Happy New Year and Welcome Back! I hope you enjoyed a restful, relaxing break–time to disconnect from work thoughts, time to enjoy family and friends and to just enjoy time to relax. It is amazing how refreshing the holiday break can be to come back to start an amazing 2019! I know our students will be SO EXCITED to see you all on Monday morning!

If you’re feeling any trepidation about getting up early for the first day in quite some time, I completely understand! It’s hard for adults and kids to get back into the swing of things after such a long break. This is a great time to re-connect with students and let them do so with their classmates by giving them time to talk about what they did over break! Keep in mind, it’s a great time to review classroom management basics as we embark upon a new calendar year at Kennedy, where our students are blessed to receive quality instruction on a  daily basis in safe and orderly classrooms. I appreciate your efforts with reinforcing behavior expectations. Here’s a great post on this topic: Ideas for Working with the January Slump.

Much like last year…… Jon Gordon’s “One Word” asks you to think of one word that gives meaning & focus to your life. Jon suggests coming up with one word instead of list of resolutions.

“A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be a ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp or biting or rich and soft and slow. A single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life!”

I challenge you to choose one word this January–a word to focus on, reflect upon as one goes about daily life. Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2019? It can be something tangible or intangible…it could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. Donna, Sara and I look forward to re-connecting with you all, hearing all about your Winter Breaks, and reflecting at our faculty meeting on Tuesday afternoon! Be prepared with your “ONE WORD”.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 7th
Welcome Back!
Keep in mind…..Some students will be BURSTING to share their breaks with you! Some kids will be DYING for a HUG! Some kids will need to shake off the cobwebs! Allow for it all! Connection over curriculum on Monday!  Let’s reignite our passion and remember to bring the awesome this week!

*Welcome Back to Mayra Tellez, paraprofessional in SLC, who is returning from maternity leave!
*Welcome to Jessica Rock, student teacher working with Becky Zora

Tuesday, January 8th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:45pm

Wednesday, January 9th
Common Plan Time

Thursday, January 10th

Friday, January 11th
PreK Screening
5 by Friday! Keep those positive connections with families going strong!

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

6 EdTech Tools to Try in 2019 by Jennifer Gonzalez of Cult of Pedagogy

9 Tech Resolutions for Teachers to Make in the New Year via Erintegration