Author: Van Am Gram

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CATCH the spirit!

As we gear up for the annual Jump Rope for Heart event this Friday, it’s important to reflect on why we choose to support certain community organizations each year and then not others.  (Believe me, if we could support everyone, we most certainly would do so—we have such a generous, giving campus!)  Our campus CATCH Committee members (Coordinated Approach To Children’s Health) are committed to partnering with community groups who specifically support our Miller children’s health and daily fitness.  As discussed in previous blogs, this group is charged with the responsibility of planning campus events geared to improving the overall health of all learners, their classroom leaders, and Miller families—No-TV events are an example of their ongoing work each year.  The American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart event is one way we give back to the community at large while improving our own individual health in the process.

Our All-Star Fun Run this year was another CATCH (and PTO) idea to promote raising campus activity money while meeting personal fitness goals in the process.  Thanks to the success of the Fun Run, we raised over $15,000 for our campus—every child participated in a special field trip at no cost, every child received a Miller t-shirt for school events like the field trip and our field day at no cost, and we purchased a classroom set of iPads with additional equipment in order to enhance our ongoing commitment to technology.

JRfH is a tradition here at Miller; it’s a tradition we started on another elementary campus many years ago (and it’s still going strong there thanks to a nurturing staff).  Our Miller learners are excited to jump for others because they know we may very well be jumping to save someone’s life right here on our campus.  Just like I remind us everyday during morning message, “You have a choice everyday.”  As a parent, you always have the choice to participate or not; this is your right and we respect it.  All of us jump (regardless of whether we give or not).  It builds teamwork and community within our Miller family while we work together to help others and ourselves.  Please, if you ever have questions about what we’re doing or why we’re doing it, our door is open; you need only ask!  In the meantime, I know our 5th grade team always CATCHes the spirit and is really ready for the Heart ROCK Cafe this week; are you?! 🙂

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Campus Field Trip Day!

It may be Mardi Gras, but in the spirit of indulgence and doing things in a big way, let it be known that we most certainly know how to shine with the best here at LME!  Our campus field trip to Casa Manana to participate in the show Charlotte’s Web was a spectacular journey today!  WOW—from the 15 buses on the road to the 750+ we represented in the theater audience, LaRue Miller Elementary truly sparkled . . .

Here are some of the buses on the interchange bridge headed onto I-20.   We experienced a slight delay due to construction traffic, but everyone stayed calm and patient throughout this part (including me).  The theater was kind enough to hold the curtain for our safe arrival too.

Here’s Charlotte’s web on stage.  The actors were crafty at creating her famous web writings in the play—from “Some Pig” to “Terrific” to “Radiant” to “Humble,” they took us through this treasured story of friendship. 

 

 

Here’s Jeffrey excited to start the show.  He told me later, “Ms. Van, that was the best show ever!  I really liked the rat, Templeton; he was funny!” 

 

Here is Mrs. Clark’s third grade class thanking their bus driver for a great day.  Yes, we are blessed in MISD with extraordinary folks who safely deliver our learners to all destinations!

This was indeed a unique and amazing experience for our campus.  While it may not be something we can do each year, we certainly made a special lasting memory for the 2011-2012 group of LME learners who traveled together today.  Special thanks to our teachers and staff members who spent countless hours in organizational preparation for this immense undertaking.  Thanks to our parents who supported and shared their enthusiasm for this adventure.  Thanks to our learners who fully displayed their best Miller manners throughout the day.  Here’s hoping we can create and experience other large-group field-learning opportunities like this in the future!  🙂

Note:  Thanks once again to Amy Clark for sharing her talented photography with me!

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DRIVEn and Motivated!

An admired colleague of mine recently visited with me about a fascinating book I started a few months back (and then put down for other more pressing reads)—Daniel Pink’s DRIVE.  As a lifelong learner and reader, I do my best to keep up with current trends.  Mr. Pink’s works are always thought-provoking and challenging reads; after all, he is often called an “accidental scientist.”  He specifically focuses in this book on the science behind motivation–what really motivates anyone to do good work?  What really motivates someone to always want to do great work?  He shares three factors for enduring motivation:  autonomy, mastery, and purpose.  Continuing the book, he got me to thinking about our classrooms here at Miller and how we work within all three areas.  I asked some tough questions:

  • How can we foster autonomy (the ability to direct time, task, and technique) for our learners and their classroom leaders?
  • How can we provide mastery opportunities for all learners and their classroom leaders?
  • How can we ensure learners and classroom leaders find purpose (beyond extrinsic rewards) in their school work?

These are hard questions to ponder as we move into (what I affectionately call) “new STAARy horizons in public education.  We are so much more than a test score, and because of societal changes, we are expected to do so much more than teach the basic curriculum now.  WHEW…it’s mind-blogging at best!  Here’s hoping you find ways to foster autonomy, provide mastery, and ensure purpose with us because we need you!

