iLead, iLearn, iListen, iLaugh, iServe, and iStuCo…these are the words chanted to me as our Miller Elementary Student Honor Council (SHC) share a favorite song.  We are  blessed at Miller Elementary to have student leaders who take their work seriously, but not themselves too seriously this year.  This talented group of campus leaders recently attended the TEPSA “Leaders-R-Us; You Are Following A Leader” Student Council Workshop at Merrifield Elementary in Duncanville ISD.  They spent an entire day learning, sharing, eating a “real” lunch, and planning for the year ahead.  Our caring counselor, Mrs. Stanley, is their campus sponsor, and the group this year consists of:  Autumn, Baylee, Bryce, Cade, Emily, Jace, Jamison, Johnathan, Kara, and Michael.  They have much to share about this day-long seminar (and were literally talking over one another to get it all said, therefore, I was writing quickly!):

• SHC:  We loved the workshop–so much fun meeting new leaders, talking, doing silly games to learn about our jobs, and singing!
• Me:  So, what is a leader really?
• SHC:  Actually, a leader is a Learner who is Enthusiastic, Alert, Democratic, Energetic, Responsible, and Spirited, Mrs. Van!
• Me:  What are your goals for this year?
• SHC:  We talked about goals like promoting other leaders, teaching teamwork, being responsible, showing school spirit, and helping others.
• Me:  Did you have to make any promises this year?
• SHC:  We had to pledge to have a “can-do” attitude, create team spirit here at school, be ready to do any job required, complete things on time, respect others, and know the work we do is a privilege.
• Me:  It sounds like being a leader is an overwhelming task!
• SHC:  Mrs. Van, you have no idea! 🙂

These young ladies and gentlemen have a code they must follow, so I share with it you now:  “Live with courage.  Take pride in what you do.  Always finish what you start.  Do what has to be done.  Be tough and be fair.  When you make a promise, keep it!  Be loyal to the team.  Talk less and listen more.”  Sounds like a great plan to live by everyday.  Here’s hoping we all heed this great advice and lead by example!  Thanks, SHC, for setting the bar so high this year!

While walking along the Miller track during recess time with a group of learners today, we looked up and noticed a flock of geese in their famous “V” formation.  It reminded me of a powerful lesson my mom always told her staff and one, in fact, I’ve shared with mine.  In light of the cooler Autumn temps today and the geese we noticed, I shared this lesson with the students walking with me: 

Everything in nature happens for a reason and scientists have discovered why geese fly in the “V” formation.  As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.  By flying this way, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.  Truth #1:  If we share a common direction and sense of community, we can get where we’re going quicker and easier because we travel on the power of one another.  Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.  Truth #2:  It’s important to stay in formation with those who are headed in the same direction we are going.  When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back into the formation and another goose flies point.  Truth #3:  It pays to take turns doing the hard work–with people or with geese flying.  Geese honk from behind (just like Mrs. Bass does with me on occasion–she actually says, “Good Honk!”) to encourage one another and the others up front to keep up their speed.  Truth #4:  We need to be careful what we honk when we honk from behind! 🙂  Finally, when a goose gets sick or wounded and falls out of formation, two geese fall out to follow her down to help and protect.  They stay with her until she is able to fly or goes to the great sky beyond, then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up to their group.  Final truth:  If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other no matter what.  Here’s hoping our goose-sense and these basic truths always prevail . . . HONK!   🙂

Our own LaRue Miller Elementary Rowdy Runners rocked the big Midlo Downhill Dash this past Saturday morning!  We had over 35 learners, several staff members, and parents who joined them for the annual 5-K race.  Dr. Stewart was on hand to check everyone in, hand out race numbers, and wish everyone well.  Coach Rogers and Mr. Fio led the pack out once the race started, monitored everyone’s progress, completed the race, and made certain each child crossed the finish line at the end.  I yelled so much to encourage everyone near the finish line there was little voice left for Sunday morning choir!  Our campus C.A.T.C.H. Committee (Coordinated Approach To Children’s Health) helped to sponsor the event by encouraging the club as it meets each Thursday afternoon for strength and endurance practice.  Led by our own Coach Rogers and Mr. Fio, these aspiring young runners are working on personal goals to increase their overall fitness and well-being.  Special thanks to Coach Timm of Irvin Elementary who won the MEF Grant that inspired this idea at each of our MISD Elementary campuses!

