5 Minutes @ End of Day

I read this tip earlier in the month while browsing through Principal magazine: End each day by writing a positive note to a staff member, which will also help you exit feeling good about the day. This sounded like a simple enough strategy to try, so I grabbed a little notepad and set it on my desk. I have done this for two weeks now, and I loooove it! I have to admit that I ran out a couple afternoons and forgot, but I am determined to make this a habit. I've found that the extra 5 minutes focusing on specific praise for a staff member about something that happened during the day is helping me walk out with a smile. This is great for everyone (me, my family, my staff, and so on...)

Also, I am going to buy some cute notepads at Vistaprint... It is on my to-do list. So. Many. Choices. I am overwhelmed! Until then, my little star notes work fine. They are for my star staff, after all!

We ❤️ Reading!

This is my staff reading wall. We showcase every staff member reading a book. There are teachers on vacation, at their house, with their children, etc... Everyone is reading a book of their choice. I can't tell you how many kids and visitors stop by to check it out. I just looooove the look of it and the message it sends. I've been trying to find the link for the READ signs so I could share it with you. When I do, I will add that information. I probably found it on Stephanie McConnell's blog, The New Principals Principles. If not, just look around there anyway - she is fab.

Now that I look at it in this panoramic view, I am wondering if they are placed a little too randomly. Straightening them up or putting them in (dollar store) frames looks like an upcoming project!

Here is my picture with my little man... He wasn't too sure about my daughter snapping a photo!

Open House is ON!

Last year we accidentally booked our Open House evening on the same night as a Houston Texans football game. Who would think to check the NFL calendar when deciding on dates in July?? Well, we made the most of it! We ordered t-shirts that say "This Teacher Loves the Texans" (we wear them whenever they win!), and we moved the start time up to 5:00. It was a great evening! We had high attendance, but everyone was gone by 6:45 (which is great for students and teachers!). There was a positive spirit in the air because this is Texas - and we all LOVE football!!

We thought it went so well that we took advantage of another Thursday night game again this year! We wanted to kick it up a notch, so we shot a video in "sports" theme to invite the families. Take a look at it here:



 

If you watch it and want the signs our A-Team is holding up, download them for free here: Fun Signs for School Leaders I think they would be useful for many events, photos, and office decorations!

 

How do you organize Open House to balance meaningful event with fun, but keep it in a quick time frame so everyone can come back the next day, refreshed? #somanyhats

Data :Wall" is Under Construction

 I have a dream... it is to figure out a way to track the reading levels of my 900 students for \he years that they are enrolled with us. It is all IN MY MIND... I have to figure out how to get it IN MY SCHOOL! In my mind, I have a whole room dedicated to charts with movable cards so that we can celebrate and move them up/over to the next spot with great pride and flourish! In my school, I have teachers sharing rooms and 4 classrooms in portable buildings... So for a couple of years (we are beginning a two year process of building/rezoning in my district), my Data Wall is going to have to be portable.

Today we ordered a bunch of these pocket charts:

 





 Y'all - I ordered TWENTY!! I am so excited to get them in. Plus, don't you love the black charts? That will look awesome! I'm planning to have one chart for each level.

Then I ordered a couple of boxes of these:

I am going to color code these for each grade level. I saw a GREAT example online that used the student id #s on the front and different dots for special programs on the card as well. I am definitely doing that!! On the back, I am thinking about putting their picture. We get small "sticker" pictures from our photographer. How meaningful - teachers will be moving their kiddos up to the next level and we can see their sweet smiles when we do it! We can put dots for special programs on the front and list interventions on the back, if applicable.

So, it sounds like a BEAUTIFUL idea!! Don't you think? Well, if you are wondering what has taken me so long for the data wall, it is the lack of wall space. Then, I found this:

Into the cart it went. Hopefully it can hold all of my charts. Maybe I should have bought more than one, but storage is an issue right now as well. At least I can pull the charts off of this for the different grade levels and then place them back on after we meet. (Flash forward...In two years I am going to hang them on the wall!)

So, that is my "Under Construction Data Wall" - comprised of many great ideas I've seen at other people's schools and while browsing on line. It has been rolling around in my mind for a while, and I've finally pulled the trigger.

We are focusing on DRA levels because I believe that is the KEY to their success. I am so very fortunate that I work for a superintendent that does not believe in "chasing the banner". State test scores are not how we define success in our district. However, we all still want to shine. I want my students to shine by becoming confident, life-long readers! I have never met a child who loved reading that could not pass a state test. I believe it all falls into place once we hook them on reading, don't you?

So, I will update you after my teachers complete their Beginning of Year testing and I put the "Portable Data Wall" together. I can't wait until Mid Year when we can move our little Bears on up a few more levels! Celebrations ahead!

Leadership Verses

I know that public schools are limited in their religious overtones, and I certainly respect that. In my binder, however, I keep this little chart that I created. Feel free to download it at this link: Leadership Verses
It is for your personal use, if you are in need!

I hope your year is going well!

Hooray, we made it through week one! Our school is about to hit 900 students, grades PK - 4th. We are so busy that I am amazed at how positive & flexible my people are! I am super proud of them, but I know they will sleep well this weekend. It is Saturday night and I am still in pj's with no make up. Maybe they are more productive than I am, haha.... Anyway, I whipped up these little poem cards on Friday and we put Extra gum on top of it. I know that is not too original, but it was in our tiny petty cash budget. Follow the link underneath the picture (it is my 2nd TPT item! woohoo!) and print your copy out. There is room at the end for you to sign. Have a great week 2!!

 

EXTRA praise poem

Here is something cute I am doing for my teachers. The first day is very stressful for everyone - little and big! I know that a small pack of candy isn't going to make or break them, but I hope that they will remember that I am cheering for them. We are going to have a GREAT year! I bet you will too!!

Here is the file, friends.... It is my first Teachers Pay Teachers item (it is FREE). It might be my only one, but we will see....

Click to download and enjoy...1st Day Smarties Link