Personal Reflections

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Win some; lose some…

Here’s an intervention conversation from today:

  • Child:  I worked so hard last week and still didn’t make the team on Saturday.  That’s why I’m mad today and can’t do my work (as we discuss an attitude adjustment concerning school today).
  • Me:  I know you’re disappointed, but what matters now is where you go from here.
  • Child:  You mean like what I learned by not winning a spot on the team?
  • Me:  Exactly!  What will make you stronger next time?

This type of conversation with a learner brings the unique opportunitywinsome to share a life lesson along the way.  No one wants to talk about loss; let’s face it:  no one wants to lose!  Yes, sometimes we win and sometimes we lose; winning matters and losing matters.  In life, what really should matter most though is what we do with our wins and losses.  More specifically, wins and losses both provide exceptional learning opportunities while teaching the value of staying strong.

It’s essential to focus sometimes on the excitement of winning because there’s a fire fueling continuous improvement, passion, and the personal quest for excellence.  Just like a winning sports team, the members must go out week after week with the right mindset, desire, team effort, and determination to do it all over again.  This is a real challenge!

Likewise, when we lose, we should focus on what can be learned and how we can improve because of it.  Staying strong and working smarter is even more important for a come back and win the next time.

I think Jon Gordon sums up winning and losing best:  “No matter how hard we work and how much we improve, there will be times when we experience the worst of defeats instead of the greatest of victories.  Ultimately, life is about more than winning or losing.  Life is about the lessons we learn, the character and strength we build, and the person we become along the way.”  (Jon Gordon, The Energy Bus)

Whether we win or lose, I always encourage our learners to keep their eye on the ball because ultimately they are all winners in the game of life.  Stay strong because…Every Day is Game Day @ LME!  🙂

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An Oath and a Dream…

inaugurationOn this school holiday, our attention naturally turns to the important events of the day, specifically the second Inauguration of our country’s President Martin-Luther-King-Jrand the rememberances of a national leader.  Whatever your political thoughts or actions, as a country and as a growing learning community, we should continue to take our civic and cultural duties as moral and ethical leaders seriously.  When a oath is taken, a promise is made; this is critical history for our learners to witness.  Here’s hoping you take a moment today to talk and share with your child about the oath our President takes for this country and the dream of a visionary who stirred a conversation we still discuss 50 years later.

Note:  We look forward to seeing your on Tuesday @ 7:45 a.m! 

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Hip Hip Hooray for Mr. Hemphill!

IMG_2081School Board members really have “the best of times and the worst of times” (according to some Miller learners, that is).  We were honored today to enJOY the company of Mr. Todd Hemphill, Midlothian ISD Board Trustee.  He came early and assisted in morning arrival duty with our Safety Patrol and staff members, greeting students entering the building.  He participated in our Friday Miller Rally talking about what a Board member does (and was interested to hear what some of our learners thought he did too!).  Each team elected a representative to talk and present him with a special team token of appreciation showing our Miller thanks for the time imageDSC_1071and service he provides to MISD.  Our Student Honor Council shared breakfast and a thorough school tour (I feel certain he most likely learned some secret things about LME that only the most privileged are selected to know).  🙂

We are grateful to have caring, civic-minded, service-oriented trustees in our district who serve willingly to uphold the highest educational standards expected from our community.  School Board members are volunteers, and while they don’t get paid, their work is priceless.  As one little learner summed it up after Miller Moves, “Hip, hip HOORAY for Mr. Hemphill today!”

Thanks to all our Midlothian ISD Board of Trustees for serving our district to ensure we continue to strive to be the leading learning organization in the nation.

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A ROCKIN’ Science Time!

IMG_0004It’s true; the library was rockin’ today at LME!  We were honored to have THE famous singing zoologist, Lucas Miller, charm our learners and classroom leaders alike with his hilarious and scientifically-accurate songs and stories.  He shared important facts on the wetlands, butterflies, omnivores, SHARKS, and other earthly delights.  He sang from his funny greatest hits including Anaconda La Bamba, Slimy, Living In A Wetland, IMG_0007and I’m A Mako Shark.  One teacher commented, “You can tell he’s a smart, serious musician who loves teaching others scientific facts; it’s the best of all worlds!”

