Personal Reflections

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Fraction Action!

fractionwallDuring walkabout today, a young learner in a workstation was creating fraction bars to demonstrate a whole.  I stopped to ask some clarifying questions:

  • Child:  Mrs. Van, did you know fractions are part of our everyday life?
  • Me:  In what ways do we use fractions everyday?
  • Child:  Well, I know you like pie, right?  You use fractions when you cut into the pies you make to share with others.
  • Me:  I LOVE pie (and it shows) and you’re exactly right!

Our conversation went forward with several other examples, but the most exciting part of the lesson today is understanding how fractions work in our real world.  Fractions_of_a_circleHelping our children to visualize them is key to comprehending their daily use.  My learner friend shared something special she does at home to “practice fraction action:”  she keeps a diary where she records and draws the fractions she notices in her world.  For example, when grocery shopping, she bought 1 1/2 pounds (1.5 in decimals of course) of ground beef for “Taco Tuesday” at their house.  She shares her diary with her dad each week to talk about her observations…what a clever idea indeed!  Here’s hoping we all find a little “fraction action” in our lives too!  🙂

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A CEREALsly MOOving, LOVEly day…

cereal1The cows came home (literally) all while the staff crunched on favorite cereals as we celebrated a day of love…

Our staff members were greeted with a sign:  “CEREALSly, we LOVE what you do for learners everyday…” and the opportunity to choose a favorite cereal for a morning snack (with milk choices, of course).  A little cereal goes a long way to increasing those important Miller Moves during Friday Rally too…

…and speaking of milk, it’s not everyday a cow shares her milking cow1experience with 600+ learning friends and classroom leaders, but that’s exactly what “Grandma” did with us today (she is named Grandma because she’s usually the last to come in cow2from the pasture).  Thanks to the work of the Southwest Dairy Farmers and their mobile classroom for bringing their 32-foot milking parlor on wheels to LME (and to Mrs. Garippa for arranging the visit).  Our instructor, Kayler, shared everything from the parts of the cow to the process of milk going from the farm and our grocery store to demonstrating exactly how to milk a cow.  Grandma, the Jersey, taught some great voCOWbulary and terMOOnology today!  🙂

As you most likely know, it’s Valentine’s Day today Val1and while we didn’t have official class parties, we did exchange some wonderful cards, riddles (thanks, Mrs. King’s friends for leading in Rally today!), and treats (at the end of the day, of course!).  Several random acts of kindness and love were shared throughout our camVal2pus, especially with our office team.  Several 5th grade friends left a huge “friend” for me in my working chair (I plan to teach him how to complete some of my work in fact!).  More importantly though, here’s hoping we all seriously move in the path of more lovely days like today everyday.  EnJOY the sunshine and warmer day and the coming weekend too LME friends!

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Tutus and Ties…oh my!

tutusties1The excitement is growing because it’s almost here…the annual PTO Tutus and Ties:  A Red Carpet Affair!  Calling all dads, grandfathers, uncles, and big brothers:  Join us next Saturday, February 22 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the transformed LME Cafe for a special dance your little princess will never forget!  With our live DJ, door prizes, food, pictures, flowers, and more, you will both have a most memorable event.  Dance attire is Sunday dress and only 200 tickets will be sold.  Flyers went home in folders last week, but more are available in the front office.  Pre-registration is $25.00 per couple.  We hope you’ll make plans now to join us for this highly-anticipated event…a real red carpet affair this year!

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Chili Cook-Off Time, y’all!

Chili2The 4th annual LME C.A.T.C.H. Committee Chili Cook-Off and Dinner is set for next Thursday, February 20 in the cafe from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Enter your award-winning chili for Chili1our panel of expert judges to taste (judging starts @ 6:15) with prizes awarded for People’s Favorite, 2nd Runner-up, 1st Runner-up, and Grand Prize.  Participate in the PTO Meeting from 6:30 – 7:00 and then buy a bowl of chili to eat for only $1.00.  No reservations are needed and we always have a huge turnout and LOTS of family fun!  Just like our reminder posters say, “Get Ready for Spicy” because it’s “Hot! Hot! Hot!”  Can YOU take the heat?  🙂

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Out and about…

Daily walkabouts yield great results on any given day…the conversations with learners, the engaging work, the hugs, the reminders of why and how we do what we do everyday…what a blessing to have this opportunity to serve daily!  During my morning stroll, several items caught my eye:

IMG_3720Heartprints are those special ways you help and touch the lives of those around you in unique, heartfelt ways.  A great group of writers captured the spirit of giving heartprints by reflecting on ways to share with others…certainly a great way to fill your soul in heartwarming style!

