Monday, May 30, 2016

May 31st-June 3rd #everythingisawesome


Here's the follow up post "Everyone Wins When We Focus on the AWESOME" by Todd about all of the awesome happening in his school (and others)! 
Here is a sample of all of the awesome at Star! Thanks to all of you for tweeting and celebrating Star! Be sure to add #ncsstar for our academy and #ncsinnovate for our entire NCS school! :)

Dates & Details
June 1 Talent Show school assembly 1:05
June 2nd Talent Show- evening performance 6:00
June 3rd- ELA data due (update spreadsheet)
June 9th- Summer fun day 

June 10 Last day! Minimum day & report cards go home
Book an end of year check out appointment here
Summer Dates & Details Doc

June 20th Our Book Whisperer Book Club begins! If you'd like to join, click here


Mindful Minute

Check out this blog post: 10 Ways to Cultivate a Positive Mindset

Sunday, May 22, 2016

May 23-27 #gratitude #celebrate


My friend Todd Schmidt, a principal in Southern California wrote this post about the end of year craziness - it can get overwhelming! 

"There are definitely some days where I feel like dropping my keys on the counter and walking out the door...especially at this time of year. Frustration...exhaustion...anxiety...
Sometimes, it seems to come at you from all sides. There are the people...overworked staff, angry parents, tuned-out students. There are the issues...standardized testing, end-of-the-year chaos, student placements for next year, a seemingly never-ending parade of meetings and mandates that keep me in my office or off-campus rather than being in classrooms and on playgrounds engaging with an incredible community...

Last week, he threw out a challenge: 
"All this week, I am going to tweet out as many wonderful reasons as I can for why I love what I do. 
Who wants to join me?" 

I'm in! I hope you'll join me this week in tweeting out things to love and to be grateful for! Use the hashtag #ncsstar and I'll put together a blog post with a collection of our tweets! 

Have a fabulous week!

Dates & Details
May 26 afternoon- 3rd grade interviews
May 27 NCS PD day and PIP presentations in the afternoon (packing time in the morning!)
May 30 no school

June 1 Talent Show school assembly

June 2nd Talent Show- night
June 3rd- ELA data due (update spreadsheet)
June 9th- Summer fun day 

June 10 Last day! Minimum day
Book an end of year check out appointment here
Summer Dates & Details Doc

June 20th Our Book Whisperer Book Club begins! If you'd like to join, click here


Mindful Minute

Who's excited about Angel Island? Be sure to check out the Summer Dates & Details Doc and RSVP. Looking forward to getting out and enjoying a day outside with you! We can definitely carpool :)


Sunday, May 15, 2016

May 16th-20th #makingmemories


Yesterday, my friend Tracy Walker posted this image on Facebook, and I've seen a few blog posts about not counting down the days left in school. Carly also wrote a beautiful post about saying goodbye (you can read it here). My husband keeps telling me that his highschool students have checked out, and I love that when I walk around Star that kids are learning, engaged, and happy! That is not by accident, and all because of YOU! Here are some thoughts from Todd Schmidt, a principal in Southern CA about

____ Days To Make A Difference This Year!

"It is my hope that all educators would take this opportunity to look at these last few months in a different way."

Here are some of his thoughts that I love:

____ Days To Make An Impact
____ Days Together To Make Lasting Memories
____ Days To Share This Adventure
____ Days To See Your Smiling Faces Every Day
____ Days For Us To Grow Together

"What will you write on your whiteboard on Monday morning? Let's do this together!"  Todd Schmidt

Dates and Details
New Campus Tours doc
May 16-20 Book Fair
May 18th - last ELA Cadre

May 19th Minimum Day & Open House
May 27 NCS PD day and PIP presentations in the afternoon
May 30 no school

June 1 Talent Show school assembly

June 2nd Talent Show- night
June 3rd- ELA data due (update spreadsheet)
June 9th- Summer fun day 

June 10 Last day! Minimum day
Summer Dates & Details Doc

June 20th Our Book Whisperer Book Club begins! If you'd like to join, click here


Mindful Minute



Here's a great post about what hiking does to your brain!
http://www.wimp.com/what-hiking-does-to-the-brain-is-pretty-amazing/

Jennifer

Sunday, May 8, 2016

May 9th-13th #teacherappreciationweek


Thank you for being amazing! I hope you feel appreciated all year long, but especially this week! Have a wonderful week!

May 9th- Jennifer non contract day, Amy teacher-in-charge
May 11th-- no staff meeting- time for building classes for 2016-17 (and breakfast provided by our parent group)
May 11/12 5th grade to Angel Island 
May 13th- Panera lunch provided for teachers! 
May 16-20 Book Fair
May 18th - last ELA Cadre
May 19th Minimum Day & Open House
May 27 NCS PD day and PIP presentations in the afternoon
May 30 no school

June 1 Talent Show school assembly

June 2nd Talent Show- night
June 3rd- ELA data due (update spreadsheet)
June 9th- Summer fun day 

June 10 Last day! Minimum day

June 20th Our Book Whisperer Book Club begins! If you'd like to join, click here


Mindful Minute
Sometimes silly is good. Presenting a few teacher- themed cat memes for your reading enjoyment. And one random cat. 



Sunday, May 1, 2016

May 2nd-6th #appreciation





I don't say it often enough. Thank you. Thank you for being passionate. For working hard everyday. For making a difference to every child. For believing in students who may not believe in themselves. For changing the world. Our school is the amazing place that it is because of you- our teachers. And I am so thankful that you chose to teach at Star. Every day is a little "pinch me" moment and I absolutely know how lucky we are to have you! I hope you feel appreciated! Our families and students will be appreciating you during the week of May 9-13, but this week I wanted to show my appreciation! Tomorrow you'll find our staff room sticked with paper goods, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa for our Keurig- and some creamers to go with it! Also, since you are the "apple of my eye", you will also find healthy snacks, apples, and bananas to power you up this week. I'll have a few other surprises in store!

May 4 Star Staff meeting: 2016-17 planning & updates (please bring pink and blue cards- we will add stickers at the meeting) 
May 5 Dive In PD  Next Gen Science Standards: Transition Plan
May 6 Incoming kinder assessment
May 10th staff meeting- building classes for 2016-17
May 11/12 5th grade to Angel Island
May 16-20 Book Fair
May 18th - last ELA Cadre
May 19th Minimum Day & Open House
May 27 NCS PD day and PIP presentations
May 30 no school

June 1 Talent Show school assembly
June 2nd Talent Show- night
June 10 Last day! Minimum day

June 20th Our Book Whisperer Book Club begins! If you'd like to join, click here


Mindful Minute
Sometimes it's hard to balance work, life, and family. And it's impossible to do everything! Stephen Covey suggests putting the big rocks- the important stuff- first.