12-17-2021

 I enjoyed the Tamale Party Sherry had with her spanish classes, what a great way to celebrate the spanish food and culture.  It was also great to see so many parents helping out!

Today is Debbie Olson's last day.  She has been an awesome coworker, friend and role model to our students.  I know I speak for everyone when I say we will miss her and wish her the best of luck in her well deserved retirement.

So there were many positives of being upstairs in my "second office" and being present in the hallway.

    students came to me with problems to solve

    students joked with me (even complemented my avocado socks)

    students were more aware of their own behavior in the hall

    I was able to hear Bill and Michelle deliver great lessons to their classes

Once we get back from break I will talk with the 8th grade students as a whole about expectations.  Thanks to all grade levels for tightening up their bathroom, hallway, mask break and study skills procedures.  Students will follow behavior expectations that they are taught and consistently enforced. 

How to give positive feedback on student writing.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-give-positive-feedback-student-writing

Angela and Danielle's latest podcast "Just Breathe" is available and is a great way to spend 30minutes during your break.  

https://edtechsnacktime.buzzsprout.com/

Great Idea for all Teams #bengalpride

Sherry, Angela and Megan did a great job with STEM Parade.  The students really enjoy this project and are engaged while learning important stem concepts.  Check out the video below and stick around until the end. 

https://youtu.be/eE5ny0gyI0g

I enjoyed getting a chance to see Melissa's students perform on their keyboards.  Students enjoyed their growth in musical talent and some students who had previous experience  were able to show off their harder musical pieces for their peers.  

I would like to thank Cheryl W for her dedication to Benjamin 25 over the past few years.  She definitely was able to tighten up some procedures to make sure we were in compliance and brought some processes more current with present day.

Thanks to Greg for giving 5th grade tours of the Maker Space.  Josh will be running the after school club starting on January 10th on certain Mondays and Wednesdays After school.  Once we get that off the ground I will be sending out instructions on attending Maker Space during study skills.  The specific directions will address eligibility for students to go to the maker space as well as limit the numbers so that student stay safe and Michele and Kathy can supervise this extension to the LMC. 

Dan, Matt and Nicole have done a tremendous job with the Boys basketball and dance team respectively.  I appreciate the non-gametime guidance and life lessons they share with their players to make them better sports and young adults.  

Thanks to Colleen, Alex and student council for the fun dec-a-door contest along with the awesome spirit week.  

Thanks to Megan and the STAR Bengals Staff for their hard work including Kendra's Monster Cookies addition.  

I want to welcome Natalie Principe to the district.  She has already been making a positive impact upstairs at the Ad Center and I will invite her to attend team meetings sometime when we get back from break.

I am looking forward to breakfast at Evergreen.  Thanks to Dr. Woell for keeping this tradition going and to Jen S for organizing and facilitating the breakfast.  

You will find a small treat from Melissa and I in your mailbox.  The book is something that you can read a few pages at a time and is fun read about overcoming your personal resistance, exploring your creativity and being successful in  any aspect of your life.  

I hope you all have a wonderful break filled with relaxation and a balance of time with family and peaceful solitude.  

I thought this quote would be the perfect request for the last day of school before winter break.  

12-10-2021

 Melissa, April and Morgan all did a great job as they led our choir and band at our Winter Concert Wednesday Evening.  Splitting up the concert into two halves and using sign-up genius for seating helped facilitate a great night of live music in a safe environment.  

Also thanks to Danielle for running the sound board and taping the show and Angela for working late to get photos of all the different groups.  

Thanks to Colleen and Alex for running the Pretzel fundraiser on Friday for student council.  I am sure the kids are looking forward to some savory treats.  

Speaking of savory treats thanks to all of the work that Sherry is doing to set up her tamale party for Tuesday.  It's great to be able to emphasize the food and culture of the language the students are learning.  

Curating Mentor Texts to inspire student writers.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/curating-mentor-texts-inspire-student-writers

Ellen has been doing a great job with the new lunch program requirements.  I appreciate her staying on top of this.  Also thanks to Kim who leads the lunch pick-up at the end of the day.   

I hope everyone was able to use the subject area time on Wednesday to get things accomplished. The ILAR team was able to talk about curriculum maps, resources, the Fastbridge testing system and the protected Novel list. I will be talking with science teachers soon about a new development in our curriculum resources. 

Everyone has seen the uptick in close contact and positive cases lately.  Thanks for continuing to keep kids safe by giving reminders about raising masks, hand washing and social distancing.  

