Jay's Journal

mertonint on Instagram
Principals' Report from the School Board meeting 2.24.20
Family smore from 2.28.20

There's plenty in this week's nuts and bolts. If I could have you read and reflect on only two things it would be the opening paragraph and the Ripples blog by Dave Burgess. I hope that you are able to connect with one of them.
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, February 21, 2020

Grateful

I was out of school for quite a bit of time last week attending Restorative Practices training (I'd love to chat with you all about this) as well as the AWSA (State Principals' Association) conference. Both experiences were really good, but they kept me out of school, the thing that I look forward to most. So why did I choose "Grateful" for the title of this week's blog? Here's why.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to have learned about restorative practices with Jackie and Lori.
I'm grateful for the discussions I had with Jackie and Lori about our students and how amazing it is to have staff that supports our children in so many ways.
I'm grateful for those who stepped up to help out with lunch and recess duty (Don't forget about your GOOSE passes!).
I'm grateful for not having to worry about what might happen while I was away because whatever happened one of you stepped up and took care of it.
I'm grateful that our district provides a variety of professional development opportunities for all of us.
I'm grateful to get to go to school with each of you every day!

Great things I saw this week...
Wonderful classroom visits on Monday.
Being able to join the second lunch and being a part of conversations Tuesday (Did you know someone put their pants on backward Tuesday morning?).
The 5th grade hot dog lunch was awesome.
The Merton Values hung in the commons. (Thanks, Mary, Darwin, and Jordan!)
An IEP meeting focused on a positive transition to Arrowhead.
Working with a prospective Eagle Scout on a 4K project.
6th graders presenting their cerebral palsy toys.
Mary, Jordan, and Darwin bringing the Merton Values to our Commons.
The concern for some of our most fragile students before starting a unit on depression, and the conversations I got to have with parents about this.
The introduction of the fantasy unit in 5th grade LA.
Watching the 5th grade get fired up about their community service unit in Social Studies.
Seeing people take care of each other.
The focus 7th graders had while planning for their post-assessment in LA. Wow!
You know your kids, and you know how important it is to be connected to their families. That was on full display last night at conferences, but I also know that you have been connecting with families all year long. Keep it up!

Calendar

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

Friday, February 21st
Jeans Day!

Monday, February 24th
School Board meeting 7PM

Friday, February 28th
Jeans Day!
Student Senate Carnival 5-8PM

Thursday, March 5th
Arena style family conferences 4:30-8:00PM

Saturday, March 7th
EdCampElmbrook 8:00-2:30
PTO Trivia Night

Tuesday, March 10th
Choir (5:30) and Band (7:15) concerts

Thursday, March 12th
A-team meeting 1:15
NJHS induction ceremony 2:00
PTO meeting 2:30

Friday, March 13th
Art Show

Monday, March 16th
BLT meeting 4:15
School board meeting 7:00

Tuesday, March 17th
Leadership Camp 8-12
SEL meeting all day
Spanish placement test 1:00

Wednesday, March 18th
Culver's Night 4-8PM

Saturday, March 21st-Sunday, March 29th
Spring Break

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.
Thanks to Carey for playing along last week.

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

(from Mind/Shift)

Life doesn't give you all the practice races you need.

Jesse Owens,
track and field athlete, Olympic gold medalist

(from School Leadership 2.0)

Find the good. It's all around you. Find it, showcase it and you'll start believing in it.

Jesse Owens,
track and field athlete, Olympic gold medalist

My mother always told me, even if a song has been done a thousand times, you can still bring something of your own to it.

Etta James,
singer

(A great thought to consider the next time you are teaching a lesson you've done before.)

mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 2.21.20

Grateful, part 2
I'm finishing our nuts and bolts while sitting in my father in law's Lazy Boy. My feet are up, I'm watching some sort of crime show on television, and I'm doing my best not to fall asleep. Conference nights can be long. You feel like you are always "on" because you know that the family you are speaking with is so invested in their child. It's their world and you get it. Not only do you get it, but you also feel the same way as the family. You have invested time, energy, effort, and creativity to build a relationship with the family. You want the child to be the best they can be at what they want to be. And then the next family comes in and you start all over again. Last night it happened from 4:30-8:15, or maybe a little earlier to a little later. Maybe it was earlier because that's what worked for the family. Maybe it was later because you wanted to follow up with an email or a text or a phone call. For all of you, being a teacher isn't a job. It's your passion. It's who you are. It's who you were meant to be. Our families are lucky to have you as their child's teacher. Our students are lucky to have you as their teacher. I'm lucky to get to go to school with you every day. You are why I'm grateful every day to go to school in Merton. Thank you!
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, February 14, 2020

