Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year!

“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” 
― Rainer Maria Rilke

Wow! You should see Cooper! It's no where near ready for us to occupy it!

Really, what's completed is really nice. We will be so happy when it's finished. However, there is much still to do in the three weeks or so left for them to complete the work. This will indeed be a year  full of things that have never been!

We will be starting with some staff changes for 2014-15. As you all know, Mary Beth retired, as did Pat. We will be getting new teachers to replace them. Emily Hiser has been placed in our Resource Room in Pat's place. In addition, Lisa Tanner has been transferred to Cass and we will be getting a different teacher. We will keep you informed as to other changes as they occur.

We will have two long-term subbing positions. Angie, who has not had her baby as of this writing will be off, and Victoria whose son, Nathan Kenneth, was born July 24 (9 lbs., 21 inches) will also be on leave.

On a very sad note, we are reporting that Susie Schnettler has been hospitalized for the past three weeks. She has breast cancer again. Her prognosis is not yet determined. She is at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. We will try to keep you informed of her condition as best we can. At this time, we do not know her teaching status. Susie is such a strong person and such a fighter, there's no way to know how she will do. Cards and letters of encouragement can be sent to her home:

Ms. Susie Schnettler

2911 Metamora Road

Metamora, MI 48455

Susie's daughter, Katie, will make sure she gets your letters. Let's all keep her in our thoughts as the hospital figures out next steps.

Sarah and Terry are both back to work, using Hayes as a base of operations until Cooper is open to us. We will be in meetings and such this week. Next week, secretaries will be back (working at Hayes) putting class lists and packets together for the pickup on the 22nd.

The following week, we are all back. We will be meeting at Riley Upper Elementary on Monday, August 25, 8:00 to 3:30 for building based PD. Breakfast will be provided and lunch is 11:00 to 12:30 on your own. 

Tuesday, we will be having out technology integration PD at Churchill High School from 8-3:30. Lunch is 11:00-12:30. You will have options for lunch. You can go out. You can bring your lunch. You can purchase lunch from food vendors who will be there. We will post more about these options when we learn more about them on Thursday.

Wednesday is another district PD day. 5th grade will get training in MAISA reading units. Sixth grade will get math training. Jan Richardson will meet with both 5th and 6th grade for part of the day. Again, we will get more information to you after our meeting Thursday.

Thursday is a workday. At Cooper. At Cooper? We are hopeful!!! Friday is a day when the district has promised you could get a half-day pay at your daily rate if you work at Cooper for at least three hours (meaning 8-11:00). More on that later, too.

Well, that's our post for now... Lots more to come! Sarah and Terry are working hard on specials schedules and all the other fun things to be completed. Enjoy your final weeks of summer!!!

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together."
~Vincent Van Gogh

Teacher Teach So Much More Than Just Curriculum

I was so thankful I didn’t have to speak on Thursday at the luncheon.  I couldn’t have spoken without crying after watching Judy’s fabulous annual staff DVD.  I felt this overwhelming feeling of appreciation.  Appreciation for all of you.  For Team Cooper.  For the students and families we serve every day. 

We often hear the negative comments and they seem to be louder than all the positive;  the parent who told Terry and I last week that we don’t know anything about child psychology or child communication or the student that grumbled about how happy she is to leave.  Yet, we often have to tell ourselves that is not the truth.  We have to know that for the majority of our students we do make a difference.  A 6^th grade parent came up to me at the incoming 5^th grade Parent Information Night and told me that she wanted to let us know how grateful she was for the support we had given her daughter this year during a difficult time. Another parent emailed Dr. Liepa to praise our staff and wrote, “As an employee in another district, I have an even deeper understanding and admiration for their professionalism and dedication to not only my child, but all the children of LPS.  If there was any way I thought my district could lure them away from Livonia, I would be all for it!”  I received another email last night from a parent of a 6^th grader who wrote, “Your understanding and guidance made such a big difference for her this school year.”  

