Balance Feels Best

Before break, we noticed more hyperactivity, more tears, more short tempers, and more exhaustion.  We're not just talking about the students.  We were all out of balance: overstimulated, overworked, overtired.  The 7th Habit, Sharpen the Saw, reminds us that balance feels best.  We all feel better when we take the time to renew the four parts of who we are: body, mind, heart, and soul.

As unfortunate as it was that my daughters' spring break did not correlate with mine, there was a blessing in it too.  Full time parents know that it's challenging to find balance.  You work all day only to go home and be "on" all night.  This week was a gift. My husband and I had the same time off and were able to "balance" all of our responsibilities.  We took the kids to school each morning, went for runs, read, went out to lunch, watched TED talks, painted some rooms, picked the kids up, played at the park, etc.  I was beautifully reminded that we only have one life to live.  As the author and spiritual leader, Eckhart Tolle, said, "In today's rush, we all think too much, seek too much, want too much, and forget about the joy of just being."  Don't be too busy sawing to take time to sharpen the saw.

Kristi sharpened the saw on the beach.

My Loves

Quotes: 

"I don't understand why school can't just be you do a project and learn and then you do another project you are interested in and learn that, rather than textbooks and worksheets." Carys 

http://head-heart-health.com/17652/10-inspirational-quotes-rumi

TED Talks Worth Watching:

Scott Dinsmore: How to Find the Work You Love

Big Rocks:

Thank you to everyone who met with Kristi and I regarding Cooper's challenges and strengths.  We will be putting out the opportunity for a few more meetings for those teachers that wanted to meet but were not able to last week.  We will send out the Google Doc when complete.  Due to overwhelming consensus, there were a few changes we can make prior to the completion of the meetings. 

•  Please spend the next few weeks reviewing expectations for hallway and bathroom behavior.  We will be expecting students to walk quietly in a line in the hallway.  Kristi and I will be asking classes to go back and walk if they need to practice.  Teachers, overwhelmingly, felt that they should work together to ensure that all students were following these expectations.
• There is no gum chewing at Cooper.  This privilege has been revoked due to the problems of finding gum everywhere.
• Teachers overwhelmingly felt that hats should not be worn in the building and wanted to work together to enforce this expectation.  
• Passes for the hallways were also a big discussion.  We will discuss this at Lighthouse this week.  Teachers were concerned about the overwhelming amount of children wandering the halls.  The number one person who has control over this is the classroom teacher.  Please review your expectations for bathroom breaks and leaving the classroom.  

M-STEP is nearing.  Fifth grade begins next Monday, April 11.  Kristi and I have a meeting Monday afternoon at the board office regarding protocols and procedures.  I did set up all sessions prior to break.  I did go into school on Tuesday to print tickets but the site would not let me do it!  We are planning on printing tickets at the beginning of the week and will complete a schedule.  Please remember that the district is requiring teachers to view the videos and practice with students.  Thank you for your patience and support during this time!

Over break, Sue was approached by the EMU theatre of the Young about a possible assembly.  Another school in the area had to cancel and she offered Cooper an assembly for an extremely cheap price.  One thing our students said they wanted was more assemblies so we jumped on it.  Unfortunately, it is only for 5th grade students.  It's a play called Love Like Salt and Other Ordinary Wonders.  It is a collection of folk tales and riddles, and it celebrates the power of ordinary objects to become extraordinary.  A sign up sheet will be in the office.  The assembly is Friday.  It is a 45 minute assembly with an additional 15 minutes at the start to organize a seating arrangement.  One assembly will begin seating at 8:45 with a 9:00 start and the other will begin seating at 10:00 with a 10:15 start.  Enjoy!

The Super Readers Run will take place on Tuesday afternoon.  It look like this is the best weather day this week.  More information will follow on Monday.

Keep those Leadership Showcase applications and ideas coming!  We are happy to allow more leaders the opportunity to find their voice and showcase their talents.

Calendar for the Week of April 4, 2016:
Monday: 11:45 Student Lighthouse
                1:00-4:00 M-STEP meeting @ CO (Kristi and Sarah)
                 3:45 GOTR
Tuesday:  9:00-12:00 MSTEP Planning (Sarah and Kristi @ Cooper)
               1:00-4:00 DSIT (Kristi)
               3:45 Tennis Club
               3:45 Lighthouse Team
Wednesday: 8:00 IST
                     9:30-11:00 QAR (Sarah)
                     11:45 PTA Leaders
                     3:45 Girls Basketball Clinic
                             GOTR
Thursday: 8:00 Staff meeting
                 1:00-4:00 Elementary Principal's Meeting
Friday:  LEAD Time Bus Meetings with Drivers
              Final MSTEP Preparation