As the wife of a lifelong marathon runner (who’s completed 50 marathons now), I know first-hand the benefits of running.  Here’s a picture of Mr. Van smiling at me with two of his running buddies, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Wallace, right before the start of the race (it was a three-way competition for 20 minutes–but that’s another blog story).  🙂  While running is not my personal fitness routine-of-choice, I know it is imperative that we, as the adult role models, choose something and do our personal best to share the importance of healthy eating and fitness choices for the future generation.  Healthy bodies produce healthy minds; healthy minds make strong decisions and do their personal best in school everyday.  Here’s hoping you find your routine of choice or accept the challenge to join us on the Miller track each Thursday afternoon as a Rowdy Runner!

One of our 5th grade Miller learners asked me a challenging question during a discussion about historical events:  “Mrs. Van, if you could travel back in time, which historical event would you choose to visit and why?”  WOW–this is a powerful question and I’m not so sure I can quickly narrow it down to just one!  As a student of history (just like my daddy), fascinated by the many facts, timelines, and people who shaped them, I’m compelled to name multiple times–narrowing it down to just one is nearly impossible!

Time is a concept most learners (and their leaders) grapple with daily–staying on TIME to complete lessons; following a master schedule so we eat, recess, and go to specials on TIME; following a TIMEline of events . . . Then there are the numerous lessons, practices, and events that take TIME outside the instructional day each week. We rarely stop to reflect on the results of our TIME spent in so many activities.  A day barely goes by that someone doesn’t say to me:  “I just wish I had more time!”  (I always think afterward, “Be careful what you wish.”)  🙂

I remember being told, “Children are the living messages we send to a time and place we may never know or see.”  As educators, we appreciate this message because the work now may not reap rewards until much later; as parents, you know exactly what this means as you raise productive, informed citizens in an ever-changing world!  Here’s hoping we all take more TIME to enJOY simple moments, celebrate the successes, and reflect on how we want to change the course of TIME and history with our personal contributions.

Note:  Our HVAC system continues to take its TIME refreshing our air from yesterday’s “stinky situation.”  Thanks to our MISD Maintenance Department for diligently working to change air filters throughout our campus!  🙂

In my many years in education, it never ceases to amaze me what each new school day holds…today is just another example of this.  As a former leadership professor of mine would often note:  “Someone needs to write a book about all the things we don’t teach you here in class; there is nothing to prepare you for what may come your way each day.”  He was right, of course.

A skunk decided to make his/her presence known on campus this morning.  Unfortunately for this skunk, a repeat performance will never occur.  Animal Control answered the call and eliminated the skunk.  As skunks do, though, the skunk had the last word by releasing a tremendous blast of “stink” (as one learner put it) into the air.  Our HVAC system picked up the scent and shared it throughout our campus today . . . WHEW . . . what a stinky situation to endure all day!  I know I have a headache and feel fairly certain several others do as well.  Thankfully, a light breeze was blowing and helping to clear the air in and around our building this afternoon, but it may be a couple of days before the “stink” completely leaves us.

Yes, amazing things happen at LaRue Miller Elementary everyday…some more SCENTsational than others!

Note:  I want to thank the kind soul who left a large can of Glade and a funny note on my desk this afternoon when I went outside for dismissal duty.  I know who you are and you know what they say about paybacks . . . . 🙂

It was a busy, busy, busy day all over our building today, but the group who gets extra credit belongs to our Head Start classes and their families.  Head Start families STARTed their engines by enJOYing a catered breakfast and what we affectionately call the “Fatherhood Event.”  After breakfast in the new Parent Room, dads (and moms too) joined us in the Head Start classrooms to read stories to young learners, interact in workstations, and learn what a child’s day entails at school.  Here are some dads eating breakfast, talking with their littlest ones, and interacting with one another while sharing laughs and stories in the new Parent Room.

                                                    Dads STARTed morning lessons in class by reading funny stories, sweet stories, and stories about sharing and caring to each learner (not just their own child).  They talked, laughed, and spent what I call “lap time” by being a reading role model to our youngest Miller learners.  When I talked with some Head Start friends later, their reactions and experiences were filled with smiles, excitement, and stories!

