Time to Sharpen the Saw

Wow!   We had 52 students prepare and give students for the Student Lighthouse Team!  Not only were the speeches amazing but the audiences were wonderful as well.  Votes were cast and the counting commenced!  Sally counted the votes and was blown away by the amount of votes each student received.  Stay tuned for the announcement of our new Student Lighthouse Leaders!

We've been back at work for almost a month now.  Have you been sharpening the saw?  We're seeing lots of early cold and flu symptoms and we've had lots of late nights.  Don't forget to spend time on your big rocks!

Kristi's son, Ian, with Cooper students!

Sarah's family after our 60 mile relay!

"To live is the rarest thing in the world.  Most people just exist."  Oscar Wilde (Let's Live People!)

Big Rocks: 

Our Student Lighthouse leaders have been selected and it's a great group.  Such a nice representation of 5th and 6th and boys and girls.  Sally will hold the first meeting on Monday from 11:45-12:30 in the Community Meeting Room, next to Sandy Wise's room.

Teachers please remember you need to take attendance daily both in the AM and PM.  Please be sure to include lunch count.  On Friday, the lunch ladies were told that 170 students had ordered lunch but they served 240!  Let's help them out!

We're celebrating Tracy's babies on Wednesday, September 30!  Please join us at 4:00 in the LMC.  We are so excited to share in this amazing time with Tracy and Jack!

Calendar for the Week of September 28, 2015

Monday: Instructional Practices Meeting at CO (Sarah) 10:00

               11:00 Mass for Shelley DeLaGarza-Rupp, Cody Rupp's mom (Victoria's class) 

               Student Lighthouse 11:45-12:30

               DSIT Change Management meeting at CO (Sarah) 12:30-2:00

Tuesday: Literacy Meeting at CO (Sarah) 1:00-3:00

               Lighthouse Meeting 3:45-5:00

Wednesday: IST 8:00

                    QAR Meeting (Sarah) 9:30-11:00

                    Bond Furniture Meeting (Sarah and Kitty) 1:00-3:00

Thursday: Staff Meeting 8:00 in Bill Lietz's room (John Raymond will be here to talk briefly about  lockdowns.)

                LIM Meeting @ Stevenson Middle School, Wayne-Westland (Sarah and Robin) 9:00

                DSIT Meeting (Kristi) 8:00-10:30

                EPM at CO (Sarah and Kristi) 1:00-4:30   

Friday: ???

It's Just a Phase...

This week, Kitty and I were talking in her classroom and we were discussing one of her students.  She explained how he had been taking his markers and putting them end to end to make a long sword.  Kitty laughed as she recounted the story; how she had appreciated his building and then quietly asked him to put them away.   Then Kitty said, "All I can do is love them."

How often have students demonstrated similar, typical, childhood actions and we have become frustrated with them?  Sometimes, I'm just amazed when a student describes playing with her American Girl dolls or collecting match box cars.  It's like a lightbulb goes off-"They're only 10, 11, 12!"

Our new culture and climate goal emphasizes mutually respectful and supportive interactions between adults and students, as well as adult to adult, and student to student.  As I talked with Kitty, I was reminded of a recent video that Kristi first shared on Facebook called "It's Just a Phase."  I encourage you to watch the less than 3 minute video.  If you are a parent, bring the Kleenex!  It's a beautiful reminder of how short a time we share with our kids.  Parents have 936 weeks between birth and graduation.  We will only share 38 weeks on that journey with our students.  Yet, research and experience show us that those weeks matter.  Please, as you interact with our students, remember "it's just a phase, so don't miss it."

Big Rocks

• Sixth grade Curriculum Night will be held Monday from 6:00-7:00 and Open House from 7:00-8:00.  The PTA has organized a Dine to Donate at Noodles and Company that night from 4:00-9:00 so please consider grabbing dinner there!  Please turn in attendance numbers for both 5th and 6th grade nights.
• We apologize that we made some mistakes with scheduling staff meetings.  Per LEA contract, you cannot have more than 4 meetings a month.  Please cancel the October 15th staff meeting!  Also, we know that you can't have a staff meeting on a conference day!  There will be no staff meeting on November 12.
• Our most popular word on our Cooper Wordle was FUN!  We would like to encourage the fun!  On picture day, September 23, Lifetouch is going to help us provide some fun for free!  They will be taking a very professional picture and also a FUN one!  We will have props available but if you have a particular look you are going for-pirate, southern belle, mickey mouse-bring it!  Pictures will start at 8:00.  If you are here earlier, we'll see if they are ready!  Check out Marshall Upper Elementary's staff pics!

