Expect the unexpected

I started this blog post on Monday morning as I looked over my schedule for the day and for the week.  And then we had the unexpected "ice day".  When I was younger, I went fishing with a high school friend, Erich, a lot.  When the fish weren't biting, he would always cast in a completely strange way and say "expect the unexpected."  Sometimes he would catch a fish and sometimes he wouldn't.  I look at our snow day as one of those times where Erich caught a fish.  I was able to catch up on some emails, listen to some education podcasts, and call five prospective Summer School teachers.  Yes, I know that it's February but I need to make sure that I have staff for Summer School.  As I had a chance to get into lots of classes this week, I saw you deal with the unexpected, and you did it well.  What impressed me more was that a vast majority of time I saw the expected- a lesson that you had planned out well, a small group that you had consciously put together, a one on one conversation, and so many other things.  Sure, the unexpected is something that someone would really notice, but seeing you be prepared for the expected is even better.

Calendar

Monday, February 28th    School board meeting 6PM

Tuesday, March 1st    Merton Arts Night 4:30PM

Wednesday, March 2nd    Grade level meetings 7:45AM

Thursday, March 3rd    Family conferences 4:30-8:15PM

Friday, March 4th    Half day noon release (AM classes)/ MLSS meeting 12:15-3:15

Tuesday, March 8th    Spring Band concert 6:30PM

Wednesday, March 9th    District meeting 7:45AM

Monday, March 14th    School Board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, March 16th    Content meetings 7:45AM

Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th    Spring Break

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

(from Inspiring Quotes)

"Learning to choose is hard. Learning to choose well is harder. And learning to choose well in a world of unlimited possibilities is harder still, perhaps too hard."
Barry Schwartz, The Paradox of Choice

(from George Couros' weekly email)

(from Inspiring Quotes)

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."

Frederick Douglass. social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer

(from Inspiring Quotes)

"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

Carl Bard

The 5SWs from Andrew Marotta (I think you might really benefit from this short video.)

"No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you."

Althea Gibson, professional tennis player, first Black winner of a Grand Slam title

A few nuts and bolts

Here is the link to the schedule for 2022-2023 (Mary helped me figure out the freeze thing!  Thanks, Mary!)

Don't forget about our 5 minute meetings and mid-year SLO meetings.

Did you follow up with any families from last week's conferences?

Check out the dates from our BLT notes from Monday to make sure they are on your calendar.

This weekend I'll be seeing my niece Maddie play in her final game in Madison, unless they are hosting an NCAA game in March.  Jen and I have been following her UW-Madison experience since 2017.  I'll be off the grid all day on Saturday but back on again at some point on Sunday.  I hope that you have something planned for your weekend or, maybe even better, you just go with the unexpected.

Jay

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

Conference reflections

Yesterday was a long day but hopefully an incredible day.  You were able to meet with families and their children to share successes and plans for improvement.  I want you to realize the power each of these conversations possesses.  Our students and their families know that you know our students, both academically and socially.  They listen to what you have to say and know that it comes from a place that will help their child be a little better either academically or socially or both.  Words are powerful, especially those that are spoken face to face.  They can have a lasting impact and can and should be a source of encouragement.  Think about the conferences you had last night.  Do any of them cause you to want to pick up the phone or send an email to follow up?  Maybe it won't happen today but maybe it will happen next week.  I encourage you to connect again with at least some of the families that you saw tonight as a sign of encouragement and support.  Those connections can be really powerful.

Calendar

Monday, February 21st    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, February 23rd    Grade level meetings at 7:45AM

Monday, February 28th    School board meeting 6PM

Tuesday, March 1st    Merton Arts Night 5:30PM

Wednesday, March 2nd    Building meeting 7:45AM

Thursday, March 3rd    Family conferences 4:30-8:15PM

Friday, March 4th    Half day noon release (AM classes)

Tuesday, March 8th    Spring Band concert 6:30PM

Wednesday, March 9th    District meeting 7:45AM

Monday, March 14th    School Board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, March 16th    Content meetings 7:45AM

Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th    Spring Break

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"Sometimes you forget that just beyond the clouds the sun is shining."

Desmond Tutu, Anglican archbishop, theologian, human rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner

(from Inspiring Quotes)

"Find the good.  It's all around you.  Find it, showcase it and you'll start believing in it."

Jesse Owens, track and field athlete, four-time Olympic gold medalist

(from Inspiring Quotes)

"10 years from now, what do you think you'll regret doing too much of or too little of at this point in your life?  Put that in a pill and I will take it every day."

Andrew McAfee, American research scientist

"Growth doesn't come with a single action.  It is the consequence of persistence, courage, and hard work."

Anonymous, from Teachonomy email

(from Inspiring Quotes)

"I have found that the happiest people are those who do the most for others; the most miserable are those who do the least."

