Personal Reflections

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It’s time to STAND UP!

Are you an UPstander or a BYstander?  This is a question each learner and classroom leader will hear in the coming weeks.  On our educational journey this year, our social focus will include the powerful story Stand Up!  standupWritten by Dr. Lisa Roth and Dr. Karen Siris, the children in the story learn to recognize what is right and fair in the world while standing up to unkindness when they see and experience it firsthand.

Having welcoming and caring friends is important in life.  Stand Up! encourages young people to empower themselves as they take responsibility for teaching their classmates about the importance of inclusive and kind behaviors…no matter what.  The creative illustrations provide a brilliant visual reminder for all of us to walk in each other’s shoes and to STAND UP together to create a positive change.  The heart of this story lies with the children (not in the interventions of adults) who choose to take a positive stance to stop exclusion and unkindness in their school.

We can talk all day about bully prevention programs, ideas, and examples.  UPstanders learn to recognize unkindness and stop it themselves, thus taking all the power away from the person who is choosing to be unkind.  In fact, practicing the traits of an UPstander is common theme in our R Time series each week as we actively engage in character building.

I will initiate the conversation while personally sharing this insightful story in the first week of school as I hit the hallways of LME on a classroom book tour.  Each staff member has a copy of the book to use and refer to often throughout the year.  I challenge you, our learning community, to find exceptional ways to demonstrate your UPstanding behaviors to our young learners and become a part of the caring majority of UPstanders in MISD!  As a dear friend and mentor reminded me:   “Be a lamp, a lifeboat, a ladder; help someone’s soul to heal…walk in your shoes and in those of others like a shepherd who leads with the greatest of care.”  Stand Up, LME; welcome back!

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Keep calm and STAND UP!

Our LME Office staff members are truly the BEST!  I’m so fortunate to work with passionate ladies who take their work seriously IMG_3153(but not themselves), who do what is in the BEST interest of learners, and who are completely committed to our growing learning community.  From the wee hours of each school morning to the final bell and dismissal completion, the choreographed “ballet” of this dedicated troupe is undeniable.  Our unwritten mantra is “Keep Calm and Carry On;”  they live this every minute of the school day!  They are also the first ones to Stand Up while keeping calm, thus the reason for our office shirt (I’ll discuss our school focus of Stand Up next week)…they are, in fact, true UPstanders in their work and lives.

Thank you, Christa Stanley (counselor), Kim Huff (office assistant), Joanne Sullivan (RN), Vanya Worley (secretary), Robin Bass (assistant princiPAL), and Shannon Gossett (PEIMS/Attendance) for choosing to serve our learning community.  A principal is only as good as the folks surrounding her; I’m blessed to be surrounded by greatness indeed!  🙂

Note:  Meet the Teacher is tomorrow evening from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.  See you then!

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‘Snow kidding!

IMG_3157Our LME Staff returned in force early this morning to spend a full day creating, collaborating, and sharing innovative work.  Through various iPad apps, our campus iBook Playbook, team-building activities, and special “tech talk,” each member actively participated in IMG_3156communicating consistently across the curriculum.  From homemade omelets at breakfast to sweet flavorful treats as an afternoon snack, our Miller Team flourished.  Special thanks to our Mt. Peak friends for a fun afternoon session with you!

We are ready to welcome our learning community in a couple of days and look forward to seeing our learners in action.  Here’s hoping you are savoring those last few days of summer because it’s nearly time…’snow kidding!  🙂

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Let’s get it started!

It’s an exciting time…the office is buzzing with new families enrolling, packages and boxes of supplies arriving, the phones ringing, and lots of fun conversations (just to name a few).  Teachers are arriving early to work in classrooms and design engaging lessons for learners.  We officially badge-b2sstart “staff meetings” on Tuesday morning next week, but we could almost start school today the building is so full (remember, I said almost…).  🙂

In preparation for the big day on Monday, August 26th, here are a few items to consider:

  • Go online to complete your child’s registration packet of updated information with your child’s code (see previous blog and links).
  • Start the daily routines now with a set bedtime; rest is critical and “banking” some extra rest now will help when the reality of routine kicks in later.
  • Explore healthy meal and snack options for school days; busy brains need great fuel!  What about those important after-school snacks too?
  • Check out the MISD Dress Code so there are no surprises.  Get those hair cuts scheduled too.
  • Pick a special shirt, pair of socks, sneakers, or another clothing item for the first day of school–everyone likes a little something special that very first day (hint, hint, Mr. Van).  🙂
  • Finally, talk about school, set up a homework area, and pack up the backpack.

