Month: October 2012

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School Bus Safety Week!

We are blessed to have the BEST school bus drivers in the nation right here in Midlothian ISD!  LME is especially thankful for the men and women who safely deliver our learners early each morning and return them safely each afternoon.  National School Bus Safety Week is observed this week (October 15-19) as a community awareness program to keep our learners safe.  MISD encourages all motorists to use extra caution when driving in school zones and pay attention to our learners getting on and off the bus everyday.  Our bus riders (including our Head Start friends) are also practicing evacuation drills and reviewing bus safety procedures all week.

This is also a time for all of us to show appreciation for our dedicated bus drivers who transport over 3,000 students on a daily basis.  We are passing out Miller goodie bags this week to all our drivers; they are loved!

We know being a school bus driver is no easy task.  They undergo rigorous training and an extensive license process.  Additionally, they must pass a background check, random drug testing, and receive regular driving record checks.

The MISD Transportation Department staff, drivers, monitors and mechanics who keep the department running enjoyed a special appreciation luncheon to recognize their hard work.  They also released balloons in memory of former bus driver Tillie Square, who was a long-time driver in MISD (she drove one of our Miller routes for three years in fact); we miss her . . .  Thank you, MISD Bus Drivers, for driving with heart, soul, and safety first everyday!

Note:  If you would like more details about the transportation department, please view a detailed list of school bus safety tips and procedures on the MISD Transportation Handbook site.

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L-E-A-D!

L-E-A-D…StuCo’s Here to Lead…Hey!  These are the words chanted as our LaRue Miller Elementary Student Honor Council (StuCo) shares their song.  We are blessed at LME to have student leaders who take their leadership role seriously.  They attended the TEPSA “Leaders-R-Us” StuCo workshop today in the MISD Board Room with campuses from six other school districts.  Midlothian ISD sponsored this annual event, thanks to the hard work of our counseling staff.  StuCo members spent the day learning, sharing, collaboratively planning, eating a “real” lunch, and look ahead to service learning activities for the school year.  Our caring counselor, Mrs. Stanley, is their campus sponsor, and our group members are:  Heather, Ryan, Cameron, Allie, and Rustin.

This energetic group had so much to share about their seminar (and were talking over one another enthusiastically):

  • SHC:  We loved the workshop–so much fun meeting new leaders from other schools, talking, singing silly songs, and playing get-to-know games about our StuCo jobs!
  • Me:  So, what does a StuCo leader do?
  • SHC:  A leader is a Learner who is Enthusiastic, Alert, Democratic, Energetic, Responsible, and Spirited!  We all have strengths and areas of growth, so we have to help one another in all areas.  Did you know there is negative and positive leadership?
  • Me:  Am I a negative or positive leader…wait, don’t answer that question!  🙂  (They insist I’m positive.)  What goals did you discuss?
  • SHC:  We talked about promoting other student leaders, teaching teamwork, being responsible role models, showing citizenship and school spirit, doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do, having courage to stand up for what is right, and helping others, always helping others!  We also had to promise to keep a “can-do” attitude, create team spirit at LME, be ready to do any job we’re asked, complete things on time, respect others and ourselves, and know that our work is a privilege.
  • Me:  It sounds like being a leader is a huge job!
  • SHC:  Mrs. Van, you have no idea…  🙂

These young leaders have a code they follow:

Live with courage.  Take pride in what you do.  Always finish what you start.  Do what has to be done.  Be tough and be fair.  When you make a promise, keep it!  Be loyal to the team.  Talk less and listen more.

This is a wonderful code for living life; here’s hoping we all heed this advice and L-E-A-D by example!  Thanks, SHC, for setting our bar so high!  🙂

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Monday Messages…

While sifting through the stack of documents on my desk this morning after walk-about, I noticed several items coming home to families today.  Perhaps a quick recap will assist you in organizing the many opportunities coming to LME soon:

Fall Party Reservation – This bright orange 1/2 sheet to make your reservation should be completed so we have your badge ready that day.  Please return by October 19th.

Art To Remember – This artistic opportunity is strictly optional (and has been highly requested by many parents the past four years at LME).  Mr. Fio is sending a reminder about the envelope and artwork coming home soon for you to purchase products featuring your child’s art.  Again, this is voluntary; all orders are due on Nov. 2nd.  You can email Mr. Fio @ scott_fiorenza@midlothian-isd.net with your questions.