Mr. Miller’s animated talk, audience interaction, and beautiful natural images truly captured our learners and their keen interest in a highly engaging and meaning presentation.  One student summed it up best, “Mrs. Van, we had a rockin’ science time today!”  🙂  Thanks, Lucas Miller!

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Melting…just a state of matter…

The frosty winds made moan yet again early this morning during school arrival, but the icy leftovers are facing the sun right now.  Just a little bit of winter goes a long way in Texas, huh?!  It’s safe to say most of our campus is ready to bundle up and enJOY some sun today during recess; we really covet the sun!  🙂

meltingsnowmancookieDuring walkabout, one group stopped me to share their writing workstation challenge (notice this cute picture of the treat they will enJOY later because of a child’s birthday today).  Anyway, it got them to thinking and talking about the states of matter.  Before we knew it, there were multiple examples of materials that turn from solid to liquid to gas.  Besides water, what else can you name?

Another group was sharing how they “melt away” the winter “blahs” with things like a “Thank-You Walk,” sharing smiles and jokes and laughter with each other, celebrating successes and spending time with positive people, and showing kindness to others.  As one learner noted, “Melt away those ‘blahs’ by helping others feel better and you’ll feel better too!”   🙂

Speaking of melting blahs and warming hearts, our extraordinary 2ndgrPTO shared the wonderful treat of lunch with our entire staff today!  Stuffed baked potatoes, salads, and cupcakes brought enormous smiles to faces (educators appreciate those days when they don’t have to worry about packing a lunch!).  🙂 Thanks, PTO volunteers, board members, and parents, for sharing your culinary talents and time with us!

Here’s hoping you find a peaceful state of meaning and matter to melt away winter today and everyday!

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Frosty start with warm hearts!

It was a slick and slushy start to our Tuesday morning, but smiles prevailed!  R time#2During walkabout, a first grade class started their day with R Time by pairing up to work and talk together using counters as part of their task.  It was reported to me how much they appreciated the opportunity to “help a friend get smarter.”  🙂

A Kinder class was using the weather to create their Morning Message.  The teacher asked, “I have forgotten how to spell the word.  Where would I find it in our room to help me?”  A young learner leaned over to me, “She’s ALWAYS forgetting how to spell things and we ALWAYS have to tell her!”  🙂

Another Kinder class was using play dough to form numbers and ten frames (the physical part of manipulating stiff play dough is always a challenge for our young learners anyway) when a little one burst heartily into song, “Come on everybody, let’s get this done; numbers in the teens, they start with 1!”  🙂

Finally, a fifth grade class held a discussion about the turn of events during the Civil War.  A learner reminded everyone, “In the middle of a mess you can always find an opportunity, kinda like the weather this morning, huh?!”  🙂

What a blessing to see firsthand the frosty start to our day didn’t melt the warm hearts within our walls.  Here’s hoping you find something to warm your heart today; stay safe out there!   🙂

Health Note:  In light of record flu numbers, Nurse Sullivan wants us all to please remember these important first steps you can take with your family:

  1. Teach and enforce frequent hand washing with soap and water.
  2. Teach and enforce not to share personal items like food or drinks.
  3. Cover those coughs and sneezes using the elbow, arm, or sleeve (NOT hands).
  4. Know the signs and symptoms of the flu:  fever greater than 100.5, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny/stuffy nose, headache.
  5. Finally, please keep your child home if they are sick.  Students should return school once they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

For more information, please visit http://www.texasflu.org or http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ 

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No Problem!

I was privileged to work with an intuitive group of thinkers early on this frosty Monday morning.  They were talking about conflicts and what they do to personally work through them.  I could tell immediately they had given this deep thought and done some research:  eraseconflict

  • Conflicts are a part of life; when we engage in conflict, we need to realize this is normal. 
  • Conflicts are disagreements–it is really not a contest where there are winners and losers. 
  • We have to help each other, be a problem solver, and use a ‘win-win way’ to help everyone.
  • Show respect and use words that work.  Mrs. Stanley talks about “I” messages with each other (“When you…I feel…because…”).
  • Treat others the way we want to be treated and be a good listener who really hears the other person!

I think you get the idea.  So I had to ask, “What’s a ‘win-win way’ look like?”  Now you have their answers:

  1. Treat each other with respect, be a strong listener, and use words that work (“I” messages).
  2. Find out each person’s needs or wants in the situation, and ask, “How can we ______?” (state needs/wants of both)
  3. Think of solutions together, make a plan, and act on the plan.

