Author: Van Am Gram

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What’s your mindset?

Our MISD Leadership Team just completed a two-day informative retreat.  Along with other homework, we read and discussed the book, Mindset, by Carol Dweck.  According to her website, Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., is one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of motivation and is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University.  Her research has focused on why people succeed and how to best foster success.  She has held professorships at Columbia and Harvard Universities, has lectured all over the world, and has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  Obviously, she is an expert in the study of success.

In the book, Dr. Dweck explains through her studies two types of mindsets—a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.  Before reading the book for the first time nearly a year ago (when challenged by my pastor), I took the professor’s online test.  Have you ever tested your mindset?

In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits.  They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talents instead of developing them even more.  They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort.  Dr. Dweck provides some very interesting articles on her theory of fixed mindsets when dealing with our children, using specific examples along the way to illustrate her points.

In a growth mindset, people believe their most basic abilities can always be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point.  This view creates a love of lifelong learning and a resilience essential for great accomplishment.  The strongest message here is “failure is a part of growing; we must sometimes fail in order to move forward in necessary growth.”

On both theories, there are powerful messages for parents, businesses, and especially schools.  Mindsets CAN be changed in what Dr. Dweck refers to as four simple steps.  After studying this book at length and enJOYing some intense conversation these past two days, I most definitely appreciate why our mindsets as learners, educators, and parents can affect overall success for everyone!  You are strongly encouraged to pick up a copy (or borrow mine) and read it.  As we get geared up for another school year, here’s a personal challenge for you to study your mindset (and that of your child) today!  🙂

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First Day Packets online!

In a continuing and determined effort to truly “go green,” exciting news exploded today in Midlothian ISD…those pages and pages of required school enrollment forms are now available online!  Parents, you have the ability to electronically sign-off on your child’s first-day enrollment packet. In order to begin this online process, you must enter each child’s unique activation code provided in the letters recently mailed home. The online enrollment closes August 31. Click here for more information and to complete the online packet.

Special thanks to the Tech Gurus in MISD for making this convenience possible to everyone!  We will have our LME Computer lab open on Meet The Teacher Night from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. if you need a computer, a quiet place, or some assistance to complete the work.  Let’s get those fingers clicking!  🙂

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Back to School Opportunities in our Community

The following information was shared district-wide today; here’s a synopsis for you:

Education Station for Pre K-5th
Sat., August 4 from 11am-3 p.m. at J.R. Irvin Elementary

School supplies, backpacks, a pair of new shoes, hot dog lunch/chips and a drink. The police and fire departments will have a patrol car and fire engine on site for children to sit inside, run the sirens and learn about what police officers and firefighters do to protect the community. Students can also play in bounce houses that will be set up. Two laptop computers will be raffled off as door prizes at the event. Each student Pre-K through fifth grade will receive a raffle ticket when they register for school supplies and must be present to win.  Sponsored by community organizations.
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Back-to-School Bash for K-12th
Sat., August 11 from 3-7 p.m. at MISD Multi-Purpose Stadium

Students will receive free haircuts, immunizations, and vision checks.  Lots of bounce houses, rock climbing wall, inflatable water slide, etc. (Parents must bring their child’s insurance and shot record). The community is encouraged to bring school supplies and drop them off at the Manna House booth.  These items will be donated to students in need. The Dolphin Tale movie will be shown in the evening hosted by Midlothian Parks and Recreation.  Sponsored by community organizations.
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Immunization Clinic
Wed., August 22 from 10am – 4 p.m. at MISD Administration Bldg.

