tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090758656001538172024-03-05T00:12:04.621-08:00Jay's JournalJay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.comBlogger452125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-6281665366379805662024-02-23T08:23:00.000-08:002024-02-23T08:24:31.872-08:00Positive Outcomes Celebrates First In-Person ParentCamp!<p><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaJSWb97Ro5xp5anUhpb4t86bxui98gFdmSdftPVAZOGxmE8vHmZUVOioQlXD3FXOzxswPN1P0G497WDfMD5wFPaYsEVp8tiLNH1kVHpJrhTJms-FZUsN8fe6LePapVM9Ku_OOiv06kNxSNl7RyIuv7_decK7eAq_lhxG7vfcpJ0x9pYLWTCzLUjqtYEfw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaJSWb97Ro5xp5anUhpb4t86bxui98gFdmSdftPVAZOGxmE8vHmZUVOioQlXD3FXOzxswPN1P0G497WDfMD5wFPaYsEVp8tiLNH1kVHpJrhTJms-FZUsN8fe6LePapVM9Ku_OOiv06kNxSNl7RyIuv7_decK7eAq_lhxG7vfcpJ0x9pYLWTCzLUjqtYEfw" width="240" /></a></span></div><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">On Wednesday, January 24th, Positive Outcomes Charter School (POCS) had their first ParentCamp, and what an experience it was! The school was ready and waiting for the participants to arrive. The copies were made. The rooms were set up. The food was all set. And at 5:10, 5 minutes early and excited to start, families and staff signed in, got their pizza and salad, and sat down to eat. You could feel the buzz in the room as more people showed up. While the attendees were eating, the ParentCamp experience was explained and the excitement began to build. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e695e4a5-7fff-968d-7681-508f44cf5ae6"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Four rooms were prepared for dialogue, not presentations, with chairs in circles. The topics were hopes and dreams, mental health, home/school relationships, and building community. The participants went to their room of choice and the dialogue began. Each room provided an opportunity for everyone to share and listen to each others’ perspectives. There were tears and laughter as stories were shared about the impact of POCS on students, families, and staff. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">After an hour of dialogue, choice and voice, everyone gathered together back in the main room to reflect on and celebrate the awesome experience of talking about things that matter. A drawing for gift baskets and a group picture ended our time together. The lasting message for the night - the students, staff, and families of POCS are grateful for each other and the impact they have on each other. Our next POCS ParentCamp will be Wednesday, March 27th. We hope to see you there!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1i24mPB4vcDQKQmtMkdRG-WY0ReD9AZ-rxdtFS3laqJI/edit?usp=drive_link">The Story of Positive Outcomes PC1</a></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/xHQdJXMe5rgAdqoXA">Google Photo Album</a></span></span>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-76966713155836447642022-12-20T09:58:00.000-08:002022-12-20T09:58:06.805-08:00It's been awhile...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXVJxK9BMJUsyhJgF28lsLq2k-J6SKTr--T1Ql1-c8SZrv5g-U-KfxTTG3YCO-meT9aV4ITcxQvpPLZw0et4j4xbL8J7h7ns9-DqoXhEWLwh_rokrOwbQlaaSSmq6Ncrls90o7PJWhAdK4RSTHEeAu-bIF6qOBZ8-YL7HViCFrLyZffPB0FCKn-66EQ/s7296/20221218_133447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="7296" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXVJxK9BMJUsyhJgF28lsLq2k-J6SKTr--T1Ql1-c8SZrv5g-U-KfxTTG3YCO-meT9aV4ITcxQvpPLZw0et4j4xbL8J7h7ns9-DqoXhEWLwh_rokrOwbQlaaSSmq6Ncrls90o7PJWhAdK4RSTHEeAu-bIF6qOBZ8-YL7HViCFrLyZffPB0FCKn-66EQ/s320/20221218_133447.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I find it pretty sad that I haven't written a blog post in 6 months. My last blog post was soon after I retired and just before an amazing family trip to Italy. July and August were times to relax with family and friends while trying to figure out what I would do once I retired. Little did I know that things would fall into place and fill my time. What I've found is that there are always things for a retired educator to do. Here's what I've been up to since I retired and a word of advice for everyone following each opportunity.<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I enjoyed a family trip to Italy. It was my first time outside of North America. The time with family was amazing, as was the food and the scenery. I had taken my school email off of my phone once I got to the airport so that was something I didn't even think about. I had never taken my school email off of my phone and wish that I could have done so earlier.</li><ul><li><b>Word of advice</b>- When you are on vacation, take your school email off of your phone. The time spent on vacation is for you to take care of yourself and your family. It's not to take care of school issues. They'll be there when you get back, trust me.</li></ul><li>I enjoyed many weekends in Fox Lake, enjoying cookouts, fishing and boating. There was also a lot of fun at the Drunken Clam, a local bar on the lake, with family and friends.</li><ul><li><b>Word of advice</b>- Make more time to visit the places you enjoy and spend more time with family and friends. Nothing is more important in life than your family and friends, except maybe your health.</li></ul><li>I enjoyed time around our house and hanging out with our family and friends. Many of our connections occurred in a more spur of the moment situation than something that was really planned ahead. That used to really bother me because I do like to know what the plan is for the day or the weekend or the week. This summer, and so far during the school year, I think that I'm more flexible with my time and my choices. I really think that's a good thing.</li><ul><li><b>Word of advice</b>- Be more flexible and don't be so planned. It's amazing what can happen when you just let things happen. The conversations and the connections are so much more powerful when they aren't preplanned.</li></ul><li>Once summer was over, I found myself having opportunities presented to me. Here is the list.</li><ul><li>I am working with ParentCamp, an amazing organization that helps schools and districts connect better with their families and their communities. I look forward to continuing this opportunity as the new year begins.</li><li>I was an adjunct professor at a nearby university where I was able to learn with 23 pre-service educators. I was nervous as I had no experience teaching adults (except for professional development for my colleagues when I was the principal) and let the students know that. We spent 25 classes together and learned so much from each other. I'm certain that these 23 students will be incredible educators.</li><li>I am currently mentoring a first year principal in a nearby K-8 school. I have enjoyed connecting with him and hope that I have been able to help him along his journey. I need to make more time for this mentoring opportunity as the school year continues.</li><li>I was an interim assistant principal at a nearby middle school. It was a part-time position due to my adjunct professor role. I spent 32 years of my life with middle school students, 20 of them as an administrator. Working with middle school students and staff is something that I really enjoy.</li><li>I am currently a long term guest teacher in physical education at the same nearby middle school. When I was thinking about what I would study when I went to college, physical education was at the top of the list. I didn't start in education when I went to college (that's another story) but when I did choose education, physical education wasn't an option. I've enjoyed my time as a physical education teacher. This opportunity has really helped me realize that I still love education and teaching.</li><li>One opportunity I didn't pursue was being an interim principal at an elementary school that wasn't really nearby. It was also more long term than I was looking for at the time. In hindsight, it was the right decision as I wouldn't have been able to be a long term guest teacher in middle school physical education.</li><li><b>Word of advice</b>- When you do retire, other things will come your way. All of the opportunities that I've had so far are education related. I'm thinking about reaching outside of the comfort zone that education is for me. When opportunities do arise, the best thing is that you can decide which of these things you will want to do.</li></ul><li>This last weekend, our daughter graduated from college. She graduated as a dual certified regular education and special education teacher. She will be fully licensed once she completes her student teaching at the end of January and already has a full time teaching job for the second semester. My wife Jen and I are so proud of her and the path that she is on. We know that she is already a good teacher and will get better every day.</li><ul><li><b>Word of advice</b>- You never know what kind of an impact you'll have on someone. Our daughter didn't start in education but when she made the change she was all in. Jen and I supported her decision and we will continue to support her on this journey. Make sure that you are a support in the lives of those with whom you are closest.</li></ul></ul></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-32969317787106602822022-06-13T12:25:00.001-07:002022-06-15T06:36:31.767-07:00Some final thoughts...Well, I guess I lied about my last nuts and bolts last week. I had no idea what you and the kids had planned for me. I kind of knew about the breakfast but the assembly was a full out surprise! It was amazing running through the kids and then to cross the finish line with my family there, WOW! After Wednesday, I had to share my thoughts.<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>You are an amazing staff to go to school with every day. You support one another, you support me, and you support our kids.</li><li>You can be sneaky when you need to be.</li><li>We have amazing kids, and your efforts with them don't go unnoticed. Merton is in great hands, and our kids will become even more incredible leaders in the years to come.</li><li>The videos made me cry happy tears. I bet that doesn't surprise you.</li><li>The assembly was amazing, and I'm glad I got to play my trumpet one more time.</li><li>I was showered with gifts and kind words from so many people. I am truly blessed.</li></ul>I have two quotes to share with you, both from Inspiring Quotes. The first is from Joan Rivers, and it couldn't be more true.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiyaZlUWbMYp7Y6gruf0uXeeuxU2TByKgAusxmgtmUBbktRnhbm-8uiAiShuZOu3Qz2didSzafRHPqM-Y0nSsTqQ6W0Bq322BGYiW4En85Xn5VsCkh5bKr2Mt7R38RTeuKzO8HP7rUr155CmgKfWtsrlRd9IywBSPIavKn-C4dfetZNC5dTqItj3ARQ/s3920/fast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiyaZlUWbMYp7Y6gruf0uXeeuxU2TByKgAusxmgtmUBbktRnhbm-8uiAiShuZOu3Qz2didSzafRHPqM-Y0nSsTqQ6W0Bq322BGYiW4En85Xn5VsCkh5bKr2Mt7R38RTeuKzO8HP7rUr155CmgKfWtsrlRd9IywBSPIavKn-C4dfetZNC5dTqItj3ARQ/w400-h164/fast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>The second is from Judy Garland. I sure hope that you take your advice to heart because you really shouldn't try to be someone else. Just be yourself, and don't apologize for that.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagCSzgREbpKam2kkD9-wCiPV_07Go2zwoUMYbgUU1tiewIVoDTAHcoWzDQlZAyvcSdxQKncUH7QhDhTeHs67J8L9Xr2qgXw2dV1h2sUdFlWqCxl1-G-QC4UUwMFXhbONF8XLRTV54sLG0r-Csr3Lnbdz7v2g45_5wHqeF_wDicSy-cFJnLe-Si5_Z8A/s3920/firstrate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagCSzgREbpKam2kkD9-wCiPV_07Go2zwoUMYbgUU1tiewIVoDTAHcoWzDQlZAyvcSdxQKncUH7QhDhTeHs67J8L9Xr2qgXw2dV1h2sUdFlWqCxl1-G-QC4UUwMFXhbONF8XLRTV54sLG0r-Csr3Lnbdz7v2g45_5wHqeF_wDicSy-cFJnLe-Si5_Z8A/w400-h164/firstrate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Make sure that you unplug!</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF13l_eCyTNQrNakocVUngBf2kYeCzwTIDUWxpJb4yZZRLdN0pZtDR4enkMMeRemSj0zZ3efgWTqCPv6RYaq2DLH84MFB50IsgUyuF5OxcRlhkGG-FONyCG62jQQrJwZ0IiBKTRJBmfDUKLsjo4ITD-nniJQtPvRk7lC5aqVuSSiTRrGI0hHz3FvWjA/s1961/unplug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF13l_eCyTNQrNakocVUngBf2kYeCzwTIDUWxpJb4yZZRLdN0pZtDR4enkMMeRemSj0zZ3efgWTqCPv6RYaq2DLH84MFB50IsgUyuF5OxcRlhkGG-FONyCG62jQQrJwZ0IiBKTRJBmfDUKLsjo4ITD-nniJQtPvRk7lC5aqVuSSiTRrGI0hHz3FvWjA/w400-h164/unplug.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiriting Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enough said.</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>My final thoughts</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I sat in my house on Thursday night watching the videos from family, friends, Tweeps, and you, the tears just streamed down my face. It was a surreal time as I heard about the impact I have had on our kids and on you. I still can't believe that this chapter in my educational journey is over, but I guess it really is. I request two things from you. The first is to complete as much of <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1GFgS3BPo3NTsEvIluOBhw9Q8BLCmSfF6MLw-IkO_e_EChA/viewform?usp=sf_link" target="_blank">this form</a> as you'd like. The second is that Jen and I would like to invite you over to our patio, but not until July. If you fill out the form then I'll be able to send you an invite.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love you all, my Merton family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-70491146173652368682022-06-08T04:03:00.004-07:002022-06-08T04:03:46.623-07:00My last nuts and bolts<div style="text-align: left;">It's hard to believe, but this is my last formal nuts and bolts. As I began writing this on Sunday, I was catching up on some school work while also reading an email or two. Of course, I read an email from George Couros, and this quote made me think of my time in Merton, our time together, and the impact that I hope to have had on our students, families, school, and you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXXsCDqfNAale5uFey0dUwr2WIihnMevXpyPWnXL-dvPKS1Yl9HAD_wNrt1rJNJmOW-4idnu4uaQ8FtHvSU-zsCFqn3KRt-KKosa1lEtK4nPeHSxoANIYVFdzcWRM3dDzKWiSSLxW7Nx2OhDg5H6et0wYLtKGVrZKErQY_IUpWbzIEUwjH-i9Yv9tgg/s1920/heart.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXXsCDqfNAale5uFey0dUwr2WIihnMevXpyPWnXL-dvPKS1Yl9HAD_wNrt1rJNJmOW-4idnu4uaQ8FtHvSU-zsCFqn3KRt-KKosa1lEtK4nPeHSxoANIYVFdzcWRM3dDzKWiSSLxW7Nx2OhDg5H6et0wYLtKGVrZKErQY_IUpWbzIEUwjH-i9Yv9tgg/w400-h225/heart.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have done my best every day to connect with our students and with each of you. Some days I have done better than others. The same is probably true for you. Some of you I have connected with better than others. The same is probably true for you with your own students. In the same email was this quote, and it made me reflect even more on my time in Merton.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwcP00ELqnCBv6VMlhXHtvEjhha6MPW2PDJT6BF24lfYjyRGRpSmmlDKCBppDucpwxe8Zw6huRVGB_sUd1BXsRT_HyOThXSqtY-GxF_xuwlOFd6cjpxBBpgumrK9hsyegTClukSAxi8Q9jKdUDQuq0KzPJIC4lZ9gyEHdeGkAxdJNKVNRaJEAv6V8Uw/s1080/connect.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwcP00ELqnCBv6VMlhXHtvEjhha6MPW2PDJT6BF24lfYjyRGRpSmmlDKCBppDucpwxe8Zw6huRVGB_sUd1BXsRT_HyOThXSqtY-GxF_xuwlOFd6cjpxBBpgumrK9hsyegTClukSAxi8Q9jKdUDQuq0KzPJIC4lZ9gyEHdeGkAxdJNKVNRaJEAv6V8Uw/w400-h400/connect.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How powerful is that quote. It made me reflect on those students, staff, and families that I might not have connected with well to see that it was me that needed to make a different and more intentional effort to create a positive relationship. As I move on from Merton into the next chapter of my life, I can only hope that I keep these two quotes in mind when I'm connecting with my family, my friends, or anyone with whom I come in contact.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, June 8th </b>Last day of school (half day)/ Yearbook signing and ice cream sandwiches</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, June 13th </b>First day of session 1 of Summer School</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, June 20th </b>School board meeting</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, July 5th </b>First day of session 2 of Summer School</div><div style="background-color: white;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i><a href="https://www.smore.com/mz7c8" target="_blank">Family smore for June 7th</a></i></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KoHHMWU2aXDRXP9z6jB2rMTeXUldu9ZeaIe0PSp9Lb0C3qVpYtLkyGkmH_nBTAID08Lin10ok6Vc9E5Q_Rpp0yzdIlyXYx_5YM9SdhF8gP-7rLlvhK-e665H9rLdePOIRJmM61oYRLlR8REjs7QJ55gEQRng7G6kb7tHqHvmzmH1QB4CPt1l6VCQgQ/s960/opportunity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KoHHMWU2aXDRXP9z6jB2rMTeXUldu9ZeaIe0PSp9Lb0C3qVpYtLkyGkmH_nBTAID08Lin10ok6Vc9E5Q_Rpp0yzdIlyXYx_5YM9SdhF8gP-7rLlvhK-e665H9rLdePOIRJmM61oYRLlR8REjs7QJ55gEQRng7G6kb7tHqHvmzmH1QB4CPt1l6VCQgQ/w400-h400/opportunity.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from an Annex Wealth Management email)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ig4cf2XJ4a0pjCh4Lzb71g9j0PKXJopELyWQ68uQ7H2k-vdN0Oa9xgzLDbkDRQ0vv-HGzXHDePOhbjv6dN6ZyxIntO8_YDXDzte5eQv1RHObcYi3W0OcCTzG4i5RtPAC55MUVoHWScYuHatlMeggq2jVy4OvmOhmUuOniLOI_EE_6ywQOXXR4-W2Vg/s1961/simplethings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ig4cf2XJ4a0pjCh4Lzb71g9j0PKXJopELyWQ68uQ7H2k-vdN0Oa9xgzLDbkDRQ0vv-HGzXHDePOhbjv6dN6ZyxIntO8_YDXDzte5eQv1RHObcYi3W0OcCTzG4i5RtPAC55MUVoHWScYuHatlMeggq2jVy4OvmOhmUuOniLOI_EE_6ywQOXXR4-W2Vg/w400-h164/simplethings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaH9FELB7TT2jTLUhl_LjpfQfz5xMXwk14ciZSHOt27N8GdFn4eVhvtaomS1VtQxetMAIwCc3ZIy5vGXHLdtu0ifLYm0FbK-9C2Aa-zsN1R0yfSX9zyaCmUbO8Zkn8G0WCX1ypTkA9fHRc_kaJesbpsRodWjPue71qeATC4Jbl-H5TwTXedWZVxKLHA/s1961/goon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaH9FELB7TT2jTLUhl_LjpfQfz5xMXwk14ciZSHOt27N8GdFn4eVhvtaomS1VtQxetMAIwCc3ZIy5vGXHLdtu0ifLYm0FbK-9C2Aa-zsN1R0yfSX9zyaCmUbO8Zkn8G0WCX1ypTkA9fHRc_kaJesbpsRodWjPue71qeATC4Jbl-H5TwTXedWZVxKLHA/w400-h164/goon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has truly been an honor and privilege to be the principal at Merton Intermediate School. I will miss being in your classrooms. I will miss our conversations about school and your families. I will miss each of you. Have a great last day of school!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-9538161082599467022022-06-03T04:13:00.003-07:002022-06-03T04:13:47.391-07:00Thank you!<div style="text-align: left;">I began writing this week's nuts and bolts on Sunday morning. It's the day that I try to catch up on emails, often ones from George Couros because there is always something that I connect with. It might be his podcast or a personal story or a quote he shares, but there is always something. This quote is what caught my attention on Sunday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjCMWlb39Vc8g9j78a9q1OeC5t0OJTiFp0zLZYF0S7jAijn7plFoVgWvhsUj0Z4uRWDPURxrq-vGwH2ellTo2m5Oja0OOLTlZofNDiDyFXVVbvptYHIdukXNs5pMoc8cvz1Uin5RnLkhjXYnCEBVuQkoMeMG041s536qzCPINaI5MZzz2WhOR3NqTGg/s498/humanness.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="498" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjCMWlb39Vc8g9j78a9q1OeC5t0OJTiFp0zLZYF0S7jAijn7plFoVgWvhsUj0Z4uRWDPURxrq-vGwH2ellTo2m5Oja0OOLTlZofNDiDyFXVVbvptYHIdukXNs5pMoc8cvz1Uin5RnLkhjXYnCEBVuQkoMeMG041s536qzCPINaI5MZzz2WhOR3NqTGg/w400-h206/humanness.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Think about that quote just a minute. I know that I've read it over about 20 times. I hope that I've lived this as an educator and as a person in my last 35 years. On Saturday I happened to stop by school to do a couple of things and saw this in the commons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fwwNh16JR4JDBWT-tfoTTAKUiNz8kQXDnAz-B6pKZC0e-m9F7RJ26FnH7Zdm_Q812iEhq714ylHCjr1e8eeNZwrN-M1DyXgGqnt3NYMwjfcOdG808QCxegwlv62tI6LcR_y7RVXF2ZP7ftQD5zl8N1x0K7pTvm97EKnoH0lie77Yanhsh6Rd3T-7vQ/s823/retirement.