 

• We are concerned about unsupervised students in the hallway.  We would like to have some conversation regarding students working in the hallway over the next couple of weeks.  Unsupervised students is a safety concern and very often large groups become noisy and disruptive to other classes.  In addition, the process does not align very well to our hallway expectations.  Please consider using Mary Ann's old room as a community room, as well as, the new science rooms if you need more space.
• The Lock Down drill went as well as it could.  Please remember that doors do still need to be locked.  Sarah has placed a call to John Raymond to conference with him to provide additional clarity on our questions.
• Kristi and I are really trying to increase parent communication.  We are using blogs, social media, e-blast, Peek at the Week, and robocall.  We also will be having our first "Fall in Love with Cooper Coffee with the Principals" on Thursday the 24th from 9:15-10:15.  Please encourage parents to attend.  We will be holding a "Pop in with the Principals" with popcorn and Costco on October 29th.
• Thank you for getting your camp information to Robin.  We are still short male chaperones for Kopacko/Mansour, Lietz/Erickson, Martin/Spence and a female chaperone for Martin/Spence.  We have sent out an e-blast but please ask your parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc.
• The I-Ready testing window is coming up.  Thank you Robin for starting the schedule.  Stay tuned for more information.

Week of September 21, 2015

Monday: 6th Grade Curriculum Night 6:00-7:00, Open House 7:00-8:00 Book Fair

                Noodles & Company Dine to Donate 4:00-9:00

Tuesday: Tornado Drill 10:15

                Lighthouse Meeting 3:45-5:00

                Elementary Report Card Literacy Meeting 4:30-6:30 Board Office

                PTA Meeting 6:30

Wednesday: Picture Day-Staff Pictures starting at 8:00 

                     I-Ready Training 1:00-4:00 @ Johnson (Robin, Sandy, Shawn)

Thursday: Coffee with the Principals 9:15-10:15

                  Elementary Report Card Math Meeting 4:30-6:30 Board Office

                  Extended Staff Meeting 3:45-4:45 Instructional Rounds/Learning Walks

Friday: LEAD time Speeches in Pods

             Camp $ due

                   

What is your Mission?

"It is not hard to make decisions once you know what your values are." Roy E. Disney

"If you are working on something really exciting that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed.  The vision pulls you."  Steve Jobs

"What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it."


I truly believe that if you try to live the 7 Habits, you will see them in everything you do.  How many of you have noticed business mission statements that you would have never noticed before?  Home Depot and Whole Foods have them prominently displayed, as do many other businesses.  I not only see mission statements now but I also hear them.  No, I have not turned into a crazy lady who hears things!  However, I think that I listen to people differently than I did before embarking on this journey.

This weekend, my daughters had the opportunity to attend a horse camp run by a old high school friend of mine.  We have watched each others' lives unfold on Facebook and have passed by each other several times over the years but hadn't really connected in almost twenty years.  My daughters had the most wonderful time at Fox Farms.  When I picked them up, they could not contain their excitement.  Wet, dirty, and cold they talked incessantly about the horses, Stephanie, and all of the future horse dates they had planned.  My girls were not the only ones who were flushed with excitement.  Stephanie was clearly in her element and overjoyed at spending a day outdoors introducing children to horses and nature.

Stephanie called me Sunday morning and we talked excitedly for quite a while.  She talked about how while she had been living the city life in California and taking classes to finish school, she kept dreaming of horses.  When other life events brought her back to Michigan, the calling to connect with nature and horses made her stay.  She finished up her psychology degree and has been working with children in schools.  However, she is frustrated by the standardized testing system, children's addiction to technology, and believes strongly that many of the problems children experience today can be changed if we reconnect with animals and nature.  Stephanie has embarked on her new adventure teaching horse lessons and horse therapy at Fox Farms.  Carys exclaimed to her on Saturday, "This is my dream come true," Stephanie replied, "Mine too Carys."

I have started to think that our missions are clear if we listen.  If you believe, as I do, that it is our mission to help children reach their true potential, then we must help them Begin with the End in Mind.  We must talk less and listen more.  We are raising learners and leaders that will help make the world a better place.  We must understand both our means and our end on this journey.  Mission statements are personal.  You don't have to share yours but you should have an understanding of what it is.  Know it.  Reflect on it.  Helps others find theirs.  This process starts with us.

The First Fox Farm Horse Camp

Big Rocks:

Our new I-ready trainers are Sandy Wise and Shawn Webster.  Victoria also volunteered but as our Illuminate Trainer the district wanted to spread the wealth!  Thank you to all of you for volunteering!

Our LPS Foundation Champions are Kitty Yost, Michelle Stackpoole, and Robin Della Mora.  I'm sure we are the only school with three champions!  Wahoo!

Constitution Day is September 17th and it is a federal requirement that we hold an educational program.  Christine Fankell has to know how we are fulfilling the requirements so Kristi has made a Google doc.  Please put a brief description of how you are fulfilling this obligation.

Please remember that you must complete the Universal Precaution training videos.  A special checklist form was placed in your box last week.  Please complete the videos by September 18 and place in Sarah or Kristi's box.

