Spartan Scoop #33
May 8, 2016
Thought for the Week:
A focus on the work of Stephen Covey:
This week we will focus on Synergizing!
Habit 6: Synergize
Dictionary definition: syn·er·gy [sin-er-jee]
1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
2. Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect.
The word synergy comes from the Greek synergos meaning working together.
Stephen Covey says,“Synergy is everywhere in nature. If you plant two plants close together, the roots commingle and improve the quality of the soil so that both plants will grow better than if they were separated. If you put two pieces of wood together, they will hold much more than the total weight held by each separately. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. One plus one equals three or more.”
In Habit 6 Covey directs our attention to the power of effective relationships. We can achieve so much more when we engage in effective relationships with others than if we acted alone.
Stephen Covey notes that synergy is difficult for many of us as independence is promoted as a strong value in the Western world today.
Achieving synergy requires high trust and high cooperation and can lead to better solutions than anyone thought of alone. Habits 4, 5, and 6 work together and create an opportunity to discover alternative and creative solutions.
If you're concerned about synergy because you know you don't trust people easily it's ok - go back to habit 1 and Be Proactive about your response to situations or other people.
You don't have to get it all right first time. This is part of a life journey of learning and developing. You will get there if you're willing to spend the time and effort developing new habits.
By Mark Connelly, Copyright 2008-2016 Change-Management-Coach.com
Building Items:
Parent Involvement Logs turned into Angie by the end of the year. Please place these in my door mailbox.
The final week for EAGLES Gifted Program classes will be the week of May 9th.
Info From the Library!
The last day for students to checkout books in the library will be Friday, May 6. All student books will be due no later than Monday, May 9. Please assist us in getting library books back by providing reminders to students when lists are sent to you. Teachers can remain checking out books and other materials until the last day of school. All items will be due before checkout. If you are teaching summer school and want to keep materials, please let us know.
End of the year items:
At the faculty meeting I passed out some of your forms that need to be completed by the end of the year.
1. Teacher End of the Year Checklist-- coming soon!
2. Classroom Inventory Sheet
3. Maintenance Survey
4. Committee List Survey-- can be done as a team or individual
All of these are due at the time you check out with Dave or myself. We will be going around checking people out. If we come to your room that last day and you are not ready to check out we will move on and return to you later.
**If you did not get the forms listed above minus the Teacher End of the Year Checklist, I will put these in labeled hanging files in a crate in the workroom. Please grab one.
Retention Reminders;
Lighter's Scale and Checklist are due to me at the end of the year. Make sure that your forms are completed correctly.
Calendar Items:
Bike for Books Competition Runs up the May 13th!
Monday, 5/9
Daily we will call down different Student Advisory Team members to do the End of the Day Announcements!
- 7:45 Talent Show Practice for Staff!
- CLT @ 8 a.m. in the Music room; Vision Review; PBS Data Share; RTI update; Standards Work Introduction
- Last day to earn a Reading Count's Lunch
- Limo Ride for Major Saver-- Angie and Dave attend with students
- PTO mtg at 5:30 for May
Tuesday, 5/10
- 7:30 Leave for Zion Lutheran Church to arrive in time to receive students at 7:50; take photos; leave to Walk to School by 8 am
- 7:45 Talent Show Practice for Staff!
- CWG Full Work day
- 2nd Graders Visit from NP and SP for transition-- in the AM and PM.
- 5th Grader's Wax Museum begins at 2:00
- Board of Education meeting at CO; 5:30 pm
Wednesday, 5/11
- Morning Assembly for MAP Incentive-- Principals "Kiss the Pig"
- 7:45 Sped Staffing Meeting
- 6th Grade Band comes to perform for 5th grade @ 8:05
- Summer School Info meeting for GBE teachers at 4:15 in the Library
Thursday, 5/12
- Big Smile Dental at GBE all day
- 3rd Grade Field trip to Kirksville
- 7:45 Talent Show Practice for Staff!
- 8:30 am GBE Scheduling Team Mtg.
- District Leadership Team Meeting at 9 am
- Title 1 end of the year mtg at Noon-- MHS PD room
- CWG last work day for all grades 12 to 3:30
Friday, 5/13
- Free Jean or Active Wear Day for Field Day!