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="823" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fwwNh16JR4JDBWT-tfoTTAKUiNz8kQXDnAz-B6pKZC0e-m9F7RJ26FnH7Zdm_Q812iEhq714ylHCjr1e8eeNZwrN-M1DyXgGqnt3NYMwjfcOdG808QCxegwlv62tI6LcR_y7RVXF2ZP7ftQD5zl8N1x0K7pTvm97EKnoH0lie77Yanhsh6Rd3T-7vQ/w400-h300/retirement.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, I teared up. I have no idea who put this together. I took a picture and shared it with Jen and Lauren. I love the words of advice but I really love the words in blue that describe me. It made me feel like I have made a difference and an impact on those I've come in contact with. Thank you to all who put together that wall of words. It's something I will cherish forever.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><a href="https://www.smore.com/jqb70" target="_blank">Here</a> is this week's family smore (more pictures may be added later)</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, June 3rd </b>4th to 5th grade transition afternoon</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, June 6th </b>PTO meeting/ 8th grade Day Away and dance/ 5th, 6th, and 7th grade Day Aways from 9AM-2PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, June 7th </b>8th grade graduation 7PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, June 8th </b>Last day of school (half day)/ Yearbook signing and ice cream sandwiches</div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13571" target="_blank">Rest is Essential to Growth</a> (from George Couros)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRU0TWX9QkTzk8Qlv7vyqdiwEuu9XkyZ_ExA1JT7yZvo_KgI69GnXL7lGsEFAfV-D9qkXsrFWJ7bMAOGoH3_rUbRIb1MgbIAgQr79dN4Vu-6X-xR5btst19adrsFMwV5iK-51_psqeKLxkYhbDS5FrhkcKbVV_EVYmtB-aAnrm0kFBY5d8XQg-89Agg/s1961/mistakes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRU0TWX9QkTzk8Qlv7vyqdiwEuu9XkyZ_ExA1JT7yZvo_KgI69GnXL7lGsEFAfV-D9qkXsrFWJ7bMAOGoH3_rUbRIb1MgbIAgQr79dN4Vu-6X-xR5btst19adrsFMwV5iK-51_psqeKLxkYhbDS5FrhkcKbVV_EVYmtB-aAnrm0kFBY5d8XQg-89Agg/w400-h164/mistakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"I really believe that you never stop learning, and you never really ever get there."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ray Liotta, actor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13568" target="_blank">The Gift of Rejection</a> (from George Couros)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfFmYOu7vvIGIFQi4VMyXC-ohfuQ8W0pgCxkhaI2o1pVfXqOShnR2vmm1Xi2Mhov7BmRYXTR5KVR_Z8qUAarryd-S2tZ-wdqVdikjQoH4-dPLZYDvPRuqV6uaO-_JhcdtFDwMm_OTaQb_ME1kvXDXJON5T6gFoDjyCQBFjUFqGGAVTAE5va1R2dUFZg/s2940/makeothers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2940" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfFmYOu7vvIGIFQi4VMyXC-ohfuQ8W0pgCxkhaI2o1pVfXqOShnR2vmm1Xi2Mhov7BmRYXTR5KVR_Z8qUAarryd-S2tZ-wdqVdikjQoH4-dPLZYDvPRuqV6uaO-_JhcdtFDwMm_OTaQb_ME1kvXDXJON5T6gFoDjyCQBFjUFqGGAVTAE5va1R2dUFZg/w400-h164/makeothers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"The self you know, the you deep inside, is obscured by a stack of untold stories."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Janet Mock, writer, television host, director, producer, and transgender rights activist</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp9CIKX3YUg9WuLphAb15EcmiL1PLk8TReVluhKnxcl4I76tzukETn9fhMtgrCtKDuGHgSiAARI44zAQKuJcn1MPbo7QU1JchsjN8vC2SXXVUkwCyLICUBCLN7MjDV8XzeG8GROZkTIAjrYV66l0FJmbxPcuayyHe38IB4e3S4Y0NcojP9KTz4yLkSw/s3920/welded.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp9CIKX3YUg9WuLphAb15EcmiL1PLk8TReVluhKnxcl4I76tzukETn9fhMtgrCtKDuGHgSiAARI44zAQKuJcn1MPbo7QU1JchsjN8vC2SXXVUkwCyLICUBCLN7MjDV8XzeG8GROZkTIAjrYV66l0FJmbxPcuayyHe38IB4e3S4Y0NcojP9KTz4yLkSw/w400-h164/welded.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Celebration Day</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to Matt and Justin for their leadership and organization and thanks to all of you for being willing to spend an entire day with our students just letting them be kids. I sure you hope you enjoyed the day. Here's a picture of the entire group in the gym.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DpTib-qsSFRlvDRt0Q0r4WtD1aCtqMl6brHq2uxzmitbcYRVqJksyvP5-1bj5195kIys0ln9Qep-cq0ewklPbinqUoMC0Kf0_jsNisHhuduujZUKxfc03ql7Sx0Bv3bKM0kEe23JSgbycUFGT48ehFn_aN1m8izfTl2w42PRQ0lH4IdxArMEebTE2g/s1175/altogether.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1175" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DpTib-qsSFRlvDRt0Q0r4WtD1aCtqMl6brHq2uxzmitbcYRVqJksyvP5-1bj5195kIys0ln9Qep-cq0ewklPbinqUoMC0Kf0_jsNisHhuduujZUKxfc03ql7Sx0Bv3bKM0kEe23JSgbycUFGT48ehFn_aN1m8izfTl2w42PRQ0lH4IdxArMEebTE2g/w400-h300/altogether.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today is the last Friday of the school year! I've got some time played this morning and we have 4th graders visiting us in the afternoon. I hope that you make it the best Friday of the year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-37599450275517410002022-05-27T04:16:00.000-07:002022-05-27T04:16:24.761-07:00Doing many different thingsLast weekend I was lucky enough to fish all day with my brother on Saturday (together we caught 7 keeper largemouth bass) and on Sunday I attended the Brewers game with Jen and Lauren. It was a family weekend, for sure. I did check emails once in a while, especially on Sunday morning, and found this quote.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kUGzjIFvtTp2wSO9ndrfGPI7ipzqzDO2bJaOd7Y3e7-hwzjddxaKRFZcuCHWi0UkGdhHrrGZ_NIflvbz8ntZ3pHc7k3a1HTUQiQJ2xWJsO3QPUsgIVxe9B-JRtJd4KBVsnZpFsTT0UJQVaXX2Sc-PjiiVOQCuyuPas3HSZiB9hhuscg2vNAI79z-xw/s3920/many.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kUGzjIFvtTp2wSO9ndrfGPI7ipzqzDO2bJaOd7Y3e7-hwzjddxaKRFZcuCHWi0UkGdhHrrGZ_NIflvbz8ntZ3pHc7k3a1HTUQiQJ2xWJsO3QPUsgIVxe9B-JRtJd4KBVsnZpFsTT0UJQVaXX2Sc-PjiiVOQCuyuPas3HSZiB9hhuscg2vNAI79z-xw/w400-h164/many.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Saturday, the guide my brother and I fished with, Wally Banfi, put us on a number of spots. Two of my favorite lines he said throughout the Saturday were "This spot looks juicy" and "I've got a story for you, and this one is true." We tried a variety of presentations, lures, and live bait. On this Saturday, Wisey Worms thrown into the shallows and near piers was all that was successful. We stayed with what was best for that day. As educators, we try a variety of things to make an impact on our students- engaging activities, support individually or in small groups, individual conversations. Every day with our students is a new day and the "presentation" that we use might be very different today than it was yesterday or even from morning to afternoon. Keep trying new things and you'll find the right one for the day. And while you're at it, you should share some of your best, and worst, with your colleagues. It's so awesome when we can learn from one another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><b><i>This week's family smore</i></b></div><div>I put <a href="https://www.smore.com/n6fjc" target="_blank">this</a> together early due to my personal day on Friday. Just thought I would share it with you, especially with regards to the first paragraph.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 26th </b>Jeans for Troops Day ($5 to GIGo Fund for Veterans for wearing jeans)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, May 30th </b>Memorial Day (No School)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, June 1st </b>PTO meeting 8:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, June 2nd </b>Celebration Day (<b>This is a "no letter" day!</b>)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, June 3rd </b>Celebration Day rain date/ 4th to 5th grade transition afternoon</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, June 6th </b>8th grade Day Away and dance/ 5th, 6th, and 7th grade Day Aways from 9AM-2PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, June 7th </b>8th grade graduation 7PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, June 8th </b>Last day of school (half day)/ Yearbook signing and ice cream sandwiches</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><i><b>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</b></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">"Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else's life forever."</div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">Margaret Cho, comedian, actor, musician, writer</div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQAo7vfF4KMObh24l87-LZegu0rwde6KnN-bEEMSu1XHTC3_2trpjnxtERQXtaQudx2hvGZWRRmxrcTXPsi5aTf61eQVJ4LIuymAWBFrkCdYiw2vojbW6xmcswSBrPRQWVQfu6SQqloRv-vrBS90F6ErEQpeBjbrDTdFyL2lyyWB57mhkwLDh-qg3LA/s3920/wrongnote.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQAo7vfF4KMObh24l87-LZegu0rwde6KnN-bEEMSu1XHTC3_2trpjnxtERQXtaQudx2hvGZWRRmxrcTXPsi5aTf61eQVJ4LIuymAWBFrkCdYiw2vojbW6xmcswSBrPRQWVQfu6SQqloRv-vrBS90F6ErEQpeBjbrDTdFyL2lyyWB57mhkwLDh-qg3LA/w400-h164/wrongnote.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">"I just want to live the moment. I don't want to know how it's going to be, or how it's going to be there at the end. I just want to live it."</div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">Jo-Wilifried Tsonga, professional tennis player</div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGloLIM9dlgGs5SGP46ln8bP24g1GgqX1BV9b_-kTi8_b0DbG6msc_GBslW8hiQ4_JnitX7pe9ewhqcdipODziqaGtjAUpHMOb7CpC472sWUjH4fx7xt36n3R3j897XDR9dF_Abel0UdPg2FA8je5K7C3wv3J-9FU5E7RWBCNJdd32SbkY29_XD2ojA/s1080/kindness.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGloLIM9dlgGs5SGP46ln8bP24g1GgqX1BV9b_-kTi8_b0DbG6msc_GBslW8hiQ4_JnitX7pe9ewhqcdipODziqaGtjAUpHMOb7CpC472sWUjH4fx7xt36n3R3j897XDR9dF_Abel0UdPg2FA8je5K7C3wv3J-9FU5E7RWBCNJdd32SbkY29_XD2ojA/s320/kindness.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">(from Upworthiest)</div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBs4PRyB9Odw9YAsN4XtDf7AJyH5wI8bcSrXCxxSS8zXLAeOIW2tcKVmNlSGSs_8Wd2HLqFRD1J3Aoa7IStiCJl3epjGOAvUgWy3Rng-EMQR3hblY_MBri5DQPvvHbzwqIZeoC4Uuv9cq4D-8TudBUhVZ2bucg3WPzmLZb4V_d_FUMYpguxMV0ClEGA/s640/littlebitbetter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="523" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBs4PRyB9Odw9YAsN4XtDf7AJyH5wI8bcSrXCxxSS8zXLAeOIW2tcKVmNlSGSs_8Wd2HLqFRD1J3Aoa7IStiCJl3epjGOAvUgWy3Rng-EMQR3hblY_MBri5DQPvvHbzwqIZeoC4Uuv9cq4D-8TudBUhVZ2bucg3WPzmLZb4V_d_FUMYpguxMV0ClEGA/s320/littlebitbetter.jpeg" width="262" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">(from @teachergoals)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>BLT presentation at Student Achievement Committee on Monday night</i></b></div><div style="background-color: white;">You would all be proud of our BLT on Monday night. Our team is Becky O., Carey, Janine, Melissa, Colleen, and Bekah. Becky F. and Michelle joined the team on Monday to share much of the amazing work that you do every day. Erin was there to support the team, too. <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17nC6tieYYbjUN0p3KpJVVZPjchLyQ9cgN687ByaFVYM/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Here</a> is the presentation.</div><div style="background-color: white;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Something from LaVonna Roth from Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.</i></b></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the spirit of celebrating our communities in education - our mentors, our coaches, our teachers, our paraprofessionals, our administrators - we want to make sure you know:</span></div><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Someone woke up today thinking about the impact you made on them last week.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your time, your effort, and your continued perseverance is changing this world.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You deserve a moment to yourself - you deserve many moments; try not to feel guilty about taking them.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You deserve the empathy, patience, and understanding that you give each and every day.</span></li></ul><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We hope you feel celebrated always - your work is invaluable and limitless!</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just so you know, I feel the same way about each of you every day!</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>A week of lasts...</i></b></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I look back at this week, I noticed that I had a week of lasts. It was my last Student Achievement Committee meeting, and it was great to share it with our BLT, Becky F., and Michelle. It was my last School Board meeting as a Principal and I was able to reflect on these meetings with members of the A-team after. It was my last Band concert, and I got to play my trumpet with the Jazz Band in their final song. It was my last staff meeting on Wednesday morning, or at least I think it was. It has been an honor and a privilege to be your Principal. It was my last indoor recess, or at least I hope it was. It was my last NJHS induction ceremony. There are a few more lasts coming up in the next couple of weeks and I have only one hope- that you are all there with me during those last few lasts. As I said on Wednesday, it's been an honor and a privilege.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a great long weekend, and I'll see you on Tuesday.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jay</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div></div></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-60397778604876858992022-05-20T04:01:00.001-07:002022-05-20T09:54:15.869-07:00How was your week? (new blog/same title)<div style="text-align: left;">Today ends our second to last 5 day week of the year. Kind of hard to believe, isn't it? So how did your week go? Did you zoom out to see the highs and the lows? I encourage you to do that. Some days this week I had to zoom out to find the highs because there were a couple of lows that kept coming into my thoughts. Other days I was able to reflect and the highs were easy to see, and to celebrate. This week had two "lasts" for me- our last BLT meeting and our last Culver's Night. The coming weeks will have more of these "lasts". My good friend Joy, a principal from Connecticut (that's where I was born, by the way), told me not to think of it as retirement. She said it's "refirement". I am fired up to support my parents on their life journey. I'm also fired up to support Lauren as she continues her education journey. She has a big "last" today- the FORT exam this morning. I know that she'll do well and I know she'll be happy when she's finished with that test. And tonight she and I will celebrate with dinner, just the two of us. Now that's a great way to end a week!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, May 23rd </b>Jay will be out in the morning attending a doctor appointment/ Student Achievement Committee 4:30PM/ School Board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, May 24th </b>Final Band Concert 6:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 25th<span> </span></b>NJHS induction ceremony 5:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 26th </b>Jeans for Troops Day ($5 to GIGo Fund for Veterans for wearing jeans)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, May 30th </b>Memorial Day (No School)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, June 1st </b>PTO meeting 8:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, June 2nd </b>Celebration Day (<b>This is a "no letter" day!</b>)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, June 3rd </b>Celebration Day rain date/ 4th to 5th grade transition afternoon</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, June 6th </b>8th grade Day Away/ 5th, 6th, and 7th grade Day Away from 9AM-2PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, June 7th </b>8th grade graduation</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, June 8th </b>Last day of school (half day)</div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0pdasTG1ZPPzeORlIj8jSdUSE_xL6xnPHPHYYnLI0LtB22juPiVjbeMMLxrcnYcxDtDh5lzLwdjznSG3FTLQUwkCTbaUprLLZ6k2Vk_Aier3xO0w4eo7b4WzToHvS9v3xEljpWJMz2tHxk6D-XFFzdAnUfVaho_Rz3TW4orupUGTh0_ZpVwl5eru9g/s512/greatteachers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="342" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0pdasTG1ZPPzeORlIj8jSdUSE_xL6xnPHPHYYnLI0LtB22juPiVjbeMMLxrcnYcxDtDh5lzLwdjznSG3FTLQUwkCTbaUprLLZ6k2Vk_Aier3xO0w4eo7b4WzToHvS9v3xEljpWJMz2tHxk6D-XFFzdAnUfVaho_Rz3TW4orupUGTh0_ZpVwl5eru9g/w268-h400/greatteachers.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from MindShift)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets credit."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ronald Reagan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkQo_9LJ6TmvZvAI0fd0xIyAguLXiA4iHJ2_BrjXcSNhVaXY7ds4QRFbZwapAFcczXJqEIPJAamkjk4LKQeCeSTtI9gFGJ3eidK1-JjYpY7bvAOdjV5XUiXcLBLCp2rS6PvfJ6JZrs0O22CK71Fs9nJ43bFPS8Yv69T0U1qdbwUuUPPlbOIFeVYid2A/s3920/everyindividuall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkQo_9LJ6TmvZvAI0fd0xIyAguLXiA4iHJ2_BrjXcSNhVaXY7ds4QRFbZwapAFcczXJqEIPJAamkjk4LKQeCeSTtI9gFGJ3eidK1-JjYpY7bvAOdjV5XUiXcLBLCp2rS6PvfJ6JZrs0O22CK71Fs9nJ43bFPS8Yv69T0U1qdbwUuUPPlbOIFeVYid2A/w400-h164/everyindividuall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"One has to realize one's limitations. Why kid yourself?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I. M. Pei, architect</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_0Hbc2oyKYKyMKZTdeUET_7A9iSeQZsocisqZOaCHNIxxdJK48eBT_igFChgY_8_Vb5rahqHq8As_fLUN_LMSpnluKNwsVKpv6fdUv-prLhbqnzo38Oc82OHg7Toi1NjNaMda6riyyIoVd8m_GmcbYP-j_Hm_eka6K2UqaQgAN3Cg1LpSr2ESWslYA/s2940/enable.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2940" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_0Hbc2oyKYKyMKZTdeUET_7A9iSeQZsocisqZOaCHNIxxdJK48eBT_igFChgY_8_Vb5rahqHq8As_fLUN_LMSpnluKNwsVKpv6fdUv-prLhbqnzo38Oc82OHg7Toi1NjNaMda6riyyIoVd8m_GmcbYP-j_Hm_eka6K2UqaQgAN3Cg1LpSr2ESWslYA/w400-h164/enable.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MATRLYd-Nl0" width="320" youtube-src-id="MATRLYd-Nl0"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The 5SWs from Andrew Marotta. It's worth the 90 seconds, I promise!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Scder0miBcjfUYXLkBKHvWDQB4-Pad87VqoMLboqIPjohNqi_JJ-2FVHJaNpmE1N6zIrDz1Uks5odEnRK61UB4hYsC9y0rsG0D9S2CQpLvUz31TpZwbqkXs-OxaNWfgU7KSlIc4Sfw9NDIjmcupxCNzWUy3LNg4dwJuVqnWv4ouoKCuQnpUX0Tgfnw/s1961/happiness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Scder0miBcjfUYXLkBKHvWDQB4-Pad87VqoMLboqIPjohNqi_JJ-2FVHJaNpmE1N6zIrDz1Uks5odEnRK61UB4hYsC9y0rsG0D9S2CQpLvUz31TpZwbqkXs-OxaNWfgU7KSlIc4Sfw9NDIjmcupxCNzWUy3LNg4dwJuVqnWv4ouoKCuQnpUX0Tgfnw/w400-h164/happiness.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Your greatest mess may be the very thing that qualifies you the most to help other people."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ed Mylett</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yDok0Mdc8-1ffqQgDM6M_0mTyC5KY_OJUhZaeSrMu6gZ13NhutamcnLAKHi0SQGwW_7HMdzS-HVR9EJ_ZHrEFfeJqA81C9avMw0GlWGw1NI76QWg87w5Y6XB3mWVNzq7hzxEAa3kegVZQxHJUTDg9x85AwDJA8Tgy1ANIyhNXkJUgGX7E7Qs1NHzQw/s3920/enough.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yDok0Mdc8-1ffqQgDM6M_0mTyC5KY_OJUhZaeSrMu6gZ13NhutamcnLAKHi0SQGwW_7HMdzS-HVR9EJ_ZHrEFfeJqA81C9avMw0GlWGw1NI76QWg87w5Y6XB3mWVNzq7hzxEAa3kegVZQxHJUTDg9x85AwDJA8Tgy1ANIyhNXkJUgGX7E7Qs1NHzQw/w400-h164/enough.