Bear Tracks
November 18, 2016
A Note From the Principal:
Dear Bear Tavern Staff,
Good Luck at conferences. While the idea of meeting with so many parents has to potential to create nerves and anxiety; remember that it is our chance to show how much we know about each of our students and how much we do to help them each day. You know your stuff and now it is time to share with parents how much we care about their children and how we can help them grow, regardless of their starting point!
While it is a subject that I sometimes try to broach lightly, this will be my first round of parent/teacher conferences as a BT parent. I only say that because I am blown away and thankful every day for the experience that each of my boys has. I'm so glad and grateful that they are here. It is important to share this 'outsiders' perspective. Have confidence during conferences, show families the professionals that you are and be sure to take a moment to simply enjoy the opportunity for interaction. You are very appreciated; that I know.
Two other things I'd like to point out:
Please take a look at the article of the week. We have talked about sharing ideas and learning from each other a lot. Just this week, I saw cross grade-level collaboration and sharing that was INCREDIBLE. Start to give some thought to the concepts in the article and stay tuned. I can tell you that there are many ways that we will explore the ideas of peer visitations in the coming months. Please let me know how I can help get the process started if you are interested. For the time being, read the article and think about the concept. Kick it around with some colleagues to start to picture if and how that could work at Bear Tavern...
Also, today I kicked off a new feature called "Bear Tavern Basics" (see far bottom). It is a video that will be 4 minutes or less each week recorded with an iPad app called Touchcast. I want to provide families with an update of what is happening and what is coming, and want to explore and play around with ways to use video to engage families. Touchcast lets you use photos, websites, titles and more on top of you video. It even lets you use a green screen for special backgrounds, but I'm not there yet. Please let me know if you have ideas to make it better or if you want to work with me to try it out down the road. We can figure it out together.
Have a great weekend and enjoy conferences! Reach out if you need anything.
Sincerely,
Chris
Key Information:
#BearTavernRocks - Please send rocks home today if you haven't already! I want to thank everyone for their flexibility and open minds. The Den Groups were a HUGE success. I want to thank Beth and the entire "BT Rocks" committee for all of the organization and preparation. We still have lots of paint and brushes. We will be setting them up for faculty room painting in the next few weeks. IF YOU'D LIKE TO PAINT ROCKS IN YOUR HOMEROOM (or any material you'd like to paint), JUST LET ME KNOW AND WE'LL MAKE THE PAINT STUFF AVAILABLE.
Pennies from Heaven - The return date for piggy banks is 11/28, but as that is the Monday after Thanksgiving Break, we will accept them on the 29th as well.
** OUR TIME IS NOW ** Bulletin Board - Joanne did a great job creating the "Our Time is Now" bulletin board. Each month, we'll update it to highlight the "Our Time is Now" theme. This month is to Show Kindness and Empathy". ANY CLASS IS INVITED TO ADD WAYS THAT WE SHOW KINDNESS AND/OR EMPATHY and stick it right up there to fill it out. Just staple on up!
Upcoming Dates:
AFTERNOON ENRICHMENT/ACTIVITIES:
There will be no District Enrichment Clubs on early dismissal days, an email will be sent when we confirm the YMCA after-school activities for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday of next week.
THE WEEK(s) AHEAD:
11/18 - Book Fair / Parent - Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal Schedule)
11/18 - Dress like your favorite Literary Character Spirit Day
11/18 - Pre-School Collab Day
11/21 - Early Dismissal Schedule - Parent Teacher Conferences *PTO STAFF DINNER*
11/21 - STAFF Breakfast
11/22 - Early Dismissal Schedule - GrandPals Niefer
11/22 - 1st Grade Thanksgiving Celebration 9-10:30
11/23 - Early Dismissal Schedule - K Thanksgiving Celebration 9-11