Leadership Day: Learning and Leading

Last week, we celebrated a very successful Leadership Day.  Our students and staff were amazing and the guests made sure they let us know.  Most of it was the same things we have heard before: "your students are so confident," "they look people in the eye and speak respectfully to adults," "No suggestions; loved every minute."

One of our fifth grade students excitedly approached Judy to tell her about how he had overheard two councilman discussing how they were impressed with the students and heard them exclaim that Cooper was the "best school he'd ever seen."  He then noticed Terry and I and asked Judy if she thought we'd want to hear before running over to tell us the same thing.  It's this passion and excitement we are striving to instill in our students everyday.

Sometimes teachers tell us that they think Leadership Day is just a show and that people should be able to come in any day and see leadership everywhere.  I don't disagree but I also think there is another way of looking at it.  

In writing this update,  I couldn't help but equate Leadership Day to holding an Open House.  As much as I'd like to say that I spent the whole break Sharpening the Saw, I really was burning myself out.  I spent almost every day painting, purging, donating, cleaning, etc in order to put our house on the market.  My house looked "perfect" for the pictures and Open House.  Counters were cleaned off, toys were put away, closets were cleaned out, doors were repainted, etc.  We were putting on a "show."  We were highlighting our house's best qualities, to help it shine, to help others see how they could make it work for them, to show it's true potential.  That doesn't mean that we weren't living our mission statement.  That doesn't mean that we were fake.  

You can feel it when you walk into Cooper.  That feeling.  That energy.  That positive school culture and climate.  You can feel that any day at Cooper.  It's just highlighted differently on Leadership Day.  

You can feel it when you walk into my home.  My home is not a house.  It's a home and there is a difference.  You can feel the love.  You can feel the positive energy.  It's just highlighted differently during an Open House.

Every one of you should be proud of what you do everyday at Cooper.  It's not always evident but believe us when we say. 

The students are listening.

They are learning.

They are leading.

Big Rocks: 

M-STEP is here for 5th grade.  Terry has sent out the schedule.  He had to come in over break to print the test tickets since the window opened on April 3.  All test tickets are printed and ready to go for the first day.  We have the administrative manuals and will be there with you.  Please remember that you have to complete your classroom activity before the second test day that you have scheduled (the performance task).  We'll have to go with the flow and try our best.  Let's stay positive.  

Teacher Perception Survey: We were originally told that the Teacher Perception Survey for teachers to take on their administrators would be out this week.  We haven't received anything yet but you may receive the survey sometime this week.  Look out for an email from us.

A big thank you to everyone who helped with Leadership Day and especially to Nicole for all of her hard work organizing the day.  Also a big round of applause to Karen Danke and her side kicks Sue Gonyu and Colleen Sweeney for another amazing musical.  Willy Wonka blew everyone away!

The Art Show is coming!  Lauren, please let us know how we can help!  Many people were impressed with the art work and leadership/7habit art on Leadership Day.  Cooper Art Show 2015 is sure to be a huge success!

And a little thing to make you smile...

                                                     My 3 year old's fortune cookie...              

                                                                   
                                                                 Miss. M in action!

Calendar for the Week of April 13:

Monday: M-Step begins 

Tuesday: 5th grade rehearsal Variety Show 4-6

Wednesday: Human Growth Meeting ?
                    6th Grade rehearsal Variety Show 4-6

Thursday: Principals' Meeting: 1-4

                 PTO 6:30
                 Menchies fundraiser

Friday: Book Club 8:00