Mustang Message
April 23. 2018
A Principal's Perspective
As we finished our last book study on The Other Wes Moore, our group discussed the power of an educator. Despite the circumstances, it just takes one teacher, principal, para, or other educator to make a difference in a student's life. We all know and have experienced the power of an educator. Jill Biden's presentation at a recent conference highlights the power of educators despite the overwhelming odds within our nation, community, and with each difficult student situation that we encounter. Individually and collectively, we provide hope, inspiration, and a pathway to a successful future for each of our students that we pour into each and every day. Thank you for your leadership, passion, and creativity that you give to our students at GP!
Speech Exert from Jill Biden's presentation at the ASCD Empower18 conference:
Find creative solutions. Biden told the story of Maha Al Ashqar, the principal at an all-girls elementary school on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan. Jordan had become home to hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and Ashqar's school was overwhelmed by girls looking for an education. Unfortunately, the school did not have enough desks to accommodate new students so Ashqar was forced to turn many away. But when a desperate mother pleaded for a space – and told Ashqar what it took for her family to escape Syria-- Ashqar couldn't say no. Instead, she told the woman to send her daughter to school with a chair—any chair she could find. When Ashqar arrived at school the next day, she found a line of little girls, all holding chairs and waiting at the door.
This is what educators do, Biden said. Educators find creative ways to transition and solve problems. "When schedules get moved around, when students are in crisis, when we're supposed to turn nothing into something, educators find ways to lead through the chaos," she said. "We have to think on our feet. We have to use what we have and figure it out."
Be Innovative - Design the possibilities!
Donna
Morning Duties for the Week
Gym & Morning Assembly (7:20-7:45): Lutz
Gym (7:20-7:45): Wolf
Parent Drop Off Direct Traffic (7:20-7:55): Cooper
Parent Drop Off Car Doors (7:20-7:55): C. Anderson & Kieschnick
Cafeteria (7:20-8:00): Eppes
Bus (7:15 - 7:55 Buses/ Car Drop Off after all buses arrive): Lewis
Counselor Schedule: - 4th Grade Guidance
Librarian: PC
Week at a Glance
Monday: 1st & 2nd Switch CAMP; 4th Grade field trip to Washington on the Brazos; Book Fair; 3:05-4:00 Choir
Tuesday: 1st & 2nd Switch CAMP; Cougar Mentors at CSHS at 11:00; Book Fair; Imagineers 7:30
Wednesday: 1st & 2nd Switch CAMP; Book Fair, Lunch Lounge Wednesday (Jeans & a GP Shirt); 1st Grade Musical 2:00 Kinder audience only; Book Fair & Fine Arts Night: 6:00-8:00 First Grade & Choir performing
Thursday: Kinder grad pictures; Book Fair; SIT end of year review/possible retention discussions
Friday: Book Fair; Math Meetings K-4 with Bartosh; PTO hamburger picnic for staff
News & Notes
- Lunch Lounge Wednesday: Eating lunch in the lounge, wear jeans, and a GP shirt helps to build a positive school culture? Yes! It is scientific! Well not really, but those that eat together and wear a school shirt all while wearing jeans must be a good thing! If you would like to participate, eat in the teacher's lounge, wear your jeans and a GP Shirt that day! Win Win!
- April ELA & Math meetings: ELA meetings will be on Friday, April 20th. Math meetings will be Friday, April 27th.
- Relay for Life Luminaries: Relay for Life will be from 10:00 am -10:00 pm on May 5th at the Expo Center/Fair Lot. The Survivor Lap will still be the 1st lap. The Luminaria Ceremony will be around 8:15 pm. We have Luminaria bags and order forms in the office workroom. These bags are a way to honor someone or in memory of someone. If interested, each bag should have its own form. Bags are $5 along with a can of food. Decorate your bag. The can of food is to hold the bag down during Relay and will be donated to the church pantry after the event. Bags and forms will be picked up Thursday, April 26th. So, if interested in having a Luminaria bag in memory or honor of someone, complete the form, decorate the bag, and turn both on along with $5 and a canned good item. To raise money from GP to Relay for Life, we will have a $1 day to wear hat & jeans on Tuesday, May 1st. Students can participate as well.
Comp Day Information
DRAFT Proposal (This will change as we get more information from Central Office.)
All Professional Staff:
1/2 Day = 3 Hours
1/2 Day Schoology Workshop (may be offered in person or on-line)
1/2 Day GT Credit (will be offered as a summer on your own activity designed by Murphy)
1/2 Day Required On-Line Training - Topics to be determined. There are Eduhero type trainings (bloodborne pathogens, etc. )
Classroom Teachers:
1/2 Day Grade Level Planning (Late July/August when curriculum is ready)
1/2 Day Running Records - K-1st & 2-4th ELA Offered by ELA Specialists
1/2 Day Math K-1st & 2-4th Math Teachers Offered by Math Specialist
1/2 Day Your Choice - District workshops, curriculum preparation, You Matter Planning, Writing Institute, conference/workshop, Day 4 of GT staff development
PPCD & SPED:
Life Skills & Resource District Summer Workshops
AGC Conference
1/2 Team Planning with like programs
1/2 Attendance at a GP grade level summer planning
1/2 Running Records with GP ELA Specialists
Paraprofessional:
Technology Workshops
District Planned Workshops To Be Determined
Mustang Yee Haws!
Next week, the office refrigerator will be stocked full of goodies compliments of Michelle Taylor & Jennifer Jennings Stover with Next Home Realty Solutions BCS.
Happy Birthday
This Week Birthdays:
Heather Jankowski, April 23rd