Focus on the kids, and yourself

I started this for last week and paused it.  I made a change to the calendar, a shoutout to Ron, and added a salutation at the end.  Otherwise, this was where I was in my efforts on Thursday night when I got a call from Nicole Russ.

For a number of reasons, we're in a state of uncertainty.  There's the schedule and the coronavirus but there is also one constant- the kids.  I'm proud of each of you and the focus you maintain on our kids and what's best for them.  When the kids are in front of you or beside you, your focus is on the kids.  You sometimes don't even know that I stopped in.  But you need to remember to focus on yourself, too.  You know what I learned this week?  I bring work home and most often it stays in my bag.  The days have been long and hard and sometimes you just need to go home and watch "Swamp People".  Yes, I'm doing that while I'm typing this up.  There are no answers yet but we can work together to find the answers that are best for our kids and for us.  It's almost like we're building the plane while we're flying it.  I know that we'll get through this uncertainty together.  But to do that we need to keep our focus on the kids and take care of ourselves.

Holding Onto Hope

(adapted from an email from Todd Nesloney)

In this time of fear and uncertainty the one thing we can hold onto is hope. This week has been a challenging one for me. Family concerns, financial concerns, and today is the anniversary of my mother's passing two years ago.

But in the midst of all of this I hold onto hope. And I'm reminded to check in on others.  Check in on your colleagues and friends to stay connected and to support one another.  Reach out to our students so they know you are thinking about them.

Please find time today to check in on administrators in your area. They are stressed and making extremely difficult decisions that will affect and upset many. Many are already overworked and this time of year is already incredibly stressful. I know the weight this is adding on so many of their shoulders right now as they try and figure out next steps.

Please check in on families. Some are worried about lost wages and feeding their children. Maybe you can help?

Please check in on the elderly. They are stressed and overwhelmed and often feeling even more isolated now.

Please check in on those around you who are suffering severe financial concerns with the amount of cancellations of travel, events, and more.

Please check in on those who suffer with anxiety or depression. Instances like what is happening now overwhelms those of us who struggle with these. No amount of "just pray" or "go outside" helps. But being present and listening is a nice start.

Please check in on friends and family in heavily affected areas.

Just be calm. Be kind. Be helpful.

The worst thing we can do right now is to put our head in the sand, claim "it's not as bad as the flu", blame someone else for this, or anything else.

HERE is a list of free resources from education companies during this time of immense school closures.

HERE is a "Prayer for Such a Time as This" from Tanner Olson.

Great things I saw this week...
Our custodial staff is amazing!  Set up for the concerts on Tuesday, tear down on Wednesday after the assembly, and set up for the NJHS induction ceremony on Thursday.  And they're still keeping our school clean and awesome.  Thanks!
The kids, Jonathan, and Michael at our concerts on Tuesday, assembly on Wednesday, and NJHS ceremony on Thursday.  It's great to see their talents.
Becky P. and the NJHS kids before, during, and after the Induction ceremony
The 5th grade Make an Impact projects.
Ron on Thursday night at his house with two phones gathering information to do what was right for our students and staff.  He was amazing!

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too.

Monday, March 16th
School board meeting 7:00

Tuesday, March 17th
All staff report from 8:00-4:00

Wednesday, March 18th
All staff report from 8:00-4:00
Culver's Night 4-8PM?

Saturday, March 21st-Sunday, March 29th
Spring Break

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Spring Forward...and Not Just on the Clock (from Dave Burgess)

"Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door."

Coco, Chanel, fashion designer, businesswoman

Elevating the Work Across the Hallway (from George Couros)

"A promise made is a debt unpaid."

Robert W. Service, poet, writer

#mertonint on Twitter
#MertonProud on Twitter

Merton Intermediate School Facebook page

mertonint on Instagram
Presentation from Wednesday's assembly
Family smore from 3.6.20 (unfinished)

See you tomorrow.
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell