Author: Edward Joseph Goldstein,
“This is your Monday morning reminder that you can handle whatever this week throws at you.” — Anonymous We are in the thick of it now. Academic learning is happening at full steam. With that added cognitive load we are putting on our students, we are now teaching and guiding them to work through hard work and what that means. All students react differently to these high expectations. Some adjust well and others struggle a bit. As you see a need for support with those students who are struggling, please remember to reach out for support. The sooner we can provide...
“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.” — Winston Churchill — Winston Churchill This week many of us will be in the Adaptive Schools training. How you approach this week will be critical to your learning and growth. It is easy to think of all the work that has to be done. There is always work to be done. Please be present in the moment and know that your classes, your students and their learning will continue. What I love about SSIS is the level and capacity of our people to make sure we continue teaching...
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. -Alexander Graham Bell We are so well prepared for this second quarter. The SuperUnit planning process for unit 2 as well as the reflection from unit 1 allowed all of you to prepare for an even more successful second quarter. The time we spend together can at times feel forced, or unnecessary or frustrating, but it is time well spent if you can push through the roadblocks in order to prepare, so that our students have the best possible learning experiences. As we begin this second quarter in earnest it will...
There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither. -Alan cohen It was so great to enter our Fall break on such a positive note from PTC’s. Parents were so appreciative and happy with the progress their students are making. We hope you had a chance to rest and disconnect from all the hard work you did the first quarter. Consider Thursday and Friday a soft opening to the 2nd quarter. Take time to reestablish classroom procedures, routines, and relationships so that Monday you can hit the ground running. Enjoy the rest of...
Parent Teacher conferences should not be a time for new concerns. Rather it should be a celebration of the learning and growth students have made. -Annonymous Parent teacher conference week is among the most important weeks of the year. It is our opportunity to connect with every single parent and celebrate all the hard work our students and you have accomplished. Please take time to reflect on the incredible academic, social, emotional and behavioral accomplishments you have all seen from our students. It truly is remarkable how much has been accomplished in 9 weeks. Weekly Focus: Our focus this week...
“To Achieve great things, two things are needed: A plan and not quite enough time.” -Leonard Bernstein Over the next week and a half all grade levels will have a substantial amount of time during the day to plan for their grade levels upcoming super unit #2. This gift of time may not be enough to get it all done, but it will give each of you a plan to execute so the next unit can be as successful as the first. I was talking to a teacher this week who said they need a deadline, and actually impose self...
“I believe the best learning happens when it isn’t quiet.” -Anonymous The hard work of teaching and learning is evident in ll classrooms. As you transition from expectation, procedures and routines it is evident that learning is happening at a rapid pace because of the all the noise we hear. These photos represent just a fraction of the amazing student centered work from this week. Students were busy working together to program robots, exploring shapes in art and, and discussing celebrations and challenges. This is the foundational experience to ensure all students understand and know what to do. Well done...
“A world which sees art and engineering as divided is not seeing the world as a whole.” — Professor Sir Edmund Happold Work began in earnest on the STEAM building this week. What I have learned in my short time here is that at the elementary level, the arts are an integral part of what we do and who we are. I am excited that as a school we will soon have more dedicated space for integration for all students. The construction will pose both challenges and opportunities. Please remember it is temporary so please don’t pass up any chances...
Positive emotion is much more than mere ‘happiness‘. Positive emotions include hope, interest, joy, love, compassion, pride, amusement, and gratitude. Positive emotions are a prime indicator of flourishing, and they can be cultivated or learned to improve wellbeing -Fredrickson This quote really resonated this week as the PDL got started in earnest with their work. As we planned for lessons around positive emotions I could not help but reflect on all the ways in which SSIS embraces this with students and staff alike. The aspects of positive emotions have been demonstrated through events like Family Fun Day, where amusement and joy were...
“Life is all about balance. You don’t always need to be getting stuff done. Sometimes its perfectly ok and absolutely necessary, to shut down, kick back, and do nothing.” Lori Deschene I hope you all had an opportunity to do nothing. Last week our students were plenty busy but in library they had a chance to enjoy smores in their tents while reading great books. Creating moments for student to have a love of reading takes many forms and this is by far one of the most creative forms. Be sure to ask your students what they are reading. Weekly...