There was an excellent article this week in the Detroit Free Press by guest columnist Toulla Palazeti of Northville titled "Teachers Teach So Much More Than Just Curriculum."  In describing her own children, she wrote, “Besides family, their teachers were the most influential and important adults in their lives. Part of the person they have become is because of their teachers. Even after teachers no longer recognize my children’s faces or remember their names, their impression is still evident.”  I stayed up until 10:30 the following night baking cookies for my children’s teachers.  We’ve been blessed so far to have excellent teachers for my girls so far.  Tamsin had the most amazing kindergarten teacher this year.  In his letter I wrote. “Every school needs a Mr. Davis and we’re so glad that Tamsin had you.”  Ugh!  It makes me cry just thinking about it. 

I used to think that kindergarten was one of the most important grades to have a great teacher because it’s a child’s first introduction to school.  Yet, I used to love teaching 3^rd grade because much of the research (school to prison pipeline, etc) indicates the importance of reading by third grade as an indicator for success and I thought I could make this big difference.  Now, I see children whose 5^th grade year turns around their opinion of school and 6^th graders who leave as confident students ready to embark on the tough middle school years.  Children deserve great teachers every year.  Not just the at-risk students.  Not just the students who are good at school.  Not just the girls or boys or two parent families or divorced families.  Every student deserves a great teacher every year.  It makes our job tough.  There’s no slacking in teaching.  There’s not a lot of room for bad days.  It’s an important job and important jobs make big differences. 

We love you guys.  Have a wonderful, terrific, fantastic summer.  You deserve it!

 First Day of School                                              Last Day of School

Teachers schedule for the week of June 16, 2014: RELAX!!!

Terry and Sarah’s schedule for the week of June 16, 2014

Monday: Terry training Garfield staff in the 7 Habits

                   Sarah at Cooper

Tuesday: Terry training Garfield staff in the 7 Habits

                  Sarah at Title meeting 8:00-11:00 then Sarah to Cooper

Wednesday: Sarah and Terry last day at Cooper

Thursday: Elementary Principal’s meeting 8:00-11:30

                     Sarah and Terry at Johnson to work on Blogging presentation for August PD

Friday: Sarah and Terry at Hayes

              Lighthouse Meeting 8:00-11:00

                VistaTech LEADS Luncheon 11:30

The Last Week, 2013-14

"The human organism needs an ample supply of good building material to repair the effects of daily wear and tear." ~Indra Devi, Russian-American author and yogini

Ahh, Habit 7. We are heading quickly into summer and the chance to really put together some serious saw sharpening. I know I will be working some extra days doing some consulting for FranklinCovey, traveling to Nantucket once our next grandchild is born in July, right after a conference in Saugatuck, then getting some sailing in before our return on August 12. Hopefully I can get in some reading and settle some work on the old dissertation. Sarah will be heading to Pentwater with her family right after we're finished. Then she has a week at the farm in Illinois with Barry and the girls. Time with family is so important to us. We sharpen our saws by tending to our hearts and spirits enjoying our spouses and children.

A great saw sharpener we all get to do is get off the clock and make our own schedules, planning our days around those activities that refresh and replenish our bodies and minds. Sarah and I will be working through the 23rd. Please use our cell phones to stay in touch as you relax and sharpen your saws. Educators work so very hard, and this Cooper staff has really put in the hours. We need that time to exhale.

This week we need to get the packing finished. We have to be out of the building by 3:30 Friday. Sarah and I will be checking out staff on Thursday and Friday up to 3:30. If you need boxes, contact Jeff. I implore you to refrain from getting information from the night workers. We are hearing about changes everyday. Sarah and I are trying to keep you apprised as quickly as we know what is really happening. To that end, please check your email over the summer break. We will be getting information to you about school changes as we know them. As soon as we can get back into the building, you will hear from us. We will get the building available for you to work in as soon as we can. As things stand now, Sarah and I will be working at Hayes when we return. The secretaries will join us there when they return. Teachers are to return August 25th for PD days with a workday on the 28th. We will stay in touch via email and this blog with your schedule for that week.

