A Principal "Breakthrough"We are now halfway through the academic year -- hard as it may be to believe. This time of year can be seemingly magical in a student's development of both skills and confidence, especially those in the primary years. For me, it's a thrilling time of year to be spending time in classrooms. I know I've spoken to many parents about the new leaf I've over-turned, but I'd like to share it with you all in this format as well. After attending a seminar (the Breakthrough Coach) for school leaders and administrative assistants, Betsy and I determined to make a few changes to the way we do business. The primary purpose of these changes is to make me a more effective advocate for students, teachers, and families. A few have come more easily than others. But, for me, I've not noticed another strategy that comes close to making the kind of difference we've seen thus far. The change is simple, really:
- I spend at least two full days in a given week in classrooms, hallways, and the playground. I call them my "lock-out" days. This simple change makes all the difference in the world for me -- it allows me to be present rather than distracted when I'm doing the real work of a principal -- that is, interacting with children and teachers around learning. The other three days are reserved for the clerical, budgetary, and promotional sides of this work.
- I no longer have a voice-mail. Or, rather, I do. Karen and Betsy are incredibly gracious and helpful in arranging calls and setting the calendar so that I can be more effective.
- Paper does not pile up in my office. Again, because Betsy is so incredibly organized I am able to make sure the office is relatively immaculate before I head home for the evening.
The changes I am noticing are two-fold. I am more efficient and more reliably able to follow-through, and, at the same time, I am smiling more. There are 327 reasons for those smiles -- our kids are absolutely engaged in their own education, they are supportive friends for one another, and they love their school!
Adopt-a-Cause EffortsEarly in the year I wrote about the "Adopt-a-Cause" efforts I asked teachers to undertake with their classes. As we are halfway through the year, I thought it wise to update you on the decisions the grade levels have come to. Some of the projects are already underway, and others will be coming up soon as Spring emerges. In the meantime I am beginning to plan a
"Sustainability Fair" to be held in conjunction with Earth Day on the half day April 22nd. many of the Adopt-a-cause projects will be on display at the fair, along with a number of additional student projects and professional displays. Here are details of the K-4 efforts; I will share the 5-8 projects next week.
- Kindergarten Kompost demonstrations (Students will study the science of composting, and promote its use in the school and at home.)
- 1st Grade Paper Towel Project (Students will divert all paper towel waste from the landfill-bound garbage receptacles toward our existing hot compost efforts.)
- 2nd Grade Beach Clean-Up (As part of the existing Oceans Study in the science curriculum, students will participate in a beach clean-up project.)
- 3rd Grade Zimbabwean Art Project (Last year was the first time our third graders took part in this great project, which was one of the inspirations for this effort school-wide. This year, the collaboration will continue.)
- 4th Grade Native Plants vs. Invasive Species (Fourth graders have developed a wonderful project that has immediate impact on our ecosystem. They are removing English Ivy from the hillside, and replacing it with native plants they are grafting from cuttings taken in Tryon Creek State Park.)
Scholastic Art Award Winners!Art teacher Nancy Helmsworth helps middle school students develop pieces for submission into the Scholastic Art Awards, and this year we have three winners:
PJ H. - plumber gnome - HONORABLE MENTION
Adele E.- Bee salt + pepper - HONORABLE MENTION
Ingrid M.- puppy- SILVER KEY
Science Bowl!Congratulations to our middle school science bowl teams. Our A team was 3-1 in
the morning and was one of 16 teams that went on to compete in the afternoon double-
elimination rounds. After winning their first game, they lost the next two and were
eliminated. Team B was 2-2 in the morning and did not make it to the double-elimination
rounds in the afternoon. Team A consisted of Dagan B, Brendan E, David H, PJ H, and
Alec N. The B Team included Arthur J, Nate K, Brian L, Quinn M and Erica N. What a
fantastic accomplishment for our 7th and 8th grade students!
The Regional Science Bowl is sponsored by Bonnevile Power Administration
each year and had 57 middle school teams competing for a chance to go to the National
Science Bowl. The competition is a fast-paced question/answer format of science and
math questions, which get more difficult as the day progresses. Its goal is to encourage
interest and career options in science and math by secondary students.
Coming Events (link here to calendar)
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