Keep connecting!

You amaze me. I can stop in and watch a lesson and see the amount of thought and preparation you put into what you are doing. That's the curriculum part of your class. But the real amazement is the connections that you make with the kids. Just think about it. I could ask you about any of your kids and you could tell me something that no one might know about them- their successes, their struggles, their interests, their dreams. Those connections are where the learning starts. Please keep making those connections with our kids, and with each other.

Calendar

Friday, December 11th    Wear flannel/ Material pickup

Monday, December 14th    Holiday Colors Day/ BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Board meeting 6PM

Tuesday, December 15th    Holiday Hat Day/ PTO brunch

Wednesday, December 16th    Homeroom Pride Day/ Workout Wednesday/8th grade PreACT at 9:15AM in the gym

Thursday, December 17th    Throwback Thursday

Friday, December 18th    Polar Express Pajama Day/Raffle drawing/ Material pickup

Saturday, December 19th-Sunday, January 3rd    Winter Break

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Fake it until you make it or Face it until you make it? (from Allyson Apsey)

"For me, being an innovator doesn't mean being more intelligent, more rich, it's not a word, it's an action."

Ornette Coleman, jazz musician

(from @Toups_J. He thinks about this as he creates lessons for his kids, and I know you do, too!)

This is a link to a new resource, Education Blueprint, shared by the Teach Better Team. Looks pretty cool, and it's free!

"I never decide if an idea is good or bad until I try it."

Rick Rubin, record producer

"If you want to grow old as a pilot, you've got to know when to push it, and when to back off."

Chuck Yeagar, US Air Forcce officer, test pilot, first pilot to break the sound barrier

A couple of nuggets from George Couros- the quote and the short video.  Please know this will be my focus with each of you next week, and I hope that you are able to do the same for and with each other and our students next week, too.

A thank you from Donald Driver...

Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act Extensions for COVID FMLA/Sick time

The bill ends on December 31, 2020, and the federal government has not agreed upon an extension.  If you have a determined school-based exposure, Merton SD will continue to provide COVID sick time. More to come on other non-school based exposures due to the expiring federal laws.

Here are some suggestions from our guest teachers.

Please consider adding these items to your guest teacher plans.

- Sign in info (Envisions, 2nd Step, etc..)

- Links in the lesson plans are AWESOME!

- Mark places in texts that they want to highlight or to be discussed in the lesson

- Provide examples in the lesson when applicable

- Provide names of teacher helpers

- Note any students that may need extra guidance/support

- Include classroom behavior plan or incentives (punch cards, clip charts, fill jar, etc...)  I like to use positive reinforcements!

It's been such a wonderful experience working with the awesome staff and students in this district so far this year!

Global Awareness Committee

The Student Achievement Committee met to discuss how to bring Global Awareness to our staff and students. The end result of the work will be to make staff and students more Globally Aware. Global awareness encompasses many aspects and the work will continue to be refined.  Our first step is to identify how to begin developing our staff.  The team of admin, specialists, guidance, and board members will be examining different ways to engage our staff in this work. Later in January, we will be engaging other staff members to assist in learning more before bringing something to the entire staff.  Our next meeting is set for January 11. More to come!

Thanks for another great week.  Enjoy the weekend, and maybe some snow, relax, and come back next Monday ready to take on one more week before Winter Break.  We've got this!

Jay

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

We are our best resource!

I'll tell you this.  I really needed the Thanksgiving Break to take some time for myself and my family.  When Monday came, I was ready for school to get started again.  My trips into classrooms and the conversations that I was a part of were invigorating and made me realize just how fortunate I am to go to school with each of you every day.  Your willingness to share on Wednesday was so appreciated.  I spoke to a couple of you later that day and you had already tried one of the tips or were going to try it.  When you take risks it gives your students permission to take risks, too.  Keep connecting with one another.  Visit each other's classes (and if you need coverage, just let me know).  There is so much we can learn from one another!

Calendar

Friday, December 4th    Material pickup

Monday, December 7th    Donuts

Tuesday, December 8th    Wear an ugly holiday sweater

Wednesday, December 9th    Wear blue/ Staff SEL meeting 7:45AM in the gym (read chapter 6)

Thursday, December 10th    Wear red or green

Friday, December 11th    Wear flannel/ Material pickup

Monday, December 14th    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, December 16th    8th grade PreACT at 9:15AM in the gym

Friday, December 18th    Material pickup

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Leaders, how do you break over a break? by Amber Teamann (This is a post for all educators!)

