5-17-24

April Tepe did a great job of presenting her IMSA Fusion 7th grade class projects to the school board on Monday night.  Three of her students helped her present and did a wonderful job with their demonstrations!

I appreciate the 7th grade team preparing the Virtual Career Fair that the students had on Thursday afternoon.  Students were engaged and learned about different opportunities and career fields. 

Thursday afternoon was a busy one, 8th grade teachers were able to bring their students to WCCHS for an opportunity to learn more about their transition next year.  I appreciate the articulation and work the 8th grade team put in to make this happen.

Congrats to Joe, Bill, Carrie and Abbie for a successful track season with our students.  On Wednesday Night our Girls team took 4th overall and our boys won the conference!  It could not have taken place without all the hard work and organization provided by our coaches.  

Wishing Matt Tylk and the girls soccer team the best of luck this weekend as they enter the SWAC tournament.  

I would like to thank Evelyn, Frank, Isidrio and all of the volunteers that will be helping to make our all school picnic lunch go smoothly on Friday.

Mrs. Erickson and Ms. Harvel are working hard with all of the NJHS leadership students to prepare an engaging afternoon of activities in our annual Charity Fest.  I am always amazed at how the students step up to the challenge and at how much money we raise for charity.  Just a reminder not to park in the small gym parking lot tomorrow morning as NJHS will have a set-up there.  

I appreciate all of the hard work that went into the last subject area meeting of the year.  I want to give Danielle a special shout out for all of the hard work she has put into assisting with curriculum and instruction this year.  From HMH to curriculum maps to assessment analysis she has been my hands on the ground doing all of the hard work.  Thank you. 

Just a reminder as the year wraps up, close supervision of students and engaged learning activities will help reduce off task and misbehavior.  

For those of you that don't read "the papers", at Monday's board meeting we hired special ed teachers Heather Jimenez and Jen Matthews  for the 2024-2025 school year.  They will join Stephen Lewis as our three new teachers next year!

Thursday's assembly and Band and Choir Evening spring concert were both a smashing success.  Thanks to Melissa, April and Morgan for their preparation and practices all year that make the Spring Concert such a display of high level musical ability.  

I also want to thank Tim, Frank and Isidrio for all of their work in set-ups and takedowns during this busy time of year.  

"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said".  

                                                                                   Peter Drucker

To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other.

Jack Handey 

"In each of us there are places we have never gone. Only by pressing the limits do you ever find them." -- Joyce Brothers

5-10-24

I know I speak for everyone when I say how appreciative we are of the PTA's hard work this week to honor the great job you do each day!  Please leave a note of thanks that I can bring to next weeks PTA meeting. 

On top of Staff Appreciation Week it was also School Nurse Appreciation Day this past  Wednesday.  I know everyone is very grateful for the hard work and care for children that Megan, Jignasa and Marcia put into their job each day. 

 Megan Peterson brought in popular author and cartoonist Ira Mrucks to visit her 7th grade ela class. He was very engaging and informative to our future authors!

I appreciate Sherry, Michele D, April, Danielle and Angela for giving up their time this week to serve on the furniture committee and interview different vendors.  Also thanks to Dr. Filas for organizing and Dr. Woell for facilitating the event.  

Brain Breaks for your classroom.

brain breaks

Jen H did a great job of having each of her classes create their own class book that was professionally binded and filled with their writing.  One class chose "If I was the Principal" as their topic of writing.  Less homework and more time for lunch was a common theme!  

I think that Kerry did a great job of  having her class write kindness letters to many of our staff members.  This type of project has many academic and social benefits for all involved!

Jonathan and Elpida did a great job engineering and building these works of art!

I appreciate everyone's hard work on Wednesday's early release day.  The work we do in May is just as important as the work we do in September. Thanks for continuing to push through.  

Key features of close reading.

close reading

Please take an opportunity to go through the storage rooms and see if there is anything that you were keeping there that you still plan on using. Keep me updated.

I am looking forward to Charity Fest next Friday.  Thank to Jessica and Jen for guiding the NJHS students on planning this school wide event.