Conversations

Although this week was short for me (I was only in school on Monday and half the day on Wednesday), there were lots of great conversations, some at school and some not. What I've learned from this last week is probably a separate blog post, but here are the highlights.
Thanks to one of you for helping me realize that a face to face conversation where everyone involved can honestly share their feelings so that our relationship can be better is vital for both of us.
Thanks to Jimmy Casas and Joe Sanfelippo for always being willing to talk and for making me reflect on what I can do to be better for our kids, you, and our school.
Thanks to all of the educators that I connected with at restorative practices training and the AWSA and NAREN conference. You helped me reflect on what we do in Merton, but more importantly what I do in Merton to be better.
Thanks to Jen for always being there even when I don't seem to be there (you all know what I mean).
I'm looking forward to our conversations this afternoon and in the days to come.

Great things I saw this week...
Just being with you and the kids on Monday and Wednesday. I love going to school because of you!
Kids reading.
The band and choir getting ready for their March concerts.
You weren't there, but know that I spoke about you, in a good way, in every conversation I had with the educators I connected with this week. I am proud to go to school with each of you.
*This list will be much longer next week!

Claim it. Name it. Explain it.
Thanks to Janine for playing along last week. If you missed her explanation, make sure to check her email. Hosting students who want to become educators is the best way to build our profession.

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done.

W.E.B. Du Bois,
sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, writer, editor

The In-Between (by Jon Harper)

I dwell in possibility.

Emily Dickinson,
poet

When you know your why your what can have more impact.- from Jimmy Casas, the author of Culturize, at the principals' conference this week. The video below explains what he means. Take a few minutes to be inspired!

I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.

Mikhail Baryshnikov,
dancer, choreographer, actor

mertonint on Instagram
One Thing presentation from Wednesday's assembly
Family smore from 2.13.20

I had to end with this...

... (parent on Facebook) recommends Merton Intermediate School.

1 hr

Simply the best educators that care and inspire the kids to whatever degree/ability they’re at. An atmosphere of inclusion, perseverance, giving, Sharing, involvement and more. This started in 4K at the Primary school and has made its way all the way to grade 8. Couldn’t be more satisfied and proud we moved to Merton with the great schools in mind. Has not disappointed ever even with my high standards.

This is all because of you. Thank you!
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, February 7, 2020

February is just a month

I've read a lot the last few days about the month of February. Two of my friends call it the armpit of the school year. Great visual, huh? I find February to be an incredible month full of four weeks of learning, connecting, and building relationships. And this year we have an extra day of learning, February 29th! (Yes, I know it's a Saturday, but there are some amazing Twitter chats on Saturday mornings.) Our attitude impacts our altitude. Find ways to keep up the energy. Here are some suggestions-
Pick a day each week to take nothing school related home. Guess what? It will still be there tomorrow.
Go for a run, a walk, a bike ride, or enjoy a weight room session. Whatever it is, be active for a little while each day.
Have date night each week.
Turn off your technology at 9:00. (It works for me!)
Read a book that's not school related.
Binge watch something, anything, that is mindless.
Wear jeans to school every Friday this month.
Visit your favorite restaurant, and not just on the weekend.
I'm sure you have some great ideas of your own, so share them!

Great things I saw this week...
Annotating reading in Science.
T-shirt weather for recess (at least on Monday)
Lots of new activities in PE (table ball, team handball, spike ball)
Research in Social Studies (Revolutionary War and North America to just name two.)
Book club discussions in LA.
STEM Club after school run by former Merton students.
Laughing in grade level meetings.
An email from a guest teacher, even before they taught here. (Ask Heidi)
Students asking each other for help on Math, and not just for the answers.
Listening to Touching Spirit Bear read aloud. (Ask Becky P.)
Students sharing projects with their classmates.
Comments from the architects that toured our school about how great the school looks (Thanks to all of you, but especially our custodial staff) and how much learning they saw happening!
The Great Chocolate Milk debate with our 5th graders. (Great evidence on both sides, but chocolate milk will remain in our cafeteria for one more year, at least!)

