blessings

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Give THANKS…

It’s been a while, but I opened a memory box today where beautiful words from young writers tumbled into my lap.  Written by this precious class last year, their words shared simple reminders for daily living and resonated on a quiet November afternoon:

Give thanks for each day and thanks for each night; for lovely little flowers and the stars shining bright.

Give thanks for new crayons like red, green, and blue.  Give thanks for special moments when your wishes do come true.

Give thanks for a puzzle or your favorite teddy bear and even the thrill when you’re lifted high in the air!

For a wonderful hug, a band in the parade, a bath, or a new toy; for any little thing in your day that brings great JOY!

Give thanks for walking, hiking, and the snowflakes from above, especially give thanks for being with the people you love!

Give thanks for the oceans, the salt, and the sand; the sweet and simple pleasure of just holding someone’s hand.

Give thanks for saying “please” and “thank you” each day, and especially for hearing the words “I love you” along the way.

autumntrailMay we all take time to reflect on not only the blessings, but the giving of thanks…each night and each day!

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Blessings and Thanks…

christmas-spiritAs 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 LME!  Between the train whistles, the crafts, the cocoa, the stories, prizes, and festive PJ fun, there was never a dull moment on the Miller Express.  Did I mention we were in PJs all day too?!  🙂

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 final question:  “How will you and your family honor the spirit of the season throughout 2013?”  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 blessings of peace, hope, JOY, and love to you and those you hold dear!  Blessings and thanks for sharing your most valuable resource with us at LME everyday!   🙂

Note:  While we are on break December 22 – January 8, 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!  🙂 

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Thanksgiving Every Day…

The table is brimming with good things to eat;
We’re surrounded by family and friends; what a treat.
The feelings that fill us today can’t be beat;
It’s Thanksgiving Day, and it all feels complete.

But other days, sometimes, things don’t seem so fine;
Those days are not polished and don’t seem to shine.
It’s then in our minds, we forget all the good,
And think of the things we would get, if we could.

On days when our thinking causes us dread,
If we could remember, it’s all in our head,
And not let our minds take our gratitude away,
Then we’d make every day like Thanksgiving Day.

-By Karl Fuchs

Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours today…and every day!  🙂

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‘Twas the week before Thanksgiving…

Yes, it’s the week before Thanksgiving; things are moving and shaking around Miller right now!  During my walk-about this morning, I was entertained by a class of learners who shared this wonderful Jack Prelutsky poem:

It’s the middle of November and our weather’s crisp and cool;

Thanksgiving’s getting closer so there’s lots to do at school.

Our teacher gives us projects that we work every day;

We make Pilgrims and Indians out of paper, glue, and clay.

Our bright Thanksgiving murals are displayed on all the walls;

And our cut-out paper pumpkins gaily decorate our halls.

Today I drew a turkey with long feathers and a face;

In the middle of November, our school’s a very busy place!

If this class project is any indication, there are many things to be thankful for around Miller (they are making “blessing” hats to wear later this week)!  Our Kinder friends shared a wonderful lesson on nocturnal animals with our MISD Board of Trustees last night; they did an outstanding job of WOWing the audience and we are truly thankful to the learners and their classroom leaders for representing our school so well!  The annual Field of Readers is tonight @ 6:00 p.m.–what a great family event for all; please join us!  Our traditional family feast in the Miller Cafe is Thursday during all six lunches; we hope to see you here!  Finally, our annual Super Outrageous Science (SOS) Day will be Friday morning all over the building.  Miller scientists are so thankful for the extraordinary equipment and materials as well as the amazing opportunity to share some exciting experiments throughout the day with others!

Miller is indeed a very busy place in the middle of November!  Here’s hoping you can join us at some point in the celebrations!

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Doy Gracias Cada Dia!

It’s true; I’m thankful each day!  I’m also honored to share this with our learners each morning during our morning message.

Today I had the brief honor of sharing a special moment with a young learner who brought this beautiful story from home.  While the text was all Spanish (I read Spanish fine; my translation is not so good!), this little friend shared her interpretation of the text.  With colorful illustrations and a simple yet poignant text, the story unfolds with the powerful message of being thankful for each and every day we are given–choosing an attitude of gratitude.  The many facets of our world provide a reason for each of us to stop and be thankful each day.  Think about a sunrise, a sunset, flowers, floating clouds, or birds singing…all these natural events encompass our daily lives and are present to remind us of the many blessings we are given to treasure.

Our KC (Kindness and Compassion) Club members are challenging us each morning to focus on our blessings by sharing their personal thoughts as a start to our day during morning message from now until we break for Thanksgiving.  Here’s hoping you will challenge those you hold dear to focus on daily blessings and thankful attitudes of gratitude not just now, but each and every day…after all, “today is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present!”  Doy gracias cada dia!