Note:  Our campus field trip is tomorrow!  We’re so excited! 

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Are you well-informed?

To communicate literally means “to convey knowledge of or information about; to make known.”  Our MISD Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jerome Stewart, is a strong communicator and storyteller; he factually shares the district’s story—the good and the not-so-good.  He is also a blogger and I strongly encourage you to follow him, specifically during his ongoing series about Midlothian ISD’s Building and Bonds program.  His remarks and comments are always current, insightful, and informational.  You can access his blog through the MISD homepage.  His most recent blog entitled Curve Ball talks specifically on two key points you need to understand as a taxpayer and citizen of Midlothian ISD. These are the facts as we know them today.  Here’s hoping you take some time to be informed!

Note:  One of our LME families lost their home today in a fire; thankfully, no one was hurt.  We are collecting gift cards for food and clothing for this family in our front office for anyone who might wish to contribute.  Thanks for your ongoing generosity and acts of kindness.

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No-TV and Chili, please!

We had an extraordinary turnout this evening for our annual LME Chili Cook-off Family Event!  Special thanks to the Miller CATCH Committee who regularly sponsors our No-TV Family Events throughout the school year; they did an amazing job (as usual) and this particular event was no exception!

Guest judges for the evening were Michael Van Amburgh, James Bass, Susie Dickard, Coach Ryan Timm, and MISD Superintendent, Dr. Jerome Stewart.  These special folks deserve praise and thanks for participating with us this year!

 

Staff members were on hand to assist the hungry crowd following the PTO meeting while the chili judges were busy sampling entries.

Our own LME HotSteppers were on hand to show off some smooth jumping moves as part of the evening’s entertainment.  They are gearing up for the annual Jump Rope for Heart Event next week . . . and I can only dream about jumping like them some day . . . .

Congratulations to all the chili winners and those who entered their scrumptious pots of chili!  Mrs. Bly, 5th grade teacher, walked away with coveted 2012 Miller Chilipot Trophy.  Who will it be next year?

 

Finally, we wrapped up the family fun with several “serious” rounds of BINGO called by Susie Dickard (stepping in for our own LaRue Miller, who was feeling a bit under the weather this evening).  The competition was fierce for special prizes.  Thanks, Mrs. Dickard for serving in several capacities tonight.

We will have other No-TV Family Events in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here’s hoping you find unique ways of celebrating family time together (without the TV).  🙂

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Conversation and Thinking Games

While visiting with a small group of learners this morning, I asked the question:  “What is one important thing we have today that we didn’t have 10 years ago?”  Expecting answers like the iPhone, Kindle, X-Box 360, or wikis, this precious little voice says, “that’s easy, Mrs. Van—it’s us!”  🙂  Yes, there are advancements daily and keeping current at LME on the latest and greatest trends is a full-time job really (as a parent myself, it’s simply overwhelming at times).  Beyond all the great technology and newest gadgets though, I asked questions during our conversation to dive deeper into their thinking.  For example, as an adult, I still yearn for those conversations and thinking games I did with my parents growing up while we commuted to lessons, practices, and the like.  For instance, we had a game called “Would You Rather.”  Dad asked:  “Would you rather live in the mountains or on a beach and why?  Would you rather share a milkshake or a sundae and why?”  We also played a game called “Favorite Things.”  Mom picked a category (songs, movies, sodas) and we all shared our top favorites in that category.  One of my daughters created a game she called “What Doesn’t Belong?”  We took turns naming items and asking the others to explain which is unique and why.  They especially liked this game because there were usually several correct answers:  “Owl, ostrich, and eagle”  (ostriches can’t fly and owls hunt at night, for example). Here’s Mr. Van driving his car and asking me questions . . . .

Funny games like these promote thinking and creativity at higher levels; they also create stimulating conversation, something young learners crave in particular.  Just like my conversation with my small group this morning, here’s hoping we all take a little time to listen, ask, converse, and think in clever ways!

Note:  Our 4th Annual LME Chili Cook-off and BINGO Night is tomorrow evening starting @ 6:00 p.m. in the cafe; we hope to see you there!

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XOXO

XOXO . . . It’s Valentine’s Day here at LME . . . a day filled with HEARTy learning opportunities for all!  In first grade, we found these friends were sharing what they love in the writing center and then singing a poem called “I Love…” 

 

 

They also enJOYed working challenging math problems with special manipulatives during math centers (better check those backpacks for all manner of items when you get home tonight; you never know what may show up!).

Our Head Start friends shared their amazing work from centers today by creating artful notes and cards for their families.  Giovani practices writing his letters during center time.

