1-21-2022

 Jessica and Jen H put on a beautiful, formal, socially distanced induction ceremony on Wednesday evening for the new NJHS members.  It was nice to have three of the high school students back to participate in the ceremony.  Also thanks to Angela for filming.

If interested, please sign up to supervise the Girls Basketball games which start next week.  Please note the earlier start time for supervisors as marked  in Dan's email.  (3:50pm)  Besides getting to see the kids play, it is a great way to earn some extra cash. 

3 strategies to get students talking in math class.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/3-strategies-get-students-talking-math-classrooms

Thanks to Melissa L, Jen V and Lauren D for serving as Benjamin Mentors this year.  The formal and informal meetings you have with your mentee teachers are helping them in many different ways!

I was able to get into some classrooms this week both as an observer and as a teacher.  My highlight was a 5th grade class telling me "You're doing it wrong!" and "That's not how Mrs. ______ does it Dr. Fitzgerald"  This is a good reminder that I can sub for you but can never replace you and also the brutal honesty of 5th graders!

Content rich curriculum to increase reading comprehension:

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/54452/why-deeply-diving-into-content-could-be-the-key-to-reading-comprehension

Thanks to Nicole for the work she does to support students and families. This work is often taking place behind the scenes and I appreciate it.  

Roller skating is taking place in the large gym during many of the PE classes.  If you want to lace up and take a few laps around the rink just head on up there.  Thanks to Jen and Joe for providing this opportunity to students.  Open Arms by Journey and all other "slow skate" songs are forbidden so don't ask!

Conduct an evidence scavenger hunt to get students to revise their writing.

Thanks to the Team Leaders for meeting with me on Tuesday of this week after school.  I am blessed to have so many strong leaders in this building that are willing to share their honest thoughts and opinions with me for school improvement.

I met with science during our subject area meeting to discuss possible curriculum resource adoptions.  The rest of the meeting was filled with them making posters on why they are the best department in the building!!

Thank to Chris for her continued work on the BB300 News. When you watch it it looks very smooth and professional but that takes a lot of work.  The kids also continue to get better which is fun to see. 

Last reminder from me...if you are signing up for the county wide institute day on March 4th you have to register online and print up your registration paper, staple it to the district registration form in the office. I will sign it and send it upstairs.  I am going over all registrations the afternoon of January 28th with Leslie and Natalie so checks can be mailed out by the  mid february deadline. Please see me with questions. If you are staying in house please have your agenda sent to me by the end of February this will allow me to have a PD form for you if it applies to your work on that day.  

How to create an innovative environment.

https://www.inc.com/larry-alton/how-to-come-up-with-more-truly-innovative-ideas.html?cid=sf01001

Rich Feffer has decided to retire at the end of the year. I know we are all happy for him and at the same time sad to see him go.  I have always been impressed with his student relationship building, technology integration and his persistence when he feels like something is best for students.  I am working to see how long after he retires can he be added to the sub list! 

"Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory." -- Betty Smith

“Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.”
― Oscar Wilde

“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.”
― Mark Twain

1-14-2022

 Huge shout out to all of the subs, teaching assistants and teachers who have helped to cover classes, changed their usual duties and have been going above and beyond to ensure that students are getting the help and support they need and keep both schools open for in-person learning.  I cannot be prouder of a group of individuals as I am of this staff.  Your dedication could not prosper as it has without caring about not only students but caring about each other.  Thank you.  

Changing your feedback to get your students full potential.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/3-ways-encourage-coasting-students-reach-their-full-potential

Thanks to Dr. Woell for going through the new cdc/idph guidance so we could implement it in our district.  I have been to teams to talk about the major changes.  One important change that I did not mention was when students come back from Covid or being a close contact between day 6-10.  They have to have their mask on at all times, including outside during mask breaks or recess.  This has to be followed and I need teachers to be on top of it.  If the student needs an actual break from a mask they can  go to the office and I can escort them outside to a mask break on their own or you can supervise them to be beyond 6 feet of distance from everyone with no exceptions.  During lunch, lunch supervisors must ensure that they are again at least 6 feet from each other just like everyone else.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

Thanks to everyone for their hard work on the the early release day. E-Learning planning, curriculum work and completing the 5 essentials survey were all on the agenda as well as a big thanks to the master schedule committee who continue to meet to help improve the schedule for efficiency and productivity.  

