Month: February 2013

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A sweet balance…

My Granny B. had a saying:  “A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.”  She made certain there were goodies in her house at all times.  Cooking and baking were her ways to show love to her family…and she was truly a master!  She appreciated the festive part of cooking them most, just like some learners shared with me today.

A class volunteer read the story The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond to the class.  Students discussed the story about Cornelia Augusta, the day she collected raining hearts, and what she did with those hearts.  In  writing workstation, students were then challenged to complete their own story:  The Day It Rained _________.  What amazed me about their writings today were the unique collections of raining objects—things like pencils, lobsters, eyeglasses, socks, shoes, and even cookies.  valcookiesOne child shared this picture of the heart cookies she and her mom are making the class this week for the Valentine’s Party (I’ll be sure and swing by that classroom during parties).  She wrote about collecting the raining cookies, decorating them, and sharing them with all her friends.  She finished her writing by saying, “Collecting friends like those raining cookies is really sweet!”  🙂

It’s comforting to have our learners enJOY writing creative ideas and sharing clever results with each other…just like a batch of warm cookies right out of the oven.  Do you have a “sweet balance” today?  🙂

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Tutus and Ties…oh my!

DSCF5398_00083Chivalry is alive and well in MISD…just ask anyone who attended PTO’s Tutus and Ties Event:  A Night In Paris!  This annual event, created by some wonderful moms wanting to promote special daddy-daughter time at school, goes above and beyond to create an evening to truly treasure.  From the dresses to the suits, girls and the significant males in their lives (be it dads, grandfathers, uncles, older brothers, or friends) DSCF5338_00035spend a extraordinary evening dancing with a live DJ, noshing on divine refreshments (from chocolate fountains, cupcake trees, and other “tea party” eats), taking pictures, sharing flowers, and enJOYing the company of others.  Participants are greeted as they walk the pink carpet into a transported Miller hallway and cafe.  The festive atmosphere (each year has a unique theme) sets the tone for a wonderfully spectacular evening of fun and fellowship making lasting memories together.

DSCF5344_00040Special thanks to our PTO Board and Volunteers for the hours of designing, planning, preparation, decoration, and food donations.  Specifically, thanks to Nicole and Gayle, partners in cleverness, for annually co-chairing this treasured tradition at LME!

…and just so you know we have equal opportunities for our LME boys, get ready for the annual Boys’ Night Out Event coming in April for guys and their moms (or other significant females).  It’s always a rowdy fun time for all!    🙂

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Principal’s Principles…

There are days when my work as a campus leader focuses specifically on those we have the honor to serve everyday:  our learners.  I LOVE days like this!  Following our Friday Rally this morning, for example, I spent nearly an hour with a diverse group of 5th grade friends.  We talked in a round table session about our work here at LME.  They are a student focus group who isn’t afraid to speak about “the good and the not-so-good” concerning our campus.  They talk with me about the work they do in their classes, what they think about certain school initiatives, and how to make our learning community a better place as we grow.  They are brutally honest and I appreciate their perspective more than they know!

Likewise, Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Stanley, and I then spent a wonderful IMG_2090lunch out with a special group of learners who earned this semester honor.  These friends from Kindergarten through 5th grade met specific criteria including perfect attendance as well as and the highest academic and behavior standards.  It is truly an honor to visit with these students and enJOY some time away in a special setting for a yummy lunch!  The stories they tell us…  🙂

Our students always have a voice on our campus and part of our job is to actively listen to them.  We appreciate their feedback, their ideas, their stories, and their dreams for the future.  As one friend put it this morning, “it’s the principles of the principals that can make it or break it…”  No pressure!   🙂

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Upcoming Events!

A volunteer stopped me in the hallway today to compliment the blog, the topics, and the “funnies” of everyday campus life.  She also challenged me to send out more upcoming-eventsinformation about upcoming events (ahead of time) as well as to continue writing about them after-the-fact…consider it done!

Here’s a glance at some important February events in our campus life at LME:

Tutus and Ties:  Our enthusiastically active PTO group is sponsoring the annual event THIS Saturday, Feb. 9th in our Miller Cafe from 7:00-9:00 p.m.  The theme is Tutus and Ties:  A Night in Paris!  A live DJ, door prizes, pictures, flowers, food, and fun are the main events for this Sunday-Dress attired evening.  Tickets are still available for $25.00/couple ($35.00/couple at the door).

Valentine’s Day Parties:  Our final class parties will take place on Thursday, February 14th.  HS/KG/1st/2nd grades will party from 9:00-10:00 a.m. and 3rd/4th/5th grades will party from 1:30-2:30 p.m.  You can still make a reservation to attend by letting the front office know so your visitor badge is ready.  We always appreciate the extraordinary work our room parents and volunteers provide our homeroom classes during these highly anticipated and special events!

Thoughtful Writing Thursdays:  To support our 4th grade friends who spend intense time each Thursday during February and March in writing preparation and practice, we wear our school-appropriate warm-ups.  Help up Warm-Up to Writing in the next few weeks!

Our Destination Imagination group will compete in the regional tournament in Mineral Wells ISD on Saturday, February 23rd.  We’re so excited to have two creative elementary teams representing LME this year!

