Savor the Sweetness
Take just a minute as you begin a day, or as you sit back to do your read aloud - pause on purpose. Look at those students before you. Really look at them. Gazing back at you are not the children who sat before you in August. They are connected to you. They are independent. They have grown. You have laughed together. You have struggled together. You've shared fun days and challenging days. Everything you've put into the journey has made a difference. It's right in front of you. Look at it. Delight in it. Celebrate it in that minute.
It''s essential right now, that your focus is on the celebration. It's where you will draw the strength to finish strong.
A teacher told me the other day that she just felt like making fun stuff with kids. Do it! Instead of trying to contain the bubbling building of energy that comes with the approach of summer - use it to end the year building relationships, just as you began it.
Constraints are essential when energy is high, but do something with the energy...go outside and play a game together. Take a walk around the property. Do a little dance....
Ultimately, don't cheat yourself out of the celebration. You did wonders with your students this year. No one will appreciate that more than you. Take the time to soak in the glory.
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| A group of first grade students lined up to play 'Bus Stop'...day after day! I've seen this in other classrooms with other kids. This Beat performance really influenced kids! |
Cheers!
Renaissance Secondary has been approved.
and...
our one and only...
Debra Rabideau....
has been chosen to be the Principal of this new school!
(Wild cheering and clapping!!!)
(speaking to oneself: Oh man, I'm so happy for her! And...so sad for me! What will I do without her?!)
There is much to be discovered, decided and planned for the next steps for Renaissance Secondary. Debbie will be with us, in her current role, through our first semester - and then, we'll just see where things are at.
Congratulations Debbie!!!
They selected the absolute best!
Hiring Update:
The hiring is complete!
The hiring is complete!
We have hired Mike Hillen for third grade. Mike is currently an experienced Douglas County teacher and wildly excited to join our school.
So to recap:
We have hired Teresa Littrell for our 2/3 Discovery position
Samantha Burns for third grade
Mike Hillen for third grade
Michelle Wright was assigned to Renaissance as our School Psychologist and she will be with us on Tuesday's of each week. Michelle sent me a little note to share with all of you:
Hi,
I am Michelle Wright and I am looking forward to joining the wonderful staff at Renaissance Elementary. I have been working in Douglas County School District for the past four years as a school psychologist at Redstone Elementary.
Prior to that, I worked as a school psychologist through BOCES and before that I was a bilingual teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District in California.
I have been married to my husband Steve for 21 years and we have three teenage boys. Ethan (18) and he will be attending UCCS next year, Cam (17) and he will be a senior next year and Matt(14) and he will start high school in the fall. I love spending time reading and traveling and hanging out with my boys. I can't wait to get to know the staff, students, and community of Renaissance Elementary. I also will be working at Castle Rock Elementary for 3 days and one day with pre-schools. My e-mail is mmwright@dcsdk12.org.
Update on Noreene and Sara:
Noreene has moved to the Parker Life Center of Stonegate. She isn't sure just when she will return home, but hoping that it will be soon. She loves to have visitors. The rehab center address is: 15720 Garden Plaza Dr. Parker, CO. Once she is home, she'll need some assistance with meals, errands, and company!
Sara came through her surgery fine. She's at home and doing physical therapy which she will be doing twice a week all summer. She stopped by the school today so she is definitely up and around. She's being a 'good patient' and following all the instructions. I could tell she was excited to be walking with a knee that works. Yeah Sara!
A Quick Read
A quick and good article about teaching perseverance from Responsive Classroom:
Information coming from the district level:
ASSESSMENT DEVELOPMENT TEAMS:
Assessment and System Performance is providing opportunities for teachers to participate in assessment development teams next year. Teachers will receive a stipend for creating assessments that will be added to the district assessment library. These development teams will meet for a short development cycle (about six weeks) and meet on a Saturday at the beginning and end of the cycle. Click here to see the list of opportunities.
Calendar
May 23 - 27th:
Julie Vrattos birthday
Tuesday:
NO MTSS
Deborah out of the building (grandson having surgery)
Wednesday:
The Beat
Sixth Grade Showcase Celebrations 1:30 p.m.
Family Day @ Baskin Robbins 1 - 6 p.m.
Thursday:
Retirement celebration for Josie and Kristin in the cafeteria at 4:00
Friday:
Sixth Grade to St. Mary's Glacier
May 30 - June 3rd:
Monday:
No School - Memorial Day
Tuesday:
NO MTSS
Sixth Grade Closing Circle 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (appreciated if all staff is present, if possible)
Wednesday:
Last day of school with students
All School Drum Circle (details to come)
(No report cards will be released until Friday, and no student class assignments will be sent until Thursday afternoon. Nothing will be going home with students on the last day of school.)
Wednesday Afternoon:
Grade levels will exchange information (you can connect with one another to arrange this)
3:30 Acknowledgment circle for Suzie and Melani
Thursday:
Teacher work day - moving folks if necessary
A check out list will be provided (I'll email that to you Monday)
Report Cards released by teachers
Emails sent to parents with class assignments
End of year staff celebration at Deborah's 4:00 until whenever
* All staff welcome even if you are not working on Thursday
* Snack foods provided
53 Gordon Drive
Castle Rock
(very close to school)
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Deborah
“Almost lost you," he thought, surprised to find himself blinking back tears. "Been through too much, me and you. We're going to finish this thing together.”
― Brom, The Child Thief
― Brom, The Child Thief
“The fairies, as their custom, clapped their hands with delight over their cleverness, and they were so madly in love with the little house that they could not bear to think they had finished it.”
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