If you are on cycle  please make sure that you have scheduled your second observation with me by next week.  Also now is a good time for teachers doing growth goals to see if you are on track and have a discussion with me if their are any concerns.  

Interesting article on slowing down the internet/email.

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2022/01/slow-internet-email/621232/?utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=2022-01-12T18%3A53%3A49&utm_content=edit-promo

Thanks to Sherry, Colleen and Michelle F for supervising HW club.  This club is very helpful for the students who can take advantage of the time/place to get work completed.

Thanks to all my am and PM supervisors.  You guys have been vital to a smooth transition to the start and finish of the day.  Your attendance and punctuality have been exemplary.  

How to quiet your mind and find peace!

https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/ethan-kross-chatter-distanced-self-talk.html?cid=sf01001

Thanks to Matt Tylk for getting the girls basketball season off the ground this week with two different sets of practices.  

Remember your Zorro Circle!

Thanks to the 8th grade for facilitating the High School course selection/Orientation meeting on Tuesday. 

7 Tech Hacks for teachers...these are actually really cool and useful!

https://www.edutopia.org/article/7-clever-teacher-tested-tech-hacks

Josh did a great job launching maker space club Monday after school with about 15 students in attendance.  This is a great club that allows students with different interests explore their creativity and problem solving.  Also thanks to Michelle F for having the flexibility to shift her gamers club to a different part of the library on days when the two clubs conflict.  Finally thanks to Vanessa for setting up the computers for this to be possible.  Maker Space during study skills is still not open but I should have guidelines available soon to make this happen.

In honor of MLK day here are some resources from the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University

https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-resources/king-resources-overview

"Your mind will give back to you exactly what you put into it." -- James Joyce

"Gratitude lifts our eyes off the things we lack so we might see the blessings we possess." -- Max Lucado

No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life our made. Destiny is made known silently. Agnes deMille

We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours. Dag Hammarskjold

1-7-2022

 It is Friday!  Thanks once again for working together as a team to get through this upward swing. You deserve the rest and relaxation this weekend will hopefully provide.  

Thanks to Betty for getting the ACCESS Test organized for her students.

Thanks to Kim for all of the planning and schedule coordination she is doing to make sure we are getting positions covered the best we can for both Benjamin and Evergreen. We appreciate it.

Thanks also goes out to Marcia, Megan S and Jignasa for all of the work they are doing to help identify and communicate student covid cases to parents.

Using positive feedback in math classes.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-positive-feedback-math-classrooms

Jen Harvel has been rocking the online teaching,handling 4 grade levels and many students. Thanks for your continued communication with her that enables her to best help our Remote students.  

I was able to get in some classrooms this week as I was covering some teaching assistant positions and as usual I am amazed at the job all the teachers were doing.  Just to point out two examples, I never knew earths folds, faults and hanging/foot walls could be so entertaining.  Kids really picked up and retained all of Mr. Allard's scientific concepts!  Joe H also did an exceptional job of including Kerry's students into his class activity.  It was exciting to see them participate.  

Just a reminder that Wednesday will be an early release schedule.  I will hopefully have the schedule sent out by the end of the day(Friday).

Please also remember to sign up/register for the DuPage County Wide Institute on March 4th.  Please refer to my earlier email on the proper process that must be followed whether you are staying in the building or going out for your learning opportunity.  The deadline (so things can be properly registered from the district office) is January 28th.

                                                        

                                                    

Thanks to the 8th grade team for getting the students ready for the start of the high school transition.  8th grade students will attend a presentation by the high school on Tuesday.

Best of Luck to Dan, Matt and the boys basketball team in their playoff games this weekend!

Resolutions for a life worth willing.  

https://www.themarginalian.org/2022/01/01/resolutions-for-living/

We will be starting the 5 Essential Survey for students, staff and parents.  The survey runs from January 11th-March 11th.  More details to follow. 

Thank you to Team for setting the next STAR testing dates.

If you are on cycle you should talk with me next week to schedule your next formal observation.    

"Your task is not to foresee the future, but to enable it." -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"Every day of our lives we are on the verge of making those changes that would make all the difference. 

-- Mignon McLaughlin