5th Grade teachers were able to bring in a weatherman to talk with the students about hurricanes.   What a wonderful opportunity that tied in with student learning.   Also thanks to April for letting us use her room.  

As we end this staff appreciation week, I thank you for all that you do for kids.  

I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.

Albert Einstein

Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater.

Gail Godwin

For every person who wants to teach there are approximately thirty people who don't want to learn--much.

W. C. Sellar and R. J. Yeatman

5-3-2024

 Jen Harvel had her 5th grade students practice some amazing interview skills as they role played famous people past and present.  The kids did a great job.  

I am looking forward to the talent show today!  Thanks to Chris and Lynette for working hard to put on a great show for Benjamin and working with our students to hone their "talent".  Also, thanks to the staff for being willing to perform for our students.  This is going to be fun!

Michael Miles has partnered with our school for a long time and yesterday was his last performance.  He was amazing as ever getting 8th graders to sing and play guitar to a Queen song!

The 8th grade debates were as awesome as ever.  It is always great to see what our students are capable of when the bar is set high.  Thanks to Michele D and Bill for providing this opportunity for our students.  

I appreciate Jessica organizing some NJHS students to come to Benjamin on Saturday and give tours to community members who are learning about our capital plan organized by Dr. Woell.  

Thanks to everyone for sharing ideas at the staff learning meeting.  It is our actions as individuals that come together to make us an unbeatable team.  We can always get better, lets finish this last month of school strong.  

I am looking forward to the luncheon and to the articulation on Friday.  Listening and sharing information that can help the other team, not negativity is what will make this time valuable.  

Next week is staff appreciation week.  Bring your appetite and be ready for special surprises, The PTA is really pumped up to make this week special.  

"Dream audaciously. Have the courage to fail forward. Act with urgency." -- Phil Knight

"Thinking is difficult, that's why most people judge." -- Carl Jung

When you go into court you are putting your fate into the hands of twelve people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.

Norm Crosby

4-26-2024

 I am so glad that we were able to recognize all of the hard work and dedication that Kim and Evelyn give to our school for Administrative Assistant Day on Wednesday.  I know I speak for everyone when I say Thank You for all that you do.  

Thanks to Colleen for putting together the ABC countdown!  Friday is Crazy Hair Day and Monday is Disney Day!

50 mini lessons for student research

On Monday I will be taking 8th Graders Carlos M and Maggie B to the Illinois Principal Association Student Recognition Breakfast. These two students will be recognized alongside other students from all over DuPage County in 4th, 8th and seniors in high school for being outstanding students.  

I am excited for the Band Trip today to NIU.  Thanks to Morgan Martin for creating this great opportunity for our student musicians.  

 7 ways to promote positive communication with Families.

Dr. Woell has been making his way around to teams to update them on the capital plan and to get everyone's input on upcoming changes.  I appreciate his communication and transparency with this process.  

I am looking forward to seeing the talent show  a week from Friday.  Thanks to Chris and Lynette for working with the students to practice their acts in preparation for the big show. 

Joe, Bill, Carrie and Abby did a great job of hosting a huge track met today with many conference schools participating.  Thanks to Dan for his help organizing the event and to all of the staff that helped supervise and run the events.  Everyone pitching in makes a big difference.  

Dr. Filas did a great job running the district furniture vendor committee meeting on Wednesday.  BMS was well represented.  Next up the committee will hear from three vendors on Tuesday May 7th.  I appreciate staffs willingness to serve the district in this way, giving up their time to benefit all of us. 

20 ideas for exit tickets as an effective way to end your class

 Grade level teams will be giving their final STAR tests soon.  Teachers please encourage your students to really give their best effort on this final test.  

Thanks to Lauren Dunne for heading the Eclipse glasses donation drive so that they can be used again in Latin America.  

Nicole C and Megan D went above and beyond yesterday to help a family with a truancy issue.  I appreciate their willingness to be creative and think outside the box.  

Friday, I will be sending out the articulation schedule for May 3rd along with our assembly schedule for the talent show. 

"Expect everything, I always say, and the unexpected never happens." -- Norton Juster

"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows." -- Epictetus

"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist." -- Friedrich Nietzsche