BIG ROCKS

This week is busy with the incoming parent meeting Monday night, report cards due Tuesday at midnight, sixth grade send off Wednesday, fifth grade field trips this week, and the half day for students ending their year on Thursday. The status of the computer labs will be day-to-day. We are expecting them to be dismantled anytime. Judy will be teaching in the LMC as long as she can, but boxes will begin to be moved this week. Title I needs to begin shutting down this week as well.

Remember to be signed out and ready to go by 3:30 Friday. All staff must turn in their keys and cards to the office. 

We want to thank our Lighthouse Team for meeting last Friday. They are happy to have had a productive planning session. Below are a few of the notes from their meeting.

 

Just to sum up a few notes from our planning day on Friday.

• We had a very productive positive day.
• It was decided that we would randomly assign leadership partner classrooms at the first staff meeting in the fall by drawing them from a hat, box, bucket or other receptacle.
• The roles on LT for next year are as follows:

• Facilitator - Robin
• Training Coordinator - Terry
• Scribe - rotate monthly
• Web Administrator/Communications - Judy
• Parent Connection - Nicole
• Historian/Documentation - Annette, Lauren, Sandy, Kathy
• Administrative Advisors - Terry & Sarah

• We thoroughly went through the rubric for hitting the Lighthouse Milestone (formerly known at Lighthouse Status) and realized we are super close.  We will contact Covey  about next steps.
• We began brainstorming Committees/Teams to put in place for next year.  We are working on descriptions of them and will ask staff to sign up for them at the first staff meeting.  
• We decided on 1 year goals:
• Reach Lighthouse Milestone in 2014-15
• Student Attendance (Absences will be < a certain number of days, to be determined after looking at this year's numbers)
• SI goals (math, writing, reading)
• 100% participation in Leadership Notebooks and Student Led Conferences (we will be explaining a variety of methods that could be used for conferences which will happen anytime before June, 2015) 
• We would like to schedule full day training for Lighthouse Team in the fall with Terry.

Our schedule this week, June 9-13:

Monday: Last day of marking period

               Service Squad parties, 5th grade at 11:15, 6th grade at 12:10

               New Parent Meeting in Cafe, 6:00-7:00

Tuesday:  Report cards due at midnight 

     

Wednesday: Many of 5th grade to Zoo

                     6th grade send off

Thursday:  Autograph morning (details to come)

                  Student dismissal at 11:50 am

                  Taco lunch and annual DVD at noonish in Cafe

Friday:      Teacher workday

                 All staff must be signed out, turn in keys and cards

                 Leave by 3:30 pm

The End is Near...

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection.  From quiet reflection comes even more effective action.”  Peter Drucker

Wow!  This school year has really flown by!  The end is in sight.  The School Improvement Plan has been turned in.  Evaluations are done.  Rooms are being torn down and packed up. 

It was wonderful to meet with all of you about evaluations over the last couple of weeks.  In lots of ways, we believe that it allowed us some time to reflect on the entire year.  We were able to set goals that let us begin with the end in mind for next year.  We have an amazing staff and that was evident in all of our meetings and discussions with you!

The truth is that year in and year out there is room for improvement. Good educators search for areas of improvement constantly. The end of each year through the summer and into the beginning of the next school year provides a natural transition point for growth and improvement to occur.  The end quickly sneaks up on us.  Finishing the year strong is an essential characteristic of an effective teacher.  As you finish the year, don’t forget to reflect on this year, enjoy your final days with your students and colleagues, and take pride in the job you have done to improve the lives of your students.

Big Rocks: Come and join us as we celebrate Pat Abele’s life and work in education.  We are so happy for you Pat and can’t wait to hear about all of the adventures that retirement will bring!