(from School Leadership 2.0)

"Open, honest communication is the best foundation for any relationship, but remember at the end of the day it's not what you say or what you do, but how you make people feel that matters the most."

Tony Hseih, entrepreneur, former CEO of Zappos

(from Dr. Bryan Pearlman @DrP_Pearlman)

"There were certainly things I was scared to do, but I never thought I wasn't up for the challenge."

Rooney Mara, actor

(from @mellowdoodles)

"It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become."

Theodor Seuss Geisel, writer known as Dr. Seuss

Know that you are all a "Mr. Jensen"!

(Yes, you have all probably seen this before but it's just too good not to see again!)

A-team topics from Wednesday

• Health Department/Local Discussions: Some schools in the area went virtual to see if that would allow for a decrease in the spread in schools that could not space out. CDC released new guidelines for quarantine (direct contact in quarantine 1)10 day infectious period 2)Negative test & 7 days. States/County need to decide whether to adopt that recommendation.  WE WILL WAIT TO HEAR FROM THE COUNTY AND THEY MAKE THE CHANGES. Until the county health department gives us the directive, we will hold tight. More to come. Vaccines - The recommendations from CDC for Health Care and Essential Workers completely out number the number of vaccines in our state. For the general public and schools maybe by April if lucky. You need 2 doses so that means half needs to be saved.  Once completed, about 5 weeks then the vaccine will be effective.  NO STUDIES ON CHILDREN as it is not being recommended for kids. Teachers/Educators are not considered “Essential.”

• Substitute Update: Feedback discussed from teachers and building subs on + and opp for improvement. Principals will follow-up with building subs and work with staff to leave detailed lesson plans.

• IS’s Remodel Update: Design plans will be completed at the end of December. Remodel begins in the Spring of 2021 after break.

• 1202 Staff Report for DPI: We are required to obtain updated license information for staff. If we need anything from someone, Ron/Jay will reach out.

So about Wednesday...

I hope that you were able to make a connection with someone (remember the text?). If you weren't able to connect, or just forgot about it when you left the gym, why not try and reach out this weekend. You might have a little more time or you just might be on a car ride, hear a song, and make a call. You never know what song might make a connection with one of your friends or colleagues.

Have a great weekend! So many of you said, "This week has really flown by!" I hope this isn't a jinx to make today the longest day of the week, but at least we know it will be the best Friday of the week!

Jay

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

Thanksgiving is not just one day

As the school year continues, I have found that every day brings at least one thing for which I am thankful.  To be honest, I'm thankful for many things every day.  I'm thankful for my family because they are always there to support me, encourage me, or give me a swift kick in the pants.  They seem to know just what I need.  I'm thankful for each of you.  You take care of our kids and you take care of each other, and we all learn something every day.  I'm thankful for the concerns you share about our kids, the celebrations you have for and with our kids, and the direction that you provide our kids on a daily basis.  And I'm thankful that I get to go to school with each of you every day!

Staying Centered

I read my friend Jessica's blog on Monday.  She is a middle school principal who just a couple of short years ago was a kindergarten principal.  She is the co-author of Balance Like a Pirate and always provides great suggestions.  She is honest and in her most recent blog talks about how lonely it can be as an educator.  The thoughts in the visual below have helped her become more centered, and I hope that they will help you as well.  Practice one or more of these thoughts over the weekend and over Thanksgiving Week so that they become a habit for you and help you get back to feeling centered.

Calendar

Friday, November 20th    Material pickup/ Hat Day!

Tuesday, November 24th-Sunday November 29th    Thanksgiving Break!

Tuesday, November 24th    AM 30 minute grade level meetings (see below)

Monday, November 30th    School board meeting 7PM

Friday, December 4th    Material pickup

Wednesday, December 9th    Staff SEL meeting 7:45AM in the gym

Friday, December 11th    Material pickup

Wednesday, December 16th    8th grade PreACT at 9:15AM in the gym

From one of our guest teachers...

It's really awesome when people use the shared substitute drives and make sub plans with links to presentations, assignments, etc. But, please remember that everything that gets linked must also get its sharing settings changed so that whoever is subbing can access the linked materials.

Also, gold stars to people who include video lessons so things are explained as the students are used to!

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Think about the AWE you are for our kids!

Let the Light In- a blog post by Todd Nesloney

"The day you settle for less is the day you will get less."-

Iman Abdulmajid, model, entrepreneur

I encourage each of you to take part in this Call To Action this weekend!

