Now It's All About the Packing...and then some!

If I'd known how much packing I'd have to do, I'd have run again.

Harry S. Truman

No one seems to enjoy packing. I was thinking about it when packing for a short trip tis weekend. I certainly was thinking about it last week as I finally started packing the offices and conference room. It's a big job and not a fun one. We are finding, though, that there is much we can let go; there are things that need to be thrown away.

We hope you're finding things to throw away, as well. We can get rid of a lot!

We will begin checking out staff on the 12th of June. That's still three weeks away. Lots of time, and this Saturday, May 31, the school will be open for you to work in your rooms again. It would be great if you're planning to work, to let Terry know. We are planning have the building open from 8:00 to 4:00.

There is news on the Bond Updates for Cooper. There is a rendering of the proposed front of Cooper in Terry's office. Stop by if you'd like to see it. Students and staff weighed in on the colors when we met with the architect last week.




We found out that not all classrooms will be getting new flooring. The process is complicated. the best way to think of it is that sinking fund money can also be used to replace flooring. Not all of it has to be bond money. As the necessary floors (which are the asbestos tile floors) are replaced, it's possible that the district can wait to see if the sinking fund renewal in August is provided. Then the sinking fund can be used for replacing badly tiled floors. That saves bond money for the other things that sinking fund money doesn't cover. It's not that anyone thinks that floors do not need replacing. It is about being as smart as possible about which funds are used for which fixes. We all need to hang in there and see how it all comes out without worrying that it won't all be okay eventually. Some repairs may not be completed this summer.

Congratulations once again to Judy Bowling, Teacher Of The Year. There were lots of people who made it happen by writing up the nominations (actually three different people!), and adding the accompanying documents for the committee. There is no one more deserving, and we can all be proud to have Judy at Cooper doing all the things she does to help make Cooper such a special place for students, staff, and families. How wonderful that Judy is being acknowledged for all her great work!

Thanks also goes to Bill, Sue G., and Lauren for putting together such a great Variety Show! Such hard work really paid off! We also need to thank Leona and Georgia for working the in the wings last Wednesday night. Their help made sure the kids were ready and on stage at the right times. The show was wonderful!

Our schedule:

For the Week of May 26^th:

Monday: No School-Memorial Day

Tuesday: 8:00 IST

               9:30 ASSET

              Title 1 PD Day 5^th Grade

Wednesday: 8:00 EPT

                   All School Recess/Read In

                  11:15-12:00 5^th Grade all eat outside and have recess together

                  12:10-1:00 6^th Grade all eat outside and have recess together

                  Popsicles and some new recess equipment provided by PTA.

                  1:30-2:30 All School Read Out (Weather permitting)

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting

                 8:00-11:00 Common Core Implementation Team Meeting (Sarah and Wendy)

                 Volunteer Luncheon (Sign up in lounge)

Friday: Field Day

            9:00-11:00 5^th Grade

            1:15-3:15 6^th Grade

Saturday: Building open 8:00-4:00 for all staff

For the Week of June 2nd:

Monday: Summer Reading presentation

Tuesday: 8:00 IST

               9:30 ASSET

              6th grade end of year concert for 5th grade students

Wednesday: 8:00 EPT

                   

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting

                 6th Grade Rec Center Trip

Friday: Pat's Retirement Party, 4:00, at Doc's

We Appreciate You!

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”
Carl Jung

As our Teacher Appreciation Week (Cooper always has to be different don’t we) comes to a close, we want to again thank all of you for the hard work and sacrifice you put in everyday for your students.  We’ve talked a lot about our “Why” or our purpose.  We know that there are so many factors that often lead us away from that and yet, as educators, we actually have lots of times to see it if only we allowed ourselves: the child who calms down after taking  a walk or talking to you, the one who gives you a book recommendation just because they know you’d appreciate it, a hug or high five, the insightful answer which shows you they were paying attention, a student who tells the new 4^th graders, “My favorite thing about Cooper is the 7 Habits because they changed my life.” 

I saw a quote on Pinterest recently that said...

We have a lot of stress right now.  Yet, as these last weeks draw to a close, take a moment to remember why you love this job.  All of us make passion our life’s work and you are appreciated for it more than you know.  

You've see this before but it is a great one!  Enjoy

Big Rocks

We are required by the LEA contract to repost the Literacy Leader and Math Leader positions every 3 years.  Sally, Wendy, and Lynn have served 3 years in those positions.  They are all still interested in keeping those positions, however, if you are interested in either position please let Terry or Sarah know by Wednesday, May 21.

Bill has once again put in hours of work to prepare our students for the Cooper Annual Variety Show.  A big thank you to Bill, as well as Lauren Didomenico and Sue Gonyu, for helping throughout these last few months.  The Variety Show will be held Wednesday, May 21 from 6-9 pm.  There will be a 5^th grade performance from 9:30-10:30 AM and a 6^th grade performance from 1:45-2:45 PM. 

The Summaries of Student Growth Data have been coming in.  Thank you for your prompt attention to this deadline.  Please remember to schedule a time to meet with Sarah or Terry to complete your evaluation.  Evaluations are due to Cindy DeMan by Monday, June 2. 

Central Office has stated that teachers in Phase 1 Bond buildings, who have completed all of their responsibilities and are checked out, do not have to report on Friday, June 13 due to the additional time spent packing up room and common areas (nights, Saturdays, etc).   

For the Week of May 19^th:

Monday: PD HOURS ARE DUE INTO RESA! 

