MMM 2/22/16

Hey All,

Some big things have happened to me this past week.  First, I've decided to apply to a few local universities to get a doctorate.  I have to have my applications in by next week, so I am in hustle mode.  I also am preparing to take the GRE for the applications.  That happens this next Saturday.  Wish me luck!  I just received a new responsibility in my church.  That requires me to reflect a little about what I need to do.  Last, this is the five year anniversary of my mom's passing and that definitely makes me reflect on the kind of person I've developed into over the past five years.  I am going to write a tribute to my mom in my personal blog.  If you want to read it, here is a link to it.  Speaking of blogging...
Blogging
So, I've already spoke of Voxer and Twitter and how I use those two amazing tools for personal PD and although I won't spend a lot more time on the MMMs talking about them to all of you, I will not stop talking about them because I see them as such valuable tools.  Here is a challenge to you, get on twitter and ask a simple question with #edchat hooked to the end of it and see what happens.  A question such as, "What is a good activity to have with the Ss that connects magnetism and static electricity? #edchat"  Give it a shot and share what happens.  Here is my tweet link.  Hopefully I get some responses.
Enough of that.  My next form of personal PD I use is blogging.  I not only blog myself which is a wonderful reflection activity, but I follow several other blogs where I read about some amazing ideas. Many of these ideas, I share with you.  Others, I just try out on my own.  Some of the things I try don't work out, others I try really make being a principal and educator amazing.  Some of the people I follow:
Adam Welcome
Todd Nesloney
Brad Gustafson
Sam LeDeaux
Andy Jacks
David Theriault
Joe Clark
Jay Posack
George Couros
Eric Sheninger
To name a few.  Most are principals because that is what I am, but in this list I just gave you, one is a teacher, another is a divisional principal/author/consultant, and one is a superintendent.  How did I find these people to follow?  Well, through twitter at first, but then through my other connections too. Do I read everything these people put out?  Absolutely Not! I would never get anything done, but I do check most of their blog titles and I read a few every week.
Have you thought about blogging yourself?  Many of you, really all of you, require your students to write whether on a blog or by some other means.  If this is the case? Are you doing it too?  Are you modeling for your students your writing?  I don't mean writing in front of the class for writing workshop, but writing for beyond the classroom, possibly to a world audience.  That is what blogging can do.
I hope you don't feel like I'm giving you too much to think about or do.  Do or don't do.  That is up to you.  However, please don't base your don't do on an excuse like you don't have time.  Understand that all of these people I read are all educators who have family and school responsibilities.  They perform amazingly with what they have to do, and they still blog.  Some might say, by reading some of these things, you may be saving time because learning and applying good practice saves time, or makes the most of the time you have.  Think about it.

Question of the Week
Nobody answered this question from last week, so here it is again.  Let's get some chatter going!! When you think about the phrase, "Kids Deserve It," what comes to your mind?  What part do you play in this?

Please pay attention to the To Be Aware Ofs.  There is some important information there.

To Be Aware Of

• There is a question of the week above.  Please respond.  We want to use it as a conversation piece.  Please take part.
• Ground breaking for the new school in scheduled for March 1st.  Please have conversations with your students about staying away from the machinery.  We have already talked to the Jr. High and they have agreed to let us use their yard for recesses.  We will need to be aware of their needs and we will have to rearrange things over their so we aren't in their way.  Please be understanding and flexible.  They are doing us a favor.
• I am in the process of finishing up the student and stakeholder surveys.  I know I said I would get those done last week, but I am still working on them.  Thanks for your understanding (that I'm kind of a goober).
• What do you think of this?  An orthodontist will send a dollar to Grovecrest for every A on a report card that students will email to them.  They don't have to be a patient. http://wadethompsonortho.com/we-pay-for-a/  Should I send this out to parents?
• Don't forget Self evaluations on Observertab.  Many I can tell have started, but haven't submitted.  If you have questions about how to do that, please come talk to me.
• Collaboration incentives/Summer Collaboration Grants will be due on March 14th.  Refer to an email I forwarded to you this weekend for forms.  You will need to use collaboration time on Mondays and you will have a bit of time on March 7th as well.
• REMINDER:  Don't ever leave a student unattended with a device or in the computer lab.  There was an incident at another school here in PG where the teacher left some students unattended and they accessed some inappropriate material.  This goes for use of Chromebooks.  Make sure your instruction takes place behind the students so you can see the screen.  If there is a need to move to the front of the room, think of what you could do so you are always aware of where your students are (maybe send a student up to write on the board).  I just don't want anyone to get in trouble.
• I've noticed that Edivate has dropped off.  Please take advantage of this amazing venue for personal PD.  If you need some help with it, tell me what you are looking for and let me help you find some things.
• Keep track of what duty you have each week.  There have been a few times where there hasn't been someone out on duty.  We need to make sure the kids are safe.  Here is a link to the duty list for quick reference
• Grovecrest now has a Facebook Page.  www.facebook.com/grovecgrizzlies.  Please like and post whenever you can.  We want our community to take part in it as well.  I hope they will post using our new hashtag #WeRGrizzlies.  When talking to parents, encourage them to take part.  I've started a few new hashtags to go along with this.  They are #GrovecrestGrover and #GrovecrestFam.  Any one of the three is unique to us.

