Kindness Welcome

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia

It's time.  It's the beginning of a new school year when every new possibility, every risk, every chance, every potential has yet to be realized.  Everything is brand new.  I have a quote that hangs in my kitchen that says "What will you do for the world today?"

What will we do for our students this year?  What will you do for your colleagues?  How will we work with, empathize, and help our parent community?  If you do just one thing, I would urge you to be kind.  Research shows that people who practice compassion and kindness are more content on an everyday level.

Terry used to ask me constantly, "Are you still happy here?"  It seemed like a small thing but I know now that it was not.  There is so much research now to support happiness in the workplace.  This is a great article entitled "Rethinking Work" that was published by the New York Times.  nyti.ms/1PCRleR In it, the author talks about how, as humans, we are not money driven by nature and that most of all, we want work that is meaningful.  As educators, we do meaningful work everyday.  Even with all of the negative media surrounding education, I have never doubted that what we do makes a difference.  We do the most important work!  As we begin the new school year, remember that what you do makes a difference, practice kindness, smile often, and be happy.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 
– Maya Angelou

“How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make a contribution toward introducing justice straightaway. And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” – Anne Frank

Big Rocks:

Building Access this week:

• Jeff will be working approximately 7:00-3:30 this week.  
• A night custodian will be coming to code out the building at 7:00 pm.
• Paul and the regular Cooper night crew will not be returning until Tuesday, September 8. Please be patient and help Jeff as he is the only building supervisor currently working at Cooper. 

Work Day: Kristi and I will be around will some treats and your Level Up LPS booklets on Monday morning.  We will try our very best to keep all students away from your rooms so you can get ready.  Let us know if there is anything you need!  We can't wait to see you!

• Please be reminded that we cannot put tape on the lockers.  It is almost impossible for the custodians to remove.  You may use sticky tape or magnets.  Also, please be careful about what you put on your new cabinets.  Stickers and other lettering are proving very difficult to remove.

Professional Development: All PD days are 8:00-3:30 with lunch from 11:00-12:30.

• Level Up LPS: https://goo.gl/0h0FV7 
• A big thank you to Judy Bowling who has been a crucial leader in bringing another exciting professional development opportunity to LPS.  The keynote speaker is Eric Sheninger,  author of Digital Leadership.  I'd highly recommend his book if you are interested in how technology can strengthen schools.  Follow him on Twitter!  He has 89,400 followers!  Remember to tweet #leveluplps!  Food trucks are back!
• Next Generation Science Standards: 
• This will be held at Stevenson High School.  Fifth grade will be in room E-12 and Sixth grade in room E-13.  A round of applause for Ron who is helping present!  Cooper keeps representing!
• Building PD with Charles Fonbuena:
• Charles unexpectedly stopped by on Friday and chatted with the Lighthouse team.  We explained what we have been doing, staff concerns, and our need to elevate LIM from more of an "introduction" to "living the habits" for our students.  Being Charles, he kept bringing it back to what are "we" doing as staff, how are we living the habits, and are we living our mission of "learning and leading."  He also gave some great ideas of how we can tweak our mission.  He suggested the idea of adding several key words.  "Everyone Learning, Everyone Leading, Together."  We will discuss our thoughts as staff.  I'm not sure exactly where Charles is going to go with us on Thursday but as always I'm sure he will reignite us and get us ready for the year!
• We are going to order Jimmy John's in for lunch.  If you would like to order and eat with Charles, please let us know and watch out for a sign up and envelope in the office.

Evaluation Updates:

• Kristi and I will be sharing the evaluation list at our opening staff meeting.  The legislature has still not passed the Teacher Evaluation Bill.  Therefore, the 50% student data (F &P for classroom teachers) will go into effect this year.  We will share more information as we get it!

Assessment Updates:

• i-Ready: The district has purchased i-Ready Math for all buildings.  We will no longer be using the EDM benchmark tests!  More information to come!
• The tentative testing window is 9/21-10/23.
• The district is asking us to send several teachers to be trained to be trainers.  Robin is definitely going as she has some experience already and will be utilizing the data for Title I.  Please let us know if you are interested!  The session will be held 9/23 from 1:00-4:00.

• M-Step: The state made adjustments based on the teacher survey results.
• The testing window with be April 11-May 27, 2016.  
• 5th grade 4/11/16-5/2/16
• 6th grade 4/25/16-5/16/16
• Students will not be required to complete the testing in one sitting.  It can be administered over multiple days.
• The ELA Performance Task will only be administered in grades 5 and 8.  No more ELA performance task in 6th grade.  The Math Performance Task will continue to be administered in grades 3-8.

Planning/Lighthouse Team Meeting:

• At the end of last year, the Planning team and Lighthouse Team combined.  We went back and forth on names but decided on Friday to just go with Lighthouse Team.  
• The team decided to meet Tuesdays after school from 3:50-5:00.  
• We created new norms.
• Start and end on time.
• Start with humor.
• Bring treats.
• Stay on topic.
• Assume best intentions.
• Promote and support the mission of "Learning and Leading."
• Find your voice.
• We discussed uses for the empty rooms.  The team deliberated for a long time on this topic.  They decided that Bubar's old room should be used as a Community Room.  The Student Lighthouse Team could meet here.  Any classes can sign up to use this as a meeting room.  
• There were lots of people that came to Sarah at the end of the year about a need for a science room.  The team decided that Aronson's old room should be used as a 6th grade science room and Jillian Black's old room should be used as a 5th grade science room.  
• Emily Hiser's old room will be used as the Title I room with Christine McQuiston.  
• Judy would like to utilize the Media room as a Makerspace and for Kid Edcamp.  More info to come as we explore these ideas.  
• Thank you to Bill Lietz for joining us.  We welcome everyone to join Lighthouse!  We are looking to hear your voice!

Calendar for the Week of August, 31, 2015:

8/31/15: Cooper Work Day

              Sixth Grade Packet Pick-Up 9:00-11:30

              Fifth Grade Orientation and Packet Pick Up 6:00-7:00

9/1/15: LPS Level UP at Churchill 8:00-3:30 

9/2/15: Science PD at Stevenson 8:00-3:30

9/3/15: Cooper Building PD with Charles Fonbuena 8:00-3:30

9/4/15: Building Closed