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgAP8aIJkYbmTxWQ75WDppbUq7E8aifKDF1uWR2c_spFDckbfrufIqzK5K2m7rfMch44B4vqEFwtS2BBu6TVKzI1HrFaPx06eA1JK82TofsPaAAsE5Ygzsbr045gdhWiJeaNhlwdqWY5j_AvpV9BVo1Uh-te2iOZ7HDhNGKsQT-JBYPgkxrU3XOycqQ/s680/teachthem.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="680" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgAP8aIJkYbmTxWQ75WDppbUq7E8aifKDF1uWR2c_spFDckbfrufIqzK5K2m7rfMch44B4vqEFwtS2BBu6TVKzI1HrFaPx06eA1JK82TofsPaAAsE5Ygzsbr045gdhWiJeaNhlwdqWY5j_AvpV9BVo1Uh-te2iOZ7HDhNGKsQT-JBYPgkxrU3XOycqQ/w400-h364/teachthem.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from @WeinsteinEdu on the Twitters)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGfLLxWv74GFCg017ow7S13QsjhKjqs0YByejkg6756NjLef0dfIx-vmkw7VrW9n83r_GYr6sBYvUAG88t32aQGYqPtVRli0JLTeSzWK7oPIF6ynnVK84VuD8i5_lDgUUhjUY0WyUp1gYO3L2IheuxhuyLCPg5stUNI6tfdklkacE8H2kcHvHmTQSuw/s3920/risk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGfLLxWv74GFCg017ow7S13QsjhKjqs0YByejkg6756NjLef0dfIx-vmkw7VrW9n83r_GYr6sBYvUAG88t32aQGYqPtVRli0JLTeSzWK7oPIF6ynnVK84VuD8i5_lDgUUhjUY0WyUp1gYO3L2IheuxhuyLCPg5stUNI6tfdklkacE8H2kcHvHmTQSuw/w400-h164/risk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>BLT notes</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before we get to the shared notes, I'd like to thank Bekah, Janine, Colleen, Carey, Becky O., and Melissa for their honesty and openness during all of our BLT meetings this year. I know they have shared your concerns with me so that we can get better. They also shared your successes so you could be shouted out to all staff. They will also represent our school well at the Student Achievement Committee meeting on Monday. It has been an honor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That being said, <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bd8kcivOGgv8Pj4RpuL99t0Rxq6laYpQwoOUmjnJy54/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a> are the notes for our BLT meeting. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To fully answer the question I posed in the title, my week was really just okay. Jen has been in Sanibel all week and is driving home with her brother. We have had our daily phone calls, and were on a webinar together yesterday, but I can't wait for her to get home. I got to spend more face to face time with my parents this week because I made time to go see them. The week got better yesterday when Lauren came home for the weekend. I know I say "family first" a lot and you know that I mean it. We aren't promised tomorrow, but we can definitely make it a goal to make today the best Friday of the week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See you all soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-51196077574096637582022-05-13T03:38:00.002-07:002022-05-13T07:16:39.963-07:00How was your week?Do me a favor. Look back on your week and write down the three best things about the week. Only one must be school related. Here are mine...<div>Lauren had her final class in Oshkosh (but she still has student teaching).</div><div>Two of my cousins from Connecticut made a surprise visit to see my parents.</div><div>I was able to coach a group of 8th grade girls, and they are one of my favorite teams of all time.</div><div>Why am I asking you to start this list? I think that often we look back on a week and don't notice the good things that we've done or that we've been a part of. I witness you doing great things every day. Some of them are "big" things and some are "little" things. The list you make should make you happy. Imagine the list you'll have if you do this daily instead of weekly. It makes me think of the quote below.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia76wAXiMlUdPWk5iyo7p1waZsqRThzCX6Z8cWN1c0DaGZhs-fLh_-UPeztWV8JPH2Oj5ZNTg6HKIKiUKiCmpBc3o4aa4k-oiNkn_BSzlit3iQVEhZGjRGXGFeLnIvwIlVXKEWkngo52nCqCsz0qiyYVdazsE6-Ryzum-YbN0SofBGkvqgmKM3uD0XFg/s3920/daytoday.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia76wAXiMlUdPWk5iyo7p1waZsqRThzCX6Z8cWN1c0DaGZhs-fLh_-UPeztWV8JPH2Oj5ZNTg6HKIKiUKiCmpBc3o4aa4k-oiNkn_BSzlit3iQVEhZGjRGXGFeLnIvwIlVXKEWkngo52nCqCsz0qiyYVdazsE6-Ryzum-YbN0SofBGkvqgmKM3uD0XFg/w400-h164/daytoday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div><div>Now go make this the best Friday of the week!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>This week's family smore</i></b></div><div>I'll be adding some pictures from today a little later, but <a href="https://www.smore.com/1ary07" target="_blank">here</a> it is for now.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 13th </b>Career Day in the AM/ District Celebration after school</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 13th-Sunday May 15th </b>PTO Scavenger Hunt</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, May 17th </b>7th and 8th grade Mega Math Meet in Madison</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 18th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM (BLT is in charge)/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, May 19th </b>5th and 6th grade Mega Math Meet in Madison</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, May 23rd </b>Student Achievement Committee 4:30PM/ School Board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, May 24th </b>Final Band Concert 6:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 25th </b>NJHS induction ceremony 5:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, May 30th </b>Memorial Day (No School)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, June 2nd </b>Celebration Day</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, June 3rd </b>Celebration Day rain date/ 4th to 5th grade transition afternoon</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, June 6th </b>8th grade Day Away/ 5th, 6th, and 7th grade Day Away from 9AM-2PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, June 7th </b>8th grade graduation</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, June 8th </b>Last day of school (half day)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzHYJnmfEbXBYb0BS0_qZb3VyI92Dk7lQJurmjjqLnvK8vITU2mbIw4_aX8NKUOanjT62CBT8ycg8dWUqbSnKMTI_d6fJeEalddlTwPE6SStWKYAkuQKKHuaqrYeksiSfQAY-OLg6Ahrr5J1xJ9aKWG93n1WCzNpJF_n-hfXGBUbM5Vul7_DHsqH1_w/s680/great.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="631" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzHYJnmfEbXBYb0BS0_qZb3VyI92Dk7lQJurmjjqLnvK8vITU2mbIw4_aX8NKUOanjT62CBT8ycg8dWUqbSnKMTI_d6fJeEalddlTwPE6SStWKYAkuQKKHuaqrYeksiSfQAY-OLg6Ahrr5J1xJ9aKWG93n1WCzNpJF_n-hfXGBUbM5Vul7_DHsqH1_w/s320/great.jpeg" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from @teachergoals on the Twitters)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mahatma Gandhi, lawyer, social reformer, independent movement leader</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13543" target="_blank">Increasing Confidence to Accelerate Competence</a> from George Couros</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtLpJctKL0qYOk8HsSPNDYWKykORnmZ-AHuwbsa0O0ZXv29iV3NKkVWoQ3m8lvbJX0ZM-CfmEklYD72hqBsa3-cHiZRdhoYtz5AoUst3K8FzfoBc-zNKsSe6fweocBtd8GaLKPx3FFGEsihIW25diE6F7H93LH4UNczW5HZpwa0CrDPA93HtmmYra1Q/s3920/lifthigher.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtLpJctKL0qYOk8HsSPNDYWKykORnmZ-AHuwbsa0O0ZXv29iV3NKkVWoQ3m8lvbJX0ZM-CfmEklYD72hqBsa3-cHiZRdhoYtz5AoUst3K8FzfoBc-zNKsSe6fweocBtd8GaLKPx3FFGEsihIW25diE6F7H93LH4UNczW5HZpwa0CrDPA93HtmmYra1Q/w400-h164/lifthigher.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Most of the time, everyone deserves more than one chance."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Celeste Ng, writer</div><div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxHpizckvUzeV1pdhgKo998h-qwnZG8mrNJGHPJ4-ZKrODW9kHPKUxpiNDLrZCzeeHiMWFaN-5aM5qqAKp-YovLSVPIw_EJrpyi-91-c0bdum0eUiR0BHjhJ-8YNx-t3RsZXiLQ9wxX6VdUmSjZG_THZ7N6wZEaVt3XI1rgDRPazCrSxv6B40BcuAoA/s3920/success.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxHpizckvUzeV1pdhgKo998h-qwnZG8mrNJGHPJ4-ZKrODW9kHPKUxpiNDLrZCzeeHiMWFaN-5aM5qqAKp-YovLSVPIw_EJrpyi-91-c0bdum0eUiR0BHjhJ-8YNx-t3RsZXiLQ9wxX6VdUmSjZG_THZ7N6wZEaVt3XI1rgDRPazCrSxv6B40BcuAoA/w400-h164/success.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Everything was worth looking at more closely."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Celeste Ng, writer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWRZPHL3IXuHQJQ5xHwy4T7kNHWC5DLrlHomSTdYkBPmX4MwSLFZRyYguQbOKsR3b4-nOoXNhuOYB4HoYlDXH9qbsehVUmqK-xc73p_Kj613FWg-KGwDolBqftUntBF4Nzq03SQ1LirNnctMvKkw6p38N_ZGvfubostXZ4xFQiPVYQLMNQTDWSMsw6Q/s1200/goodteacher.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1200" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWRZPHL3IXuHQJQ5xHwy4T7kNHWC5DLrlHomSTdYkBPmX4MwSLFZRyYguQbOKsR3b4-nOoXNhuOYB4HoYlDXH9qbsehVUmqK-xc73p_Kj613FWg-KGwDolBqftUntBF4Nzq03SQ1LirNnctMvKkw6p38N_ZGvfubostXZ4xFQiPVYQLMNQTDWSMsw6Q/w400-h398/goodteacher.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Todd Nesloney's blog)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"We are a landscape of all we have seen."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Isamu Noguchi, sculptor, designer, landscape architect</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CF2pvffgxe7E0EhBGmsl-arJ7CuwyfYXnKBNMQ4Ij_O2lqpzJjreHNZaku2DLNohELaldzQwBKhb4bzWtNSbqOEhgHRWAC8vAz6nRGDQbQxk9bQjAie84lfRGMgQJYv0kziTyqOfinD7zeSsCaGR8OYhMgbbg3mVNfjlchEJ054rtblx_hfZIw190g/s3920/listenshare.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CF2pvffgxe7E0EhBGmsl-arJ7CuwyfYXnKBNMQ4Ij_O2lqpzJjreHNZaku2DLNohELaldzQwBKhb4bzWtNSbqOEhgHRWAC8vAz6nRGDQbQxk9bQjAie84lfRGMgQJYv0kziTyqOfinD7zeSsCaGR8OYhMgbbg3mVNfjlchEJ054rtblx_hfZIw190g/w400-h164/listenshare.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"We are a landscape of all we have seen."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Isamu Noguchi, sculptor, designer, landscape architect</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEP1xAGdl4fYrIoUK6c07pXGDtecheOQBje1YYQ-NHApp9G2rDDMThVF29amoLTLuDSR5Rho1GDp-prZpVraQG4jdMjT0OXU6tOIISbHMqdj8BPbVsItoaLvbjm5vSMtR17kWYWZADM9tfG2vBvEefThQHpZSwFg39bs441nNkPRjDmoroOwNHku4B4Q/s680/time.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEP1xAGdl4fYrIoUK6c07pXGDtecheOQBje1YYQ-NHApp9G2rDDMThVF29amoLTLuDSR5Rho1GDp-prZpVraQG4jdMjT0OXU6tOIISbHMqdj8BPbVsItoaLvbjm5vSMtR17kWYWZADM9tfG2vBvEefThQHpZSwFg39bs441nNkPRjDmoroOwNHku4B4Q/s320/time.jpeg" width="268" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from @teachergoals on Twitter)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>We Are Teachers</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I get an email from this group a few times a week and thought this was too good to keep to myself. Check out all of these <a href="https://subscribe.weareteachers.com/index.php/email/emailWebview?md_id=9905" target="_blank">teacher giveaways</a>. Good luck!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Jon Gordon email (I get these almost daily, and the BEST just caught my attention.)</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_5715061711317275543editor-col m_5715061711317275543OneColumnMobile" style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_5715061711317275543editor-text m_5715061711317275543editor-text" style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 36px; font-weight: bold;">9 Things The Best in Business and Sports Do</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_5715061711317275543editor-col m_5715061711317275543OneColumnMobile" style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_5715061711317275543editor-text m_5715061711317275543editor-text" style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">I’ve been very fortunate over the last two decades to work with many of the best leaders and organizations in business, sports, healthcare and education. I’ve found that the best in these different fields implement the same principles and practices. Here are some of my findings:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">1. The best know what they want. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">They have clarity that drives their actions. When you are on a mission with a vision you won't give up when faced with challenges. It’s essential that everyone in the organization is clear on the vision and mission and knows how they can contribute to it.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">2. The best build a great culture.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;"> Culture drives expectations and beliefs. Expectation and beliefs drive behaviors. Behaviors drive habits. Habits create the future. If you want the fruit you must invest in the root. Culture is the root. Culture creates sustained success.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">3. The best do ordinary things better than everyone else. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">Success is all about the fundamentals. Vince Lombardi once held a 4-day coaching clinic and spent 2 full days on one play: the power sweep. Opponents knew it was coming but still couldn't stop it.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">4. The best are mentally stronger. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">Through adversity their belief is greater their circumstance. Research at Duke University shows that optimists work harder, get paid more and are more likely to succeed in business and sports. Because they believe it, they take the actions necessary to create it.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">5. The best overcome their fear of failure.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;"> Everyone has fear but the best overcome it. They don’t allow it to control, limit or paralyze them from taking action. The greatest success strategy is to focus on the love of what you are doing instead of fearing the outcome.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">6. The best build great relationships and teams. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">No once creates success alone. We all need a team to accomplish something great. </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001NEjaogALoUaBcyrCWc9KDAPM-XE_-veL_9ZD9cbf7OyKqNPlOm8Hm-LifckMacOee5iRHagY1GKG179Ip9ZJB_eewF5Hhos2xI81hrNd_vbAo-8sKCv_oGdvmtZPeHUqoAtvYQ9DBafYHenMBB_9oPvSbmgvNJHa%26c%3D41F-10PG8XLlwHglS9A_kA5mYtcNVw6BiJJ1icu4gfKB_1W8FHjnPg%3D%3D%26ch%3DvhI7iNtpO4yg7UZ3jOZA6b-R6uRKK81IEH--4RQwr3QaAduWbMXcfA%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1652459128818000&usg=AOvVaw2k6JiiskGJ36CH6XyiH2zo" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001NEjaogALoUaBcyrCWc9KDAPM-XE_-veL_9ZD9cbf7OyKqNPlOm8Hm-LifckMacOee5iRHagY1GKG179Ip9ZJB_eewF5Hhos2xI81hrNd_vbAo-8sKCv_oGdvmtZPeHUqoAtvYQ9DBafYHenMBB_9oPvSbmgvNJHa&c=41F-10PG8XLlwHglS9A_kA5mYtcNVw6BiJJ1icu4gfKB_1W8FHjnPg==&ch=vhI7iNtpO4yg7UZ3jOZA6b-R6uRKK81IEH--4RQwr3QaAduWbMXcfA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #0078c1; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">The best leaders and teams utilize the 4 Cs</a><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">. They communicate, connect, commit and care.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">7. The best transform negativity. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">They allow negativity to sabotage their team and mission. One person can’t make a team but one person can break a team. Great leaders and teams feed the positive and weed the negative.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_5715061711317275543editor-col m_5715061711317275543OneColumnMobile" style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_5715061711317275543editor-image m_5715061711317275543editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><img alt="7 Things Team" border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjeIyuj213a8X1sAIQZWVEvNPIsIyzTaVQonKPSntk3mBXUQtHydQEx_9iyS9kgac6a_hPmCGaZP-9d_142tvJjvqKvJsy2x3q5SJBh90eHpz6kGvvBVeKFx6ETfNTBrW3AIQyf1HmYf3ZG47fB_m8KlXcF36m7Klk0rHN794NfZKK1HI7HP46QnFra9zq1SjJOzrirog=s0-d-e1-ft" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" vspace="0" width="341" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_5715061711317275543editor-col m_5715061711317275543OneColumnMobile" style="font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_5715061711317275543editor-text m_5715061711317275543editor-text" style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">8. The best think like rookies and overcome the curse of experience. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">They don’t expect a bad outcome because it happened before. They don't long for the good ole days. They work hard, believe anything is possible and create the good ole days right now. They innovate, adapt and turn challenges into growth opportunities.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">9. The best care more. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14px;">In a world where most don’t care those who care stand out and perform better. They put more time and energy into their product, design, service, and/or craft. Joe DiMaggio said there’s always some kid seeing me for the first time. I owe him my best!</span></div><div><br style="background-color: white;" /></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>"'Til You Can't", a song by Cody Johnson</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Coming back to school from my mom's appointment on Wednesday I heard this song. There have been too many coincidences that have happened in the last 10 days, I'm thinking they were Godwinks, that make me know that I chose the right time to retire. If you have a few minutes, please listen to this song.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v2LixP7n_hM" width="320" youtube-src-id="v2LixP7n_hM"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>I am so looking forward to being with you after school tonight. Let's promise not to talk school but instead let's talk about our summer plans, our families, or the book you're reading. It has been an exhausting week, both physically and mentally, and the weekend couldn't be happening at a better time. I hope to see you at Ironwood after school, the Bucks game will be on, and the first one is on me.<div>Have a great weekend!</div><div>Jay</div><div><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-56001997380284537432022-05-06T03:40:00.001-07:002022-05-06T03:40:54.950-07:00Zoom out<div style="text-align: left;">You have heard me talk about George Couros from time to time. I share his blogs with you in our weekly nuts and bolts and he joined us in December via Google Meet for our staff meeting. Saturday morning I read his latest weekly email and this quote struck me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkAtOiQRCHZQ7tIr1mRnPt_oYw93Iu5qYdPGN-1SVr1H2Heae6Hczrmlebse5-YT_5pY7Hfz_YdpQ1Zh64lDNUCd-YTXBJR6loI9T35Agunr3pA9cN-1gvBCkBHnRFBl-9GKxsAZODL0FarChAD_9m9IuwqTPYePOflWzRtwisJ0KMWtjyQqXNKx5aA/s1575/zoomout.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1284" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkAtOiQRCHZQ7tIr1mRnPt_oYw93Iu5qYdPGN-1SVr1H2Heae6Hczrmlebse5-YT_5pY7Hfz_YdpQ1Zh64lDNUCd-YTXBJR6loI9T35Agunr3pA9cN-1gvBCkBHnRFBl-9GKxsAZODL0FarChAD_9m9IuwqTPYePOflWzRtwisJ0KMWtjyQqXNKx5aA/w326-h400/zoomout.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The quote and accompanying visual were what I needed as I reflected on the week. The quote is from Dr. Will Deyamport while speaking about financial literacy with George. Think about a point in time from this week or a day this week. It might be a high or it might be a low. But that's just one point on your weekly timeline. Hopefully you've had more highs than lows (the visual on the left above) but I know that the trajectory of your week is on an upward trajectory (the visual on the right above). I encourage you to reflect on your days and your weeks and find the good in each of them. The school year is quickly coming to an end and we have so much good to remember. And those good moments are what help us come back to school every day for our kids.