Forward Exams are done, so now what?

It seems that the focus for most of us all year has been Forward testing.  We have talked about how we are preparing our students, how we will make the testing environment as quiet and focused as possible, and how we can make sure that our students are giving their best effort and taking their time.  Now that Forward testing is over, except for the students who will need to do makeup tests, we should set our sites on continuing to provide excellent learning experiences for all of our students.  We still have important learning to do!  Keep student learning moving forward, pushing our students to stretch themselves and ask more of themselves.  Collaborate with your colleagues and connect with your students and their families.  My work to provide feedback isn't over for you now that Forward Exams are over.  Please invite me in to see the great things you are doing with and for our kids.  You know I love being in your classrooms more than being in my office, and I'd love to stop in, observe what's happening, and then have a discussion following my visits.  I am excited to watch what the next six weeks has in store for our kids, and for you!

Calendar

Monday, April 25th    BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, April 27th    Grade level meetings 7:45AM/ Arrowhead Math placement test in the PM

Tuesday, May 3rd    Final Choir Concerts

Wednesday, May 4th    Building meeting 7:45AM

Friday, May 6th    Merton only Student Senate Dance

Wednesday, May 11th    District meeting 7:45AM

Friday, May 13th    Career Day for 6th-8th grades in the AM/ District Celebration after school

Friday, May 13th-Sunday May 15th    PTO Scavenger Hunt

Wednesday, May 18th    Content meetings 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night

Monday, May 23rd    Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM

Forward Exam makeups

Here's the plan for the next few days.

Friday, April 22nd    Grades 5-8 ELA Session 1 at 9:00AM in room 119

Friday, April 22nd    Grades 5-8 ELA Session 2 at 10:30AM in room 119

Monday, April 25th    Grades 5&6 ELA session 4 9:00AM in the computer lab

Monday, April 25th    Grades 7&8 ELA session 4 10:00AM in the computer lab

Monday, April 25th    Grades 5-8 ELA session 3 11:00AM in the computer lab (headphones needed)

Tuesday, April 26th    Grade 8 Science and Social Studies 9:00AM in room 119

Tuesday, April 26th    Grades 6-8 Math session 1 10:30AM in room 119

Wednesday, April 27th-Friday, April 29th    TBD

*Room 119 is right across from the library.  It's the Health, Geometry, and 8th grade Algebra A classroom.

A-team update 

• Emergency Procedures Discussion. These have been Updated. Remember to put 1 in your sub folder. Have you checked your map for your tornado location? We'll be having a tornado drill next week.

• End of the Year Room Expectations: Packing up your room will be coming to assist with planning. 

• Summer School Rooms: After we have enrollment, we will assign rooms & let staff know. Summer School enrollment closes April 14. All summer school classes will be in the Primary School.

• District Postcards Highlights this Month: 3rd Grade Arcade, Math Meet, Staff Longevity.

• State Requirements for Substitutes: Can student teach and substitute in classroom, involved in teacher prep program & junior status & 15 hours of classroom observation- then can substitute.

• Staffing Updates: Interviews set for April/ May for 5K & 3rd Grade positions. Interviewed this week for Intermediate School FACE teacher.

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

A Small Question to Help Further Build Positive Relationships (from Pernille Ripp)

(from MindShift)

"If you're waiting for the right time...Time never comes, time only goes."

Azereth Skivel

(from George Couros' blog)

"The best thing a human being can do is to help another human being know more."

Charlie Munger

Family smore

Some of you may be wondering what happened to our family smore.  I do send it out every week.  It's on my webpage and on the Twitters and the Facebook.  Although I need one more picture to complete this week's smore, here is the link.

Personal day requests

This is a reminder from Wednesday's meetings that there are no more requests for personal days on April 29th or May 20th.  Please see me if you have any questions.

I'm looking forward to the weekend because I'll be with my family a lot.  Saturday morning is golf with my dad, brother, and brother in law.  Then there's a surprise birthday party for my brother in law in the afternoon (Don't tell him!).  On Sunday Jen and I will probably be doing some work around the yard, getting our patio set for Spring and Summer nights, and maybe watching a little NASCAR.  I hope that you are able to enjoy time with your family and friends this weekend, too.