Next Tuesday morning

Next Tuesday morning I'll be meeting with 5th and 6th grade, either in person or virtually, from 8:30 to 9:00 and then with 7th and 8th grade, either in person or virtually, from 9:15-9:45.  Specials teachers can join either meeting or they can join both, the choice is yours.  Here are the questions that will guide our discussion.  Please look them over before we meet and prepare responses in advance.

What’s one success from this school year?

What’s one challenge from this school year?

What’s something you’d like to share that helps you make connections with your in-person kids?

What’s something you’d like to share that helps you make connections with your virtual kids?

Share one trick/tool/technique that you think one of your colleagues might find helpful.

What do we need to do to make sure that, if we need, we can make the transition to fully virtual smooth for our students and their families?

Normal vs mind-blowing

This week I got more than my share of emails, but two of them really made me smile.  It could have been about any of you.  It was about going above and beyond, again, for a child.  The parent wanted me to know how lucky we are to have you as a teacher in Merton.  And we are.  But the real lucky ones are our kids.  You do incredible things every day that may seem normal to you, but they aren't normal to everyone.  You've heard me say this before, but what is normal for you is mind-blowing for someone else.  On Tuesday you'll have the opportunity to share what you do for our kids, your normal, and I know that it's going to be someone else's mind-blowing idea.

Have a great weekend!  We've got one day next week to make a difference, and I know that you will!

Jay

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

I miss being in your classrooms

The last two weeks have been pretty awesome.  Aspire testing and family conferences have come and gone, although there will be some Aspire testing makeups next week at some point.  I'll work on that with all of you.  But with the craziness of testing and conferences, as well as the need for me to cover a class or two a day, I haven't been able to be in your classrooms as much as I would like.  My hope is that changes in the very near future.  I do still work here as the principal and being in classrooms to see you facilitate learning with our kids is what makes me go and keeps me going.  Juggling testing and classroom coverage has been fun.  This is how I think my juggling went for the last two weeks.

I'll keep practicing my juggling and maybe I'll get better.  In the meantime, if I can, you know I'll be getting into your classrooms more next week!

Calendar

Friday, November 13th    Material pickup/ Food drive ends/ Jeans for Troops/ World Kindness Day (Do you know your color?)

Sunday, November 15th    Online Book Fair ends

Monday, November 16th-Sunday, November 22nd    Culver's Week

Monday, November 16th    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, November 18th    Team or individual planning 7:45AM

Thursday, November 19th    Virtual materials to include up to December 4th to office by 4PM

Friday, November 20th    Material pickup

Tuesday, November 24th    Half day- noon dismissal

Wednesday, November 25th-Sunday, November 29th    Thanksgiving Break

Monday, November 30th    School board meeting 7PM

Quotes, tweets, and blogs

American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser once said, “Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.” 

"The bottom line in all of it is that, in life, it's all about people ... the people who pass through your life, the people who have been kind and good to you, the people who have been inspirations to you, and the people who perhaps you didn't get along with. They all come together and make you who you are and what you are.”

Colin Powell | 1937 - | American statesman, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Don't judge me by my past. I don't live there anymore. - Petteri Tarkkonen

If you are, or would like to be, an AT&T customer, I wanted to make you aware of this offer.

P.S.- I get nothing for passing this on to you!

Thank you for the last two weeks.  I'm writing this as conferences are winding down.  I know this.  Our families are incredibly thankful for each of you.  You might not get an email from them.  They might not leave you a voicemail.  They might not send you a handwritten note.  But I had amazing conversations with many families about the great work you are doing with their children.  Your communication with our families in Skyward, in emails, on the phone, and in Google Meets is beyond compare.  Thank you for doing such great work on the front end that your work at conferences was a chance to share the joys of the students with their families.  It means the world to them, and it means the world to me.

Have a great weekend!

Jay

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

Tomorrow

Every day I get emails that have interesting articles on education and always end with a quote.  As I was proctoring the 8th grade Aspire test on Tuesday, here's a quote that hit me hard.

