Gator Run Friday Focus - January 10, 2014

I want to start something new to help with our communication with our families.  I am going to record a new video for our website each week.  I have made information videos in the past but now I am going to include students.  Each week I will ask a teacher to pick five students.  Each of those students will interview five different teachers throughout the school to provide a very brief summary of something that's happening in their class.  I believe that this will raise the level of excitement into what's happening here at Gator Run.  I will email teachers each week to let you know when to expect your student interviewers and when your students will be interviewers.

I read a great book over the break that relates to the message outside my office this week.  The book is entitled One Word That Will Change Your Life by Dan Britton, Jimmy Page and Jon Gordon.

The message of the book is that we should pick one word that will motivate us throughout a year.  A summary from the publisher puts it this way:
     One Word that will Change Your Life will inspire you to simplify your life and work by focusing on just one word for this year.  That’s right! One Word creates clarity, power, passion and life-change. The simple power of One Word is that it impacts all six dimensions of your life – mental, physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, and financial. Simply put, One Word sticks. There is a word meant for you and when you find it, live it, and share it, your life will become more rewarding and exciting than ever.
I chose the word "believe" to guide me in 2014.  I want to always remember to believe in my abilities, to believe in the strengths of others and to believe in the love of my family.  If you are interested in reading this book (it will take less than one hour to read), I will have a copy on the whiteboard outside my office.  Feel free to borrow it and return it to me when you are done.

• BAT 2 is next week.  Please follow the schedule that Ms. Felton emailed this week.
• Report cards are due to your Team Leader on Tuesday and to Ms. Felton on Thursday.  
• We have a Faculty Collaboration next Tuesday at 2:15.  Our Essential Question will be "What does parent communication look like at Gator Run Elementary?"

Quote of the Week - “Being average means you're as close to the bottom as you are to the top." - legendary basketball coach John Wooden.  Sounds like our message this year - Don't be boring.  Be awesome!

Think Like a Detective - Can you determine the Gator Run teacher based on the following clues?

• Is originally from Pittsburgh, PA.
• Went to USF
• Enjoys golf and gardening.
• Loves to decorate and loves sports cars.