Jay

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

Curveballs

Baseball season is underway and with it hopefully some better weather.  Where is this Spring of which people speak?  Anyway, I saw this quote and it made me think about our path to success.

"The shortest distance between two point may be a straight line, but it's in the curving paths that the best things are found."

Lygia Fagundes Telles, writer, lawyer

Our path to success for our students and our school has not been a straight line.  We have try something, reflect on how it works, make adjustments, reflect on the adjustments, and make more adjustments.  It's a continuous process and one that involves and requires collaboration and feedback.  The straight line approach might appear easier but it also isn't practical.  Noting truly moves in a straight line.  There are curves along the way and that's how it should be.  The one thing we can't do is stay still, and I know you all well enough to know that you don't stay still for long.  Let's keep reflecting on what we're doing and enjoy the curving paths that are leading us to more success.

Calendar

Thursday, April 14th    Forward testing for all

Friday, April 15th-Monday, April 18th    Spring Break #2 (No School)

Tuesday, April 19th-21st    Forward testing

Wednesday, April 20th    PTO Culver's Night (see below)

Monday, April 25th    BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM

Tweets, blogs, and quotes

"Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

James Baldwin, American novelist and activist

(from @teachergoals)

"We need to do things without expecting benefits in return."

Lygia Fagundes Telles, writer, lawyer

(from Inspiring Quotes)

(from Inspiring Quotes)

(from @tedhiff on the Twitters)

PTO Culver's Nights

On April 20th, the PTO will benefit from Culver's Night in Hartland.  Although I haven't been there in a while, our families really like to see staff members there.  We even get to take food to tables and cars!  The PTO gets a percentage of the proceeds from 4:00-8:00.  You don't need to stay the entire time, in fact I try to shoot for 5:30 when it's closer to dinner time.  If you are interested in joining me for a bit that night, please let me know or, better yet, just show up and surprise the families!

Forward Exams

Next week ends our scheduled Forward Exams.  I am apologizing in advance for the interruptions that will occur starting next week and extending into the following week as we make every effort to have our students complete the make up exams.  If there is a day for us to avoid, please let me know so that I can try to work around that day or class period.  As I reflect on the Forward Exam so far, I've heard you talk about how we have been able to create really good testing environments.  I've also you talk about how seriously the students are taking the sessions.  Thanks for reminding your classes of the importance of taking their time and doing their best.  I think that everything you have done to help our students prepare will show up in the results.   Keep up the great work!  Only three testing days left!

As we approach Spring Break #2, I hope that you make time for your family and friends and stay away from school work as much as possible.  I won't reach out to you unless there's an emergency.  If you need to get in touch with me, texting will be your best option.

Have a great 4 day weekend!

Jay

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

Thank you!

Thanks for a wonderful week!  I must admit that I was anxious about our staff meeting and our assembly.  In case you want to see the presentation I shared at the assembly, here it is.  I really have missed the assemblies and hope to have one in May if our schedule permits.  Although I didn't get into as many classrooms this week as I would have liked, when I was in classrooms I was inspired by your preparation for instruction, the way you support your students, and your genuine concern for all students in your classrooms.  Next week is only four days long, but for our students it might seem longer as they have Forward Exams in Math or Language Arts.  Please keep that in mind as you plan for assignments and assessments.  Be more present in our hallways during transition time especially on days when we are testing.  You have done amazing work preparing our students.  All that's left is to provide them with the best testing environment possible.  The rest is up to them, and they are ready!

Calendar

April 4th-9th    Little Mermaid Jr. Musical Week!

Friday, April 8th    PTO meeting 9:45AM/Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM

Saturday, April 9th    Little Mermaid Jr. 2PM and 7PM

Monday, April 11th-Thursday, April 14th    Forward testing for all

Friday, April 15th-Monday, April 18th    Spring Break #2 (No School)

Tuesday, April 19th-21st    Forward testing

Wednesday, April 20th    PTO Culver's Night (see below)

Monday, April 25th    BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"So much with so little" from George Couros

"Throw yourself toward the unfamiliar.  Let curiosity be your guide."

