May 16, 2014

Focus on the Joy

We are in the home stretch now! Please be kind to yourself and keep your expectations for what you would like to do between now and the end of the year in a realistic place. Often, our desires are bigger than our time and ability. I wonder how it would feel at the end of the year if you scaled back your expectations of what you have placed on your 'to do' list between now and the end of the year?

As a mom, I've stayed up way into the wee hours of the night just to put the finishing touches on a holiday or special event, to wind up frustrated the next day. Frustrated, because my kids didn't especially notice or appreciate all the extra I had done. I found out that they loved the celebration of being together the most. I also found out that I enjoyed it more if I wasn't completely wiped out!

This can also be the time of year when it's important to 'tighten up' on routines and procedures. Kids need this. No matter how skilled we are, things start to feel a bit frayed. So - respond by making sure you have a supportive environment, strong boundaries and consistent expectations.

So take a look at your 'to do' list - decide on what's most important and give yourself permission to  remove some items from your list. Enjoy these last days with your Crew. Play a little. Celebrate. Leave the school year with joy in your heart. Know that you have made an incredible difference.

Projected on the board during drum circle.

Makes Me Smile

(Thanks Brittany!)

Thought you might enjoy this - as part of the wrap-up of our current case study, my students are writing resolutions about how we are represented in the General Assembly (state legislature) and one of my students is suggesting some changes to how our representation is structured. She added this section to her resolution:

Section Five: State Voting Laws
Voting for the Colorado State Government is for society members over the age of eighteen. This should be changed. If you prove you understand politics at the state level, and are eleven and older, you should be granted a vote. To prove this, the Colorado state governor can appoint several secretaries, and have the applicants take a test on what has happened with our government in the past, and what can change in the present and the future of our state, then, to save money, the secretaries will put the tests in a ScanTron, and the top 25% scores are cleared to vote. 
*Note: the test will be a multiple choice test created by history teachers.

It takes a village to get kids assessed!

Reminder Certified teachers: If you haven't already gone to your Inspired Innovation account and checked off on your summative evaluation, the deadline is today - Friday, May 16th.

Calendar

May 19 - 23rd:

Tuesday:

* RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.

* Book Fair Opens

Wednesday:

* Kindergarten Voyage to Camp Elim

* Page to Stage Performance 9- 10 a.m.

* 6th grade Portfolio Showcases 1:30 p.m.

May 26 - 30:

Monday:

No School

Tuesday: 

RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday:

All School Meeting

6th grade leaves to hike Colorado 14teener

June 1 - 6th:

Tuesday:

No RTI meeting

Wednesday:

Last day of school for students

All School Drum Circle

* Only 6th graders and students leaving Renaissance should be taking drums home

Afternoon:

Meet in library at 1:30

Move classrooms and teachers

Thursday:

Last day of school for staff

Check out

Have a great weekend!

Deborah