You might be thinking, "What's the big deal with the quote, Jay?"  Here's the big deal.  Every morning when I come to school, I flip the two calendars that are on my desk.  One I got from Stephanie Janquart long ago.  One I got as a present from one of my 2nd grade students back in 1989.  The quotes aren't the same and sometimes they don't mean much to me, at least that year.  Then there are times when the quote completely changes my outlook.  The quote that I shared above had that impact on me.  Maybe it had something to do with the election or maybe it was just that I realized I had started Tuesday in a really positive way.  I put the old nonsense from Monday behind me when I got up on Tuesday.  And when I read this quote on Tuesday morning, I thought to myself, "Why can't I just leave yesterday behind?  I can't change it.  I need to focus on today."  I can tell you this.  I'm going to have this quote somewhere prominent as a daily reminder.  Tomorrow is done.  Let's focus on today.

Calendar

Friday, November 6th    Shorts day!/ Material pickup

Tuesday, November 10th    7th grade Aspire AM/ 5th grade Aspire PM

Wednesday, November 11th    Staff meeting 7:45AM (Onward Chapter 5)/ 7th grade Aspire PM

Thursday, November 12th    5th grade Aspire AM/ Virtual materials to office by 4PM/ 6th and 8th grade conferences

Friday, November 13th    Material pickup/ Food drive ends

Sunday, November 15th    Online Book Fair ends

Monday, November 16th-Sunday, November 22nd    Culver's Week

Monday, November 16th    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, November 18th    Team or individual planning 7:45AM

Thursday, November 19th    Virtual materials to include up to December 4th to office by 4PM

Friday, November 20th    Material pickup

Tuesday, November 23rd    Half day- noon dismissal/ Jay creates a virtual assembly to start the day

Wednesday, November 24th-Sunday, November 29th    Thanksgiving Break

Monday, November 30th    School board meeting 7PM

Wednesday meeting rotations

I wanted to make you all aware that there is a rotation for our Wednesday meetings.  The first Wednesday of the month will be a building meeting.  The second Wednesday of the month will be our WIN Wednesday district meeting.  The subsequent Wednesdays will be used for team and personal planning.  With that being said, please use the time next Wednesday to prepare for our upcoming family conferences.  Having materials in place to discuss with our families is really a powerful way to communicate the progress of our students.

Reminders for all of us

Although I wasn't able to get into as many classrooms as I would have liked this week, I still had a chance to stop in once in a while.  The one thing we are all doing well is wearing our masks.  This is true of our students and of us.  Reminders will be needed of our kids, and we must remind each other, too.  The one thing that is concerning to me is group work.  We need to make sure we are 6 feet apart.  The times we aren't doing well with this is when our kids are working in groups or when we are working in groups.  I use comments like "stay on your dot" or "use your own M" or "you're too close".  I used a term called "slippage" when I was a basketball coach.  In practice I was a stickler about positioning on defense so that if there was "slippage" during the game we would still be alright.  Let's get back in the practice of making sure that we're 6 feet apart.  That, along with wearing masks and washing hands often, will allow us to stay safe to stay open a lot longer.  Thanks for addressing this with the kids, and each other, today and the rest of the year.  I'll be adding it to the announcements today and Monday, too, as a reminder for us all.

Twinning on conference night (totally by accident)

Conferences and Aspire

Thanks for all of your efforts with conferences and Aspire.  Just so you know, I split up the weeks that each grade level had these.  I don't know if it was the best idea or not so if you'd like to give me some feedback, please do.  You have created incredible learning environments for our kids so they have a chance to really focus on what they are doing in class.  You have also communicated with our families in a way that keeps them informed with no surprises.  The conferences have become a time for families to meet you, the teacher, or to thank you for all that you are doing to make sure our school stays open.  Keep up the great work!

Moonrise over the millpond following conferences

Spiritwear order due today!

In case you are interested, here is the link to order.  My hope is that we receive the order before Thanksgiving.

Have a great weekend!  Enjoy the weather!  Take at least a day off from school work.  Go for a walk in the woods.  Call a friend or family member you haven't spoken to in a while.  Do something for you because you deserve it.

Jay

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

"Err on the side of positive"- George Couros (a reflection)

 I was listening to one of George Couros' podcasts on Friday afternoon, and this quote really struck me.

I think that it struck because I remember reading a number of tweets about toxic positivity.  The kind of positive I'm thinking about is looking at a situation and erring on the side of positive.  George shared this story (embedded in this blog) in his podcast about a man on a subway with his kids who were acting out.  I won't spoil the story, but every time I read or hear the story I think that the man is doing the best that he can at that moment.  And when we see people, including ourselves, acting in ways that might not equate with the situation, I encourage you to err on the side of positive and believe that they, and we, are doing the best that we can.

