Friday, August 30, 2013

Staff News 9/2-9/6


Happy Friday to everyone!!   I hope you are all prepared for the long weekend that you all deserve so much. 

I have a had several wonderful conversations with people who, when they find out that I work at East Elementary, have had so many complimentary things to say about what you are doing.  One conversation happened while donating blood last night.  This person had heard from a friend how much she loved East Elementary.  Thanks for what you do!

I made a few adjustments on the calendar I wanted you to be aware of.  Faculty meeting was changed back to the first Wednesday of each month.  The district will be providing training on the new teaching standards this Wednesday from 2:00-4:00.  This will be taught in our school by Sonja and Val who were trained Monday at the D.O.  For grades 3-5, please notice that we will have an assembly by Tyler Whitside who wrote Janitors on Sept. 24th at 1:30.  Please be sure to look at the online calendar each week as dates are constantly changed and updated.

Thought:  “If we lock ourselves in a  prison of failure and self-pity, we are the only jailers…we have the only key to our freedom.  Og Mandino  
Have a FANTASTIC weekend!!



Friday, August 23, 2013

Staff News
8/26-8/30


I hope you all had a wonderful first full week of school.  I’m sure that you are looking forward to a weekend to recuperate from such a busy week.  Thank you for all of your hard work, effort, and positive attitude you bring to our school.

If you turned in your classroom microphone to be fixed last year, and didn’t get it back, please come to the office and retrieve it.  The sound systems in the classrooms can make a big difference in how well students can hear and understand. 

Please notice that on the calendar, we will be practicing our evacuation drill next week.  Please review the procedure with your students.  I will distribute maps next week in case you are unable to find your map from last year.

I read a book this summer called the Traveler’s Gift.  In this book the main character visits with Harry S. Truman who provides the first step in decisions for success.   He talks about accepting responsibility for our successes, past, and decisions.  Not allowing blame for uncontrollable forces or web of the past, but to look forward and not allowing history to control destiny.  As we continue to improve what we do, I think it is important to remember that bad days are good data days (Training quote from Change Anything).

Thought:  “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”  Dr. Seuss 

Have a fantastic weekend.


Monday, August 19, 2013

Staff News 8/19-8/23

I hope you all had a fantastic first two days of school.  Thank you for making things flow so smoothly.   I love the feel of the first day of school.

Now would be a good time to review the Big 8 engagement strategies to help set the tone for the school year.

I am excited to have all of the “Read” posters from SEDC.  I will be putting them in frames to hang outside the library.  They look fantastic.  I also have several posters with quotes and positive messages.  I will also put them in frames so they can be hung in our halls.

Please note on the calendar that we have a fire drill Friday.  If you could go over the procedure for the fire drills.  Most of the students are used to fire drills.  

Have a wonderful first full week of the school year.

Thought:  “The decision to undertake change more often than not is accompanied by a kind of optimism and rosy view of the future that, temporarily at lest, obscures the predictable turmoil ahead.  But that turmoil cannot be avoided and how well it is coped with separates the boys for the men, the girls form the women.  It is…rough stuff….There are breakthroughs, but also brick walls.”  Sarason, S. (1995) The work of Restructuring Schools

Have a fantastic week!