We are also indebted to the Midlothian Fire Department for STARTing their engines and teaching valuable life-saving lessons today as they visited with all our learners during Fire Safety Month.  These brave community leaders spent time demonstrating their equipment on the fire truck (when it wasn’t pouring down rain outside–not that we’re complaining because we need the rain), blasting the sirens for us, talking about what to do in case of fire at home, and showing us the equipment they wear when fighting fires.  Thanks, gentlemen, for giving your time, talents, and service to our learners!  Yes, our engines were started; here’s hoping yours was as well today!

WHEW!  It’s been a Monday on a Tuesday after a long holiday weekend (think I’ll write a song with this title) . . . Visiting with several friends in my office today (yes, it was one of “those” days), always sheds child-like vision and unique perspective on our work as educators.  For example, a child in my office asked the question, “What’s the point, Mrs. Van?”  🙂 “School is hard work.” 🙂  “It’s hard being a student, especially when you mess up and I messed up today–you know it; I know it; my parents will know it when you call them.”  🙂  “So, how do I fix this and move on now?”  🙂 

First of all, I’m thrilled to know this child wants to “fix” the problem.  Next, it’s refreshing to hear this child wants to move forward, mend fences, and try again–what maturity for a young learner!  As we sat and colored a picture together with my rainbow of pointy-colored pencils like the ones shown here (a calming activity for us both), we discussed the merits of making choices with our voices.  We are all guilty of saying things we regret; I know I am!  As a recovering perfectionist (with my own personal 12-step program), I have to acknowledge my error, learn from it, allow grace, and move forward.  A strong problem solver brings solutions, not just the problems, to the table for discussion.  As parents and educators, we must do the same by modeling thought processes, problem solving skills, and solution ideas with learners daily.  It doesn’t hurt to have some special tools to assist along the way. After all, what’s the point if you don’t have sharp tools to assist you?  Here’s hoping you take time to color and talk about “the point” soon.

While running back and forth this morning between several staff development sessions being held in various MISD locations (as many of you were enJOYing the great State Fair of Texas), I met a colleague in a hallway with a big smile and a morning greeting.  This individual stopped and thanked me for the smile because it was his first of the day (it was already 9:15 a.m. by this point!).  WOW–one smile is all it takes sometimes . . . so, the question today is:  What makes you smile?

While I have a list too numerous to share in this short missive, near the very top of my “smile list” would be children (yours and mine).  Children possess a fresh voice and unique perspective we as adults (with multi-tasking minds and a tight schedule to keep) forget to tap.  Spend ten seconds in conversation with a child and I dare you to not smile!  Just like this picture of me with Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Childers, and Mrs. Slaydon demonstrates, we enjoy having a good time during staff development–working with these ladies (and all my colleagues) makes me smile everyday!

This smile theory also got me to thinking again about a conversation I had with a parent just last week, so I’ll ask my question to you for pondering:  How does your learner start his or her day at home?  How do you start your own day each morning?  I know I tend to sabotage myself sometimes when I don’t “check” my attitude each morning (and I’m fortunate St. Michael is there to assist me when needed!).  A simple smile is the easiest form of positive communication and a wonderful way to start each day.  Make a list together of the many things that make you smile and then act on it.  As you know, our children have more need for models than critics, so consider yourself challenged to find multiple ways to smile daily with your child.  I’m smiling; are you?

As they say in the film industry, “It’s a wrap!”  Our first grading period is behind us this school year; time to reflect on the many accomplishments and celebrations throughout our growing campus:

