Thanks to Melissa L. in advance for all of the hard work she put into today's amazing Veteran's Day Assembly and having the choir ready to perform, Also thanks to Matt Turek for having the band ready to perform. Both the Band and Choir will be performing at Evergreen later in the afternoon.
Thanks to Ellen for always being so creative with the student of the month bulletin board. The cell phone theme is right on target.
I'd like to welcome Angela back. Checking in with teams/teachers and working with students has kept her busy this week.
Lets "Be There" for each other.
Today marks the end of the first trimester. Thanks for all of the hard work that went into your classes. I appreciate the creativity and innovation I see by teachers in my classroom visits.
Speaking of classroom visits, just a reminder that Tuesday, September 14th is parent visitation day. No special plans necessary, getting to see teachers and students in their daily routine is very valuable.
Pretty awesome video of student completing an assignment given by his professor. I could see this at BMS. (You have to get past the first 30 seconds)
Thanks to Greg and Mr. Johnson for keeping up with their robotics club. Their Friday afternoon turn-out is very impressive.
Health time has arrived, thanks to Jen and Lynette for providing the students with a solid health foundation leading into their healthy cooking unit in about 4 weeks.
Big props to Mrs. Dunne who had her students create cards for the board members that will be given out to them on November 13th for School Board recognition. Michelle and Kathy also helped by creating book dedication stickers.
Thanks to Tony and Frank for giving the extra effort this week with all of the set-ups and take-downs, not to mention the frequent bathroom checks they have been doing the last couple days.
I'm looking forward to hearing about April and Sherry's trip to Boston at the Learning and the Brain Conference this weekend. I'm sure their presentation on STEM Technology at an upcoming learning meeting will be spectacular.
Thanks to Kim for working the long hours at the P/T conferences these three nights. I appreciate her work ethic and sense of humor.
Once again I heard many positive comments from both teachers and parents last night. "We feel very lucky to have our students go to school here" "The teachers are like super teachers" I had really good conversations tonight with parents tonight" are just a few comments of many that were shared with me.
Thanks to everyone for keeping up with such a busy schedule for parent teacher conferences, I know many of you went non-stop without a break. I appreciate all of the effort and preparation that you put into these very important nights of parent/teacher communication for student success.
How bout them soups! Thanks to Ellen and Kim for organizing the OG Feast. Don't forget donuts tomorrow morning courtesy of Dwayne Ackerman.
I will be delivering two extra student device power cords to each classroom to help when students forget theirs.
Dr. Ehrhardt gave me an article that led to me finding this great math website. This link is on The Three Acts of a Mathematical Story. Great Article for all, click the link to the video when you have more time, http://blog.mrmeyer.com/2011/the-three-acts-of-a-mathematical-story/
Thanks to Lauren Dunne who set up student volunteers for our PT conferences. Super organized and very helpful!
Don't Touch the Glass in this virtual shark museum in DC.
Sherry had an awesome Day of the Dead celebration in her room Wednesday complete with Horchata and other Spanish treats with parent volunteers helping out. Nice job!
Thanks to Greg for presenting the phone voice over IP system on Wednesday. Please see me if you did not get the directions.
Chess Tournament December 2, Benjamin Middle School. More information to follow.
Thanks to Coleen for organizing the student council trip to Feed My Starving Children this week. What a great learning experience for those students.
Melissa is making this Veterans Day Assembly one to remember, first the VFW color guard and now Abigail Farthing from Team Rubicon will be our Keynote Speaker. Don't know Team Rubicon? Read Melissa's summary below:
I am very excited that through a
team effort, we will have a representative from a veterans organization called
Team Rubicon both as a keynote speaker at our assembly and to kick off our
veterans service project. I became aware of Team Rubicon watching
60 Minutes after Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Maria and after the earthquake in
Mexico City. We had already collected for Harvey and it was weighing
heavily on me that we should do something for Puerto Rico, Florida and Mexico
City, but I also knew that we had Veterans Day coming up...then I saw this
amazing story about Team Rubicon on 60 Minutes. Members of this
organization were deployed going door to door assisting people clean up in aftermath
of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. The organization was started by veterans
who had returned from battle or service, but still wanted to help out...wanted
to serve.
