Bear Tracks
February 9, 2018
A Note From the Principal:
Happy Friday!
There are not a lot of hard core football fans on the average elementary school staff, but bear with me and keep reading below. I think that have a lot to learn from the recent football events.
To start off, it must be noted that I am not Eagles fan. That being said, if you are objective, you have to note that their Superbowl run was incredible. And it can teach us a lot about what we do each day and about being successful at Bear Tavern.
Being that we only get Philadelphia sports radio in Mercer County, I find myself listening in the car a decent amount. I remember vividly, during the summer and early fall how many phone calls would come in about how bad of a coach Doug Peterson (the head coach) was and how bad the Eagles were going to be this year. Not many people believed in him, but he kept working. The Eagles kept winning, and week by week they seemed to get better and tighter as a team. Even through season ending injuries to two of their best players, including their quarterback, they didn't seem to falter. In fact, they were underdogs in every playoff game, even though they were the home team, and they just kept winning.
So what made the coach so special and successful this year? He trusted his players and created an atmosphere where they could be aggressive, take risks and have a voice in the locker room and on the field. He created a 'players' council' before the season and would talk to them and relate to them as people. This is not always the case in the NFL. Being the teams are so big and there are so many assistant coaches, there are many head coaches who don't interact with the players much at all.
This created a bond among the team that made individuals perform way better than they may have been capable before. Even on the most important (and now famous) play of the game, it was the backup quarterback who suggested the play, and the coach, after thinking for a second, let him go with it. And now we'll be hearing about "The Philly Special" (that is the name of the play) for years and years and years [see below].
So why the heck am I writing all of this? Because thinking about Doug Peterson's leadership style can help every one of us. How can we really get to know our students, even the challenging ones, on a such a personal level that they trust us and want to step up for us? How can we support our students in taking a risk or pushing their thinking beyond the expected or normal track (like getting civil rights leader his Honeymoon after 60 years!) and really translate the ideas and skills that they learn to the real world.
I have no plans to become a "bandwagon" Eagles fan, but it is hard not to respect what Doug Peterson did, and more importantly, how he did it. My hope is that we can all inspire the best from the students and staff with which we work and continue to bring the best out of the kids and each other, despite occasional setbacks, failures and obstacles.
Have a great day and enjoy your weekend!
Sincerely,
Chris
Key Information:
Student Wellness Day (March 1) - We are coming along really nicely in our planning of the first ever Student Wellness Day! The day will further many of the awesome mindfulness initiatives that we value as a building and a district. Please CLICK HERE for a memo with more information and a clear picture of the day. Included in the memo is an overview, schedule and opportunity to volunteer. Please don't be shy if you have questions. Our goal is to make this a powerful and great day and to make it as user-friendly for staff as possible.
Road to the Reading Final Four - We are under way! Let's build on the momentum from Den Groups and get kids and families fired up about reading! CLICK HERE if you'd like to sign up to be a 'reader' for a recorded read aloud. Also, CLICK HERE for a list of Twitter Handles for the authors that have one. Try to include them when tweeting about the books and reading! And don't forget to use #BearTavernPride. Let me know if you have any question or need anything and let's have fun reading!
Self-Care Month - We hope you are enjoying the various self care opportunities! Please be mindful of attending the classes you signed up for or letting us know if you can't attend. We know life happens! Looking Ahead Self Care 2/12 to 2/16
2/13 3:45 Clay House making with Suzanne
2/14 Massages throughout the day. $20 Click Here for schedule.
2/14 4:00 CrossFit Hamilton $10
2/15 4:00 Meditation with Honor Yoga $10
Click here for self care calendar. Click here to edit sign up!
GRANTS!!!!!! - The HVEF deadline is coming sooner than we think! The spring cycle is due 3/9. Please click for each: Grant Application Form, Grant Application Guidelines, HVEF Grant Rubric
Coming Up:
Enrichments:
Tuesdays - Art Enrichment, Electrical Engineering, Tennis Golf (YMCA)
Wednesdays - Drawing
Thursdays - Art Enrichment, Basketball Basics (YMCA)
Friday - Mad Science, Mine Craft Modding
Friday 2/9 - Pre K trip to Watershed (Cartaino & Fazio)
Friday 2/9 - Book Fair Kick Off 6:30 - 9 pm
Week of 2/12:
Monday 2/12 - Grade Level Meetings
Monday 2/12 - BT STUDENTS WILL BE GUESTS ON THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW VIA SKYPE!!! Mrs. Virtucio and the students from her writing classes last year will make a nationally televised appearance after school and have a special reunion get together. Stop by to check it out and say hi if you'd like!
Tuesday 2/13 - Self Care Crafting after school
Wednesday 2/14 - Valentine's Day (wear Pink or Red)
Wednesday 2/14 - Self Care Massages all day & Crossfit after school
Thursday 2/15 - 2nd Grade to Watershed
Thursday 2/15 - Self Care Yoga/Mediation w/ Honor Yoga after school
Friday 2/16 - Pre K Collab Day
Week of 2/19:
Monday 2/19 & Tuesday 2/20 - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday 2/21 - Self-Care Make & Take doTerra Essential Oils
Thursday 2/22 - 4th Grade STEM to Philadelphia Zoo
Friday 2/23 - Kindergarten 100th Day Stations
Week of 2/26:
Monday 2/26 - Faculty Meetings (you will be provided time to do GCN Dislexia training)
Tuesday 2/27 - Beat Boxing Growth Mindset Assembly (AM Special Event Schedule)
Thursday 3/1 - Student Wellness Day
Thursday 3/1 - Hopewell Night Off
Thursday 3/2 - Hat Day (and staff breakfast)