Iceberg Moments

We've all seen or heard the iceberg analogy.  That idea that you only see about 10% of what is actually happening in someone's life, while the other 90% happens beneath the surface.  I think we could all agree with how completely true that is.

When you think about that analogy from a personal perspective, it helps remind us that we don't always know what is going on in deep within the lives of our students and our co-workers.  We don't always see the entire picture.  And sometimes that's our own fault.  We don't work to put on the scuba gear and dive beneath the surface. But other times it may be because the water at the top has already frozen over because the person doesn't want us seeing any deeper.  It may be too painful to share.  To difficult to allow others to see.  Or they may have always been told to handle their own problems and not put weight on others.

But that's when we, as divers, get out our ice picks, and chip away.  We have some children and co-workers, who are struggling with some pretty deep issues.  Who are allowing you to only see 10% of who they are.

Let's take time this week to sit with others on our team and just share. Ask about life, listen to other's stories without bringing it back to your own experiences.  When we truly make the effort to see beneath the surface there's so much more we can learn from each other.

Week at a Glance

Monday - Nesloney Coaching Day

McGraw-Hill ELAR Textbook Adoption Meeting - 3:30pm - Central Office

Tuesday - Fall Pictures

UIL Practice - 3:30pm

Wednesday - EDUHERO DUE

PreK Field Trip

Storybook Character Day

Nesloney Coaching Day

Life Skills 1 & 2 Field Trip

Treats on the Street - 7pm-8pm

Thursday - Argueta Coaching Day

Kindergarten Field Trip

Staff Prayer Time - 7am

Friday - Short Coaching Day

Faculty Meeting & Walker Goodbye Party 3:45pm

EduHero

PLEASE make sure you have your EduHero and extra hours completed by Wednesday. I will be VERY unhappy if I have to come to work that week of Thanksgiving because in the 3 months or more you had to do this, you didn't get it done.

Coaching Days

You'll notice in the week at a glance, above, that there are identified coaching days.  This will be true of every week moving forward.  A "Coaching Day" is an untouchable day for that administrator.  On that day the administrator will be spending the entire day in as many classrooms as possible and providing you with feedback and celebrations.  If you are doing something spectacular, please still invite us in no matter what day it is!

These days are just marked off on mine, Short's, and Argueta's calendar so we don't plan any meetings those days and can be 100% present and active in classrooms.

Treats on the Street

We are participating in Treats on the Street with the city of Navasota again!  Set up starts at 5pm and we just need someone to set up a small table with candy.  Please get with Kheli LaBlue (in 1st Grade) for more information.

Birthdays

Jeanette Enriquez - Oct 30

Kevin Bradford - Oct 31
Tyra Johnson - Nov 2

Greyson Holt - Nov 3

Faculty Meeting

Yes, we have a Faculty Meeting on Friday at 3:45pm.  It won't last too long.  It'll be a celebration of something we're doing this week and also a goodbye send-off for Ms. Walker.  It has been on the calendar for a little over a month, so please plan to be in attendance.

Dayana Martinez

This is Dayana Martinez's last week with us! She is going to stay home and take care of some family.  We have loved having her as a Math Interventionist Aide with Ms. Brewer.  If you see her this week, please let her know how much we have appreciated having her!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

This is the final week of Family Conferences.  Please make sure when you've met with all your families that you turn in the sign in sheet to Ms. Puentes.

Morning Duty

On your PLC day....PLEASE keep in mind that you are on duty until 7:40am. We need you to stay at your duty station until then. Your PLC starts at 7:45am.  Be on time to both your duty and PLC time. You should come prepared on your day.

Please also remember that 2nd-5th should be placing sticks in their cones either the morning of on the WAY to duty, or the afternoon before during Bus Duty.

Kinder - Gym

1st - Car

2nd - Cafeteria (need someone by cafeteria door)

3rd - Gym

4th - Car

5th - Cafeteria (need someone by cafeteria door)

House Points

We have put up the brand new House Score Board in the gym! Huge thank you to Courtney Moore and her father for building that for us!

Remember, this year we want to also give out House Points for academic reasons too!!  So, before any exam, meet with your students and have them set goals for themselves. The goals should be lofty, but not out of reach.

If a child reaches their goal, let's give their house some points!

Hopefully this will be another opportunity for students to take their exams seriously and provide a little competitiveness.  Please also find ways to celebrate kids who far exceed their goals, on the announcements!

T-TESS CUBE

Make sure you're continuing to find videos to grow your thinking on T-TESS Cube. There is an excellent one over "60 Tech Tools in 60 Minutes".

Articles/Blog Posts

The Hardest Part About Being a Teacher

Responding to the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

A Strength Based Approach to Teaching English Learners

But it Has a 5-Star Rating

In Closing...

I saw this video online this week and found it to be such a brilliant easy idea.  Instead of having one particular way we greet our students each morning, let's give THEM the choice!

Remember, our campus expectation is that every morning you are at your door greeting students and welcoming them into your classroom.