October Principal's Challenge

Team,

New month, new challenge...I know, you are on the edge of your seat. This month, I challenge all of you to take a daily mindful moment. Mindfulness is a practice that is becoming more and more prevalent in schools. In fact, all of Webster takes part in mindfulness work. The video below is beyond cheesy--my specialty--but I explain the challenge. Below are some resources to help you dig into the topic if you decide to accept the challenge. 

What is mindfulness?

Learn More Here

What are the benefits?

Where can I go to learn more or be guided through these practices?

• Find some calm @ calm.com: Click Here
• Need some more room in your head? Click Right Here
• Just explore what it is? Click Me!

WE Are QUEST

Good One

Saw this on social media and had to share. I also own the book. In my eyes, it boils down to habits...little habits can create large amounts of success.

Doing the little things matters. We get this, and there is evidence of the little things being done with fidelity in each room I walk into.

Pop, Pop, Pop that Popcorn (in a singing voice)...

Carol and Mary have stepped up to the plate to lead the way with popcorn. Wasn't it delicious? Below are some details about popcorn, including the process that brought us to a once a month rotation.

I'm new to QUEST, what's the deal with popcorn?

Patrick, a founder of QUEST, used to pop popcorn for the school every Friday am. In my assessment, this was an act of love and care for a school that meant a lot to him. Classes would provide the bowls and he would do the popping, providing a Friday treat, and a great tradition, for all. I don't know if this is just me, but wasn't he completely living the Fish practices through this act of kindness?

Where are we now that he is no longer with us?

This topic was requested to be discussed through Admin. Team. Admin. Team works on school-wide situations, management, and serves as a place to bring questions or concerns such as this. Admin. team took it to the levels to get their feedback. According to the feedback that was brought back, people felt as though it was a good QUEST tradition, but perhaps scaling it to once a month would make it more feasible. As a result of that, it is now a once a month, school-wide event.

What will this look like?

On the blog--suprise!--we will have a sign-up. This sign-up will be located where the other sign-ups are (google sheet, tab at the bottom), and we would encourage people to sign up to help. Keep in mind, more than one person can do the work, so feel free to sign up as a team, hall, or with a partner. Carol and Mary were "trained" by Patrick in how to use the machine, so they will be our turn-key trainers, and our first month navigators.

What should we keep in mind?

This is an act of being there, making someone's day, and having some fun. With that, our students can return the favor by expressing gratitude to those who prepared it for them, helping the custodians by cleaning up each and every kernel on the floor, and recognizing that this is a QUEST tradition for a reason. It is important that they always remember that we were founded by some awesome teachers.

Parents should not be in charge of popping the popcorn, but we can have a parent help us--we lead, they help us prepare or deliver.

Also keep in mind that Hannah is new to this and definitely deserves some popcorn.

What if I disagreed with the majority and I'd like to do it once a week in my classroom?

We have the popcorn machine, so as long as you know how to use it, and use it in the kitchen, help yourself.

"What is bullying?"

September 27^th will be the “What is bullying?” presentation in the auditorium. We will focus on the definition of bullying, the definition of conflict, and how to solve conflicts we may have with friends. Please pick a time that works best for your class and attend one of the sessions below.

• 9:35-9:55
• 10:00-10:20
• 10:30-10:50

Expectations

I stumbled upon this quote during my nightly peruse of Twitter, and it really made the wheels turn. To me, it plainly speaks of expectations. At this point in the year, the honeymoon with kids is starting to fade, and we are seeing the child for who they really are. With that, great educators(all of us) are able to see kids, and their colleagues, for what they could be. People tend to rise to the level of our expectations, especially in a relationship that involves daily interactions.

As a new teacher in Baltimore, I remember failing miserably with a child who tested my buttons daily. I fought hard to change my attitude, but so many factors were working against me with this particular student, and it became easy to point out the areas that the child was lacking instead of meeting that child where they are and helping them to see that they have more in them. The worst part was that other students started to create the same expectation for that student, regardless of the fact that I never labeled or criticized the child in front of them. My expectations about this child came through in my body language and my daily interactions. After the year, I had to own this...and it left me a bit disappointed in myself.

Kids need us. They don't just need us, they depend on us to help them form their identity. Carol Dweck says that our students with the highest IQ scores often become the students with fixed mindsets because they are always expected to be smart...they forget how to be uncomfortable. Again, they rise to the level that we expect and adopt the traits we tell them they are.

One of the things I am most proud about regarding QUEST, and something I am seeing each day, is how we treat kids. We are a respectful--straight up caring--school that fills our learners with hope. What does this sound like?