Sarah Jessica Parker, actor, producer, businessperson, philanthropist

(from Inspiring Quotes)

"Despite the help you may have received along the way, if was, in the end, and individual undertaking."

Sarah Jessica Parker, actor, producer, businessperson, philanthropist

(www.mrsdscorner.com)

"People are always neglecting something they can do in trying to do something they can't do."

Edgar Watson Howe, writer, newspaper and magazine editor

Brian is doing well after his surgery

Just providing an update on Brian.  His surgery went well, although he's in quite a bit of pain.  He promises me that he will do what the doctors tell him to do.  He thanks you all for your prayers and well wishes.

PTO Culver's Nights

On April 20th, the PTO will benefit from Culver's Night in Hartland.  Although I haven't been there in a while, our families really like to see staff members there.  We even get to take food to tables and cars!  The PTO gets a percentage of the proceeds from 4:00-8:00.  You don't need to stay the entire time, in fact I try to shoot for 5:30 when it's closer to dinner time.  If you are interested in joining me for a bit that night, please let me know or, better yet, just show up and surprise the families!

I started by thanking you for a wonderful week.  I'll end by thanking you for all that you do for our students, for your colleagues, and for our school.  You all make our school a special place.  Since the beginning of the school year your focus has been on our kids and their success.  You review with students before and after school and during lunch times and prep periods.  I notice, and the kids and their families notice, even if we don't say anything or send you an email or a note of thanks.  Thank you!

Have a great weekend!

Jay

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

Jump Around!

If you know anything about Wisconsin Badgers football games, you know that between the third and fourth quarter they play the song "Jump Around" by House of Pain.  Here's a little clip if you're not familiar with the tradition.

So, today is the end of the third quarter.  Monday begins the fourth quarter.  What do you have planned that will get the students, and your colleagues, fired up to finish strong?  How can you bring the excitement of "Jump Around" at Camp Randall to your classroom?  Maybe you don't want to bring that much excitement, but the importance of staying focused and energetic with our kids is very important.  They notice when we aren't on our game.  I'm hoping that the assembly on Thursday might bring some excitement, but not too much.  I want to make sure that we are a respectful audience for Little Mermaid, Jr.  Someone please let me know if I need to tone it down a bit.  I'm looking forward to getting back to some assembly time with our kids.  More to come on that next week.

Calendar

April 4th-9th    Little Mermaid Jr. Musical Week!

Monday, April 4th    8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)

Tuesday, April 5th    8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)

Wednesday, April 6th    Building meeting 7:45AM

Thursday, April 7th    All school assembly at 8:55/ School performance of Little Mermaid Jr. 10:15AM/ Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM

Friday, April 8th    PTO meeting 9:45AM/Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM

Saturday, April 9th    Little Mermaid Jr. 2PM and 7PM

Monday, April 11th-Thursday, April 14th    Forward testing for all

Friday, April 15th-Monday, April 18th    Easter Break (No School)

Tuesday, April 19th    Forward testing for all

Wednesday, April 20th    Forward testing for all/ PTO Culver's Night

Monday, April 25th    BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

When in doubt, go high from Allyson Apsey

(from Inspiring Quotes)

I need your help with Homework Club

As I look at my schedule for the next couple of weeks, I have some conflicts with Homework Club dates due to some interviews.  I would need some help on Tuesday, April 5th and Tuesday, April 12th.  I meet the students in the library at 4:15 and we work together on things until 5:15.  Please let me know if you might be able to help me out.  Thanks for your consideration!

Wednesday we have a building meeting at 7:45

We'll meet in the Learning Lounge for some time together and discuss topics ranging from the Thursday morning assembly to the play to Forward testing.  Oh, and we'll find out our teaching assignments, too.

