Thursday Thriller December 15

 Thursday Thriller

December 15, 2022

Photos from the Field

A couple of pictures from the RISE and Trooper Academy students competing against WA HI last Saturday.  Very cool to see the excitement, proud parents and comrade!!

This group was honored at the School Board Tuesday Evening for the "We All Belong Award."

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.  As you may remember, Garrison needed to switch from NEs to Fs so we were aligned with both Pioneer and WA HI.  Pam Jacobson,  guru of Skyward, helped with this transition.  This was her email that she sent on Monday. Just making sure you have seen it.  Not all gradebooks transition; there are still some NEs so I will follow up with you tomorrow.

Good afternoon Garrison teachers,

As you know, we have changed the default grade scale to reflect the removal of the NE grademark. Thank you to those of you who have already opened and updated your gradebooks.

This is a reminder that if you haven't already, please take time today to open each of your gradebooks in order to force a recalculation of the grade scale.  

If you have created a custom grademark group for your class, you may need to go in and add the 'F' grademark and remove the 'NE' grademark.  And, if you created a custom grademark group, you should be familiar with how to do that.

Thank you,

Pam

Pam Jacobson   

2.    If you are seeing this email: Vector Training, K-12 Edition Online Training don't archive or delete it.  You do need to do the online training.

3.    We will not show GNN on Wednesdays based on these results:

Please make sure to get your announcements to both Beth and me the day before. Thanks!

4.    Don't forget to write a sticky note or two to a colleague who has been a 'gift' to you through laughter, support, etc and leave it in their folder in the office. :D

5.  SHOUT OUT to SHANNON, STEPHANIE P and BETH for putting together a FABULOUS time at Quirk last Friday!  Laughter, mingling and terrific food made for a great evening!  THANK YOU!!

6.  We will keep updating the iReady lessons.  Multiple students have turned in cards and tickets.  If a student has completed their 8 lessons they can turn their card into the office where we are keeping them. 

7.  A little over 300 students were able to participate in the NO TARDY HOT COCOA celebration.  This was double what we had last month.  Whoop!!  Whoop!!

8. Have you added your CSAs to the calendar? Please do so before break.

9.  Our building will be housing Garrison Night School beginning in January. From 3:30-9:00PM our building is hopping with events and people.  PLEASE make sure your classrooms are locked.  I am going to ask Mike Kay for additional custodial help for our crew.  I am glad that our school can be the 'hub' for events.  We want to maintain our facilities and also keep things safe and secure.

10.  We will have "30 for 30" on Monday and Tuesday this next week.  I will mention this on GNN.

11.    Beginning in January, our "30 for 30" will be focused on 7th grade math students.  Then in February our 6th grade students.

12.  Book study participants:  Please make sure you are updating the Jamboard and your turn your Self-Care Challenge Monday.  If you are unable to complete these tasks, please let me know.

Something to Ponder

We have three more 'get-ups' before winter break!!Whether you’re spending your well-deserved break in the sun or snow, we (Scott and I) want to wish you the most relaxing festive season possible. Please allow yourself time to give yourself a pat on the back for all of your hard work and dedication this year. Happy holidays AND Merry Christmas!

Quote

When it snows, you have two choices:  shovel or make snow angels.

                                                                                                                       -unknown

Little Humor

Twas the week before winter break....

Calendar of Events

Friday, December 16    Flannel Friday!!!

Monday, December 19th -Happy Birthday, Kara!  Deck the halls!  Pull out your Ugly Sweaters, fuzzy socks, etc. or wear anything festive, red, green, white, sliver, gold, etc.!

Tuesday, December 20th - Coffee and donuts for staff :D, Garrison Swag Day!  Activity hour for iReady 2:30-3:30.  Scott will send out schedule and details. 

Thursday Thriller December 8, 2022

 Thursday Thriller

December 8, 2022

Photos from the Field

Fun bulletin board from our Sources of Strength crew as a reminder of all the good around us!

                                                    ☝

This right here is something FUN!!! Each one of you (teachers, secretaries, paras, cooks, custodians, etc) have a name on a card.  EACH one of you is a gift!  Between now and the 19th share on a sticky note how that person brings you joy, laughter, encouragement, etc. Then on the 20th you get to take your 'present' home and read all the nice things that colleagues have written about you!!!!

This is located in the office!