Teaching students about the advantages of sleep

https://intrepidednews.com/three-things-to-teach-your-teen-about-sleep-and-their-brain-deborah-farmer-kris/

Speaking of reminders, This week coming up has always been a time when kids (and staff) can feel the holiday break coming.  Please stay proactive with class and hallway supervision so we can intervene when problems arise and use verbal reminders to keep kids on task leading up to the holiday. 

I am continually amazed at the job our teaching assistants do with our students. Assisting students in class and building trusting relationships with kids not only help the students but help the teachers in classrooms they are in. Thank you.

Just a reminder that the Holiday Breakfast is back!  This year it is at Evergreen and it is catered.  It starts at 6:00am so set your alarms and you will have plenty of time to get back to Benjamin for the start of school.

Art as a way to connect students and teachers with SEL.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/art-pathway-sel-school-counseling

Two of the teams have shared with me their plan to connect with the "SEL" students from the lists we worked on from our staff meeting.   I appreciate the follow through to make connections with these students. 

Thanks to Betty for her continued work to have meaningful staff development and continuing to work to get staff recognition for the hard work they have done.  If you haven't done so yet fill out the staff praise form tied to the Empower magazine you all contributed to and you could raise a teammates spirit and also win a Starbucks gift card.

Booklet

https://read.bookcreator.com/FKQIzZxzrhOX4uaoJzgGCBVIWE02/l5y-TiJUSoej_WidmtXzpQ

Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScY_XtHoWbn2CfNNxOTnIijDEwBmMrALZIUDoAkhmqDWtgOgg/viewform

I look forward to seeing everyone participate in Spirit week:

Monday the 13th: Winter pjs, Tuesday the 14th: Festive hats/Santa hats, Wednesday the 15th: Holiday music in halls, Thursday the 16th: Red & Green day,and Friday the 17th: Ugly sweater day

"Time is the school in which we learn." -- Joan Didion

Simplicity, not simplistic." -- Matt Mullenweg

"A wise man told me don't argue with fools. Because people from a distance can't tell who is who." -- Jay-Z

 

12-3-2021

 Good Luck to Joe S and our Chess team at the big tournament this weekend!

If you have time on Friday/Saturday Check out the PTA Holiday Bazaar and Sweets with Santa at Evergreen.  Our Band and Choir will also be performing there as well.

Thanks to Kerry for setting up Julia the service dog to come in with the DuPage County Sheriffs Office.  It was a great treat for the students in her class.

Thanks for taking time in team to follow up on the student SEL lists that we talked about in the staff learning meeting.  I feel really positive about our ability to make connections with some of the kids that we may not have otherwise. 

Don't forget your Joy challenge.  Even though Thursday presented some challenges I was still able to hit 3 of my "Joys" at work!

I appreciate NJHS being at the home games selling concessions.  It is both a service for fans and provides a service opportunity for our students.  

Speaking of appreciation, I really appreciate the work Dan Baker has done as the athletic director.  His constant communication with the other schools in our league surrounding masks and other issues has been outstanding.

I will send out the google doc today to indicate if you are interested in getting all of your original classroom furniture back over break.  Once you mark your preference, I will follow up individually with you.  

Helping Students Reacclimatize to being with others all day long.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/helping-students-reacclimate-being-others-all-day

"Never be so focused on what you're looking for that you overlook the thing you actually find." -- Ann Patchett

If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself." -- Charles M. Schulz

"He who kisses joy as it flies by will live in eternity's sunrise." -- William Blake

11-19-2021

 Thanks to Dr. Woell and the school board  for the awesome turkey lunch yesterday for American Education Week.  Also thanks to Jen S for facilitating it.

During Friday's lunch the students will be getting their turkey lunch. Thanks to the lunchroom supervisors for supervising this special lunch and to Ellen for working with Kurt & Elise from Sodexo, and Dr.Woell for making this happen. 

The Turkey that Kerry and her class put together and for the hallway looks great. Thanks to all of the staff who contributed feathers to state what they are grateful for.  It looks like we have a lot to be thankful for.

When we get back from Turkey Break the 8th grade students will be taking their graduation pictures on Tuesday November 30th in the Multi-purpose room.  This event should be complete by lunch that day.

Thanks to Kim for all of the hard work she puts into report cards.  Please make sure that report cards get passed out at the end of 8th period when we call students back for a special homeroom.  

6 strategies for building empathy in the classroom.  

https://blog.tcea.org/what-empathy-how-practice-empathy-classroom/

Thanks to all of our club supervisors, Jessica, Lynette, Chris, Jen H, Alex, Colleen, Michelle F, Danielle, April and Sherry.  I appreciate the time and effort you are putting into these extra-curricular opportunities that students enjoy/need.

