MVPs

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MVPs!

We enJOYed a special Miller Rally this morning where we talked about The Reluctant Groundhog by Dan Slottje.  In this clever story, Gracie the Groundhog, by default, must replace the retired Marvin (since he moved away to Arizona) in predicting the annual spring forecast.  As expected, Gracie is hesitant to accept this new role for fear of failing the animals.  The wise Professor Owl steps in to remind Gracie “the only thing you have to be afraid of is not doing your personal best.”  Gracie decides if she tries and does her best, then she will succeed.  When she accurately predicts the arrival of spring, the animals celebrate her success and she shares, “It’s simple—just believe in yourself.”

This story is most appropriate today especially since IMG_0030Mrs. Bass and I celebrated our second MVP Social with all our Miller MVPs chosen so far this school year.  The MVP status is quite an achievement of personal excellence here at Miller.  Those chosen go well above and beyond in their social as well as academic achievements.  Our MVPs truly represent by their daily actions how they believe in themselves and others.  They walk Gracie Groundhog’s talk about doing their personal best in order to excel.  Congratulations to these leading learners who are setting the bar high in all areas!  As one friend noted, “Like you always say, Mrs. Van, MVPs have ‘standards and ‘quirements!”  🙂   Here’s hoping our own groundhog shares his “standards and requirements” well tomorrow; we’re ready for some spring around LME!

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MVP status…

In sports, the MVP Award (Most Valuable Player) is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player on a team.  At LaRue Miller Elementary, our MVPs qualify for the honor by going well above and beyond the academic standard.  MVPs show outstanding character traits and clearly role model the Miller Essential 5 each and every day.  A student selected as an MVP by a team of teachers and peers is honored during Friday Miller Rallies in front of the entire campus for everything from performing random acts of kindness to consistently sharing compassion with others as a way of life.

Mrs. Bass and I thoroughly enJOYed a special event this morning following Miller Rally.  The 1st Quarter MVPs spent social time with us where we noshed on snacks and visited about everything from our campus field trip to what everyone likes to do for fun.  The common thread noted during our many discussions was obvious:  each student sets personal goals and is always striving to get better in all areas of his or her life…they do what it takes to make others around them even better.  At their young age, these learners exhibit the traits of leaving powerful legacies one day!

“Climb high; climb far…your goal the sky and your aim the star.”  Congratulations and huge thanks today go to our MVPs so far this year:  Ethan, Charlie, Aiden, Sawyer, Seth, Maddie, Connor, McKenna, Miranda, Madelynn, and Darren!  🙂

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JOYful Friday!

In a recent visit with a student, I was asked this interesting question:  “What is your favorite word, Mrs. Van?”  WOW!  This list is long (I do collect quotes, after all).  Like I shared during our Miller Team Huddle this morning, the one word bringing the biggest smile to my face would have to be the word JOY.  🙂  JOY is an icon of optimism with great hope, faith, and love mixed into it.  We are each blessed with beautiful expressions of JOY all around us everyday, especially on a school campus!  Today is certainly no exception…

We announced our new Student Honor Council after an intense application and interview process for fifth grade.  Congratulations go out to Ryan, Heather, Allie, Cameron, and Rustin.  They took their oath and pledge this morning in front of the entire school.  We look forward to their leadership throughout the coming year.

We also celebrated our All-Stars and the coveted MVP awards this morning during Huddle.  Special thanks to last week’s MVPs, Madelyn and Darren, as well as this week’s MVPs, McKenna, Connor, and Miranda.  These five Miller students have shown extraordinary character traits and qualities across all areas of our campus since the first day of school.  They also have the honor of wearing their own MVP shirt each week (thanks, Mr. Fio, for the design of our shirt; thanks, Miller Design Team for the idea this year!).

Our Panther readers faithfully came this morning and added to the excitement of the day.  You can see MISD Panther, Cody, surrounded by third graders who are grateful for his weekly reading contribution.  Thanks to our Panther players and coaches for this wonderful opportunity each week!  Go Panthers!

We are grateful for cooler temps, some rain sprinkles, and the coming change of the seasons.  Here’s hoping you find JOY in simply sublime ways today and everyday!

Note:  We are doing well on our Fun Run pledges; thanks for your support!  The Fun Run is next Thursday, September 20 throughout the morning.