Jay's Journal

mertonint on Instagram
BLT notes from 12.16.19
Principals' Presentation from the Board Meeting 12.16.19
Family smore from 12.20.19

In case you wanted to know...

Here is the recipe for the beef we had at lunch on Thursday.

MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST

3 to 4 lb Chuck, roast

1 tbsp Pepperoncini, juice

1 packet Au jus gravy mix

6 Pepperoncini peppers, jarred

1 packet Ranch salad dressing mix

Half stick of Butter

Cook in crock pot 7-8 hours OR bake in oven roaster at 275 degrees about 5 -6 hours. Shred and serve on Kings Hawaiian rolls or over mashed potatoes.

It's like the old McDonald's add, "You deserve a break today", but more...
Here's the classic from 1982, the year I graduated from high school.

Here's the more. I encourage you to take a break from school during our Winter Break. You determine the days and the times, but take a break. Do something that you like alone or with family and friends. I promise, unless there's something really important, to not send you an email until Friday, December 27th. That's one week from today.

It is my honor, privilege, and joy to go to school with you all every day.

Happy Holidays!

Jay

#JustInspire

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

Friday, December 13, 2019

Potential

The potential that our kids have is amazing. You all do many things to try to find that potential. In listening to the speakers and participants at SLATE this week, I realized quickly the amazing opportunities you provide all of our students. Your potential is amazing, too. I only hope that we can continue to build the culture and climate in Merton that allows your potential to be maximized which in turn will maximize the potential of our students. Let me know what I can do to help you realize your own potential. I'm here to support you and encourage you. Thanks for being willing to learn and grow every day!

Great things I saw this week...
Our NJHS kids setting up the gym for this week's concerts
5th grade team stepping up to help out when there was no guest teacher on Monday
The support you give our students throughout the day
Getting to see you on Wednesday afternoon when I returned from SLATE
The comments I heard about the concerts on Tuesday
The amazing things our kids are doing in electives
Great conversations about kids
The potato bar on Thursday
The gifts in the office
The PTO decorations in the lounge
The student volunteers and Carey, Becky, and Dan at the 8th grade girls basketball tournament
Matthew winning the Patriot's Pen Award. You have all had an amazing impact on him!

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.
Thanks to Holly and the 6th grade team for playing along.

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too.

Friday, December 13th
Packers Day
Giving Tree gifts due

Monday, December 16th
Merry Red and Green Day
School board meeting 7PM

Tuesday, December 17th
Holiday/Ugly Sweater Day
PTO gift wrap and brunch

Wednesday, December 18th
Holiday Hat Day

Thursday, December 19th
Flannels and Fuzzy Socks Day!
Lunch on Jen and Jay!

Friday, December 20th
Polar Express Pajama Day!
Raffle day! (You will get a raffle ticket for each day that you participate in a dress up day! The more you participate the better your chances!)

Saturday, December 21st- Wednesday, January 1st
Winter Break

Thursday, January 2nd
School resumes!

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.
Thanks to Holly and the 6th grade team for playing along!

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Learning to Learn Beyond the Test (from George Couros)

Inspiration is a guest that does not willingly visit the lazy.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky,
composer

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

E.M. Forster,
writer

On the Path to "Purpose" (from George Couros)

The more I do, the more frightened I get. But that is essential. Otherwise why would I go on doing it?

Dame Judi Dench,
actress

5 Strategies for Improving Mental and Physical Health (from George Couros)

I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself -- that is the best combination.

Dame Judi Dench,
actress

Change obstacles into challenges. You might have to step back and go a different direction, but you can achieve.

Raye Montague,
naval engineer who revolutionized the design process for naval ships, and US Navy's first female program manager of ships

Take Care of You (from Jon Harper)

What I didn't understand, all those years when I was waiting for my life to start, was that it had already started.

Lee Smith,
writer

Try the Door: Overcoming Groupthink (from Dave Burgess)

mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 12.13.19

My 3
In my email on Tuesday morning, I shared a video from Joe Sanfelippo. Here it is again. Some of you shared your 3 with me. Some of you had your students share their 3 with you. If you wanted to know my 3, and even if you didn't, here they are.
1. Connecting with students and staff
2. Making Jen laugh
3. Stretching my thinking
I'd love to know what your 3 are.

