read a blog post recently that had a clip from the television show Ted Lasso, a show about a football coach turned soccer coach in the English Premier League, the top league in soccer.  I mentioned the blog post and show to Jen and she has encouraged me to watch it with her the last couple of nights.  I won't spoil it for you with specific details, but the premise of the show to me is how Ted can find the best, and encourage the best, in everyone that he comes in contact with, whether it's a player, the equipment manager, or the cab driver.  My hope is that I can find the best and encourage the best and notice the best in each of you as the school year progresses.  A little encouragement can go a long way.

Thanks to all of you who stepped up this week to help cover a class or two.  It's greatly appreciated and doesn't go unnoticed.  I had the chance to step in yesterday and my time with the kids was awesome.  They were so polite, respectful, and thanked me for handing out their work.  I've heard them say thank you to you as well, even when you hand out tests and quizzes.  For every thank you, I should have said you're welcome, but I didn't.  We are lucky to go to school every day with kids who are so respectful.

Educator Effectiveness

Today's the final day to schedule your self-review meeting with me.  It's not the last day for the meeting, just the last day to schedule the meeting.  I'll be adding the preobservation questions over the weekend.  Please realized this only applies to those of you on cycle.  The SLO/PPG form, which is for everyone, will be added by the end of the day on Monday.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

#GoodNewsCallOfTheDay

We're three weeks in, and I haven't made a #GoodNewsCallOfTheDay yet.  Do you have a student or staff member you'd like to nominate?  Just let me who they are and why they should be recognized and I'll do the rest.

Thanks for another wonderful week.  The weekend looks pretty nice, but fall is in the air.  Get outside when you can. Go for a walk. Sit by a campfire,  Watch a little football or the Ryder Cup on television.  Just do something to relax and refresh so that you're ready for next week.

Have a great weekend!

Jay

Take care of the keys.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourselves.- John Gunnell

What do you do besides walk around and play music?

The title of this blog post came from a 5th grade student on Monday who asked me "What do you do besides walk around and play music?"  At first I laughed and then I remembered asking a very similar question of an 8th grader in an interview for a principal position.  His answer made me not want to be that principal when he said, "I've seen our principal once in 6th grade at student dropoff.  I saw our principal twice in 7th grade in the hallway after a fight.  I ate once with our principal in 8th grade.  Besides that, I have no idea what our principal does."  Monday I heard the same answer in that 5th grade student's question to me.  It really made me think about what else I do?  This year, not unlike any other, I feel like my day is fluid and ever-changing.  Am I making a difference in our school?  I sure hope so but it's unclear to me at times.  Do you ever feel that way?  Maybe this quote from George Couros' new book, Because of a Teacher, will let you know that you are making a difference.

Calendar

Monday, September 20th    BLT meeting 4:15 in the teachers' lounge

Tuesday, September 21st    Fresh Fruit Tuesday

Wednesday, September 22nd    All district meeting 7:45AM in the Primary School cafeteria

                                                    (Virtual learning refresher)

Friday, September 24th    Self-reviews completed and meeting with Jay scheduled

Monday, September 27th    Board meeting

Wednesday, September 29th    Building meeting 7:45AM (School Improvement Plan)

Wednesday, October 6th    Building meeting 7:45AM (Housekeeping)

Thursday, October 7th    Picture retake day

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"Exchange the words 'have to' with 'get to'.  Exchange the word 'can't' with 'unwilling'."

Jamie Lee Curtis, actor, writer

(sketchnote from @kwiens62- Kristin Wiens)

Don't Quit (from Tara Martin)

"What would life be like if we had no courage to attempt anything?"

Vincent Van Gogh

Former Merton student Jenny Fischer spreads suicide prevention message

"Don't wait.  The time will never be just right."

Napoleon Hill

The Lee's Chicken Story (from Allyson Apsey)

"Happiness is not a goal, it's a by-product."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Cheers for Educators (from Meemic- October 5th 7:30PM)

"You can't juggle it all 100 percent.  You don't have to be perfect.  You don't have to do everything."