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.smore.com/ak47n" target="_blank">Here's our family smore for the week</a>. I'll be adding more pictures before I send this out to families at 2:00 today so if you have any pictures you'd like to share, please do!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 6th </b>Merton only Student Senate Dance</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 11th </b>District meeting 7:45AM/ AHS visits our 8th graders 1PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 13th </b>Career Day for 6th-8th grades in the AM/ District Celebration after school</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 13th-Sunday May 15th </b>PTO Scavenger Hunt</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, May 17th </b>7th and 8th grade Mega Math Meet in Madison</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 18th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, May 19th </b>5th and 6th grade Mega Math Meet in Madison</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, May 23rd </b>Student Achievement Committee 4:30PM/ School Board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, May 24th </b>Final Band Concert</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 25th </b>NJHS induction ceremony 5:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, May 30th </b>Memorial Day (No School)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, June 2nd </b>Celebration Day</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, June 3rd </b>Celebration Day rain date/ 4th to 5th grade transition afternoon</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, June 6th </b>8th grade Day Away</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, June 7th </b>8th grade graduation</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, June 8th </b>Last day of school (half day)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Made for the Moment"</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are all made for every moment we encounter.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whether the moment makes us or we make the moment.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where we are helpless in it or on top of it,</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The predator or the prey.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are made for that moment</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Matthew McConaughey (from his book <i>Greenlights</i>)</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6P4EqNzmtcipCndexOUGuEaHmymY82aijmXhAdvUL9Ia2rH-DuhJdZSUlX-f38jumdNB2I7n7hKgt-v8GfhJRvcnpsQit-krtbkMcrHjH2LoXC8iOtHYedH73i9FG1HmQ3DaEWCcHncJAvU9yARLecdIKZFaGfw8UQXzhZyqaV8w7ydAvsvI4uAw7Q/s3920/self-respect.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6P4EqNzmtcipCndexOUGuEaHmymY82aijmXhAdvUL9Ia2rH-DuhJdZSUlX-f38jumdNB2I7n7hKgt-v8GfhJRvcnpsQit-krtbkMcrHjH2LoXC8iOtHYedH73i9FG1HmQ3DaEWCcHncJAvU9yARLecdIKZFaGfw8UQXzhZyqaV8w7ydAvsvI4uAw7Q/w400-h164/self-respect.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></span><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough."</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">William Blake, poet, painter</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin: 0pt 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gydZ8fxdsqCScAdUltCGYmBfqk9VrnurTzWrnxYx0BmRRV6RSrLR3WQu3Q0_Ilr4J3UshHeZpRxajgL4m-AiADmob1WUVHLmG3hNI_SRb80_qdQwOjcZlNN3bMfBNTrpTg-gBSDWhRJwNvlHYAVE3ZwGAGHKRW77jQs37szQ9ZM3naHM-HkKNlGe3w/s680/remember.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="680" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gydZ8fxdsqCScAdUltCGYmBfqk9VrnurTzWrnxYx0BmRRV6RSrLR3WQu3Q0_Ilr4J3UshHeZpRxajgL4m-AiADmob1WUVHLmG3hNI_SRb80_qdQwOjcZlNN3bMfBNTrpTg-gBSDWhRJwNvlHYAVE3ZwGAGHKRW77jQs37szQ9ZM3naHM-HkKNlGe3w/s320/remember.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">(@graceandcompany)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Everyone has to figure out their own line in the sand."</div><div style="text-align: center;">David Henry Hwang, playwright, screenwriter, librettist</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E2CLjOspxjZgVrwaFdh1hIbdjq67B842k7CKB_VuEsmI_hgoyRsvP8f9XNS0MPwOqTE9RDFD38TuP986wDULXdTGF7dWusPR-wPLsHCq6stiENU9spSG-4B26RRlP2r--GNjUtJUw4nP2CQUFHjLcxJcLwvC0TKXHO5tnaNb1ESgrbTYz0eLiA8uyQ/s3920/doing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E2CLjOspxjZgVrwaFdh1hIbdjq67B842k7CKB_VuEsmI_hgoyRsvP8f9XNS0MPwOqTE9RDFD38TuP986wDULXdTGF7dWusPR-wPLsHCq6stiENU9spSG-4B26RRlP2r--GNjUtJUw4nP2CQUFHjLcxJcLwvC0TKXHO5tnaNb1ESgrbTYz0eLiA8uyQ/w400-h164/doing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDKNTP6jxHnhVvT37RlT4rpj4ppzLTzQcGPnjlxJu_YysIZrckmarSSjYIy-5Rd6ii2BJymIdDgunG2NTJufN5SPiUch58fNwUW0VrrYxhcM414OnKiN7eNzBnnYmiK_TbjJYAG_60Ifo9BK5WPSzU8-S5CsF3m2OL0YIC8RSpjTbjCUvaH7hLK8ILQ/s600/nita-leland-whatever-direction-your-life-takes-your-underlying-quote-on-storemypic-9f610.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDKNTP6jxHnhVvT37RlT4rpj4ppzLTzQcGPnjlxJu_YysIZrckmarSSjYIy-5Rd6ii2BJymIdDgunG2NTJufN5SPiUch58fNwUW0VrrYxhcM414OnKiN7eNzBnnYmiK_TbjJYAG_60Ifo9BK5WPSzU8-S5CsF3m2OL0YIC8RSpjTbjCUvaH7hLK8ILQ/s320/nita-leland-whatever-direction-your-life-takes-your-underlying-quote-on-storemypic-9f610.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from George Couros)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUXfZXF3WXbk88-_0DUoBeL6Rv6_HIiVvney9Gw5TT6vg-v7EnSnRjaIgwrvFv3Rfy-DWCwrQJr25HsxCcZB5WHgscEv6wDLJTuhi3DoJVVgc-iy3PPJuBmEAB6l4i550WY42lfgLz0FFTR6ECyOGRisQNGMDBMpv87zo_WjgDYTme06dPn1ozglezQ/s680/focus.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUXfZXF3WXbk88-_0DUoBeL6Rv6_HIiVvney9Gw5TT6vg-v7EnSnRjaIgwrvFv3Rfy-DWCwrQJr25HsxCcZB5WHgscEv6wDLJTuhi3DoJVVgc-iy3PPJuBmEAB6l4i550WY42lfgLz0FFTR6ECyOGRisQNGMDBMpv87zo_WjgDYTme06dPn1ozglezQ/s320/focus.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Educator Effectiveness</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">How are you doing with Educator Effectiveness? Do you have any questions? Have you thought about setting up a time to meet for our end of the year meeting? I have already had some of these meetings and look forward to meeting with all of you before the end of the school year. Please do your best to set up these meetings between now and Friday, May 20th.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Next week...</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have had the honor and privilege of coaching one of our volleyball teams this year. It's a great group of girls who have fun and want to get better. We talk about doing three things well each game- get our serves in, cover the floor, and have fun. Our last practice is Tuesday morning before school and our tournament is on Thursday after school. I'm not mentioning this so you can come watch us play (but if you want to we play at Arrowhead at 6:30ish) but instead to let you know that I will have more time for before and after school meetings if that fits better into your schedule to meet with me. I wrote a <a href="https://jayposick.blogspot.com/2017/01/call-me-coach.html" target="_blank">blogpost</a> titled "Call Me Coach" in 2017 with my friend Dennis Schug, a principal from NYC, about being a principal and a coach. As the season has progressed, the girls have started calling me coach more often than Mr. Posick. I must admit I really like that, but I like even more the reflective conversations that we have about your impact on our kids.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This weekend is Mother's Day, a weekend that I always spend with family. Jen and I are spending time in Fox Lake this weekend with her family and Lauren. I'm also running a 5K in Pardeeville (Isn't that a great name for a Wisconsin town?) on Saturday morning. It's also opening weekend for fishing. Running and fishing are two of my favorite things to do to relax and reflect. I'll be with my mom and dad on Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day. I encourage you to spend time with your family and friends this weekend. It's a great weekend to make the moments count instead of counting the moments.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a great weekend!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div></span><p></p></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-66547799168412017532022-04-29T03:54:00.002-07:002022-04-29T03:54:41.653-07:00It's really May?!?!When you return to school on Monday it will be May. Can you believe it? As I look at the calendar below there is a lot going on. And what's on the calendar doesn't include everything that you're doing in your classrooms with our students. I've seen all sorts of things from poetry to classroom assessments to worms to read alouds to tennis to snapcircuits to pancakes to small groups at white tables to choir and band rehearsals to weaving to tennis to presentations. You get the picture. I saw all of this over the course of 4 days this week. It shows me that you are all keeping our kids engaged. The more our kids are engaged, the quicker your classes go and the better the kids behave. I look forward to being in classrooms today and in the weeks to come.<div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, May 3rd </b>Final Choir Concerts 7:00PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 4th </b>Building meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 6th </b>Merton only Student Senate Dance</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 11th </b>District meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 13th </b>Career Day for 6th-8th grades in the AM/ District Celebration after school</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 13th-Sunday May 15th </b>PTO Scavenger Hunt</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 18th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, May 23rd </b>Student Achievement Committee 4:30PM/ School Board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, May 24th </b>Final Band Concerts</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Be driven, be focused, but enjoy every moment, because it only happens once."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alicia Keys, singer-songwriter, musician</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSd1Jk5-OQLNJWC-1rcq3fhXvj03wgus-lb8NwvpRRigowSx_OEfRUM6FUZRBsKHuXaToMNasZ6M1WZii5IASqW0w79tYydLsdAFumSOblxFbeSGEkReagPezl7o9ZCi5ofi0stqPylwdJ3bJrb9Zxh4aSH80fg7meeXV3PuD1CGEiHmUV9HIYPk8LQ/s2940/timegivenus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2940" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSd1Jk5-OQLNJWC-1rcq3fhXvj03wgus-lb8NwvpRRigowSx_OEfRUM6FUZRBsKHuXaToMNasZ6M1WZii5IASqW0w79tYydLsdAFumSOblxFbeSGEkReagPezl7o9ZCi5ofi0stqPylwdJ3bJrb9Zxh4aSH80fg7meeXV3PuD1CGEiHmUV9HIYPk8LQ/w400-h164/timegivenus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Doubt can motivate you, so don't be afraid of it. Confidence and doubt are at two ends of the scale, and you need them both."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barbra Streisand, singer-songwriter, actor, filmmaker</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bertrand Russell, philosopher, logician, mathematician, social critic, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>A-team meeting updates</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Technology: </span></span></p></li><ul style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Testing for panic buttons- need a date that allows for us to test 911 message alerts. Discussion on date and time. Plan to have this occur at 8:00AM, communication will be sent to families, community members, and staff regarding this. Date will be set in the future.</span></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">10 I-PADS for individual students’ needs will be purchased for 2022-23. 4K-1st grades will have </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Chromebook Tablets ordered </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">to update our classroom needs.</span></span></p></li></ul><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Building & Grounds: Looking to hire; thank you to everyone for the additional support.</span></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finances: Curriculum & Tech Curriculum expense tracking will be something that we are working on to allow staff to know what we have and what staff has access to in order to support our students.</span></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Curriculum & Instruction: </span></span></p></li><ul style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Student Achievement May 23 begin @ 4:30.</span></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 11 District Wide 7:45 @ IS- Little Theater</span></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">August 15-17 New Teacher Induction Dates</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Family smore</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some of you may be wondering what happened to our family smore. I do send it out every week. It's on <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/merton.k12.wi.us/principal-s-page/home/family-emails?authuser=0" target="_blank">my webpage</a> and on the Twitters and the Facebook. Although I need to add more pictures to complete this week's smore, <a href="https://www.smore.com/4zsyb" target="_blank">here is the link</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Personal day requests</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are no more requests for personal days on May 20th. Please see me if you have any questions.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Thanks for stepping up and stepping in</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday we had a number of people step up to cover classrooms as we were in a pinch for guest teachers. You have all been so helpful covering classes this year but yesterday took a village. Thanks to Matt, Mary, Janine, Janice, Becky O., Becky F., Leah, and Dave. Not only did you step up, you did so with a smile. Thank you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tonight after school the PTO has a Mother-Son baseball night. Ron and I are grilling for the moms and sons before they head off to the Brewers versus Cubs game tonight. Stop on out on the blacktop if you'd like to "grill" Ron and I before you head home tonight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Have a great weekend, and make time for yourself, your family, and your friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-71881221609553605872022-04-22T03:45:00.001-07:002022-04-22T03:47:53.109-07:00Forward Exams are done, so now what?It seems that the focus for most of us all year has been Forward testing. We have talked about how we are preparing our students, how we will make the testing environment as quiet and focused as possible, and how we can make sure that our students are giving their best effort and taking their time. Now that Forward testing is over, except for the students who will need to do makeup tests, we should set our sites on continuing to provide excellent learning experiences for all of our students. We still have important learning to do! Keep student learning moving forward, pushing our students to stretch themselves and ask more of themselves. Collaborate with your colleagues and connect with your students and their families. My work to provide feedback isn't over for you now that Forward Exams are over. Please invite me in to see the great things you are doing with and for our kids. You know I love being in your classrooms more than being in my office, and I'd love to stop in, observe what's happening, and then have a discussion following my visits. I am excited to watch what the next six weeks has in store for our kids, and for you!<div><br /></div><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, April 25th </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, April 27th </b>Grade level meetings 7:45AM/ Arrowhead Math placement test in the PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, May 3rd </b>Final Choir Concerts</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 4th </b>Building meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 6th </b>Merton only Student Senate Dance</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 11th </b>District meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 13th </b>Career Day for 6th-8th grades in the AM/ District Celebration after school</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, May 13th-Sunday May 15th </b>PTO Scavenger Hunt</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, May 18th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, May 23rd </b>Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Forward Exam makeups</i></b></div><div>Here's the plan for the next few days.</div><div><b>Friday, April 22nd</b><span> Grades 5-8 ELA Session 1 at 9:00AM in room 119</span></div><div><span><b>Friday, April 22nd</b><span> Grades 5-8 ELA Session 2 at 10:30AM in </span></span>room 119</div><div><span><span><b>Monday, April 25th</b><span> Grades 5&6 ELA session 4 9:00AM in the computer lab</span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><b>Monday, April 25th</b><span> Grades 7&8 ELA session 4 10:00AM in the computer lab</span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><b>Monday, April 25th</b><span> Grades 5-8 ELA session 3 11:00AM in the computer lab (headphones needed)</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><b>Tuesday, April 26th</b><span> Grade 8 Science and Social Studies 9:00AM in </span></span></span></span></span></span>room 119</div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Tuesday, April 26th</b><span> Grades 6-8 Math session 1 10:30AM in </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>room 119</div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b>Wednesday, April 27th-Friday, April 29th </b>TBD</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>*Room 119 is right across from the library. It's the Health, Geometry, and 8th grade Algebra A classroom.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><b><i>A-team update</i></b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-99936d3f-7fff-9c92-284f-7e5a1277d984"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emergency Procedures Discussion. These have been </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dvW52_hOIR9IE9JS5mZhp7TLPNvLPboFtppyK2kCZn8/edit?usp=sharing" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Updated</span></a>. <span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember to put 1 in your sub folder. Have you checked your map for your tornado location? We'll be having a tornado drill next week.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">End of the Year Room Expectations: Packing up your room will be coming to assist with planning. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Summer School Rooms: After we have enrollment, we will assign rooms & let staff know. Summer School enrollment closes April 14. All summer school classes will be in the Primary School.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">District Postcards Highlights this Month: 3rd Grade Arcade, Math Meet, Staff Longevity.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Requirements for Substitutes: Can student teach and substitute in classroom, involved in teacher prep program & junior status & 15 hours of classroom observation- then can substitute.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Staffing Updates: Interviews set for April/ May for 5K & 3rd Grade positions. Interviewed this week for Intermediate School FACE teacher.