I cannot thank you enough

We have almost made it.  One year ago, Spring Break wasn't even in our thoughts.  How we were going to keep the learning was.  And I know that all of you are thinking about this all of the time.  But we have a week to step back and reflect about all of the incredible things that have happened this year.  I was sitting in my office on Saturday morning, and an email from George Couros showed up.  Something made me open in right away and I began to read.  Within the email were three videos, two of which brought me to tears.  All three of them are posted below.  If you'd like me to forward you the email, just let me know and I will.  Why am I sharing these videos?  Each one of them makes me think of you, the impact you are having on our kids and each other, and the joy I have every day coming to school with you and our kids.  Thank you for making Merton Intermediate a place where our kids and the adults feel good about.

Why believing in our students matters.

41-year teacher retirement

Dick Hoyt video (If you don't know who he is, just click the link.)

Calendar

Friday, March 26th    End of third quarter

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

Tuesday, April 6th  School resumes/ School board election

Wednesday, April 7th  Grades due at 8AM

Tuesday, April 13th  8th grade Forward Exam (Science)/ PTO meeting

Wednesday, April 14th  5th and 6th grade Forward Exam (ELA)

Thursday, April 15th  7th and 8th grade Forward Exam (ELA)

Tuesday, April 20th  8th grade Forward Exam (Social Studies)

Wednesday, April 21st  5th and 6th grade Forward Exam (Math)

Thursday, April 22nd  7th and 8th grade Forward Exam (Math)

Monday, April 26th  School board meeting

Thursday, April 29th  AHS Math placement test

Friday, April 30th  No school

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"It is always easy to question the judgement of others in matters of which we may be imperfectly informed."-

P.D. James, writer

(from Heidi with a WHY, Inc.)

"If you're not out there taking some risks, if you're just coasting along with your wins, then you're really not trying."-

Ron Howard, actor, filmmaker

At the end of school today we'll be finished with the 3rd quarter.  Congratulations!  Please do me a favor and think, right now, of one thing that you will remember on those days when things seem really tough.  Here's mine, which I received yesterday from one of our students.

Enjoy your Spring Break, unplug, and I'll see you on Tuesday, April 6th!

Jay

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

Incredible week

This was one incredible week.  Winter-type weather returned, Becky Frei and Janine officially moved into their new classrooms, we had group pictures for the yearbook, 8th graders took the Spanish placement test, and we had a power outage.  And most of that happened on Thursday!  (As for the power outage, thanks for adjusting on the fly.  Kaysie and our food service staff were amazing and you all would have been proud of the kids for their understanding and patience.)  One year ago was also an incredible week.  Remember bagging up lockers and getting all of that out to our families, and in record time, I might add.  When thinking back to last year and this year, what I notice is that no matter what, you step up for our kids and each other.  Each of you is incredible, and I appreciate you more than you could know.

Calendar

March 19th-21st    PTO Culver's Week

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

"I've always believed that I could do whatever I set my mind to do."-

Alice Coachman, high jumper, first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal

"The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them.  If you dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough."-

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, 24th president of Liberia, first female head of state in Africa, Nobel Peace Prize recipient

What are the "basics" in education today? (from George Couros)

"It's not what you like but what you are like that's important."-

Nick Hornby, writer, screenwriter

"One has so many more opinions about what has gone wrong than about what is perfect."-

Nick Hornby, writer, screenwriter

"I believe that when you find problems, you should also find solutions."-

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, economist, international development expert, first female director-general of the World Trade Organization

"There are no insoluble problems.  Only time-consuming ones."-

James A. Michener, writer, Pulitzer Prize winner

What's with all of the quotes?

I've noticed that the last few "issues" of our nuts and bolts have had lots of quotes. There's something about quotes that help me pause and reflect. When I connect with one, I share it with all of you. I hope that one of the quotes I share will connect with you, too.

A-team Update 
COVID Updates: Vaccines for educators are nearly done. We will continue to keep 6 feet spacing.
BOE Topic: Discussion on calendar for 2021-22
Global Awareness with Paul Gorski- Looking at Summer Academy planning
Remodel Update @ IS: Spring Break building closed due to abatement
Staffing Discussion: Thank you to Ashley C for her years of service and dedication to our children. Posting for 2nd & 4th Grade general education teacher positions; Full-time Teacher contracts will be given May 15; we will do our best to get all others out in May as well as long as we have the schedule and student counts.
Quarantine Requirements for Travel: If a family is required to quarantine due to out of the country travel, this is a forced mandate, thus we will allow for virtual learning.

Thanks for an incredible week. Make sure that you take time for yourself and your family this weekend so that you can gear up for next week. It will be another incredible week, I'm sure!

Jay

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

One year ago...

One year ago today was the last day of in person learning for the 2019-2020 school year.  Our last concerts were Tuesday, March 10th.  Our last Wednesday assembly was March 11th.  The NJHS induction ceremony, with students and guests in attendance was Thursday, March 12th, one year ago.  Little did we know that we wouldn't be able to say goodbye to our students on Friday, March 13th.  We thought we'd be out of school for two weeks, and then it became longer and didn't stop until the last school day.  You have done amazing things with and for our kids, and one another, over the last calendar year.  Some of you shared those with me when you turned in your staff picture guess sheets.  I've put those in your mailboxes this morning so that you can have those memories as a keepsake.  I bet some of you even have a new one from this week.  Imagine if you started a little journal to write down the best "kid thing" from the week.  That would make a pretty awesome book, don't you think?