For the Week of June 2, 2014:

Monday: Terry @ Emerson 8:00-9:30

              Sarah evaluation meeting with Andrea CO 11:45-12:30

              Livonia Summer reading program LMC 8:45-1:00

              Walk-through with movers 3:45

Tuesday: IST 8:00  

     6th grade end of year concert in Gym 9:35 and 1:55

               Rock Star Ice Cream Party 3:00 (?)

Wednesday: EPT 8:00

Science Book Fair CO 8:00-11:00 (Sally, Wendy, Ron, Lynn,     Denise)

Planning Team 3:45

Thursday:  8:00 Staff Meeting

                 6th grade Recreation Center Trip

                EPM 1:00-4:30

                Interested Parent Lighthouse Meeting 6:00

                 Incoming 5^th Grade Parent Info Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm

Friday:      Pat's Retirement Party at Doc's 4:00-10:00

Now It's All About the Packing...and then some!

If I'd known how much packing I'd have to do, I'd have run again.

Harry S. Truman

No one seems to enjoy packing. I was thinking about it when packing for a short trip tis weekend. I certainly was thinking about it last week as I finally started packing the offices and conference room. It's a big job and not a fun one. We are finding, though, that there is much we can let go; there are things that need to be thrown away.

We hope you're finding things to throw away, as well. We can get rid of a lot!

We will begin checking out staff on the 12th of June. That's still three weeks away. Lots of time, and this Saturday, May 31, the school will be open for you to work in your rooms again. It would be great if you're planning to work, to let Terry know. We are planning have the building open from 8:00 to 4:00.

There is news on the Bond Updates for Cooper. There is a rendering of the proposed front of Cooper in Terry's office. Stop by if you'd like to see it. Students and staff weighed in on the colors when we met with the architect last week.




We found out that not all classrooms will be getting new flooring. The process is complicated. the best way to think of it is that sinking fund money can also be used to replace flooring. Not all of it has to be bond money. As the necessary floors (which are the asbestos tile floors) are replaced, it's possible that the district can wait to see if the sinking fund renewal in August is provided. Then the sinking fund can be used for replacing badly tiled floors. That saves bond money for the other things that sinking fund money doesn't cover. It's not that anyone thinks that floors do not need replacing. It is about being as smart as possible about which funds are used for which fixes. We all need to hang in there and see how it all comes out without worrying that it won't all be okay eventually. Some repairs may not be completed this summer.

Congratulations once again to Judy Bowling, Teacher Of The Year. There were lots of people who made it happen by writing up the nominations (actually three different people!), and adding the accompanying documents for the committee. There is no one more deserving, and we can all be proud to have Judy at Cooper doing all the things she does to help make Cooper such a special place for students, staff, and families. How wonderful that Judy is being acknowledged for all her great work!

Thanks also goes to Bill, Sue G., and Lauren for putting together such a great Variety Show! Such hard work really paid off! We also need to thank Leona and Georgia for working the in the wings last Wednesday night. Their help made sure the kids were ready and on stage at the right times. The show was wonderful!

Our schedule:

For the Week of May 26^th:

Monday: No School-Memorial Day

Tuesday: 8:00 IST

               9:30 ASSET

              Title 1 PD Day 5^th Grade

Wednesday: 8:00 EPT

                   All School Recess/Read In

                  11:15-12:00 5^th Grade all eat outside and have recess together

                  12:10-1:00 6^th Grade all eat outside and have recess together

                  Popsicles and some new recess equipment provided by PTA.

                  1:30-2:30 All School Read Out (Weather permitting)

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting

                 8:00-11:00 Common Core Implementation Team Meeting (Sarah and Wendy)

                 Volunteer Luncheon (Sign up in lounge)

Friday: Field Day

            9:00-11:00 5^th Grade

            1:15-3:15 6^th Grade

Saturday: Building open 8:00-4:00 for all staff

For the Week of June 2nd:

Monday: Summer Reading presentation

Tuesday: 8:00 IST

               9:30 ASSET

              6th grade end of year concert for 5th grade students

Wednesday: 8:00 EPT

                   

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting

                 6th Grade Rec Center Trip

Friday: Pat's Retirement Party, 4:00, at Doc's

We Appreciate You!