Fatino has distributed recess equipment and put out equipment on the recess carts.  At this time, no more equipment will be distributed.  We are really in desperate need for some new equipment and are looking into how to meet this need.  Please be reminded that students cannot borrow equipment from the gym.  Finally, Fatino and Lorraine will pump up equipment before or after school but cannot accommodate this request while they are teaching.  Please do not send students down during the school day.

Sarah and Kristi went over the recess rules on Tuesday.  We will distribute the rules to everyone.  Students were great listeners.

Sarah is very interested in finding a day to have a running/walking club at recess to run with the students.  She is also interested in running after school one day a week.  If anyone else is interested, please let her know!

The first fire drill was a great success!!  We have another one this Wednesday and a Lock Down drill on Friday.  Please practice the Lock Down as "ready to run."  If you would like to practice escaping, please try it.  Talk to Sarah or Kristi if you want to talk it through.

Calendar for the Week of September 14, 2015:
Monday: Camp Forms Due
               Noon Monitors Meeting 10:00
               5th Grade Curriculum Night (6:00-7:00) and Open House (7:00-8:00)
               Book Fair will be set up and ready to rock Monday night!
Tuesday: Lighthouse Team 3:45-5:00
Wednesday: IST 8:00
                    Fire Drill 2:00
Thursday: Staff Meeting 8:00 -CPS Mandatory Reporting.  If you miss this meeting, you must make  it up at another building.  Please let Sarah or Kristi know if you need support with this.
                  11:30 Literacy Liaison Meeting (Sarah)
                  1:00-4:30 Elementary Principals' Meeting
Friday: Lead Time
             Lock Down 1:15

               

The Most Important Work

"Today is your day; your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!" Dr. Seuss

http://www.skinnymom.com/get-inspired-60-inspirational-prints/

My weekend was a busy one.  It always is in my house, as I know it is in many of yours!  We were able to head away to Grand Haven for a night with four healthy children only to return with another sick little girl.  I took T to Urgent Care Sunday morning with another high fever which left her unable to walk on her own, confused, and very sleepy.  Thanks to antibiotics we are now well on our way to health!  

Why do I tell you this?  Because sometimes I find myself saying that I just need to be perfect enough.    Not perfect.  Just perfect enough.  We're often told that "good is the enemy of great" and we can't be great, we must be exceptional.  I believe we can do this.  I believe we can be good and great and even exceptional.  However, we must remember to Sharpen the Saw.  We must, as Charles said, often put us at the center to achieve balance.  Lean on one another.  Be patient with yourself.  Remember your "why."  We do important work.

I wouldn't normally quote pop stars but I heard a quote on the radio recently that struck a chord with me.  Mackelmore has a new song called "Growing Up" which is a letter to his newborn daughter.  In it, he says, 

" Don't try to change the world, Find something that you love

 And do it everyday

Do that for the rest of your life,

And eventually, the world will change."

Aren't we lucky to do something that we love?  To change the world just by being in it?  To have a profession that saves lives, works miracles, and makes a difference everyday?  We do important work.  We do it everyday.  That, my friends, changes the world.

Here's our Cooper Word Cloud from our 5 word activity.  The top words were fun, safe, respectful, leaders, inspiring, collaborative, innovative, and supportive.

Big Rocks: 

• The first day of school is here!  Please join us to welcome our new students as they get off the buses and enter the building.  Sixth grade will be led into the gym.  Fifth grade will meet in the cafe.  Yard sticks with teacher names will help the students know where to go.  Sarah will start with 6th grade.  Kristi will start with 5th grade. We will do a short introduction and then get you back to your class.  At the end of the day, please lead your students out to the buses and ensure they all go where they need to go.  Staff will be outside with clipboards of student bus assignments.  
• Please call all students who do not attend school the first day.  Please inform the office if they are a drop.
• Camp packets will go home the first day.  Camp assemblies with HNC will be held Thursday, September 10.  
• 1:30-2:15 Daraskavich, McGlinch, Spence, Martin, Lietz, Erickson
• 2:30-3:15 Mansour, Kopacko, Backiel, Redmond, Kimball, Webster
• A Parent Camp Meeting will be held Thursday night from 6:30-8:00.
• There will be a Fire Drill on Friday at 10:00.
• 5th Grade Curriculum Night and Open House will be held on September 14 and 6th Grade Curriculum Night and Open House will be held on September 21.  The Curriculum Night portion will be held 6:00-7:00 and the Open House 7:00-8:00.  I know that in the past teachers often sent out their own times but often parents arrived very confused and sometimes missed the curriculum night portion.  Obviously, you do not need to take the whole hour to speak on the curriculum but by having this portion first we hope to make it smoother and easier for parents.

Calendar for the Week of September 8:

Tuesday: First day of school.  Half Day.  Lighthouse meeting 3:50-5:00

Wednesday: 

Thursday: Staff Meeting 8:00 Behavior Expectations: Bathroom, Lunchroom, Buses, Technology,     Hallways

Student Camp meetings 1:30-3:15

Parent Camp meetings 6:30-8:00

Friday: Fire Drill 10:00