A brief summary of Team Rubicon from
their website: In the days following
the devastating earthquake in 2009 in Haiti, many traditional aid organizations
were slow to establish relief efforts, citing dangerous and unstable working
conditions. Troubled by the scenes in Port-au-Prince and the lack of proper
aid, two Marines, Jake Wood and William McNulty, decided to act. Gathering
supplies and volunteers, the small group of veterans, first responders, and
medical professionals deployed to Haiti in the days following the earthquake.
Roughly 70% of Team Rubicon volunteers are military veterans. Many of
the skills gained in the military – things like emergency medicine, small-unit
leadership, logistics, and experience in austere environments – translate well
to disaster response. Military service does not define a Team Rubicon member,
nor is it required. Many of our volunteers are pulled from the civil service
sector. Firefighters, medical professionals, law enforcement officers,
teachers, and mental health providers are among the diverse careers held by TR
volunteers.
I was talking to Betty
about this and she mentioned that Megan Dusing's sister does PR for a veteran’s
organization. We found out it is none other than Team Rubicon. Her
sister made a few calls, put Megan in contact with the Chicago office....and
here we have a speaker and a service project.
The person who will be
coming to our assembly: Abigail Farthing is a former soldier who worked
as a military police for the US Army. While in the Army, Abi worked in
Alaska, Washington DC and Iraq. She comes from a military family and grew
up traveling the world with her family. She has volunteered with Team
Rubicon for several years and enjoys the opportunity helping people recover
from natural disasters.
Again, she will serve as our key note speaker as well as to speak about our
fundraising effort for Team Rubicon, a veteran’s organization that continues to
serve by helping recovery and rebuilding after natural disasters. I am
still working the details of our fundraiser and will involve students and
welcome your input.
Jessica put out another fine edition of the Tiger Times. Kids are definitely reading it as I was asked a million times what my favorite candy was yesterday.
I'd like to Thank Stephen for all of the time he spent with us in Angela's absence. I have had many compliments about his ability to work with people, problem solve, tech knowledge and sense of humor. You will be missed.
Michael Miles in Melissa's room.
Newsletters are due on Monday...just a reminder.
OK...this is the "If you only watch/read one thing" from the blog this week. A Burger King PSA on Bullying...yes Burger King...Powerful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnKPEsbTo9s
Thanks to Chris and Lynette for having the 5th and 6th grade talent show tryouts yesterday. Word on the street is that there were no singing auditions, just juggling acts and the magicians. On a serious note thanks for giving the opportunities for students to display their many talents.
Thanks to Megan D, MJ and Alex along with Ellen and Greg for serving on the District Technology Advisory Committee Wednesday Night. We had a lot of good input from staff, students and parents.
Thanks to Matt Tylk, Corey, Dan B, Rich, Bill and Keriann for being at the Fall Sports Awards Night on Wednesday. It was great to see students and coaches getting recognition for a job well done.
Dr. Peter H. Diamandis laws for living...I like #20, #22 and #27
Thanks to Danielle and Melissa for doing many days of auditions and posting the Cast list for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. " I know this is just the first step in what will be a tremendous effort to put on another spectacular musical at Benjamin.
Thanks to April for bringing in two guest speakers from Ball Seed for her 7th grade Fusion Out of the Silo Class. Students were able to see what they were learning applied in the real world.
Sherry did a great "Break-Out" lesson with her 7th grade spanish class. Students were engaged in learning, having fun and competing all as they reviewed important material for the next quiz.
Realize that failure and difficulties make you, not break you
Thanks to Lynette and Courtney for covering lunch duty and Lynette for covering morning bus duty while Bill is at outdoor ed, much appreciated.
Thanks to Alex for setting up Prizefest on Tuesday and to Ellen and Kim for facilitating the "product", couldn't have done it without you.
It's not too late, pack up the family and bring them to the Foundation Fall Fest this Sunday from 12:30pm-4:00pm. As an added bonus, it's at Benjamin Middle School, so you already know how to get there! I will be there working the grill with Tim and Dr. Ehrhardt. Hope to see you there. Special thanks to Megan D and Melissa M for being on the foundation committee and helping with the planning.
