In the Middle Newsletter
February 3-7
Principal Ponderings: Impacts of Interruptions to Routine
Kids were stoked...pool, hot tub, own room with a TV, etc. Mom and dad, not so much. Then I got to thinking about how this is going to impact my kids in a negative way which then got me thinking about how our students' lives at home impact their own school experience and learning.
I saw a graphic on Twitter recently that said, "when the family falls apart, the school steps in." It doesn't have to be a family event that causes things to fall apart. It could be an unexpected car repair that alters your routine transportation. A loss of a job that has a drastic effect on the family budget that changes plans. A late night out due to an unforeseen circumstance. The family suite at the local Holiday Inn Express. All of these can throw off an adult who can cope let alone a child.
If something feels amiss with a student, it probably is. Don't pry, but inquire. Check-in.
Give grace instead of grief. Grace allows you to build that relationship to the point that when you ask if everything is okay for the 5th, 6th, or 7th time that student will confide in you that mom has cancer and prognosis is not good, which is a true scenario that happened recently in our building.
Our job as educators is hard, but I can't express how important we all are in our students' lives. Someday, many are going to describe you the way you described your favorite teacher today.
Administrative Items
- Lunch Duty: Cvengros/Nichols, Ott, Plichta
- Lancer Leader of the Week: Design Thinking/Production
- Late Start: Course
- P2: LOVE
- PLC schedule for second semester Link will also be placed in The Hub.
Upcoming Dates and Events
- Board Meeting, 5:30, LMS Learning Center
2/11
- Admin Meeting, 1:15, Swegles/Arend @ CO
2/12
- Spring Count Day
2/13
- 6th grade Honors Assembly, 7:40am, gymnasium
2/14
- 1/2 day students, 1/2 day comp
- 7th grade Honors Assembly, 7:40am, gymnasium
2/17
- No School
2/18
- 8th grade Honors Assembly, 7:40am, gymnasium
Steve Cvengros, February 7*
I got excited last week.
Carole Conrad, February 11
Resources Worth Sharing
"It is imperative that the education community understands and adequately addresses newcomer ELL students' struggles to ensure their success. An estimated one in every 10 public school students is learning to speak English, and that number continues to grow (NPR)."
"Middle schools and summer camps play different roles in society. Middle schools are a legally required step in a child's development meant to prepare them for college and career, while summer camps are often elective experiences focusing on a broad range of skills. Yet, for more than a century, summer camps have been praised for their ability to provide adolescents with a positive experience that encourages growth, independence, and personal development."
I spent two summers at https://www.campwalt.com/ and it was amazing...and I was the counselor. I can only imagine the experience for the kids. The directors focused heavily on a number of the mentioned areas.
Tweet of the Week
^^^^^Real talk^^^^^
I experience this at LMS frequently. So many great teachers doing wonderful things for kids.