Team Thomson News & Notes
December 11, 2016
Important Information for You!
Classroom Christmas Parties and Handsome Harry
I believe you have all let the office know when your classroom Christmas parties will be, but if anything changes, please let us know. Also, please remind your parents that anyone volunteering for the Christmas party must have an ID and enter through the main entrance.
As you know, this Thursday and Friday Handsome Harry will visit Thomson and share the story of the Polar Express. I believe that all of you will be having pj day on your scheduled day with Handsome Harry. Please be sure that your parents are aware of which day your class will be visited and enjoy the storytelling. If you get any good pictures, please share them!
Follow-up to Last Week & the Principal's Conference
First, thank you to Jennifer Webster, Melissa Baracco, and, of course, Ron Adam for covering the building last week and keeping me informed. Additionally, I appreciate the support of Kevin Brown and Central Office. While it is never easy to be out of the building, I always know that things will be handled in a professional manner while I am out.
This year's MEMSPA Conference was excellent as always. The three keynote speakers were amazing: Dave Burgess (teacher from San Diego, CA who wrote, Teach Like a Pirate); Nell Duke (amazing researcher and huge supporter of early learning); and Dr. Adolph Brown (researcher, professor, author, and all around inspiring person). Additionally, I had the opportunity to listen to presentations from educators and network with principals from around the state. As I process the learning I did over the three days, I will share thoughts and ideas with you. However, the first thing I'd like to share with you is from Dave Burgess. In his book, he goes through each letter of 'pirate', the first being 'P' and standing for 'Passion' which has three categories:
- Content Passion-What part of your curriculum are you passionate about?
- Passion for Your Profession (which he stated is probably the most important)-Why did you become an educator? Do you hold onto this passion or let things get you down?
- Personal Passion-What are you passionate about in your personal life?
Cool to Care Final
Again, I would like to everyone for their support of this year's Cool to Care campaign. As I shared in an announcement, this year our Thomson staff and students donated 4,414 items and $220, equaling a grand total of 4,854 items. While this was not a record breaker for our building, it is something to be very proud of and helped contribute to the district collecting more items than in any year past. Please remember if your class collected enough items to earn a reward, you should schedule with the appropriate people.
Energy Shutdown
Information should be coming soon from Eric Chorley regarding what needs to be down in regards to the upcoming holidays and what staff needs to do to help save energy. Please be sure to be on the lookout for it.
Upcoming Intersession II
It's hard to believe, but the February Intersession is officially on the radar. Intersession registration forms will be coming soon along with brochures to hand out to students. We will only be accepting paper or phone-in registrations for the February intersession as DCER is in the middle of updating their registration software. When you receive registration forms, please send them directly to DCER.
Intersession Positions
If you are interested in working, please apply now at the link below for the February Intersession.
https://www.applitrack.com/gcaps/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp? internal=all&district=723&category=Student+Support+Services&subcategory=Other
Remember there are positions for everyone!
Quotes Worth Reading
"There is so much competition in the world for our student's attention that we can no longer be good...we must be remarkable."
"If they (the students) didn't have to be in your classroom, would you be teaching to an empty room?"
"Do you have any lessons that you could sell tickets for?"
-Quotes from Dave Burgess, Teach Like a Pirate, at the MEMSPA Conference 2016
Thomson Elementary
Home of the Thomson Teddies!
And..
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-0911
Celebrations & Announcements
Sign up in the Lounge for the Staff Sub & Dessert Luncheon to be held December 16th.
Staff Christmas Luncheon will be served on Wednesday, December 21st in the Staff Lounge by the Office Staff (Sue, Anna P, Anna W, and myself). We hope you will join us and enjoy!
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Tuesday, December 13th-Playground Monitor Meeting 10:30-11:15 am.
- Wednesday, December 14th-Staff Meeting (Agenda: Amy Chorley will be with us to continue our discussion on positively implacting behavior); Child Study Day; General Admin. Meeting (Natalie)
- Thursday, December 15th-Handsome Harry Visits
- Friday, December 16th-Handsome Harry Visits; PTO Christmas Breakfast; Staff Sub Luncheon; Trading Post Open
- Monday, December 19th-Science Curriculum Meeting, 4:15-6:15 p.m.; PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 21st-Christmas Staff Luncheon provided by Office
- Thursday, December 22nd-Christmas Staff Sing-a-Long, 2:00 p.m.; Remember to complete Energy Ed Shut Down prior to leaving.
- Friday, December 23rd-Monday, January 2nd-Christmas Vacation! Enjoy!