Today we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr…..let’s honor Dr. King’s memory as we begin our work week. The following Dr. King quote can help us reflect on the work we are doing at Kennedy School.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of education.”

Do we hold high expectations for all of our learners?
Is critical thinking reinforced for all of our learners?
Is character education a focus in our classrooms everyday?
Are we serving others in our school community?

As you begin your week, keep the above quote in mind as you reflect on your practice.
Let’s have a great 4-day week!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 20th
NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, January 21st
Celebrations Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, January 22nd
Happy Birthday Michelle Morgan 🙂
SLC/SLBC Outing to Brunswick Zone
TAPS Common Plan

Thursday, January 23rd
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, January 24th
Reading Room Plan Day
Kindergarten Field Trip to Disney on Ice
5 by Friday! Keep those postcards going home!

(01/25) Happy Birthday Brooke Gorowski 🙂

Tech Tip: Organizing your “Shared with Me” area in Google Drive.

Click on the link above!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 13th
ACCESS Testing Begins <–click for schedule
(send your students who are testing in the morning to their respective rooms immediately after Interventions. If anyone is absent who is testing, please jot their name(s) down on a post-it and send w/another student testing in that classroom)
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm
Buddy Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (Room 109)

Tuesday, January 14th
PATS Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
No Faculty Meeting (we will discuss agenda items at the start of Wednesday’s SIP day)

Wednesday, January 15th
1/2 Day
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm
Happy Birthday Ami F. 🙂

Thursday, January 16th
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Friday, January 17th
PreK Field Trip to the Museum of Science & Industry
Happy Birthday Cheri G. 🙂

(01/20) NO SCHOOL

*Click the image below for more fun fonts to add to your computer, if interested ;P

20 Things We Should Say More Often….in 2014…. from Kid President:

Monday, January 6th
Snow Day: School Closed
Happy Birthday Mayra Tellez! 🙂

Tuesday, January 7th
Snow Day: School Closed

Wednesday, January 8th
Vision & Hearing Re-Screens (Conference Room)
SLC/SLBC Outing to Schiller Park Police Department
Winter Benchmarking begins
Assessment Common Plan

Thursday, January 9th
Vision & Hearing Re-Screens (Conference Room)
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, January 10th
5 by Friday!

Here are some New Years activities I found on Pinterest:

We get to look into the eyes of the students in our care and see good every day. We get to be the good in the world! You are the good in this world. Thank you for choosing education & Kennedy School. Each day, parents entrust their children to us and parents hope that, above all, their children will be nurtured, safe, and loved. Our students are truly blessed to have you in their lives. May we always honor the memories of those who lost their lives just 1 year ago, never taking for granted what we have in front of us. Treasure your students, support your colleagues, reach out to people who need it, give back. Remember the community of Newtown, Connecticut not only in your thoughts & prayers, but in your daily actions.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, December 16th
Cycle 3 Assessments this week
Happy Birthday Sue O’Connell 🙂
Happy Birthday Ola Heitz 🙂
3rd Grade Field Trip to The Nutcracker Ballet
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 204)
Begin our Grinch Day theme…let’s fill the grinch with kindness (Have students place red hearts with how we can be kind/examples of kindness on the bulletin board located by gymnasium)

Tuesday, December 17th
Multiage Field Trip to Museum of Science & Industry

Wednesday, December 18th
Santa’s Visit to Kennedy School
Board Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, December 19th
2nd Grade Field Trip to Museum of Science & Industry
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, December 20th
Spirit Assembly (Generosity)
Grinch Day

(12/29) Happy Birthday Jimmy Kennedy 🙂
(01/05) Happy Birthday Elise Lagattuta 🙂

Check out this blog; Technology Rocks, Seriously. It has some great holiday apps that are fabulous & free!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, December 9th
PATS Field Trip to Museum of Science & Industry

Tuesday, December 10th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm

Wednesday, December 11th
3rd Grade/8th Grade Buddies Activity (@ Kennedy)
TAPS Common Plan

Thursday, December 12th
Kindergarten/5th Grade Buddies Activity

Friday, December 13th
Reading Room Plan
December Buddy Event

If you’re anything like me, there are tons of shared Google Docs in your drive. Here’s a way to color code your folders:

Have you seen the “Have Fun Teaching Channel” on YouTube? Check it out….