Calendar

Monday, November 2nd    Food drive begins (no classroom competitions)

Tuesday, November 3rd    8th grade Aspire AM

Wednesday, November 4th    8th grade Aspire PM/ Staff meeting 7:45AM (Plan for 11/5 or 11/12 conferences)/ 6th grade Aspire AM

Thursday, November 5th    6th grade Aspire PM/ 5th and 7th grade conferences/ Virtual materials to office by 4PM

Friday, November 6th    Material pickup

Tuesday, November 10th    7th grade Aspire AM/ 5th grade Aspire PM

Wednesday, November 11th    7th grade Aspire PM/ Staff meeting 7:45AM (District meeting)

Thursday, November 12th    5th grade Aspire AM/ 6th and 8th grade conferences/ Virtual materials to office by 4PM

Friday, November 13th    Material pickup/ Food drive ends

Wednesday meeting rotations

I wanted to make you all aware that there is a rotation for our Wednesday meetings.  The first Wednesday of the month will be a building meeting.  The second Wednesday of the month will be our WIN Wednesday district meeting.  The subsequent Wednesdays will be used for team and personal planning.  With that being said, please use the time next Wednesday to prepare for our upcoming family conferences.  Having materials in place to discuss with our families is really a powerful way to communicate the progress of our students.

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Little Things Throwing You Off The Edge? It's Not Your Fault! (by Allyson Apsey)

Learning That Works for the Learner (from George Couros)

"Without proper self evaluation, failure is inevitable."- John Wooden, basketball coach

If you have been here a while, you might remember...

Jenny Fischer.  She started a fundraiser to raise awareness regarding suicide.  Her mother and her grandfather were both lost to suicide.  If you'd like to participate in her fundraiser, here is a link.  Thanks for your consideration.

If you are a fan of Meijer...

and you know I am, check out this opportunity from Meijer for teachers.  It's a 15% off coupon for teachers.  All you need to do is show your school ID.  Thanks to Jim for sharing this with me and ultimately with you!

Today ends the first quarter of the year!

I find that line to be pretty amazing.  The first quarter of the year is done at the end of the day today.  Can you believe it?  Think back on the connections you've made with our kids and their families.  Think about the times you've celebrated and supported your colleagues.  I know that it hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns (and some of you know the other phrase that I add following unicorns), but I do know one thing.  There is no question in my mind that you are here for our kids every day.  When you are with the kids in class, you are spot on, doing amazing things, fostering learning, and building relationships.  I know that each of you puts all of your energy into that every day.  I know you leave school exhausted.  And I know you come back the next day because of our kids.  I am proud of you.  I am inspired by you.  I am awed by you.  You are amazing, and I thank you for all that you do for our kids every day.

Have a great weekend!

Jay

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

Do something for yourself

Thanks for the conversations yesterday.  Today, Saturday, and Sunday should be days to relax and recharge.  Do something for yourself.  Monday will be here soon enough.  If you're into football, watch Wisconsin tonight.  If you're not, curl up with a book or watch a movie or binge a favorite show.  Or take a nap.  That's what I plan on doing.

Calendar

Friday, October 23rd    No School

Monday, October 26th    Wear Merton Spritiwear/ School board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, October 28th    SEL planning by grade level 7:45AM (See below for more information)

Thursday, October 29th    Virtual materials to office by 4PM

Friday, October 30th    Material pickup

Monday, November 2nd    Food drive begins (no classroom competitions)

Wednesday, November 4th    Staff meeting 7:45AM (Plan for conferences)

Thursday, November 5th    5th and 7th grade conferences/Virtual materials to office by 4PM

Friday, November 6th    Material pickup

Wednesday, November 11th    Staff meeting 7:45AM (Plan for conferences)

Thursday, November 12th    6th and 7th grade conferences/Virtual materials to office by 4PM

Friday, November 13th    Material pickup/Food drive ends

SEL planning on Wednesday

As we near the end of the first quarter, please get together on Wednesday to plan what may be taking place with SEL in November.  In particular, I'd like to have an idea come from each grade level of a theme that I could focus on for a virtual assembly.  Providing me a date for the assembly would also be wonderful, as long as it isn't for Wednesday, October 28th.

Aspire testing

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the best times and dates for your grade level.  I will be sharing schedules for testing dates with you early next week.

Parking Lot questions

Here is the link to the parking lot questions that was started at the beginning of the year.  If you have other questions to add, please do so.  This will continue to be updated as the school year progresses.

Have a great weekend!

Jay

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