The Weekly Howl
Week of October 9, 2017
Are We Ok with Average?
This week I watched a video where the speaker said "You will never reach your potential greatness, by continuing to put in average work." This week the IDOE released our school grades and while we improved from a D to a C, that still leaves us as average. I believe we can be better than a great school. I believe we can be a phenomenal school. I'll say it again, I believe we can be a PHENOMENAL school! How do we get there? It starts with us, we can't be satisfied with being average. We have to help each other, encourage each other, and most importantly we have to be honest with each other if we aren't putting in our full potential. I am as guilty as anyone on some days when I'm feeling stressed or overloaded to just be average. It's easy to just be average, but I'm asking each of you to help hold us as a team accountable. If I'm doing things just average I want someone to tell me. I can't be everywhere at all moments of the day, so I'm also asking that if something is happening or being said that isn't moving Wolf Lake to being phenomenal stop and address the issue. Becoming phenomenal can't happen if we aren't honest with each other in a professional manner. We are moving to greatness, I see it in areas everyday. I see Kindergarten teachers taking on KinderForest, I see 1st grade incorporating intentional play, I see 2nd grade using Fundations, I see 3rd grade combining experience and technology to improve their skill sets, I see 4th grade using technology as part of the curriculum and not just as a toy, I see 5th grade using canvas to stream line their curriculum, I see I.A's working day in and day out one on one with students to help them achieve in the classrooms. I see our front office ladies work tirelessly to help keep the school running. I see our custodial staff do things that you couldn't pay me enough to do to make sure school can happen! We are moving toward phenomenal! Mark my words, write this day down, keep this newsletter. Soon, very soon, other schools will be looking to us wishing they had what we have, but they won't if they aren't willing to do what we are going to do! I'll end this with one of my favorite quotes "Everyone wants to be a BEAST, until it's time to do what BEASTS do!"
Picture Re-Takes
Our picture re-take day is October 10th. Forms are in the lounge if you need any for your class.
Fire Safety for K-1
Fire prevention day with firefighters has been moved from Friday to Tuesday October 17th at 9:15 in the morning.
Practice Lockdown
Sometime this week Officer Worman and Mr. Gaff will be at Wolf Lake to run a practice lock down drill. Please make sure to go over procedures with your students, make sure your doors are locked when students are in the room as well as closed when you leave the room with lights off. Thanks for making Wolf Lake a safe place to be!
Board Games for Grandparents Day
We are looking for any board games that you may have that you are willing to let us use for grandparents day. Please let me know if you have any you are willing to let be used and what game it is. Thanks!
Short Observations
As I stated in an email last week I will be starting my first round of observations this week. The first round are unannounced short observations. If there is something really awesome going on that you would like for me to see and give feedback on please let me know and I'll try my best to make it during that time, but there is no guarantee. Let me know if there is a day that won't work i.e.....testing, field trip...etc...
Book Study
I'm interested in starting a group book study. I've narrowed it down to two books that I've been wanting to read. I'll put them both down below for you to see. If you are interested in joining the book study please let me know and what book you are interested in. I'm thinking we'll do the majority winner first then the other one second. The books I'm interested in are below.
Upcoming Morning Meetings
Tuesday, October 11th @ 7:45: Final grandparents day meeting to sure up all details.
Thursday, October 12th @ 7:45: Tentative staff meeting if needed. Put it down just in case.
Important Dates
10/12: Grandparents Day 12:30-2:30
10/12: 1st 9 weeks ends
10/17: Fire prevention program K-1 only @9:15
10/17: PTO Fall Festival/Chili Supper
10/17: Report cards go home
10/18-10/20: Fall Break No School
11/2: Book Fair Night
11/2: Tentative Pie Sale Delivery Date
11/6: 5th Grade Music Program
12/1-1/26: NWEA Winter Testing Window
12/14: Kdg Christmas Program
2/26-3/9: ISTEP Part 1 Window
3/12-3/16: IREAD Window 3rd Grade
3/19-5/18: NWEA Spring Testing Window
4/16-5/4: ISTEP Part 2 Window
6/3: Graduation @2:00