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.
Thanks to Becky Oppermann for playing along last week.

Calendar

Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too. I need your help with lunch and recess on the highlighted dates. GOOSE passes for all who help out!

Friday, February 7th
Jeans Day!

Tuesday, February 11th

Restorative Practices training (Holly has volunteered to take 5/6 recess. Thank you!)

Wednesday, February 12th

WIN Wednesday

Yearbook Activity pictures taken

Restorative Practices training (I need at least one volunteer for 5/6 recess.)

AWSA conference

Thursday, February 13th

AWSA conference (I need two volunteers for 5/6 recess.)

Friday, February 14th

PD Day

AWSA conference

Wednesday, February 19th
Culver's Night 4-8PM

Thursday, February 20th
Requested family conferences 4:30-8:00PM

Friday, February 21st
Jeans Day!

Monday, February 24th
School Board meeting 7PM

Friday, February 28th
Jeans Day!
Student Senate Carnival 5-8PM

Thursday, March 5th
Arena style family conferences 4:30-8:00PM

Saturday, March 7th
EdCampElmbrook 8:00-2:30
PTO Trivia Night

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
Lessons from Groundhog Day (the movie) (from Allyson Apsey)

Speech is conveniently located midway between thought and action, where it often substitutes for both.

John Andrew Holmes,
writer

(From my good friend Tom Murray. You are all leaders!)

I want to believe that there is a mountain so high that I will spend my entire life striving to reach the top of it.

Cicely Tyson,
actress

A Rotten Week...and a Revelation (from Dave Burgess, and it's worth the read!)

Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew.

Cicely Tyson,
actress

I think inspiration is always around; it's just a question of whether or not you're noticing it.

John Green,
writer

mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 2.7.20

Meemic Foundation
I wanted to send out this friendly reminder about the Meemic Foundation and grants for our school. There is no pressure to switch insurance at all. It's just an opportunity for Meemic to give back to educators. Here is the link to sign up for the Meemic Foundation. Please see me if you have any questions.

You just never know...
I received this from a former student who is now in college in Texas and would like to become a teacher. The last line says it all.

I for sure will because you definitely can help me get a job at a school. I really did enjoy talking with you about everything because you have been very helpful. I will stay in contact with you throughout the rest of my college career. But if I am ever in town I will most definitely stop by to say hi and talk. I am very thankful I reached out to you though because the way I was taught at Merton is the reason I wanted to become an educator.

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

Friday, January 31, 2020

A little more caring...

The news of Kobe Bryant's death hit me pretty hard. I remember him as a player. He was not perfect, but he always worked on being better every day. The reason it hit me pretty hard is that Jen and Lauren weren't with me to share an extra hug or comment. They'll be back this evening from their week in Sanibel and I'll make sure to get a group hug when I see them. Kobe Bryant was a great basketball player and family man, especially as he watched his daughters growing up. Life can be cut short for a variety of reasons and it's important to remember that as we grow older and our families grow older. I'm planning to be just a little more caring moving forward with family, colleagues, students, and friends. The time I am with family is so important and should never be taken for granted. It's unfortunate that the death of someone I didn't even know made me reflect on what I need to do more of every day. Thanks, Kobe.

Great things I saw this week...

Matt sharing a personal story with his Health class. Our kids need to see that we have struggles, too.

A student giving a teacher some pointers on WeVideo.

Michael moving about the Choir room to help students stay focused and provide support with sight reading music.

5th grade impromptu meeting in the hallway to reaffirm expectations. Life skills!

Students having no issues, at least outwardly, with groups to which they were assigned. It's so important to help students to work with more than just their friends. Life skills!

Cross country skiing in PE.

Cooking class for our 8th graders

If smells count, then pancakes in Math on Wednesday.

Student discussions about food webs in Science.

Boys basketball action, and seeing some of our staff there watching our boys play.

