Bear Tracks
April 13, 2018
Coming Up:
Friday 4/13 - Above and Beyond Gala
Week of 4/16:
Monday 4/16 - Faculty Mtg (PARCC training for grades 3-5, TIP, SPED & CST)
Tuesday 4/17 - Watershed Trip - 1st Grade (9:20 am - 2 pm)
Tuesday 4/17 - Grandpals (K)
Wednesday4/18 - Special Schedule PM - Den Groups [Earth Day Activity] details coming soon
Wednesday 4/18 - Watershed Trip - 3rd Grade (9:20 am - 1:40 pm)
Wednesday 4/18 - April Staff Breakfast
Wednesday 4/18 - I&RS
Thursday 4/19 - Bob Bunsa (Equitable) at Lunches
Thursday 4/19 - First Grade Poetry Publishing Party (9:15 am APR)
Friday 4/20 - BT Trenton Thunder Night
Week of 4/23:
Monday 4/23 - Author Visit - Janet Wong
Tuesday 4/24 - SPRING PICTURE DAY
Tuesday 4/24 - Grandpals K
Wednesday 4/25 - 4th Grade Grounds for Sculpture (4L & 4O)
Thursday 4/26 - 4th Grade Ground for Sculpture (4B & 4V)
Thursday 4/26 - Take Your Child to Work Day
Friday 4/27 - Pre K Collab Day
Friday 4/27 - STEAM Fair
Saturday 4/28 - Aluminum Pour (Sewart Johnson Atelier) and International Sculpture Day at Grounds for Sculpture
Key Information:
- PARCC training/meeting - Monday's fac mtg will be a short PARCC update/training for classroom teachers 3-5, TIP/Basic Skills teachers, SpEd teachers & CST. PreK-2 classroom teachers should work collaboratively.
- Den Groups 4/18 - We have a Special Earth Day Presentation by our BT EPA to kick off the afternoon then we'll split into Den Groups. Based upon the feedback from last week's meeting, several folks are interested in time to team build and the opportunity to spend quality time together. I'll work with the committee to have a menu of possible activities, but want to give groups the autonomy to create opportunities to bond and make the time productive. All activities should be outside in the location of your choice. More details will follow Monday, but please begin thinking.
Article of the Week
Quote of the Week:
Note from the Principal:
Happy Friday!
I think that Spring officially starts today because there are no snow showers in next week's forecast for the first time in a while and we can all wear shorts all weekend. Enjoy the warm weather! While the warm temperatures are a much needed and much enjoyed upgrade, with Spring things start moving at hyper speed and the calendar gets pretty packed.
This happens every year and has since the beginning of time in schools across America. We know this. We also know that we can't change the wind, but we can adjust our sails to always reach our destination (that is a shout out to Jimmy Dean!). Here are my challenges/requests for the next few weeks:
1. Always remember to take a quick mindfulness break when things get stressful and ask yourself; is this a major issue or a "First World" or "Hopewell" problem? What I mean by this is take a second to reflect and think about all of the great stuff and see where the frustration/issue ranks in the grand scheme. That definitely helps me when I'm feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. A lot of times after a deep breath, I realize it's not as bad as it felt at first. Think about who you can ask for help and remember to be around to help someone else if they need it!
2. Have fun! Take a few minutes to try something new or to do a 'regular' activity in a new way (outside for example!). Even just 15 minutes can energize you and the class.
3. Take a look at the articles of the week. Incorporate a new idea to engage the students and keep everyone on their toes.
4. Put some extra focus on the little things: smiling a lot, saying hi to everyone in the hallway, leaving a note if someone seems stressed, high fiving a random staff member and bringing energy and enthusiasm to other's every day. You don't always know who needs a boost, so put it out there and lift some boats (JFK quote shout out).
5. Like my good friend Mother Teresa said - "Let no one come to you without leaving happier." Remember, WE ARE and WE CREATE the culture at Bear Tavern. Spring Stress is real and it is inevitable; but I am 100% sure that we have all of the tools that we need to beat it if we attack it together.
Enjoy some beautiful weather and have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Chris