Another 3
In reflecting on SLATE, I have 3 takeaways
1. Being able to connect with Tom Murray in person was an incredible opportunity. When you have a chance to connect with someone who makes you reflect on what you do and how you do it, you become a better person.
2. Realize that someone is always listening and watching, even if you don't realize it. Ask me about the sprinkles story if you want to learn more.
3. I get to go to school nearly every day with the best educators, and people, that I could ever come in contact with. I knew that you had everything under control and can't thank you enough for taking over the ship while I was gone.

Have a great weekend, and we've got this. Just take it one day at a time.
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, December 6, 2019

It's the hap, happiest time of the year

I love this time of the year in school. There is excitement for the upcoming holidays, but I also just love getting into your classrooms to see what's going on. This week I started by having an almost No Office Day (I had a couple of meetings) on Monday but for the most part I was in classrooms. It was great to see you get right back into the swing of things with the kids. There were reviews, and quizzes, and sharing, and reading, and active students in PE. The kids genuinely seemed to be happy to be back to school, too. I also noticed that our Giving Tree in the lobby had few remaining gift tags. We are so lucky to live and work in such a caring community. Every day that I come to school, I'm happy, but these few weeks before our Winter Holiday are always the happiest for me.

Great things I saw this week...
Kids getting a great workout in PE doing circuit training
Conferring with students about their writing or Math
The choir and jazz band at the tree lighting
Jeopardy in Social Studies (ask Carey)
The excitement the Kahoot music brought to some 6th graders
Getting to meet with teams again
Shoutouts during our staff meeting on Wednesday
Staff wearing new spiritwear items
The kids during our assembly, and some of the lollipop moments I heard about
The 7th graders all dressed up for their field trip, and the report of great behavior when they returned
Matt and Dave playing a little 2 on 2 basketball with some 7th graders after the field trip

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too.

Monday, December 9th
Jay at SLATE conference after lunch
8th grade girls basketball tournament at Merton Primary

Tuesday, December 10th
Jay at SLATE conference (I could use someone to cover 7/8 lunch and recess- GOOSE pass!)
Dress up for Holiday concerts
Choir concert 5:30/ Band concert 7:00

Wednesday, December 11th
Jay at SLATE conference (I could use someone to cover 7/8 lunch and recess- GOOSE pass!)
Flannel and Fuzzy Socks Day!
8th grade girls basketball tournament at Merton Intermediate

Thursday, December 12th
6th grade Potato bar!
8th grade girls basketball tournament at Merton Intermediate

Friday, December 13th
Packers Day
Giving Tree gifts due

Monday, December 16th
Merry Red and Green Day
School board meeting 7PM

Tuesday, December 17th
Holiday/Ugly Sweater Day
PTO gift wrap and brunch

Wednesday, December 18th
Holiday Hat Day

Thursday, December 19th
Flannels and Fuzzy Socks Day!
Lunch on Jen and Jay!

Friday, December 20th
Polar Express Pajama Day!
Raffle day! (You will get a raffle ticket for each day that you participate in a dress up day! The more you participate the better your chances!)

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
The Willingness to Start (from George Couros)

What seems today inconceivable will appear one day, from a higher stand point, quite simple and harmonious.

Max Planck,
theoretical physicist, Nobel Prize winner who discovered energy quanta

(from School Leadership 2.0)

It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee,
track and field athlete, Olympic medal winner

(from AJ Juliani- I found this interesting. We should try to find activities in the zone of adaptation.)

I believe there is nothing more disturbing than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept!

Ansel Adams,
landscape photographer, environmentalist

mertonint on Instagram
Lollipop moments assembly presentation
Family smore from 12.6.19

Holiday staff brunch and gift wrap

Once again, our amazing PTO is providing a brunch for us on Tuesday, December 17th. Not only that, but they are also doing our gift wrap for us. If you're like me, if the PTO doesn't wrap my gifts, wrapping isn't going to happen.

We've got two more weeks of learning before our Winter Break. Keep on engaging the kids. Keep smiling. Keep encouraging one another. Keep finding time for your family and friends. Keep finding time for yourself. Have a little fun with the next two weeks as we dress up and eat way too much. We've got this!
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving!

This week's nuts and bolts is a short one, just like the week. I'm sharing this week's #principalsinaction challenge with you. No blogs. No quotes. No tweets. Just this challenge.

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too.

