Springhill Style
Springhill Elementary Staff Announcements
November 11, 2019
Vision
Standout: with Strong Hearts and Strong Minds
Mission Statement
Just a few thoughts and reflections from Mrs. West and I .. Hope you will find time to read.
I am not sure how many of you joined in the "21 Days to Cultivate a Grateful Heart" study but if you did then you will be familiar with some of this. The study challenges us to give thanks and praise for the challenges in our lives. It made me think back to the quote not too long ago I wrote about in the smore from Coach Wooden. He talked about the best players being the ones who loved the challenge because they knew it was the only way they would get better. They would have given thanks for those challenges. Now, I would venture to say that after a tough loss it might take them a few to get through the initial upset feelings but they don't stay there. They are able to be reflective and see the loss for what it was. Growing. Learning. Getting better. Challenging themselves to dig deep and come back even better. This theme seems to be repeating itself in my life and in many of yours as well. I know this because I see you. I see so many of you facing these challenges everyday .. and I see you coming back everyday for one more round. I think the key to this is in a grateful heart. Yes, I know it's hard to see it that way .. but I truly believe you are going through your challenge because you are meant to go through it. You are meant to grow and learn from it so that later on you will help someone else get through a similar time. Thinking about that person gives me chills. They are out there and they are going to need us. I don't know when, but it will happen. We don't always see the plan while we are in the middle of the fight but it's there. It's our job to keep faith in the plan and keep pushing and giving our best everyday. Now, this is the message I received from our preacher today. Faith. Keeping the faith even in the tough times and not only keeping faith but being thankful for the challenge. See what I mean about the theme coming up over and over. I am so thankful for you all and you all make it so much easier for me to be thankful during the challenges. I know that I have an amazing team fighting along beside me and we will support each other and remind each other to give thanks even in the tough times because its what we do. It's how we operate. It's how we build Champions. Mrs West shared a quote with someone this week and it seems perfect to go here.
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'.
From Mrs. West: (We were both feeling inspired this week LOL! ) This is also fitting for Veterans' Day!
Read link first
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/us/06lucas.html
My husband shared this story with me after hearing about it on a podcast because we both love learning about war heroes. I read about this man, listened to the podcast, and strangely, a student’s face kept popping in my head.
Jack Lucas was brave, honorable, but did not have reverence for rules. Would he have appeared so brave and honorable in a different setting? What would his teachers have noticed about him in a standard classroom? I wondered...would he have been in SIT?
I think the answers to those questions are what make me think about this student. The trauma he’s experienced, the love he hasn’t been gifted, the landmines that have been buried inside his mind are out of his control. But I believe there is a context where “honorable” is an accurate depiction of him. I believe, if given the chance, he would be brave. I have seen him care deeply for others and feel compassion. I think he might be a lot like Jack Lucas.
The lenses through which we see students are limited. But I believe that our ability to help THEM KNOW their strengths and those qualities that are good, even if they are not academic, is where our power lies.
StandOUT Award
Mrs. Medina passed the torch this past week to Mrs Starkey.
I would love to pass the torch to Starkey because she is the most energetic and fun-loving teacher in the world. She is always greeting co-workers, students, and even strangers (hahaha) with her amazing, bubbly smile. Not only does she love each one of her students, but she loves to find ways to keep each one engaged in their learning. With my ONE WORD this year being ”energetic”, I look to her as a model for the level of energy I would like to have as I walk in each day.
Announcements
Announcements:
Each day is an opportunity to reach a student ... to build a champion .. attack each day with the intentionality our students deserve ... ONE MORE ROUND .. every day
- 10 Opportunities until Thanksgiving Break
- 25 Opportunities until Christmas Break
- Veterans' Day Ceremony for 2-5 will begin at 9:00. We will call for you to begin bringing your classes when we are ready. Please be sure to remind students of behavior expectations during this time. Mrs. Benton has worked very hard on this day and I know it will be great!
- Monday- 5th grade will go to block from 8:25-8:50 and then get the other 25mins in after the ceremony is over. This should ensure 5th grade block doesn't run into 4th grade.
- Literacy Night committee met last week. Make sure to check in with your grade level rep to get your info.
- PTO Meeting Tuesday @ 3:45pm
- Huge thank you to all who stayed to help with STEAM night! I heard so many great things about it! A special thanks to Mrs. Crymes for all her hard work getting it together.
- We are so excited for the author visit on Tuesday! Thanks to Mrs. Crymes for getting that together. K-2 1:30-2:15, 3-5 2:15-3:00 (in cafe) - Block teachers will stay with your class if it is during your block time.
- Team meetings this week will be GRADE LEVEL.
- Support staff will meet with their grade levels this week.
- Student Conversations on Friday. Remember to be working with your focus students on goal setting and success criteria.
- Check out the videos from Hattie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CygTwWsoXfE
- Pineapple Board! - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s-8Y-VEisJtMgxN5cFMJOa2KraQ04_cabVDbGQy1GUc/edit?usp=sharing
- SIT will meet on Tuesday this week. K-2 it is your week to update and K-2 will progress monitor.
- Shuttle Bus will leave at 3:10. Ms. Sharon will call for them at 3:08 ... make sure you are aware of which students will be leaving at this time! Set an alarm on your phone if you have trouble remembering to send them.
- Westside Kids Day Out Van will pick up at 3:20pm- Please send them at 3:18
- Kiddieville Van will pick up after busses at 3:35pm- Send them out with our bus riders
- Please make sure your I Can statements are posted and you are referring to them during your lesson and ensuring your students understand the success criteria.
- Don't forget to post lesson plans and newsletter to the shared google classroom
Springhill Olympics - Ways to Earn Points
Congrats to our Winning Teams! Let the games continue!
- Attendance Challenge for StandOUT teams: The StandOUT team with the best percentage of attendance for the month of October will earn points for their team! First place earns 5 points, Second Place earns 3 points, and Third Place earns 1 point.
- At the end of the month we will add up the points to award medals for the month! We will award medals each month and will have an end of year medal count as well! These Olympic Games will last ALL school year!!
Save the Dates
Nov. 11 - Veterans Day Ceremony for 2-5.
Nov. 12 - PTO Meeting @ 3:45
Nov. 12 - Author Visit
Nov. 19 - SES Spelling Bee
Nov. 25-29 - Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 6 - Spirit Day
Dec. 6 - Glow Run/ 5K
Dec. 10 - First Grade Field Trip to Reynolds Performance Hall
Dec. 13 - Drama Club Production at Fine Arts Building for 3-5 @ 1:30
Dec. 16 - Literacy Night
Dec. 17 - Awards Assembly
Dec. 17 - VIP Christmas Dinner Night
Dec. 18 -Choir Sings at the Capitol Building
Dec. 18 - 3rd Grade Littlest Reindeer Performance at the Fine Arts Building @ 7:00
Dec. 19 - Christmas Parties - No Homemade Goods
Dec. 20 - Polar Express/P.J. Day for $1
Dec. 23-Jan. 3 - Christmas Break
Jan. 6 - No School - Curriculum Day - RISE Training
Jan. 13 - Report Cards go home