Monclova Primary
Weekly Bulletin
Events for Week of September 10 - September 16
Monday, September 10
LPDC Meeting - 4:00 pm
Board Meeting - 6:00 pm - New Operations Building
Tuesday, September 11
GLC - 7:45 am
Wednesday, September 12
Section 125 Meetings
Thursday, September 13
Section 125 Meetings
MAPS Luncheon - 11:00 - 1:00 pm - Monclova Community Center
Friday, September 14
Picture Retakes
FB Home - Southview - Student Night - K -6 get in free with adult
Announcements
Thank you:
Jill Kohntopp for filling in during Jane's jury duty. You helped so many people around the building and kept the office and Claudine from falling apart!
Reminders:
Many of you have started meeting with parents, you can record these meetings on your parent contact log. Everyone must complete 3 hours of meetings by May 2019. The log was shared with you in your staff documents folder at the staff meeting.
Our Section 125 REQUIRED meetings will take place September 12 and 13. You must sign up online using the following link: https://benefits.americanfidelity.com/scheduler/E3376BFBE8835138831B9BCFB4D91A91EA839AE7B16E275C10FCB669D3282C9F~o1LPXlg06bYpbfYvJNBNeG-048P2xyMmrv-5pBDQKP84Y9_0vMdE66n1_lhA09AaLLuFqo2L4gRIBaAVqN4LqQ2
Be sure to copy me on your parent communication, like newsletters or eNewsletters. This communication is used as evidence during evaluations.
Students will be called down Sept. 10 and 12 to collect achievers. If they bring in tickets in on other days, please just keep them and give back to the students on days achievers are being distributed. Your patience is appreciated during the fundraiser, this one provides a great deal of funding for the students, staff and school.
Make sure you are working on your professional growth plan goals. They need to be approved by me before putting them into eTPES. Refer to the SMART goal resource shared with you, the goals must meet this criteria.
The MAPS meeting luncheon at the community center will be Thursday, September 13 from 11 to 1:00 pm. Please plan on coming over during your lunch time to eat and a quick introduction.
The home football game on September 14 will be "Meet the Generals Night". All students K - 6 can get in free with an adult and ticket from the school office and then go on the field after the game for autographs. I will have the tickets in the main office and make announcements about the game. Please advertise this great event in your parent communications, too.
Words of Wisdom and Action..............................
Tell Us About Your Day: The Significance of a Closing Circle - May 31, 2018 Sam Blanchard
One elementary teacher explains how she uses closing circles to create a safe, reflective space for students to discuss their days with their classmates and leave school knowing that others care.
At the end of the day, my third-graders and I circle up on the carpet after we’ve packed up. We talk about our days, we reflect and we listen. Then I let them know I care and that I’m proud. At the end, we say our goodbyes and we look forward to connecting on the next school day.
Similar to a morning meeting, a closing circle is a classroom community gathering that takes place at the end of the school day. Recently, when our afternoon activity went over time and we scattered to clean up at the end up the day, I told the class that we would cancel our closing circle and reconvene in the morning. The whole class let out an exasperated “Awwwhhhhh!” At the time, I was sorry to cancel the meeting, but there just wasn’t time in our schedule. It was time to leave.
Later, reflecting on my decision, I realized that I was wrong. I should have taken time away from the activity that ran late. It could have been completed at a later time. The students, conversations and community should have been—and should always be—a priority. We have worked hard to establish a strong community and culture of care and respect in my classroom. When I canceled the closing circle, my students missed out on an opportunity to reflect and share their accomplishments and struggles with their classmates and me. I missed out on an opportunity to show students I care and tell them I’m proud. We as a community missed out on an opportunity to show we are listening, we empathize and we are there for each other.
For some students, a closing circle is the only time someone asks them how their day went. Many students leave school and go home to an empty house. Their proud moments or challenges from the day may never be shared. For some students, this small moment of being heard creates a lasting impact.
The following afternoon, we circled up early for an extended closing circle. After students finished sharing, I took extra time to let them know that I care. Our talk started as my standard goodbye, when I tell students to be safe, take care and have a good evening or weekend. Then, I did something different. I told them how much I look forward to coming to work every day. I told them that I miss them and think about them over the weekend. I told them that I’m proud and that they are all capable and deserving of a great education. And, finally, I thanked them for coming to school and let them know that I couldn’t wait to see them again on Monday. Then the bell rang, and without much other conversation, we all went our separate ways.
As I walked out to the dismissal area, one of my students ran back, calling, “Ms. B! Ms. B!” When I turned around to look, he hugged me tightly. He then stepped back and said, “I know that you care, Ms. B. Thank you.” And just like that, he turned around and ran off again. It was a small moment, but for that student, it was significant.
A closing circle may only be a short, 10-minute gathering, but its effects are long lasting and important. I hope to never miss one again.