We look forward an extraordinary year, Team Miller!  As a new young friend said today, “Let’s get it started!”  🙂

Meet the Teacher Night is next Thursday, August 22…HS – 2nd grade from 5:30-6:15 and 3rd-5th grades from 6:15-7:00.  See you then!

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Oh, the places we’ll go…

I had the honor today of reading to a sweet new friend coming to our Printcampus this year.  He chose the Dr. Suess book Oh The Places You’ll Go as his preference and we gathered together on the sofa for a few moments of shared reading time while his mom completed her “homework.”  I was instantly struck by this child’s questions, his curiosity, and his charming wit, not to mention his enthusiasm for learning to read in the days ahead.  “I will read with my new teacher on the first day, won’t I?”  (and believe me when I say I will make certain this occurs).  In fact, his entire attitude about starting school in a new place warmed my heart!  You see, this is his fifth school in one year of formal education; he is accustomed to moving and making new friends at a tender young age.  His resiliency and desire for learning are strong; he forges ahead with great passion.  His parting comment to me today: “We ARE off to great places so we’re on our way, Mrs. Van!”  🙂  Welcome to LaRue Miller Elementary little friend; oh the places we’ll go indeed!

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Online Registration is here!

online_regBack by wildly popular demand, this quick, easy online process allows our parents to electronically sign-off on their child’s first-day registration packet (sure wish I had this option when my own children were in school!).

To register, parents will need their child’s code that was recently mailed home on August 5th. Then, click the button below to start the registration process, or visit our first day packet webpage for more details.  Here’s hoping you find time today to take care of this process!

Registration (English)

Registration (Spanish)

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WHY reading is important…

Reading is everywhere!  Reading is the key to opening doors and avenues for every learner, no matter the age.  Whether it is success in school or society, a child’s ability to read is essential.  The written word is everywhere in our global lives and must be mastered…simple, huh?!

Of course I’m biased, but reading, just for the enJOYment of the experience, is a treasure to be savored.  Baby ReadingIt can take you to new heights on any given day in any given situation.  Reading stimulates the imagination through various genres—whether delving into a juicy mystery, solving the challenge of a crossword puzzle, devouring a recipe, or developing a wealth of knowledge on a new topic, reading is the catalyst for everything we do.

You are your child’s first teacher and your responsibility for the reading process starts long before entering the school doors.  Readiness involves inspiring your child to read through your example, making reading fun, and ensuring reading is a critical part of daily family life.  Making time for reading and creating an environment filled with non-stop reading experiences can be a challenge to every busy family, however, we know children emulate what is created around them.  What does your family do to support reading daily in your home?

Attaching positive experiences to the reading process for children creates an association of reading and enJOYment.  Even 5-yr.-olds still like “lap time” with a parent or grandparent!  Reading items in the grocery store while you shop, reading billboards and logos or signs as you drive, reading menus at restaurants—all these daily activities help in the overall process of learning to read!  A light bulb will go on when you least expect it and suddenly, you’ll find your child will read everything to you!

Library or bookstore cards can be a celebration of reading.  Visits to the library, a book store, or book fair should become a routine part of family life.  Encouraging a child to discover and find books on his or her own is rewarding.  After all, books personally chosen are usually books read because interest is there first; these same books often create memories and experiences the child uses later in life.

There are really two important aspects to the reading process:

  • Learning to unlock the word sounds
  • Understanding what those words mean

As a parent or teacher, children’s literature becomes an important tool to teach young learners not only words, but the meaning of what they read—those tricky comprehension skills.  Asking questions during the reading process enhances comprehension because it allows the learner to explain what she did (or perhaps did not) understand during reading.  Children experience life lessons during the reading process as well.  While hearing (or reading) a story, the child begins to relate her own life experiences and thoughts to what is read while gaining additional insight into who she is and what her ideas are.

We have many ideas to challenge our learners in their reading in the coming school year and we invite YOU to actively participate in this quest with us!  We can all agree, reading is important…now we need to unlock the desire in every single child this year to become a lifelong reader and learner!  Please join us!  🙂

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The little homerun lessons of life…

“Everyday is a new day which gives us a new opportunity to shape a child’s life.”  Thus begins the little jewel of a book called Life’s Little Lessons…An Inch-by-Inch Tale of Success by Joanne Scaglione and Gail Small.  This tale for children, parents, and teachers, inspires with a simple message, in fact, the authors have this to say: LLLbook “We hope to teach children that although life has it’s twists and turns…if we face life with our chin up we can accomplish anything!”  The story centers around a caterpillar named Cyrano who lives with his mom and spends a great deal of time in trouble with the school’s principal, Mr. Tweeterman.  Cyrano cannot make or keep friends, his teachers are so hard on him, and his dad has left home.  He is sent to Mr. BeeCallus’ class (known as the Bee Better class) where Mr. B recognizes his talent with a baseball…and you can probably guess the rest of the story.