Children ages 2mths to 18 yrs. old will receive free shots if covered by Medicaid or CHIP (please bring card).  Other shots are $25 for the first shot and $10 for additional shots.  Cash or checks are accepted (payable to Agape Outreach).  A current shot record must be provided.
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Midlothian Manna House
Manna House is a food pantry for families in need. Documentation is required: current utility bill and picture ID. Assistance hours are M-Th 9am-4pm and F 9am-3pm located at 210 West Avenue F.  972-775-1800.
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MISD Treasures for Students
School supplies, backpacks, and lunch tote bags are readily available throughout the year for students identified by their counselors, mentors and staff.  These supplies are strictly designated to help students whose family can’t afford supplies due to various circumstances.  Send requests to the MISD Communications Dept., Attn: Jana Hathorne, Public Relations Coordinator, 972-775-8296, ext. 1037 or email jana_hathorne@midlothian-isd.net.  Supplies are donated by the United Way of West Ellis County and community organizations.

Be sure to visit the MISD Back-to-School website today!  Here’s hoping we see you out there!  🙂

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Book Sale is this week!

Don’t forget about the book sale at our local public library the next three days!  The collection of materials is impressive and you just might see some friends while you pick up a bargain for that last summer read (or something for a school reading list) in the process!

Happy reading!  🙂

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LME is the BEST place to be!

Tutto bene…all is well.  It is indeed!  All’s quiet and calm right now in the building here at LaRue Miller Elementary.  After a full summer of camps, elementary summer school, and other community activities, there is much to accomplish as I return to campus to begin our year.  Even though the hallways and classrooms are dark (trying to keep things cool inside), the custodial and maintenance teams are diligently working behind the scenes to complete summer assignments.  They are amazing teams and we are so blessed to have their obvious ownership of our building high on the priority list right now in anticipation of our opening day!

In the coming weeks, I’ll highlight some subtle changes to our building and introduce you to some new faces joining our Miller family.  I’ll share news of the day, funny stories, and those popular learner anecdotes along the way.  I always welcome your input, so please share your thoughts with me.

In the meantime, enJOY these last days of summer sun, fun, and fellowship.  Savor those summer sounds, smells, tastes, and scenes.  Make special memories to share in anticipation of seeing friends soon.  We’re getting geared up and ready around here…because everyday is game day at LME!  See you soon!  🙂

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Olympic Ideas!

I’m completely besotted with the Summer Olympic Games right now (what about that witty British opening ceremony?)…almost to the point of planning personal time around certain events so I can watch hours of footage.  I’m not an athlete (far from it), yet the draw for observing the BEST in action is so strong.  More than anything though, the human interest side of each athlete fascinates me—those individual stories-behind-the-story—what LaRue Miller calls, “challenging starts making for successful finishes.”  These athletes are all the greatest and the BEST in world as they represent their perspective countries with their BEST in hopes of securing the coveted medals of victory in the end.

When I think about our Miller learners, I’m convinced we have some future Olympians in our midst!  In the meantime though, we have much to do in preparation.  With our Olympic-sized academic year ahead of us, I challenge all of us to bring our BEST to school everyday.  Training starts now while we are re-establishing routines, collecting school supplies, making sure immunizations are up-t0-date, getting a school haircut, checking clothing for dress code approval, and wrapping minds around another important school year.  Bring those Olympic ideas and let’s get ready to win, LME!  🙂

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Back to School!

It’s hard to believe, but school is just around the corner in another month…a month from tomorrow in fact!

I’m back at Miller on Monday morning.  The time away has flown by too fast this summer, but what memories!  Here’s hoping you are making amazing memories as well this summer.

Be sure to take time to visit the district Back 2 School website for the most recent information regarding school supplies, schedules, times, buses, Meet the Teacher Night, and much more.

As always, we are here to serve, so never hesitate to let us know what we can do to assist your learner or you.  We look forward to an extraordinary school year…because Every Day is Game Day at LME!

