Remember-lutions jar

At our last SEL all staff meeting, Lisa, AJ, and Jackie spoke about the remember-lutions jars. It's all about finding the bright spots. Over the course of the school year, fill the jar with notes about your favorite memories and accomplishments. Make sure to include notes about what you feel proud of having done. There are two jars, one in each teachers' lounge. As I had conversations with you over the course of this week, I heard some incredible stories. Three stick out to me right now. There was the struggling Math student who volunteered to show how he answered a problem, and he did so correctly. Goose bumps. There are the students rushing to be outside for cross country skiing, and not even asking to come inside to warm up. And it was cold this week, especially in the morning. There was the student who struggled with his fruit snacks on Tuesday and was helped by a classmate. And then on Wednesday the student wanted to thank the student who helped by giving him fruit snacks the next day. The encouragement you all place on being kind really does work. I know for a fact that there are probably hundreds more of these stories from this week. Think about it. You interact with between 100 and 200 students and staff every day. You have an impact on them and they have an impact on you. Take a moment today and write down something for which you are proud. I know that I've said this before, but what might seem normal for you can be mind-blowing for someone else. Let's accentuate the bright spots!

Calendar

Tuesday, February 2nd    I leave early for appointments

Saturday, February 6th    EdCampMadison (online event this year)

Friday, February 12th    No School

Monday, February 15th    Professional Development Day (BLT meeting?)

Thursday, February 25th    Conferences

Thursday, March 4th    Conferences

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"For there is always light if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it."-

Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate

"The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake.  You can't learn anything from being perfect."-

Adam Osborne, writer, book and software publisher, computer designer

"I remind myself every morning:  Nothing I say this day will teach me anything.  So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening."-

Larry King, TV and radio host

Onward, and adult SEL

As we continue to build our social/emotional resilience as educators, we hope to see our work transfer into our professional lives.  At team meetings for the next month, please take the first few minutes of your meeting to work through the following activity as a team.  Together we are stronger than individually apart!!

Look for the Light (pg 189, Onward)

In December, as the first half of the school year comes to a close and our planet cycles into winter, perhaps our school communities could gather to identify and celebrate bright spots.  We could name our own growth and surface the connections between our own learning and the growth of others.  I might say, "I'm proud of myself for...," and a colleague would add, "I also saw you grow when you..."  We'd look for the light--in ourselves and in others--being reminded that when the nights are long and the sun hangs low on the horizon, we just need to pay closer attention.  The light is always there.

Schedule update

Thanks for providing me with input, ideas, suggestions, and concerns as we move forward with determining a schedule for the 2021-2022 school year.  If you weren't able to join us after school yesterday and still want to talk about the student schedule, please let me know and we can set up a time to meet.  I'll be going over the schedule ideas with Ron, Mary, and Katie over the next few days to see what we can do to make some of the tweaks you've suggested.  As I've communicated, although the schedule will be ours, I'll be making the final decisions about the schedule and how we will staff the schedule.  I will be sharing staff schedules, without names attached for some of the schedules, some time in early to mid-February.  This is still a work in progress and I look forward to continuing this journey with you.

It's been a week of snow and cold, and this weekend looks to be more of the same.  Be safe this weekend, enjoy time with your family, read a book, binge watch a new show or movie series, and relax.  Can you believe next week is February?

Jay

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

Half time adjustments

Some of you know this, and for others you will know after reading the next sentence.  I used to be a high school basketball coach.  Here is some visual proof.  Yes my hair was that long and, thanks to my mom, I had a perm.  It was the early 1990s.

(from Historic Images.com)

Anyway, one of the things that our coaching staff needed to do at half time was to make adjustments.  We didn't adjust everything because some of the things we were doing were working.  But we did need to make some adjustments, whether it was on the offensive or defensive end.  I didn't suggest all of the adjustments because I had really good assistant coaches.  They saw things just a bit differently than I did so I had to make sure to listen and then decide whether the adjustment would be something we could do.  Play faster or jump higher wasn't a half time adjustment that could be made.  They were adjustments that we could work on as the season progressed.  Why am I telling you this?  Because when I think back to our meeting on Monday, and especially the marks on the papers, I saw and heard many of you talking about the kids and the best way to connect with them.  That was so great to see, and it's something we need to continue to focus on for the rest of the school year.  Let's help each other, and our kids, continue to make connections with each other and ourselves.  We'll all be better for it in the end.

Calendar

Friday, January 22nd    Packers Day!

Monday, January 25th    School board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, January 27th    Workout Wednesday/ 10 minute video assembly from Jay for SEL

Tuesday, February 2nd    I leave early for appointments

Saturday, February 6th    EdCampMadison (online event this year)

Friday, February 12th    No School

Monday, February 15th    Professional Development Day

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

(from a blog by @JessicaCabeen)

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."-

John Wooden, college basketball coach

Team meetings next week

I look forward to meeting with you next week about our kids.  Let's use the photo sheets from Monday to guide our conversations.  You do such a great job connecting with our kids so bring some ideas of ways that we can meet with some of those kids who need more connections.

