9-26-25

 If you are on cycle please make sure you schedule your first observation with me and turn in your growth goals by October 1.  If you are doing an alternative evaluation then please go over forms 1-3 with me.  If you have any questions let me know.  Now that we are into the school year I will be getting into all classes more.  

Cross country was hosting a mega-meet on Thursday with about six other teams.  It was a great day for running and lots of friends and families were there for the races.  Joe and Megan did a great job hosting the meet and our runners gave their best.  

Elevating the turn and talk

elevate the turn and talk

I want to thank everyone for the great job  you did when we moved into "secure building and teach" on Wednesday.  The drill practice we have done and clear communication created seamless transitions with everyone following directions.  

The PTA fun run is coming!  There is going to be quite a bit more commotion around this fun run with many prizes, announcements and activities.  Thanks in advance to Kim, Margaret and homeroom teachers who will help promote, track and pass out prizes.  The ramp up will take place from October 1-9 with the Fun Run taking place on October 10.  Obviously huge props to Jen and Joe who will be doing most of the heavy lifting.

The latest edition of the STEM Parade has arrived.  Watch for the student floats.....stay for the staff sitcom theme song.  BMS Back to School Parade 2025 Thanks to Sherry, Angela and Megan P for the great work.  

I love that April and the Specials Team is working with Chris and the BB300 to do some "What is a Benjamin Student" Shout Outs.  Please refer to the google form in April's email to spread the positivity and reinforce our expectations.  

Eligibility has begun. Thanks for updating the sheet Margaret sends out.  Teachers are responsible for contacting parents and coaches of a student is ineligible I call down students and Friday to inform them.  Ineligibility is when a student in a club or a sport is earning  two D's or and F in their classes.  They are then out of that activity starting on Monday through the next week until eligibility is run again.  Being out the whole week starting on Monday accomplishes two things: It allows the student the week to get their grade up and their isn't pressure on the teacher to grade an assignment so the student can become eligible the next day.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

I will put out the October meeting schedule on Friday.  With 5 Wednesdays in October that means there's one freebie!   

Dr. McGill and I will be spending two days (October 2nd and 3rd) in West Chicago 33 helping them with their Strategic Plan audit.  Where we are just starting our process, they are wrapping up their five years.  Obviously, April, Todd and Nicole will be here to help problem solve any issues.  Dr. Filas will also be able to help if needed.  

Anybody can sympathise with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathise with a friend's success.

Oscar Wilde

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

Darrin Weinberg

If there is anything the nonconformist hates worse than a conformist, it's another nonconformist who doesn't conform to the prevailing standard of nonconformity.

Bill Vaughan

9-12-25

 Stephen and April are kicking off Choir season Friday morning with donuts and singing!  It was great seeing many clubs start this week.  Thanks to Marisa, Michelle F, Michele D, Kerry K,  and Angela, for their hard work in providing a fun and encouraging environment for students to explore their interests.  

If you did summer curriculum writing, Mrs. Smith and I are meeting to review your work and will get back to you soon.  

Next week we have a board meeting on Monday and a PTA meeting on Tuesday night.  You are welcome to attend these meetings. New and newly tenured teachers will be recognized at the board meeting.   Also please remember to join the PTA if you have not done so already.

Thanks to April who did a great job presenting at the staff learning meeting about an important topic, safety.  There has already been follow up on the good safety points that were brought up for improvement.  

7 Ways to get math students to show their thinking

It is great to have the BB300 start this week to take on some of the morning announcements.  Thanks to Chris for her work on putting these videos together.  Please make sure you are showing and ensuring the students are watching and listening to these videos in your homeroom each day.  

Thanks to Josh for taking the time to come over and help plan the layout and needed items for the Maker Space Club coming soon.

I appreciate the 8th grade team lesson planning and discussions with students about the events of 9/11/2001.  

Star Bengals is back and with more choices than ever before!  I appreciate Megan D working with Krissy and Lana to plan this great learning/life skills activity for their students.  

Please consider serving on the emergency day committee! Let me know today if you can serve, refer to my email for details. 

Lengthy but worthwhile read. The Power of Centering Student Exemplars

I love the partnership Morgan Martin and the 8th grade band have with WCCHS.  Performing at their  football game is an exciting event for our kiddos!

I am ready to start my formal observations, if you are on cycle please reach out to me to schedule. 

"Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better."

-- Ingrid Bergman

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

Leo Tolstoy

Indecision may or may not be my problem.

Jimmy Buffett  

9-5-25

 Thanks to everyone for doing such a great job at curriculum night on Wednesday.  The parents I spoke with were impressed and well informed.  

All of our sports teams started off with games/matches/meets this week.  It is always great to see the students work together in competition outside of the classroom.  Thanks to our coaches for not only teaching them skills but teaching them sportsmanship!

Here is a great sketchnote on an important topic.  Selfcare is so important so you have energy to be the best you can be!

Lauren and Colleen did a fantastic job of running the outdoor ed meeting on Wednesday night.  They were not only able to provide parents with information, turn in deadlines but most importantly ease fears about having their kiddos away from home for the first time.  Nice job!

Michelle and Carrie did a great job of running our book fair this week.  The extra effort will be worth it with the funds to purchase more books.  I also appreciate bringing in parent volunteers to help out which strengthens our home and school partnership.  

Interesting article on how you can use colored index cards to bring out more participation from introverted students. (you can also listen to the article instead of reading if you prefer)

Introverted Students

Thanks to Megan S for facilitating the vision and hearing screening for our students.  

Please make sure you join the PTA (flyer I believe was in your mailbox)  The cost for staff is $7.  The PTA is also having a contest: the homeroom with the most parents signed up for PTA membership wins a donut party for their classroom.  

Just a reminder that we have a staff learning meeting Wednesday after school. 2:45pm-3:30pm  Safety will be the topic.  As a reminder, teaching assistants are always invited to our learning meetings and you can fill out a timesheet for staying. 

Speaking of safety, thanks to April for attending two district crisis safety meetings and for sending out the safety drill schedule.  Make sure you review this as we have three different drills next week.  

I appreciate Danielle and Angela meeting with me and attending team meetings to address instructional coaching topics and just being a helping hand to those that need it.

Thanks to Greg for working so hard to get all of the tech problems resolved in relation to teacher access of programs and beyond.  

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.

Seneca (5 BC - 65 AD)

So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.

Christopher Reeve

“Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.”

― Groucho Marx