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