A-team updates

• COVID Update: Waukesha County working on vaccination sites. County numbers are down overall. The state still has not authorized teachers in the 1B group to get vaccines. There is still more to come for Merton Staff. Mask mandate has been extended.

• IS Remodel: Things are going out to bid- still on track with the timeline.

• Ideas for Community Newsletter- please let Jay know if there are things as an option to highlight. I have suggested a few already.

• Open-enrollment recommendations for the 2021-22: Unlimited for general education; Special Education no seats available beyond Speech only

• Celebration Day- Continue with the planning of this for the Spring. Activities can continue- adjust to physically distanced and safety measures.

• Biometric Screenings: February 23 from 6:30-9:30 library @ PS; February 24 6:30-9:30 @ IS Little Theater

• January and February Discussion around enrollment and staffing.

• 2nd Grade Chromebooks are up for replacement at the end of the year for the 21-22 school year.

Schedule update

Next week Thursday, January 28th, we'll have our next schedule meeting after school. I will share a possible schedule with you next Wednesday so that you have a chance to check it out before the meeting. There will be more to come on the meeting agenda when I send out the schedule. All are welcome to attend the meeting whether or not you attended the first meeting.

Thanks for an awesome week, for caring about each other, for helping each other out, and for always being there for our kids. Go Pack Go!

Jay

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

It's half time!

Today ends the first semester, and I can hardly believe it.  When we started in August, I can honestly say I didn't know how long we would last in face to face learning.  I'm so happy that we are still face to face.  It's important for the curriculum, but it's more important for the relationships.  I'm hopeful that you feel the same, and the activity we will participate in on Monday morning, as well as our grade level meetings, might make you feel this even more.  I didn't coin the phrase but I use it often when discussing our school.  I let others know that we are all about the 3 Rs- relationships, relationships, relationships- and the stronger those Rs are the more our kids will learn.  Let's keep focusing on the kids as we continue the school year.  It's why we're here!

Calendar

Friday, January 15th    Half day noon release

Monday, January 18th    PD day (see schedule below)

Thursday, January 21st    I start the day with a dental appointment

Monday, January 25th    School board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, January 27th    Workout Wednesday!

Tuesday, February 2nd    I leave early for appointments

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."-

Will Rogers, actor, performer, humorist, columnist

"The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces."-

Will Rogers, actor, performer, humorist, columnist

Professional Development Day (January 18th)

8:00-10:30  Team/Curriculum/Planning time (I am attending an IEP meeting)

9:00-10:00 Katie/Carey/Heidi meet to discuss Social Studies

10:30-11:30  Student SEL discussion and activity (meet in the gym)

11:30-12:30  Lunch provided by the district (see April’s email)

12:30-1:00 5th grade meeting

1:00-2:00 Science meeting with Mary

2:00-3:00 6th grade meeting

2:30-3:00 7th grade meeting

3:00-3:30 8th grade meeting

Onward, and adult SEL

As we continue to build our social/emotional resilience as educators, we hope to see our work transfer into our professional lives.  At team meetings for the next month, please take the first few minutes of your meeting to work through the following activity as a team.  Together we are stronger than individually apart!!

Look for the Light (pg 189, Onward)

In December, as the first half of the school year comes to a close and our planet cycles into winter, perhaps our school communities could gather to identify and celebrate bright spots.  We could name our own growth and surface the connections between our own learning and the growth of others.  I might say, "I'm proud of myself for...," and a colleague would add, "I also saw you grow when you..."  We'd look for the light--in ourselves and in others--being reminded that when the nights are long and the sun hangs low on the horizon, we just need to pay closer attention.  The light is always there.

Update on the schedule

A number of staff got together to talk about next year's schedule on Wednesday.  I'm still collecting thoughts about these two topics- what's one thing we need to have in a schedule for our kids and what's one thing we need to have in a schedule for you.  Once I have more ideas, I'll share them with you all.  If you weren't at the meeting and want to share your thoughts with me, please do.  My plan is to take these ideas and put together a schedule to share with you by the end of January.  That won't be the final schedule, just the first schedule to discuss.  If you'd like to talk about the schedule, please see me.  I'd love to chat!

Educator Effectiveness

Please make sure to set up a mid-year meeting with me before the end of next week.  Check my calendar for an open spot, sign up, and let's have a chat.  There's no need to have anything prepared, except reflecting on the year so far.

Thank you!

I appreciate you more than you can know.  This week has been one that was full of meetings and workshops and conversations, some of my own doing and others not.  After reflecting on the week, what I remember most is the number of you who asked me how I was doing.  I know that I don't ask each of you that enough, and after this week with you checking in on me, I realize I need to check in on each of you more often.  Some of you may think I'm naive when I send emails that start out, "Good morning, Merton family!", but I really feel that about our school.  Families have their ups and downs, and we will too, but ultimately a family has a focus on relationships.  As the year keeps moving forward, let's remember to find ways to lift each other up, support one another, and keep a focus on the kids.  And let's check in on each other more often.

