Communication

Conferences are just one form of communication with our families, but they are important.  The conversations that we have with the families of our students can never be underestimated.  I know how often you reach out to families, either with emails or video calls or phone calls.  Those communications are so important, but I must urge you to find times to reach out for the good times and not just during the struggles.  You know how much a positive comment can lift your spirits, and I'm so fortunate to make Good News Calls of the Day once in a while.  I  need to do that more, and not just for our kids but for you as well.  If you'd like to nominate one of your colleagues for a call, just send me an email.  I'll even cover your responsibility so that you can make the call!

Calendar

Wednesday, March 3rd    Intermediate staff meeting

Thursday, March 4th    Conferences

Friday, March 5th    Half day (5th grade schedule, 6th grade schedule, 7th and 8th grade schedule)

Monday, March 8th    BLT meeting  4:15PM

Tuesday, March 9th    PTO meeting 2:30PM

Wednesday, March 10th    All staff meeting (Chapter 10 of Onward)

March 15th-21st    PTO Culver's Week

Wednesday, March 17th    Team and personal planning

Thursday, March 18th    Network Photography new student photos and classroom candids

Monday, March 22nd    School board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, March 24th    Team and personal planning

Friday, March 26th    End of third quarter

Saturday, March 27th-Monday, April 5th    Spring Break

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"If you want to fly, you have to give up the things that weigh you down."-

Toni Morrison, writer, editor, educator

(This was slid under the red office door last weekend.)

"Hard work does not guarantee success, but lack of hard work guarantees that there will be no success."-

Jimmy Valvano, head coach of North Carolina State

Shifting from Self-Care to Wellness (from Allyson Apsey)

"It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do."-

Moliere, playwright, actor and poet

Who is in Your Circle? (from Todd Nesloney)

"Enthusiasm is the electricity of life.  How do you get it?  You act enthusiastic until you make it a habit."-

Gordon Parks, photographer, film director, musician, writer, co-founder of Essence magazine

"Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be.  But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today."-

Ernest Hemingway, writer, journalist, Nobel Prize winner

Personal day handbook language

With the addition of the extra COVID personal day, I wanted to make sure that we all had the information regarding personal days that appears in our staff handbook.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

2.  Approval of Personal Leave and the Total Number of Employees on Personal Leave

A. A request in writing to the Administrator shall be made as far in advance as possible, normally not less than five (5) days. Emergencies may delay the submitting of the written statement until the employee returns to work.

B. The Administrator has the right to approve or disapprove all requests.

A. No more than three (3) employees per building may take personal leave on any given day when school is in session, unless the District Administrator or his/her designee grants approval to exceed the three (3) employee limit.

It's All In How You See It (An excerpt from an email from Jon Gordon)

"It’s a game of failure." I kept hearing these words from baseball players and coaches while speaking to MLB teams during spring training over the years   After all, even a hall of fame player will fail to get a hit 2 out of 3 times. And most players will fail to get a hit 3 out of 4 times. A pitcher will give up hits and home runs and fielders will make errors. Yes, baseball is a game where you fail often. But when talking to the teams I offered a different perspective. I said, "I don't believe baseball is a game of failure. I believe it's a game of opportunity!" No matter what happened on the last play, pitch, or at bat you get the opportunity to make the next one great.  In the words of Babe Ruth, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run." It's the same way with life. Anyone pursuing anything worthwhile will fail and fail often.  I certainly have failed many times but when I look back I realize I wasn't failing, I was growing. I wasn't failing, I was becoming.  I've learned that you can dwell on the past or look forward to making the next opportunity great. You can see life as a game of failure or opportunity. It's all how you see it.

Thanks for a great week. With conferences last night, it sure would be nice to wear jeans and a t-shirt, so let's do that! See you all soon.

Jay

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