</span></span></p></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div><div><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div><a href="https://pernillesripp.com/2022/04/18/a-small-question-to-help-build-positive-relationships/" target="_blank">A Small Question to Help Further Build Positive Relationships</a> (from Pernille Ripp)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBoqpWfeGaTdGd77yWbvGQtZySlmc0VWJWSxfUrsQEVDd8PiS6Yya57sIypFhGceYy8YrO2j9kohjg3VoCSgPpfdwwu-iuOOnrGbxBUbdj8VyeFDSi_zWEw5Qvrlp8ulylr2ZG5ktmckWl1XTWTmoDA1TrpeotYddLoGt7xkbUrWbd_rb3_ZVV7-nXw/s512/compare.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBoqpWfeGaTdGd77yWbvGQtZySlmc0VWJWSxfUrsQEVDd8PiS6Yya57sIypFhGceYy8YrO2j9kohjg3VoCSgPpfdwwu-iuOOnrGbxBUbdj8VyeFDSi_zWEw5Qvrlp8ulylr2ZG5ktmckWl1XTWTmoDA1TrpeotYddLoGt7xkbUrWbd_rb3_ZVV7-nXw/w400-h300/compare.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from MindShift)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"If you're waiting for the right time...Time never comes, time only goes."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Azereth Skivel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cX-YlUsvMIkroxP6GBRhjXeKfYXGnomA8AxgyB1KPH6jhWUDoAOcINZwc2ut0P82pCacVfRYzwFAnuWPNoOqOpp1hscPrH_lMASYRk1nXvbMTaHM4KkP780kk6b-iTfdDfIL-NjZ0BymVYCFNsu72RmjVgjK0rTk8ieGN_q3qaiWJPjVhrmy7pmJRw/s759/toughestclimbs.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="759" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cX-YlUsvMIkroxP6GBRhjXeKfYXGnomA8AxgyB1KPH6jhWUDoAOcINZwc2ut0P82pCacVfRYzwFAnuWPNoOqOpp1hscPrH_lMASYRk1nXvbMTaHM4KkP780kk6b-iTfdDfIL-NjZ0BymVYCFNsu72RmjVgjK0rTk8ieGN_q3qaiWJPjVhrmy7pmJRw/w400-h297/toughestclimbs.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from George Couros' blog)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"The best thing a human being can do is to help another human being know more."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Charlie Munger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Family smore</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some of you may be wondering what happened to our family smore. I do send it out every week. It's on <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/merton.k12.wi.us/principal-s-page/home/family-emails?authuser=0" target="_blank">my webpage</a> and on the Twitters and the Facebook. Although I need one more picture to complete this week's smore, <a href="https://www.smore.com/p6hkc" target="_blank">here is the link</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Personal day requests</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a reminder from Wednesday's meetings that there are no more requests for personal days on April 29th or May 20th. Please see me if you have any questions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm looking forward to the weekend because I'll be with my family a lot. Saturday morning is golf with my dad, brother, and brother in law. Then there's a surprise birthday party for my brother in law in the afternoon (Don't tell him!). On Sunday Jen and I will probably be doing some work around the yard, getting our patio set for Spring and Summer nights, and maybe watching a little NASCAR. I hope that you are able to enjoy time with your family and friends this weekend, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-40275032956682006532022-04-14T03:34:00.001-07:002022-04-14T03:34:50.784-07:00CurveballsBaseball season is underway and with it hopefully some better weather. Where is this Spring of which people speak? Anyway, I saw this quote and it made me think about our path to success.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"The shortest distance between two point may be a straight line, but it's in the curving paths that the best things are found."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lygia Fagundes Telles, writer, lawyer</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our path to success for our students and our school has not been a straight line. We have try something, reflect on how it works, make adjustments, reflect on the adjustments, and make more adjustments. It's a continuous process and one that involves and requires collaboration and feedback. The straight line approach might appear easier but it also isn't practical. Noting truly moves in a straight line. There are curves along the way and that's how it should be. The one thing we can't do is stay still, and I know you all well enough to know that you don't stay still for long. Let's keep reflecting on what we're doing and enjoy the curving paths that are leading us to more success.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, April 14th </b>Forward testing for all</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, April 15th-Monday, April 18th </b>Spring Break #2 (No School)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, April 19th-21st </b>Forward testing</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, April 20th </b>PTO Culver's Night (see below)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, April 25th </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, blogs, and quotes</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced."</div><div style="text-align: center;">James Baldwin, American novelist and activist</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeKXLx34_T_yrwfb49O_6VAWPsH_JJp36neMYojDXKu4unju6uvG2Pd1D6niwTN8YBuOsZPFRf2ctm6VNow9J0TbcP5nHQAKlmBwxWvf-VlGQ9qADdn81_TLZxHs5t0J0CNP_zxT-akjm-qT14HLUJQskqKtxgZC9SMlJ304f5x9yWk-TTCXDGqHRhg/s900/example.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeKXLx34_T_yrwfb49O_6VAWPsH_JJp36neMYojDXKu4unju6uvG2Pd1D6niwTN8YBuOsZPFRf2ctm6VNow9J0TbcP5nHQAKlmBwxWvf-VlGQ9qADdn81_TLZxHs5t0J0CNP_zxT-akjm-qT14HLUJQskqKtxgZC9SMlJ304f5x9yWk-TTCXDGqHRhg/w320-h400/example.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from @teachergoals)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"We need to do things without expecting benefits in return."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lygia Fagundes Telles, writer, lawyer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ3hDM8eKb7gGLcaO2tCVM4rP8Ba--eGckGsDgNRMzYw8i2vtD6QASDEar0JPl8KAOMfLB4RLknxbRsiwZ53OilF4iFeHGjhGJEQBExUZFgalrStIhcnWTWTFp2-MRIz0HR9Y1_gOOUV2i7UMi94UQia5HQb77AFQOSH61X8VqeFhCinDkYgWKCCbSA/s3920/craftfeeling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ3hDM8eKb7gGLcaO2tCVM4rP8Ba--eGckGsDgNRMzYw8i2vtD6QASDEar0JPl8KAOMfLB4RLknxbRsiwZ53OilF4iFeHGjhGJEQBExUZFgalrStIhcnWTWTFp2-MRIz0HR9Y1_gOOUV2i7UMi94UQia5HQb77AFQOSH61X8VqeFhCinDkYgWKCCbSA/w400-h164/craftfeeling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xDOk6vryPwTYWxaEFOKsU2Kc_WsKNAJs9z3Idl311kGErfMehN2cj_AT18codq_U3K2bMfDIcnnsR0DsK1ZvdN4ePFwooiPnMQ5TDE2EOgaG9YX4dNag_vPyVIm1p-sfdrGYKVQJEg-e-Twihu38IIMi5TWSS3c1kMQDnqc9ziFrxcfzYe-zM-lOzg/s1961/whyhow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xDOk6vryPwTYWxaEFOKsU2Kc_WsKNAJs9z3Idl311kGErfMehN2cj_AT18codq_U3K2bMfDIcnnsR0DsK1ZvdN4ePFwooiPnMQ5TDE2EOgaG9YX4dNag_vPyVIm1p-sfdrGYKVQJEg-e-Twihu38IIMi5TWSS3c1kMQDnqc9ziFrxcfzYe-zM-lOzg/w400-h164/whyhow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle1ThX007ZBE6eQU9gWf4NP11Pg7rys4cmWZybzNSjcQR2_zlUU22-fllF6Rs_nHLEWYOMAQ8Q5s0YkeF-t1af-ubmLQyu5znMCOTxPjRvjcf0n1JicquVTU-S0t8bjk3PbqWarK9nblgEar_87x5CwN1uR-MYq__p0LMOTK0S_PUVx1WHWPVGEqCog/s828/unique.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="828" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle1ThX007ZBE6eQU9gWf4NP11Pg7rys4cmWZybzNSjcQR2_zlUU22-fllF6Rs_nHLEWYOMAQ8Q5s0YkeF-t1af-ubmLQyu5znMCOTxPjRvjcf0n1JicquVTU-S0t8bjk3PbqWarK9nblgEar_87x5CwN1uR-MYq__p0LMOTK0S_PUVx1WHWPVGEqCog/w400-h260/unique.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from @tedhiff on the Twitters)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>PTO Culver's Nights</i></b></div><div>On April 20th, the PTO will benefit from Culver's Night in Hartland. Although I haven't been there in a while, our families really like to see staff members there. We even get to take food to tables and cars! The PTO gets a percentage of the proceeds from 4:00-8:00. You don't need to stay the entire time, in fact I try to shoot for 5:30 when it's closer to dinner time. If you are interested in joining me for a bit that night, please let me know or, better yet, just show up and surprise the families!</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Forward Exams</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next week ends our scheduled Forward Exams. I am apologizing in advance for the interruptions that will occur starting next week and extending into the following week as we make every effort to have our students complete the make up exams. If there is a day for us to avoid, please let me know so that I can try to work around that day or class period. As I reflect on the Forward Exam so far, I've heard you talk about how we have been able to create really good testing environments. I've also you talk about how seriously the students are taking the sessions. Thanks for reminding your classes of the importance of taking their time and doing their best. I think that everything you have done to help our students prepare will show up in the results. Keep up the great work! Only three testing days left!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we approach Spring Break #2, I hope that you make time for your family and friends and stay away from school work as much as possible. I won't reach out to you unless there's an emergency. If you need to get in touch with me, texting will be your best option.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a great 4 day weekend!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-22703442664416192712022-04-08T03:44:00.000-07:002022-04-08T03:44:34.044-07:00Thank you!<div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for a wonderful week! I must admit that I was anxious about our staff meeting and our assembly. In case you want to see the presentation I shared at the assembly, <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lFBu5HhhB-DSs8ArHwdvGPU__oXvMUoZnRzLOxKoB84/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here it is</a>. I really have missed the assemblies and hope to have one in May if our schedule permits. Although I didn't get into as many classrooms this week as I would have liked, when I was in classrooms I was inspired by your preparation for instruction, the way you support your students, and your genuine concern for all students in your classrooms. Next week is only four days long, but for our students it might seem longer as they have Forward Exams in Math or Language Arts. Please keep that in mind as you plan for assignments and assessments. Be more present in our hallways during transition time especially on days when we are testing. You have done amazing work preparing our students. All that's left is to provide them with the best testing environment possible. The rest is up to them, and they are ready!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>April 4th-9th </b>Little Mermaid Jr. Musical Week!</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, April 8th </b>PTO meeting 9:45AM/Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Saturday, April 9th </b>Little Mermaid Jr. 2PM and 7PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, April 11th-Thursday, April 14th </b>Forward testing for all</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, April 15th-Monday, April 18th </b>Spring Break #2 (No School)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, April 19th-21st </b>Forward testing</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, April 20th </b>PTO Culver's Night (see below)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, April 25th </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13515" target="_blank">"So much with so little"</a> from George Couros</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Throw yourself toward the unfamiliar. Let curiosity be your guide."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah Jessica Parker, actor, producer, businessperson, philanthropist</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V7nDkDJUpFB4Zv9Usyl3PrmpYH9bT4eSRaGKlpXaG9TdcjcD3FpQxrdA6CWZZ3JnCjApJybHodtrd0k17Znq5LRtwfbJXuQgY7FGXbyXrJSB3rTw8O1LXnOVNfz6pS7iCye0w26uGzPSeMFPssl0vnK1GChL-PtJ1EDWxkGfi0o6n3VsDUENmxBhEw/s3920/curisity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V7nDkDJUpFB4Zv9Usyl3PrmpYH9bT4eSRaGKlpXaG9TdcjcD3FpQxrdA6CWZZ3JnCjApJybHodtrd0k17Znq5LRtwfbJXuQgY7FGXbyXrJSB3rTw8O1LXnOVNfz6pS7iCye0w26uGzPSeMFPssl0vnK1GChL-PtJ1EDWxkGfi0o6n3VsDUENmxBhEw/w400-h164/curisity.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Despite the help you may have received along the way, if was, in the end, and individual undertaking."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah Jessica Parker, actor, producer, businessperson, philanthropist</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBhM9hPOVw5XealtB4vFtf4DSRBywfUa_w0ODmzapTlRehY-4q_mIk8qjnayBwSNxodPMExAhvrM-2BbspanQebzBnHOpJb_LbXDkY9cRlncGM1gBsvQcsIzMC_JaU5KGqEjTFGCLWRNFtQxr2gfMpoeEqxmBa5u86rfmuDy8kgYjPkZ7ZX9gP6n2Vg/s225/itdoesntmatter.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBhM9hPOVw5XealtB4vFtf4DSRBywfUa_w0ODmzapTlRehY-4q_mIk8qjnayBwSNxodPMExAhvrM-2BbspanQebzBnHOpJb_LbXDkY9cRlncGM1gBsvQcsIzMC_JaU5KGqEjTFGCLWRNFtQxr2gfMpoeEqxmBa5u86rfmuDy8kgYjPkZ7ZX9gP6n2Vg/w400-h400/itdoesntmatter.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(www.mrsdscorner.com)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"People are always neglecting something they can do in trying to do something they can't do."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Edgar Watson Howe, writer, newspaper and magazine editor</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><i>Brian is doing well after his surgery</i></b></div><div>Just providing an update on Brian. His surgery went well, although he's in quite a bit of pain. He promises me that he will do what the doctors tell him to do. He thanks you all for your prayers and well wishes.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>PTO Culver's Nights</i></b></div><div>On April 20th, the PTO will benefit from Culver's Night in Hartland. Although I haven't been there in a while, our families really like to see staff members there. We even get to take food to tables and cars! The PTO gets a percentage of the proceeds from 4:00-8:00. You don't need to stay the entire time, in fact I try to shoot for 5:30 when it's closer to dinner time. If you are interested in joining me for a bit that night, please let me know or, better yet, just show up and surprise the families!</div><div><br /></div><div>I started by thanking you for a wonderful week. I'll end by thanking you for all that you do for our students, for your colleagues, and for our school. You all make our school a special place. Since the beginning of the school year your focus has been on our kids and their success. You review with students before and after school and during lunch times and prep periods. I notice, and the kids and their families notice, even if we don't say anything or send you an email or a note of thanks. Thank you!</div><div>Have a great weekend!</div><div>Jay</div><div><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-60750447559090117962022-04-01T03:54:00.000-07:002022-04-01T03:54:28.563-07:00Jump Around!<div style="text-align: left;">If you know anything about Wisconsin Badgers football games, you know that between the third and fourth quarter they play the song "Jump Around" by House of Pain. Here's a little clip if you're not familiar with the tradition.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SoXHXLYTAgs" width="320" youtube-src-id="SoXHXLYTAgs"></iframe></div>So, today is the end of the third quarter. Monday begins the fourth quarter. What do you have planned that will get the students, and your colleagues, fired up to finish strong? How can you bring the excitement of "Jump Around" at Camp Randall to your classroom? Maybe you don't want to bring that much excitement, but the importance of staying focused and energetic with our kids is very important. They notice when we aren't on our game. I'm hoping that the assembly on Thursday might bring some excitement, but not too much. I want to make sure that we are a respectful audience for Little Mermaid, Jr. Someone please let me know if I need to tone it down a bit. I'm looking forward to getting back to some assembly time with our kids. More to come on that next week.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>April 4th-9th </b>Little Mermaid Jr. Musical Week!</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, April 4th </b>8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, April 5th </b>8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, April 6th </b>Building meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, April 7th </b>All school assembly at 8:55/ School performance of Little Mermaid Jr. 10:15AM/ Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, April 8th </b>PTO meeting 9:45AM/Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Saturday, April 9th </b>Little Mermaid Jr. 2PM and 7PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, April 11th-Thursday, April 14th </b>Forward testing for all</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, April 15th-Monday, April 18th </b>Easter Break (No School)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, April 19th </b>Forward testing for all</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, April 20th </b>Forward testing for all/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, April 25th </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLsvIUBlvf4EEgk8UMU8TjlhgK43i6wEQqhiykdOIBcG-UdVhQSWGAy0Xu0lRfiZ8-yZm9mwU6jWg4ShSLr4GnYC_A8ABrlh6oPMPt89gSz54EZeTtoWGUcOB23LVplVwWc7ajp0YWXsjPOM59DM5TtNmkDEw1jyffy1Cu2EDtSVFDoDSJtdvnpcVmQ/s960/positivenegative%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLsvIUBlvf4EEgk8UMU8TjlhgK43i6wEQqhiykdOIBcG-UdVhQSWGAy0Xu0lRfiZ8-yZm9mwU6jWg4ShSLr4GnYC_A8ABrlh6oPMPt89gSz54EZeTtoWGUcOB23LVplVwWc7ajp0YWXsjPOM59DM5TtNmkDEw1jyffy1Cu2EDtSVFDoDSJtdvnpcVmQ/s320/positivenegative%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://allysonapsey.com/2022/03/27/when-in-doubt-go-high/" target="_blank">When in doubt, go high</a> from Allyson Apsey</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_plH6pnlXasLOSQeUEHxqNHs34tQvS0Jg7Sts7-aAfV2Qzr3cWMD9xiJKYq3eVbm6Pg_gXqoxJQHw3vK-pGoChJQ_19TDUZwaEXdrgOm-qNX09HRmcbXbij_ivnW5T03vRVrHt2t4FU-Kb3v5-NQLiYjD9rkZKRgxfWPixe1hueVbSxBGomCnn6lew/s1961/gratitude.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_plH6pnlXasLOSQeUEHxqNHs34tQvS0Jg7Sts7-aAfV2Qzr3cWMD9xiJKYq3eVbm6Pg_gXqoxJQHw3vK-pGoChJQ_19TDUZwaEXdrgOm-qNX09HRmcbXbij_ivnW5T03vRVrHt2t4FU-Kb3v5-NQLiYjD9rkZKRgxfWPixe1hueVbSxBGomCnn6lew/w400-h164/gratitude.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>I need your help with Homework Club</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I look at my schedule for the next couple of weeks, I have some conflicts with Homework Club dates due to some interviews. I would need some help on Tuesday, April 5th and Tuesday, April 12th. I meet the students in the library at 4:15 and we work together on things until 5:15. Please let me know if you might be able to help me out. Thanks for your consideration!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Wednesday we have a building meeting at 7:45</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">We'll meet in the Learning Lounge for some time together and discuss topics ranging from the Thursday morning assembly to the play to Forward testing. Oh, and we'll find out our teaching assignments, too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was an amazing week and, if you ask me, it went by really quickly. Our 8th graders have started the Forward Exam and have been doing well. I was able to stop by and into many classes and have seen you engaging our kids in learning activities that they are really into. Today ends the 3rd quarter. Can you believe it? Let's make sure to enjoy some time away from school this weekend and come back ready to go on Monday. Thanks for a great week!