Bear Tracks
January 6, 2018
A Note From the Principal:
Dear Bear Tavern Staff,
I hope you are enjoying an impromptu four day weekend!
Hopefully next week we will get back to some normalcy and enjoy some rhythm and consistency.
While you stay bundled up this weekend, take a look at the articles of the week. There are a few, because they have a common thread. Positive, extra-ordinary things that individuals did in 2017. With the daily barrage on the news of bad things happening in our society and on the political landscape, I want to refocus on the power that individuals have to not just make a difference, but to create a ripple that actually affects other people's reality.
I believe it strongly and I think that it bears repeating and reflecting upon: With kind and positive thoughts, innovative ideas, persistence and relentless action, we can actually affect our reality and that of our students. By showing ourselves and our students, the best that we are capable of, we can affect the status quo and create a new 'normal.' That means, if we go big and aspire to create real world contexts for our materials, we overtly stress empathy and thoughtfulness and we model flexibility and positivity every day, we can change the way our kids (and each other) think and by doing so, change their reality and the path upon which they travel.
Heck yes, this is hard work, but it takes work to be average, so why not just put in the little bit extra to be incredible? I am not big on New Years Resolutions, as I said last time, because I think that we should try to be focused and working hard all of the time, but I want to use the recent break and four day weekend to recharge and sharpen our passions, so that we can go just a little bit beyond what we thought we could do. Don't hold back and let's have a great January!
Keep pushing. It will pay off!
Stay safe and warm. I'll see you Monday.
Sincerely,
Chris
Key Information:
- DAY OF SERVICE UPDATE - I'll be touching base with grade levels on Monday, but the Day of Service will be a little bit more low key than last year. Reverend Caldwell is unable to attend based upon prior commitments, so we'll still have a whole-school component, but just shorter. We counted our piggy bank $ so that we could get it to Katherine Smith sooner in the form of uniforms for students in need (we raised over $2,500 from the banks so have over $3k to help with uniforms). We are working with Katherine Smith on the order. All grades should be done by the 10:15 start of day on an AM Special Event schedule. Here is what we have: (K&2 - putting together 'bags of warmth in the cafeteria; 1&3 putting together soup in a bag in the gym; and 4 & 5 writing personalized letters to Katherine Smith students [a few each as they have a larger school than us] and making friendship bracelets to send along with the uniforms. I'm open to input for final tweaks between Mon-Thurs. Non-classroom teachers will be assigned either a location (i.e. gym/cafe) or a 4th/5th grade classroom to support during the activity. Look for a list Monday. Reach out w/ any questions.
- On the Road w Steve Hartman - The piece about our students and Rev Caldwell is set to air FRIDAY NIGHT, then again on Sunday on CBS. I'll share details when I get them.
- Road to the Reading Final Four - The nominations will be out from December 22 - January 19th. We'll review all nominations and narrow it down to 32 books the following week. PLEASE help talk this part of the process up to your students & families. You can nominate, too! CLICK HERE for the nomination form.
- **SPECIAL BIO GOOGLE FORMS** - (Extended to January 12) CLICK HERE .
K-5 Literacy Assessing/TIP dates: All Winter Literacy Profile Assessments should be completed by January 26th. The K-5 Winter Comprehensive TIP meeting will be taking place Friday, February 2 in D-1.
- Self-Care Day - We have rescheduled last Thursday's mtg to Wednesday, January 10th. Student Self Care day is March 1st and Staff Self Care Day is Feb 14. There will be incredible offerings, so stay tuned. It will be a really awesome day for our kids. CLICK HERE for more info. about Staff Self Care day. Here is an overview of Student Self Care day (we will be working to develop and solidify them on Wed.
Coming Up:
Week of 1/8:
Monday 1/8 - Grade Level Mtgs.Tuesday 1/9 - Principal's Cabinet 8 am
Tuesday 1/9 - GrandPals (kindergarten)
Wednesday 1/10 - Self-Care Mtg 3:45 conference room
Friday 1/12 - BT DAY OF SERVICE - AM Special Event Schedule
Week of 1/15:
Monday 1/15 - No School MLK Day
Tuesday 1/16 - GrandPals (kindergarten)
Wednesday 1/17 - I&RS
Friday 1/19 - Crazy Hair Day
Friday 1/19 - Duncan's Class Pump It Up