In the Middle Newsletter
December 3-7
Principal Ponderings: vulnerability
In a conversation with my intern teacher back in the day after a frustrating stretch, he reminded me that we strike out some days, other times we hit singles, and here and there we hit home runs (we are both baseball fans). All are more than okay and an important part of the growing process. Lately, I've been feeling likely I've been either striking on three pitches or hitting weak singles, managing more than leading, treading water vs. swimming upstream.
In speaking with Allison last night she also provided a great reminder that all of us wear many different hats, and sometimes one hat might require a longer wear than others. Good news is that we are always in control of two things, our effort and our attitude, and regardless of the season in our life we can always do those two things to the best of our ability.
Administrative Items
- Lunch Duty: King, Ott, Ettinger
- SPOW: 8th Science
- Late Start: Department
- P2: Kindness folder
- Lancer Leader tickets: Continue to be intentional of handing out 1 ticket per day. Over the next three weeks, I think a solid goal is to have 300 Lancer Leader tickets turned in. The document is here if you need more.
- 8th grade PE swimming unit will continue this week. First hour PE will finish up on Tuesday, and then 2nd hour will begin on Thursday then continue the following week Tuesday and Thursday. We will flip 1st and 2nd hour on the days 2nd hour is swimming.
- Tis concert season so please be aware that there will be requests to combine some choir/band classes so the groups can have an opportunity to work together prior to their performances. Choir has been worked out and information regarding Band will be communicated shortly. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility in advance.
- Paul Liabenow had wonderful things to say about the look of our building when he was shocked to learn about its age. He complimented on the politeness of our students that he interacted with in the hallways and in classrooms. He has affirmed the importance of our work with P2 as he continues to speak with people throughout the state and beyond on the importance of social-emotional learning and building strong supportive relationships. He was impressed with the work being done in our ELA classrooms and the awesome classroom libraries that he witnessed. I wished we could have had him stay longer to get to other areas, however, he was on a tight schedule for his day in SW Michigan.
Upcoming Dates and Events
12/3
- Swegles at HS 9:00-10:00
12/3-4
- Arend out at 5D+ training
12/4
- 8th-grade 1st hour PE swimming
- Angst documentary showing, district event, 6:30pm-8pm, HS auditorium
12/5-7
- MEMSPA Conference, Swegles out, cell anytime and periodic email checks
12/6
- Choir concert, 7pm, HS auditorium
12/6,11, and 13
- 8th-grade 2nd hour PE Swimming
- We will flip 1st and 2nd hour on these dates. Thank you for your flexibility in advance.
12/10
- Board Meeting, 5:30pm, MS media center
Are you interested in donating dollars for denim in December? Proceeds will go towards the holiday fundraiser. If you pay upfront from the 6 days then the total cost is $25. If you pay by the day it will be $5 each day. Jeans may be worn on:
Thursday, December 6
Friday, December 7
Thursday, December 13
Friday, December 14
Thursday, December 20
Friday, December 21
Jane will have an envelope in the office starting the first week in December.
Instructional Strategy
Writing for an Audience Beyond the Teacher: 10 Reasons to Send Student Work Out Into the World
sidenote: Paul Liabenow said that if you have any work that you'd like to potentially have published he works with a publishing company that puts out student work. Let me know.
Resources Worth Sharing
A Special Educator's Call: All Students Need Genuine Friendships
The classroom atmosphere a teacher cultivates can enhance students' academic, physical, and social and emotional success. Empowering students to practice kindness and create positive relationships with one another is a worthy goal.
Tweet of the Week
What I'm Reading: Gung Ho, Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles
1. The Spirit of the Squirrel: Worthwhile work
2. The Way of the Beaver: In control of achieving the goal
3. Not there yet....
Holiday Fundraisers and Events
Pie in Da Face: Need volunteers who are willing to be pied in the face at the holiday assembly before break. Kids will vote with money for who they want to see pied, and the winning staff member from each grade level will get pied multiple times. We will provide shower caps and rain ponchos.
If you'd like to humiliate yourselves in the spirit of the holidays, please shoot Chelsea an email by December 7th! Bidding starts December 10.
Half Court Shots: Purchase 1 ticket for $2 or 6 for $10. Student s that purchase a ticket will shoot a half court shot during either Family Meeting on 12/19 or Assembly on 12/21. If they make it, they will get $20. Students will be able to purchase their tickets from their advisory teacher starting December 10 through December 21.
Dodgeball Tournament: $20 per team. The tournament will run after school on December 14 to approximately 4:30. Staff TEAM(s)?
Candy Cane Sales: $.50 each or $1 to remain anonymous. Candy Canes will be delivered on December 21 in Advisory.
Hat and/or Pajama Day: $1 for one or $2 for both. December 19
LMS Stand Ugly Sweater Contest: details to come.
Retiree/Staff Luncheon: details to come on Wednesday