September Staff Dev. Newsletter
A newsletter for the Seward Staff by Dr. Dominy
Welcome Back!
The coming weeks will provide opportunities for our students to grow academically, physically, emotionally, and socially. I hope that you will take some moments to celebrate this growth and recognize your role in making this happen. You do have a greater purpose here and every position we have in Seward Public Schools should feel ownership in the success of our students.
This newsletter features an article by Jon Gordon who has been an inspirational speaker for the past several years. You will also find an article that may be useful regarding parent communication as well as an opinion piece about reading instruction to get our minds thinking about our ELA adoption.
Thank you!
Matt
Building Greatness by Jon Gordon
I wrote a book called The Carpenter but it's really about being a craftsman/craftswoman. What's the difference? A carpenter builds things. But a craftsman/craftswoman puts their heart and soul, spirit and passion into their work to create a masterpiece.
The truth is it's easier to just show up. It's easier to go through the motions at work, at home, in your job, or sport. It's easier to be mediocre.
But nobody remembers average. Going through the motions won't make an impact. Just showing up doesn't lead to greatness.
Michelangelo said, "If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all."
It's hard to be great. It's difficult to create a masterpiece. But it's well worth the effort.
So if I just work hard I can become a craftsman many ask? Actually it requires more than effort. It's not just about hard work. It's about what drives you to work hard in the first place.
I was speaking to a group or professionals one time and I asked, "Who believes they can work harder than they already are?' Everyone raised their hand.
So what's the next question? Why aren't you?
We discussed it and decided that to work harder you have to care more. When you care more you will do more, create more and become more.
When Steve Jobs was a boy his father was building a fence in the backyard. Steve noticed that his father was using the finest wood and applying special care for the back of the fence just like the front. Steve asked his dad why he was doing this since no one would see it and no one would know. Steve's dad looked at him and said, "You will know. I will know.'
Steve said it was a defining moment in his life and is the reason why he designed Apple products with such craftsmanship and care. Even the inside of the iPhone is designed beautifully because Steve was a craftsman. In fact Apple's Chief Designer Jonathan Ive famously said, "We believe that our customers can sense the care we have put into our product and design."
When you are a craftsman in a world of carpenters, people will clamor for your product or service and your craftsmanship.
And here's the great news. We can all be a craftsman or craftswoman. It doesn't happen right away. There's no such thing as an overnight success. You will have to try new things, fail, learn, improve and grow. You'll face countless challenges and tons of rejection that make you doubt yourself and cause you to want to quit. But if you see yourself as an artist dedicated to your craft with a desire to get better and you show up each day and put your heart and soul into your work you'll get there and the world will be better for it.
There's a word I love and it's called Meraki. It sounds like it's a Japanese word but it's actually a Greek word and it means to do something with love, creativity and soul; to leave a piece of yourself in your work; to leave something behind.
Meraki.
Being a craftsman/craftswoman is all about Meraki.
Put your love and soul into it.
Leave a piece of yourself in whatever it is you are building.
Leave something behind.
Create a masterpiece that reflects the essence of your love, energy, effort and craft.
-Jon
Talking to Parents
Behavior Conversation
What to think about before parents arrive
All behaviors can fall under one of four goals:
They want their child to be Smart, be Liked, Feel Good, Feel Taken Car of.
Be aware of:
Their readiness level to receive information.
Your need to have control and power in the situation.
The parents may not process all the information given to them.
Talking Points
When talking with parents, keep the emphasis on the 4 goals that parents want above.
Be Smart
My Goal for your child is to be successful and learn…When s/he:
Talks out
Makes noises
Loses or does not complete assignments
Plays with things in their desk
Bothers others
Interrupts the teacher
This interferes with their ability to be as academically successful as they can be.
Be Liked
My goal for your child is to be liked by others and have friends at school…when s/he:
Bosses others around
Rolls her eyes
Calls people names
Destroys property
Lies
Steals
fights
This stops others from liking your son/daughter
Feel Good
My goal for your child is to feel good about him/herself…when s/he:
Argues
Rolls eyes
Does not follow instructions
Calls people names
Does not complete assignments
Curses
Hits people
It may affect how s/he feels about him/herself
Taken care of
My goal for your child is to take good care of him/herself and avoid getting into trouble..when s/he:
Yells
Rolls on the floor
Curses
Runs out of the room
Talks back
Calls names
Becomes angry
It interferes with his/her learning and ability to make good decisions.
Academic Conversation
This quarter we have been focused on the following learning goals: Your child showed great progres with _________learning goal as they did this project/assigment/paper. The learning goal that your child struggle with the most was___________ a few examples of what we did related to this learning goal are________________ The next quarter will be focused on these learning goals_______________ as a parent, you can help your child the most by watching for these activies/asking these questions/sharing information about/etc.
The article below
September Holidays
Nebraska Revised Statute 79-724 requires the following:
Appropriate patriotic exercises suitable to the occasion shall be held under the direction of the superintendent in every public, private, denominational, and parochial school on George Washington's birthday, Abraham Lincoln's birthday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Native American Heritage Day, Constitution Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day, or on the day or week preceding or following such holiday, if the school is in session.
Constitution Day is September 17!