Thanks for meeting in the subject area meetings on Wednesday.  I enjoyed my time with the math team and the discussions we had on curriculum and assessments.

Morning line-up/duty will switch to inside after Turkey Break and recess will also be staggered with 5th and 6th grade having recess at the beginning of the lunch period and 8th and 7th at the end.  

Using oral history projects to boost SEL.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-oral-history-projects-boost-sel

I hope everyone enjoys a restful break with their family.  You deserve it.

"The best teachers have three things in common: They are all about the students. They always bring positive energy into the classroom. They are relentless about getting better." ~ via 'Essential Truths for Teachers'

11-12-2021

 It's been a long week. Thanks for finishing off parent teacher conferences with a bang with in-person and Zoom meetings.  Communication with parents is essential and remembering that we are in a partnership with them to help their child will result in good outcomes.

Speaking of positive feedback, I cannot remember a time when so many staff members came up to me about an assembly.  Hats off to Melissa for organizing the assembly and to April, Morgan, Danielle and Angela for all of their help making it a success.  Obviously thanks to Frank and Tony for all of the set-up and takedown and thanks again to our very own Rich and Bill for their service to our country.  Honor Flight Chicago and the Carol Stream Police Color Guard made the first assembly in two years even more special.  

Michelle and Kathy did a great job organizing a Caudill book talk with our students as an activity for students when they were not in the assembly.  Getting students motivated about reading is always important. 

How to embed SEL in your lessons:

Please read Kerry's email about Turkey feathers and consider adding one of your own.  What a great idea!

The How of building deeper relationships with your students.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-building-deeper-relationships-students

Sue has done a great job transitioning over the last two days as a Benjamin Staff member.  Getting thrown out in the rain with an umbrella for her first morning duty shift and getting to know the students in her class are just two examples of the great job she has done already.

Don't forget about your wellness appointments tomorrow.  Thanks to Jen s for getting this event set up and organized.  I also realize that people will have health screening appointments and even booster shot appointments that will conflict with the days planned activities.  Just go to your appointment and join back in with the learning fun when you are finished.

This guide helps students to write a developed & analytical lit essay. from Duckworth.

https://bit.ly/30b2dkQ

Thanks to Dan, Matt, and Nicole for the great job they are doing with the Winter sports season.  Also thanks to everyone who signs up for scorekeeping and supervisor roles.  We need everyone to make this work.  

Thursday, Nov. 18 is the staff lunch provided by Admin and BOE. This will be the REAL turkey feast as Jen is ordering it from Sportys. Then, we have the "leftovers" option on Friday, Nov 19 with the turkey sandwich from Sodexo. The Google form was sent to everyone. 

Marzano's 9 Instructional strategies

https://bit.ly/3n3YzlR

Thanks to Todd for helping to kick-off our Fastbridge meeting tomorrow with our math, ILAR and Sped teachers.  I appreciate his expertise in introducing this program. 

Let's make better slideshows

https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/slideshows/

 Everyone please make sure you look over your schedule for tomorrow to see where you need to be throughout the day and please make sure you sign in and out in the office on the attendance sheet.  You need your iein number as well.  

"The greatest happiness is to know the source of unhappiness." -- Fyodor Dostoevsky

"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." -- Henry Van Dyke

11-5-2012

 Thanks to everyone for doing an outstanding job at P/T conferences. Parents I talked to said things went well and the conferences were starting and finishing on schedule. Also thanks to Kim for checking all the parents in and helping set-up our awesome PTA dinner.  Please make sure your Zoom link is working for Tuesday and that if you have a new computer that you have tested your camera and mic like Greg has mentioned.

This Monday at the school board meeting we will be honoring the school board for School Board Appreciation Week.  Angela is setting up a Kudoboard like we did for Matthew Turek.  Melissa or I will be sending out directions today.  If you could please take a minute to input a message before Monday it would be greatly appreciated.  

Push students past simple recall into deeper thought and engagement by adding this short follow-up question to your repertoire.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/question-teachers-should-ask-often-possible

We are gearing up for the Veterans Day Assembly this Thursday.  I look forward to having our first assembly in a long time and celebrating our Veterans.

Dr. Woell will be sending out a summary of our Evaluation Committee meeting last Wednesday.  Please read it over and feel free to ask either of us if you have any questions.  Thanks to the teachers that served on the committee.

