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