This group was creating a classroom flipbook of their ideas to share with others (I told them to market it to other schools because this is something every campus deals with daily!).  Even though this particular writing assignment was important for their grade and teamwork, the much more valuable life lesson involved their ideas for working through any conflict.  It’s another example of giving our students the gift of finding ways to creatively work together in the early years.  Bravos to these fourth graders and their teacher!  As one friend put it best, “We erase conflicts; no problem!”   🙂

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READ in the New Year!

IMG_06722013…time to READ in the new year at LME!  All students and staff members spent at least 2013 seconds today (that’s exactly 33 minutes and 55 seconds) READing in the new year during our annual event.  Dressed in cphotoomfy clothes accompanied by pillows, blankies, animal friends, and other cushy items, everyone stopped in the midst of their busy daily schedule and indulged in some old-fashioned reading time.  No tests…no comprehension questions…no reader-responses…just READing!

Sometimes, the greatest things learned are the simplest things to complete.  Here’s hoping 2013 brings simply outstanding opportunities for all of us to READ throughout the year!  🙂

Note:  Speaking of READing in the new year, we are looking forward to our author visit next week with Mr. Lucas Miller on Thursday, January 17th! 

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Building future leaders of strong character…

In meeting a new family to LME this week, the question was asked of me by the student, “What does this school do in the way of building character everyday?”  No joke!  Besides the usual list (Essential Miller 5, Rachel’s Challenge, Morning Message, R Time, KC Club, and others), I shared how we work daily to build strong relationships and interpersonal skills.  Most importantly though, building-characterwe embrace and highly value the significant role our families play in the lives of our students.  The significant adults in the home are a child’s first teacher; we respect the work they do before our learners begin their educational journey with us.  In our society today, the “traditional family” is no longer the norm; it is the exception.  On campus demographics show that an increasing number of our students are being raised by grandparents, extended family members, and blended families.  To support our students in these changing roles, we must strive to ensure they have the character building tools needed to become effective leaders of tomorrow.  Looking back at our own families (traditional or not), we realize it is often the wisdom and strong examples of those in our extended family who played a vital role in who we are today.

For example, from an early age, I was blessed to live in the same area as both sets of grandparents.  I witnessed time and again their selfless acts of reaching out to others to help meet needs through various community, church, and other civic activities.  There was always a meal, cards, flowers from the garden, or something going somewhere to someone.  Most importantly though, I remember when a person’s “word” was good enough and a strong work ethic, service, and high expectations were just the norm.  My parents and grandparents walked what they talked and carried hope and strong belief in others and themselves (most especially in me!).  Without a doubt, they each had a part in the person I am today.

As our staff reflects and looks to the future for our learners, we do our personal best to remember the wisdom gained from our past experiences.  As educators, we have to be willing to pass on this wisdom to those in our charge everyday as we build future leaders of strong character.  Most importantly, we appreciate everything you do before, during, after our work to support us!  May 2013 be a year each learner remembers as a time of building strong character.

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College Day dreamin’…

You’ve heard me remind learners time and again:  “Plan your work; work your plan; autograph your work with personal excellence daily.”  Having a plan and seeing College_Aheadit through is one of those life lessons no curriculum or state assessment can ever measure.  As part of our dream for our current learners, we always take a day (or more) to talk about college, sharing specifically about the importance of strong study habits, building team with school spirit, and other interesting details about higher education (the appropriate ones, that is!).  🙂  Even now, it is our hope our learners are encouraged to begin thinking about their future plans and expectations beyond high school graduation.

I know what you’re thinking though…why talk to a 5-year-old about college?  As a mom of two daughters (MISD grads) currently in college and graduate school, I speak from personal experience when I share it’s never too early to have these conversations, let alone to financially plan for this continuing educational journey (a topic of many other possible blogs, mind you!).  As with any future goal, we want to encourage our learners to aim high in order to achieve personal excellence.  As Coach Rogers tells our learners everyday:  “We don’t expect everyone to be the best; we expect everyone to give and do their best!”  Without dreams and leaps into our imagination, we lose the excitement of possibilities.  Dreaming is, after all, a form of planning.  Learning to work the plan at a younger age teaches the discipline and responsibility needed to succeed in life.  Higher education, in all its many forms, is definitely a “ticket to dreams” and Every Day Is Game Day at LME!  🙂