11-18-2016

Thanks to Lynette and Matthew for being at the board meeting on Tuesday night and accepting more grants.  Lynette helped find both of the grants, field hockey and band. Another awesome job.

Thanks to Ellen for for Organizing Wednesday's lunch and Karen for doing the same on Thursday's. Both were delicious.  Thanks to Dr. Ehrhardt for recognizing the work you do for American Education week.



Danielle was doing a great job teaching about the rainforest with Penny a representative from Pearson.  The kids were engaged and learning how to interpret and break down informational text.

The science team did a great job of using their subject area meeting to put together their "Science Story"  for the upcoming Open Houses at Evergreen on December 1st and 3rd.  Thanks to all of the staff who are going to be participating in those events.  Your participation is valued.

Here is your informational text lesson of the day.  NY Times piece on the two America's, a visual breakdown of how the Presidential Election went.  Interesting.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/16/us/politics/the-two-americas-of-2016.html?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email&_r=0



s Yesterday (and Wednesday) was another great round of data meetings.  Getting information from the classroom teachers is the most important intervention we have for making adjustments to help our most struggling learners.  Thank you.



Big props go out to Alicia Wisted and Angela Anthony who are taking over for Mike D in his absence.  It has been a quick learning curve and you guys have been awesome.

Teaching Students to Drive their Brain through Metacognition.
http://blogs.scholastic.com/rodberger/2016/11/teaching-students-to-drive-their-brains-through-metacognitive-learning.html?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=drrodberger&utm_content=Teaching%20Students%20To%20Drive%20Their%20Brains%20Through%20Metacognitive%20Learning#.WC8gjdUrLIX





The Jazz Band put on an Awesome first gig at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the bike path on Tuesday.  Thanks to Mr. Turek for getting them ready with his Monday morning practices.  Also thanks for Student Council and Angela with her Hope Group for being there to represent our school with the Mayor and other community members.  The bike path will be a great asset to our students once completed.

How awesome are our aides this year, Kim, Gail, Debbie, Michelle, Megan, Jennifer, Marisa, Cody and April have been working hard to help students and teachers.

This morning I attended a HOPE group presentation on the bike rack that we should purchase as researched by students in the group.  The students were well researched and well spoken.  Great job Angela!

Donald Duck realizes the importance of Math in everyday life.  A classic.

Hope everyone relaxes and eats lots of Turkey....or Ham..or Soybean product(vegetarians...vegans...I don't know) and enjoys time with family and friends.

11-11-2017

I'd like to thank Melissa LaMantia for all of the hard work and effort that went into the planning of the Veterans Day Assembly today.  It takes a lot of planning and organization to make it come together just right.  Thanks also to Matt and Melissa for the wonderful performances by the band and choir respectively.  Thanks to all of our Veterans including Rich and Bill.



Just a reminder that we have subject area meetings on Wednesday of this week.

Reboot: 5 Resources for Teacher Inspiration

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/reboot-resources-for-teacher-inspiration-monica-burns


Tim K has already started to make an impact in his first week at Benjamin 25.  It is nice to see him getting his hands dirty and working with the day and night crew to make sure tasks are being followed through on.

8 Things Everyone Should do Before 8A.M.
http://www.inc.com/benjamin-p-hardy/8-things-every-person-should-do-before-8-am.html



Nicole has really done a nice job with the cheerleading squad.  From the new uniforms to the choreography the team seems much improved this year.

Thanks to the 5th grade team for taking the 5th graders to see Peter and the Starcatchers at WCHS on Wednesday and also for agreeing to run the PTA Art Awareness program for its last year.  I appreciate your flexibility.

