Thank you!

Thank you for your time these last 4 days.
Thank you for your attitude these last 4 days.
Thank you for your conversations these last 4 days.
Thank you for your willingness to try something new these last 4 days.
Thank you for connecting with others you didn't really know these last 4 days.
Thank you for putting time and effort into making your learning space welcoming these last 4 days.
We have 4 more days next week that include a cookout at my house, Open House, a chance for me to do a little facilitating of CPI, and the opportunity for all of us to learn about trauma sensitive practices.

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Monday, August 27th- Thursday, August 30th
Summer Academy
Please remember to fill this out and to set up your 5 minute meeting with me.

Tuesday, August 28th
Staff cookout at Jay's house (address included in this email)

Wednesday, August 29th
Open House

Tuesday, September 4th
First day of school!

Tuesday, September 25th
Boosterthon kickoff

Thursday, October 4th
Boosterthon fun run

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
6 Strategies to Help Introverts Strive at School and Feel Understood (from Mind/Shift)

3 Phrases I've Been Rethinking (from George Couros)

On Airplanes (from Pernille Ripp)

Direction not Speed (from Jon Wennstrom)

What's best for kids

I've been involved in a number of conversations these 4 days.  What I keep realizing is that every conversation revolves around our kids.  We talk about IEPs, 504s, and the like, and I wonder this...After the first month of school, do you think that you and your team could develop an IEP or 504 for each of the kids in your grade level?  I really think that you could.  And along those lines, if you are having a difficult time reaching a kid, connect with their teacher or teachers from last year.  If you need me to cover your class, you know that I will.  If you are connecting with a kid, and they mention their teachers from last year or previous years, connect with their teacher or teachers from last year to let them know.  Again, if you need me to cover your class, you know I will.  Let's remember to always do what's best for kids.

Enjoy the weekend!  We'll be back at it on Monday with more opportunities to learn together, grow together, build our teams together, reconnect, and prepare our learning spaces for the kids.

Be the Spark!

Jay

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