Destination Imagination – This educational program teaches the creative problem solving process and critical thinking skills by having students solve open-ended challenges to present final solutions.  Teams are forming now in grades K-2 and 3-5 at the elementary level.  Up to seven members can be on a team.  Each team must have an adult team manager to facilitate the development of a creative solution to the DI Challenge.  There are six DI Challenges to choose from this year in the areas of technical, scientific, fine arts, improvisation, structure, and service learning fields.  The regional tournament will be Saturday, February 23 at Mineral Wells High School.  You can learn more about DI @ DestinationImagination.org or email our campus sponsor @ jennifer_blair@midlothian-isd.net for more information.  Our Miller teams are forming now!

MISD Homecoming 2012 – Friday, October 26th is Homecoming in MISD!  Elementary students will release @ 12:45 p.m.  Students will be allowed on this day only to wear community-sponsored athletic and cheering program uniforms to school.  The annual Homecoming Parade will begin at 3:00 p.m. and the game starts @ 7:30 p.m. at the MISD Multi-purpose Stadium.  Be watching the website for more details.

We also have our fall Book Fair next week here at LME.  The Book Fair will be open on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 8:00 – 8:00; we hope to see you there!  October 29 – November 2 will be Red Ribbon Week in MISD–more details coming soon on daily themes and opportunities.  Finally, our annual Veteran’s Day Assembly will take place earlier this year in our gym.  As is tradition, our 5th graders will present a moving tribute to veterans.  They will share their program on Thursday evening, Nov. 1 @ 7:00 p.m. and again on Friday morning @ 8:15 a.m.  Please wear your red/white/blue and join us!

Fall brings great learning and sharing opportunities; this year is no exception!  We hope to see you here!

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Willing to try…

During a conversation this morning with a learner in my office, the child noticed this little sign hanging on my wall and asked me about it.  I shared how my Granny B would often say things to me that took years to truly understand, but as I grew older, it all made sense (and wanting to remember these “Granny B-isms,” I stitch them occasionally).  The child commented, “Well, my Grandpa tells me smartness comes when you’re old, so you must be really smart now, Mrs. Van.”  🙂

Young learners who are willing to try their BEST (and keep trying) do succeed!  Mrs. Bass shared a touching story of beginning friendships during our Miller Team Rally just this morning reminding all of us of the importance of trying and being willing to try in order to be successful.  Teaching perseverance is not an easy task for a parent or a teacher.  Young students learn best by example; the important adults in a child’s life have a daunting responsibility indeed!

Numerous successes in big and small ways are celebrated daily.  One of the most enJOYable parts of my day at LME is observing our learners in action…and without fail, I see learners and their classroom leaders always willing to try!

EnJOY your weekend; go Panthers!  🙂

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Safety First!

It’s October…that time of year we always welcome our local fire department to campus in order to talk about safety and strategies.  Check out some important tips at home for your family to know:   National Fire Prevention Week
Special thanks to the men who visited our campus today and to all those who serve in communities across the country; we salute and honor you!

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We ARE family!

It’s true; we think of ourselves as family here at LME—one big learning and growing family everyday.  When one of our own needs help, we answer the call in support.  A fourth grade Miller family member, Ethan, is battling cancer right now.  He was very recently diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS); his prognosis is excellent, yet he has months of treatment ahead of him now.  When Ethan came by to visit with Mrs. Bass and me last week (with his mom), I was completely awe-struck by his bravery, courage, and positive attitude in spite of the situation.  I know many adults who would not handle this situation quite so stoically.  In fact, a former teacher of Ethan’s had this to say:  “Ethan has been one student who touched my heart from the minute he walked in my classroom…he’s the kind of kid who makes me want to be a better person because he’s such a great person himself!”  🙂

Ethan’s homeroom class of 4th graders are on a mission now to find creative ways to show their support and encouragement in the long months of treatment ahead.  They have several clever ideas (no money involved, of course) and special plans to invite the entire school to participate as much as possible.  Be watching for fun school spirit events in honor of our Ethan.

In the meantime, there are ways outside of school you and your child can pull for our family member, Ethan.  You are welcome to follow his progress during this medical journey on Ethan’s site and post him a note of encouragement.  Ethan is an important member of the Midlothian Youth Football League—this family of athletes is surrounding Ethan and his family in special ways too.

In personal times of crisis, one of the most important lessons we can teach our young learners is how to care for others through our words and our actions.  I challenge each of us to lift one another up; share a kind word; be an “upstander” (not a bystander).  As my Granny B would remind me:  “Always be a lamp, a lighthouse, or a lifeboat to your friends because friends are the family you get to choose.”  🙂

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Third Grade to the rescue!

