Gator Run Friday Focus - September 25, 2015

Teachers, it is crucial that you are addressing student need via small group instruction.  With the various learning styles and ability levels of your students, you need to reach them this way.  We should be seeing small group instruction during literacy and math.  We definitely want students to work collaboratively and to grow independently.  However, they will not reach their potential nor will you truly be able to provide them what they need without small group instruction.  Please reach out to your teammates and/or Mrs. Knapik if you need assistance. 

Next Week at a Glance:

• Fall individual pictures will be taken on Monday and Tuesday.  
• There will be a Boosterthon Staff Meeting in the Media Center on Tuesday at 2:20.  This is a huge fundraiser for our PTA and teacher involvement and promotion is key.  This year we are raising funds for shade structures for our outdoor areas.
• Our 1st School Advisory Council meeting of the year is Wednesday at 2:20 in the Media Center.  

Quote of the Week: "Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it." - M. Scott Peck.  Now is good. 

 

Gator Run Friday Focus - September 18, 2015

I wonder how we are doing with one of my "What ifs" from the beginning of the year -

“What if” – each of us started simply each day by greeting each other with a smile and by saying “Good Morning”?

 
Next Week at a Glance:

• NESS Meeting on Monday at 2:15 in Shari Heyman's classroom.
• No School on Wednesday for Yom Kippur.  Happy New Year to all who celebrate.
• Interim Reports go home on Thursday.
• PLCs are scheduled for Thursday at 2:15.

Quote of the Week:  "We see people and things not as they are, but as we are." - Anthony de Mello.  I had a few meetings with parents this week and I think of this quote often as I remember that we are all just people, even if our agendas are different.  I try (and often fail) to analyze my perceptions to ensure that I am truly listening to others and to understand where they are coming from.  

Gator Run Friday Focus - September 11, 2015

     I wanted to take a moment to address the lack of bells ringing in the school this year and to explain myself a little bit.  I have doing a lot of reading and having conversations with other educators on how we need to change what 'school' is and should be.  Most of us who have been through 'school' and worked in a school feel that it has to remain the same as it was when we grew up and how it has been for years.  I feel that some changes are in order.  It's quite amazing that it seems like the entire world has changed in the past decades, whether it is with technology or advancements in the medical field or simply with how we communicate with each other.  However, 'school' has not changed that much really in the past 50-60 years.  We have seen minimal progress but the concept of 'school' still remains the same in most people's minds.  Some concepts which need to be addressed are the concept of homework and its benefits or the idea that learning only takes place inside a school building.  (Regarding homework, I am not opposed to it as long as it is meaningful and part of the learning process.  I am against giving homework 'just because' or if it is busy work.  Make it meaningful or don't assign it.)  To me the most dangerous words in education are "That's the way we've always done it."  It's OK to challenge the way things are. 
     In the course of my reading and connecting, I heard about some principals who decided to turn off the bells in their schools.  The belief that children (or even we adults) need bells to signal when school starts and ends seems antiquated.  Turning the bells off removes some of the institutionalization of school.  There are no bells in real life, so what are we training our students for? 
     I know that I have many critics out there for this concept (and for some of my other ideas!).  Please know that anything that I do is because I care an awful lot about our students and am always willing to try new ideas out that will better their lives.  I also trust all of you to be innovative and to try new concepts out in the classroom so I hope that you will respect me when I want to try something new out as well.  I am sure that some out there believe that it isn't working, but I promise you that for every one who doubts this idea, there are others who are happy that the bells aren't ringing any more.  Remember that I am All In on you so please be All In on me. 
     If you still aren't convinced, here's a news article about some schools doing the same thing - No School Bells

Next Week at a Glance:

• No School Monday for Rosh Hashanah.  Happy New Year to all who celebrate!
• Team Leader Day on Tuesday.
• Interim Reports are due to Team Leaders on Tuesday and to Ms. Felton on Friday.
• Next Thursday is an Early Release Day.  We will be having a Faculty Focus from 1:15 - 3:00.  Details to come soon. 

Quote of the Week: "Never forget."  Enjoy today and every day. 

Gator Run Friday Focus - September 4, 2015

This has been an amazing first two weeks of school!  Thanks to each and every one of you for all you do to make our students feel welcomed and loved.  Let's keep it up.  Please help us out by making sure that the following happen:

• Doors must be locked at all times.  Our students' safety and your own safety are paramount. 
• Please work with students to memorize their lunch numbers.  This will allow the cafeteria line to move more smoothly.
• Make sure to have students use the restroom before lunch and specials. 

All In:
Thank you to Lori Knapik and Stacy Morse for calling names in the car pools.  We are all sweating and struggling out there, but these two ladies are giving their all to help make sure that our dismissal goes smoothly.  Thank you Lori and Stacy for being #AllIn!

