Patriot's Pen
Week 30 April 15 - 19
Only 36 more days of school left... but who's counting?
Every week I receive multiple newsletters and bulletins from various departments within Northside and other educational programs. By far, our NISD Executive Director of Athletics, Stan Laing sends some of the best, this week's was definitely worth sharing.
"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such
a way so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."
As I am writing this I decided to go a different route with today's message. I just got
up off my couch from watching Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks celebrate a
wonderful basketball career. There were former players sharing memories and
accolades, announcers sharing stories and fans holding up oversized pictures of Dirk's
face. The end of an unbelievable career, both on and off the court will come to an end
tomorrow night (tonight as you are reading this) in San Antonio.
I could not help but wonder, when you leave your current campus, how will you be
remembered?
When your time has come to an end in this wonderful profession, how
will you be remembered? When you leave that classroom for the last time, I hope and
pray that you have left it totally exhausted from the effort and emotion you have
poured into your students. It is not always easy and there those days that are better
than others. God simply demands our best every day and to understand that a school
year is not a sprint.
Every day is a new day with new opportunities to make a difference
in your students and your co-workers. As this school year starts to wind down over the
next few weeks will you be the teacher, counselor, or coach that says,
"Only six more Mondays till summer vacation"?
Or will you be the teacher that says, "only six more Mondays to make
a difference in the lives of my students?"
As I read Blake’s thoughts, it reminded me that none of us will be where we currently
are forever. We should all strive to leave wherever we are, just a little bit better than
when we found it. The best way to do this is to be intentional at being an encourager
and not a discourager - Those we are responsible for will certainly be better for it.
Something to think about... Be great, Stan
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When I think about some of our 8th graders in particular and then realize we only have 36 more days to influence their lives, I feel an overwhelming sense of urgency. Did I teach them everything they need to know? Have I prepared them for High School? Have I warned them about the dangers ahead and motivated them for all the opportunities they will have?
Only some of you may have seen me interact with students beyond the hallway, but every time I have more than a few minutes I try to use it as a teachable moment, I try to make them laugh, sometimes cry (not on purpose ;) and always want them to know how much I care, how much they mean to me and how important their lives are to me. With only 36 more days I hope I have given them everything I have because they absolutely deserve it. (All of them)
With something to think about...count down with purpose.
The Short Week Ahead
Tuesday, 4/16
Good Luck to Band UIL
Faculty Learning/Committees @4:00
Wednesday, 4/17
Good Luck to Band UIL
First Soccer Games vs Folks, Girls Home/ Boys Away, 5-7pm
Thursday, 4/18
End of 5th Marking Period
Hospitality Egg Hunt
Friday, 4/19
Good Friday - No School
FACULTY LEARNING: COMMITTEES: Tuesday, April 16th
Reminders,
- Remember to have someone keep the notes in the Team Drive, RMS Committees 18-19, and in your individual committee folder.
- Each committee determines how often to meet, as long as progress is being made, ideas are being shared and we are completing all tasks for the remainder of this year.
- There will one final committee meeting on Tuesday in May and this will be the opportunity for next year ideas and plans.
1. Faculty vs Student Tournaments
2. Awards Ceremony
3. PBIS
4. Attendance Committee
5. 8th Grade Events-- Dance & Main Event
6. Super Hero of the Week
7. Beautification
8. Hospitality
STAAR success! From Ely
The work and logistics of STAAR is a many-headed beast. Planning takes weeks, but getting the kids to their classrooms and saying, "Today you will be taking the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness - STAAR [SUBJECT AREA] test" takes only minutes. Those are the critical moments, though, and possibly the moments of greatest sweat for those who planned it. But a solid plan and its implementation by all the troops got the kids to their rooms in a calm, quiet environment that is the best way to start 4 hours of testing.
From snacks to lunches to oral administrations to children who became restless after the first hour and a half, it really is the good work of everyone on campus that makes STAAR work. All that effort gives a good feeling moving ahead to the May administration.
So for now, you have gotten to the end of the test, checked your answers, you've raised your hands and we've collected your answer document and test booklet. Enjoy being back with your kids in your classrooms next week!
Congratulations to Miss Bunn as this week's Superhero!
Shout Outs
- Thank you to 7th Grade Science for manning the front of the building on Family Night! Roxanna Johnson and Abby Jones did a great job of greeting our guests and directing traffic.
- Thank you to Sandra Williams and Janet Boston for being so hospitable to our presenters by going from room to room taking water and other essentials! Janet please thank your student teacher Mr. Lyda for me as well - what a big part of the science team he has been!!
- Thank you Chris Herrera and Jennifer Christensen for assisting with the set up in the cafeteria for Dr. Bolton!
- Thank you to Nathan Toll (Mr. Herrera's student teacher) for being a presenter this year! On top of his studies he came and gave his time to Family Night! Another team player!!
- And last but not least Thank You 6th grade science!! You guys gave up your rooms to presenters and signed up to handle Thank You cards to our amazing guests!! You rock!
- THANKS to the my Science Family for the yummy breakfast and Fiesta spirit at Grub Hub!
From Nancy Kilborn
- Thank you RAWLINSON STAFF for the awesome UNITED STAAR week.
- Thank you Science for a delicious Fiesta Feast!
- Thank you Ms. Narvaez for volunteering to help in SCE last week! You will never know how much that meant to the kids and I.
From Joy Magatagan
- Tisha Martin, thank you for so graciously helping the front office during 8th Period on the 9th and 10th STAAR days. She was a tremendous help in locating students for their messages from parents.