I was reminded recently that even Super Heroes need a little help occasionally…in flies our third grade team here at LME.  Pictured left to right are:  Nikki Hoover, Rachel McKee (AI teacher), Jean Waddill, Amy Clark, Traci Samek, and Jennifer Rinehart.  These classroom leaders bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and great leadership to our third grade super hero learners each day…probably because (as their shirts indicate), they themselves are SUPER powers in the classroom everyday!

Third grade is truly a transitional year during the elementary years in school!  Learners develop the skills needed to critically solve problems; they begin to think in terms of being real problem solvers/resolvers (and we’re not just talking math here either).  Students make the powerful shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” in all subject areas.  It is an exciting time for learners, the classroom leaders, and families!

Third grade also begins the necessary journey of mandated state assessments in Texas.  With the STAAR test, students are expected to master objectives in math and reading at grade 3.  Our teaching team is diligent to work through required student expectations and while we have no way of knowing (or seeing) specifically examples of test items, we know and use best teaching practices and models to support our learners.  A third grade friend shared this observation: “Third grade is fun because we use lots of technology and online personal networks.”  Another friend noted:  “School comes together for me now because I’m a better reader.”  Finally, one third grader sums it up for all:  “Third grade is all about using your super brain in powerful new ways…third grade to the rescue!”  🙂

Note:  Family is important at LME and we currently have a fourth grade friend, Ethan, who is fighting a rare form of childhood cancer right now.  While his prognosis is strong, we ask you to remember him and his family in the coming weeks.

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Poetry and Pirates…oh my!

ARRGGGHHH, mateys, indeed!  Pirates took over the school in search of treasured jewels this morning as second grade friends held a mutiny on the sailing vessel and used their trusty GPS devices with coordinates to locate the treasure.  The results…a treasure chest filled to capacity was located inside Captain Van’s cabin.  What was I doing with everyone’s treasure?  How did it really get there?  Why do I always take the rap?  All was forgiven and I enjoyed a few moments of craft time as we took the treasured beads and made jewelry in second grade classes this afternoon.  I’m sporting my new necklace too!  🙂

Our third grade friends invited me to their annual Poetry Cafe to share in poetry readings with poems created in a variety of formats:  Acrostic, Cinquain, Color, Concrete, Five Senses, Haiku, and Creature Alliteration.  Poets invited parents, grandparents, friends, and other students to experience the joy of writing personal poetry for expression and fun.  As one poet, Chase, noted:  “I needed to make my grandparents’ day…I know I did!”  🙂

Finally, as is our weekly tradition, our Miller Team Rally this morning featured our fifth grade friend, Matthew, sharing the poem “1492” with our entire campus.  His expressive version brought the story of Columbus’ voyage to life!  Way to go, Matthew!  🙂

Congratulations to our MVPs last week:  Maddie (3rd grader), Seth (1st grader), and this week:  Sawyer (Kinder).  Thanks for being most valuable players on our Miller Team this school year!

EnJOY a great fall weekend, a school day off on Monday (with your State Fair ticket), and we’ll look forward to seeing you on Tuesday morning!

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A SUPER Day!

SUPER heroes landed at LME this morning—dressed and ready for educational action in fact!  In appreciation for all their dedication to our recent fun run, students and staff enjoyed a SUPER hero day filled with activities, SUPER costumes, and fun times.  Being the selfless, uplifting, patient, extra-mile, and reliable learners and classroom leaders takes SUPER power everyday; we all took some time out to celebrate our success today.  From clever homemade touches to highly involved outfits, SUPER Heroes ruled the halls and classrooms.  First Grade teachers in particular greeted learners with music and ‘JESS’ a reminder to use our SUPER Hero powers everyday when learning.

Thanks to everyone for their participation and assistance…as one friend commented, “Super Van, we’re all SUPER learning heroes at Miller!”  🙂

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Are you a strong digital citizen?

Empowering students to think critically and make informed choices about how they create, communicate, and treat others in the ever-evolving, 24/7 digital world is a priority for our campus and Midlothian ISD.  Students need to know the decisions they make communicating on the Internet contribute to their digital identity, or digital tattoo.

With this purpose in mind, Midlothian ISD declared this week, October 1-5, Digital Citizenship Week.  In morning message and throughout the instructional day, we are focusing on five critical themes tied to Internet safety through daily activities and instruction including:

Monday – Copyright & Fair Use
Tuesday – Digital Etiquette
Wednesday – Digital Safety
Thursday – Cyberbullying (LME is also doing “SUPER Hero Day”)
Friday – Digital Footprint

As your child’s first and most important teacher, we strongly encourage you to learn more about what you can do at home to help your child become a responsible Digital Citizen.  Please view these sites for more information.

National PTA

FBI: A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety

On Guard Online

StaySafeOnline.org