8 days and two half days left. Can you believe it? Man this year has just FLOWN by!
As we enter these last few days, everything moves at a breakneck pace. It feels overwhelming at times. I love this quote my friend Ben Gilpin shared with me this week... "Don't make a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion." That is so important for all of us to remember during this time.
This week I wrote two blog posts. One was called "I Don't Want to Leave" and one was called "Until the Final Bell" I highly encourage you to check both of them out. They're short reads, but hopefully they'll provide you with a little more fuel to make it through these last few days.
The biggest thing I hope you take from those two posts are:
1. Many times our kids are acting out right now because they're terrified to be home without you for two months. Be more patient and understanding than normal.
2. Don't post/mention countdowns to the end of the year. As a family member of mine said "I don't understand teachers. Why are teachers posting online and telling their families and students how they can't wait to be done with this year. How they can't wait until summer break. Do you know if anyone in my profession did that, they'd be written up and fired?? And do they even think of how it makes those kids and families feel to hear that? I know teachers work hard, but come on." I know we're excited about summer break. WE'VE EARNED IT! But we have to be cognizant of the messages we're sending out when we're posting online, or talking about it with our kids. Makes people feel unimportant or easily thrown away.
This week is going to be another BUSY week!
Week At a Glance
Monday - Staff Mtg - 3:45pm
Board Meeting - 6:30pm
Tuesday - 5th Grade Field Trip
Senior Hallway Walk - 9:30am
1/2 of 2nd Grade to Library
4th Grade Math/Science Mtg at HP - 4:00
Summer School Teacher Mtg - 4:00 at Central
Wednesday - Kickstart Performance 7:45am
Kjos Wedding Shower - 3:45pm - Library
Thursday - 1/2 of 2nd Grade to Library
Book Prom - 8:30-9:30
Campus Advisory Team Mtg - 4:00pm
Friday - Switch Day!
Kinder Graduation - 9-10am
F&P Must Be Completed
F&P Must Be Completed
Senior Hallway Walk
On Tuesday at approximately 9:30am the NHS Seniors will walk through the hallways. They will play graduation music over the announcements. Teachers are asked to sit their students in the hallway to cheer the seniors on as they walk by. It won't last very long but will be a great celebratory experience.
F&P
All Fountas and Pinnell testing should be completed by Friday.
F&P
All Fountas and Pinnell testing should be completed by Friday.
Kickstart Performance
Kickstart will be on campus Wednesday morning to do a performance for all kids. It will start at 7:45am and should last about 30 min. Please be in the cafeteria at that time to join your kids in watching Kickstart.
Book Prom
Kathy French is organizing Book Prom. It is only for those students who have been a part of the Secret Society of Readers. It shouldn't last but about an hour.
Birthdays
Deborah Gonzales - Sat. May 21
We will also celebrate our June Birthdays this week:
Susan Stanfield - June 9
Melissa Neumann - June 13
Alison Thomas - June 13
Retention
If you have NOT met with me about students you would like to retain, you need to do so Monday.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, May 24 - K-2 Field Day, PreK Field Day, PPCD Water Day, 3rd KickBall Day
Wednesday, May 25 - 3-5 Field Day, PreK Promotion Celebration
Thursday, May 26 - Release at Noon
Friday, May 27th - Awards Celebrations for 1st-4th (in classrooms; will talk more at staff mtg); 5th Grade Awards Celebration in Gym, Release at Noon, End of Year Staff Celebration
Saturday, May 28th - 9am District Breakfast (HS), School Cleanup/WrapUp
Articles/Blogs
End of the Year Awards Pack - great, already made awards, from Chris Pombonyo (Famous In First)
Rockstar Educators
Sue Meisel - I don't know how many of you have had a chance to interact with Sue but she is over Headstart. She is one of the sweetest and most caring individuals I have ever met. Every time I spend any minutes with Sue I leave feeling better. She is the perfect person to have over our Headstart Kiddos. I have also had the pleasure of watching her interact and teach our youngest students and she does a phenomenal job. I am so thankful we have someone like Sue on our team.
Melinda Colin - Melinda is one of our 5th grade Math/Science teachers. Melinda has brought a lot of drive and focus to our team this year. She continually finds ways to work with kids, stay after school, and is a great team player with her other math teachers. She is always looking for ways to do what's best for her kids and is passionate about keeping those kids who don't have a lot, at the forefront of her mind.
Traci Colbert - Traci is our PPCD teacher. Traci is one of those people who cares very much about her students. She is never afraid to go to battle for them or make sure that we're all doing what's best for them. Traci loves those kiddos with all her heart and they have all shown tremendous growth this year because of the work that she (and her team) puts in. I am so thankful Traci is working with our students in PPCD because they are better for it.
As we begin the march towards our final days with our current students, let's make sure that we're taking advantage of every moment. Yes, it's ok to have lots of fun with our kids these last two weeks, but let's also remember that we're educators and that we don't stop teaching until that final bell! Find ways to keeping the schedule as normal as possible. Use these days to push your students academically, creatively, and more. Try something you've been nervous to try. Attempt a PBL activity, use some new technology, now is the best time to take risks! And if you're afraid or need some help, ask! I've already had parents come and say "is it true that all these schools do the last two weeks is play because they think school is over?" I assured them that no, we take our children's education seriously! Let's make these last days of school the best yet!
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