PVE Friday Focus for February 27th
"Kokomo Beach Day"
Ramblings from the heart
In celebrations this week, we have many to share! I was lucky to sit in and watch as Miss Kiel's class had an author Skype with Seymour Simon. Simon is the world's most prolific writer of science books for younger children with more than 250 titles listed in Books in Print and more than a dozen original e-books. He also writes fiction and created the series Einstein Anderson, Science Geek. He is a founder and director of the digital publishing company StarWalk Kids Media. He was fantastic with the kids and spend well over 30 minutes with the class. Sarah projected in the PD room and it gave a great wide screen shot of the author in his office and zone!
Kasey's Cope's class received another layer of strong funding as they creep closer to their goal of having the mulch trail become a paved trail to the bike racks. Kasey and her students had an evening presentation that culminated with acknowledgement that "this is good" and support/funding was given. Kudos to Kasey and the Gang!
The furniture in the Adventure Center and PD Room is really starting to take shape. Soon, we will hold a meeting and invite any teacher who may be interested in using this space for feedback and shared thoughts of student expectations. We will then meet with our kids to help get their voice in establishing a start to how we use our new space for creation of student work.
What's the Big Idea?
At each staff meeting, Dan and I have encouraged folks to be risk takers and step out of current comfort zones or practice next year to try something new. It is not to say, "let's just do something new and different for the reason of doing"... But rather, spend time in research that honors best practice and a student first eye of seeing the world and let us know your idea, big or small.
Thoughts from The Farm
As a sixth grade student, one of my favorite things was playing basketball. I fondly recall my first organized basketball game. I had hit three free throws and found myself on cloud nine for even scoring a basket.
As soon as the game was over, I discovered my grandfather had fallen quite ill. He was at home and we were quickly headed to see him. At the time I did not realize what was going on and it seemed very confusing.
We arrived at the home of my grandparents and I remember hearing the words, "massive stroke". I watched as folks gathered in another room and my dad headed quickly into the bedroom to see grandpa. I peaked around the corner and found my grandpa Chet in bed. His face was not moving on one side nor was the right side of his body. He began to speak to my dad and I vividly recall the words. His voice was muffled, face looking half asleep with drips of tears from one eye and saliva from his mouth falling much like honey dripping on his every word, "You will need to replace the fences around the north woods. I would say in four or five years. The south 80 (referencing a field of over 8o acres south of the homestead) will need more nitrogen than in years past." He continued on and on. It was not the typical father-son last conversation. It was the passing of a generational torch and the use of precise time to wrap the new carrier with as much prepared wisdom as possible.
I then heard words that sadly became true.
"This is the last time that you will see me alive or we will talk. I am dying."
Emotions struck me as a lump in the throat. In some weird kind of way, I remember the cocktail of the high, exciting feeling of the morning and now this low of lows.
My story above is actually one that I am writing again for several reasons. First, the hidden value of being a writer. Teachers and lovers of writing need to write. I am able to relive this moment above again and again. Good or bad, I remember something each time new and fresh. The first time I wrote it was on a PD Day. Donna Frecker asked me to write for 10 minutes as she did each member in her session. I hesitated and then thought, why not! I can't find that particular piece of writing from that day but the "just" of it is re written above. I now cherish the words created.
Secondly, this is an example the purest form of feedback and insight. My grandfather cared so much about my father, our family and our land that the last conversation was not about words found in movies. It was about the most needed last thing he could share, his experience and wisdom. In his dying last hours he gave again, not as father to son but as farmer to farmer, mentor to novice, ultimately passing the torch on forever. I think the good Lord had me listen in for a reason as it has taught me so much about my grandfather, feedback, legacy and living every minute.
Lastly, I share the story in hopes of knowing how important our time together in Professional PD is so valued. This is one small, implicit unattended gift from a PD Day well past. Last Monday, there were several great examples of collegial conversation and personal growth. Please keep reflecting and keep those conversations alive.
In conclusion, I hope I can encourage each of you to be a writer if are aren't already. Spend ten minutes this weekend and find the "place and space" for renewal and write about your kids. Share the writing with them next week. It will be a piece both you and the kids cherish!
Kokomo Beach Day Picture
Author Seymour Simon
Next Week:
Monday
· Yellow Day
· ISTEP – am
· ESC meeting – Smith – 10:00am
· Paint It Kids talk– Lunch hour
Tuesday
· Green Day
· ISTEP - am
Wednesday
· Blue Day
· ISTEP - am
· RTI – Office – 8:00am
· Peer Visits
Thursday
· Red Day
· ISTEP - am
· Staff Meeting – 8:00am – Adventure Center
Friday
· Orange Day
· ISTEP - am