Don’t forget to check-out & share your Grinch Day ideas for the last day before Winter Break to the shared board on Pinterest. If you aren’t on it yet, email your team leader or Christa Henkel to add you!

Welcome Back! I hope you enjoyed your time off, spending time with family, friends & those you love. It’s crazy to think we only have 15 days with our Kennedy Kubbies before Winter Break. In these 15 days, we have a lot of work to do & lots of wonderful learning experiences to provide our students. Things to keep in mind:

*This is the time to push all of our students & keep them excited and eager to learn!
* This is the time to show all of our students how much we care about them, as some may feel anxiety about not being at Kennedy for 2 weeks (and possibly acting out because of it).
*This is the time to let our Kubbies know how much we appreciate them!

Let’s make a commitment to look at these next 15 days as times to deliver the highest quality service to our students, parents & community! I’m proud of all that we’ve accomplished so far this year, but please keep the focus on learning in your classrooms!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, December 2nd
Welcome Back!
***Please RSVP to the Holiday Party if you haven’t done so already!***
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm
*Set Up MAP Testing Lab in Lounge after school* (No need to bring a laptop this time)

Tuesday, December 3rd
Winter MAP Testing Begins *click here for schedule*
Pleas add any students necessary to the MAP MAKEUPS GOOGLE DOC HERE
Buddy Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (Room 109)

Wednesday, December 4th
Happy Birthday Michelle Miro 🙂
SLC/SLBC Outing to HIP Mall
PreK/PATS Tree Decorating Event (2:00pm-3:30pm)

Thursday, December 5th
Kennedy Singers Rehearsal @ LMS (10:15am-11:30am)
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Winter Choral Concert (@ 6:30pm, LMS)

Friday, December 6th
Pre School Screening
Holiday Party 🙂

(12/07) Happy Birthday Dr. Boryszewski 🙂
(12/08) Happy Birthday Cindy DeRose 🙂

**In the hallway by the courtyard, there are supplies/materials that were used with children at Washington School through the Triton partnership. Please look at the materials and feel free to take anything that you can use in your classrooms, as whatever is left by the end of the week will be added to the Surplus Property auction list. 

How often do we pause & think why we are grateful? I challenge each of you to take some time each day to reflect on the things, events, or people you appreciate. Better yet….if it’s a person, let them know how thankful you are for their role in your life. THANK YOU are two simple words that have the power to transform our health, happiness, performance, and success. Grateful people are happier & more likely to maintain good friendships. Gratitude and appreciation are also essential for a healthy work environment. A simple thank you can make all the difference. Be sure to say thank you to those around you each and every day!

With parent-teacher week upon us, I wanted to share the following blog post:

‘Twas the Night Before Conferences: A Parent’s Perspective on Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences offer teachers & parents the opportunity to see, celebrate and support each individual child. Just as we all appreciate praise for our efforts, parents appreciate praise for their efforts & their child’s progress. As you offer information about the students in your room, always remember that you are speaking about someone’s ‘whole world’ and remember to be mindful of how that information will be received by your audience. I’m confident you will exude professionalism and confidence this week as you inform parents about curriculum, assessment, grading/reporting, strengths & opportunities for growth. I know you will continue to develop a working relationship with your families and deepen that home-school partnership. Thanks for all that you do in preparation for this very busy week! 🙂

Here are some ideas from my “conferences” board on Pinterest. (if you’re looking for ideas)

and here’s our week at a glance

Monday, November 18th
American Education Week
Parent/Teacher Conference Week
*If your schedule changes, please be sure to submit an updated copy to the office. Also, Jane and I are able and willing to attend any conferences, if needed. 