Wednesday, November 27th- Sunday, December 1st
Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, December 3rd
Village of Merton Tree Lighting

Wednesday, December 4th
WIN Wednesday 8:00-9:15

Thursday, December 5th
7th grade field trip

Monday, December 9th- Saturday, December 13th
8th grade girls basketball tournament at Merton

Monday, December 9th- Wednesday, December 11th
Jay at SLATE conference

Tuesday, December 10th
Band/Choir concerts

mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 11.26.19

Happy Thanksgiving!
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, November 22, 2019

Kindness continued

Although last week Wednesday was National Kindness Day, I think you would all agree that it's important to be kind every day. What does kindness look like to you? It really does look different for everyone. It can also be somewhat dependent upon what you're going through or what the person "receiving your kindness" is dealing with, too. I challenge each of you, in the kindest way possible, to keep spreading kindness with our students and each other. Kindness kindles kindness!

Two really important items for you
1. Please do me a favor. The safety of our students, and each of you, is increased when you get into the habit of locking your doors and using the safety latch that is on each door. Please return to this habit. It is the expectation that you use this safety latch at all times. Any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
2. What do you have in your guest teacher folder? Do you have class lists? Do you have attendance and lunch count slips? Do you have your schedule? Do you have contact information for Barb and the tech department and me? Do you have classroom procedures for drills including the locations your class goes for each of the drills? Do you have important student medical information? Do you have anything else in your folder? Please make sure you have all of these items, and if I've forgotten anything that you feel is important, please let us all know!

Great things I saw this week...
Kids working hard both days of Homework Club
Kids helping out with blankets for disabled adults
Guest teachers being supported by you all (and Maryann was back!)
A great lunch on Wednesday organized by our 5th grade team
The flexibility of our PE department with the play happening in the Primary School
The discussions I overheard or sat in on that weren't about curriculum but about the choices we make in life
A really great family meeting to move a student from one level of math to another
The behavior of the audience during Seussical Jr.
SEUSSICAL JR. (The kids, Carey, Michael, Jackie, and Mrs. Kohnert!)

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too.

Friday, November 22nd
Seussical Jr. 7PM

Saturday, November 23rd
Seussical Jr. 2PM and 7PM

Tuesday, November 26th
Half day- all school attending Mr. Roger's Neighborhood (No letter day)

Wednesday, November 27th- Sunday, December 1st
Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, December 3rd
Village of Merton Tree Lighting

Wednesday, December 4th
WIN Wednesday 8:00-9:15

Thursday, December 5th
7th grade field trip

Monday, December 9th- Saturday, December 13th
8th grade girls basketball tournament at Merton

Monday, December 9th- Wednesday, December 11th
Jay at SLATE conference

Tuesday, December 10th
Band/Choir concerts

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.
Thanks to Heidi for playing along last week, and for sharing the math resource. Here's are new one for the week.

Tweets, blogs, and quotes
A Great Question to Ask Students Every Day (from George Couros)

The Benefit of "Sticking With It" (from George Couros)

We All Have Weak Spots (from Allyson Apsey)

(from George Couros)

Asking for Help Too Earl Rather Than Too Late (from George Couros)

(from MindShift)

You'll never know everything about anything, especially something you love.

Julia Child,
chef, cookbook author

mertonint on Instagram
Principal Presentation from School Board meeting 11.18.19
Family smore from 11.22.19

Today is a No Office Day for me. I'll be out of my office starting at 8:30 and in your classrooms as soon as I'm done with the announcements. If you've got something you'd like me to see or be a part of in your classroom, send me a text or email or direct message on Twitter and I'll join you as soon as I can. I can hardly wait for my time in your classrooms tomorrow!
Don't forget to wear blaze orange or camouflage or flannel!

#JustInspire

Jay

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

Friday, November 15, 2019

November- a month of gratitude

November, which apparently this year is the first month of Winter, is also the month of Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for so many things- my health, my family, all of you, our school community, my friends- but I don't often show it. I need to be better at that this month, and I will be better at that this month. I encourage you to take some time to notice the things for which you are grateful. Focus on those positives as we move through November. It's the perfect time to be thankful.

Great things I saw this week...
Dave blowing up and burning stuff in Science
Some awesome girls basketball action
6th grade Thankful Thursday
The kids were pretty awesome during the assembly
Listening to you laugh and relax on Wednesday morning
Our school report is pretty amazing!
The 7th and 8th graders taking Aspire testing seriously
Kid conversations during our grade level meetings
#CardiganDay on Wednesday
Kids blogging and commenting on the blogs of their classmates

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too.