Booker T. Washington, educator, writer, orator

A-team update

• Emergency procedures: Hazardous waste update/review
• Lockdown inside, turn off HVAC, etc., we will review at our next building staff meeting
• Buildings and grounds
• If there are items/rooms not being cleaned, please let me know
• Beyond cleaning, please use the B&G request form
• Shed will be resided this year/ getting bids
• Community communication
• Planning for monthly postcards to our community (80% of Merton households do not have children in our district and we want to highlight fantastic work)
• Chronic attendance concerns
• Principals sent letters to families who have had 10 or more absences or tardies for the year

Some reminders from Wednesday's meeting

• Remember to turn in your Forward Exam proctor sheet to Tanya
• We have a full custodial staff so if you have concerns about things getting done, please let me know
• Assessing Student Work meetings with Maria and/or me
• Take a breath in your classroom before acting erratically (you know the story I told)
• Don't share information about students in emails or Google docs (you know the story I told)

Thanks for a great 5 day week.  We may only have had students in the building for 4 of the days, but it was still a full week.  On Monday we learned together, spoke about our kids, hopefully had some time to socialize and catch up, and were able to get some things taken off of our to do lists.  Take some time for yourself this weekend, and maybe watch a little NASCAR.  I know that's what I'll be doing.

Happy Friday!

Jay

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

How are you taking care of yourself?

I've been reflecting on how I take care of myself and came across this visual in an email I get once a week.

(from Mindshift)

I even mentioned taking care of myself in the breakout group yesterday when I shared what I had learned this year about myself.  I said something like "I learned that if I don't take care of myself I can't really take care of others."  So what do I do to take care of me?  I run every day.  I turn off my technology at 9PM.  I read in the morning before I turn my technology back on in the morning.  My weekends are spent with family and friends, and hopefully a bit of outdoor time (It is February, you know.).  And check the quote I end every nuts and bolts with.  Taking care of myself is even included in that.  So, as we approach a three day weekend (we do have professional learning on Monday), make sure that you do something to take care of yourself.  You'll feel better when you do.

Calendar

Thursday, February 10th   Jay at state Principals' Conference

Friday, February 11th    No School

Monday, February 14th    Professional Learning Day

Wednesday, February 16th    Content meetings at 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night

Thursday, February 17th    Family conferences 4:30-8:15PM

Monday, February 21st    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, February 23rd    Grade level meetings at 7:45AM

Monday, February 28th    School board meeting 6PM

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"They say that the world belongs to those who get up early.  That's not true.  The world belongs to those who are happy to get up."

Monica Vitti, actor

The Importance of Slowing Down and Enjoying Childhood (from George Couros)

Educator Effectiveness

Just a couple of reminders for you.  Don't forget to set up a meeting to discuss your mid-year SLO/SPO.  This is for everyone.  And if you're on cycle, let's get that second formal observation scheduled, too.  I'll reach out to those who don't get anything scheduled on Monday.  Thanks for your attention to this professional responsibility.

Rumors make things less clear

It's come to my attention that there are rumors going around about the schedule, about who is teaching what, and about the responsibility of sharing the schedule.  As of today, we have a framework for the schedule.  We are working through staffing the schedule.  We are working on a communication plan regarding the schedule.  The framework of the schedule was put together using input from the BLT and from you.  The schedule was put together with this input by the Instructional Leadership Team which consists of, in no other order than alphabetical, Becca, Jay, Maria, and Ron as there are some shared staffing positions that need to be considered.  Our hope is to share the schedule with all of you in late February or early March.  Please see me if you have any questions, but don't ask me what you'll be teaching next year.  That will happen once we have a communication plan in place.

I'm finishing this up before heading on a run before the start of day 2 of the state Principals' conference.  I won't be in the building today but I'll be thinking of you all.  I will be checking emails and will have time once in a while for a call if you need to speak with me about anything.  And if you have a chance, can you send me a picture of something cool going on in your classroom today.  I'd appreciate it.

See you all on Monday!

Jay

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

February is here

February is here, and with it come thoughts of family conferences, a mid-Winter break, and our final professional learning day for our entire school.  It's a short month that will zoom by quickly.  And then it will be March.  So think about what learning experiences you'll be providing for our students in February.  What do you need to provide for our students so that they are successful?  What collaboration can happen between staff?  How can you get the students more involved in the learning process?  Let's take advantage of the February days that we have.  March will be here soon enough.

Calendar

Wednesday, February 9th    District meeting at 7:45AM/ Jay at state Principals' Conference after lunch

Thursday, February 10th   Jay at state Principals' Conference

Friday, February 11th    No School

Monday, February 14th    Professional Learning Day

Wednesday, February 16th    Content meetings at 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night

Thursday, February 17th    Family conferences 4:30-8:15PM

Monday, February 21st    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, February 23rd    Grade level meetings at 7:45AM

Monday, February 28th    School board meeting 6PM

Tweets, blogs, and quotes

(from Inspiring Quotes)

(from George Couros' blog)

(from George Couros' blog)

Educator Effectiveness

Thanks to those of you who have met with me for your mid-year SLO/SPO or have scheduled these for a date in the near future.  Please make sure to schedule yours if you haven't.  Thanks!

A-team update

Reminder to review your classroom emergency plans

Erik Stephans, our new custodian, begins on Monday

Student attendance issues- plan of communication with families

"New" COVID rules

I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend of ice fishing, hanging out with family and friends, and Olympics on television.  I'm hopeful that you will be able to take some time away from school to gear up for our four day week.  It's still going to be cold, so make sure to bundle up when you go outside or settle in on the couch with a good book or to binge watch some television shows or movies.

Have a great weekend!

Jay

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