Warner Update
Making a difference, one person at a time
You Commit...then you figure out how the heck to do it
A few years back I listened to Mark Smith, Executive Director at MACUL share a story about John F. Kennedy. He talked about how JFK's leadership catapulted our nation into space and landing on the moon. JFK's speech was very simple, it was highlighted with the phrase, "We choose to go to the Moon!" In his next sentence he stated, "this decade". Mark pointed to this speech as a galvanizing force for our country. He then made me laugh when he said, thank goodness President Kennedy wasn't an educator, because what do we do as educators, we talk it to death.
I laughed because Mark is correct on so many levels. When we are confronted with problems/challenges we are reluctant to FULLY commit to making it better. Sometimes committing to improve means, doing things very different. Sometimes problem solving is uncomfortable. But almost ALL the time, committing to improve will be hard.
Let that lead into the next piece. I recently listened to a podcast and this statement really resonated with me. Are you the type of person that, "How's things to death?" Andy went on to share a story about when he was growing up he often shared ideas with teachers, supervisors and employers. What happened in most situations was the proverbial pushback with the question, how? Andy went on to say that when people How an idea to death, the idea typically dies. The fallout from that is the individual then begins to offer less ideas. Essentially we become an echo chamber and rarely venture into radical, new ideas.
I'm confident that you have a challenge or a problem confronting you right now. First, are you willing to COMMIT? If the answer is yes, then you then must be willing to figure out how the heck to do it.
We surround ourselves with teammates that help us be the best version of ourselves. Are we willing to do whatever it takes to improve?
NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE:
Monday, April 23rd: April Board Meeting 6:30pm
Tuesday, April 24th: Admin Meeting 9am
Tuesday, April 24th: 5th Grade MStep Social Studies
Tuesday, April 24th: Boy/Girl Quest begins 3:50 - 5pm
Wednesday, April 25th: Spring Arbor University Track Team Assembly with grades 3-5 at 8:45am
Wednesday, April 25th: Secretaries Day!
Wednesday, April 25th: Band Instrument fitting 1:35pm (starting in the library and moving to the cafeteria at 2pm)
Wednesday, April 25th: Happy Birthday to Nicki Wynchuk
Thursday, April 26th: Final day of KDG RoundUp
Thursday, April 26th: CP Federal Credit Union 2pm
Friday, April 27th: Lunch provided by ING associates (brief explanation of investment information during lunch in the lounge)
* Dismissal will now have three bells.
Bell ONE will ring at 3:26 (this will be for bus riders in grades K & 1).
Bell TWO will ring at 3:29 (this will be for bus riders in grades 2-5).
Bell THREE will ring at 3:33 (this will be for teachers to bring all walkers & pickups to the gym).
Support Staff will be supervising in both the K/1 and 2-5 hallway while bus riders dismiss.
Mrs. Dockery will announce dismissal procedures over the PA after each bell.
* Teachers please schedule a time to meet and discuss your self-evaluations that you completed in the Fall. This will likely take 40 minutes.
* Kindergarten teachers and literacy coaches please see me this week to register for the MKEO training.
Responses from the survey...
Name one cool thing have you noticed happening at Warner since we returned from Spring Break?
My students are "in the zone" working independently most of the time..They are really understanding how important reading is and are really working at it.
TATs
Staff is always smiling
Kids seem to be really happy
Great collaboration within building
My students are reading like crazy! YES!!!
Students joy while exploring their self picked topic for informational writing
Positive interaction with staff
I liked seeing the police officer presence to show security
My colleagues have stepped in when I was in a crisis to help fill the void of my absence. This allowed me to spend time with my daughter in the hospital. I am eternally grateful!
I have witnessed our staff and students taking care of each other when in need. I can't tell you how many times I have observed staff comforting a colleague in need or even a student observing someone who might need a hand carrying books down the hallway! I have been so proud and encouraged by this loving culture!