Friday was an incredibly busy day but also full of excitement. Many of us started the day by sharing passionate views about Sharon Creech's novel The Boy on the Porch. We can't wait to hear what more students think after teachers give book talks in their classrooms. Our next book is Loot by Jude Watson that many Cooper students are already reading around the building.
It was fun to watch the Jump Rope Assembly and have the jumpers share how they have to Begin with the End in Mind to improve and work toward their personal goals. Santi and Erickson wowed the crowd in the second assembly with their jumping skills. At lunch time, Franklin students shared how to say no to drugs with Cooper students. Please bring your classes down and have them sign the banner in the Cafe to pledge to say no.
We could not have asked for a nicer day for the Walk-a-thon. Our leaders did such a wonderful job walking appropriately with friends, sharpening the saw, and practicing proper assembly behavior during the announcements of the goal and prizes. Thank you to all Cooper staff for collecting funds, pumping up the Walk-a-thon, and supporting our students in meeting our school goal.
Finally, the Cooper Family Fun Night may have been one of the most successful PTA events in Cooper history. We had over 700 people RSVP for the event and it sure did feel like that many people showed up. The main goal of the PTA was to create an event to encourage family fun and involvement and they sure did do that. A big thank you to PTA President Lori O'Dell for all of her hard work and delegation in making this event happen. Another big thank you to all of the teachers who came to support the Family Fun Night whether in setting up, running a game, cleaning up, mingling, or getting pied in the face. EEW! That was so gross but so worth it to see the excitement on the students' faces.
The success of Cooper and the Leader in Me program truly is due to the hard work that all of you put into it everyday. We are actively striving to live the 7 Habits at Cooper. There is a great Facebook page that I (Sarah) have liked called Proactive Coaching. Although it is directed at coaches, I believe so much of what they have to say applies to what we do everyday. I often find myself transferring the word "coach" for "teacher" and "team" for "school." I found this post especially applicable to what we do everyday. Enjoy.
Ten Traits of Successful Programs
1. Consistent and clear standards and values – Preset team values are the foundation or cornerstones for every successful team. What is your team’s identity? Great teams establish their own culture.
2. The team members feel a collective responsibility to learn and follow the team values – People commit to the team values and live it in their actions. "This is the way we do things around here" is something the team members are proud to express. The feeling is that "we don’t want to do anything that would let down the coaches, the team and each other". Everyone is accountable.
3. Master Teachers – Master Motivators – The first way coach’s gain credibility, respect and trust is how much they know and how well they can teach it. Successful coaches understand the game and their players and how to teach both.
4. Positive role models – Coaches must consistently live the team values in their actions. The seniors are the best examples of team values. In these programs freshmen or sophomores can be told, "If you are not sure how hard to work or how to act in any situation, just watch our seniors and follow their lead". Your older players and most talented players must be your best workers.
5. All roles are valued – When there is relationship based leadership everyone who contributes to the team is shown value. Credit is shared. When all roles are valued, players are more willing to accept roles and teams are more successful.
6. Positive rites of passage – Intentionally created positive traditions provide a path for athletes to be welcomed, and to grow into leadership. Nothing that could be considered hazing is ever present.
7. Consistent performance feedback – Coaches know how to balance praise and correction. Athletes take correction as a compliment – they are coachable.
8. Trust – Players trust each other and their coaches. They trust their training. Mutual trust allows direct, open, honest communication and fearless play.
9. Sense of Urgency – There is a high energy level. Individual and team discipline is visible in the focused attention and focused effort of everyone. Details are important. Only disciplined teams have a chance to win championships.
10. Impact the player’s lives – Players in these programs treasure the experience so much that they carry the lessons and values over beyond the season and into their lives. They build successful teams of their own.
"Lighthouses don't go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand their shining." Anne Lamott (courtesy of Christine McQuiston)
Schedule for the Week of October 27th:
Monday: Quick Staff Meeting 8:00
School Improvement Program Evaluation Tool 1:00-4:00 (Sarah and Robin)
Tuesday: Parent Lighthouse Team Meeting 6:00-8:00
Wednesday: Planning Team (QAR visit) 3:45
Fall Vocal Concert 7:00
Thursday: Staff Meeting 8:00 (Leveled Library and Short Text Resources)
Friday: Happy Halloween
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