LME Yearbooks are on sale now and you don’t want to miss your opportunity to purchase this colorful book of 2012-2013 school memories!  Your last change to order is February 28th and the cost this year is $20.00.  Last year was a sell-out, so please order now.

Our Math Pentathletes are meeting weekly now in preparation for their annual tournaments.  Division I and II will compete on Saturday, April 6th in Mansfield ISD.  Division III will compete this year on Saturday, April 27th in Glen Rose ISD.  Go Math Pentathletes!

The Miller CATCH Committee is sponsoring their annual Chili-Cookoff and Family Night on Thursday, February 21st from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Miller Cafe.  The entry fee is $5.00 and the fees go into the winner’s pot.  Chili entries should arrive by 5:45 with judging starting at 6:15 p.m.  After judging is completed, all chili will be served for $1.00 a bowl.  No reservations are needed; come and enJOY some great chili and family fun!

Rowdy Run 5K Event:  Come out and show us you believe in a healthy lifestyle.  The enormously popular Rowdy Runners Club is sponsoring their first annual 5K on Saturday, March 2nd @ 8:00 a.m.  The start/finish is at Kimmel Park in Midlothian.  You can register at any elementary campus by picking up the application or online using http://www.active.com/running/midlothian-tx/rowdy-run-2013 (additional fees apply).  The real question is…will you beat Mrs. Van across the finish line?!  🙂

As you can see, there are multiple opportunities to be involved with our campus; we sure hope you choose to spend time with us soon!

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Given a choice…

I was interviewed recently by some students about why I went intogiving1 teaching years ago.  While I love to share this story, the more important part of the interview was why teachers choose to do what they do.  Here is what I said:

We teach and educate because we were given this gift.  Regardless of your beliefs, teaching is a gift (just like music or athletics or preaching or great minds).  Spend some time in a classroom and see if you possess the gift.  I believe educators are blessed with a heart of compassion for others and special giving hands to share it.

We teach because children need someone who listens and loves.  When a child quietly whispers, “I need to tell you something,” in that moment we become listeners, counselors, parents, pastors, or any other profession required of us.  This trusting child knows we will love no matter what they share.

We teach because we genuinely desire to make a difference in lives, one person at a time.  This is part of “the gift” since it comes from deep within our souls.  While I didn’t mention this to these students, educators as a group are naturally willing to sacrifice their time, energy, and (in some cases) their lives to save their students with great courage, honor, and dignity.  We are faithful servants in our work.

Given a choice of any other work, I would not hesitate in choosing to be the guardian, the caregiver, and the advocate for learners…the educator.  I flipped the question to them, “Given a choice, what would you be?”  One student summed it up this way, “Geez…and I just thought teachers taught, Mrs. Van!”  🙂

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Acts of Kindness and Compassion…

As our community has learned in the past few days, you never know when unspeakable tragedy will strike.  Likewise, you never know when someone will bestow a beautiful act of kindness or compassion.  We want to commend our Miller learning community for extensively wrapping your loving arms of kindness and compassion around all three families involved in the recent event.  More specifically, thanks for showing in action how kindness and compassion work to our learners.

So imagine my surprise today when a first grade class of IMG_2083friends asked for a moment of my time.  They lovingly bestowed a beautiful book of letters entitled, “We Are THANKFUL for you, Mrs. Van!”  Each child wrote his or her own letter and illustrated thoughts as well.  Here are some specific comments (as they were written):

  • Thank you for hireing teachers to teach us. They do good work.
  • You work hart and you are fun to work with.
  • You porteck our school.
  • You care for all of us even when I’m makeing choyces.
  • You do your bery best to help us.
  • You keepe us informed with the annoncements.
  • You are so pritty.  (I will remind Mr. Van of this one in particular since I’m getting older now!)
  • Thanks for loveing us.

What a blessing in my life and just one more beautiful illustration of the power of kindness and compassion in our lives!  Thank you first graders!  🙂

With February being National Kindness and Compassion month, here’s hoping you find a way to share a little KC too!

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MVPs!

We enJOYed a special Miller Rally this morning where we talked about The Reluctant Groundhog by Dan Slottje.  In this clever story, Gracie the Groundhog, by default, must replace the retired Marvin (since he moved away to Arizona) in predicting the annual spring forecast.  As expected, Gracie is hesitant to accept this new role for fear of failing the animals.  The wise Professor Owl steps in to remind Gracie “the only thing you have to be afraid of is not doing your personal best.”  Gracie decides if she tries and does her best, then she will succeed.  When she accurately predicts the arrival of spring, the animals celebrate her success and she shares, “It’s simple—just believe in yourself.”

This story is most appropriate today especially since IMG_0030Mrs. Bass and I celebrated our second MVP Social with all our Miller MVPs chosen so far this school year.  The MVP status is quite an achievement of personal excellence here at Miller.  Those chosen go well above and beyond in their social as well as academic achievements.  Our MVPs truly represent by their daily actions how they believe in themselves and others.  They walk Gracie Groundhog’s talk about doing their personal best in order to excel.  Congratulations to these leading learners who are setting the bar high in all areas!  As one friend noted, “Like you always say, Mrs. Van, MVPs have ‘standards and ‘quirements!”  🙂   Here’s hoping our own groundhog shares his “standards and requirements” well tomorrow; we’re ready for some spring around LME!