Have a great weekend, and Go Pack Go!

Jay

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

Happy New Year!

What an amazing week!  It was great to see you back on Monday, reconnecting with our kids and each other.  I even think I was able to stop by and see you, even if just for a moment, throughout the day on Monday.  Tuesday came and went with the chance to continue to get back into the swing of school life and the chance for me to visit more classrooms.  Wednesday was the chance to remind students of so much during our Second Step lessons and provided some photo opportunities with anti-bullying posters in the 6th grade hallway.  After that I witnessed some incredibly resilient staff and students power through Wednesday and Thursday, making the days seem as normal as possible.  The entire week gave me yet another reason to be proud to serve you as principal.  We were never promised an easy road when we chose education.  We did promise ourselves that we would make a difference in the lives of kids.  This week you all showed that, and for that I will be eternally grateful.  Thank you!

Calendar

Monday, January 11th    Global Awareness Committee 1PM/ BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, January 13th    Adult SEL 7:45AM (Chapter 7 Onward)/Scheduling meeting 4:15PM (see information below)

Thursday, January 14th    Spelling Bee 4:30PM

Friday, January 15th    Half day noon release (Please get your schedules to Barb and me)

Monday, January 18th    PD day (see schedule below)

Thursday, January 21st    I start the day with a dental appointment

Monday, January 25th    School board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, January 27th    Workout Wednesday!

Tuesday, February 2nd    I leave early for appointments

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves."-

Bill Vaughan, writer, columnist

(I sure hope you were the first one!)

"People learn something every day, and a lot of times it's that what they learned the day before was wrong."-

Bill Vaughan, writer, columnist

20 Inspirational Quotes to Start off 2021 (from George Couros)

"Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better."-

Maya Angelou, poet, writer, screenwriter, educator

"This is a wonderful day, I have never seen this one before."-

Maya Angelou, poet, writer, screenwriter, educator

Scheduling meeting (January 13th at 4:15PM in Room 106)

As many of you are aware, we are looking at developing a schedule for next school year.  We have parameters, which are non-negotiable, for time by content as well as levels of staffing.  Our first meeting is on Wednesday, January 13th at 4:15 in Room 106.  If you are interested in joining us, please come with ideas, an open mind, and the realization that as of right now there isn't a specific schedule that will be shared.  Don't feel as if you need to stay for the entire meeting as I know that after school times, especially with daycare, can be difficult.  We will meet as often as is necessary, probably every two weeks.  My goal is to have a schedule prepared to share with our School Board by Spring Break.  Ideally, I'd like to have a schedule "skeleton" developed by the end of January so that we can spend February having discussions.  I've heard that some of you don't feel that your thoughts and ideas will be taken into account during this process.  Please trust me when I say that I am looking forward to you sharing your thoughts.  I also must say that decisions will need to be made and some thoughts and ideas will not be able to come to fruition.  If you have questions about the schedule or the process, please set up a time to discuss these questions with me.  Ultimately, I am will make the final decision.

Professional Development Day (January 18th)

8:00-10:30  Team/Curriculum/Planning time (I am attending an IEP meeting)

9:00-10:00 Katie/Carey/Heidi meet to discuss Social Studies

10:30-11:30  Student SEL discussion and activity (meet in the gym)

11:30-12:30  Lunch provided by the district (see April’s email)

12:30-1:00 5th grade meeting

1:00-2:00 Science meeting with Mary

2:00-3:00 6th grade meeting

2:30-3:00 7th grade meeting

3:00-3:30 8th grade meeting

Bonus personal day

The bonus personal day is now available for all applicable employees in Skyward.

A-team updates

Covid Updates: School Staff currently are in a 2A grouping for vaccines. Further/decisions are being made on this directed by the health department. County/State looking to rollout an App that would assist with contact tracing. 

Staffing Update: Welcome Amy Huck to the Math Intervention role (IS &PS). At this time we will not look to add a building substitute with the shifting of roles. We will always assess needs in the future as well.

Summer School Dates: June 14th-July 1st, July 6th-July 22nd, Camp Invent July 26th-30th, August 2nd-13th. Face-to-Face (possible Virtual too)

Supervision and Evaluation- Instructional Support Staff: Discussion on the rubric used & edited. Becca and I will be meeting with staff this upcoming month.

After a 16 day Winter Break, it was great being back together again in school. As I traveled the building, I notice how much you care about our kids, the learning activities that you have created, and the interactions you have with one another. What I also know is that I still have a lot to learn about each of you. I have more listening to do. I have to reflect more on what I say and how I say it. I need to continue to build your trust in me, in each other, and in our kids. I know that sometimes you might come to the office looking for me and when you get there, I'm not there. It can be discouraging because at that moment you may really need to talk. Before you come to the office, just send me a text or an email. Most of the time I'll be able to meet you but if I cannot, know that I will connect with you later that day either in person or by phone. Thank you for taking the time to read this late Thursday night ramble.

See you soon, and make sure to take some time for yourself this weekend!

Jay

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