The Middle Update 6/7/19

It's Friday, and I'm here in a quiet building, getting started on the process of reflecting on the past school year, gathering/analyzing data, and planning for next year.  This past school year has been really good in a lot of ways, and there were also certainly opportunities for learning.  It is my hope to take all that we learned and experienced to set the stage for an unbelievably positive school experience for all next year.  I hope each of you gets the chance to do what you need to/want to do in the summer months, and have a little eagerness inside you about the 19-20 school year.  With some great learning and planning that took place among our staff, I am excited for some of the adjustments we will make in our plan to help grow our culture that centers on providing a great daily student experience that strongly prepares them for the next steps in their life.  A special thanks to each of you for your contributions to our kids.

Opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth
I mentioned this in a staff meeting and in conversations over the past couple of months, but I wanted to point you in the direction of a website/resource/podcast that can be truly transformational for your life.  The Focus 3 podcast by Tim and Brian Kight is remarkable.  If you are engaged in some busy work (mowing lawn, driving, cleaning up around the house, etc), put in your earphones and give their podcast a listen.  The message can be described as "The heartbeat of Focus 3 is that we help organizations build better leaders, better culture, and better behavior."  We all choose our response in every situation, but how can we train ourselves to choose a response all the time that will positively affect our life and the life of all others in our worlds...The message is so strong not only for the work with our students, but also in all of the relationships and situations we encounter outside of school.  Check out the website, listen to the podcast, and I'd love to talk more about the message with anyone that is interested.  Below is a link to the latest podcast.  Give it a try.  Let me know if you need some support downloading or accessing the content.

"Mental Toughness"

"Discipline of Default"

The Middle Update 6/2/19

As we head into the last week of school, it's important for all of us to keep the same focus, expectations, and energy level as the very first week of school.  With well-planned, culminating lessons and activities, it is so much easier to get our students to be motivated and engaged right up until dismissal on Thursday.  It's always a great lesson and strategy to show the student the growth they've made over the course of the year.  If you have some writing samples or pieces of work from the beginning of the year to share, and compare it to their abilities now...we can reinforce what hard work can do for you.  Thank you in advance for your efforts to maintain a strong culture right up till the end.

Resource of the Week
A list this week that is very timely...I especially love #10!  Check it out.

"10 Things Not to Do the Last Weeks of School" -www.teach4theheart.com


Grades
This is a reminder to make sure grades in each standard are up to date.  This includes the at least the Puma Pride standard "Follows Classroom Expectations".  We will look to print report cards starting on Monday, June 10.  If you need to finish them up on Friday or over the weekend, no worries at all.

Assembly Tuesday
We will have our End of the Year Assembly on Tuesday.  On this day, students will report to 3rd block right away after lunch.  We'll then dismiss students to the gym at 2:15 for our Assembly.  We'll have our 3 winning Homeroom groups from last Thursday's battles square off for the right to claim the Carelli Cup.  We'll have our student recognition, like we discussed at our Staff Meeting (see document that Julie shared), and we'll send off our 8th graders.  Should be a memorable event for the kids.

8th Graders Last Day Plan
Our 8th graders will have their normal electives on Wednesday morning, and then head out for their field trip.  Their final Dance will take place from 6:30 to 8:30...all staff members are invited to attend with the 8th grade teachers to help them celebrate a Middle School career that is in the books.  There will be no 8th Grade classes on Thursday.

Last Day Schedule
We will run a modified schedule for the last day of school.  You can view that SCHEDULE HERE.

End of Year All Staff Celebration
Once the students are dismissed and out the door on the last day (6/6), we will gather as a whole staff around 1:00 in the High School cafeteria.  We'll have pizza, and other food options for everyone, and have a brief recognition ceremony.  Check-out procedures will start right after we wrap up our celebration.

Upcoming Events
Sunday - June 2 - PHS Graduation
Tuesday - June 4 - Assembly - 2:15 pm - Final Carelli Cup Homeroom Competitions - Student Recognition
Wednesday - June 5 - 8th Grade Field Trip/Dance (6:30 - 8:30)
Thursday - June 6 - Early Release at 12:30 - Staff Reception at 1:00 in HS Commons