 

 

 

It is always insightful to visit with young learners about the meaning of customs in our society.  For instance, a first grade friend shared with me, “Mrs. Van, did you know Valentine’s Day started because a kind man cared about others?”  🙂  Another learner chimed in to share, “Yeah, and children wrote him notes ‘to my Valentine’ thanking him for his ‘passion’ (compassion) and stuff.”  🙂  Another child wrote these words in a card to me today:  “Mrs. Van, The ‘love day’ is finally here and you remind me of St. Valentine; he was a man with many friends for he was brave and kind.  Lots of children wrote him notes and letters they loved to send, then a holiday was named for their very special friend. Thanks! XOXO”  🙂  How clever is this writer and what JOY her words brought to my soul!   I reminded everyone this morning during morning message:  “I hope you choose to show your love to others every single day (and not just on Valentine’s Day)!”  Here’s hoping you choose to share the love as well . . . thanks for sharing your learners with us everyday!  XOXO  🙂

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Rachel’s Challenge at LME!

During our Heart Rock Cafe Assembly last Friday, we once again committed ourselves to being kind, compassionate learners and leaders.  The first victim of the Columbine murders was a young lady by the name of Rachel.  She left behind six diaries about her beliefs and how she wanted to change the world through small acts of kindness each day.  Before her unexpected death, she wrote a school essay stating, “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same.”  Taking those diaries, her grieving family started and inspired a worldwide anti-bullying campaign shared specifically in schools called “Rachel’s Challenge.”  At Miller, we continue to join forces with other campuses to create “chain reactions” in order to link our acts of kindness together across MISD.  Where better way to start this critical process of helping others than with our youngest learners?

Our Kindness and Compassion Club (KC Club) is an important part of this process.  Students across our campus volunteer to come early or stay late in order to assist and spread the word and work of Rachel’s Challenge.  Under the enthusiastic supervision of their sponsor, Ms. Daniell, our KC Club is instrumental in sharing stories of kindness and compassion throughout our campus.  Here are some members sharing their artwork reminding us about National Friendship Month right now; great job, KC Club!

Learning from others and modeling their success are key components in any endeavor.  We are indebted to a visionary young lady named Rachel who continues to challenge us because of her faith and belief in a positive future, thus leading to powerful, kind, and compassionate actions everyday.  Here’s hoping we all follow this lead . . . .

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Rocking Hearts and Rachel’s Challenge…

“WHEW!  I need to take a deep breath, Mrs. Van!  All this jump-roping is really working my heart today!”  These were the repetitive words of several Miller friends this afternoon right after our annual Jump Rope for Heart kick-off assembly.  Our theme, Heart Rock Cafe, pumped up the school as several groups shared their many talents:

The HotSteppers show off their impressive jump-roping skills in a variety of clever ways!

Coach Rogers led several teachers to rock the house with their rendition of “I Love Jumping Rope.”

StuCo members shared a moving story about Rachel and her legacy before rocking to a special rendition of “We Will Rock You” with the words of “Rachel’s Challenge.”

Yes, it was an impressive assembly of meaningful and powerful messages to us all.  We must accept the challenges of working on healthier hearts (for our physical side) and on healthier interactions with others (our emotional side) in order to achieve our goals in life.  As we talked about today, it’s up to us to continue the chain reaction of kindness and compassion for ourselves and others.  As I shared, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”  Here’s hoping we all walk and talk a little lighter knowing the next generation is committed to living healthier, kinder, and more compassionate lives.  Have a great weekend!  🙂

Note:  Don’t forget about the annual Tutus and Ties Dance tomorrow starting @ 7:00 p.m. in the Miller Cafe! 

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Tutus, Ties, Hearts, and a Bell…

HEARTY congratulations go out to everyone for the following three LaRue Miller Elementary opportunities this week:

The annual PTO Tutus and Ties (Father/Daughter) Dance is slated this week on Saturday, February 11 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Miller Cafe.  The theme this year is “Winter Wonderland” and plans are underway for a spectacular evening; join us!

Yes, we’re all rock stars and the annual Miller Elementary Jump Rope for Heart Campaign will kickoff with a special Heart Rock Cafe assembly tomorrow afternoon.  Sponsored by the American Heart Association, students will once again participate by learning about heart disease, living an active lifestyle in order to keep healthy, and working to secure sponsors for our upcoming Jump Day on Friday, February 24.

Finally, the very first Miller Bell edition will hit our newstand on Monday.  You will receive a complimentary copy of this student-created and published newspaper the first time.  Future editions, however, will be posted online for all to read.  I know the Bell staff members are excited to share their smart work with you!

As you can see, our learners, their classroom leaders, volunteers, mentors, families, sponsors, and the entire learning community are sharing multiple opportunities for everyone to get involved at LME; here’s hoping we see you joining us soon!