Author: Van Am Gram

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Eats and treats and all that’s holiday-neat!

cocoabar1As is a Miller Staff family tradition, we frequently gather everyone together to share eats and treats, but try to take it a step above before we scatter in multiple directions during the holiday break.  We enJOYed a holiday hallway happy hour yesterday afternoon with a scrumptious hot cocoa and cider bar (special thanks to our Miller Office Elves for all their work in gathering and preparing!).  Staff members created unique combinations of hot (school-appropriate, of course 🙂 ) drinks and took time to visit with one another while milling around checking out everyone’s “vintage” holiday sweater wear.  cocoabar3Teachers, as you know, are notorious for their extensive collection of holiday sweaters, sweatshirts, shirts, pins, jewelry, and sundry other items).  Votes were cast for special prizes in the following categories:

  • “What were they thinking?”
  • “Too stinking cute!”
  • “Most loved” (well-worn)
  • “Grandma’s closet”
  • “Scrooge/Grinch” (needs inspiration to participate next time)

Great fun was had by all and oh…the stories we can tell about our vintage gear!  This naturally brings us to the question of the day today:  “What special ‘vintage’ piece do you enJOY wearing during the holidays and why is it special to you?”  In the meantime, to all you “vintage” holiday-wear dislikers out there, just know you’re missing out on some wonderful holiday opportunities to, in the words of one student, “have fun, enjoy eats and treats and all that’s holiday-neat!”  🙂

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Seasonal Greetings and Ringings…

“Baby, it’s cold outside,” so the song says and the thermometer today confirms!  Our Miller Ringers, however, were not hampered in the least as they shared personal seasonal greetings today with the Midlothian Senior Citizens Center.  Under the direction of music teacher, Amber Grant, these talented handbell ringers spread great cheer as they chimed and rang ringers3several holiday selections for these fine folks.  Wearing holiday attire, big smiles, and their trusty white gloves (to protect the finish on our beautiful handbells), their musical talents were enJOYed by many.  Several of the ringers6participants in turn shared their favorite carols and holiday tunes as well with the ringers after the concert.  Our Miller Ringers especially enJOYed visiting, eating, and playing games with the senior citizens before returning to campus…so here’s your question today:  “Which holiday carol or song brings the memories flooding back to you and when is the first time you allow yourself the chance to listen to it each year?”  Here’s hoping the blessing of music rings in great cheer during your holidays!

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Wrapping up a wonderful week…

“In seed time, learn; in harvest time, teach; in winter, enJOY…” so says William Blake and it’s most definitely been a week wrapped in JOY!

Mrs. Stanley, Mr. Kyle, Mrs. Bass, and I loaded the white “sleigh” to IMG_1976deliver gifts for over 200 angels to Manna House today.  Our LME families really go above and beyond in their service and care of others in our community.  Many of our LME families themselves will benefit from the generosity shown by so mIMG_1980any.  Thanks for showing and sharing by your actions the greatest gift of giving back to those most in need!

Our third graders delighted us with their amazing Broadway Santa musical last evening to a packed crowd.  The singing, acting, dancing, and jokes were simply sublime during this truly DSC_1139demanding show!  Bravos to our parents who cleverly costumed every single child–what extraordinary creativity!  Special thanks to our learners, their classroom leaders, and our specials team for sharing the beautiful gift of music with everyone this holiday season!

As we wrap up this week, here’s a question to ponder:  “What gifts do you give to others during the season (or the year) that do not come packaged in a box?”  As you know, it’s not about the physical gifts during the season; the other ways we choose to give (time, talents, service, etc.) are sometimes much more treasured than items wrapped in pretty boxes and tied with ribbons or bows…

We are blessed at LME with the gifts you and your child bring everyday to our learning community.  EnJOY a festive weekend wrapped up with those you hold dear!  🙂

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Flower Power

A group of learners were discussing the wonder of holiday poinsettiaflowers this morning while analyzing the amazing story of The Legend Of The Poinsettia.  In the tradition of his The Legend of the Bluebonnet and The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush, author Tomie dePaola offers a gracious retelling of a timeless Mexican folktale.  His beautiful narrative and paintings with strong colors present the story of a well-intentioned child named Lucida.  Distressed because she has no other gift to offer, she carries an armful of collected weeds into her church on Christmas Eve.  Because of her generosity, each leaf suddenly becomes “tipped with a flaming red star,” thus marking the miraculous blooming of the first poinsettias.  These students were intensely conversing at the Teacher Table about the lessons of folktales and why we read them.  They also waxed poetic about other seasonal flowers shared during other holidays and family celebrations as well as those they found particularly special.  At this point, they noticed my “snooping” and offered our question today:  “What festive flower reminds you most of the holiday season and why do you find it so special?”

