Bear Tracks
November 9, 2018
Note from the Principal:
Dear Staff,
Happy Friday!
We start early dismissal days this week and they don't stop until Thanksgiving!
I'll share more next week, but we've talked about it before... taking stock of the good things that you have and the people and things for which you are grateful ACTUALLY makes you happier and changes your mood and health.
I'm blown away by all that we have to be thankful for at BT. We have over 70 people, all doing different things, that come together to make sure that every student is taken care of and is given unique opportunities to learn and grow.
I had the chance to fill in for a lunch aide, only for about 90 minutes on Wednesday, and it almost killed me - I was so tired and fried at the end of it! I've had the chance to fill in and cover classrooms, sit in on parent meetings w/ staff members, witness what happens with our struggling TIP/Basic Skills students and with our ALM kids, see students who are virtually non-verbal learn, see students speak another language, play a xylophone with no prior experience and so, so much more. The bottom line is there is NOTHING easy going on at Bear Tavern, but there are a lot of AWESOME things that come together to not just make our school go, but make it special. I'm thankful that all of the moving parts of our school are committed, professional and passionate.
I love our quote of the week this week because it reminds me of that - we ALL contribute and have something unique and invaluable to give to the school. Thank you for that!
Don't forget to take care of yourself this weekend and in the days leading up to conferences and Thanksgiving. Your professionalism and effort will shine as you meet with parents; let me know if you need any help or support before or during conferences.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Chris
Coming Up:
(Let Me Run - Tuesdays & Thursdays; Girls On the Run - Tuesdays & Fridays)
Enrichment Clubs:
Mon- EVB Robotics; Little Doctors
Wed- Mad Science ; Stop Motion Animation
Thurs- Magic Art Glass
Fri- Chess
Monday 11/12 - Vet Day Ceremony
Tuesday 11/13 - Picture Retake Day
Thursday 11/15 - Book Fair Preview
Friday & Monday 11/16 & 11/19 - Conferences
Friday - Tuesday 11/16-20 - Book Fair
Monday 11/19 - PTO Dinner (between conferences)
Friday - Wednesday 11/16,19,20, 21,22 - Early dismissal
Monday 11/20 - 2nd Grade Feast
Tuesday 11/21 - K Feast
Thursday 11/23 - THANKSGIVING
Key Information:
Veteran's Day - See email from 11/8.
Thanksgiving Parties/Feasts - If you haven't let Jo and Lauren know your plans/needs, please do so.
Grants - This Fall's deadline is November 15th. For more info go to http://hvef.org/grants/. Let me know if you have any questions or ideas.
Lockdown Check Ins with Students - I'll be scheduling this week to touch base with students (short - 10 min or so), as we discussed. I'm going to focus on them listening for directions by the teacher and also talk about enhanced lockdown as it relates to blockading the door and spreading around the room. I'm going to say that it is just an improvement to our plan. I'll touch base with classroom teachers ASAP to debrief and schedule.
Den Groups - I'm going to look to have a Den Group meeting the last week of November (after Thanksgiving). I'm looking at Wednesday, 11/28. I will be finalizing details through the Den Group committee, but stay tuned.
American Education Week - I'll be sending a letter home, but want you to be aware. Same as in past years; we are not providing a specific day or week for visits, but the expectation is that you invite parents to a specific activity or visit at least once this year (hopefully lots of time!) CLICK HERE for draft of what will go out.