- 7:45 Special Mtg for Certified Staff in Library-- Title 1 Review
- Field Day! Begins at 12:00
- Lunch is on your own with your class-- can eat in rooms or outside-- be conscientious of your trash
- Popsicles to end the day!
- Mrs. O'Brien visits -- Welcome her to GBE! She will be our Resource teacher for 3rd Grade next year. She and Mrs. Messer will be visiting NP and SP to meet their new students coming into GBE.
Monday, 5/16
- Big Smiles Dental at GBE all day
- PBS Success Groups go to Fox Park
- 12:40 5th Grade Recognition Practice in the Gym
- 1;45 Seniors Walk the Hall-- line up outside of your classroom doors for the walk!
- 6:00 pm 5th Grade Recognition in the Gym
Tuesday, 5/17
- Grades Due in SIS by 9 am
- 4A PBS Success at Fox Park
- Mr. Howen's Class competes in the Special Olympics Torch Run at 12:00
- 2:50 5th Grade's Award Assembly for April and May in the Gym
Wednesday, 5/18
- 7:45 Sped Staffing Meeting
- 5th Grade PBS Success at Fox Park
- 3:45 Talent Show Practice for Staff!
Thursday, 5/19
- Last Day of School-- 1/2 Day for Students
- GBE Literacy Team mtg at 7:45 in the Library
- GBE Talent Show at 9:00 in the Gym-- all dancing wear Neon or Bright Colors :)
- Staff Carry In
- Angie and Dave will begin Check out of teachers quickly after students leave campus; we will announce when and where we are starting.
Friday 5/20
- Work Day for Teachers; Normal Arrival Time
- $3 to Lisa or Julie if you are interested in Pizza for lunch!
- 10:00 Hungry Hungry Hippo Competition in the Gym--
- Teams Competing:
- 3rd, 4th, 5th, Office, and Specials :) Have a game plan!!
- Dave and Angie Continue with Check out of teachers
**Please check the Google Calendar and your email for updates from Mr. Samuel on Emergency Drills. He will be adding some to our calendar.
Thank you!
Vision Items:
CLT- Teams meet @ 8 a.m.
Meet in the Music Room-- Work over Vision Review; RTI Updates; Standards Work Introduced for the 16-17 year
Assessment Items:
CWG Data is due to Sheila Thurman and myself by the end of the year for our 5th Data point for CWG.
As you enter scores for your last assessments, please update the Data Wall for Math.
PBS-- Minutes click the shared link
Staff Birthdays:
May
Carrie Thompson - 3rd
Emily Custer- 3rd
Amy Gilmore-4th
Becky Mann - 12th
Beth Sander-27th
Jessica Mountain-28th
Emily Seiner 30h
June
Kimber Greene - 2nd
Laura Quesal- 11th
Barbara Thomas-14th
Dave Samuel-28th
July
Debi Swetnam - 2nd
Sam Martin- 16th
Stephanie Mefford-16th
Vicky Snodgrass- 16th
Ashley Buxton-22nd
Angie Doss-24th
Krystal Taulbee - 27th
Carrie Baysinger-28th
Megan Lucas-31st
August
Della Cochran-4th
Gabe Burris- 5th
Miranda Easley- 8th
Janene Mathis- 11th
April Messer-20th
Julie Wood - 22nd
Katelyn Wright-28th
Lollipop Moments:
Thanks to the Creator of the Bio Wax Museum Flyer--Janene noted that it was pure genius and they are appreciative of the assistance!
A big Thank you to Jessica Mountain and Amber Land for helping create the backdrops for the fifth grade Recognition photo opps for families! You ladies are so creative!!
Thank you to Samantha for extending her time to have students come down as needed for Star make ups and to re-take if their best effort was not put forward.
Three of our teachers need to be noted for going without lunch when they saw students had a need for lunch on a field trip last week. Thank you-- Krystal, Kelsey and Amanda E.. What a difference this made for three students that day.
Thoughts to End the Year: "Why Do I Teach?"
"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." ~Henry Adams
A Professional Development Challenge for next year--
Angie