Likewise, our 5th grade Social Studies classes are IMG_3713tracking the hearty events of the Winter Olympics with daily medal counts in a fabulous visual graph worthy of special notice.  Forget the NBC count; these learners have created a medal masterpiece, all while sharing fun facts and statistics for the entire school to enJOY!

IMG_3717We have a large group of book buddies who “chews” to work weekly in reading, writing, and learning with younger friends (it’s a LME tradition).  These younger friends shared a special display of thanks; you can tell they definitely “have a ball” together!

. . . and we can’t allow the big IMG_3712100th day of school to go unnoticed!  Our Kinder friends shared their love for all things 100 by completing over 100 reasons why they love our school…so impressive!

Yes, out and about are the best ways to get a feel for the action across LME these days.  We hope you’ll stop by soon to visit and share your adventure while you’re out and about in our building…

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A pink princess party…

As you know I affectionately share how we have a complete “buffet of services” on our campus everyday—lots of academic and instructional girlscoloringPPPsetting choices to meet any need.  There is one unique PreK program we especially enJOY though; these young friends come for early intervention work in speech.  These 3-and-4-year-olds work in a language-enriched educational environment through unique sensory, hands-on activities in meaningful and engaging ways; today was certainly no exception.

pinkprincesspartyA particular group of little girls working on the “p” sound this week celebrated the day with a pretty pink princess party!  From talking and coloring giant princess pictures to sharing a snack together, these little princesses partied in real royal style.  “We made a wand and a crown ’cause all princesses have wands and crowns, you know.”  Ahhh . . . to be a pretty pink princess once again . . .  🙂

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Principal Luncheon

lunch1It’s always a great day when we can celebrate and break bread together during the honored tradition of our LME Principal Luncheon.  LME friends traveled to Red Robin with Mrs. Bass and me to enJOY a scrumptious meal topped off withlunch2 a deluxe ice cream sundae and lots of sprinkles. Special congratulations to these learners for reaching personal success and excellence by having all A’s in academics and conduct, and absolutely perfect attendance (not one tardy or early leave mark).  We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to more great meals with you!  🙂

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Hiberbation Sensation!

photoOur Head Start friends have been studying hibernation and the special animals who hibernate.  As a culminating activity today, they enJOYed a hibernation experience themselves by wearing their pajamas to school, cooking and eating special snacks, and then doing their own version of hibernation photo 01with a “long winter’s nap” (shared one little friend).  🙂  They also shared their special knowledge about a little hibernating friend in Pennsylvania who plans to make an appearance on Sunday to check out the weather for everyone…here’s hoping we get some good news that spring is on its way soon!  Have a safe, relaxing weekend!

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Watt’s up?

There is a vital group of learners (under the watchful leadership of a special teacher, Mrs. Garippa), who take time everyday to check watts1on our campus’ initiative to save energy in MISD.  Known on campus as the WattWatchers, they have broken the campus down into zones and go about the building issuing green tickets (good) and red tickets (not-so-good) for remembering the WW Rules.

We have a unique, highly-effective geothermal HVAC system here at LME and we’ve been in existence long enough now for the system to really save us thousands of taxpayer dollars annually.  With the WattWatchers, they ensure everyone does his or her part throughout the day in the following ways (as shared by some WattWatcher friends):

  1. Turn off lights when the room is not in use.
  2. Use the natural lighting throughout the building when you can.
  3. Watch thermostat settings and dress in layers to stay comfortable in class.
  4. Have custodians turn off main area lights (like the gym and cafe) when not in use and other places (like hallways) right after dismissal.

watts2While these are just a few ideas, the list grows longer each year.  WattWatchers take their work and their message seriously, but they also have great fun throughout the building helping others to conserve costs.  In fact, they were most excited today to be interviewed by the MISD Communications Director on their important role in campus conservation efforts (she even filmed them!).  Conserving and maximizing our natural resources are critical to future generations; our WattWatchers are making certain we do our part everyday for tomorrow!  As one friend noted, “Watt’s up?  Hopefully NOT your electric bill but ways to conserve that energy!”  🙂

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We’ve got talent!

cropped-kids-playing.jpgWe’ve got talent; have you?  Entry forms are now available for MISD’s Got Talent Show. High school, middle school, and elementary school students are encouraged to showcase their talent as singers, musicians, dancers, comedians, videographers, artists, and more.  Auditions will be held February 10-14.  The talent show will be Friday, February 28 for elementary students and Saturday, March 1 for secondary students.  A special performance will be given by guest judge, Brandon Chase, from “The Voice” on March 1. For more talent show details email for information at midlotalentshow@gmail.com and check out the flyer [PDF].  We’ll see you there!