In the Middle Newsletter
December 10-14
Principal Ponderings: Tribes
He's 100% right. Whether at home or at work, we have to have our tribe. I had the opportunity to attend the MEMSPA conference with over 540 principals from the State of Michigan and through informal conversations, attending sessions, and listening to the experiences of others I realize that I'm not only on my journey.
At home, I have Angela, the kids, and members of my extended family. I don't get to do what I do during my waking hours if it wasn't for them. I can leave for three days and be present even though chaos and a trip to the emergency room is going on at home (Hayes, bed frame, mouth, he's okay).
It's December. We're tired but the work remains. If you know your tribe, lean on them when your tired and pick them up in return. If you're not quite sure who your tribe is, well, start your own. Each tribe needs a leader.
Administrative Items
- Lunch Duty: Nichols, Van, Buschlen
- SPOW: Choir
- Late Start: Course
- P2: Humility folder
- Lancer Leader tickets: Continue to be intentional of handing out 1 ticket per day. The goals is 300 by December 21. Look for the good and you'll find the good. Hand them out for showing one of the character traits we've discussed so far. One a day.
- 8th grade PE swimming unit will continue this week. First hour PE will finish up on Tuesday, and then 2nd hour will begin on Thursday then continue the following week Tuesday and Thursday. We will flip 1st and 2nd hour on the days 2nd hour is swimming.
- Reminder that Band will combine again on Friday.
-Friday December 14 - Combine 6th grade during 6th hour
Upcoming Dates and Events
12/10
- PSAT, Digging In workshop, Swegles out of building 8:30-3:30
- Board Meeting, 5:30pm, MS media center
12/11
- Admin meeting, 1:15, Swegles/Arend at Central Office
12/11 and 13
- 8th-grade 2nd hour PE Swimming
- We will flip 1st and 2nd hour on these dates. Thank you for your flexibility in advance.
12/13
- PTO Open Meeting, 2:50, room 314, need one rep from each grade level
12/17
- Band Christmas Collage
Are you interested in donating dollars for denim in December? Proceeds will go towards the holiday fundraiser. If you pay upfront from the 6 days then the total cost is $25. If you pay by the day it will be $5 each day. Jeans may be worn on:
Thursday, December 6
Friday, December 7
Thursday, December 13
Friday, December 14
Thursday, December 20
Friday, December 21
Jane has the envelope.
Instructional Strategy
Show & Tell: A Video Column / Let's Get Jigsaw Right
Resources Worth Sharing
100 Books Every Educator Should Read
Really, it's a page with list of books by category. If you're searching for something specific or having an issue and you need some resources, this link may prove useful.
Tweet of the Week
What I'm Reading: Gung Ho, Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles
Holiday Fundraisers and Events
Pie in Da Face: Need volunteers who are willing to be pied in the face at the holiday assembly before break. Kids will vote with money for who they want to see pied, and the winning staff member from each grade level will get pied multiple times. We will provide shower caps and rain ponchos.
If you'd like to humiliate yourselves in the spirit of the holidays, please shoot Chelsea an email by December 7th! Bidding starts December 10. Chelsea shared an email outlining the process.
Half Court Shots: Purchase 1 ticket for $2 or 6 for $10. Student s that purchase a ticket will shoot a half court shot during either Family Meeting on 12/19 or Assembly on 12/21. If they make it, they will get $20. I need some clarification on how the purchase process played out last year. If you someone can shoot me an email letting me know that'd be great!
Dodgeball Tournament: $20 per team. The tournament will run after school on December 14 to approximately 4:30. Staff TEAM(s)? Graz sent an email out last week to all the kids. Looking for 2-3 more adults for a staff team.
Candy Cane Sales: $.50 each or $1 to remain anonymous. Candy Canes will be delivered on December 21 in Advisory.
Hat and/or Pajama Day: $1 for one or $2 for both. December 19
LMS Stand Ugly Sweater Contest: Announcements are currently being made and Amy sent an email.
Retiree/Staff Luncheon: believe this was discussed on Wednesday morning.