sharing

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Sentimental thoughts…

Is there anything more exciting to a child than this season of love, peace, JOY, and goodwill?  Carols are playing in classrooms during workstation time, learners are sharing creative ideas and writings, classroom leaders are engaging students in all manner of clever activities, and everyone coming into the front office is smiling more these days.  Capturing all the sights, sounds, scents, and sentiments of Christmas can be a daunting task (and even overwhelming for some).  Finding ways to express the reason for the season can be so powerful that it becomes challenging to express the story well.  One young writer today was having no trouble though…

A young writing friend stopped me during walkabout to share card1his homemade card (completed in the card workstation yesterday).  His choice of colors and textures intrigued me.  While his words were personally heartfelt and filled with love for the recipient of this beautiful card, he made the comment, “You know…I hope someone sends me a card like this sometime; I’ll keep it forever!”  We talked about Christmas cards and why then mean so much to others who receive them.

As is our LME tradition, I begin each morning in December with a Christmas question-of-the-day, so today is dedicated to my young writing friend who asked me:  “What was the greatest Christmas Card you remember receiving from a friend or family member?”  Here’s hoping you send someone a special greeting card this holiday…the impact may be more than simply sentimental!

Note:  Speaking of sentiments, we greatly appreciate all the Angel Tree participation and assistance you are giving to the LME Angel Tree Project!  Please remember all items are due back to our caring counselor, Mrs. Stanley, this week. 

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Movers and Givers…

StuCo1This is the time of year to count our blessings, give with great thanks, and share our bountiful harvest with others.  Our LaRue Miller Elementary learning community did this in a BIG way!  Our entire campus collected a total of 2,622 food items during our annual food drive all last week.  Our Student Honor Council members assisted Mrs. Stanley in carefully sorting, counting, and packing the items in categories for our local food pantry, Manna House.  The group StuCo2willingly helped to load the Manna House van this afternoon during their recess time as a way to share their time too.

Thank you, LME learning community (especially our parents), for sharing your gifts and service with those in need during this holiday season.  If you missed out on last week’s project, our next one starts this week (more to come!).  🙂

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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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Sharing opportunities…

It’s been a busy Friday here at Miller! Right before early morning bus duty, a Kinder friend started my day by sharing her homework entitled, “SnowCowGirl.” Her assignment was to dress a snowperson at home and write about her for the class. Although you can’t tell from the picture here, this creation was truly a 3-D event! Thanks, Pressley, for sharing your vision so eloquently with me!

An elementary principal friend from another district spent the morning with me touring our beautiful building, sharing ideas, and “talking school shop.” We wandered through classrooms and one student, upon introduction, commented: “You mean you’re good enough Mrs. Van to have other principals come see you at Miller?” 🙂 Another young friend, Daniel, was working quietly to build something special during centers. After he finished, he told his teacher, “Hey, I’m the principal of this school and this is my office.” He then picked up the phone to talk with a parent while typing on his computer. 🙂

I was reminded from all these opportunities today how important it is for us to share with one another—share our ideas, our dreams, our successes, and our celebrations. More importantly though, I was truly blessed today to listen to others as they shared. Here’s hoping you find some special opportunities to share this weekend! Happy Friday!

Note: Students will enJOY a school holiday on Monday, January 16, 2012. We will see everyone on Tuesday morning!