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Training Camp

At LaRue Miller Elementary, we strive to be the BEST at three things:  (1) making a positive impact in the lives of learners; (2) helping students realize their potential as productive and successful citizens; and (3) providing engaging and meaningful learning experiences each school day.  In order to work on the positive impact portion each year, our staff willingly participates in a summer homework reading assignment each year.  Our focus for the coming school year is Jon Gordon’s Training Camp (in fact, we’ve studied two of his other books:  The Shark and The Goldfish and The Energy Bus–and if you’re reading this, Mr. Gordon, we’d love to hear from you!).  In anticipation of the coming school year, our Miller Design Team (made up of Miller staff volunteers who openly share, discuss, and help create campus culture) has created our campus theme:  “All Stars and MVPs; Miller is the BEST place to be!”  In order to kick it into high gear, we have an overall sports focus for the year, because “Every Day is Game Day at LME!”

In his book, Mr. Gordon creates a touching story about a man who faces his fears head-on while on his path to personal greatness—not only on the field but also on his life mission.  Based on his work with professional sports teams in a variety of fields, Mr. Gordon found that the BEST of the BEST, whether they are in business or education, sales or marketing, play sports or the oboe, share the same eleven traits and habits causing them to excel in their work and life:

  1. The BEST know what they truly want.
  2. The BEST want it more.
  3. The BEST are always striving to get better.
  4. The BEST do ordinary things better than everyone else.
  5. The BEST zoom-focus.
  6. The BEST are mentally stronger.
  7. The BEST overcome their fear.
  8. The BEST seize the moment.
  9. The BEST tap  into a greater power than themselves.
  10. The BEST leave a legacy.
  11. The BEST make everyone around them better!

Our staff is creating our team “playbook” throughout the summer as we ponder each trait.  We are also excited to be teaming with the T.E. Baxter Elementary Staff on this journey (thanks, Mrs. Courtney Carpenter, principal, for sharing your insight and wisdom).  We have several surprises in store for both campuses and look forward to our BEST years ever!

See . . . even teachers do training camp in the summer . . . Stay safe out there because everyday is game day!  🙂

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Happy Campers!

Imagine my excitement to receive not one or two, but thirteen different postcards from various Miller students attending camps and enJOYing vacations throughout this summer!  I’m so honored they would take time away to write about their experiences and share their fun with me; these are cards I will continue to treasure indeed!  Here are some examples (and note the details and writing skills):

  1. “Dear Mrs. Van, Camp is fun.  We read and swim and fish and cook and make things.  It’s just like school some days but funner because we don’t have homework.”
  2. “Dear Mrs. Van, The family is driving to grandmas and we almost didn’t make it cause we took a wrong turn back four states ago.  Grandmas house is near a lake and we swim all day.  You should see my tan (and tell nurse I used sunscreen too).  I miss school but know you are busy getting it ready for us cause you can never leave.  See you soon.  PS – tell Mrs. Samek I’m reading please.”
  3. “Dear Mrs. Van, The summer is too long.  It’s time to come back.  I’m tired of doing farm chores now. Hope you get to have some fun and not do farm chores. Please write me back.”
  4. “Dear Mrs. Van, Colorado is beautiful. You should really get out more and see this stuff!  I’m bringing you a surprise and I’ll try not to eat it before I get back to school.  See you soon!”

I can hardly wait to hear about all the adventures and summer fun!  In the meantime though, it’s great to hear from our Miller learners and know they are Happy Campers (most of them anyway) while they are away from campus.  Stay safe out there; see you soon!  🙂

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Ocean of possibilities…

One of my favorite places to walk with my sister is along this passive park trail connecting the Boston Harbor on one side to the Atlantic Ocean on the other.  The air is salty and fresh; the water is crystal clear and cold!  On an early summer morn, you see the ships and boats going out to sea.  It’s a craggy coast—filled with all sizes of smooth rocks (unlike the sandy coasts of TX or FL).  As expected, the waves roll in and wash all manner of sea life ashore before retreating to capture more.  While the beauty and simplicity is apparent, truly it is the sound of the waves crashing into shore, bringing with them an ocean of possibilities…may this coming year bring the same to LaRue Miller Elementary!  🙂