I’m grateful and so blessed to share these special moments with our students; they never cease to amaze me!  As one shared today:  “It’s about the power of the flower when we celebrate our traditions!”  🙂

Note:  Please remember to join us this evening for the 3rd Grade Holiday Program, Broadway Santa at 7:00, followed by shopping in the PTO’s Holiday Shoppe until 8:00.  Also, thanks for returning all those Angel Tree gifts; we appreciate your overwhelming support and generosity, LME!

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With a song in their hearts…

IMG_1964I believe it was Martin Luther who noted:  “As long as we live, there is never enough singing.”  So true!  The office staff was treated early this morning to an impromptu concert by some of our youngest learners arriving on campus.  Their teacher, Mrs. Wimpee, met them in the front foyer to walk them to class, but their attention was diverted by our office tree.  Enthusiasm and song exploded to the delight of us all!  Who can resist a sweet little voice singing you everything you ever wanted to know about trees, Santa, and life?!  🙂

Speaking of song, our third graders are rehearsing for the presentation of their holiday program, BroadwIMG_1972ay Santa.  It turns out, Santa writes a play and flies his elves and reindeer to NYC to pitch the idea to producers with antics along the way.  Will they make it to Broadway in time for Christmas after all?  It’s a precious show and we hope you’ll come join us on Thursday, Dec. 6th @ 7:00 p.m. in our Miller Cafe for the final answer…

But before you do, please consider this question today:  Think about your favorite holiday song, hymn, or carol…why do you look forward to hearing or singing it every year?  Here’s hoping you have multiple songs in your heart to sing while you enJOY the sounds of this season.  Do you hear what we hear…we sure hope so!

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Puzzling details…

NRpuzzleIt’s a tradition in our house to have a Christmas puzzle on the table going at all times throughout the holidays.  Since my sister, Becky, and I were really young, momma always had a puzzle set up to keep our little fingers and minds engaged (cheap entertainment really!).  On my travels last summer, I picked up this vintage Norman Rockwell puzzle depicting his hometown of Stockbridge, Massachusetts (during Mr. Rockwell’s time) decorated for the holiday season.  Note:  The main upstairs window on the center structure where you see the Christmas tree was his original art studio in town.  So, as you can see, we continue this treasured tradition even today in our respective homes (and I look forward to working this puzzle soon).

While on walk-about today I noticed several classrooms with seasonal puzzles set up in workstations for Daily 5 activities.  When asking students about this, I received many incredible responses:

“Puzzles mean I don’t have to think so hard.”  🙂

“We do puzzles to practice our ‘fitting’ skills!”  🙂

“Did you know puzzles are a great way to do some problem solving?”  🙂

“I love doing puzzles because it relaxes me.”  🙂

These are just a few of the many reasons given by learners for why they enJOY working puzzles.  Obviously, our question today involves puzzles:  “What ‘puzzles’ you most about the holiday season and what can you do to change it?”  Remember not to get so caught up in the puzzling details of the season and forget to enJOY the abundant blessings of the season:  past, present, and future!  🙂

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Holiday highlights…

Ahhh…December…it’s snowing on the blog today too!  🙂  sugar1

Our Kinder and Head Start teams hosted a beautiful Sugar and Snow event for our campus last week after school.  Each team member created homemade tasty treats, and delicious drinks to share during this special hallway happy hour.  The fellowship is the most fun but let’s face it…we also enJOY the yummy eats!  Everyone gathered for food and festivities as well as special door prizes.  Thanks, ladies, for kicking off the season in grand style!

Sugar:snow1Our Art Club, under the direction of art teacher, Scott Fiorenza, shared their artistic talents with the City of Midlothian and the Midlothian Rotary Club when they successfully completed a panel for the large city tree.  The tree lighting kicked off the city’s annual Southern Star Christmas on Saturday evening, followed by the wonderful holiday light parade.  I understand our students had a glorious time indeed!

