Bobcat Bulletin
March 23, 2020
This Week's Events
Be Well
Next Week's Events
Be Well
Looking Ahead
April 13
- Normalcy Returns - I hope!
I am having a hard time finding the words
I am having a hard time finding the words the express how much I appreciate and how amazing each and every one of you are. However, I am going to do my best to do just that.
On Friday, with very little notice all of you, "answered the call" by showing up in a virtual meeting, for some learning a new tech skill along the way. You were thoughtful, collaborative, understanding and ready to take on the next phase.
Since then the level of teamwork, hardwork and outside the box thinking has put me in awe of you. I could not be prouder to be the principal of Amerman. You are an amazing group of people and I am so very grateful for all of you. I have always felt difficult situations always reveal a person's true colors. You have shown me that there is no other group I would want to weather this storm with.
Report Card Window Change
The current report card window closes on April 12th, which is the last Sunday of Spring Break, which is also Easter. As you know, you are encouraged to rest, relax, and rejuvenate over break. As a result, we are extending the window to April 17th. They will be viewable in MiStar on April 20th. Our conferences are April 23 and 24, so there is still time for parents to view report cards before conferences.
I see you
Exhausted educator, I see you.
In your classroom teaching, working hard to meet the needs of all your students. Engaging, motivating, educating, empowering all the while being thrown obstacles that could easily derail your best laid plans.
I See You
Pouring your heart into the mental and emotional needs of your students. Intervening, worrying, researching to figure out how to help in situations you had no part in creating.
I See You
Struggling to keep your sanity and calm. Smiling bravely even though you want to cry at times. Volunteering to help, even though you are behind because you know our kids need it. Staying positive even though you feel anything but.
Exhausted counselor and student support personnel, I see you.
Seeing and hearing things that take your breath away. Balancing multiple responsibilities while being ready to handle an emergency at any moment. Barely keeping up with the endless demands and expectations.
I See You
Putting your needs behind others. Helping families navigate systems of support. Sitting in endless meetings. Putting together plans of support and then tweaking and then tweaking again until it’s just right. Leading with a smile, every single day, although you feel the weary slipping in.
Exhausted nurse, I see you.
Some days running triage that resembles an ER. Taking care of the physical and emotional well being of so many.
I See You
Smiling through the sickness. Caring and loving our kids. No matter what.
Exhausted custodian, I see you.
Getting to school before everyone and staying after, just to make our building shine. Creating a warm and safe environment that you know becomes home to so many.
I See You
Seeking out that student at lunch that was alone. Checking in and developing relationships with students.
I See You
Never complaining, no matter which call you may receive. Cleaning messes you didn’t create, with a smile.
Exhausted paraprofessional, I see you.
Helping students that need that little extra. Having patience beyond measure.
I See You
Staying positive when times get tough. Trying any strategy at all to find student success.
Exhausted food service staff, I see you.
Keeping our kids nourished. Smiling and greeting students, even when manners aren’t returned.
I See You
Making a difference and building relationships outside of the classroom. Seeking out those students sitting alone and ensuring they have a connection.
Exhausted administrative assistant, I see you.
Answering the phone, the door, the buzzer and walkie talkie in rapid fire mode at times.
I See You
De-escalating the concerned parent, teacher, student, principal. Trying to support everyone.
I See You
Keeping our school going by doing all the behind the scene things that most people don’t realize get done. With a smile. All day, every day.
Exhausted bus driver, I see you.
Getting our kids to school safely, no matter the weather. Managing behaviors while driving. Noticing when things aren’t quite right and letting us know.
I See You
Celebrating our students. Developing one more positive relationship so our kids know that they are supported. Going above and beyond.
Exhausted speech/language pathologist, OT, PT, school psychologist, therapist, I see you.
Trying to support and find your niche. Working to always find ways to help kids be successful. Attending PD that doesn’t always quite apply, and making it work.
I See You
Being flexible and doing whatever it takes for all students to be successful.
Exhausted administrator, I see you too.
You give your all every day. Trying so hard to be everything to everyone. Staying strong when times get tough, to help be the strength for others.
I See You
Responding to support students when they may be at their worse. Loving them through it. Realizing that fair and equal aren’t the same.
I See You
Staying calm in difficult situations. Smiling when you want to scream. Saving the tears until the door closes. Learning that sometimes people are just angry, and you are the one receiving the message.
I See You
Trying to find that balance between instructional leader and manager. Giving feedback. Showing appreciation. Finding ways to bring positivity into the schoolhouse. Realizing you are the emotional guide for others. And trying to ensure you are being that positive model. Even when inside you aren’t feeling it.
We are all one team.
We are all trying our hardest and bringing our best each and every day.
Realness? Struggle? Frustration? Heck yes, but life is too short and our work is too important for blame, shame and negativity.
Our kids matter.
Our staff matter.
You matter.
Take time and give to yourself.
Rest.
Recharge.
Rejuvenate.
Thank you for being a life-changer!
PTA Stipend Reimbursement
As a reminder all teachers are able to get a $250 classroom stipend reimbursement ($175 for part time). Currently about 2/3 of the teachers haven't yet submitted their request for reimbursement. The deadline this year for turning in receipts is April 1st. Being a PTA member is a requirement in order to receive the stipend.However, that cost is small (I think it's $15) in comparison to the reimbursement.
LC Corner - Curriculum, Literacy & Learning...oh my!
A PEP TALK!
Right now, we are participants and witnesses to a global historical event. Just think of all the stories and shared experiences we will be able to tell in the future.
Teachers are such an important resource. In the coming weeks, I am hopeful that the public and especially our families are going to come to realize how essential and valuable teachers and schools truly are. In case you need a reminder here is a little pep talk to reflect on. Stay awesome everyone!
Dismissal Duty
Week of 4/13
- Bus - Warum
- Loop - LaManna, Wilson, Charboneau, Wells
Week of 4/20
- Bus - McDougall
- Loop - Parnin, Tiba, Hartnett, Mooney
Random Useless Facts
The word “samba” means “to rub navels together.”
- Charles Lindbergh took only four sandwiches with him on his famous transatlantic flight.
- Donald Duck’s middle name is Fauntleroy.
- A snail can sleep for 3 years.
- A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.
- If you keep a goldfish in a dark room, it will eventually turn white.
- Alaska has the highest percentage of people who walk to work.
- The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven is $6,400.
- Deep sea clams can live to be more than 100 years old.
Happy Birthday!!
- March 26 - Megan Wilson
- March 30 - Robin Long
April 1 - Cori Charboneau
- April 4 - Markus Hartnett
- April 12 - Jennifer Isenberg
- April 27 - Jamie Henderson