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”
Carl Jung

As our Teacher Appreciation Week (Cooper always has to be different don’t we) comes to a close, we want to again thank all of you for the hard work and sacrifice you put in everyday for your students.  We’ve talked a lot about our “Why” or our purpose.  We know that there are so many factors that often lead us away from that and yet, as educators, we actually have lots of times to see it if only we allowed ourselves: the child who calms down after taking  a walk or talking to you, the one who gives you a book recommendation just because they know you’d appreciate it, a hug or high five, the insightful answer which shows you they were paying attention, a student who tells the new 4^th graders, “My favorite thing about Cooper is the 7 Habits because they changed my life.” 

I saw a quote on Pinterest recently that said...

We have a lot of stress right now.  Yet, as these last weeks draw to a close, take a moment to remember why you love this job.  All of us make passion our life’s work and you are appreciated for it more than you know.  

You've see this before but it is a great one!  Enjoy

Big Rocks

We are required by the LEA contract to repost the Literacy Leader and Math Leader positions every 3 years.  Sally, Wendy, and Lynn have served 3 years in those positions.  They are all still interested in keeping those positions, however, if you are interested in either position please let Terry or Sarah know by Wednesday, May 21.

Bill has once again put in hours of work to prepare our students for the Cooper Annual Variety Show.  A big thank you to Bill, as well as Lauren Didomenico and Sue Gonyu, for helping throughout these last few months.  The Variety Show will be held Wednesday, May 21 from 6-9 pm.  There will be a 5^th grade performance from 9:30-10:30 AM and a 6^th grade performance from 1:45-2:45 PM. 

The Summaries of Student Growth Data have been coming in.  Thank you for your prompt attention to this deadline.  Please remember to schedule a time to meet with Sarah or Terry to complete your evaluation.  Evaluations are due to Cindy DeMan by Monday, June 2. 

Central Office has stated that teachers in Phase 1 Bond buildings, who have completed all of their responsibilities and are checked out, do not have to report on Friday, June 13 due to the additional time spent packing up room and common areas (nights, Saturdays, etc).   

For the Week of May 19^th:

Monday: PD HOURS ARE DUE INTO RESA! 

              Placement of 5^th grade students: RCRS out in AM, 5^th Grade teachers out in PM

               7:30 a.m. Terry meeting with Dr Liepa

               7:30 p.m. Sarah to Board Meeting to receive QAR Team Effort Award

Tuesday: 8:00 IST

               8:45 Assembly on End of Year Expectations

              9:30 ASSET-Title Budget

             3:00 Bond Meeting for Phase 1 Schools

               Summary of Student Growth Data Due

Wednesday:  8:00 EPT
                   9:30-10:30 5^th Grade Variety Show

                   1:45-2:45 6^th Grade Variety Show

                   6-9 Annual Cooper Variety Show

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting

                School Improvement Plan DUE

Friday: Administrator’s Summary of Student Growth Data due to Andrea Oquist

            Title 1 PD Day 6^th Grade

            Mismatch Day

For the Week of May 26^th:

Monday: No School-Memorial Day

Tuesday: 8:00 IST

               9:30 ASSET

              Title 1 PD Day 5^th Grade

Wednesday: 8:00 EPT

                   All School Recess/Read In

                  11:15-12:00 5^th Grade all eat outside and have recess together

                  12:10-1:00 6^th Grade all eat outside and have recess together

                  Popsicles and some new recess equipment provided by PTA.

                  1:30-2:30 All School Read Out (Weather permitting)

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting

                 8:00-11:00 Common Core Implementation Team Meeting (Sarah and Wendy)

                 Volunteer Luncheon (Sign up in lounge)

Friday: Field Day

            9:00-11:00 5^th Grade

            1:15-3:15 6^th Grade

**** There may be some opportunity for teachers to pack during the Read In and Field Day with some creative covering between switch teachers.  More info to follow.