Resonating throughout the book is the importance of learning life’s lessons when we’re young and how knowledge can lead us to greatness in the future.  When a young learner looks at me and asks, “Why do I need to know this, Mrs. Van?”, it is my sincere hope the WHY is always more important than the WHAT.

As we begin to start a new school year, there is great excitement and anticipation on the road ahead.  Here’s hoping you savor these last few days of summer time, family, friends, and fun…and here’s hoping the new school year allows each learner the opportunity to make multiple home runs of success!

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A little side trip…

Yes, it’s been a month since the last post and life certainly happens in the meantime!  Let’s just say I took a real break this summer by traveling beyond the borders, using my passport for the very first time, reading some ancient materials, absorbing astounding facts and history, and enJOYing the journey.  As a special gift this year (for a momentous birthday this month), my extraordinary husband flew me to my sister Assisiin Italy (who spends her summer teaching opera to up-and-coming stars in the genre).  If a place can be a soul friend, Italy is certainly a personal contender.  From small communities to cities like Florence and Rome, I had the uncanny feeling I truly belonged.

One of the most powerful observations along this journey were the children with their families.  It is tradition to work hours in the morning until about Noon, take a 3-4 hour break for lunch and sieste (most places close their doors during these hours!), finish up any business, and then go outside to greet friends and neighbors in the city squares (piazzas) before a family meal.  No matter where we traveled, this expectation was present.  While Italy certainly has beautiful cars and other interesting modes of transportation, walking and biking are usually their first choices.  Children are calm, well-behaved, interested, and incredibly tuned-into their environment.  Families and friends are highly engaged with one another by forging IMG_2846relationships, talking, and interacting together (like dads taking off their beautiful Italian shoes to play soccer in the piazzas on the walk home from work while still wearing their business suits).  There is a serene, subtle energy, but no one appears stressed or in a big hurry.  Meals can take hours, especially in the evening when several courses are served, because they talk about family, traditions, and life.  My Italian friends proudly tell me Italians know more about family and traditions than anyone; I believe them now!

We can take a lesson from these friends by slowing down some, savoring the moments more, and approaching everything with greater care and anticipation.  My challenge to learners, classroom leaders, and our families this coming school year is to try this at least ONE night per week.  Turn off the electronics (all of them), share a meal prepared together, and talk with one another about family, traditions, and life.  Here’s hoping you heed the challenge with great success!  🙂

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A.C.E. launches into new adventures!

MISD’s annual Academic Camp for Elementary or ACE is winding down today, but what a week around here!  Elementary students from around MISD have participated in the following ways:

Camp SCRAPs (Super Cool Recycled Art Projects), taught by Baxter teacher, Amy Sears.  Artists explored who uses recycled materials in their work while creating their own unique prints, paintings, drawings, collages, and other crafts using a variety of previously enjoyed materials blended with quality resources.

Drawing! Painting! Pottery! Crafts! was designed by Miller teacher, Scott Fiorenza.  Various art topics were explored through different mediums to create inspired artwork based on the art elements and principles of design.

Creating Music Using Technology, shared by Irvin’s music teacher, Adriane Brown, had students using technology to create and perform original compositions.  Digital instruments, iPads,, and other innovative online music programs were used.  Students performed a short program to showcase their amazing musical creations.

Be A Rocket Scientist, engineered by MHS teacher, Sarah Hardin, challenged rocketlauncherslearners to build genuine combustible engine rockets.  Young scientists ignited and launched their rockets in a special ceremony, marveling at each one soared upwards of 700 feet and then gracefully returned assisted by their skillfully crafted parachutes.

Balanced Brain-iacs, led by Vitovsky teacher, Paula Doskocil, focused on activities designed to enhance the brain’s function.  Students used balance boards, too backboards, rotation boards, balance beams, and the pendulum ball to enhance their handwriting, reading, and math skills as well as hand-eye coordination and focus.

Go Google, conceived by Vitovsky teacher, Stacee Johnson, used iPads and laptops to “go Google.”  Students researched topics of choice as they explored Google educational tools and web 2.0 applications to learn web search techniques and create a finished technology project to share with others.

Campers enthusiastically shared their overwhelming appreciation and thanks to these talented teachers for their creative experiences.  MHS Pals assisted and earned community service hours for participating during the week.  Special thanks to Miller AP, Robin Bass, and her team for leading the groups throughout the week.  Thanks to the campers, their leaders, and families who embraced the ideas and participated at the highest levels.  It’s great to launch into new adventures…and never better than the summertime!  🙂