• At the start of a math lesson: "by the end of today, each of you will be able to ___________. You may need to think flexibly, but I have no doubt you have what it takes."
• When disciplining a child: "I'm disappointed by your choice because I know this is not you...and you have so much in you. You're a great kid, and I know you will improve upon this. Let's chat about how we can fix this so people can see the type of person you really are!"
• "I noticed that_________ did not give up on that problem! Of course they didn't give up...they never give up! "
• To older friends: "you are leaders in this school. Thanks for always stepping up to help younger friends get on the bus."

I could go on and on and on. Feedback is crucial, and our feedback has the potential to lift people or flatten them. As we continue this journey together and get deeper into the year, be that person that lets every child know all the good they have in them. Notice it, help their classmates notice it, and model it through the way we encourage and lift one another. This is a job, but what we do each day has the ability to impact the rest of a child's life. See the good, share the good, and be the good. Be that person.

Go QUEST!

Request for Funds

Hannah and I are doing our best to be fiscally responsible this year given a tight budget. With that, we know that there are a lot of school events where, in the past, the principal has provided additional funding. For example, the principal has always purchased pizza for field day. If you organize an event, or have had these funds given to your event in the past, and you feel like the need will be there this year, please fill out the form below so that we can make sure funds are available.

Thanks for your help as we navigate this all for the first time.

Funds

From Your IB Coordinator

From Andrea:
Hey QUEST! I read this really great article on Genius Time. There are some testimonials and helpful tips for implementation. Enjoy!

Click Here

Update from the library:

Color printer is back online in the library. Woo hoo!

Fire Inspection

Is your classroom ready? Please go through this list and be sure you are ready to roll. Greatly appreciated!

Shameless Plug for Video Coaching

In sports, you get better by watching yourself, and the other team, play. In teaching, you are in a silo, you often don't get to see others or yourself teach,  and self-reflection is usually based off assessment based evidence.

Video coaching is the practice of watching yourself teach, and then reflecting with a coach--NOT an administrator. Our district has a PD for that this fall. Signing up may feel scary, you may feel vulnerable, you may feel like our learners sometimes feel, and there may be a bit of awkwardness; but if you knew it would directly impact your teaching, ultimately impacting your kids, would you give it a shot?

Those interested in taking the plunge can sign-up via MLP. I'll gladly approve your request! :)

Teams

This week I had the privilege of sitting in on my first two level meetings. I don't want to leverage this statement too much, but sometimes when you have been living in the same school and doing the same thing year-in-and-year-out, you do not fully realize the quality of your work. It's easy to forget how great you are. This might be a situation where we, as a school, do not realize how well we are doing.

Seeing teams reflect through their entry meeting, and noticing the interdependence that is part of each team, has left me extremely excited to see how each team takes the next step. We are in a good place as teams, we collaborate well, we are comfortable with dialogue around kids, we don't lose sleep when we disagree, but I hope you all take a moment to recognize how good you have it by being part of QUEST. It's a great place to work because of the collaborative and selfless spirit. Notice that. Celebrate that. Be thankful for that.

So how do we get better? If we are already collaborative, how do we take it to the next level? I was once told that the U in QUEST stands for unique; how do we have teams that are unique and extremely effective at the same time? How do we get results that impact kids?

In my eyes, it starts with the individual. We need differences. In any group, we need left brain and right brain thinkers; we need those who are over-analytical and those who get right to the point. It helps when we have those who are highly organized with those who are the creative type. It's healthy to have differences, and it's even healthier to take those differences and use them in order to have a complete whole. There is nothing stronger than groups that know how to take risks together, accept differences, and are comfortable being vulnerable.

I encourage you to spend some time taking this little survey. Although it won't be 100% accurate--nothing free ever is--I hope that it gets you thinking about who you are and what you have to offer your team. Your team needs you, your strengths, your ideas, and it will be impossible to greatly impact kids if we aren't tapping into the strengths of one another.

Keep collaborating QUEST. I'm impressed!

Personality Test

Test Scores Mailed Home

All students who participated in the 16-17 NYS Exams will have their results mailed home on Monday, September 18th. Shortly after, we will be mailing home the AIS letters for those students who will be receiving AIS supports. This may naturally trigger some calls and questions for students who performed below or above what was expected, so please be sure to work alongside AIS providers in communicating any message related to why a child was or was not picked up for AIS.

If you had students who took the tests, you will receive your results by standard next week at your level meeting.

Please come see me if you have any questions.

Derek

Looking Ahead

All of the pictures found in this table come from the documents that are in the share point that is found on the top of the blog. If you don't know where to find any of this info., please feel free to reach out so that we can offer you support.