Teachers need more Than Good Wishes

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FDCnL1bWQAAD6WM?format=jpg&name=large

Please see Greg's email on adding the facility calendar to your account.  Also we have started to have outside groups use our gym on the weekend.  I have checked with Tim and they will be following the same process as you do if they are entering the building.  As an example, Community Fellowship will be using the gym this weekend.  When they come in their group leader will be entering through door 1 and signing in on the clipboard.  If you see a name on the clipboard when you are leaving the building don't set the alarm (just like always).

Thanks to Colleen, Lisa K and Janice for securing the outdoor ed grant for next year.  Their timely efforts will pay dividends for us next year!

Here's one way to finish each class as strongly as you started it—try an optimistic closure, which helps students connect, reflect, and look forward as you wrap for the day.

Thanks to Ellen for putting together the newsletter each month, also for putting up with late article she is always waiting for (mine lol)

Sherry did a great job with her Day of the Dead celebration for Spanish class this year.  Having the food in the gym was a great accomodation and I love having the parent volunteers in the building.

How PE can help kids bounce back from isolation.

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/kids-are-feeling-isolated-phys-ed-may-help-them-bounce-back/2021/11

Congratulations to April as she became a grandma this week, expanding our Bengal Family!

Please remember to check out one of the podcasts I sent out on Wednesday for our annual podcast learning meeting.

Please consider signing up for our wellness day on November 12th.  It is a great opportunity for you and your spouse!  Thanks to Jen S for sending out the reminders.

"The only reality you can control is the one you're willing to face." -- Karen Marie Moning

"Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight." -- Johnny Cash

10-29-2021

 Basketball is in need of two game supervisors for Monday's game. Please sign up on signup genius if you can help out and earn some extra $.

Thanks to the 8th grade team for putting together a schedule for November 5th to give all of the 8th grade students their STAR test that will be used as part of the high school placement process.  

Just a reminder that we start our Parent Teacher conferences next week, please make sure your web link is ready as Kim will be sending them out on the morning before the first Zoom conferences.  See Angela or Danielle if you need assistance.

Melissa, April and Danielle finished up auditions Thursday evening.  I am looking forward to the Cast reveal Friday afternoon. 

Helping all students feel like they belong.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-sel-can-help-make-schools-feel-more-inclusive

Eligibility officially started on Thursday.  I talked with students and created a letter to better inform parents of the eligibility process.  Please remember that it is the teachers responsibility to reach out to parents and the coach/activity sponsor.  I will share the letter with staff on Friday as it may be a helpful resource when you are talking with parents of ineligible students.

Thanks to Dr. Woell for helping guide the school board visit on Thursday with myself and Melissa.   Special thanks to Chris,  April, Jim, Bill, Michele D and Joe for letting us see the fabulous work they are doing with our students.  

Kim has done a great job this week in keeping the office organized and running smooth.  We appreciate it.

Thanks to Joe, Morgan, Michele D, Alexis and Carrie Z for attending the mentee meeting on Wednesday.  Hopefully the presentations on P/T conference and classroom management will be helpful.  Thanks to all of the mentors who are meeting with our mentee teachers regularly and going over the monthly topic list and giving other assistance.  

Activities to help your students and yourself.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/8-activities-students-and-teachers-create-mindful-classroom

Thanks to Sherry and the BEA leadership team for being active in communicating with their peers and working in partnership with admin to make decisions that benefit the students of Benjamin SD 25.

I appreciate the grade level teams letting me stop by this week and give an overview of the IAR scores.  There was good feedback and I will be working on more data from the state and other local school districts. 

 W.E.B. Dubois’s Magnificent Letter of Advice to His Teenage Daughter

https://www.themarginalian.org/2016/02/23/w-e-b-du-bois-yolande-letter/

Thanks to Colleen and Alex for helping the kids put together a great spirit week this wee.  It was fun and the students and staff enjoyed it.  

Melissa and I want to say thank you for the awesome engraved pens we received last week for Principal/AP appreciation month.  They are already getting good use.  

"You will never be greater than the thoughts that dominate your mind." -- Napoleon Hill

"The greatest gift is not being afraid to question."

-- Ruby Dee

10-22-2021

 I had a great time at ML Night Tuesday Evening. We had lots of families take advantage of this educational and entertaining evening.   On a personal level, it was fun interacting with the little kiddos and showing them the robots and the concept of taking turns and sharing.  Betty did a great job organizing the event and April helped out with set-up.  

