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!