A young learner stopped me this morning in the hallway just after announcements:

• Child:  “Mrs. Van, I have a Christmas question for you today.”
• Me:  “Yes?”
• Child:  “Do you have a favorite ornament on your Christmas tree that is dear to you?”
• Me:  “Actually, I do, and thanks for asking! What a great question!”
• Child:  “Will you write about it today so I can read it tonight on the computer?”
• Me:  “Sure ‘nough; consider it done!”

Here goes little one:  One of my favorite words in the English language is “JOY.”  While happiness is grand, it concentrates more on a circumstance of life–we just “happen” to find ourselves happy because of a situation.  JOY is a deep, soulful emotion bringing delight and gladness–comfort and JOY to the beholder.  There is an ornament I keep close at hand all year (it actually hangs on our tree during the season) with the little word JOY inscribed on the antique snowball.  My Granny B. actually wrote the word JOY on the little ornament the day we had this conversation about the difference between happiness and JOY.  You see, this was her special way of sharing a “pearl of wisdom” with me.  She was known for doing clever little things like this . . .

You see, the students were making ornaments today in a workstation during Daily 5 rotations, so I’m anxious to see their results tomorrow.  In the meantime, here’s your question:  Is there an ornament from your past or present on your tree that is dear to you?  Here’s hoping you share a special pearl of wisdom of your own with your little one this year!

Where to start today . . . hhmmmm . . . let me just say it’s been an eventful smattering of interesting gatherings the past 24 hours here at Miller.  There was the gathering of DADS yesterday and today in the freezing cold temps to help us on early morning arrival duty; their smiles never wavered (thanks, DADS!).  There was the gathering of MISD Maintenance guys on the front lawn yesterday morning when I called about water seeping into the counselor’s office onto the Angel Tree gifts being loaded for delivery.  Then there was the gathering of MISD’s Crisis Response Team in the front office this morning for a surprise lockdown drill.  Additionally, there was the gathering of hundreds of birds on the playground making a stop during their migratory journey who changed the recess routine for some of our young friends.  Yes, I believe in gatherings.  Let’s just say some of these gathering events will provide memories forever…which leads to today’s Christmas Question:  What is your most memorable Christmas or holiday gathering?

Just like Charlie Brown who attempts to understand the true meaning of spirit of the season by gathering with his friends, he is not always excited about holiday gatherings.  He does his personal best to “make it work.”  Call it twisted humor, but I identify with him at times.  We all enJOY hearing stories of family holiday gatherings–the good, the bad, and the ugly.  If we’re completely honest about it, we’ve most likely secretly laughed our way through a holiday movie like Christmas Vacation and thought, “Oh my, that’s us!”  While some of these holiday gatherings and events provide positive, funny stories and personal memories, we can also recall those embarrassing or uncomfortable events as well.  As a wise writer once noted:  “The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.”  So as you gather together during the holidays with those you hold dear, take a moment to reflect, revisit, and share with your young learner those holiday gathering memories.  If you don’t have any, here’s hoping you start making them this year!

. . . and what about these Miller “gatherings” so far this week, you ask?  I’m pleased to report our DADS keep showing up each morning, the MISD Maintenance guys fixed our main water line (and still have all their fingers and toes–special thanks to David, Darrell, Joel, and Gerald who braved a late night and chilly temps in lots of water to get the job done!); the Angel Tree gifts are being delivered on time, the Crisis Team was satisfied, and the birds have traveled southward . . . . 🙂

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for reading . . . the weather is cold and windy, the seasonal stories are abundant, and the temptation to curl up with someone you love and share a great story is powerfully strong.  I keep books outside my office door all the time (as the picture indicates) and I’m known to climb in my office rocker and read them too!

I had the pleasure today of observing a group of second graders “sell” their recently chosen library book to another reader.  They created new book covers (without taking away from the published ones) to advertise and entice younger readers to want to pick up their seasonal book and have it read to them.  The new illustrations on the child-created book covers and the book reviews written convinced me!  If the office had not interrupted my visit with an urgent need, I would have stayed all day . . . .