Connie Chung, journalist, television news anchor

"Past results don't predict future results; actually past behavior predicts future behavior, which then drives future results."

Mike Felix, leader highlighted in Multipliers

My morning walks through the building

Every morning when I get to school I walk the building and open up most of the classroom doors.  From time to time I'll notice a desktop left on (sometimes updates cause that) or a Smartboard left on.  When you leave school for the day, please make sure to turn off your Smartboard.  It saves on bulb life.  Thanks for your cooperation.  I've also noticed that many of you have your name posted outside of your classroom.  I think that our students know their classrooms now so, for safety and security reasons, I ask you to remove your names from your classroom doors and windows.  You are welcome to post your name inside your classroom if you'd like.  If you have any questions about either of these requests, please don't hesitate to reach out.

End of the day

As I get more feedback on the end of the day, it has come to my attention that some of you are leaving the building even before the hallways are clear of students.  While I know that some of you might occasionally have an appointment at the end of the day, it shouldn't become a pattern that you are leaving when the students have left your classroom at the end of the day.  At the least you should be in the hallways with the students while they are packing up, assisting with any issues that might arise. and to be available for students who might have questions for you.  Although there isn't a specific time in our staff handbook for arrival and departure, please note that 8:15-4:15 is the minimum expectation.  If you would like to speak with me about this in person, please set up a time for our discussion.

Want to be a part of our BLT?

This year, our BLT (Building Leadership Team) will have the primary focus of working on our building goals- a 20% increase in both our Math and Language Arts scores on the Forward Exam.  We will still discuss other building related issues, like our student and staff schedules and the climate and culture of our school.  Our first meeting will be at 4:15 on Monday, September 20th in the new teachers' lounge.  If you would like to be considered as a member of the BLT, please send me an email expressing your interest.  There's still time!

Thanks for a great first full week!  I've been fortunate to get into most of your classrooms to listen in, participate, and provide some feedback.  If I can be of any assistance to you- covering your class so that you can watch a colleague teach or to connect with a student's previous teacher or for a brain break- don't hesitate to reach out and let me know.  Whether the students know it or not, I do more than just walk around and play music.

See you all soon, and enjoy the weekend!

Jay

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

Breaking up our days

It's great "easing" into the school year.  First a three day week.  Now a four day week.  Next week is big time- a five day week.  I don't know about you, but I've been going one day at a time, sometimes breaking the day down into parts.  It's honestly how I run a marathon, too.  It's four 5 mile runs and then three two mile runs.  Break it down and check it off when it's done.  How do you break up your day?  How do you celebrate when you're done with one part of the day?  I'd be interested to hear from you about how you break up your days and celebrate what you've accomplished.

Calendar

Friday, September 10th    PTO meeting 9:45AM

Tuesday, September 14th    6/7/8 LA meeting 12:50PM/ 6th Science meeting 3:15/Contingencies 6PM/ Annual meeting 7PM

Wednesday, September 15th    6/7/8 Math meeting 1PM/ 5th grade meeting 2:35PM/ Culver's Night

Monday, September 27th    Board meeting

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"If I see an ending, I can work backward."-

Arthur Miller, playwright, essayist

The Big Rocks in Our Lives (by George Couros)

From the post above by George Couros

Chance for money from Meemic

I received this from Meemic, the insurance for educators.

School Leaders,

I hope the start of the new school year is going well. At Meemic, we think this year’s back-to-school season is extra special, and in that spirit, Meemic has created an exciting sweepstakes opportunity for you and your staff!  Our Back-to-School Giveaway gives you and your school staff the opportunity to enter to win $2,000, $1,000 for the classroom and $1,000 for your school!* It’s a win-win!
Encourage your staff to enter by sharing the link to this online form. Be sure to enter by September 30, 2021.
We sincerely appreciate all that you and your staff do for education and wish you a great and safe school year.
All the Best,
Matt Michalski
Chief Operating Officer
Meemic Insurance Company

Want to be a part of our BLT?