Checking in with Middle School students:

https://www.edutopia.org/article/building-better-check

It was neat to see Michael Miles in the building again.  He did a great job as usual and I was super impressed with the questions that our 5th and 8th grade students were able to ask when I popped in. 

https://twitter.com/fitzG/status/1450838020345716741?s=20

Sports awards were Wednesday night and we were able to celebrate the fall athletes in the main gym with parents in chairs and students spaced out in the bleachers.  The Coaches did a great job celebrating their athletes accomplishments and personal growth.  

Finding more ways to praise and keeping track.  

https://www.edutopia.org/article/necessity-finding-more-ways-praise

Thanks to all of the subject area teams that met on Wednesday after school and discussed learning loss among other topics.  I am proud of the hard work that has gone into making this minimal for most of our middle school students.

Using Video to improve instruction

https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-classroom-video-improve-your-teaching

Have you listened to the new Danielle and Angela tech podcast yet?  What are you waiting for?

https://edtechsnacktime.buzzsprout.com/

I appreciate Team Leaders spending Time with me after school on Monday and communicating our discussions back with you.  Their leadership is invaluable to running this school.  

22 Diverse book choices for all grade levels.  

https://www.edutopia.org/article/22-diverse-book-choices-all-grade-levels

Thanks to Sherry and Colleen for running HW club this week and to Nicole for helping to put it together.

Teaching Writing with this fun exercise!

Student Council is having a fun spirit week next week.  I am looking forward to participating and showing off my school/halloween spirit!  Thanks to Colleen and Alex for putting this together.

Melissa, April and Danielle had a great Audition clinic/Crew meeting followed by a parent Zoom meeting tonight and the start of the theater season officially has begun.  

Why reading books should be your priority according to science.

https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/why-reading-books-should-be-your-priority-according-to-science.html?cid=sf01001&sr_share=twitter

I enjoyed getting into classes this week both as a sub and as an administrator. I saw students that were appreciative of in-person learning and excited to be able to interact with their friends and learn from their teachers.  

F.A.I.L. means "First Attempt in Learning". E.N.D. means "Effort Never Dies". N.O. means "Next Opportunity". 

-- Abdul Kalam

 

10-15-2021

 I have so much appreciation to our teachers that went to outdoor ed.  All of the planning and organization to adjust the trip this year as well as supervision and dealing with less than ideal weather was worth it to the 6th grade students and the awesome experience they had.  

I'm also very appreciative of the subs that helped cover the teachers on the trip as well as Sam who did an excellent job of working with the students who stayed back from the trip.  

Hamlet was wrong....how these three words can help you take action.

https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/malcolm-gladwell-says-3-words-separate-people-who-achieve-from-those-who-only-daydream.html?cid=sf01001

IAR scores of individual students will be given to Team Leaders on Monday.  Please take time to look through them.  I will be analyzing and breaking down the school summary reports and other data that I will have for teams in about a week.

It's great to see all of the art that is filling our school from Lynette's students. It really makes a difference in the school seeing the different styles and projects fill the blank walls.  

There is a new PO form that will be published as a google form that Ellen and Leslie created.  I will be sending out specific directions on how to efficiently make a purchase using a PO.  How to use the check request form to make a purchase out of the activity account.  Also, how and when to use the P-Card instead of these two options.  

Some of our new teachers were recognized at the board meeting on Tuesday as well as April for receiving tenure.  Congrats to all.  

Helping students set academic goals.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/guiding-students-set-academic-goals

Tim has alerted me that the new water bottle filler on the second floor has been completed and is in operation.  Unfortunately this coincides with problems with the sixth grade water bottle filler having problems that require someone to come out and service it.  Thus should happen early next week.  Thanks to Tim and the guys for their work and for staying on top of this.

Helping students stay accountable for their own talk.

Melissa has scheduled Michael Miles to come out next week for her and April's music classes.  I strongly suggest that anyone who has not seen him perform use your plan or team to go in and see him.  This is not some local guitarist coming in to sing camp songs with the kids this is a highly skilled professional musician who has toured around the world and shares his stories, experiences and talents with our lucky students.  

Thanks to Dan and Matt who went straight from their Fall sports season to Basketball tryouts without a break.  I really appreciate it.  Our sports awards will be the evening of the 20th to recognize our fall athletes and coaches.  

I am looking forward to helping out with our ML night on the 19th.  What a great opportunity for our ML students and families.  Huge thanks to Betty for organizing the event.  

For ML learners to thrive culture and community are necessary.

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2021-10-12-for-english-learners-to-thrive-community-and-culture-are-necessary

Please finish up your health trainings if you have not done so already.

"If you light a lamp for another, your own way will be lit." -- Nichiren