Friday, November 15th
Food drive ends

Monday, November 18th
Lunch provided by the district due to our excellent report card!
BLT meeting at 4:15PM
School board meeting 7PM (Anyone want to do the Student Showcase?)

Tuesday, November 19th
Jay at Living as a Leader all morning

Wednesday, November 20th
SEL meeting all day
Culver's Night 4-8PM

Thursday, November 21st
Seussical Jr. (School performance at 10:30/ Evening performance at 7PM)

Friday, November 22nd
Seussical Jr. 7PM

Saturday, November 23rd
Seussical Jr. 2PM and 7PM

Tuesday, November 26th
Half day- all school attending Mr. Roger's Neighborhood (No letter day)

Wednesday, November 27th- Sunday, December 1st
Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, December 3rd
Village of Merton Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 5th
7th grade field trip

Monday, December 9th- Saturday, December 13th
8th grade girls basketball tournament at Merton

Monday, December 9th- Wednesday, December 11th
Jay at SLATE conference

Tuesday, December 10th
Band/Choir concerts

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
A Moment of Gratitude (from George Couros)

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

Beverly Sills,
operatic soprano

Why Teachers Are So Excited About the Power of Sketchnoting (from Katrina Schwartz)

A perfect life is a contradiction in terms.

Swami Vivekananda,
Hindu monk, teacher of philosophy

(from Jen- she gets my humor)

The Feedback of Failure (from George Couros)

The Simple Secret to Happiness (from Ryan Estis)

mertonint on Instagram
Student assembly presentation from 11.13.19
Family smore from 11.15.19

Spoiler alert! This is a tear jerker!

I realized that when I saw this video, a video about laundry detergent, that I needed to share it with you. I'll let you figure out my why after you've seen the video. If nothing else, it has made me rethink many of my interactions with students, staff, families, as well as my own family and friends. Enjoy!

The Good Experiment

Socks

I know what you're thinking. Jay's lost it. The last part of our nuts and bolts is about socks? Take a moment to read this blog by Dave Burgess, Putting on Socks. I can guarantee you that I'll be sharing this with our kids as we get ready for the Forward Exam. It's all about socks.

Have a great weekend! I hope that you get a chance to relax and refresh for the last full school week of November.
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids. Take care of yourself. Take care of each other.- John Gunnell

Friday, November 8, 2019

Engaged or empowered?

This quote from George Couros hit me right between the eyes last Friday morning.

I wonder how it impacts you? It makes me think about the opportunities we provide our students and the opportunities that you are provided by our school and district. Do our kids feel engaged or empowered? Do you feel engaged or empowered? No need to formally answer the questions, but please reflect on ways that we can better empower kids and ways that I can better empower you.

Sorry, but there are two sections that I can't fully complete this week due to CPI training. Next week, "Great things I saw this week" and "Claim it. Name it. Explain it." will return. Thanks to Carey for playing along last week!

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too.

Friday, November 8th
Jay at CPI training
Veterans Day ceremony

Monday, November 11th
Jay is out in the AM for a doctor's appointment
7/8 Reading ACT/Aspire

Tuesday, November12th
7/8 Writing ACT/Aspire

Wednesday, November 13th
WIN Wednesday
8th grade Health field trip

Thursday, November 14th
7/8 English ACT/Aspire

Friday, November 15th
Food drive ends

Monday, November 18th
School board meeting 7PM (Anyone want to do the Student Showcase?)

Thursday, November 21st
Seussical Jr. (School performance at 10:30/ Evening performance at 7PM)

Friday, November 22nd
Seussical Jr. 7PM

Saturday, November 23rd
Seussical Jr. 2PM and 7PM

Tuesday, November 26th
Half day- all school attending Mr. Roger's Neighborhood

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
Don't Put Yourself in Others' Shoes (from Allyson Apsey)

But out of limitations comes creativity.

Debbie Allen,
actress, dancer, choreographer, director, producer

(from Modern Learners)

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.

David Brinkley,
journalist, newscaster

Enjoying Moments that Matter (from George Couros)

The next step beyond failure could be your biggest success in life.

Debbie Allen,
actress, dancer, choreographer, director, producer