• PPCD covered the alphabet letters A-E and created a variety of crafts to correspond with each letter.  They focused on friendships, role playing, and building strong character.
• CBI friends worked on many new goals, enjoyed music enrichment, took community trips, and began their Special Olympics Bowling opportunity.
• Our Head Start friends took time to get to know each other, to learn how to be a friend, and what it means to go to school everyday.  Daily routines and engaging lessons including graphing, cooking, sorting, categorizing, and sharing along with weekly visits to the library with Mrs. Bolgiano for storytime were particular favorites.
• Kinder friends learned daily routines, Daily 5 expectations, word wall games, and many new math workstation games.  They also welcomed baby Quinn!
• First Grade continued to learn, learn, learn!  Guided reading groups, word families, fact families, and their own families became big topics of daily discussion and focus.  Adding, subtracting, graphing, and calendars in math, along with fire safety, and community helpers provided fun learning opportunities for all!
• Our Second Grade “mateys” studied landforms by creating salt dough maps of the seven continents.  These hearty pirates used GPS systems with coordinates to follow clues on the map to the chest of treasure in Captain Van’s office.
• Third Graders started Poetry Circle Fridays to share with classmates.  They participated in a clever BlueBonnet Book (BBB) QR lesson where they read a BBB, wrote a book review, and transformed these into QRs to be placed in the front cover of our Miller BBBs this year to share with everyone! (Thanks to our librarian, Mrs. Bolgiano, for creating such an engaging lesson for all!)
• Fourth Graders began their Tour of Texas with regions, landmarks, and the first settlers while pouring the foundation that will become their expert writing this year.  These researchers explored scientists and their inventions and contributions to share with others; they have adopted a “never-give-up” attitude for the school year!
• The Fifth Grade Family shared their work on their Mass-Blast each week (too much to publish in my short blog here).
• Specials covered everything from new games and physical opportunities in gym (including Rowdy Runners) to composing their own music (and forming our Miller Singers and Ringers) to practicing concepts of line, shape, form, color, and texture in art (while creating our Art Club again this year).

We celebrate the successes of the year so far and encourage you to do the same with us!  Please know, we are here to serve; you need only ask as we work together to maximize foundations for our future leaders!  Thanks for an extraordinary start this year!

We come to the end of the first grading period (actually, last Friday on our school calendar) and it is now time to report on each child’s progress for the start of this school year.  In grades two – five, your child will bring home his or her first report card tomorrow afternoon.  In Kinder and first grades, your child’s teacher has most likely scheduled (or you have already attended) a parent conference to discuss progress thus far.

It is true that just like the rudder on a boat steers and guides the direction of the vessel, so does a classroom leader with a classroom of learners (yes, I’m still on the nautical theme).  While I should not compare the two literally, I can successfully attest to the fact that our Miller staff takes the work and the progress of each learner very seriously, applying great flexibility at times in ways a boat’s rudder cannot!  It is important to note one fact:  learners earn the grades they receive.  Leaders of learners are responsible for ensuring the material is presented in engaging, meaningful ways and focused on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  Leaders are also responsible for setting high expectations and reteaching as necessary.  Good communication and collaboration play a critical role in this process.  Likewise, learners are responsible for engaging themselves in the process; we encourage you, the learner’s support system, to work as a partner and participating member with us throughout the process.  A grade is simply a mark (benchmark) assigned for a standard of work.

As a mom (just like any parent I visit with), my expectation for my personal children has always been high (I feel confident they have much to say on the matter in fact!).  I want to see their personal best always!  I frequently remind them:  “I don’t expect you to always be the best; I expect you to always DO your best” (just like Coach Rogers says everyday!).  If the personal best was a “B” or “C” in a subject, we celebrated that well-earned grade!  Grades are numbers (just like my weight and my age).  I challenge you to look beyond the number to the progress made instead.  We work to add value each day; your child needs your assistance with this as well.  Work to improve a concern in a positive manner by teaching your sweet learner the way to guide his or her own rudder.  Celebrate the progress!  🙂

For the parent who asked about my announcement to students last week on personal rudders, here you go:   “Here are some clues for you today:  I am small; I’m on boat; I must be there for you to steer the boat.  “A man without a purpose is like a boat without a __________.”  What’s the answer?  RUDDER—a rudder guides the boat just like your teacher guides your classroom everyday.  You have to start your engine every school day with positive thoughts and focus; this in turn allows your teacher to guide you toward all the ideas, dreams, and expectations you have for yourself.  Your personal RUDDER guides you to make good decisions, good choices, and sometimes even not-so-good choices.  Your teacher’s goal everyday is to help you guide your personal rudder so you can do your personal best everyday.  Is your RUDDER guiding you today in a happy, focused direction?”  🙂