End of the First Year!

Only 8 days left in this school year! It seems unbelievable that just a year ago we were opening our doors for learning for the first time. What an incredible year it has been! The community is incredible. The teachers work so hard each and every day. They amaze me. As I walked through classrooms on Open House night(s), I was thrilled to see the level of work that the students' produced. I wasn't surprise, but it sure was great to be validated! The teachers are excited about learning and in turn the students are excited about learning. The families care so much about their children and their success. We start on new year in just a few weeks welcoming about 180 new students! I can't wait for them to experience the wonderful things that happen at our school!

Celebrating the Sylvan Family

Two of our teachers will be retiring at the end of this school year. For them, that means this Friday, May 23rd. Together they have providing a nuturing and loving educational environment for our students for over 37 years. In addition, one of our district librarians who holds the value and love for literacy so close to our heart retires after 20 years. Last night we held our annual Sylvan District Retirement Dinner. It is such a joy to see their faces as they are celebrated. The lives that they have touched over the years is invaluable. How lucky they are to leave a legacy in our district that will carry on as new teachers join us and create their own legacy. But most importantly, how lucky our children are to have experienced these incredible ladies.

Holiday Spirit

On Friday afternoon the students and teachers went on vacation for two weeks. As I walked the quiet campus that afternoon I realized what a gift I was given when I was asked to open up this new school. The day was filled with joy and love. The morning assembly brought us all together celebrating the season, but most importantly, each other. The smiles on the kids and adults faces is something I want to bottle and open up on those days that are difficult. I feel so blessed to be working with such incredible people.

Oral Languge Development Staff Development

At today's staff meeting our assistant principal and I led the staff in a discussion on oral language development. We read an article on this topic and then the teachers, in groups of 4, determined the key points and applications from this part of the article to their classroom. It was so powerful to walk around the room and listen to the conversations the teachers were having about their part of the article. The library media assistant was in attendance and also noticed how engaged the staff was in this activity. I feel so blessed to work with such a dedicated staff. I love to watch them work together and learn from each other. She did a fantastic job of introducing the activity by having us remember back to when we were in school. The comments I heard today from teachers included - powerful, great connection to the classroom, this helps me so much. When you decide on a topic to discuss and work with your staff, you hope that they have the same passion about that topic as you do. Obviously this topic was chosen because we feel so strongly about bringing quality staff development to our team. Wow!

Changes

Wow - it's been four months since we opened our doors for learning. They have flown by. I look back and realize that I helped create an amazing place for children. Leaving my school of 6 years was difficult. I believe it was difficult because I put my heart and soul into this school. I loved the kids, families and staff - it was home. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to have another place like this. At my new site I have an amazing group of people that I have come to love as well. In all of this the real learning is that you create your own destiny and how you react to the changes in your life. If I had chosen to be angry my life would be affected by this as well. I choose not to live life that way - but to try to focus on the positive and continually moving forward. When I find myself in a negative "ditch" I have to crawl out and look around me. Some days that is easier to do than others. For me, it's easiest done when I go find the kids. They give me such joy and unconditional love - they are really amazing. I am so lucky to be surrounded by people that care so much about our kids and each other. This is what makes life good.

School Spirit/Culture

Each month we have incredible track off assemblies. Each one focuses around the Life Skill (character trait) of the month. Our music teacher, Silver, has an amazing connection with the students and discusses the trait with them all month. At the end of the month all the students have learned a new song related to the trait. I am amazed each month at the energy created at these assemblies. Last Friday we had 85 chairs out for families and teachers - only 6 were empty. They are part of our culture and what brings us together as a school. Silver is the instrument that drives these assemblies - which drives our culture and spirit. The student, staff and families look forward to these each month. Most importantly, we are identifying who we are as a new school, what we value, what we appreciate, what we want to be. I love working with such incredible individuals who bring out the best in each other. The kids are amazing and surprise me every day! How lucky I am to be part of such an amazing place!

MIND Institute Training

Wow! What an incredible day some teachers and I have had today. Our school is so fortunate to be able to have this wonderful math and music program at our site. Today we had training that taught us how to incorporate the computerized math program into our curriuclum. The students will play games and progress through these as they master the games. The teachers are so excited about working with their students and provide them with this unique opportunity. The MIND Institute information can be found at http://www.mindinstitute.net/. The games are so much fun!