              Placement of 5^th grade students: RCRS out in AM, 5^th Grade teachers out in PM

               7:30 a.m. Terry meeting with Dr Liepa

               7:30 p.m. Sarah to Board Meeting to receive QAR Team Effort Award

Tuesday: 8:00 IST

               8:45 Assembly on End of Year Expectations

              9:30 ASSET-Title Budget

             3:00 Bond Meeting for Phase 1 Schools

               Summary of Student Growth Data Due

Wednesday:  8:00 EPT
                   9:30-10:30 5^th Grade Variety Show

                   1:45-2:45 6^th Grade Variety Show

                   6-9 Annual Cooper Variety Show

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting

                School Improvement Plan DUE

Friday: Administrator’s Summary of Student Growth Data due to Andrea Oquist

            Title 1 PD Day 6^th Grade

            Mismatch Day

For the Week of May 26^th:

Monday: No School-Memorial Day

Tuesday: 8:00 IST

               9:30 ASSET

              Title 1 PD Day 5^th Grade

Wednesday: 8:00 EPT

                   All School Recess/Read In

                  11:15-12:00 5^th Grade all eat outside and have recess together

                  12:10-1:00 6^th Grade all eat outside and have recess together

                  Popsicles and some new recess equipment provided by PTA.

                  1:30-2:30 All School Read Out (Weather permitting)

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting

                 8:00-11:00 Common Core Implementation Team Meeting (Sarah and Wendy)

                 Volunteer Luncheon (Sign up in lounge)

Friday: Field Day

            9:00-11:00 5^th Grade

            1:15-3:15 6^th Grade

**** There may be some opportunity for teachers to pack during the Read In and Field Day with some creative covering between switch teachers.  More info to follow.

           

                

Time to Pack!

We are in the season of moving forward. We move to completing evaluations. We move to completing the school year. We move to activities that mark the end, such as Variety Show, Field Day, Sixth Grade Sendoff, and final day field trips. We move to summer, that time of renewal. We move to begin another year of educating 5th and 6th graders.

This summer, however, we also need to move our things. We need to prepare the rooms for renovations. Already there are new toilets and sinks. Wiring is being layer all over the building. And sounds of hammers and ladders and trucks and equipment can be heard every night. It's time to begin packing.

Every room needs to be emptied. We will not look as we normally do by the end of the year. We need to be totally packed up and out of here on June 13, not returning until late August. That means it's time to pack the boxes, time to take your personal things home. There is no need to wait. Keep the packed boxes in your room, labeled and stacked. Nothing that's staying will be leaving your room until the 14th. Move forward with packing, even though it will indicate to students that the year is ending. We recommend you post a calendar in your classroom with all still to be completed by students. Help them see that they have more work to do. And at the same time, have them help pack books you won't need and supplies you won't be using the remainder of the year.

We also need to pack the common areas at Cooper, particularly the lounge, science and math rooms, and the book room. To accomplish this, we will create sign up sheets for these areas. Everyone needs to pick an area to help pack. A "captain" will be assigned for each area to help coordinate each area. If you would like to volunteer to be a captain, please let Sarah or Terry know.

We have designated two Saturdays to open the school for those wishing to get work done at Cooper. The first of these is this Saturday. We will have the building open from 8-4. You will be able to let yourself in using your ID badge. Sarah and/or Terry will be in the building (we are packing, too). You are welcome to come for any part of the day you need. You area also welcome to bring helpers. We cannot generate a lot of trash, and all of it needs to be taken to the dumpster, so rooms are ready for Monday.

We will also open the school on Saturday, May 31.

As we complete the tedious task of packing, remember we will be thrilled with our renovated school in August when we return! No matter when we're allowed back in, we will make this a great place to be by our Open Houses in October.


Big Thank You's to our 6th grade Camp participants! The Camp experience was wonderful! We had good weather, fun activities, and great support from our chaperones and staff! The kids had a great time!! The camp staff agreed that we had outstanding students! Thanks to Robin for all of her organizing, changing, worrying, collaborating, and coordinating! The Howell staff are always so impressed with our organization! Also, thanks to Diane and Nicole for helping with grouping. The groups seemed to work really well. Thanks, too, to Mary Beth for her work with the souvenirs and providing snacks for staff! Great stuff!!



The schedule for the next two weeks includes:

Week of May 12
Monday:                 QAR Meeting, 9:30, Sarah
                               WSU Law School Graduation, 4:30, Terry

Tuesday:                 IST, 8:00
                               ACES, 10:30-11:00
                               TOY Committee, CO, Terry, 12:30-4:30
                               6th Grade Variety Show MANDATORY rehearsal, 3:40-5:00
                               After School Clubs
                               Title I Parent Outreach presentation, 6:00-8:00 (Terry and Robin)

Wednesday:            DIA Field trip for some 5th grades
                               EPT, 8:00
                               Emerson RCR conferences throughout the day
                             

Thursday:               DIA Field trip for the rest of 5th grade
                               Extended staff meeting, 3:45-4:45

Friday:                    F&P Scores Due in MiStar

Saturday:               Building open, 8-4


Week of May 19
Monday:                 PD hours due to RESA site
                               Consultant meeting, Novi, Terry 4:30

Tuesday:                 IST, 8:00
                               Summary of Student Growth Data due to your evaluator
                               Erickson/Lietz DIA field trip
                               After School Clubs

Wednesday:            EPT, 8:00
                               Variety Show, 6:00-9:00

Thursday:               Staff Meeting, 8:00
                               School Improvement Plan due

Friday:                    Administrator summary of Growth Data due