Cleaning Schedule

Sept.  Office

Oct. 6th Grade

Nov.  5th Grade

Dec.  3rd Grade

Jan.  2nd Grade

Feb. 1st Grade

Mar. 4th Grade

Apr. SPED and Computer Specialist

May  Kinder, Life Skills, & P.E. Specialist

Lunch Schedule

Refer to the schedule.  Here is a link.

Save The Date

2/23 Council PTA Mtg 9:30 Kyle
2/23 SAGE Testing and Ethics training @ D.O. 1:00 Kyle and Ryan
2/23 BYU PIE Mtg 2:30 @ D.O.  Kyle
2/24 CTL Mtg 8:15
2/24 PTA Mtg 12-1
2/25 Principals Divisional Collaboration Mtg 2-3:30 Kyle
2/25 4th Grade Utah Program 2-3:30 in Gym
2/26 PGJH Music Department Visit for 6th Grade 1:45-2:30
2/29 Reading Reveal Assembly
2/29-3/4 Random Acts of Kindness Week
2/29-3/10 Battle of the Books
2/29 Art and Music Extravaganza
3/1 Choir Assembly
3/2 Dr. Seuss Day
3/3 7th Grade Orientation
3/3 Choir Evening Concert

*Look at the Faculty Calendar on Google for other events.

Happy Birthday

Celebrations

• Thanks to Steve for being the Rodent Catcher.  With the trailers being taken and construction across the street, some mice have found their way into the building.  Steve has caught quite a few.  He is doing all he can to catch all of them.  If you suspect in your room, let him know.
• Both ballroom teams did amazing this weekend at the UVU competition at PGHS.  Level one teams both took gold and level two teams took a silver and gold.  Fantastic dancing!  One team from each will move on to the national competition at BYU in March.  Good luck kids!
• Jackie used iPads and QR codes in her class this last week as an activity with math.  Making math fun for her little mathematicians!
• Can't help but love what is happening in music class.
• Thanks to Lisa Tueller for all she does for our little ones in Double Dosing.  Please let her know how much we appreciate her.
• Thanks to the aides for all they do.  They've had to step into classes and be subs when Kelly hasn't found some for you.  They are great on the fly!
• Both trailers in the back are gone.  It's getting close!  March 1st! Be ready!

I try to get around and see everyone as much as possible.  I know that I miss amazing things.  If you notice anyone on your team or on another team doing awesome things, please let me know.  Better yet, take a picture and put it out on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram with #WeRGrizzlies!

Check out our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Really awesome things going on.  Fantastic job everyone!!

Challenge of the Week
Get on twitter and ask a simple question with #edchat hooked to the end of it and see what happens.  A question such as, "What is a good activity to have with the Ss that connects magnetism and static electricity? #edchat"  Give it a shot and share what happens.  Here is my tweet link.  Hopefully I get some responses.

Great Video of the Week
Did you know you could be entered to win an iPad Air 2s by watching videos on Edivate?  STEM videos are worth 2 entries!  Here is a link to one.  https://www.pd360.com/#resources/videos/11755

Funny of the Week


Quote for the Week


If you can't do this sincerely, Fake it until you make it!

Have an Amazing week!