Great days for recess- remember a year ago?

Incredible discussions during specials, BLT, and grade level meetings.

A big variety of review activities to better connect our students and their learning.

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.

Thanks to Becky Frei for playing along last week.

Calendar

Tuesday, February 4th
8th grade Junior Achievement field trip

Thursday, February 6th

PTO meeting 2:30PM

Tuesday, February 11th

Restorative Practices training

Wednesday, February 12th

WIN Wednesday

Yearbook Activity pictures taken

Restorative Practices training

AWSA conference

Thursday, February 13th

AWSA conference

Friday, February 14th

PD Day

AWSA conference

Wednesday, February 19th
Culver's Night 4-8PM

Thursday, February 20th
Requested family conferences 4:30-8:00PM

Monday, February 24th
School Board meeting 7PM

Friday, February 28th
Student Senate Carnival 5-8PM

Thursday, March 5th
Arena style family conferences 4:30-8:00PM

Saturday, March 7th
EdCampElmbrook 8:00-2:30
PTO Trivia Night

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

Forethought spares afterthought.

Amelia Barr,
writer, teacher

If Only... (from Todd Nesloney)

I attribute my success to this: -- I never gave or took an excuse.

Florence Nightingale,
social reformer, founder of modern nursing

I have the feeling that I've seen everything, but failed to notice the elephants.

Anton Chekhov,
writer, playwright

Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.

Anton Chekhov,
writer, playwright

mertonint on Instagram
Principals' School Board presentation 1.27.20
Family smore from 1.31.20

Fire drill reminder
As part of our A-team meeting on Thursday, we had a conversation about fire drill procedures. Please make sure that you do the following three things.
1. Take your class list with you to take attendance.
2. Turn off your lights.
3. Lock your classroom door (so you'll need to take your keys, too!)
Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

February 29th
I'm amazed that today is the last day of January. The year has certainly gone by quickly, from my point of view. I think it's gone quickly because of one thing- you. You have developed classroom expectations and guidelines that have helped our kids be focused, engaged, and successful. Keep it up! February is upon us, and it's a leap year, so let's take advantage of the extra 24 hours this year. What is something new you will try? Who will you collaborate with that you may not have collaborated with before? Which student or staff member will you make a new or improved relationship with? Let's use the extra February day as an opportunity for making our school, our students, our colleagues, and ourselves just a little better.
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, January 24, 2020

Being positive

You probably all know that I enjoy reading George Couros' blog posts. Here is an excerpt from one of his blogs over the weekend. Pay particular attention to the quote in the middle.

Something Profound

A blog I have been reading forever and love is "Marc and Angel Hack Life – Practical Tips for Productive Living." For lack of a better way to describe it, there is a ton of great information on being human on this blog. I rarely read a post that I do not take something away from.
This was one of my favorite recent quotes from a post, "20 Powerful Affirmations We Should Repeat to Ourselves This Year":

"Being positive does not mean ignoring the negative. Being positive means overcoming the negative. There is a big difference between the two.”

This quote really sums up how I try to live life and find solutions where it is hard to do so.
You can check out the entire blog at marcandangel.com.

We all have a choice of being either positive or negative. I do my best every day to choose positive. Do negative thoughts pop into my head? Of course they do, but I have a choice to focus on the negative or change to the positive. Is it easy- No! But a change in your mindset can cause a change in the mindset of others, and who doesn't want to be in a climate of positivity? Let's see what being positive can do for all of us.

Great things that I saw this week...
All of the awesome discussions and participation during SEL training on Monday
The start of the third quarter!
Creating healthy snacks in Health class
Read alouds (Raymond's Run) in LA focusing on SEL
The flexibility of Becky and Matt to make 3 on 3 basketball work this quarter
The flexibility of Becky and Sarah so that I could do MAP makeups
Your flexibility so that I could do MAP makeups
The effort of the kids while doing MAP makeups, and we're almost done!
Students observing in Science
Snow at recess
Honest conversations during grade level meetings

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.
Thanks to Jolie for playing along last week.

