Where did September go?

Holy smokes!  September has already come and gone.  September is the time to get procedures and expectations down, but don't forget to remind the students, and yourself, about those during the month of October.  October has a lot of learning for us (TILT/Writing committee meetings, WIN Wednesday, inservice day) as well as a lot of student activities (Boosterthon fun run, 6th grade Youth Night, 8th grade career expo, 8th grade Beauty and the Beast field trip, 5th grade hot air balloon field trip, Student Senate leadership camp, Red Ribbon Week, 5th grade to Biztown).  And we also have conferences on October 18th.  With the somewhat disjointed nature of October, a reminder or two about procedures and expectations will be necessary.  If I can help out in any way, don't hesitate to let me know.

Great things I saw this week...
Students giving a great effort during MAP testing
Teachers providing a great environment for MAP testing
Student choice during LA and Literacy
Specific and clear directions posted for student reference
Lots of reading in LA, and Math
Archery is really awesome
Struggles in Inventor elective (and it's a good thing!)
Kids and staff smiling
Great phone calls home

Calendar
Intermediate School Special Events

Saturday, September 29th
EdCampMiddleSchool at Concordia

Thursday, October 4th
Boosterthon fun run

Thursday, October 18th
Invitational only conferences from 4:30-8:00

Thursday, October 25th
All day PD day from 8:00-4:00

Friday, October 26th
No school

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
Be More Chef: What I Wish For Every Kid (from AJ Juliani)

The Fallacy of the "Either/Or" Scenario (from George Couros)

The Connection Between Innovation and Time (from George Couros)

Tests are a gift. And great tests are a great gift. To fail the test is a misfortune. But to refuse the test is to refuse the gift, and something worse, more irrevocable, than misfortune.

Lois McMaster Bujold, writer

Self Care Streak Challenge (from Sarah Johnson)

(from Lesley Ann on Facebook)

#HiveSummit (This is from Michael Matera, is free, and has lots of videos from some outstanding educators.  I would encourage you to take a look if you are able.)

#mertonint on Twitter
#MertonProud on Twitter
Merton Intermediate School Facebook page
mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 9.28.18

Team website updates
Please look over your team websites and update them as necessary.  If you haven't "changed over" to the new Google, give it a try.  Here's what mine looks like now.

Thanks for another solid week of learning, conversation, and keeping kids at the forefront of all that we do.  I've gotten a number of emails and phone calls from families, as well as some conversations at student pick up, about how happy our families are about the education that we are providing for their children.  They don't just talk about the academics.  They talk about the connections you make with their children.  What you are doing is vital for the growth of our children, and you do it very well.  It's an honor to work with you every day.
Be the spark!
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell