Visiting a classroom this morning, I heard a student comment: “So, my parents were talking last night about living a balanced life.  What does this mean really?”  Oh my…yes, teachers are often faced with challenging questions to tackle during morning message!  This particular teacher handled it really well:  “You know, I’m not so sure I have the correct answer for you because everyone sees ‘balance’ differently” (she said as she picked up a balance scale to demonstrate).  “Let’s make a list of things we do in our school life everyday; school is our work.”  The children listed school things:  learn some, think some, draw and paint some, write (alot 🙂 ), sing, exercise, eat meals, walk, talk, share, play, and live.  They started a second column to list things outside of school (real life):  play sports, eat, practice piano, do homework, read, ride in the car, laugh, run from the cops (uh-oh!), play, ride our bikes, sleep, and watch TV.  Both lists were staring at the class side-by-side.  “Now, let’s see what they have in common and what is different so we can see if we lead balanced lives.”

The discussion progressed from there and how observant these learners were!  Parents, you just never know what your child absorbs from your discussions at home.  In fact, so much of what students know and learn begins right at home.  Lesson to self:  Never underestimate the power of the spoken word in a casual discussion at home.

As to the final answer for a balanced life, one child summed it up best:  “A balanced life is what we make it, huh?!”  Out of the mouths . . . .   🙂

My Grandpa Brock would say it; my momma would say it; my sister (the voice teacher and opera singer) says it to her students every day…. In fact, I even heard our music teacher, Ms. Grant, say it:  “Sing out like no one is listening!”  Fortunately, this is a figurative practice I have the privilege of observing everyday in our Miller classrooms, so I recently asked some staff members how they perceive us as educator / “singers” in Midlothian ISD:

• We sing out by always being present no matter what.
• We sing out for all learners regardless of race, need, intellectual ability, social status, or any other classification you can name.
• We sing out about the wonderful ways each child learns and the extraordinary learning happening each day on our campus—the baby steps and the milestones!
• We sing out about learning concerns, issues, and challenging family situations while being an important advocate for each child.
• We sing out by giving our personal best to every child and making each child the priority in every decision.

Whether you sing or not, let me ask you:  How do you choose to sing out for your child everyday?  Here’s hoping you sing loud and proud this school year; just remember that we are here to assist you along the way!

What a busy two days we’ve had here at Miller…whew!  Between the New Year resolutions, taking new opportunities when they present themselves, writing goals, resolving to practice more each day, and reading 2,012 seconds today, our two days have definitely been full!

My first grade friend, Travis, was reading his heart out during our annual “READ in the New Year for 2012!”  All students and staff took time out today to read for 2,012 seconds (about 34 minutes) for silent sustained reading time.  I noticed as they unloaded cars and buses this morning, there were pillows, blankets, and loads of favorite books to read!  Silent sustained reading everyday builds stamina and endurance as well as fluency and comprehension.  We challenge everyone to read daily in 2012!

Some other first grade friends were then busy writing their goals for 2012.  It’s important to practice our many skills, especially our personal goals.  As one learner shared, “Mrs. King tells us everyday that practice will help us achieve our goals because practice makes most everything better!”  The learners pictured here were definitely practicing some outstanding personal writing in Mrs. Boehringer’s class today!

I frequently remind students to “plan your work; work your plan; autograph your work with personal excellence!”  Learning to set goals, practice, and resolve to work “smart” to achieve them are life skills we begin in the early years of school.  Just like our college sweatshirt day yesterday, it is critical we talk and walk as real-life examples for our learners now; as a staff, we never take this responsibility lightly!

We appreciate the support and encouragement, the funny stories and comments, and the overwhelming responses to our daily work!  Here’s hoping we all read, write, and resolve well in 2012!  🙂

Note:  Today’s blog posting is sponsored by our attendance committee under the direction of our wonderful assistant principal, Mrs. Bass.  You can expect the following note at home today:

Bass’ Blurb,  January 6, 2012

In order for our learners to maximize their learning time while at school, we are asking for your help.  We have just started our second semester and are hoping to avoid student tardies, which hinders learners from optimal learning time each morning.  This note is to remind you that any student arriving in the building after 7:45 will be counted tardy.  As stated in the MISD Elementary Student Handbook, “Tardiness interrupts your child’s instructional time.  Class begins promptly at 7;45 a.m. each school day.  It is imperative students are in the classroom and prepared for class to begin prior to the 7:45 tardy bell.  Students arriving at school after 7:45 a.m. and/or who are not present in their assigned classroom when the tardy bell rings at 7;45 are considered tardy and must report to the front office for a tardy slip.”   We give you five “free” tardies each semester, so we start a clean slate today.  Upon the 5th tardy any semester, a parent is notified.  Beginning with the 6th tardy, a student will be assigned a detention.  Repeated instances of tardiness will result in more severe disciplinary action.

Our back and side car lines are open each morning at 7:20 a.m. to allow time for all learners to safely enter our building and get to class on time without being counted tardy.  We appreciate your support with this matter.

Note:  Thanks for all the big smiles and “Happy New Year” wishes during car line this morning.  We are pleased to report NO ONE was tardy today!  🙂 

The big yellow buses are ready to roll again; teachers are ready to engage their learners; our campus is ready to begin the second semester of our school year!  It takes so many talented individuals to ensure each school day runs smoothly.  From our bus drivers to our enthusiastic DADs on morning greeter duty to our faithful crossing guard, Mrs. Bullard, all these dedicated individuals work as a team to start each school day for every learner with a smile and a positive greeting.  We encourage you to join us!

As you start each school day, please remember to slow down in our school zone and driveways, watch those children loading/unloading buses, take an extra moment to tell your child you love him or her, and thank those on duty for the service they provide.  Let us know what we can do to better serve you and your learner.  Welcome to the spring semester; we are blessed to have you at LaRue Miller Elementary!  🙂

Note:  Thursday, January 5th is our annual College Sweatshirt Day.  Show your college spirit with a team shirt of your choice!

It was a year of ups and downs; triumphs and trials; challenges and solutions…the same can be said about each year upon reflection.  What a blessing it is to walk the journey with our LaRue Miller Elementary learners, their classroom leaders, and our learning community though!  In honor of the new year, here’s a little reminder to us all about the ABCs of living:

• Accept differences
• Be kind
• Count your blessings
• Dream big
• Express thanks
• Forgive others and yourself
• Give generously
• Harm no one
• Imagine more
• JOYfully live
• Keep confidences
• Love truly and deeply
• Master something
• Nurture hope
• Open your mind and heart
• Pay it forward
• Quell rumors with the truth
• Reciprocate
• Seek wisdom
• Touch lives
• Understand
• Value truth and wisdom
• Win graciously
• eXcite others
• Yearn for peace
• Zealously support each other…

May we each find ways to live the ABCs everyday.  Happy 2012, LaRue Miller Elementary!

Twas the day after Christmas when all through the school, not a creature was stirring with the hallways so cool.  Mrs. Van checked on things inside and out, while making her routine holiday safety walk-about.  When what to her wandering eye should appear but a teacher planning lessons, such a dedicated career!  With a building so cold, no lights did she use, she just wanted the comfort of her classroom muse.  Her house was quite crowded because all the relatives came; she wanted peace and control and no fussing to blame!  “Just give me a few quiet minutes, Mrs. Van, then I promise to leave; I’ll go back to the eating and drama and do my best to retrieve . . . my sanity, a level of comfort, and some quiet all alone; and get through this vacation week with some rest of my own.”  As I smiled and gave a gentle hug and assured this great teacher too, “you’ll get through this holiday, but before you do . . . try to focus on the fact you need this time away; you need time for family, friends, fellowship, and play.”  So here’s to one week down and another to go; school days will be with us before we know . . . EnJOY your time away; stay safe and have fun!  Happy winter break Miller learners and leaders; you’re always #1!  🙂

As Charles Dickens noted:  “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas…”  Today was a great day to be a child at LaRue Miller Elementary!  Between the crafts, snacks, games, food, prizes, sweet treats, gift exchanges, candy, and festive fun, there was never a dull moment.  Did I mention there was food?  The winter winds engulfed the elves as they made their way into our building with loads of goodies to share.  Special thanks to our SpEd and Specials teams for assisting elves into the building, parking cars, giving out badges, and cleaning up with everyone.  Thanks to our many parent volunteers who planned and implemented AH-mazing parties today!  Thanks to our PTO for supplementing things where needed.  Thanks to the office staff for smiling throughout a complete day of party-mania!

Mr. Dickens also challenged all of us with this famous thought:  “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.”  So here’s your Christmas Question today:  How will you and your family honor the spirit of the season throughout 2012?  As you go through your routines over the holiday break, take a moment to reflect and revisit on the previous year; share these thoughts with your child as well.  Perhaps you can write down goals for the coming year to share with each other.  In the meantime, here’s hoping this season and the new year bring profound blessings of peace, hope, JOY, and love to you and those you hold dear!  🙂

Note:  While we are on break December 21 – January 4, there may not be a daily post on our blog.  Please know we will greet the new year and our second semester with the same “zeal and zest for educational quests” you have come to expect of our campus.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at LaRue Miller Elementary!  EnJOY!  🙂

It’s Pajama Day at LME and in our annual tradition, there are lots of stories (like The Polar Express), engaging activities, some fun snacks to share, and lots of interesting tales to tell!  These first grade friends are graphing important information about gingerbread men/women before they share their findings.

The day started with Miller Moves and the delightful sound of the Polar Express conductor welcoming all of us on board.  There were several packages delivered from the North Pole this morning to classrooms as well.  Upon further inspection (because that’s an office job, you know), there was the faint sound of jingle bells within all these boxes.  Though some of us have grown older, “the bell still rings for all who truly believe…”

All the fun holiday stories throughout each classroom sparked conversations about family stories, so here’s your Christmas Question today:  What is an important story from your family’s history or a favorite family holiday story you should share this year?  I challenge you to verbally tell stories as well as read stories throughout the upcoming holiday break.  We learn through our family experiences and those events that make unique memories for all of us–talk verbally about them and write them down too!  Here’s hoping you share those stories and memories with the next generation; they will thank you later!

Note:  Special thanks to our parent volunteers who assisted today in immeasurable ways!  We look forward to seeing you tomorrow during class parties. 

• Party times tomorrow:  KG/1/2 @ 9:00; 3/4/5 @ 10:15; Head Start @ 11:15. 
• Early Dismissal tomorrow:  12:45 for gr. KG-5th; Head Start releases @ 12:00 Noon.

Busy Friday; multiple activities; hustle and bustle to get it all done…sound familiar?  We were blessed today with several fun learning and listening opportunities at Miller:

Third graders shared a wax museum with our school this morning.  When you pushed a button, the figures came to life to share facts about themselves.  Here’s Scott O’Dell (Wes) with a visitor.  Mrs. Griffin-Loftis is listening to Whitney talk about her work at NASA too!

Our own Miller Singers are currently at Six Flags this afternoon sharing the sounds of the season with the MISD All-City Choir.  We enJOY our extraordinary musicians sharing their gifts with others!

We were also blessed with a visit from the Frank Seale Middle School Honor Band this afternoon!  Under the direction of Mr. Maxwell, these fine instrumentalists (many are former Miller learners, of course!), shared the sounds of the season, showcased various instruments, and led the school in the singing of several fun holiday songs.  (You know what’s coming next):  What is your favorite Christmas/holiday song or carol and why?  Here’s hoping you have multiple opportunities to sing it and to enJOY the sounds of the wonderful season.  Do you hear what we hear…we sure hope so!

Note:  Speaking of hearing sounds…there was a special bell ringing and a train whistle blowing at the end of school today to remind us about pajama day on Monday…all aboard! 🙂