Naturally, this bring me to our question today:  What is a favorite tradition or activity you do to start your holiday off each year?  Our learners have much to share on this topic and this past weekend is just one way the community comes together to celebrate in style.  Here’s hoping you’ve started your holiday off in a grand way indeed!

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TREEmendous possibilities…

I must confess up front…I’m sitting in a coffee shop on the campus of USC and it’s actually raining in LA today.  My computer is fired up (like all the other studious patrons on site) and I’m sipping a white chocolate mocha with my sweet husband while we wait for our oldest daughter, Rachel, to complete a rehearsal.  Rachel is an oboe/English horn player completing her graduate degree in performance.  Her big graduate recital and concert are this weekend and we’re here to celebrate with her.  Obviously, I’m not on campus today, but this won’t stop me from challenging CBtreeyou with a question anyway (and yes, it came from a student too)…

Rachel’s Christmas tree greeted us in her little LA bungalow.  It most likely looks familiar to you (I’m particularly fond of the blue washcloth at the base).  While her friends have interesting comments to make, this little tree conveys great potential and stands strongest as a symbol of, in her words, “treemendous possibilities, mom!”  So, as you get ready to usher in December 2012 this weekend, take time to ponder this seasonal question:  What makes a Christmas Tree so special to you and what is your favorite Christmas Tree story?  Here’s hoping you always think in terms of TREEmendous possibilities!

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Somebody NOSE we SCENT them cheer!

It was Mark Twain who once commented:  “The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up.”  Such is the goal today with a group of thoughtful learners who are making cards, decorating some candy cane reindeer treats, and wrapping up giftcards they are donating to local senior citizens.  You see, in place of purchasing each other gifts this year and sharing during their upcoming party, they are paying it forward to share with others.

While one group was working diligently on a certain task, an intense conversation about favorite holiday smells took place.  Of course, this led to our question today:  Of all the smells of the season, which one is your personal favorite and why is this smell so memorable to you?

As is expected during these chance classroom encounters, I was pressured to share my thoughts with the group.  Peppermint happens to be one scent in particular I cherish–its refreshing and exhilarating smell instantly takes me back to my grandfather’s office and his top right desk drawer where he always kept Bob’s peppermint sticks on hand (the soft, melting sticks).  My sister and I would race into his office (regardless of who might be present at the time), open the drawer, and grab one for each hand (his rule).  🙂

Whether you have a personal favorite seasonal smell or not, these learners and I challenge you today to be SCENTsationally aware of the holiday smells in your world…and don’t forget to share it with others along the way.  After all, as one learner noted:  “Somebody NOSE we SCENT them cheer when these goodies arrive!”  🙂 Yes, keeping Christmas throughout the year is good, but sharing it with others is even better!  🙂

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JOYful pearls of wisdom…

A 5th grade conversation went like this today:

  • Student:  Here’s question for you today!
  • Me:  Great!  Let’s hear it!
  • Student:  Do you have a favorite ornament that is dear to you, Mrs. Van?
  • Me:  You bet I do and thanks for asking!
  • Student:  Please write about it and send it to our class so we can grade your paper.
  • Me:  Sure ‘nough; consider it done!

Here’s hoping my writing passes their test . . .  🙂

One of my favorite words in the English language is “JOY.”  While happiness is wonderful, it concentrates more on a circumstance of life, a moment in time, or a specific situation.  Happiness is something we can achieve; JOY is something we are given.  JOY is unpredictable–it cannot be downloaded, legislated, turn on with an electronic device, earned, or even inherited…JOY is simply given to us.  JOY is a deep, soulful reaction bringing extraordinary delight to the receiver.

There is an ornament I keep close at hand all year (it hangs on my tree during the season, but is shown here on a sprig of rosemary–also from Granny’s original plant).  This little ornament proudly displays my favorite word, JOY, lovingly embroidered by Granny’s hand.  We had a conversation one day about the difference between happiness and JOY.  This special ornament was her way of always reminding me of her “JOYful pearl of wisdom” (she had a real knack for sharing lots of pearls of wisdom through the years!).  She told me if I was “ever to receive JOY in life, make a way for it to come to you…happiness is great, but JOY is the best gift ever!”  🙂

So, of course, here’s the question for you today:  Is there a special ornament you or your family treasures most and what’s the story behind it?  Here’s hoping you share a JOYful pearl of wisdom of your own this season!