Nuts-n-Bolts

1. Here are the spirit days beginning on Monday:

• Monday, Dec 12th- Merry Monday- Wear your PJs to school!
•  Tuesday, Dec 13th- Twinning Tuesday- Matching Day- match with a teacher, friend, or even group of friends!
•  Wednesday, Dec 14th- Whiteout Wednesday- wear white and create an indoor Blizzard!
•  Thursday, Dec 15th- Sports Day- Wear your favorite team or sports gear/jersey!
•  Friday, Dec 16th- Flannel Friday- Wear your flannel shirts, pants, etc!
•  Monday, Dec 19th- Deck the halls! Pull out your Ugly Sweaters, fuzzy socks, etc., or wear anything festive, red, green, white, silver, gold, etc!
•  Tuesday, Dec 20th- Hats and Swag Day...wear your Santa hats, antlers, beanies, etc. with your Garrison swag!

2.    GNN one answer survey.

3.    Last Saturday Mike Bertram took a team of students to the First Lego League Competition in the Tri Cities. These students came in the morning at 7:45 two days a week to prepare for the competition. Pretty cool what these students created!

4.      iReady seems to be going well!  Students have been excited to turn in their tickets!  Whoop!! Whoop!!  During iReady time, HEADPHONES are TO BE worn.  If you need headphones, we have 300 of them.  THANK YOU for your work in making this Wednesday schedule change!!! 

5.   The voice amplifier systems are working out great!  For those of you who have said, "I don't need it.  I have a 'teacher' voice."  Yes, you may have loud teacher voice.  However, this system is to help CLARIFY what you are saying.  Rule of thumb- when the volume is up and you hear your voice-the volume if up too loud (a few have said they don't like using their system because it echoes).  We should ALL be using these systems that were installed in ALL of our classrooms because this way all students have access to the clarity of your instruction. 

6.    Mid January middle schools will be launching PAPER (high school is launching this Friday).  Paper is a tool for all students to have access to a live tutoring 24/7.   All tutors have background checks and we get reports of all sessions.  Students can be supported in English, Spanish, or Mandarin. The link I shared is a brief synopsis.  We will have more information coming our way.  Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you hear talk about PAPER.

7.    Please add your CSAs to the calendar.

Something to Ponder

More GREAT information from Fostering Resilient Learners.   I learned that relationships can take on many different characteristics. I know.  I know...I'm late coming to the game.  For so long, I have painted myself as person who doesn't/can't form strong relationships with students or staff.  I had these feelings and thoughts echoed in the book "Many of us in the field harbored the belief that we must be everything to every student we work with and that is a daunting proposition indeed."

My form of 'relationship' begins with my routines and consistency.  Consistency builds trust.  Safe and healthy places are forms of building relationships.  Relationships don't have to be this loyal, deep bond.  It can merely be standing outside of your classroom each day welcoming students into class.  Students know they can count on you to be there. 

You may think you don't have a relationship with a student or colleague.  Remember all the little things you do daily; outside of your classroom door, assigned seating which sends the message you know the student and have a place for them, your available to meet with students during office hours, students being able to retake tests or receive extra help.  These are attributes that build a relationship. 

Sonja's Story is one that moved me.  I hope you find a gold nugget in Sonja's Story.

QUOTE

In relationships, the little things are the big things. 

-Stephen Covey

Little Humor

Credit goes to Mirk who shared this with me :D

You CAN handle anything!!

Calendar of Events

Friday, December 9th    Collaboration @ 1:00 in the Library

                                                                   4:00-6:00 @ Quirk

Happy Birthday to Steve on Thursday!!!  Happy Birthday to Kara on Monday the 19th!!

Thursday Thriller, December 1, 2022

 Thursday Thriller
December 1, 2022

New format or rather back to the blog format. :D  Scott is taking on a weekly newsletter to families and rather than having him do all the work :D I will do the Thursday Thriller.

Shout Outs!

Stephanie and Yajara have been doing an amazing job keeping the office afloat!  We will have a new addition to the secretarial staff on Monday, December 5th. Please welcome, Jennifer Finney.  She is coming with experience from Dayton!  We are looking forward to her arrival.

To any of you who coach (Amber, Nate, Nate, Reggie, Ruben, Charlie, Yaneth), oversee an after school program, club (Stephanie, Mike Bertram, Roger, Terri, Robin, Alex, Beth, Babett, Tobi-during her lunch on Wednesday, Agnes, Kara, Sue, Jami ,Jen, Christy) or volunteer(Jami and Sydney's book club) beyond your contracted time you are making a world of difference for students!  Yes, some of this comes with a stipend for sure.  However, for some students the 'extra' is what gets them up in the morning. For a lot of staff, now is not the time in your personal/professional lives that you can do more THAT'S OKAY! You are giving what you can.  Putting all these pieces together makes Garrison a pretty fabulous place!