Calendar

Friday, January 24th

Staff gathering at Sarah Phillips' house- sign up here

Sunday, January 26th
PTO Bowling at Sussex Bowl

Monday, January 27th

BLT meeting 4:15PM
School board meeting 7PM

Thursday, January 30th

A-team meeting 1:15PM

Tuesday, February 4th
8th grade Junior Achievement field trip

Thursday, February 6th

PTO meeting 2:30PM

Tuesday, February 11th

Restorative Practices training

Wednesday, February 12th

WIN Wednesday

Yearbook Activity pictures taken

Restorative Practices training

AWSA conference

Thursday, February 13th

AWSA conference

Friday, February 14th

PD Day

AWSA conference

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

(LessonsLearnedInLife.com)

When Things Don't Go As Planned (from Beth Houf)

(Getting Relationships Right by Kent Pekel- shared by Jessica Cabeen. It is worth 15 minutes of your time.)

At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.

Frida Kahlo,
artist

10 social media-inspired learning activities- no accounts necessary (from Matt Miller)

mertonint on Instagram
Family smore from 1.24.20

We have incredibly lucky kids and I am one lucky principal

On Wednesday I was at Teachscape training. I watched three separate videos of teachers in their classrooms. They each knew they were being videoed (Is that a word?). Two of the teachers were pretty good and did some of the things you all do every day, but not all of the things you do every day. One of the teachers, honestly, was difficult to watch. I joked with Ron that I would have provided that teacher with an application to Menards. Not that there's anything wrong with Menards, but this particular teacher was doing a disservice to the kids and herself. I say that our kids are lucky because you provide them with amazing learning opportunities every day. I am one lucky principal because I have the incredible opportunity to see you with our kids, and each other, every day. I don't take this for granted at all. Thank you for all that you do for our kids and each other.
#JustInspire
Jay
Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell

Friday, January 17, 2020

Take care of yourself.

By now you might not even realize that I end every one of our staff nuts and bolts with this line from my good friend, John Gunnell, a principal in Baraboo.

Take care of the kids. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.

He shared it in a Twitter chat long ago and I have remembered it ever since. Last weekend and this week I have learned the real importance of the last part- Take care of yourself.

I don't get sick very often, but when I do it will put me down for the count. Literally all I could do was lay in bed or on the couch, drink lots of fluids, and rest. I did continue my running streak, but I only ran when Jen was home so that if I passed out, someone was there to help me. Yes, I have a problem, but you all knew that already.

As educators, we hate not being here for our kids. I would argue that it's worse for us, and for our kids, if we come to school not feeling above 60% (I use that number because that's where I was on Tuesday when I came back). Two things can happen if we do come to school- our sickness lasts longer than it should and/or we will share our illness with our kids and our colleagues. If you're out sick, we will take care of the kids and you should take care of yourself. Keep that in mind as we continue through this wonderful flu season.

Great things I saw this week...

Kids working on Rube Goldberg projects

Kids taking the MAP tests seriously

5th grade boys basketball action

Kids having fun with broomball

Emmit posters in Science (just ask any of the 7th graders)

Financial literacy activities in 7th and 8th grade Math

This thank you note in the lounge

Name it. Claim it. Explain it.
Thanks to Becky for playing along last week.

Calendar
Please continue to review the Intermediate Special Events Calendar at our weekly grade level and specials meetings, too. I need your help with lunch and recess on the highlighted dates. GOOSE passes for all who help out!

Monday, January 20th
All Day PD

Tuesday, January 21st
First day of the third quarter/second semester- It's a B day!
Leadership Camp until 12:30
MAP makeups at 1:00 in the STEM lab (Bring devices!)

Wednesday, January 22nd
EE recertification all day

Friday, January 24th
Staff gathering at Sarah Phillips' house- sign up here

Monday, January 27th
School board meeting 7PM

Thursday, January 30th
A-team meeting

Thursday, February 7th
PTO meeting 2:30PM

Wednesday, February 12th
WIN Wednesday
Yearbook Activity pictures taken

Friday, February 14th
PD Day

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

(Jen shared this with me so I had to share it with you!)

A Story About Change (from Brad Gustafson)

If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.

Gail Sheehy,
writer, journalist, lecturer

(from the Leadership Vault by Melinda Miller and Amber Teamann)

Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else's.

Billy Wilder,
filmmaker, screenwriter, producer