Naturally, you know the Christmas Question we’re asking today:  What are your favorite pieces of seasonal literature to read to yourself and others?  We are blessed to have multiple “mystery readers” on our campus each week including high school athletes who give of their time to share the JOY of reading.  You are encouraged to call your child’s teacher soon and offer a favorite story and a few minutes of your time to model the importance of reading to your child’s class.  May we never grow too old to enJOY a great story; here’s hoping you share some in your family tonight!

Yes, this is Texas Ranger, Ian Kinsler, hugging up  our own Coach Martin this past weekend during the Adolphus Children’s Christmas Parade.  She had the pleasure of meeting him while serving and riding on the “Old McDonald” float with children currently undergoing medical treatment during the annual Dallas parade tradition.  She commented she had “no problem” hugging up on him for this picture!”  I agree!

Serving the community at large during traditional holiday events is part of how we capture the spirit of the season.  Friday evening, our Miller All-City Choristers sang during the annual All-City Christmas Concert at the MHS Auditorium; what a crowd and what a fabulous concert (Bravos to all involved)!  Saturday afternoon (in the rain), more singers and dancers from Miller Elementary shared their talents during the Southern Star Christmas event in downtown Midlothian–again, outstanding work by all!  This brings us to our question today:  How do you choose to capture the spirit of the season, and who, in your life, truly knows how to capture it the best?  As we move forward the next few couple of weeks at Miller, here’s hoping we all find clever ways to capture the spirit of this wonderful time of year!  🙂

Keeping Christmas is good, but sharing it with others is even better.  There’s a group within our Miller learning community who give and give and give throughout the year.  We are indeed blessed on our campus with an active group of PTO members and volunteers who give so much more than they receive; today was no exception as they lavished our staff with a delicious and festive fiesta to celebrate the holiday season!

Under the direction of Lori Walk, several parents spent valuable time (and many long hours) making homemade enchiladas, tamales, rice, beans, sopapillas, cupcakes, and other treats to share with staff during lunch.  Each team enJOYed food, fun, and fellowship during the celebration.  We most definitely have extraordinary chefs and bakers in our crowd too!

If you’re anything like my family, our celebrations are always created around the food–perhaps it’s a cultural thing or just something that evolved through the years in our family.  Regardless, we love to cook (the process is sometimes more fun than the final product) and we certainly enJOY eating even more!  Naturally, this brings us to our question today:  What is your favorite holiday food and what stories (or memories) does this food evoke for you?

We are so grateful for the support and partnership of our PTO and the parents who give every single time they are called upon to do so!  Generosity is a sign of a great soul and we have many great souls here at Miller Elementary!  Thanks for giving; Feliz Navidad!  🙂

We have a new, engaging weekly routine we are doing this year called, “Miller Moves.”  I admit I stole the idea from another of my princiPALs who found this fun way to get learners up and moving around in a risk-taking fashion.  It’s too bad you’re not here to see our unique “Miller Moves” each week.  The thing is, they never know when I’m planning to come over the campus speaker and blast the music.  You should see the hallway camera footage!

Today, Mrs. Bass started the morning message with our “Miller Moves” song this week (a jazzy version of Jingle Bells, don’t you know!).  After we all caught our breath, it started a great conversation and led to our question for the day:  What songs do you think are on Santa’s iPod this Christmas?  What is a favorite holiday song of yours? 

I’ve always enJOYed the Peanuts gang from Charles Schultz’s beloved series; these kids are great problem solvers (even though it always bothered me because the parents were never around to supervise–that is SUCH an educator thing to say!).  One of the fun parts of any episode is what I affectionately call the “Peanut Dance” where each character busts moves to Schroeder and Snoopy’s light jazz.  Can you hear the tune in your head now?  They also know the value of a good song.

Here’s hoping you take time to laugh, sing, and bust your own Miller Moves during this season of JOY; they are the music of the soul after all!  🙂