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.    Friday, December 9th is a half day.  We will meet in the library from 1:00-2:15.  You are then free to work/collaborate from 2:25-3:45.

2.    4:00-6:00 on Friday, December 9th is our staff gathering at Quirk. Hopefully, Reggie and his sweater will make an appearance AND Charlie has another speech for us.  We had fun last year and we are hoping to have as much or more this year.  Shannon, Stephanie P and Beth are putting the details together.

3.    Thank you for a great first day of iReady School Wide.  While I was not present for it, word on the street was it ran pretty smoothly.  Thank you GC members, counselors and office staff for getting materials ready and helping out. Send me an email or GC members to offer any feedback.  While it is only the first one, if something was glaringly out of place or totally wrong we want to fix it. 

4.    No GNN on Wednesdays.  If you have something that needs announcing, please send it to both Beth and me.  Beth and her students take care of Fridays while I take care of M,Tu and Th.

5.    Our District has an Employee Assistance Program that is WONDERFUL!  Here is the newsletter for November.  You never know when you may need help or someone to talk to you. 

6.      I created a SHARED drive for photos.  Inside the Garrison Pictures folder are three folders.  One for 6th, 7th and 8th grade.  We will use the photos for the end-of-year slideshow for 8th graders.  What makes the slide show incredible is if we can capture pictures of students from 6th-to 7th-to 8th grades so that during the 8th grade recognition we can see pictures from 6th through 8th grades. Feel free to put pictures you have captures into these folders.  Thank you!!

7.  Counselors are going to be calling down students for brief moments to check in with them.  The goal is to get through their case load by the end of the semester.  The point of it is to check in to see what is going well, involvement in clubs, activities, sports, how are the grades, concerns? Very brief touch points.  We will do our best in the office to be efficient with the call slips.  We are asking that when the call slips are delivered to please read when to send the student(s).  Thank you.

8.  FYI...Robin is overseeing the 8th grade students in the after school "30 for 30."  I will be making phone calls to families letting them know that this is NOT optional.  If a student is in sports, they can come after their season ends.  I got word from the big guy at the DO that we aren't messing around.  Identified students WILL BE coming since we are offering transportation.  M, Tu and Th from 3:30-5:00 with transportation and a snack. Just keeping you in the loop.

Something to Ponder

Fostering Resilient Learners is the book study some of us are participating in.  The last section was on Self-Awareness.  Key take away was regarding your own mission statement. "Students and their families come at us in many challenging ways.  From the little ripples to the larger swells and breakers, they present to us a variety of stressors and levels of intensity that can throw us off balance.  How can we stay true to who we are and ensure that no matter what hits us, we will stay faithful to our internal identity?"  

What will you hold true to in times of adversity or when a student's behavior resembles a tornado?  I will be the first to admit that there have been MULTIPLE, unfortunately, times that I have regretted my actions and responses to student, parent and staff 'tornadoes.'  Luckily, through the years I have mellowed out...a little LOL.   My mission statement is When people talk with me they feel heard, my actions and character precede me before I enter the room and that I can help bring out the best in every student, parent and staff member that comes in contact with me. 

What is your mission statement and true north?

Quote

"Nothing will work unless you do."  -John Wooden

Little Humor

This video clip is 1:49.  I laughed pretty hard beginning at 1:26.

Upcoming Birthdays and Celebrations

Birthdays

Robin       December 2
Gonzalo    December 6
Steve        December 15
Kara         December 19

Celebrations

Katie Grant finishes her student teaching on Dec. 9th!!!
Garrison Staff Gathering at Quirk from 4:00-6:00 on December 9th

**If you know of any upcoming celebrations, please send them to me.  Also, if you don't want your birthday listed please let me know. 

FINAL Thursday Thriller for the 21.22 School Year

 Final Thursday Thriller

June 16, 2022

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.    Shortened schedule for all classes tomorrow 1-7.  

Activity Day Schedule

2.  Thank you again for your flexibility and for both the 8th grade activity day this afternoon and for tomorrow's activity day. :D

3.    Please complete the Computer EOY Checklist and tape to to your computer monitor by Monday the 20th.

4.    THANK YOU to YANETH, STEPHANIE P, RUBI, STEPHANIE B, STEVE and everyone else who helped plan the the YMCA and Activity Day!  Kids had a GREAT time at the dance!!!  They also loved the Bump Ball and Sumo Wrestling!! 

5.    By Monday the 20th, you will have an idea of what you are teaching next year, who your tentative PLC team will be and what the outline for the August training dates are (August 29-Setp 1).