Congratulations to Bill and Danielle for doing an outstanding job with the Cross Country Team as they did a great job all season and with the Conference meet last night. Handling all of those kids is definitely an art. Also good luck to Rich, Dan, Matt and Corey with their weekend conference tournaments starting Friday.
We need teachers who can donate baked goods or set up a track or treat table or just volunteer to work at the District 25 foundation Fall Fest on Sunday, October 22nd. Please let Melissa or I know if this is an option for you.
49 Great Educational websites and Apps to learn something new.
Congratulations to Danielle who will be expecting another baby come the end of May. We are all very excited for you and your family.
Please encourage students to join the chess team when you hear the announcements. We are trying to build a powerhouse team and your voices mean a lot to the kids.
I'm getting excited with all of the Theater Club clues that have been read over the announcements. I have it narrowed down to Cats or The Wiz! 😀😀😀
Congrats to Colleen, Jen V and Lynette for being recognized at the board meeting for their hard work in securing grants for the Healthy Eating and Lorado Taft Programs.
Thanks to all of the ILAR teachers today who have welcomed Pearson reps in their classrooms to assist with the My Perspective program.
Matthew found this great quote to share in the blog this week. "Between Teacher and Child,
I have come the a frightening conclusion. I am the decisive element in the classroom. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or and instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or de-humanized."
Thanks to Mark for running the 8th grade Washington D.C parent meeting last night. Highlighting how educational and fun this trip is for the parents will increase student interest and hopefully participation.
From Angela Duckworth...WOOP....WOOP develops self-control so that students can earn better grades, develop physical fitness, and build stronger relationships 30 minute activity for 6th-12th graders
Thanks to all of the Club Sponsors for "being there" for students interested in extra-curriculuar activities. By keeping them engaged after school you are allowing students to explore interests and build skills.
Jessica was sent White Sox gear from the White Sox organization for her Twitter posts of her already decked out White Sox classroom. How awesome for her students to see social media used in a positive way.
Makey-makey, rasberry pies, spheros, 3-d printers, robots, virtual reality...it must mean the Maker Space is open for business again. I want to thank Greg for giving tours to all of the 5th grade classrooms earlier in the week. Teachers please remember to use your discretion as far as sending during study skills classes. HW should come first. Mr. Johnson will aslo be joining our rank of parent volunteers in the Maker Space very soon.
Online courses taught by experst in the field. Master Class gives you lifetime access to 15-25 full lessons in a particular field taught by an expert along with a student workbook and other lesson materials. Perfect gift for someone who is looking to improve their skill in their career field or passion/hobby. Some examples are Judy Blume teaching a course on writing, Martin Scorcese on directing, Gordon Ramsey on cooking, Herbie Hancock on Jazz, or Steve Martin on Comedy. Cost $90 but you can see free previews. https://www.masterclass.com/?utm_content=408985
Last reminder to have all of your growth goals and alternative eval forms into my mailbox by Monday morning.
Bill had students doing how-to presentations on different line-dances, Mrs. Dunne meanwhile was taking over the multi so her studenst could spread out doing My Perspectives group work, Megan showing annotation to students, Sherry using hallway space for her students lego cars, April going over keyboard and note writing/reading skills, Chris modeling multiplying fractions skills, and Melissa F doing a paper bag science experiment. These are just some of the classes I was able to "pop into" this week. How awesome would it be for teachers to been able to see some of these lessons by teachers. Take a risk...post something on the Pinneaple Chart....or go visit a class on the pinneaple chart.
Mr. Turek and the Benjamin Band will be at the West Chicago Football Game tonight representing our school proudly as they play during the pre-game festivities.
Keriann has been a super teacher this last week, putting in extra effort to work through all of the math problems in the new Pearson program and communicating mistakes to the company, working with students individually, differentiating in the class for students ahead of the pace and putting up notes in canvas so students did not have to write them on their own. I was tired just watching her teach her class this week when I popped in.
Just a reminder that the District Foundation Fall Fest is coming up from on Sunday, October 22nd. It's a great time if you have any time to come out. They will also be looking for bake sale items. I'll be cooking hotdogs with Dr. Ehrhardt and Tim if you get hungry.
