8-25-2017

I want to thank MJ for putting in extra effort to have the beginning of the year run smooth for her students.  Getting special combo locks, working with her ta's, communicating with teachers and the parents of her students has gone a long way to make a great beginning of the year.



Thanks to Marcia for speaking to our staff at the staff learning meeting about our nut-free students as well as working the bengal card desk at this busy time of year for sports physicals.

How to make kids smarter backed by science.

http://time.com/12086/how-to-make-your-kids-smarter-10-steps-backed-by-science/?utm_campaign=time&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com

I had quite a few teachers talk to me about how great Matt Turek and the summer band sounded at our opening assembly.  Congrats to Matt for also Getting a Go Fund Me Page funded for mics and tuners.

Pretty cool reading fireplace in Megan's room.


Alex has set up a student council fundraiser that will take place in the gym today through PE classes today.

Thanks to Lynette and Jen for being so accommodating at the beginning of the year with pictures, assemblies and fundraisers taking place in the gym.

Useful and practical advise for all educators.
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/08/turning-high-expectations-success


I appreciate the reading teachers spending valuable time during the institute to go in-depth with the new My Perspective curriculum.  It will go a long way in the year to come.

New staff can get their key cards from Kim and email log-in info from me if you do not have it yet.

Good read for parents of teens/tweens. Have smartphones destroyed a generation?
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/


The Scholastic book fair will be starting on the 29th.  If we sell enough books i will be dressing up like a cowboy and getting chocolate "cow pies thrown at me.  If I see a long line of teachers buying books I'll now where I stand with the faculty! :)



Thanks to Michelle F for putting together the book fair schedule together.  I look forward to getting down there and getting suggestions on good books from the students.

Are you in your sweet spot or "Ikigai"?


Open House is Thursday.  This is a great opportunity to talk to parents about your class, expectations, and curriculum.

Thanks to Ellen T and Kim for all of the hard work that they have put into making the start of the school year get off to a great start.  We appreciate all of the extra effort!



I appreciate our conversation about Grit on Monday.  Here is the Grit Scale that you can take yourself.
https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/

Who doesn't want Siri to sing Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.  Try it if you have a minute...or not.
http://www.openculture.com/2017/08/siri-can-sing-queens-bohemian-rhapsody.html