Bear Tracks
February 24, 2017
A Note From the Principal:
Dear Bear Tavern Staff,
Happy Friday!
I want to say thank you to everyone for your support of our school. Whether it is the Reading Final Four or the self care activity or one of the thousand things between; there is a definite pattern. We support each other and our students. The amount of classrooms that were working to pull books related to the reading challenge was moving. Even when we are busy, we rally to bring ideas forward and to make them work. The amount of extra lunch meetings, collaboration and preparation that is put in every day is incredible.
I was able to talk to some undergrads from Rider about how much more sophisticated teaching is now than it was when I started 17 years ago. It is remarkable. In order to do it well and support a positive school culture, it takes constant effort and commitment. That what it takes to be a special school and that is what we do at Bear Tavern.
So when things feel chaotic or when you feel tired, remember that we are doing it the 'right' way and please remember, that I notice the commitment and the passion that you bring to table. It makes all of the difference.
Have a great weekend enjoy the LAST week of February.
Enjoy the last edition of the Self Care Newsletter. The resources and ideas that it has put forward will be useful ALL YEAR LONG, so keep those links! Thank you Beth and team!
Happy Friday!
Sincerely,
Chris
Key Information:
- Pineapple Day!!! - Wednesday, March 1 is our next Pineapple Day! Mr. Friedrich, Mr. Umstead and I will be covering from roughly 9:30 - 11:30 am (give or take). Please email me directly if you are interested in visiting a class. Please write it up on the whiteboard in the office if you are doing something Wednesday morning that you'd feel comfortable inviting people to see. Email me ASAP to get a slot.
- Road to the Reading Final Four - We are underway! We will be filming over the next few weeks, we have our 64 books selected and we are celebrating reading! If you are interested in recording a read aloud of one of the books, just reach out. If you are waiting to be filmed; reach out to Mandi to schedule. We will be recording a mix of teachers, parents and district/community dignitaries. Let's work together to read as many of the books as possible and to talk it up tor our students whenever we can!
- UPDATE TO PARCC DATES - The PARCC implementation has been changed to the week of May 8 (M 5/8 ELA1, T 5/9 ELA2, W 5/10 ELA3, Th 5/11 M1&2, F 5/12 M3&4). This gives two more weeks of instruction, etc. More info to follow.
Self-Care Newsletter: Week 4 (Finale!)
Epic Tech Teaser - From Mandi
Upcoming Dates:
AFTERNOON ENRICHMENT/ACTIVITIES:
Mondays - Nano Bots (k-2)
Tuesdays - Advanced Circuits (3-5), Simple Circuits (K-2)
Wednesdays - 3D Printing (3-5), Magic Glass Art (K-2)
Thursdays - Aerospace Engineering (K-2), Yoga (3-5)
Friday - Aerospace Engineering (3-5), Drawing (K-2)
THE WEEK(s) AHEAD:
Friday 2/24 - Trenton Circus Squad (5th Grade)
Friday 2/24 - Spring Book Fair Kickoff Night (6-9 pm)
Friday 2/24 - Last day to put items on Principal's Cabinet Agenda
Monday 2/27 - Faculty Meeting
Tuesday 2/28 - Campfire (5th Grade) APR
Tuesday 2/28 - STEM Open House 5:30 pm
Wednesday 3/1 - Pineapple Day (9:30 - 11:30 am)
Wednesday 3/1 - Campfire (K/1)
Thursday 3/2 - Principal's Cainet
Thursday 3/2 - 2nd Grade Dr. Seuss Breakfast
Thursday 3/2 - HV Night Off
Friday 3/3 - 1st Grade Publishing Party
Tuesday 3/7 - Campfire (5th grade) / Grandpals (K)
Tuesday 3/7 - Christine's Hope Check Presentation (to Mercer Street Friends) - about 15 min in AM. Details TBA.
Wednesday 3/8 - K/1 Campfire
Wednesday 3/8 - NAEP (4th grade only)
Thursday 3/9 - Grandpals (K)
Friday 3/10 - Science Fair
Saturday 3/11 - St. Baldrick's @ Amalfi's in Lawrenceville