/SKOOLD/ to be educated . guided . prepared

This picture is from our Printing and Graphics Department. Every year during the month of December, this department sends print orders to schools, departments, and even outside agencies wrapped in winter-themed paper. That's right...a work order delivered in gift wrap! It doesn't change the work order, the product, or even the time this department sends on packing up orders for delivery (brown wrapping paper is the usual covering). However, what does change is the purpose and intent of the season--a season to bring a little joy or thoughtfulness to someone else. I just loved this effort from our Printing and Graphics team...it is a little thing that can make a difference in someone else's day.  LITTLE THINGS IN TEACHING: I heard about a teacher who provides a "little something" each day the week before winter break to give her students things to do over the break. Whether it be a craft to complete, a puzzle to solve, or a way to write a note of tha

I absolutely love it when students reach out to me with questions, ideas, or invitations to events or learning opportunities. Whether it be a journalism student writing an article about inclement weather and snow make-up days or a middle school group of students practicing presentations for legislative advocacy, I treasure moments in which I can engage with students and their learning. What is even more of a bucket filler is their gratitude after these moments. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss having my own classroom (my last teaching position was 15 years ago), so I always feel like moments with students is almost selfish...their questions, discoveries, and suggestions pronounce our purpose, which fills me with joy. So, when they send beautiful notes of gratitude, I can't help but think a little bit of my time went a long way--for both the student and for me. 'Tis the theme of this blog...please know a little bit of time can make a big difference in stu

Last voting day, Tuesday evening, November 5th, I watched the results of our election process on television and websites like many others in our community. I was reminded of what a tremendous privilege it is to be in a country where the democratic process is alive, in a state which develops systems and designs for local needs and elections, and a school district with an engaged community of which eight members took an act of courage and put their names on the ballot to run for school board. Our district had over 10,000 voters cast ballots during this election. Of those ballots, 62% of voters supported the Revenue Purpose Statement, which was a continuation of the use of funds in order to support facilities, technology, and other structural costs for our district. Kingston Stadium's new field, track, and bleachers are an example of how we have used these funds. Summer projects for our buildings and grounds crew, like new tiling and floors at Erskine Elementary, or new bathroom

Kennedy High School's athletic director, Aaron Stecker, asked me to be the keynote speaker at their student leadership retreat event on Tuesday, October 29th. KHS has embraced the theme, "Be Uncommon" to define what it means to be a Cougar. According to Dictionary.com,  "What does it mean to be uncommon? est. not common; unusual; rare: an  uncommon  word. unusual in amount or degree; above the ordinary: an  uncommon  amount of mail. exceptional; remarkable." Exceptional. Remarkable. Wow...what does it mean when we witness something exceptional or remarkable? Something that we would not expect, and it captures our hearts so quickly that we almost lose our breath? There are posts on Facebook or Twitter that appear to fit the "uncommon" definition: two toddlers running to each other on the sidewalk to embrace or a group of soccer players huddling around an opponent on the field to help her.  My question is, how many moments of "uncommon"

I was invited to Wright Elementary School last week by the teacher-librarian to "judge" renditions of book characters created out of potatoes. That's right! Not clay, not Mr. Potato Head figures, but actual potatoes. It was certainly an offer I could not resist...I was picturing in my mind what the potential creations could be prior to my visit. My imagination did not even come close to the amazing creations developed by each classroom at Wright Elementary! As I was greeted by the teacher-librarian, Ms. Davis, I could see the collection of characters displayed on a table. I approached the lineup and could not stop my laughter, squeals of amazement, and clapping. Needless to say, I was certainly a disruption to the library environment. There was a tremendous challenge in selecting the "winners" of the potato creations; however, the decision landed with the characters who really embraced the integrity of the original potato. Every character deserved a prize, q

Singing Voices of Inspiration and Creation... About a week ago, an elementary teacher sent me an original song that her students created. The song was inspired from our theme of Hope Spots, and the kids wrote and sang about what brings them hope. The lyrics capture the essence of hope through a child's eyes. When they feel supported, inspired, and they believe there are opportunities and possibilities, they are ignited with hope. I do not want to steal their thunder. S o I won't specifically quote their song before an opportunity to share their song with families and their school. However, as I listened to the audio file, their teacher sent, my heart just filled with joy and inspiration. Their words came from the opportunity their teacher created for them. With inspiration and support, they can accomplish so much. Kids are absolutely amazing! Reflective Voices of Critical Thinking... I also met a third-grader who attended one of the community input sessions regarding