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-23526795756519572122022-03-18T04:00:00.001-07:002022-03-18T04:02:41.200-07:00It's Spring Break!It's hard to believe that it's already Spring Break. And then the week we get back will be the end of the 3rd quarter. Holy smokes! It's been an incredible year so far with its ups and downs and shoutouts and concerns. I hope that you can remember back to Wednesday's meeting and the 3-2-1 sheet I had you work on. Did you finish it? Did you share it with anyone? It's not homework, but it might be something for you to think about doing while on a beach, in a car, or at your home over the next week, or not. I don't want you to think that you have to do anything school related over break because you deserve time for yourself. I hope that you are able to do something over break that brings you back focused on finishing the school year strong.<div><br /></div><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th </b>Spring Break</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, March 28th </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 30th </b>Grade level meetings 7:45AM/ 8th grade Forward Exam (Social Studies in the AM)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, March 31st </b>8th grade Forward Exam (Social Studies in the AM)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, April 1st </b>8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)/End of third quarter (It's not April Fools. It's really the end of the quarter!)</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>April 4th-9th </b>Little Mermaid Jr. Musical Week!</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, April 4th </b>8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, April 5th </b>8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, April 6th </b>Building meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, April 7th </b>School performance of Little Mermaid Jr./ Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, April 8th </b>Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Saturday, April 9th </b>Little Mermaid Jr. 2PM and 7PM</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRRmzHCZuyI7oZVKDtaMuEbhYhKl7HuU_U3fWSqCpMgU_OzGhEAlQitvCoNx_Ah3YkV5hrx8lN95MbAvcUM0O9vu1yx87c8H1BNSl4YD1Y3RSdl-Kn_KaCVFTs4l26EzRz8M6EkCl2Sqk7WgJ9xa2bOQoG61OFRyfyP4YHrmm6yeo678awBbhXT1v7Ig=s1096" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1096" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRRmzHCZuyI7oZVKDtaMuEbhYhKl7HuU_U3fWSqCpMgU_OzGhEAlQitvCoNx_Ah3YkV5hrx8lN95MbAvcUM0O9vu1yx87c8H1BNSl4YD1Y3RSdl-Kn_KaCVFTs4l26EzRz8M6EkCl2Sqk7WgJ9xa2bOQoG61OFRyfyP4YHrmm6yeo678awBbhXT1v7Ig=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Remember that there's always another way of seeing things: that's the beginning of wisdom."</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">John Barth, writer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with the shades of deeper meaning."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maya Angelou, poet, writer, screenwriter, educator</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx6RRo8RNKZJ_jBQioqq6lRY6Bk5TDvcT31FavXJye_VLgIT9JduXcKfJ2sozgQXjNljmQRxB9-TNnQ_BTzYzM8ir30JnWRAvShjdy6QZAWRvb1FlqTmzN6B-45BeAP02fkxMHLyqro9PPbetLt_cGPKsOe-8p9_1zIrbfm62FuPX3mgDBnZVnpLvAtg=s3920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx6RRo8RNKZJ_jBQioqq6lRY6Bk5TDvcT31FavXJye_VLgIT9JduXcKfJ2sozgQXjNljmQRxB9-TNnQ_BTzYzM8ir30JnWRAvShjdy6QZAWRvb1FlqTmzN6B-45BeAP02fkxMHLyqro9PPbetLt_cGPKsOe-8p9_1zIrbfm62FuPX3mgDBnZVnpLvAtg=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"I learned the value of hard work by working hard."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"What people say, what people do, and what people say they do are entirely different things."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh22Ek3bLK0HAtzLsXnwsYdi7xJ241gaaMjxHSiHQfyZkVV3FBryPWliUUdk6ag4sG1emJCx5bfq2HRh8uYAjwTmHpH5Nj1qgVlZdTs0SQ_80pZhXo0iZt9prUX5TThDP1lAOPN1uh1-geIav2XfSY4jvHxoT2r4QeEqsgrsSZ2a5X4o3HaNT2Bri0dvQ=s1080" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1080" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh22Ek3bLK0HAtzLsXnwsYdi7xJ241gaaMjxHSiHQfyZkVV3FBryPWliUUdk6ag4sG1emJCx5bfq2HRh8uYAjwTmHpH5Nj1qgVlZdTs0SQ_80pZhXo0iZt9prUX5TThDP1lAOPN1uh1-geIav2XfSY4jvHxoT2r4QeEqsgrsSZ2a5X4o3HaNT2Bri0dvQ=w400-h283" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Jethro Jones)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Less than 12 hours from now you will have a chance to put school away for a while. As I mentioned on Wednesday morning, it's important to keep our students engaged all the way through the bell at 4:00. If you aren't planned there's more of a chance that behaviors will make you look a bit like Mona Lisa above. I'm heading to St. Louis and Nashville with Jen for the next few days and won't bother you unless something really major comes up. I certainly hope that doesn't happen. Let me know if I can be of any assistance today. I'm here for you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Spring Break!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-72678642537541107412022-03-11T03:49:00.000-08:002022-03-11T03:49:12.055-08:00Write a new ending...<div style="text-align: left;">You probably know that I like Brene Brown's book "Dare to Lead". I saw this quote from her recently.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Write a new ending for yourself, for the people you're meant to serve and support, and for your culture."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wow! Imagine if you could start every day with where you are and not look back at where you've been. As I think about all of your incredible work to make a difference with our students, both academically and socially, you should know it makes me think about the new ending you are writing for them for this school year. You are helping our students to become better students and, more importantly, better people. Think about the impact you are having with our students. They might not thank you to your face today, or next week, or maybe ever, but know the impact you have each and every day. You are writing an ending for each of our students every day that they didn't know was possible. Thank you for creating so many happy endings!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, March 11th </b>PTO meeting 9:30AM/ PTO Saz's Fish Fry fundraiser at Western Lakes 4-8PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, March 14th </b>School Board meeting 6PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 16th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, March 17th </b>Group pictures for the yearbook (Final schedule will be ready on Monday)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, March 18th </b>Jay is at the NCAA Frozen Four in State College, PA</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th </b>Spring Break</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, April 1st </b>End of third quarter (It's not April Fools. It's really the end of the quarter!)</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh43EkbVK0r8K9n5KcrqIurEu0rMVzHxT1b2QmSRPjAAMV2SJaqtWj6n0kXk7BJbKLXo3f6kOBCBhLFO-f5hwcrHCVmW-uAkhjKS9xWZAb4g7pEXR5O_fvgNZ524HwqLi-18kl4hnVrJCGWblp9V2nqDJ2THgWA1420kBkI2jRUiPjCwMJ7_ouATP3yqA=s3920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh43EkbVK0r8K9n5KcrqIurEu0rMVzHxT1b2QmSRPjAAMV2SJaqtWj6n0kXk7BJbKLXo3f6kOBCBhLFO-f5hwcrHCVmW-uAkhjKS9xWZAb4g7pEXR5O_fvgNZ524HwqLi-18kl4hnVrJCGWblp9V2nqDJ2THgWA1420kBkI2jRUiPjCwMJ7_ouATP3yqA=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13479" target="_blank">Stuck in Your Head and Heart</a> (from George Couros)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/91XDjGmalYk" width="320" youtube-src-id="91XDjGmalYk"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Jessica Cabeen, one of my middle school principal friends. Please take the time to watch this today!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brian Tracy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC3fIXl9z11j9gF8u8tnZkpx42NlWqwUZaQeZZ3j8Mj4HOKhTlKYonVTXRpdNEZfz6hXoCaOjjDvJW5pL5QxdstGqpSPIoZ_Dk13eNOqmqqxRqr-U04VSHgY2P894AOzGV-k7GCz13CON78_DaHp9bPdRe7VBC73pzdGO6xIpdt6stElgdiPOPaNnROQ=s680" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC3fIXl9z11j9gF8u8tnZkpx42NlWqwUZaQeZZ3j8Mj4HOKhTlKYonVTXRpdNEZfz6hXoCaOjjDvJW5pL5QxdstGqpSPIoZ_Dk13eNOqmqqxRqr-U04VSHgY2P894AOzGV-k7GCz13CON78_DaHp9bPdRe7VBC73pzdGO6xIpdt6stElgdiPOPaNnROQ=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from @teachergoals. Our students' families can do this and so can we!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC2wK0Os6JisFSe6WnPMPduHDWrqDnWIHHFWRyG6zLb66IDJ1puAJJevptmDFHKe0kDY-zt-Z3SwzBdGlRr1Go0qPJ5CQBaouKPztckq9yVRMDExeNBSwD-OwPHCmIATAEpA96Jnu2OvV3LBg8PdBIy1EdH9qdeUN5aBmhppxYCRYe8YuOtqExBumUeg=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC2wK0Os6JisFSe6WnPMPduHDWrqDnWIHHFWRyG6zLb66IDJ1puAJJevptmDFHKe0kDY-zt-Z3SwzBdGlRr1Go0qPJ5CQBaouKPztckq9yVRMDExeNBSwD-OwPHCmIATAEpA96Jnu2OvV3LBg8PdBIy1EdH9qdeUN5aBmhppxYCRYe8YuOtqExBumUeg=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Todd Nesloney)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Find out who you are and do it on purpose."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dolly Parton, singer-songwriter, actor, businessperson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for your time and suggestions both Wednesday and Thursday as we work to finalize the Forward Exam schedule. There are still some moving pieces that I will be working through over the weekend. I tried, with the help of Maria, to make sure that our students are taking each content test with their content teacher. We were able to do that. What I messed up was not thinking about the musical week or April 4th-8th. My apologies, but with the help of our BLT Thursday morning we were able make an adjustment that will be beneficial for our students taking the Forward Exam and all involved with the musical. Once I share the schedule again on Monday I welcome any feedback you might have. Regardless of the schedule, we need to make sure we provide the best opportunity for success for our students. I'm confident that our students will be successful because of all of your effort and the effort of our students. We've got this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for a great week! We've got one more solid week of school before Spring Break with a few NCAA basketball games sprinkled in. Keep the kids engaged and it will help the kids behave as we know they should. Have a great weekend, and #GoBadgers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-19044130554219205772022-03-04T03:55:00.000-08:002022-03-04T03:55:34.763-08:00How do you set limits?<div style="text-align: left;">As I was thinking about what to write this week, I came across this email from Pernille Ripp. I am a subscriber to her blog which means I get an email every time she posts something new. This week's is called "<a href="https://pernillesripp.com/2022/02/28/ideas-to-try-to-lessen-your-workload/" target="_blank">Ideas to Try to Lessen Your Workload</a>". It's definitely worth the time to read. I use a version of some of her ideas for myself and have found they have helped me to better use my time, both at school and at home, as well as to allow time for myself while I'm at home. I also thought what Mary shared with us in our mailboxes on Tuesday has a powerful message. Thanks for these monthly messages, Mary! Here is Mary's message again if you don't have it with you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZk98uomJSkFJqQ-iwo5SHsyH2QyHpD8DINbDaFF6v9xxi80xETRyFUsKjwIiZWNOJrajGI9DFgsaPUIXV6IhQJG3f7yhs3bCeUZKS8zjQRODVwrWQ3hkgw7OogS68qVM35bKHyr4tDpP8ug9uv7rePKauuY1rk4HxKtl0KoCu2aDDiGwjaDM7O_5laQ=s1650" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZk98uomJSkFJqQ-iwo5SHsyH2QyHpD8DINbDaFF6v9xxi80xETRyFUsKjwIiZWNOJrajGI9DFgsaPUIXV6IhQJG3f7yhs3bCeUZKS8zjQRODVwrWQ3hkgw7OogS68qVM35bKHyr4tDpP8ug9uv7rePKauuY1rk4HxKtl0KoCu2aDDiGwjaDM7O_5laQ=w309-h400" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Setting limits, and abiding by the limits you set for yourself and others, provide you a better chance of taking care of yourself so that you can take care of others.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, March 4th </b>Half day noon release (AM classes)/ MLSS meeting 12:15-3:15</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Saturday, March 5th </b>EdCampElmbrook (<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edcamp-elmbrook-2022-tickets-204489081347?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=event_reminder&utm_term=eventname" target="_blank">Here's</a> the link if you are interested!)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, March 8th </b>Spring Band concert 6:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 9th </b>District meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, March 11th </b>PTO meeting 9:30AM/ PTO Saz's Fish Fry fundraiser at Western Lakes 4-8PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, March 14th </b>School Board meeting 6PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 16th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, March 17th </b>Group pictures for the yearbook</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, March 18th </b>Jay is at the NCAA Frozen Four in State College, PA</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th </b>Spring Break</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, activist</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsh3h9IeaolhWS8p1faOQ4hhrsVuRmkyr82_Z2bO4c2pgAc2Pb4fYkgvRtiWY7tMF2FLlJGDV270XO3al9_h7zNV9nUnJQpMdBi08975XR6i4PtdnMMqx_4Si-v0x9MfhPomE0FAHMmv3YyNe2tRJNWzInuD_6G3c2fccs4kyeb0StGgIXfd4A03sZZg=s2940" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2940" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsh3h9IeaolhWS8p1faOQ4hhrsVuRmkyr82_Z2bO4c2pgAc2Pb4fYkgvRtiWY7tMF2FLlJGDV270XO3al9_h7zNV9nUnJQpMdBi08975XR6i4PtdnMMqx_4Si-v0x9MfhPomE0FAHMmv3YyNe2tRJNWzInuD_6G3c2fccs4kyeb0StGgIXfd4A03sZZg=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13495" target="_blank">We Don't Have to Learn from Every Tough Lesson</a> (from George Couros)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZOclc7OampvgMY1n4-3g_kHz1Jagz8tZWSkcQcyBRFeIT-OXz4r_lZxvMMp-LXMO7eaAWoJIwu15etEpHy1grI7QLp1bZTkMHauEE7oam7DYiSW5t4CDAeIEss6HolrpJytsU0H_3AYZTwNvR5iQuOC_nxDbyqVXurXvFVgJQZpw3Ud4K2Gol-4vwIg=s3920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZOclc7OampvgMY1n4-3g_kHz1Jagz8tZWSkcQcyBRFeIT-OXz4r_lZxvMMp-LXMO7eaAWoJIwu15etEpHy1grI7QLp1bZTkMHauEE7oam7DYiSW5t4CDAeIEss6HolrpJytsU0H_3AYZTwNvR5iQuOC_nxDbyqVXurXvFVgJQZpw3Ud4K2Gol-4vwIg=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Only those with tenacity can march forward in March."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, writer, teacher</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>A-team updates</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>*</i></b>We discussed staffing and will be speaking with the staff following Spring Break</div><div style="text-align: left;">*Summer School locations</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span>June- Intermediate</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span>July- Primary</div><div style="text-align: left;">*PTO updates for March 11th- Conferences, report cards, group pictures March 17th, Forward Exam in April, Merton Arts Night feedback, Little Mermaid, Jr. April 7th-9th</div><div style="text-align: left;">*Social Studies curriculum update</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Conferences</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">As you reflect on conferences last night, and two weeks ago, think about these two things- Who do you wish you had spoken with and who do you need to follow up with? If there are families you wish you would have seen, make a list and reach out to them. If there are families you need to follow up with, make a list and schedule a time to reach out to them. I met with a family last night and set a date to follow up with them, and I put it in my calendar, too. I had many conversations with families and they were amazed, and thankful, about how well you know their children. Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a half day and hopefully you are wearing jeans and a sweatshirt today. Once the students leave at noon, you have time for grading, lesson planning, and whatever you need to move into the final trimester of the year. Can you believe that we're two-thirds of the way through the school year? I can't either. I decided to include <a href="https://www.smore.com/znesx" target="_blank">the link to our smore</a> this week and will try to continue this practice moving forward.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have an amazing Friday and a great weekend!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-8063817020581844492022-02-25T04:06:00.002-08:002022-03-04T03:42:42.853-08:00Expect the unexpectedI 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.<div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 28th </b>School board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, March 1st </b>Merton Arts Night 4:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 2nd </b>Grade level meetings 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, March 3rd </b>Family conferences 4:30-8:15PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, March 4th </b>Half day noon release (AM classes)/ MLSS meeting 12:15-3:15</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, March 8th </b>Spring Band concert 6:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 9th </b>District meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, March 14th </b>School Board meeting 6PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 16th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th </b>Spring Break</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzcY8NvwPU87-Kcx8H13sMPvS6Z1BRHqhHXSrFkv_LJRtFjoFozoZ5IAhTl1XQp1Qglv0v76cv23JiJaq8AAWwaRnInyMRH_L7UywfGNqWl1l3NIqAWEXb9TIdbawat80o5ZZIge10CpI0uoREX66813r2jNVBfN50J76MvK_xWGPlOHfDLUveUcIiGg=s3920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzcY8NvwPU87-Kcx8H13sMPvS6Z1BRHqhHXSrFkv_LJRtFjoFozoZ5IAhTl1XQp1Qglv0v76cv23JiJaq8AAWwaRnInyMRH_L7UywfGNqWl1l3NIqAWEXb9TIdbawat80o5ZZIge10CpI0uoREX66813r2jNVBfN50J76MvK_xWGPlOHfDLUveUcIiGg=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; text-align: left;">"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."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; text-align: left;">Barry Schwartz, The Paradox of Choice</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">(from George Couros' weekly email)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinmLO7o6G8Dhl2B91Wn9i2ssSi86tl0Xe1D6-1X1zdTRgU1jqwqnBNfO3NQxBEdWUKlZyg5VT0RXaHHvbr1r9T7HDOyZCNnMwrHDHbGtQv9ZfrhqN7b4gi9TznSWAkicDYJ-i0Cmtq-zaatgV-eQQtD_SvTXnQzDXXcIec18Ji0QyLTyUdvJkjs-JNCA=s1961" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinmLO7o6G8Dhl2B91Wn9i2ssSi86tl0Xe1D6-1X1zdTRgU1jqwqnBNfO3NQxBEdWUKlZyg5VT0RXaHHvbr1r9T7HDOyZCNnMwrHDHbGtQv9ZfrhqN7b4gi9TznSWAkicDYJ-i0Cmtq-zaatgV-eQQtD_SvTXnQzDXXcIec18Ji0QyLTyUdvJkjs-JNCA=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Frederick Douglass. social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaLp7Ft9JS46mLoj1GDfzOns-yvbRa6eehA6BtcnJ6qgctvLDMFJFx9eVap5BL5hjdUoyZes2MIYuG4aaXEpPJ7CGUJgaO8uSt_uXMJdrp4aNLFYwIezwypyWuu1LNfK_C7F5hSrpUk299djuB4DRpCZEo1QfA6NSztaSXm4FbQcMyAc_RfEDafEFMzQ=s3920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaLp7Ft9JS46mLoj1GDfzOns-yvbRa6eehA6BtcnJ6qgctvLDMFJFx9eVap5BL5hjdUoyZes2MIYuG4aaXEpPJ7CGUJgaO8uSt_uXMJdrp4aNLFYwIezwypyWuu1LNfK_C7F5hSrpUk299djuB4DRpCZEo1QfA6NSztaSXm4FbQcMyAc_RfEDafEFMzQ=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Carl Bard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://youtu.be/MATRLYd-Nl0" target="_blank">The 5SWs</a> from Andrew Marotta (I think you might really benefit from this short video.