Next Week at a Glance:

• No school on Monday.  Enjoy your holiday weekend!
• Book fair kicks off.  I hope that most of you can join us for our Book Fair Night on Wednesday at 5:30.  Our students love nothing more than seeing their teacher at school events. 
•  PLCs are scheduled for Thursday at 2:30.

Quote of the Week: Something to think about as you build relationships with your students.

Gator Run Friday Focus - August 28, 2015

During last week's opening Faculty Focus kickoff meeting I shared the following graphic:

What have you done this week to make each of your students feel like your favorite student?  Have you only spoken positively about each of them?  Did you start making positive phone calls home yet?  Let's make sure that each child gets the champion they deserve.  

Next Week at a Glance:

• Open House next week: Tuesday for 3-5 and Wednesday for PK - 2.
• PTA first General Meeting next Wednesday at 8:30 in the cafeteria.  
• PLCs are scheduled for next Thursday afternoon. 

Quote of the Week: Always the best when a new student makes a statement like this - "I love my new school already!"

Gator Run Friday Focus - August 21, 2015

Another year is upon us and I couldn't be more excited for our students to return.  This week with our teachers has been filled with positive energy and good spirits.  This promises to be an amazing school year.

I rolled out the following unofficial motto for our staff for this year - Feedback, Support and Growth.  My question to my staff is "What do you want to do and what do you need from us to make that happen?".  Our focus needs to be on the learning and teaching in the classroom above all else.  Teachers' roles are to make students' lives better.  Those of us in support positions are here to help make our teachers' lives better so that they can make students' lives better.

I also brought up some "What if" questions based on my summer reading and my interactions on Twitter.  Questions that I feel that if answered the right way, can take our school from very good to great.  These questions are not mandates.  However, just imagine the type of school we would have if we could make each of these a reality:

• “What if” – every teacher presented their best lesson on the first day of school and waited until the second day to discuss the rules?
• “What if” – every teacher called the parents of each of their students within the first two weeks to say something positive about them?
• “What if” – each of us started simply each day by greeting each other with a smile and by saying “Good Morning”?
• “What if” – every teacher identified areas where they wanted to grow and worked with an administrator or coach to improve in these areas?
• “What if” – every student had the opportunity to direct a portion of their learning?
• “What if” – every teacher used technology in the classroom to allow students the opportunity to create rather than consume?

Finally, our official motto this year is "All In".  When you play Texas Hold-Em Poker, there is a bet called "All In".  There are many ways that this bet can be used.  It can be because you only have a small stack of chips left and you are desperate.  You might also use it to try to convince your opponents that you have a great hand when you don't.  Finally, you can use this bet the way when you have confidence that you have the absolute best hand.  I truly believe that we have the best staff and that we are going to do amazing things together this year.  Please know that I am "All In" on each of you.  I want you to try new things without fear and with all of the feedback and support that you need to be successful.  Each staff member will receive a poker chip like the one above.  By accepting this chip, we are creating a bond that I am "All In" with you and that you will be "All In" with me and with each other.  This means that we uplift each other, only speak positively about our profession and each other, and agree to constantly learn, collaborate and try new things.  So please join me this year.  Let's be "All In" with each other.  Make this the best year ever!

Next Week at a Glance:

• 1st Day of School Monday!  I cannot wait for the school year to begin. 
• We will be conducting our first fire drill on Wednesday at 8:30 followed immediately by a tornado drill.  Please make sure that you are familiar with the procedures for both.
• Lice check on Thursday.  Cyndi will be sending out a schedule.

Quote of the Week:

Pretty simple really.  While we are making this the most awesome year ever, don't forget to take care of you. 

Gator Run Friday Focus - May 29, 2015

It's hard to believe that next week is the last week of school again.  Don't forget those who aren't looking forward to summer, the students who need our love and support daily.  Enjoy each moment with your students!

A big kudos to Mrs. Beren for her work with our Robotics Team.  They participated in the Cypress Bay Zone Robotics Showcase this week.  The students had to have their robots dance and to do a search and rescue of our mascot, Swampy.  I am so thrilled for our students that get the opportunity to participate.  Great job Mrs. Beren!

Next Week at a Glance:

• 5th grade promotion ceremonies are Monday and Tuesday morning in the cafeteria.  
• Next Thursday is the last day and an Early Release Day.  Report cards go home as well.  

Quote of the Week: "Happiness is a choice, not a result.  Nothing will make you happy unless you choose to be happy." - Ralph Marsten.  There are many things in our lives that can cause us to be unhappy if we allow it.  Accept that which makes you unhappy, because it is a real emotion, but then move past it and choose happiness.  Your own health is on the line when you do not choose happiness.