This year, our BLT (Building Leadership Team) will have the primary focus of working on our building goals- a 20% increase in both our Math and Language Arts scores on the Forward Exam.  We will still discuss other building related issues, like our student and staff schedules and the climate and culture of our school.  Our first meeting will be at 4:15 on Monday, September 20th in the new teachers' lounge.  If you would like to be considered as a member of the BLT, please send me an email expressing your interest.

AWK and FIX

Wednesday morning I was reading my Multipliers and the three letter combinations in the title of this section came up.  A manager asked an intern to edit a training manual.  The intern found a sentence that was awkward and wrote AWK in the margin.  The manager saw this and took it back to the intern with the word FIX under AWK.  The manager said to the intern, "Don't give me an AWK without a FIX.  The one sentence summary is this- if you bring a problem to someone's attention, please also bring a potential solution.  As we continue to move forward this year, please follow that advice.

Today ends our second week of school.  We've got a new student schedule, a new staff schedule, and a new lunch schedule.  You are all teaching something new.  This weekend, please reflect on the start of the school year.  What's gone well?  What's been "AWK"?  How's the "flow" of the day?  I'd be interested in having you share your thoughts with me in the days to come.  Thanks for another great week!

Jay

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

First week excitement!

That was a great week, and a quick one, too!  I don't know about you, but I sure enjoyed the first two days.  There were lots of moving parts and pieces, but everything seemed to work pretty well.  I appreciate the assistance I got from you before school and at lunch the first day.  If you ever want to stop down and visit again I'm sure the kids would enjoy seeing you.  If you have any suggestions to help make things run more smoothly, please let me know.  I'm already looking forward to next week, but not until I have a chance to relax, reflect, and recharge this weekend.  I encourage you to do the same.

Sunrise on the first day!

Calendar

Monday, September 6th    No School- Labor Day

Thursday, September 9th    8:00 All staff meeting in the Intermediate gym

Tuesday, September 14th    Contingencies 6PM/ Annual meeting 7PM

Wednesday, September 15th    Culver's Night

Monday, September 27th    Board meeting

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Gratitude for Those Closest in Our Lives (from George Couros)

Introductory video

Thanks to all of you who shared your introductory video with me.  If you need some help, and not just a reminder, please let me know and I'll be happy to help you out.

Educator Effectiveness

If you visited your mailbox today, and I encourage you to do so if you haven't, you'll see an Educator Effectiveness checklist.  These will only be in teachers' mailboxes.  Please look over the checklist and let me know if you have any questions.  I'll be setting up a Google Classroom and inviting you to join.  The first item to complete is the self-review.  The due date is Friday, September 24th.  Once you've completed this, please set up a meeting with me to discuss how I can support you and to discuss the upcoming year.  Thank you!

Our weekly meetings will start theweek after next

I'll make sure to include the dates and times in next week's calendar.  If you want to meet next week, just let me know and I'll be happy to join you!

Thanks so much for all of your efforts in making this first week a success.  In all honesty, none of us is teaching or doing the same thing that we did last year.  As you know, I'm reading the book Mutlipliers by Liz Wiseman.  In the book she writes about a tightrope walker named Phillipe Petit.  In 1974 he walked on a tightrope strung between the twin towers of the World Trade Centers, 140 feet between the 1368 foot towers.  As he stood on the edge of the tower, one foot on the building and the other on the wire, he had to make a decision.  The decision was between staying on the tower or taking the first step onto the wire.  He made the decision to take that step and successfully completed walking on a tightrope from one tower to the other.  There was no safety harness.  There was no safety net.  I watched all of you take that first step this week and it was exciting.  You made the decision to do something tough.  And I'm so proud of you.  I might not be your safety harness or safety net.  But one of your colleagues sure is.  As Brian Fleischman would say, "We are our best resource."

Thanks for a great week, and make sure to enjoy your weekend.

Jay

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