The Death Crawl

At our staff meeting last week, we watched an excerpt from Facing the Giants where the team captain has to do the "death crawl."  The coach tells him, "You are the most influential player on this team.  If you walk around defeated, so will they.  Don't tell me you can't give me more than I've been seeing."  When our job gets tough, during times before breaks, when we're worried about a child, when we listen to the continued negative coverage of education, we often find ourselves doing the death crawl. We must remind ourselves that we are the most influential player in the classroom.

Last Wednesday morning, I headed out to a meeting at Central Office knowing that I had several big issues to deal with upon my return.  As I drove back to school, I felt myself doing the death crawl.  I was tired.  I felt defeated.  I was asking myself, "Does what I do matter?"  That afternoon we did not stop as we investigated one problem after another.  The buses left and suddenly Kristi and I were being paged to the office.

"There's been a bus accident."  We grabbed the bus binder, legal pads, and made some calls as we headed out the door.  We arrived at the scene to see police and emergency personnel, parents gathering, and a child being placed on a stretcher.  Teachers and Central Office staff arrived and things started happening.  During the entire time, we remained calm.  Students and parents were cooperative, polite, and patient.  I've said it before but our staff is amazing.  So many people showed up and asked how they could help.  Since the accident, we've received numerous compliments from Central Office, parents, and the police about how the situation was handled.  We were all the influential players in the room and we made a difference.

As we end the year, let's give it our best.  Don't resort to worksheets and coloring pages.  Don't bust out the movies and electronics.  Be intentional in your teaching.  The students deserve better.  Keep going.  It is worth the fight.

Big Rocks:

You may notice some beautiful art around the building on Monday due to the synergizing that took place Friday night.  Thank you so much to Lauren Didomenico, our amazing art teacher, for coordinating the Work-a-thon!  Also thank you to Angie Doelker, Laura Connor, Diane Mansour, Kitty Yost, Michelle Stackpoole, Denise Kimball, Fatino Kincaide, MaryAnn Bubar, Sally Erickson, Christine McQuiston, Linda Cohan,  and Darci Licata for staying to help paint the building and supervise our students.  We can't forget out night custodians who are always helpful.  If I missed anyone, I'm sorry!  Thank you!

Canvas Leadership Quotes

New Habit Tree

Snack Cart Queen

Window Art

We are a Win Win Team!

Thank you to Judy Bowling for organizing Google Expedition.  Our students traveled all over the world through virtual reality!  Everyone thought it was amazing!

Mind Blowing!

Historic Philadelphia, Galapagos Islands, Deserts, oh my!

There are two Cooper music concerts this week.  Students had the choice of which concert they would like to attend.  The concerts are Tuesday and Thursday nights and start at 7:00.  Karen and Sandy have been encouraging families to bring a canned food donation to help Cooper families.

Our first Parent Lighthouse team meeting is this Wednesday at 6:00.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  Thank you to our whole team but especially Lynn deCarli who has been instrumental in sending out the information to parents.

Please come celebrate with us on Friday at the Box Bar in Plymouth starting at 5:00.  A big thank you to the Enthusiasm team for coordinating this special "sharpen the saw" holiday outing.  

Calendar for the Week of December 7, 2015:

Monday: 8:00-11:00 Sarah LEADS Principal PD at Riley

               12:30-3:30 Kristi LEADS Principal PD at Riley

Tuesday: 8:30-12:00 Triad meeting (Sarah)

               8:00-11:00 Literacy Leader Meeting

               3:45-5:00 Lighthouse Team

               7:00 Music Concert (Sarah)

Wednesday: 11:15 PTA Leaders 

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

                     6:00 Parent Lighthouse Meeting

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting

                  8:30-11:30 DSIT Meeting (Kristi)

                  11:00 Principal Luncheon

                   1:00-4:30 Elementary Principals' Meeting

                   7:00 Music Concert (Kristi)

Friday: 8:45 LEAD time

            5:00 Holiday Celebration Box Bar in Plymouth