The Gift of Time

We've been reflecting on time a lot the last few weeks.  It seems like it's slipping away from us.  It's March already and prime teaching time.  Yet with M-Step, i-ready, EDM, and student perception surveys, actual instructional time seems to be limited.  We are being asked to take some things off people's plates.  If there are ways we can help you with this, please let us know.  We are always inspired by your thinking.

Sean Covey said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."  Are we staying true to our mission of Learning and Leading?  Are we remembering to put deposits in each other's bank accounts?  We are faced with many things over the next few months that are not in our control.  We realize that it is crucial to staff and student happiness that we are thoughtful and intentional with dealing with what is in our control.

Time is precious.  That fact is not lost on me as two of my favorite people celebrate their birthdays this week.  Carys is turning nine on Tuesday.  There is something about the baby that made you a mom.  Her name means "to love" and she makes me proud everyday.  I was speaking to her principal the last week and he said, "That girl is going to rule the world some day."  She is an amazing human being who is growing up so fast.  We must lot lose sight that we are raising human beings.  Not test takers.  We are privileged to play crucial roles in children's lives.  Although the days and weeks seem long, we all know that it will soon be June.  Time is precious.  Time is fleeting.  Let us be intentional in how we use it.

Carys at one.

Carys 8 years 363 days old 

Finally, Happy Birthday Terry!  I know time is constantly on Terry's mind lately as he reflects on his legacy with Livonia Public Schools.  This is precious time that we all have left together.  Let us not lose sight of our relationships in the midst of some of this madness.

Big Rocks:
Our QAR visit is Wednesday.  A big thank you to Wendy, Lynn, Kathy N, Robin, Judy, and Nicole for meeting on Friday to prepare for our visit.  We have such good thinkers on our team.  We are prepared for a great day!

Work-a-thon is this Friday from 4-6.  We can use many helping hands.  If you can join us, we would love to have you.

A big thank you to everyone who stayed on Wednesday night for Family Game Night with Learning Gizmos.  We received many compliments from the Learning Gizmos staff on our staff who were willing to learn the games and have fun rather than be on their cell phones.  Apparently, that is a big problem for their training sessions!  We also received many compliments from families who enjoyed spending time together and going home with some new games.  Thank you for your time and dedication!

Week of March 9th:

Monday: 1:00 Data Dig (Terry)
Tuesday: 8:00 Center EPT
                3:45 Lighthouse
Wednesday: 8:00-12:00 QAR visit
                      3:45 Planning team
                      6:00 6th Grade Music Presentations
Thursday:  LIM Symposium
                    1:00-3:00 DSIT (Sarah)
                    2:00 Tornado Drill
                    3:45 Extended Staff Meeting Grade Level Collaboration
                    6:00 Parent Lighthouse
Friday: Spring Pictures
              9:30-11:00 i-ready Webinar (Robin)
              4:00-6:00 Work-a-thon