Reminders

• If you need staff meeting hours and traditionally sign-in at CIA meetings, please be sure to go in to MLP and sign up before our first meeting, which is this coming Tuesday. 
• Derek would like a one-on-one meeting with each member of the QUEST staff in order to fully understand and learn all about QUEST. Please sign-up for a time with Hannah.

In the Office

In the office you will find a little container. Dr. K, our fearless leader, is taking part in a big Real Men Wear Pink initiative in October with other local leaders--both business and education. If you have spare change, feel free to drop it in. All funds go toward the American Cancer Society. 

Picture Sign-Up

The picture sign-up tab is now live.

Week 1=Check

Team,

What a first week. You all were rock-stars as we greeted our learners and prepared them for a long year full of learning, challenge, and fun. A couple weeks ago I asked you about your intentional approaches to building relationships with both parents and students. I was not at all surprised by the thoughtful responses, but I wanted to share some that were mentioned and noticed this week. I'm sharing these because there is nothing more important than building relationships: they will not take the risks needed to learn unless they truly know, feel, and accept that we care.

Some mentioned approaches:

• intentionally greeting kids and asking about their life
• lots of smiling
• playing with kids at recess 
• surveys and questionnaires to ask about their learning and who they are as people
• community building games
• being there, being present, and just listening sometimes
• letting kids talk
• intentionally celebrating kids in a way that other students in the class are able to see the good within their classmate(s)
• having an open door policy
• calling each parent by week 2
• sending home positive emails about their children, with lots of specifics
• extended class meetings
• read great books together
• mail each student a photo of our class with a note written on the back telling them that I can't wait to meet them
• class Dojo to communicate with the home and share the happenings
• parent distribution lists and setting up resources
• using Remind 101 to send home reminders, but also some positive class-wide compliments
• provide lots of affection and smiles
• learn one thing special about each kid within the first three days. 

Wow--you guys get it. 

Rest up this weekend, provide your family with the best side of yourself (not the tired side!), and take a pause to recognize the magnitude of our work. We are all educators no matter our role, and please know that you make a difference--great week 1!

-Derek

Out of Building

I am out of the building for a cabinet meeting next Wendesday am until about 12:30. Andrea has been BOE approved to serve as me in my absence, so please utilize her. I'll communicate a reminder before that day, but just wanted you to all be aware as Andrea will be my sub for moments when I can't be here. If she is unavailable, I will use someone from CO.

Thanks!

Make Their Day

Team,

We have a selfless PTSO that is there when we need something. I've been involved with five PTA groups in the past few years, and this group is so centered on kids and supporting all of you. They also create positive experiences for our families with little work from us.

I am sending a thank you note after each event to the parent who lead the charge, but am also trying to personally thank those who volunteer and help them. In light of this, I will be sharing on the blog from time-to-time the names of parents who lead the charge for an event. My purpose for doing this is so that if you see them, have them in your class, or know them that you are aware that they are going above and beyond for us. Give them a high-five or a hearty thanks.


Ice Cream Social: Led by Angela Parkhurst, supporting cast was Jincy and Krissy ( I did not get the names of the parents handing out the t-shirts for K kids yet).
First Day Tea: Led by Jincy Paz

Reminders

Just a few friendly reminders to keep our school running smoothly:

• Interested in seeing the minutes from a meeting? Go to QTeams-->find the folder-->click on the agenda file.
• Please be sure to contact parents and sign out in the book located in the main office when you head off school grounds--creek is included in this. 
• Please be on time for lunch. Our schedule is tighter this year, so a timely drop off and pick-up is essential so that all can perform their jobs well. 
• Make sure doors are not propped. 

Principal Positive

I was able to make my first positive phone call this week. With a simple click on the link at the top of the blog and a little "filling out" of the form, our school was able to make the day of a parent. Awesome. Go QUEST!

Level Meetings

Level Meetings will begin next week. Just a reminder that there is a sharepoint for each level, and within the sharepoint is an agenda topic timeline--think of it like a scope and sequence. I'll be joining the first one with Andrea and will need a few minutes as part of my entry to ask your team some questions. These meetings are important, especially since the research is clear about collaboration: it is the number one way to impact learning and achievement.

Fire Drills

Just a friendly reminder that Fire Drills will be starting next week. We will be telling you the time and dates of the first few, but after that we will not. Please be sure to practice with your kids--Hannah is very excited to time them!

Bus Drill Sign-up

Hello team,

Please remember to sign-up for bus drill by Thursday, September 7! The sign-up is located under the "Sign-Ups" tab on the top of the blog:)

Thank you,

Hannah

For Your Planbooks