Bauer Bits
October 7, 2022
From the Principal's Desk
Point to the Passer
Always point to the passer.
Dean Smith taught: "Pointing at the player who made the pass shows appreciation for an unselfish act that helps the team." The North Carolina Tar Heel basketball culture has made sure this acknowledgement is a staple of their program. You'll likely see this across the sport, and across the sports spectrum, because of the impact it has on a culture. This is critically important in our cultures too because at the root of most successes and triumphs there is almost always someone who has operated in silence, someone who very few people recognize or even know about.
As a principal, my role in the lives of children has changed compared to when I was a teacher. Part of moving through the sector of education is looking at making a different type of impact. In my role I am privileged to see so many adults, both from within and without or organization, making a difference in the lives of children.
We may fall into the trap of dismissing their work as "just part of the job" or "doing what they're supposed to do," but the reality is that success would not be possible without them. No doubt, teams have roles, and each role is vital. One of the greatest ways I have remembered this is through the saying from The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling when he wrote: 'For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.'
Who are some of our pack? Custodians, paraprofessionals, teachers, teacher assistants, speech pathologists, social workers, psychologists, special education teachers, special education paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, specials teachers, recess supervisors, cooks, bus drivers, parents, grandparents, extended family members, students, volunteers, community organizations who organize food, organizations that organize mentorship opportunities, superintendents, consultants, and the list goes on and on and on. I could continue with great granularity about who does what for whom at our school. My words would no doubt fall short of truly grasping the sacrifices and work of our staff and parent community, and would likely leave many deserving players out.
Do you realize the immense role our administrative assistants play in the functioning and overall health of our school?
Have you considered the hundreds of meals served to children daily in our building?
Did you know that teaching is but a small part of what teachers actually do?
Can you fathom the volume of decision-making that it takes to be an educator working with kids for nearly 7 hours a day with very few breaks?
Have you tried to grasp the impact of our Bauer Parent Club on the culture of Bauer and the benefits they render to both students and adults?
For example, recently, our Bauer Parent Club completed our annual fundraising campaign which is Walk-a-Thon. Once again we exceeded our goal and raised over $30,000 for our school community. It wasn't just teachers, it wasn't just staff, it wasn't just kids, it wasn't just Bauer Parent Club. This effort required many individuals, but those individuals coalesced around something bigger than themselves- impacting children. Things like Walk-a-Thon are why I got into education, and they are something that makes my life in this administrative role special. My role was minuscule as I sat in a cold dunk tank for a few minutes (on a VERY COLD MORNING), but I was part of a very important team of HUNDREDS who were trying to help kids and their school.
Please join me and take a moment, hopefully daily, to be thankful and mindful for all the people in our lives who play a vital role in our success. You can recognize them with a hand-written note, phone call, text, high-five, or fist bump. These gestures are important because everyone likes to feel appreciated. But it is more than just brief acknowledgement. It's recognition, it's appreciation, and it's trust.
And those are the values of a winning culture and organization.
Mark Your Calendar
- Tuesday, October 11th - Marco's Pizza Night
- Friday, October 14th - Superhero Day and Popcorn Friday
- Friday, October 21st - Early Release (12:15pm)
- Monday, October 24th - No School
- Thursday, October 27th - School Picture Retakes
- Friday, October 28th - Michigan vs. Michigan State Apparel Day
STEAM News
In STEAM we've been working hard in groups. All grade levels are now aware of the problem their teams will be working to fix! 5th grade will be working on building robots that will remove hazardous waste that humans cannot touch. 4th grade will be working on a safety restraint device that will prevent an egg from cracking in a collision. 3rd grade will be using what they know about simple machines to build something that could help zookeepers safely remove a tiger from its enclosure. 2nd grade will be attempting to build something that will be able to keep a popsicle from melting for an hour. 1st grade grade will be writing animated stories using code on their iPads and kindergarten will be inventing a new type of paint brush that has multiple functions. A lot of building and a lot of fun happening in STEAM!
- Mr. Lloyd
PK, K and 4th Grade - Fire Safety Presentation
Bauer Parent Club
WALK-A-THON:
The 2022 Walk-A-Thon has officially closed! Bauer has raised $30,810.80 through 855 donations from 28 states. Raffle prizes will be distributed today, Friday, October 7th. T-shirts have been ordered and are expected to arrive in approximately two weeks.
PIZZA NIGHT:
Here’s an easy dinner for you next Tuesday: Marco’s pizza night is coming up on October 11th! Order dinner at Marco’s on Port Sheldon and they will donate a portion of our sales back to the Bauer Parent Club. Please make sure to mention your classroom teacher's name when placing your order. The class with the most orders will win a pizza party!
Lost & Found
Halloween Party Information
Our Halloween parties are coming up on Monday, October 31st. Please prepare ahead of time and be mindful of school appropriate costumes (specifically, no weapons, blood, gore or anything scary). Thank you so much!
Gary Byker Library of Hudsonville*
Upcoming Events for Kids
Register at https://www.hudsonvillelibrary.org/news-events (Events > Event Calendar)
NOT Your Normal Book Club (Book: Katie the Catsitter): Tues. Oct. 11, 4:30pm: Ages 9-13
Maker Monday- Halloween Terrariums: Mon. Oct. 17, 4:30pm: Ages 9-18
D&D at the Lib.: Sat. Oct. 15 & 29, 10:00am: Ages 10 & up
Family Story Time: Mondays & Tuesdays in Oct., 10:15am: Ages 5 & under
Stay and Play: Thurs. Oct. 13 & 27, 10:15am: Ages 5 & under
Yoga Storytime: Thurs. Nov. 3, 10:15am: Ages 6 & under
Move to the Music: Mondays & Tuesdays in Nov., 10:30am: Ages 5 & under
*These are not school-sponsored events.
Bauer Elementary
Email: ehuizen@hpseagles.net
Website: https://www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org
Location: 8136 48th Avenue, Hudsonville, MI, USA
Phone: 616-669-6824
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BauerElementary
Twitter: @BauerElementary