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