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Althea Gibson, professional tennis player, first Black winner of a Grand Slam title</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>A few nuts and bolts</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_o3Wp-RiaxvPscoV4YjyssOQCoH2UcMRuhKp8FidyKY/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Here</a> is the link to the schedule for 2022-2023 (Mary helped me figure out the freeze thing! Thanks, Mary!)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't forget about our 5 minute meetings and mid-year SLO meetings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did you follow up with any families from last week's conferences?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out the dates from our <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bHAsjZ6tFVvBijjy1sZneJX3zKQ0w7AuhPxjjfGZvxo/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">BLT notes</a> from Monday to make sure they are on your calendar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-78066718734047374742022-02-18T03:44:00.003-08:002022-03-04T03:42:57.450-08:00Conference reflectionsYesterday 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.<div><br /></div><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 21st </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 23rd </b>Grade level meetings at 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 28th </b>School board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, March 1st </b>Merton Arts Night 5:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 2nd </b>Building meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, March 3rd </b>Family conferences 4:30-8:15PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, March 4th </b>Half day noon release (AM classes)</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, March 8th </b>Spring Band concert 6:30PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 9th </b>District meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, March 14th </b>School Board meeting 6PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, March 16th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th </b>Spring Break</div><div style="background-color: white;"><br /></div><div><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Sometimes you forget that just beyond the clouds the sun is shining."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Desmond Tutu, Anglican archbishop, theologian, human rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4UWNQuT_EB77fYv3hULyVgQ6nlj2cM2TBuW-vJL9J40r9KEMdcsojiyrCVhwLHLrqQbpMagDNE_YcYst_bt8APD91vtOlUtMIpxZZkifrtf3iw0rb2imQc4pNyIoHYfaPbODFOn6Mxj1vV-uDsLxGnE3WUEN9LenG33xrdjYY68We5q8DqpVDvy5lDw=s1961" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4UWNQuT_EB77fYv3hULyVgQ6nlj2cM2TBuW-vJL9J40r9KEMdcsojiyrCVhwLHLrqQbpMagDNE_YcYst_bt8APD91vtOlUtMIpxZZkifrtf3iw0rb2imQc4pNyIoHYfaPbODFOn6Mxj1vV-uDsLxGnE3WUEN9LenG33xrdjYY68We5q8DqpVDvy5lDw=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Find the good. It's all around you. Find it, showcase it and you'll start believing in it."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jesse Owens, track and field athlete, four-time Olympic gold medalist</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMSw9dLnQjCLFgnnTIoM5VQgegONMP8OpWLXMseCMHQ3I4SMtZRXfT57_XieFHvFWTnMXS7rc4WW2VQqBT3gjQ-wSElgqhncZe2QG4GUK6JUvflaPgOGul7bGlvjTXCJ-wju4NrwdxIagbTUc5uPd2TjbnW9z2a5qaC-JqBXdmzL7HaerLzEBogxqEgg=s1961" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMSw9dLnQjCLFgnnTIoM5VQgegONMP8OpWLXMseCMHQ3I4SMtZRXfT57_XieFHvFWTnMXS7rc4WW2VQqBT3gjQ-wSElgqhncZe2QG4GUK6JUvflaPgOGul7bGlvjTXCJ-wju4NrwdxIagbTUc5uPd2TjbnW9z2a5qaC-JqBXdmzL7HaerLzEBogxqEgg=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"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."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Andrew McAfee, American research scientist</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbtR6sR2bNg6ORj2-BNri02WCEQu_AdEddNsK0HSi7UUVXcXp8jWfqUnxSOTBVlybcJ0ciEqU_yj12B-BI58qmLJEDF2-tO4eqLZ7Ib4gVVdNYyaCfhHoqGBrnn1j1gvIG7dTx9Nu9wim7OGk3Ded8iSawZQyoevyBaF7TtiUOGgL3_RQLyc-kbev-Gw=s2099" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2099" data-original-width="1284" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbtR6sR2bNg6ORj2-BNri02WCEQu_AdEddNsK0HSi7UUVXcXp8jWfqUnxSOTBVlybcJ0ciEqU_yj12B-BI58qmLJEDF2-tO4eqLZ7Ib4gVVdNYyaCfhHoqGBrnn1j1gvIG7dTx9Nu9wim7OGk3Ded8iSawZQyoevyBaF7TtiUOGgL3_RQLyc-kbev-Gw=w245-h400" width="245" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Growth doesn't come with a single action. It is the consequence of persistence, courage, and hard work."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anonymous, from Teachonomy email</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG7E9zwrpw89q6ySKfNPRm7DXAl1sizjA167QEgFmg9Kbpqa7NfNJmPfMUmFv1SVcpPXDeCeOpwm6g8N1ovxEATC7_0jyoCAzOjHCHM1BJGB4FOivqZp68ZxIWeHDcdCDwTNK8j8Sb0BDvlZdEVtZyfLHvvEp3qUoKEIOLh30YlmhZ5BsbS8DoU_7PSw=s3920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="3920" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG7E9zwrpw89q6ySKfNPRm7DXAl1sizjA167QEgFmg9Kbpqa7NfNJmPfMUmFv1SVcpPXDeCeOpwm6g8N1ovxEATC7_0jyoCAzOjHCHM1BJGB4FOivqZp68ZxIWeHDcdCDwTNK8j8Sb0BDvlZdEVtZyfLHvvEp3qUoKEIOLh30YlmhZ5BsbS8DoU_7PSw=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I have found that the happiest people are those who do the most for others; the most miserable are those who do the least."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Booker T. Washington, educator, writer, orator</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>A-team update</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Emergency procedures: Hazardous waste update/review</li><ul><li>Lockdown inside, turn off HVAC, etc., we will review at our next building staff meeting</li></ul><li>Buildings and grounds</li><ul><li>If there are items/rooms not being cleaned, please let me know</li><li>Beyond cleaning, please use the B&G request form</li><li>Shed will be resided this year/ getting bids</li></ul><li>Community communication</li><ul><li>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)</li></ul><li>Chronic attendance concerns</li><ul><li>Principals sent letters to families who have had 10 or more absences or tardies for the year</li></ul></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Some reminders from Wednesday's meeting</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Remember to turn in your Forward Exam proctor sheet to Tanya</li><li>We have a full custodial staff so if you have concerns about things getting done, please let me know</li><li>Assessing Student Work meetings with Maria and/or me</li><li>Take a breath in your classroom before acting erratically (you know the story I told)</li><li>Don't share information about students in emails or Google docs (you know the story I told)</li></ul><div>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.</div><div>Happy Friday!</div><div>Jay</div><div><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-27873287002436827002022-02-10T04:30:00.000-08:002022-02-10T04:30:36.256-08:00How 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.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB0KDC4up42Bp4K6STYbQaUkWT_YglvsovO5ahSQV99Lir0ONmCVgwEB4vm0MuhrFN7WAglXKqgR5UtcJ6efR5_53mFyFRE7m_87w4CNYdWbU5BrKcspMdVbjzU0itYqJqL10-14fzwyCMZ3SbIlPaxoA4MUcVUvTY0yTg94gLbUPj2UXAWh-v-0W8lg=s512" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB0KDC4up42Bp4K6STYbQaUkWT_YglvsovO5ahSQV99Lir0ONmCVgwEB4vm0MuhrFN7WAglXKqgR5UtcJ6efR5_53mFyFRE7m_87w4CNYdWbU5BrKcspMdVbjzU0itYqJqL10-14fzwyCMZ3SbIlPaxoA4MUcVUvTY0yTg94gLbUPj2UXAWh-v-0W8lg=s320" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Mindshift)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, February 10th </b>Jay at state Principals' Conference</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, February 11th </b>No School</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 14th </b>Professional Learning Day</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 16th </b>Content meetings at 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, February 17th </b>Family conferences 4:30-8:15PM<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 21st </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 23rd </b>Grade level meetings at 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 28th </b>School board meeting 6PM</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"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."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monica Vitti, actor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13470" target="_blank">The Importance of Slowing Down and Enjoying Childhood</a> (from George Couros)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Educator Effectiveness</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Rumors make things less clear</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See you all on Monday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-78542285370748273382022-02-03T19:20:00.001-08:002022-02-04T04:01:07.055-08:00February is here<div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 9th </b>District meeting at 7:45AM/ Jay at state Principals' Conference after lunch</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, February 10th </b>Jay at state Principals' Conference</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, February 11th </b>No School</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 14th </b>Professional Learning Day</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 16th </b>Content meetings at 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, February 17th </b>Family conferences 4:30-8:15PM<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 21st </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 23rd </b>Grade level meetings at 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 28th </b>School board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, blogs, and quotes</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDLMYqEkW4_UFXyJGQiU-eZYaW4Fe6OdwJ-aDAADdeHqfwxOhhEkx5lc5kMndNtfn6jvoB-LrzOYfh5CnnKsaXiQMzN6DdsiXdDMzgO21nEBfnzHKqqYVSvoRjrxzA_4HwZi0QprY0acA0Me7aV547pN7d7XujrLPsUfEz_CN1srb5F-djt8k6pinSbg=s2940" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2940" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDLMYqEkW4_UFXyJGQiU-eZYaW4Fe6OdwJ-aDAADdeHqfwxOhhEkx5lc5kMndNtfn6jvoB-LrzOYfh5CnnKsaXiQMzN6DdsiXdDMzgO21nEBfnzHKqqYVSvoRjrxzA_4HwZi0QprY0acA0Me7aV547pN7d7XujrLPsUfEz_CN1srb5F-djt8k6pinSbg=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheDpZL89o1EoB67ErgYbBvbXJJqQZBtUa3cJ1in3L4WxbV4I-Ko-vbhnm3DCmdsyDCa1K7JWQqIDUCk3hjCv1KPki_D4GNjBVmioLfHtMgMxpGiv2HP8tslWhWq_vlmjoHzogpY6wO7wsySaYjDvjBFbZNazBe5ekYy05t6A6GRBGZOi-X_paPhSFnFg=s430" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="430" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheDpZL89o1EoB67ErgYbBvbXJJqQZBtUa3cJ1in3L4WxbV4I-Ko-vbhnm3DCmdsyDCa1K7JWQqIDUCk3hjCv1KPki_D4GNjBVmioLfHtMgMxpGiv2HP8tslWhWq_vlmjoHzogpY6wO7wsySaYjDvjBFbZNazBe5ekYy05t6A6GRBGZOi-X_paPhSFnFg=w400-h191" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from George Couros' blog)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7h9g3O7Rk0ynIOGUc7Zw2GtCkd30FvLmPFjfUk-fbrSfmXyI8MQF-JDe7nWZcLdAt4SfYpJZrrN2CINNU1TJHp4-1b9E6ZHCkfGkEz9HgA_3EuDIvpu3bzQB48je_EmbIbNiEFCIYoIlhXlAvTgE-ycQCp5_cI0S8CF6kLpnWD_QzI2l8w_ikoIJ1gA=s1640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7h9g3O7Rk0ynIOGUc7Zw2GtCkd30FvLmPFjfUk-fbrSfmXyI8MQF-JDe7nWZcLdAt4SfYpJZrrN2CINNU1TJHp4-1b9E6ZHCkfGkEz9HgA_3EuDIvpu3bzQB48je_EmbIbNiEFCIYoIlhXlAvTgE-ycQCp5_cI0S8CF6kLpnWD_QzI2l8w_ikoIJ1gA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from George Couros' blog)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Educator Effectiveness</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>A-team update</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Reminder to review your classroom emergency plans</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Erik Stephans, our new custodian, begins on Monday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Student attendance issues- plan of communication with families</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"New" COVID rules</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a great weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div><br /><i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-16153503021805407392022-01-28T03:51:00.003-08:002022-01-28T03:58:17.014-08:00Reflections and adjustments<div style="text-align: left;">I know that last week I referenced halftime of a basketball game. Many of you know that I am a former high school basketball coach and if you didn't know that, now you do. One of the most important times of a basketball game is the first 5 minutes of the third quarter. The halftime adjustments, based upon reflections and observations from the first half by the coaching staff and players, have been discussed and now they need to be implemented. What sorts of adjustments are you making to better meet the needs of your students, your colleagues, and yourself? How will you use assessment data to guide your instruction? Have you met with your content colleagues about their data? What's one thing that you're trying this quarter that you haven't tried before? How do you know if it's successful? I know that's a lot of questions but they are important ones, for sure.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, January 31st </b>School board meeting 6PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 2nd </b>Building meeting at 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 9th </b>District meeting at 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, February 11th </b>No School</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 14th </b>Professional Learning Day</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 16th </b>Content meetings at 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Thursday, February 17th </b>Family conferences 4:30-8:15PM<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 21st </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, February 23rd </b>Grade level meetings at 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, February 28th </b>School board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Persistence is critical. Being creative and persistent is even better."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Katie Couric, journalist, writer</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://allysonapsey.com/2022/01/26/it-feels-like-too-much-too-much-of-the-time-right-now-doesnt-it/" target="_blank">It feels like too much too much of the time right now, doesn't it?</a> (from Allyson Apsey)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgorw1CMnqVl4mGeoJJZy-DQGOePvRRKYPKT08JuPIc0YJuzJPkvNacax8hC-P8zXbA33xLWd9ZKRW5vPwZXkXFBfxzjVcIGofMbcof0gqO6iRXxImF_gOEm42DPu5AoC6hsKjAikXhgQN8fceBDCyGVpdi0L2M-pXcqTxCWKNxmg5sDfunE82dicSlsA=s980" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="980" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgorw1CMnqVl4mGeoJJZy-DQGOePvRRKYPKT08JuPIc0YJuzJPkvNacax8hC-P8zXbA33xLWd9ZKRW5vPwZXkXFBfxzjVcIGofMbcof0gqO6iRXxImF_gOEm42DPu5AoC6hsKjAikXhgQN8fceBDCyGVpdi0L2M-pXcqTxCWKNxmg5sDfunE82dicSlsA=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13449" target="_blank">Why People Keep Going</a> (from George Couros)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Helping out our custodians...</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Please remember to put the trash out in the hallway at the end of the day. This small step saves our crew a ton of time especially during the Winter when we are short staffed. Thanks for helping out!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Educator Effectiveness</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you set up a time to meet with me about your mid-year SLO/SPO? Please make sure to do so as soon as you can. I really enjoy these meetings as we can talk about your successes and your struggles and ways that I can support you. And while we're talking about meetings, have you set up your 5 minute check ins with me? I'll be stopping in to see all of you today, if at all possible, to get an update. I'm looking forward to our conversations.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Analyzing student data</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">You may have noticed my mention of data in the opening paragraph. Have you set up a content meeting with Maria and I to discuss a recent assessment? If you haven't, we need to set up a meeting by Thursday, February 10th. That gives us two weeks to get something organized.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope that you had a great week. I sure did as I was able to get into a lot of classrooms, and I'm looking forward to getting into more classrooms today. I even got to "direct" the Band yesterday afternoon. Here's a selfie I took at the end of our rehearsal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6rbPYt5LnHwaCUOJM3L9JcsaXuup4tUbbdsN6jpFT-tFsXxE0XbC4w2L5y5q56mkY6pHUQ2yuI0A_2MFJPxjgsR5k514mAbsXW7vkWf6XRi4ID6qeBAgVyxjPBlfxxO_NB-2lGxhsrKBvaL5jiGmlhSGjK6wWKi1CitBN7PelS2FatYuMYjGOll5nZQ=s823" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="823" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6rbPYt5LnHwaCUOJM3L9JcsaXuup4tUbbdsN6jpFT-tFsXxE0XbC4w2L5y5q56mkY6pHUQ2yuI0A_2MFJPxjgsR5k514mAbsXW7vkWf6XRi4ID6qeBAgVyxjPBlfxxO_NB-2lGxhsrKBvaL5jiGmlhSGjK6wWKi1CitBN7PelS2FatYuMYjGOll5nZQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a group of 6th graders who are brand new to Band. They are first year Band students and they sounded really good. Listening to them play two songs pretty well after less than 5 months is nothing short of amazing. I've noticed similar examples of growth in all of our students in all content areas. Can you think of one student who has improved exponentially in your class? I know that you can. Do you recognize the impact you've had on that student's success? I bet you haven't but know that your efforts with our kids allows them to succeed. Our kids are fortunate to have you as their teacher. Keep on doing what you're doing and remember to reflect and adjust. That's how we all get just a little bit better every day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a great weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-9299745736124005792022-01-20T19:18:00.000-08:002022-01-20T19:18:13.104-08:00HalftimeIt's halftime. The end of the semester is today. I'm always amazed at how quickly the first half of the year goes by. Don't get me wrong, some days are longer than others but overall this semester has gone by pretty quickly. I encourage you to reflect back on the first semester. I'm reminded of my coaching days and the halftime adjustments we would make to be more successful. I almost always found something we did well so I encourage you to do the same. What one thing really sticks out to you as an accomplishment? I always found something that we could do better so I encourage you to do the same. What one thing really sticks out to you as something to improve? I'd be interested in hearing some of your thoughts when we see each other on Monday.