Bear Tracks
December 1, 2017
A Note From the Principal:
Dear Bear Tavern Staff,
Happy December everyone! I'd like to again thank everyone for such great focus, discussion and ideas at this week's faculty meeting. I have been thinking a lot about teacher language and really noticing how much of an impact it can have. Continue to work and think about it and to practice; remember, it takes a lot of work and repetition to use positive teacher language all of the time, and you can always work to increase your consciousness, no matter how experienced you are at it!
I usually use Bear Tracks for some level of personal therapy and pass it off a form of wisdom that I want to share. It is really important to always be reflective and to identify ways to improve. That is why I don't love New Years and making a big deal about New Years Resolutions... If we are doing it right, we should be making resolutions on a rolling basis.
The reason that I write that is that I have been noticing that I have stunk at posting tweets lately. I have seen amazing things and even taken a bunch of pictures, just not shared them. Then today I was reminded of the power of Twitter. It won't always be this fun and smooth, but I was able to see a tweet from a classroom that was posted 3 minutes before I saw it. They were using dry ice and the kids all had makeshift lab coats. I was able to run to my office, get my lab coat and get there to jump in for some of the activity. Now I know that good timing like that will be rare, but when we share what we are doing, and what others are doing, we can actually include and connect other people in the building and it is very, very powerful.
In thinking about it, I realize that I have been slipping in the area of noticing and tweeting the incredible things going on day to day and room to room. I am going to make it a point of focus for myself. The other area that I want to improve is to get on the treadmill a few times a week before work. All it takes is not hitting snooze and just getting up 20 minutes or 1/2 hour earlier. Then it is done.
So, forget New Years... It starts today. When you see me today, ask how my run was this morning. I will use the added pressure of knowing the question is coming to get my rear end out of bed.
Just remember that we can adjust anything at any time, and that we have a responsibility to remind each other of that and support each other in doing so. We have a very special team and there is nothing that we cannot accomplish as a group.
Thanks for all of your continued commitment and hard work!
Sincerely,
Chris
Key Information:
- FACULTY HOLIDAY PARTY CHANGE - OUR FACULTY MEETING WILL BE HELD TUESDAY 12/19, NOT MONDAY 12/18. At Maureen's House. Please be advised. Attendance will be optional.
- Holiday Buddies - Last day to sign up is 12/1. CLICK HERE to sign up. Let me know if you have any questions...
- December Den Groups - Due to the hustle and bustle of December, we have opted to not meet w/ Den Groups in December in order to minimize the number of days on a special schedule. The original date (Dec. 7) will be utilized for the in school Winter Concert. If you feel like trying to get together before the holidays is very important, reach out to a Principal's Cabinet rep w/ ideas and we can try to brainstorm. For now, I want to be sensitive to the tumultousness of the end of November & beginning of December.
- Maintenance - If you have any large maintenance requests or issues (rugs, blinds, etc.), please submit them to Lauren in writing by December 15th.
- Meeting for Road to the Reading Final Four - Initial planning mtg w/ the committee on Thursday 12/7 after school. Anyone can still join the committee.
- GEOY & Support Staff of the Year - Click Here for important message from Mr. Suozzo regarding Governor's Educator of the Year and the Support Staff Member of the Year. Click for the following: GEOY info, GEOY form, SSOY form, Eligibility Criteria for SSOY, Past Winners,
- Sustainable Jersey for Schools - Check out the Google Site for some specific information about the categories.
- **SPECIAL BIO GOOGLE FORMS** - We have a wonderful digital display in the lobby of the school. We love it because it allows us to show pictures from the twitter feed, show upcoming events, share the lunch menu and engage families. We are working to continue to maximize it's potential and I'd like to use it in the 2nd half of the year to celebrate and showcase every staff member. We'll do it in teams (i.e. grade level, special areas, CST, therapists, SPED, TIP, paras, custodians, kitchen staff, etc.). To start we will have a group photo and some fun facts. We've created a Google form to get info (some serious, some a bit more fun). Please take a look. CLICK HERE for form. The form won't be required until mid-December, but I want to give everyone time to take a look and to process. You can fill it in now if you'd like! More info will come...
- PARCC Dates - Lot's of info to come but dates for PARCC: ELA - May 16, 17, 18; Math - 21, 22. Science (2 days for 5th grade Science - May 7 & May 8 [May 7th is early dismissal, but we'll still go w/ PARCC])
Upcoming Events:
Week of 12/4
HOUR OF CODE 12/4-12/10 (See email from Mandi)
Tuesday 12/5 - Grandpals (Kindergarten)
Wednesday 12/6 - I&RS
Wednesday 12/6 - Concert Rehearsal at CHS (8:50 am - 12 pm) Grades 4&5
Thursday 12/7 - In School Winter Concert (PM SCHEDULE) 2:05 pm
Thursday 12/7 - Road to the READING Final Four Committee Mtg 3:45 pm (all welcome)
Friday 12/8 - Marking Period Ends
Friday 12/8 - Last day for GEOY and SS Member of the Year
Week of 12/11
Recreation Games in Gym
Tuesday 12/12 - Grandpals (Kindergarten)
Wednesday 12/13 - I&RS
Wednesday 12/13 - Superintendent Visit
Friday 12/15 - Pre K Collab Day
Week of 12/18
Tuesday 12/19 - HOLIDAY STAFF PARTY @ Maureen Farina's House
Wednesday 12/20 - 3rd Grade Formal (12:30 - 2:30)
Wednesday 12/20 - 5th Grade Circus Performance (6 pm)
Thursday 12/21 - Kindergarten Winter Celebration (9:15-10:15)
Friday 12/22 - EARLY DISMISSAL
Friday 12/22 - Circus In School Performance (9:15)
Friday 12/22 - Pajama Day!
Friday 12/22 - 5th Grade Holiday brunch