RMS Weekly Event Calendar
April 17 - April 21
What's going on this week!
We are nearly finished! We only have one test day left and we can cross that off of our list for the 2016-17 year. Let's celebrate for a few days, but as Coach Saben would say, we celebrate and then move on preparing for the next school year. That's just what we do as educators. Our brains never stop thinking about what is coming next. I appreciate all of your hard work in helping our students prepare for our assessments and the professional manner in which you have worked to administer them. We couldn't do it without you!
Also, thank you for your participation on today's professional development session on reflection. I am convinced that reflection is a very important piece to student academic success and I am excited to watch as all of you move through the Continuum of Self-Reflection.
I read an article in the April Mindsteps Newletter about the lens we look through in viewing our work. I thought it was too good not to share. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Have a great week at RMS!
Telescope, Microscope, Periscope, or Stethoscope?
As educators we have several “lenses” through which we see our work. The challenge is that we must choose the right lens for the right situation.
Here’s what I mean:
Sometimes we need to view our work through a telescope. There are times when we need to take the long view of our work and keep our eyes fixed on our goals even though they seem far away. There are situations where we need to hold onto our vision and our big “WHY” in order to move past the the temporary set-backs and frustrations and maintain unwavering faith that we will rech our goals.
Other times we need to view our work through a microscope. There are times when we must pay attention to the details and actually sweat the small stuff before it gets out of control. Going deep and understanding at a cellular level our students, our curricula, our school organization, and our pedagogy can often be the difference between ordinary and extraordinary teaching and leadership. Taking time to examine the small things can lead us to reaching that student who others have ignored, catching those things that tend to slip through the cracks, and ultimately making that big difference we have set out to make.
Sometimes we need to view our work through a periscope. We will face obstacles from time to time but periscopes are designed to look over and around obstacles. They help us look beyond what may be in the way and navigate past what may be blocking our way. This helps you deal with the inevitable threats to your work and find your way successfully around them.
Finally, there are times when we need to view our work through a stethoscope. We need to listen to our hearts and the hearts of those we serve. We need to check in with our own hearts to make sure that we are doing the right work the right way. We need to check the hearts of others to make sure that we are serving them in a way that honors them.
The challenge is of course that we must use all four lenses when viewing our work.
- If we only use a telescope, we are so focused on the future that we never consider how our work right now will affect our ability to get there.
- If we only use a microscope, we lose sight of the big picture and get too bogged down by the details.
- If we only use a periscope, we become so obsessed with obstacles and challenges that we quickly lose our way.
- If we only use the stethoscope we may avoid making the hard decisions.
This is why it is so critical to use the right lens at the right time and to be aware when you are depending on solely one lens.
Through what lens are you currently viewing your work right now? How would it look different if you viewed it through another lens?
Mindsteps Newsletter, April 2017
Monday, April 17
- Professional Development Day
- RCS Foundation Dinner - A.W. Todd Center - Silent Auction begins at 5:00 p.m.. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18
- No known activities
Wednesday, April 19
- Aspire Assessments - Writing & English
Thursday, April 20
- RCS Golden Tiger Pride Night - RHS Softball vs. Brooks Lions @ 5:00 p.m. & RHS Soccer vs. Clements Colts @ 5:00 p.m. Free hotdogs and drinks during the games. Bring your family and come out and support out teams and enjoy the events of the evening as we celebrate the Russellville City School System.
Friday, April 21
- Aspire Rewards Afternoon - Beginning at 1:00 p.m., students who worked hard on their Aspire assessments will be rewarded with a fun activity. Mrs. Warhurst will be getting information to you.