Chancellor News and Notes
May 6-17, 2019
Happy Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!
I love getting to come to a place where the people I work with genuinely care about what they do. We are here to be difference-makers in the lives of children, and this job is truly a calling. While there are always things we don't like about the job, it's important to keep the main thing the main thing: we are here for the kids, and to help them grow. So thank you for taking a job that may not pay as much money as others, in order to make a difference and a daily impact on the lives of our students and their families.
Below is a link for ways Houston area businesses are also celebrating you! And Mrs. Wong shared a link to TCEA for free for a year, which is awesome for all things technology! Go sign up this week! The link is below as well.
Keep it Positive, and Keep it Moving :)
A few big to-do items:
- Do NOT take down your emergency maps in your room. Mr. H. is going to walk around and review and change them out as needed after school gets out, so please leave them on the wall.
- If you are ELA, please empty the Treasures small group book crates and return to the book rooms. We are not taking back the Treasures leveled readers, but we need the crates for the new adoption coming in.
- Review your countdown sheet for turn in times and days.
- Textbook check-in started today in 5th, and we will work our way down the grade levels. Our goal is to be done by Wednesday so you have plenty of time to search for missing items, and we can do textbook inventory. We will bring you a cart you can load when it is almost your time.
- Turn in your placement sheets (white copy) to your supervisor when you have signed copies from all students who were placed/retained in your class. Yellow copies go in cum folder.
5 Things to Try for a Week!
By Jon Gordon
"One of the biggest threats to building a great team and organization is complaining."
When we complain we focus on everything else but being our best. Complaining actually costs the economy billions of dollars in lost productivity and it will sabotage the morale, engagement and culture of your team if you let it.
So, this week I want to encourage you to implement The No Complaining Rule. Not because it will make everyone around you happier, although it will, but because it will help you experience more joy, peace, success, positive relationships and better teamwork.
Then I want to encourage you to ask your team, company, school organization, and family to do it as well.
Try it even for just a week.
Believe me; I know a lot about complaining. I use to be a professional complainer and found that it not only sabotages your own happiness and success but the success of your team and family.
I realized we complain for two main reasons.
1. We feel powerless.
2. It's a habit.
I decided to break the habit and when I stopped complaining I started to create the life that I wanted. Let's face it, if you are complaining, you're not leading.
To help you break out of a "complaining" rut here are five things you can do instead of complain. These tips will help you realize you are not powerless. You have the power to choose your beliefs and actions. And in your focus on the positive instead of the negative you'll find the faith, strength and confidence to take on life’s challenges and identify the solutions to your complaints.
1. Practice Gratitude. Research shows that when we count three blessings a day, we get a measurable boost in happiness that uplifts and energizes us. It's also physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. Two thoughts cannot occupy our mind at the same time. If you are focusing on gratitude, you can't be negative. You can also energize and engage your coworkers by letting them know you are grateful for them and their work.
2. Praise Others. Instead of complaining about what others are doing wrong, start focusing on what they are doing right. Praise them and watch as they create more success as a result. Of course, point out their mistakes so they can learn and grow, but make sure you give three times as much praise as criticism.
3. Focus on Success. Start a success journal. Each night before you go to bed, write down the one great thing about your day. The one great conversation, accomplishment, or win that you are most proud of. Focus on your success, and you'll look forward to creating more success tomorrow.
4. Let Go. Focus on the things that you have the power to change, and let go of the things that are beyond your control. You’ll be amazed that when you stop trying to control everything, it all somehow works out. Surrender is the answer.
5. Pray. Scientific research shows that daily prayer reduces stress; boosts positive energy; and promotes health, vitality, and longevity. When you are faced with the urge to complain or you are feeling stressed to the max, stop, be still, plug-in to the ultimate power, and recharge.
The next 2 weeks are busy!
- STAAR buddies- please deliver your treats for STAAR classes by Friday, as they start testing on Monday.
- This Saturday is the Chancellor Running Club Inaugural 5K! Come out and support your students and run/walk with them! (if it is raining, plans may change)
- Friday is World Lupus Day- wear a purple shirt with jeans to support Lupus awareness (and every Wednesday!)
- STAAR testing is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so be prepared for no outside recess and with your students on those days.