Calendar

March 15th-21st    PTO Culver's Week

Wednesday, March 17th    All staff meeting (Chapter 10 of Onward) in the Intermediate gym

Thursday, March 18th    Network Photography group photos (NJHS, Student Senate, volleyball), new student photos and classroom candids 9AM/ 8th grade Spanish placement test 10:00-11:30AM in the gym/ Insurance meeting  4:15PM in the Little Theater

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

"It's knowing what to do with things that counts."-

Robert Frost, poet

"Don't stir all of the warmth out of your coffee; drink it."-

Kate Chopin, writer

"To be or not to be is not a question of compromise.  Either you be or you don't be."-

Golda Meir, stateswoman, politician, fourth Prime Minister of Israel

"Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view.  Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you."-

David McCullogh, historian, writer, Pulitzer Prize winner

Beyond "Voice" to Contribution (from George Couros)

(from George Couros' blog)

"There's no such thing as a foreseeable futuer."-

David McCullogh, historian, writer, Pulitzer Prize winner

"Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn't be done."-

Amelia Earhart, aviation pioneer, writer, first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity."-

Amelia Earhart, aviation pioneer, writer, first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean

"What we do is more important than what we say or what we say we believe."-

bell hooks, writer, professor, feminist, social activist

"Expect everything, I always say, and the unexpected never happens."-

Norton Juster, academic, architect, writer

I received an email from Mike Teofilo that he is ready to come back as a guest teacher.  Feel free to reach out to him (I can provide you his email if you're interested.) for any of your upcoming absences.  Don't forget that Tom is up first for you, but if Tom is already guest teaching, Mike is a great choice.

Today is a day that most of you have been anticipating with nervous energy.  I know because a few of you have tried to trick me into letting you know about what you'll be doing next year.  I honestly don't know how each of you will feel or the questions you might have or the relief or pain you might feel.  You may remember that Jen and I like to watch New Amsterdam.  We watched the season's first two episodes Wednesday night.  There were some twists and turns, including a number of references to the pandemic.  One line that always finds its way into the show is one I've shared with you before- How can I help?  Please know that I am here for you and will help you in any way that I can as we finish this school year strong and look forward to next year.

Have a great Friday, make sure to say goodbye to the kids after your classes today, and have an awesome weekend!

Jay

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

March madness

It's the end of the first week in March and you have an extra half day of a weekend!  It's tournament time for basketball and my niece's hockey team is starting their pursuit of another national title.  Go Badgers!  You're also still wondering what you might be teaching next year.  Here's the plan.  Next Friday, I'll be meeting with each of you individually to speak about what you'll be teaching.  Each of you did get one of your top 3 choices.  I'm hopeful that you think that's a good thing.  I will not be able to let you know what room you'll be teaching in or the exact schedule that includes daily SEL time.  These teaching assignments are what we know as of Friday, March 12th.  We all know that things can change and often do.  It's how you handle the change that matters.

Calendar

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    Free lunch from the Picnic Basket

                                      (Thanks to Lori Lewandowski for organizing this for the district!)

                                      PTO meeting 2:30PM

Wednesday, March 10th    Team and personal planning (This is a change!)

March 15th-21st    PTO Culver's Week

Wednesday, March 17th    All staff meeting (Chapter 10 of Onward)

Thursday, March 18th    Network Photography new student photos and classroom candids 9AM

                                           8th grade Spanish placement test 10:00-11:30AM in the gym

                                           Insurance meeting  4:15PM

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, blogs, and quotes

"Impossible is potential.  Impossible is temporary.  Impossible is nothing."-

Muhammad Ali, professional heavyweight boxer, social activist, entertainer, philanthropist

"Simplicity is not a simple thing."-

Charlie Chaplin, actor, film maker

Are We Preparing our Students to be Chefs or Cooks? (from AJ Juliani)

"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length."-

Robert Frost, poet

"Even if you decide that 90 percent of the feedback is off target, that last golden 10 percent might be just the insight you need to grow."-

Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen from the book Thanks for the Feedback

A-team meeting highlights

COVID Update: County is beginning to give out vaccines and Ron has collected numbers and info to confirm (held at EXPO). 58% of 65+ have been vaccinated- next is educators once 60%. Between 1000-1500 vaccines per day at this time. 
Early Start to 2021-22: Discussions beginning regarding beginning before Labor Day at State level. Nothing definite or final at this time. 
Curriculum Director Interview Update: 4 Candidates being brought in to next rounds of interviews on March 15 & 16. 
Candidate Forum for School Board: March 10, 2021 @ 6-7:30 in IS gym.
Budget Discussion & IS Remodel Update: B&G began moving IS items and classrooms. 
PS Facilities Update: 4K floor and paint, 2nd grade furniture, & Art room remodel/addition, 1st grade large area- putting up gross motor items.
Health Insurance Reminder of the meeting: March 18 @ 4:15 (IS). Enrollment will be 1-1 this year with experts with insurance plans. More to come.
Health & Wellness Perk: Something fun is coming! :) 
Biometrics: Reminder on Wednesday, March 10 (PS Library)
State Testing: Forward- Need to assess students including virtual in person; shortened assessment. Principals will plan with teams.

Thanks for a great week, and thanks even more for your efforts with conferences the last two Thursdays. I hope that you can enjoy your half day. Get out for a walk. Read a book. Relax. You deserve it!

Jay

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