           

                

Time to Pack!

We are in the season of moving forward. We move to completing evaluations. We move to completing the school year. We move to activities that mark the end, such as Variety Show, Field Day, Sixth Grade Sendoff, and final day field trips. We move to summer, that time of renewal. We move to begin another year of educating 5th and 6th graders.

This summer, however, we also need to move our things. We need to prepare the rooms for renovations. Already there are new toilets and sinks. Wiring is being layer all over the building. And sounds of hammers and ladders and trucks and equipment can be heard every night. It's time to begin packing.

Every room needs to be emptied. We will not look as we normally do by the end of the year. We need to be totally packed up and out of here on June 13, not returning until late August. That means it's time to pack the boxes, time to take your personal things home. There is no need to wait. Keep the packed boxes in your room, labeled and stacked. Nothing that's staying will be leaving your room until the 14th. Move forward with packing, even though it will indicate to students that the year is ending. We recommend you post a calendar in your classroom with all still to be completed by students. Help them see that they have more work to do. And at the same time, have them help pack books you won't need and supplies you won't be using the remainder of the year.

We also need to pack the common areas at Cooper, particularly the lounge, science and math rooms, and the book room. To accomplish this, we will create sign up sheets for these areas. Everyone needs to pick an area to help pack. A "captain" will be assigned for each area to help coordinate each area. If you would like to volunteer to be a captain, please let Sarah or Terry know.

We have designated two Saturdays to open the school for those wishing to get work done at Cooper. The first of these is this Saturday. We will have the building open from 8-4. You will be able to let yourself in using your ID badge. Sarah and/or Terry will be in the building (we are packing, too). You are welcome to come for any part of the day you need. You area also welcome to bring helpers. We cannot generate a lot of trash, and all of it needs to be taken to the dumpster, so rooms are ready for Monday.

We will also open the school on Saturday, May 31.

As we complete the tedious task of packing, remember we will be thrilled with our renovated school in August when we return! No matter when we're allowed back in, we will make this a great place to be by our Open Houses in October.


Big Thank You's to our 6th grade Camp participants! The Camp experience was wonderful! We had good weather, fun activities, and great support from our chaperones and staff! The kids had a great time!! The camp staff agreed that we had outstanding students! Thanks to Robin for all of her organizing, changing, worrying, collaborating, and coordinating! The Howell staff are always so impressed with our organization! Also, thanks to Diane and Nicole for helping with grouping. The groups seemed to work really well. Thanks, too, to Mary Beth for her work with the souvenirs and providing snacks for staff! Great stuff!!



The schedule for the next two weeks includes:

Week of May 12
Monday:                 QAR Meeting, 9:30, Sarah
                               WSU Law School Graduation, 4:30, Terry

Tuesday:                 IST, 8:00
                               ACES, 10:30-11:00
                               TOY Committee, CO, Terry, 12:30-4:30
                               6th Grade Variety Show MANDATORY rehearsal, 3:40-5:00
                               After School Clubs
                               Title I Parent Outreach presentation, 6:00-8:00 (Terry and Robin)

Wednesday:            DIA Field trip for some 5th grades
                               EPT, 8:00
                               Emerson RCR conferences throughout the day
                             

Thursday:               DIA Field trip for the rest of 5th grade
                               Extended staff meeting, 3:45-4:45

Friday:                    F&P Scores Due in MiStar

Saturday:               Building open, 8-4


Week of May 19
Monday:                 PD hours due to RESA site
                               Consultant meeting, Novi, Terry 4:30

Tuesday:                 IST, 8:00
                               Summary of Student Growth Data due to your evaluator
                               Erickson/Lietz DIA field trip
                               After School Clubs

Wednesday:            EPT, 8:00
                               Variety Show, 6:00-9:00

Thursday:               Staff Meeting, 8:00
                               School Improvement Plan due

Friday:                    Administrator summary of Growth Data due