Author: Van Am Gram

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Organized vs. Disorganized, Part One

During a recent parent conference, the following scenario was presented:

I’m not certain she uses her planner in class; in fact, she doesn’t even know where the planner is right now.  I had to bring her back up to school two days ago because she left everything in her desk and nothing was brought home to complete the presentation assignment.  We argued for two hours with me yelling to get the work done and then she forgot to turn in the work for her final grade the next day!  When will this stop?

Sound like something you’ve experienced?  A book study group of us have been reading Organizing the Disorganized Child…Simple Strategies to Succeed in School by organizingMartin L. Kutscher and Marcella Moran.  Quite frankly, this should be essential reading for any parent of a child entering school (personal sidebar there).  The authors quickly reveal the root causes of disorganization and guide you to more constructive solutions and strategies to overcome the situation.  More importantly, they focus on essential organizational styles and offer specific strategies and study skills so children experience the success they deserve.  The bottom line:  the fault lies only with the brain!

Organizational skills come from the frontal lobe of the brain, conveniently located in the front of our head just behind the forehead.  These frontal lobes are responsible for getting things done.  Funny though, our frontal lobes are not actually fully developed until the later teenage years–well beyond the early formative years of school when patterns are established.  The authors note:  “It’s not the child’s fault the brain has not yet fully developed.  He doesn’t want to be disorganized or get bad grades any more than you want him to do.  Demoralizing F’s will not magically teach him the needed skills.” 

There are no hardwired parts of the brain for academic skills and organization.  The authors point out that while schools and teachers focus attention in these areas in an effort to assist, parents have the ultimate responsibility for helping the child find and refine his or her personal skills, thus it’s critical to keep working as learning partners and participating members of the educational team.

In a series over the next few weeks, I plan to share our thoughts with you about organization.  Heaven bless those who possess the gift of organization and help those who are still learning it!  🙂

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Welcome Home, Ethan!

IMG_1177LME was all abuzz this morning…Ethan came back to school today!  His fourth grade class met him at the door with lots of posters, cards, notes, and more.  Ethan will be able to join them part-time for the next few weeks while he completes his final treatments.  He air-hugged me (this is safest for him right now) and told me, “The first question I asked my doctor last week IMG_1179was if I could come back to school…he said, ‘How can I argue with this request?!'”  Although it was quite obvious this morning, Ethan reminded me that he loves his friends, his Miller family, the support of our community, and the chance to be a “real student” at LME once again.

Ethan, we are so very proud of your courage, your strength, and your strong example of grace in the face of unimaginable circumstances.  Air hugs to you and welcome home!  🙂

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Rowdy Runners Rule!

It’s time to sign up and participate in the first-ever t-RowdyRunnersMISD Rowdy Run 5K!  On Saturday, March 2nd, come out early to show your Midlo pride while showcasing your healthy lifestyle in 2013.

Rowdy Runners are a active club on each elementary campus in MISD.  Here at LME, we have over 100 participants (students with adults) who meet weekly to talk strategy and work on running skills.  They are challenging all of us to join them in this big event!

Start/Finish:  Kimmel Park

Check-in:  7:00-7:30 a.m.  Start time:  8:00 a.m.

Route:  Running in town and through residential area near Kimmel Park

Registration:  You can register online at:  http://www.active.com/running/midlothian-tx/rowdy-run-2013  or  pick up a form in any elementary school office.

Coach Rogers and Coach Martin challenge all of us at LME to join in the fun!  Run, jog, or walk to your way to a 5K…Rowdy Runners Rule!  🙂

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Happy Hearts Day!

Our youngest learners have a challenging time saying the word “valentine.”  It comes out in several unique ways and always with a big smile!  Many just give up and say “happy hearts day” instead.  Such is the case when one precocious little friend climbed into my lap to share his vintageval2thoughts today:

Child:  Happy ‘Balentiney-heart’ Day, Mrs. Van!

Me:  Thank you…and Happy Hearts Day to you too!

Child:  Do you love me?

Me:  Always and forever.

Child:  But what will Mr. Van say?

Me:  He’s okay with it; he knows I love all our Miller family.

Child:  WOW!  That’s a lotta love!  🙂

As Victor Hugo noted:  “What a grand thing to be loved…what a grander thing still to love!”  We are blessed everyday to work in an environment where our relationships with our learners and each other model unconditional love.  Here’s hoping everyone feels this love today and every day!  Happy Valentine’s Day!

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HEARTy thanks for LOVEly thoughts…

candyheartsAfter a hectic start to our instructional day with testing personnel on campus, fourth graders testing, our morning message, walkabout, and discussions with various teams, I rounded the corner to my office to find a heart-shaped box overflowing with special greetings.  The anonymous gift left written clues to follow as to who sent this surprise kindness today.  While following the clues, I engaged in several conversations around campus regarding this clever idea.  More importantly, it was simply amazing to follow the trail of LOVEly thoughts and HEARTy thanks along the journey!  So here’s a question for you to ponder today:  If you created this box of candy hearts to share with someone special, what would your secret message be?  Here’s hoping you share your own LOVEly thoughts and HEARTy thanks with those you hold dear today and everyday!

Note:  Valentine’s Day Parties are tomorrow!  HS/KG/1st/2nd = 9:00-10:00; 3rd/4th/5th = 1:30-2:30.

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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!”  🙂