<div><br /></div><div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, January 21st </b>Half day (AM classes)/ MLSS meeting 12:15-3:15/ Mustang U due</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, January 24th </b>Professional Learning Day</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, January 25th-Friday, January 28th </b>Mid-year Educator Effectiveness meetings</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, January 26th </b>Grade level meetings 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, January 31st </b>School board meeting 6PM</div></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRHkv5iMP_8Y_zDuxW930X0QAqWit71JvCiXr7wyg8jZ-t7B_IixfrxRWlhUVTrGJaEP3Oi2FI53mO7-GQsdkI_nxE-YOZIq3vo8iob2y-dlE2wLUAjX_CoPWZ69Zr-_AtxjbL-qZSp_SMwN9K1JmAuG9-nqoIAChrCJ4R3FvoIK70u2DPHGBDud1VDg=s980" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="980" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRHkv5iMP_8Y_zDuxW930X0QAqWit71JvCiXr7wyg8jZ-t7B_IixfrxRWlhUVTrGJaEP3Oi2FI53mO7-GQsdkI_nxE-YOZIq3vo8iob2y-dlE2wLUAjX_CoPWZ69Zr-_AtxjbL-qZSp_SMwN9K1JmAuG9-nqoIAChrCJ4R3FvoIK70u2DPHGBDud1VDg=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://technicallyteamann.com/how-do-you-choose-what-gets-done-reviewing-leadership-priorities/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-do-you-choose-what-gets-done-reviewing-leadership-priorities" target="_blank">How do you choose what gets done? Reviewing leadership priorities...</a> (from Amber Teamann. I know that this is a leadership post but you are all leaders and can benefit from this advice.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-DMX1bK0B0XdA_6HtILdKqtPV-rzjkjTLBe-MxB1VTAeCUNeWPGoxjBDjVroJgObvddFeSL66Dt2tmnBJNs_2jUNca8xuOxXkUBhaBu474BCjOBm172cHri7J7E7TOrmc5g3AuPfES91JRdAdXotMHetSKjHKFr2BORqIbN_XW2py-tZWpfEjIaQdeA=s1961" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-DMX1bK0B0XdA_6HtILdKqtPV-rzjkjTLBe-MxB1VTAeCUNeWPGoxjBDjVroJgObvddFeSL66Dt2tmnBJNs_2jUNca8xuOxXkUBhaBu474BCjOBm172cHri7J7E7TOrmc5g3AuPfES91JRdAdXotMHetSKjHKFr2BORqIbN_XW2py-tZWpfEjIaQdeA=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13457" target="_blank">Permanent Failure or Temporary Learning</a> (from George Couros)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVsfYpoXtB6HOLfXYfygtmqEJmb2SRevZsjBa_v1xNiqw7riHA1O5e8wI8wtuNa_4KVetbSyWyB_ewT7gwb3-E1w4vfhrzgbinL_tHMSVF-FOlwFV3IcnJ9ru2Iy-AiD1-BnTFqlrs-4HP-Rce0ni6f1uYKhLrgTGrgWHiDno6lDio92dy3Zv8W2iyTQ=s1961" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVsfYpoXtB6HOLfXYfygtmqEJmb2SRevZsjBa_v1xNiqw7riHA1O5e8wI8wtuNa_4KVetbSyWyB_ewT7gwb3-E1w4vfhrzgbinL_tHMSVF-FOlwFV3IcnJ9ru2Iy-AiD1-BnTFqlrs-4HP-Rce0ni6f1uYKhLrgTGrgWHiDno6lDio92dy3Zv8W2iyTQ=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13447" target="_blank">The Risk in Things We Don't Do</a> (from George Couros)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWhmVFcJQ7E6q3IJA_x3JM_L4lKim4QHB1DnDacQe_xQUKeeGEqIcKbTkKatVB3D6nBXOg1aieue1VBl1noH2bY95faw3TUEaUfdDE2uYJ6bnnVEfZjtpOWjdBF8edtceqliJAWBbUtdKSJvMZqcaD4MqgVXNinnQ5H72GfOFHOKW2hhTl7SnKgDn5KQ=s562" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWhmVFcJQ7E6q3IJA_x3JM_L4lKim4QHB1DnDacQe_xQUKeeGEqIcKbTkKatVB3D6nBXOg1aieue1VBl1noH2bY95faw3TUEaUfdDE2uYJ6bnnVEfZjtpOWjdBF8edtceqliJAWBbUtdKSJvMZqcaD4MqgVXNinnQ5H72GfOFHOKW2hhTl7SnKgDn5KQ=s320" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Jethro Jones)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"If you're waiting for the right time...Time never comes, it only goes."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Azereth Skivel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiTPHch-GhFJtHlgyLlL558dxBEVlYapGkxGDlTNttHhw6jGA5MDp3KTHW7IZLr-rop5ymFrbg53Uq_xphtUTZ6wWg9MARektYvWvfob7kUAuu9QECqiWosfAERLBGklQtDxOo5avcgM4BmhRLum706RbKdjTGKCHOt238QlJDFJ0GtRO4s3_rddziXQ=s980" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="980" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiTPHch-GhFJtHlgyLlL558dxBEVlYapGkxGDlTNttHhw6jGA5MDp3KTHW7IZLr-rop5ymFrbg53Uq_xphtUTZ6wWg9MARektYvWvfob7kUAuu9QECqiWosfAERLBGklQtDxOo5avcgM4BmhRLum706RbKdjTGKCHOt238QlJDFJ0GtRO4s3_rddziXQ=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13440" target="_blank">20 Inspirational Quotes to start off 2022</a> (from George Couros)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>A-team update</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">COVID UPDATES:</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Discussion of CDC recommendations- more to come with isolations after Ron’s discussions with the county for families and staff.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emergency Plans Review: </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Evacuations teachers stay with students- take to designated locations. If removed off campus- Arrowhead HS NORTH (buses would be here within 45min).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scheduling for 2022-23: </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IS building schedule draft based on student needs & offerings and Primary has a draft; nothing finalized. Sharing non-negotiables with the BOE this month.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Digital Sign Update: </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getting quotes- more to come.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Staffing Update</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Interviewing now for B&G- replacement for Jim Hannon.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Professional Learning Agenda: </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maria planning to send out by Friday.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FORWARD Planning</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Beginning to plan for SPRING Assessments. Maria will attend the DAC meeting next week; more to come with administering requirements and proctoring.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fitness Room Update: </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ready for 6AM-9:45pm. Main entrance by Door 1 allows for staff to come in after hours. More to come from Jim Binney.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>Two reminders...</i></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">*Staff feature information needs to be completed by all staff. This is a way that we are highlighting all of our family members. This information will be posted on social media and principal memos but only after receiving approval from the staff member. </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1sZxu0TAINiVeJGMbbjqCQYSQNNMfHi4RSmRN96Q0GTo3tA/viewform?usp=sf_link" style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;" target="_blank">Here</a><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"> is the google form that Maria sent to staff to complete during the December staff meeting (no need to complete a second time if you've already completed it once).</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">*Mustang University courses are to be completed by today, Friday, January 21st</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">Thanks for a great week! I get to go to school with such amazing people who encourage me to be better. Sometimes to be better you need to take a step back, leave school at school, and reconnect with yourself and your family. That's my plan for this weekend. I'll see you all on Monday!</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">Jay</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></span></span></span></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-7336177485941325842022-01-14T03:56:00.001-08:002022-01-14T03:56:39.843-08:00Better<div style="text-align: left;">As you can see, there are no real fancy pictures or blogs this week. It's been a busy week with lots going on for all of us. I've noticed the effort that you put in this week, and it's the same kind of effort I've been seeing all year long. All that I can ask of you, and more importantly all that you can ask of yourself, is to give your best every day. That's what we ask of our kids. That's what we ask of our colleagues. That's what we ask of ourselves. I'm certain that you can find a part of your day that you can look back on and say, "Hey, that was pretty darn good." Remember those times because those are the times that bring me back tomorrow. And like I've said before, be just a little bit better tomorrow than you were today.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLxkxgAt6Gj1ohpAYRtyWZJSfBvMLqjWsplj6GXgSYVROl7J1nkgLQdOjDDR6Saby2lWnCfGpiPb_hvvo-VqKW9qFockmK-esehw-qw9fu2YV2srSEPYgfub8c5KxFKetzEm1gC0TLbbv9W17VoQe3zIPYD64Lfz0p6XtoJesn_Q8_IzdXQkL6GG9iJQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLxkxgAt6Gj1ohpAYRtyWZJSfBvMLqjWsplj6GXgSYVROl7J1nkgLQdOjDDR6Saby2lWnCfGpiPb_hvvo-VqKW9qFockmK-esehw-qw9fu2YV2srSEPYgfub8c5KxFKetzEm1gC0TLbbv9W17VoQe3zIPYD64Lfz0p6XtoJesn_Q8_IzdXQkL6GG9iJQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, January 14th </b>PTO meeting 9:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, January 17th </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, January 19th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, January 21st </b>Half day (AM classes)/ MLSS meeting 12:15-3:15</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, January 24th </b>Professional Learning Day</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, January 25th-Friday, January 28th </b>Mid-year Educator Effectiveness meetings</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, January 26th </b>Grade level meetings 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, January 31st </b>School board meeting 6PM</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "You don't have to become something you're not to be better than you were."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sidney Poitier, actor, film director</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Today is the first day of the rest of your life. And if that doesn't work out for you, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bob Saget, comedian, actor, television host</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"The goal of living a full life is so, at its end, you'll have learned some things along the journey."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bob Saget, comedian, actor, television host</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we come to the end of the first semester next week, I hope that you can look back and remember some of the amazing things you've done with and for our kids. Please know that it doesn't go unnoticed. During the weekends, I trust that you are taking time away from school to recharge, relax, and reconnect with your family and friends. Last Saturday I didn't look at my school or personal email. It meant that I needed to spend some time on my Chromebook on Saturday morning but the trade off was worth it. I will be away from school next Thursday afternoon and all day Friday to spend time with Jen and Lauren. I'll be back on Monday to join in our professional learning.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll see you in just a couple of hours. Let's make it the best Friday of the week!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-809075865600153817.post-20488121319408054292022-01-07T03:50:00.003-08:002022-01-07T07:07:40.117-08:00Obvious to you. Amazing to others.<div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for a great first week back. After not being in classes very often the first four days, today I plan on being in each of your classrooms, and hopefully more than once. Over break, or maybe it was early this week, I came across this video. Please take a moment to view it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xcmI5SSQLmE" width="320" youtube-src-id="xcmI5SSQLmE"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Obvious to you. Amazing to others. by Derek Sivers)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, since I've been in Merton, I've wanted you to all have the same opportunity that I do- a chance to see our teachers in action. What you might consider obvious in your delivery or classroom management or building relationships could be amazing to someone else. Brian has told us this again and again, we are our best resource. As we close out the first semester, it would be great for you to visit someone else's classroom to see the amazing. Can't get into a classroom because you're teaching at the same time, I know someone who would be happy to cover your class for you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><div style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Calendar</i></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, January 12th </b>District meeting 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, January 14th </b>PTO meeting 9:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, January 17th </b>BLT meeting 4:15PM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, January 19th </b>Content meetings 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Friday, January 21st </b>Half day (AM classes)/ MLSS meeting 12:15-3:15</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, January 24th </b>Professional Learning Day</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Tuesday, January 25th-Friday, January 28th </b>Mid-year Educator Effectiveness meetings</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Wednesday, January 26th </b>Grade level meetings 7:45AM</div><div style="background-color: white;"><b>Monday, January 31st </b>School board meeting 6PM</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Tweets, quotes, and blogs</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"You don't luck into integrity. You work at it."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Betty White, actor, comedian</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWI6JKaCtuewch0KJOKUSUw8m1p-MGeTyjnBqBT1qFTTD5UM9bLm1nMh1QVWCykjJLqF3Ls94y5C9GCF5uGXjfXjDYKFMfWzf5uL3AcPXcfq-93bGJUovpwGAUCkCvsSNXZ6LHFnGjMXcmUf-fx12Qvkew230v8c0qKS9aSnEQ1lrzBepMw46xpZEY1A=s1961" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWI6JKaCtuewch0KJOKUSUw8m1p-MGeTyjnBqBT1qFTTD5UM9bLm1nMh1QVWCykjJLqF3Ls94y5C9GCF5uGXjfXjDYKFMfWzf5uL3AcPXcfq-93bGJUovpwGAUCkCvsSNXZ6LHFnGjMXcmUf-fx12Qvkew230v8c0qKS9aSnEQ1lrzBepMw46xpZEY1A=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5c3SaeA6grEJZK1HJk4sMSEJ14nx1NOldcfM114ikILrA2apGWuxZjUGwgC1iaecG-0tg8raSevtb8sXveFQURzLhAm2puidg6s5rbxYiDUDW6fIE3Tax1RnUXY5IZuWYAtTqBTUEn7SP02bE918oFJkyzdDF6pHYR702Q7j-CWQJhxoMUOnVexgBRQ=s1650" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5c3SaeA6grEJZK1HJk4sMSEJ14nx1NOldcfM114ikILrA2apGWuxZjUGwgC1iaecG-0tg8raSevtb8sXveFQURzLhAm2puidg6s5rbxYiDUDW6fIE3Tax1RnUXY5IZuWYAtTqBTUEn7SP02bE918oFJkyzdDF6pHYR702Q7j-CWQJhxoMUOnVexgBRQ=w494-h640" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Jon Gordon)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Eg9vln8tF5Akfvy7TLAtAapi5xLAQOpyWrFYYQpx7APIWmOM8iGeKxkRUKvm4UFPkTEzDZi-Y1Df9nfv1YokzWpbKRcm9xC9-rpAJJIWyVh9U84oiOYbzk_gGfUNis2v6QljPD9FihUryLTZFm40_v-mNNqcvrpp0xpYXygk_TvGbzgxCJM03JADHw=s1961" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Eg9vln8tF5Akfvy7TLAtAapi5xLAQOpyWrFYYQpx7APIWmOM8iGeKxkRUKvm4UFPkTEzDZi-Y1Df9nfv1YokzWpbKRcm9xC9-rpAJJIWyVh9U84oiOYbzk_gGfUNis2v6QljPD9FihUryLTZFm40_v-mNNqcvrpp0xpYXygk_TvGbzgxCJM03JADHw=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbUETSI3qxA809Me2TPGA-XorYlcCgPTfhRqrgub3JV_iF4VY9ajgoGdiZT-Fcv4SpgMeQcr1f-xS5KYgvnKadktrRSpJcyfGFcollCYyRRqN7cN-U4vuM9cQyrsG_Mf1NBTbqBJwrmE9P6cLKtK59icoCxaKRCMvWOlagordpz5sOlIOW9DZ6BmPQYw=s720" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="720" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbUETSI3qxA809Me2TPGA-XorYlcCgPTfhRqrgub3JV_iF4VY9ajgoGdiZT-Fcv4SpgMeQcr1f-xS5KYgvnKadktrRSpJcyfGFcollCYyRRqN7cN-U4vuM9cQyrsG_Mf1NBTbqBJwrmE9P6cLKtK59icoCxaKRCMvWOlagordpz5sOlIOW9DZ6BmPQYw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Danny "Sunshine" Bauer's blog)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPr7rgbJOiIsjzufPOFNb_K60Us4g8vCFBAWEPaFvDMXa92sPRWEx7POWbbP_RmmrveYfyOI2MOHEK1_lEuBpkhM2FCfNduLi-d9XetY3QPeLE0haLkh9WXXkQ5-sJSnngkCnijnvxRQwgF3529parE5yx3mWbCD4EQK4vD_FsROrtlHH7uRBYt58Gpg=s1961" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1961" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPr7rgbJOiIsjzufPOFNb_K60Us4g8vCFBAWEPaFvDMXa92sPRWEx7POWbbP_RmmrveYfyOI2MOHEK1_lEuBpkhM2FCfNduLi-d9XetY3QPeLE0haLkh9WXXkQ5-sJSnngkCnijnvxRQwgF3529parE5yx3mWbCD4EQK4vD_FsROrtlHH7uRBYt58Gpg=w400-h164" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from Inspiring Quotes)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Wednesday's building meeting</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In case you wanted to review what we discussed on Wednesday morning, <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1spNWEoYznIm-VTd_yWZkKAogpWgxNNft-FcGRkw2ZII/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here's</a> the link to the presentation that I shared. I've also put together the notes from our "big topic" discussions which you can find <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BTYisA7AqqxtekAd0EKG2w447lyeAXbiL443pKcNB_8/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a>. Please remember that our BLT will have our schedule ideas as the only topic for our meeting on Monday, January 17th. If you have anything you want us to consider, please either connect with your BLT representative or me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>A-team update</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Staff feature information needs to be completed by all staff. This is a way that we are highlighting all of our family members. This information will be posted on social media and principal memos but only after receiving approval from the staff member. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1sZxu0TAINiVeJGMbbjqCQYSQNNMfHi4RSmRN96Q0GTo3tA/viewform?usp=sf_link" target="_blank">Here</a> is the google form that Maria sent to staff to complete during the December staff meeting (no need to complete a second time if you've already completed it once).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*COVID update- discussion regarding DHS and CDC recommendations following the new guidelines</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Building schedules are being drafted with staff input</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Summer School locations- first two sessions (June and July) at the Intermediate School, August will be at the Primary School. More information regarding Summer School recommendations and due dates will be forthcoming. Intermediate School will be cleaned following the July session of Summer School</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Monday, January 10th we will be communicating for staff to sign up for teaching Summer School</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Budget deadline to submit classroom supplies is January 31, 2022</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This week seemed to go pretty quickly for me. Maybe it was the same for you or maybe it wasn't. I bring up this point as we think about how our students felt this week. For some, getting back to school was amazing. For others, they may have been nervous to come back for a variety of reasons. Either way, both for our colleagues and for our students, check in on one another to see how they are doing. We need to do our best to be here for one another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a great weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Jay Posickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17260044239477784440noreply@blogger.com0