5-22-2020

Thanks to Jessica, Jen V, Lynette, April, Bill, Lyn, Kendra, Matt Turek, Michele S, Kim G, Lori P, Kathy and Dan B for helping with the supply pick-up on Tuesday and making it go so smooth.  8th grade pick-up is on Tuesday, May 26th.  Please let me know if you are available to help (unless you already told me.)


Jessica and the Tiger Times Newspaper Staff put out another great issue to finish out the year!

Leaning on Habits of Mind during times of uncertainty.
https://www.habitsofmindinstitute.org/leaning-on-habits-of-mind-in-times-of-fear-and-uncertainty/


I'm looking forward to our Parade on Thursday.  Please meet in the Benjamin parking lot at 8:30.  Route information to follow on Tuesday.


I am super excited  for the 8th grade Clap Out on Wednesday.  We will have places marked 6 feet apart and please bring your masks as we will then continue our celebration by honoring our retirees.  Adrienne, Gail, Laura and Ellen bring so much kindness, knowledge and talent to our students and school, I know I am speaking for everyone when I say they will be really missed.

works for Zoom as well


Thanks to the Specials Team for putting together the Activity Chart and providing our students fun activities.  Special thanks to all of the teachers that submitted videos as examples.


Speaking of videos, I am really looking forward to seeing everyones thank you videos to our students.



I am working with Jostens to get the special link we need for Graduation that will allow a large number of people to attend.  I will send the link to everyone on Monday.  Thanks to Kim for the extra help she has provided in getting graduation ready.



I am excited for the staff that we will have in new roles next year.  Megan P as our 7th grade ILAR teacher, Jen H as our 8th grade ILAR/6th SS and ta for IMSA and Danielle DeChristopher who will be serving as an additional 1/2 time tech/instructional coach to help Angela support both buildings.

"A child is not deciding to read or not read. The child is choosing among competing activities: Should I read, or have a snack, or see what my friend’s doing, or play a video game?"
What works for getting kids to enjoy reading.
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/48754/what-works-for-getting-kids-to-enjoy-reading

Thanks to Michelle who will be putting out a Summer Reading Video and online resource and Rich who recorded a Summer Math Video.  These resources and some incentives will hopefully encourage large participation among our students. 

Which 3 would you pick?


We will have a final Staff Meeting for all staff at 2:00pm on May 28th.  Please bring food and an appropriate drink so we can toast our retirees and the successful end to the school year.  Zoom link to follow.

One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity." -- Bruce Lee

5-15-2020

Thanks for all of the staff who volunteered to help on Tuesday, May 19th and on Tuesday, May 26th.  Please just pick the day and time that works best for your schedule.  It is much appreciated.

Every single one of you is going to get rejected at some point, and it’s not because there’s something wrong with you. This is just a time when kids are figuring out how to choose — and be — a good friend.”
How to Thrive in Middle School.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/6-ways-to-help-your-child-thrive-socially-in-middle-school/2020/04/13/4dea1e32-7a70-11ea-9bee-c5bf9d2e3288_story.html


I have had several people ask about bringing their kids for the clap out on May 27th.  Unfortunately I am going to have to say no.  The only people that can attend is staff members for safety reasons.  I understand  that people are restricted by their home schedule and that everyone would be there if they could. 

25 strategies to engage students in your next Zoom meeting.
https://hookedoninnovation.com/2020/05/13/25-strategies-to-engage-zoom/


There will be some tweaks to the last 3 day schedule I sent yesterday.  Specifically with the virtual field day.  Specials Team is working on a different activity. 

Which one are you?


I have been able to make contact with a few parents of students who have not been motivated and  they have responded.  Please keep up your efforts it will make a difference. 



ABC Challenge continues with Pet Day!

Thanks to Jessica for pumping out another issue of the Tiger Times which will be available on the 19th. 



Thanks to Lyn for all of the extra work she did to get the yearbook prepared and ready for delivery. 

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." -- Zig Ziglar

5-8-2020

Thanks to MJ, Jen H and Betty who put together remote learning plans for our students for ESY summer school.  I appreciate your dedication to these students.

Thanks to teachers who continue the locker clean out for our students.  I realize this is not what you signed up for.

6 Strategies for Effective Feedback...good short video!

Thanks to Ellen and Kim who are working hard behind the scene to get things done for our school.  We appreciate it.

Here are some action photos of the Bengal Derby, thanks again to Bill and Courtney for organizing the event.

 
 

Why we need differentiation more than ever. during remote learning.
http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/may20/vol62/num05/Why-We-Need-Differentiation-Now-More-Than-Ever.aspx

Thanks to Megan for continuing to promote the ABC Countdown.  Kindness Day was my favorite day this week. Feel free to share your photos with Ellen if you are participating so she can display them on our website.



Adrienne had some of her students poetry re-tweeted by an author.  How exciting to have our students work spotlighted in that way. Here is one of her poem.

Night Lights out Except for My own bedroom Downstairs. Lying down, In my bed, light at hand With a book on my pillow Pages and pages with little words That sweep me away from my soft bed. They are my life. They are my books. “Good-night.”

Teacher Appreciation Gift from the Giesers:

Thanks to the Team Leaders for helping me plan the end of the year.  It is a work in progress but made a lot easier with your great ideas and leadership.

Alex and Colleen let me know that Sophia G was selected for Student Council District Rep.  What a great honor as Benjamin students have been selected 3 out of the last 4 years!

Lesson planning Framework that produces Productive Struggle.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/lesson-planning-framework-leads-productive-struggle

Nicole had a successful social Zoom with a group of 7th grade students yesterday.  I appreciate how our staff is looking at the academic, social and emotional needs of our students.  

We are all pretending!

Dr. Woell did a great job hosting a Benjamin town Hall last night.  It was packed and parents overwhelmingly wanted to know when our Parade is.  May 28th looks like a great day for a parade.  Mark your calendars!

This week was teacher appreciation week and for the first time in a long time we were not able to give you a never ending buffet of food each day.  Know that we appreciate everything you are doing this week, this year and always.  Melissa organized and put together an awesome piece of spirit wear t-shirt gift for each of you.  Hopefully you like it.  It is not in yet, but here is a picture.  THANK YOU!

We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience.” ~ John Dewey~