It was an amazing week and, if you ask me, it went by really quickly.  Our 8th graders have started the Forward Exam and have been doing well.  I was able to stop by and into many classes and have seen you engaging our kids in learning activities that they are really into.  Today ends the 3rd quarter.  Can you believe it?  Let's make sure to enjoy some time away from school this weekend and come back ready to go on Monday.  Thanks for a great week!

Jay

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

It's Spring Break!

It's hard to believe that it's already Spring Break.  And then the week we get back will be the end of the 3rd quarter.  Holy smokes!  It's been an incredible year so far with its ups and downs and shoutouts and concerns. I hope that you can remember back to Wednesday's meeting and the 3-2-1 sheet I had you work on.  Did you finish it?  Did you share it with anyone?  It's not homework, but it might be something for you to think about doing while on a beach, in a car, or at your home over the next week, or not.  I don't want you to think that you have to do anything school related over break because you deserve time for yourself.  I hope that you are able to do something over break that brings you back focused on finishing the school year strong.

Calendar

Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th    Spring Break

Monday, March 28th    BLT meeting 4:15PM

Wednesday, March 30th    Grade level meetings 7:45AM/ 8th grade Forward Exam (Social Studies in the AM)

Thursday, March 31st    8th grade Forward Exam (Social Studies in the AM)

Friday, April 1st    8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)/End of third quarter (It's not April Fools.  It's really the end of the quarter!)

April 4th-9th    Little Mermaid Jr. Musical Week!

Monday, April 4th    8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)

Tuesday, April 5th    8th grade Forward Exam (Science in the AM)

Wednesday, April 6th    Building meeting 7:45AM

Thursday, April 7th    School performance of Little Mermaid Jr./ Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM

Friday, April 8th    Little Mermaid Jr. 7PM

Saturday, April 9th    Little Mermaid Jr. 2PM and 7PM

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"Remember that there's always another way of seeing things: that's the beginning of wisdom."

John Barth, writer

"Words mean more than what is set down on paper.  It takes the human voice to infuse them with the shades of deeper meaning."

Maya Angelou, poet, writer, screenwriter, educator

(from Inspiring Quotes)

"I learned the value of hard work by working hard."

Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist

"What people say, what people do, and what people say they do are entirely different things."

Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist

(from Jethro Jones)

Less than 12 hours from now you will have a chance to put school away for a while.  As I mentioned on Wednesday morning, it's important to keep our students engaged all the way through the bell at 4:00.  If you aren't planned there's more of a chance that behaviors will make you look a bit like Mona Lisa above.  I'm heading to St. Louis and Nashville with Jen for the next few days and won't bother you unless something really major comes up.  I certainly hope that doesn't happen.  Let me know if I can be of any assistance today.  I'm here for you.

Happy Spring Break!

Jay

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

Write a new ending...

You probably know that I like Brene Brown's book "Dare to Lead".  I saw this quote from her recently.

"Write a new ending for yourself, for the people you're meant to serve and support, and for your culture."

Wow!  Imagine if you could start every day with where you are and not look back at where you've been.  As I think about all of your incredible work to make a difference with our students, both academically and socially, you should know it makes me think about the new ending you are writing for them for this school year.  You are helping our students to become better students and, more importantly, better people.  Think about the impact you are having with our students.  They might not thank you to your face today, or next week, or maybe ever, but know the impact you have each and every day.  You are writing an ending for each of our students every day that they didn't know was possible.  Thank you for creating so many happy endings!

Calendar

Friday, March 11th    PTO meeting 9:30AM/ PTO Saz's Fish Fry fundraiser at Western Lakes 4-8PM

Monday, March 14th    School Board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, March 16th    Content meetings 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night

Thursday, March 17th    Group pictures for the yearbook (Final schedule will be ready on Monday)

Friday, March 18th    Jay is at the NCAA Frozen Four in State College, PA

Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th    Spring Break

Friday, April 1st    End of third quarter (It's not April Fools.  It's really the end of the quarter!)

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

(from Inspiring Quotes)

Stuck in Your Head and Heart (from George Couros)

(from Jessica Cabeen, one of my middle school principal friends. Please take the time to watch this today!)

"Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other."

Brian Tracy

(from @teachergoals.  Our students' families can do this and so can we!)

(from Todd Nesloney)

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose."

Dolly Parton, singer-songwriter, actor, businessperson

Thanks for your time and suggestions both Wednesday and Thursday as we work to finalize the Forward Exam schedule.  There are still some moving pieces that I will be working through over the weekend.  I tried, with the help of Maria, to make sure that our students are taking each content test with their content teacher.  We were able to do that.  What I messed up was not thinking about the musical week or April 4th-8th.  My apologies, but with the help of our BLT Thursday morning we were able make an adjustment that will be beneficial for our students taking the Forward Exam and all involved with the musical.  Once I share the schedule again on Monday I welcome any feedback you might have.  Regardless of the schedule, we need to make sure we provide the best opportunity for success for our students.  I'm confident that our students will be successful because of all of your effort and the effort of our students.  We've got this!

Thanks for a great week!  We've got one more solid week of school before Spring Break with a few NCAA basketball games sprinkled in.  Keep the kids engaged and it will help the kids behave as we know they should.  Have a great weekend, and #GoBadgers!

Jay

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

How do you set limits?

As I was thinking about what to write this week, I came across this email from Pernille Ripp.  I am a subscriber to her blog which means I get an email every time she posts something new.  This week's is called "Ideas to Try to Lessen Your Workload".  It's definitely worth the time to read.  I use a version of some of her ideas for myself and have found they have helped me to better use my time, both at school and at home, as well as to allow time for myself while I'm at home.  I also thought what Mary shared with us in our mailboxes on Tuesday has a powerful message.  Thanks for these monthly messages, Mary!  Here is Mary's message again if you don't have it with you.

Setting limits, and abiding by the limits you set for yourself and others, provide you a better chance of taking care of yourself so that you can take care of others.

Calendar

Friday, March 4th    Half day noon release (AM classes)/ MLSS meeting 12:15-3:15

Saturday, March 5th    EdCampElmbrook (Here's the link if you are interested!)

Tuesday, March 8th    Spring Band concert 6:30PM

Wednesday, March 9th    District meeting 7:45AM

Friday, March 11th    PTO meeting 9:30AM/ PTO Saz's Fish Fry fundraiser at Western Lakes 4-8PM

Monday, March 14th    School Board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, March 16th    Content meetings 7:45AM

Thursday, March 17th    Group pictures for the yearbook

Friday, March 18th    Jay is at the NCAA Frozen Four in State College, PA

Saturday, March 19th-Sunday, March 27th    Spring Break

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

"If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life."

Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, activist

(from Inspiring Quotes)

We Don't Have to Learn from Every Tough Lesson (from George Couros)

(from Inspiring Quotes)

"Only those with tenacity can march forward in March."

Ernest Agyemang Yeboah, writer, teacher

A-team updates

*We discussed staffing and will be speaking with the staff following Spring Break

*Summer School locations

    June- Intermediate

    July- Primary

*PTO updates for March 11th- Conferences, report cards, group pictures March 17th, Forward Exam in April, Merton Arts Night feedback, Little Mermaid, Jr. April 7th-9th

*Social Studies curriculum update

Conferences

As you reflect on conferences last night, and two weeks ago, think about these two things- Who do you wish you had spoken with and who do you need to follow up with?  If there are families you wish you would have seen, make a list and reach out to them.  If there are families you need to follow up with, make a list and schedule a time to reach out to them.  I met with a family last night and set a date to follow up with them, and I put it in my calendar, too.  I had many conversations with families and they were amazed, and thankful, about how well you know their children.  Thank you!

It's a half day and hopefully you are wearing jeans and a sweatshirt today.  Once the students leave at noon, you have time for grading, lesson planning, and whatever you need to move into the final trimester of the year.  Can you believe that we're two-thirds of the way through the school year?  I can't either.  I decided to include the link to our smore this week and will try to continue this practice moving forward.

Have an amazing Friday and a great weekend!

Jay

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