Friday Flash: March 2, 2018

Dear Introvert,
I know that as Saturday night approaches your anxiety is rising! You might even be experiencing slight feels of...dare I say it... dread.
Fear not! We believe in pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone. (Ah, geesh...that again!)
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is the 'Why' you are there. Hopefully you'll arrive home surprised, and acknowledging that you actually had a good time! In any case, you will know that you made a difference by your show of support.
We are attending this event because we all joined together to create a school where collectively we are empowering students to change the world. We know that we are on to something in the way we do that! We experience every day the power of our mission and are not willing to see this experience reduced by lack of funding.
Kurt Hahn believed that when there is a need, call on those around us, and the call will be answered. I believe him and that's why I'll be there.
And to my fellow introverts, here are a few tips to carry you through the evening!

Be Purposeful:

Thoughts tend to be self-fulfilling. If you approach small talk with the belief that it will be dull and pointless, it probably will. Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts (“I’m awful at this,” “I hate small talk,” or “when can I go home?”), remind yourself that small talk isn't superficial. Small talk serves an important purpose - it helps build the foundation for authentic conversations and deeper relationships down the road. Think of small talk as the light appetizer before the main course, and approach it with renewed purpose.

Channel your curiosity:

Introverts tend to be curious people. They love digging deep, delving into topics that interest them, and learning what makes people tick. Channel your natural curiosity into small talk. When you ask “how are you?” or “how was your weekend?”, approach the conversation with genuine interest. Carefully listen to the other person, and provide a thoughtful response. If you show true interest, you’ll invite further discussion and set a positive tone for future interactions.

Ask Questions:

Introverts tend to feel uncomfortable in the spotlight. They are often reluctant to disclose too much about themselves, especially to new people. So how can you start conversations and keep them flowing? The answer is simple – ask questions. By allowing the other person to take center stage initially, you can build your comfort level and test the waters before sharing your own thoughts. If you feel uncomfortable or fatigued mid-conversation, ask more questions and subtly turn the attention away from yourself.

I had the pleasure of observing Ms. Amanda teach several students the flow of a conversation this week.
It is a skill!
(This isn't the picture of that lesson)

Gina shared some photos from her Crew!

Calendar

March 5 - 9:

Monday:
* New Parent Orientation 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday:
* MTSS
* Kenny's Crew Service Work
* 4th grade field work 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday:
* The Beat
* Professional Development

Friday;
* Lock Down Drill 3:15 p.m.

March 12 - 16:

Monday:
* Vision/hearing recheck 9:30 a.m. library

Tuesday:
* MTSS
* REA meeting 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday:
* Archery Award Ceremony 9:00 a.m.
* Professional Development

Friday:
Students DO come to school (be sure to remind parents)

Early Literacy Study