Common Sense Media Seal of Approval for TV Shows for Kids...out of the 37 shows only one for Kids 13 years old or older.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/news/press-releases/common-sense-media-recognizes-largest-crop-yet-of-common-sense-seal-for?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social#


Just a reminder that the Week of Food otherwise known as American Education Week starts next week.
  Tuesday-you could sign up for the Turkey hot lunch($3.05) the kids get during lunch.  Dr. Ehrhardt and I will be carving!
Wednesday- Staff Catered Turkey Feast (sign-up to bring something or $5.00)
Thursday-Taco Buffett brought to you by the Ad Center and the Board of Education
Friday- 18th Breakfast provided by the PTA.

8 Ted Talks to Watch When your Family is driving you Nuts!  Probably not applicable for anyone here.

http://www.ted.com/playlists/260/talks_to_watch_when_your_famil


We have reached the end of the first trimester.  It's hard to believe we are 1/3 of the way through the school year.  Michelle F found this in a Fish Philosophy Blog.  The full post can be found at this link
but I think the following is appropriate to remember when we may be feeling beaten down or overwhelmed.  Bringing your whole self to work.
http://www.fishphilosophy.com/3-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-fish-philosophy-part-1/

When filming was done, Steve flew home. John stayed in Seattle an extra day and visited the Pike Place Market, where he saw the fishmongers in action. He was immediately hypnotized by the energy and the flying fish, but the longer he watched, the more it became obvious that selling fish is cold, exhausting work. Where did all the energy come from?

Then he remembered David Whyte’s observations about wholeheartedness. Suddenly it made sense. The fishmongers were bringing their “whole selves” to work—their personalities, their humor, their desire to make a difference, all of it. John knew instantly he must make a film about them. FISH! was the result.

How much of “you” do you bring to work each day? You may have good reasons for what you leave outside. As David says, work may have so much of you already that you have decided it can’t have “what is most precious” to you too. But how good would it feel if you did? 

Thanks to Kim for working the Late Night Shift for conferences the last two weeks.  She has been a big help getting everything organized and running smoothly.  

I'm pretty sure that I have sent this before, but it is my favorite "parent conference" cartoon

11-4-2016

I would like to thank Lynn for giving students opportunities to participate in art contests.  This has enabled them to put their creative juices to use outside of school.  She also developed a foldable booklet that allows each of her students to display pictures of their trimester artwork and take it home for others to see.  It is truly innovative and will be very appreciated by parents.

Cybrary Man's Universal Design for Learning Page.
http://cybraryman.com/udl.html

Thanks to Nicole and Melissa for their hard work on Red Ribbon Week.  The variety of activities kids were involved in created a positive environment for students to reflect on their daily actions.  I am looking forward to the assembly tomorrow.

Why is that song stuck in your head?  Find out.
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/earworms-those-songs-that-get-stuck-in-your-head-elizabeth-hellmuth-margulis

Thanks to Colleen and Alex for a great breakfast put on by the student council kids this week.  It was certainly a unexpected "treat" and the kids did a fabulous job.

The short story that was the basis for a Nightmare Before Christmas. Please continue to encourage your kids to bring in Halloween candy for the troops.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nightmare-before-christmas-poem_us_580f9209e4b02444efa594fa?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004



Thanks to all of the ILAR and Special Ed teachers for your hard work and time put into the exploring the possible new curriculum resources and meetings attended.  I know it takes a lot of effort and organization to carve a way minutes to research and try these new tools and I appreciate it.

Self Actualization and the difference between pride and self esteem
https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/12/18/bruce-lee-artist-of-life-self-esteem/.


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Survey says......we have awesome teachers.  Multiple parents expressed their gratitude for the work our staff is doing for their kids after talking with them at conferences last night.  Great job!

Innovation means creating something new & better through invention OR iteration. Does NOT mean tech.



Parent visitation for American Education week will be Tuesday, November 15th.  Parents will call to the office to make a reservation to visit your class and see the wonderful things you are doing to work with their kids.

Thanks to Melissa L for all the work she is putting into organizing the Veterans Assembly for Friday the 11th.

If you need more of a Cubs Fix watch this 45 minute film on What it meant to be a Cubs Fan.  Well done.