Tuesday, November 19th
Parent Visit Day (9am-10am and 1pm-2pm)

Wednesday, November 20th
Kennedy Faculty & Staff Thanksgiving Feast (in lounge)
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm
Happy Birthday Rosa Worwa 🙂

Thursday, November 21st
Spirit Assembly (Integrity)
Happy Birthday Emily Kronlage 🙂

Friday, November 22nd
No Student Attendance: P/T Conferences

11/25-11/29 Thanksgiving Break

(11/25) Happy Birthday Jill Geritano 🙂

“Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. 
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times. 
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.
It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.”
                                   -Author Unknonwn 

From Venspired:

“In our excitement, they find motivation. In our kindness, they are reminded to be kind. In our questions left unanswered, they seek more questions. In our collaboration with colleagues, they see that working with others is not just a ‘school rule’ but a way of life. The lights may brighten the room, but it is our actions that bring energy to the learning space. Whether on a nature walk, a spot on the playground, at the school library, or in our classroom. It is in our hands to define the learning environment or destroy the inquiry. We are not meant to control each student with our thoughts, words, and actions. We are meant to create the type of environment where self-control develops, where learning reigns, an where our actions support that.”

Here’s our week at a glance:

(11/10) Happy Birthday Gloria Reyes 🙂

Monday, November 11th
2nd & 3rd Grade Veterans Day Performance @ LMS (9:00am)
Happy Birthday Julie Fister 🙂
Happy Birthday Becky Shoufer 🙂

Tuesday, November 12th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm (very brief)

Wednesday, November 13th
PATS Field Trip to Schliler Park Library
SLC/SLBC Outing to Mariano’s
Happy Birthday Sarah Mixa 🙂 

Thursday, November 14th

Friday, November 15th
Reading Room Plan Day
5 by Friday!
Justin Muro from Lincoln Investments in lounge during lunch
PreK Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
Happy Birthday Sandy Montes de Oca

(11/17) Happy Birthday Jennifer Kemling

Here’s a great article on the Phases of First Year Teachers, however, I went through these phases as an experienced teacher and still now as a principal. The difference is that I know to expect these different phases of the year, and that I will make it through each one. I don’t know about you, but I don’t even need to look at this image below to know that we’re at the “survival” point of the school year.

The key to the survival phase is to make sure that you are taking care of yourself, because you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first. I appreciate the thoughtful time you are putting into preparing for report cards & Parent/Teacher Conferences and that you will have great conversations with your students’ parents to inform and involve them in their child’s learning. I realize this means you have many late nights ahead of you in the weeks ahead, so please make sure to make time for yourselves to relax or do whatever it is that you do to rejuvenate!

Some other great tips to avoid teacher burnout include:
-Ask for help
-Don’t sweat the small stuff
-Don’t play the teacher at home
-Take time for yourself
-Remember why you teach

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, November 4th
Vision & Hearing Exams
Buddy Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (Room 109)
Parent Teacher Collaboration Committee Meeting @ 6:00pm (Art Studio)

Tuesday, November 5th
Celebrations Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 104)
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm (LMS)
Community Forum @ 6:00pm (LMS)

Wednesday, November 6th
Vision & Hearing Exams
PATS/PreK Thanksgiving Feast in cafeteria (2:00pm-3:30pm)
Report Card Common Plan Time

Thursday, November 7th
Vision & Hearing Exams
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, November 8th
Vision & Hearing Exams
Union Breakfast in teacher’s lounge
Parent/Teacher Conference Schedules due to the office!
Dress Rehearsal (2nd & 3rd grade only) for Veterans’ Day Performance (@ LMS)
AM PreK to Washington School for Buddies Activity @ 9:10am

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, October 28th
Cycle 2 Assessments this week
SLC/SLBC Outing to Bruzwick Zone Bowling

Tuesday, October 29th
PreK Field Trip to Sonny Acres

Wednesday, October 30th
SLC/SLBC Outing to Bacci Pizzeria
Common Core Common Plan
*Please remember to bring the office ladies a list of the names of parents you anticipate coming to your classrooms on Halloween. Please STAR/indicate which parents have visited our building & have checked in with the Raptor system so we can pre-print their visitor badges* 

Thursday, October 31st
Happy Halloween
10:30am: AM PreK Parade (inside the building & ending outdoors between Doors 3 & 9)
1:00pm: K-3 & PM PreK Parade (outdoors, weather permitting)
*If you are a Halloween Helper, please report to your spot during the K-3 parade at 1:00pm. Your help is greatly appreciated! 🙂 

Friday, November 1st
Teacher Institute Day
End of Trimester 1

Here’s a “Tons of Fun Classroom Halloween Activities” blog post from Kleinspiration.