6.  Monday the 20th's schedule:

Something to Ponder

A HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who helped plan and execute the 8th grade Recognition last night.  Garrison has received numerous compliments and "Good job!" from families.  Standing on the stage and looking out at 200+ 8th grade students and 500+ people made me reflect on what an AWESOME school Garrison is!!!! You are an incredible team of educators that I am so proud to be a part of! THANK YOU!!!!

Have a wonderful summer break!!!  After you have cleaned up your room, completed the computer checklist and checked out with Armida- LEAVE!!!!!

Thursday Thriller June 9, 2022

 Thursday Thriller

June 9, 2022

Photos from the Field

Our Step-Up Day was a huge success!  Thank you, Angie and Stephanie for your planning and prep!  Our 8th graders were amazing!  You should ask them if after today they would want to go into teaching. They have some funny stories for you. :D

****JAZZ Band is playing in the gym tomorrow morning at 8:15.  STUDENTS CAN SIT IN THE BLEACHERS or go to the small gym.  No equipment in large gym tomorrow from 8:15-8:45

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.    As the year draws to an end please, please, please keep in mind that showing movies is not necessarily the right way to go.  Movies MUST follow these guidelines. Guidelines for Use of Videos  

2.    Next week is our 8th grade recognition on Wednesday.  8th grade students will head to first period, teachers take attendance and then walk students over to the Pepsi stage.  If you teach another grade second period, please head back to the building.  There will be enough adults at the Pepsi stage to watch over your students.  We will be at least 2 hours.  Encourage 8th graders to bring water.  More communication will be sent as we get closer.  I just wanted to give you a heads up first. 

Wednesday, June 15th

8:55 after attendance is taken, walk to Pepsi Stage
10:50 walk back (this may be closer to 11:30)
Students attend their classes for the remainder of the day

11:30  7th grade Band/Choir Members  walk to Pepsi stage.  They will eat first lunch
12:45 Walk back and attend class

3.    Armida will hand out the room check out check list on Monday the 13th.  Remember, do not stack chairs, desks this makes more work for the custodians.  Clear your counters, clear the walls and lock up private, personal items.

4.    Classified staff-you will turn in your keys at the end of the year.  Certs you can keep yours.

5.    Something to think about.  For some of our students, Garrison is their safe place.  While we are counting down the days to the end of the school year, some students are counting down the days until their safe space, their consistency and the adults are not going to be around for a few months; that's a lot for some students. 

  Please, if you have the number of days until school is out on a white board, think about taking it down. What you may not know is that one student came back to school at night and hid for awhile because home wasn't good. This student said this was their safe place.  Another student just today had some thoughts of harming themselves and said, "When I'm here (Garrison) I feel safe." 

What you do matters. :D

Something to Ponder

"Middle schoolers are undergoing an incredibly important and significant developmental phase meaning...they're going to make mistakes from time to time."  This is a 26 minute podcast that had me shaking my head, "Yes! Okay, that makes sense."  More than anything it gave me more words to describe middle school students. 

Hope you find a gold nugget in the podcast. 

Kids are in Beta

Quote

Little Humor

Calendar of Events

June 2022

Thursday Thriller

 Thursday Thriller

June 2, 2022

Photos from the Field

                                                43 New NJHS Inductees! 

I so badly wanted to yell TEQUILA but I reframed. :D  Great concert last night, Roger!

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.    Here is the LINK to the school supply list from last year.  This reflects both grade level and individual teacher orders because we did not give each teacher the $125.00 last school year.  This year each certificated staff member will receive $125.00 to purchase those special sharpies, special pens, etc.  

 Each DEPARTMENT needs to look at the list from last year and decide what you need.  Last year we did it by grade level and it was a cluster when we handed out the supplies.  For 22.23 it will be by DEPARTMENT and we will have each department come get their supplies.  PE, 6th grade Shop and Art we need to discuss the cap on the amount that you will get for the 22.23 school year. CTE classes come out of the CTE budget.

If your department could have this completed by Friday, June 10th that would be AWESOME!  Please ask clarifying questions. 

2.    As we begin to wind down the school year, there is a need, for some, to clean and purge.  If you plan to clean and purge, the 20th is a good day to do this.  If you plan to get rid of items here are the protocols to follow:

                                A.  If it is District purchased, out of date and no longer used please request boxes from Brent.  Box up the items; please make sure the lid of the box can be closed and place a RED DOT on it.  Brent will give you the red dots with the boxes.  Let Brent know and one of the night custodians will remove it for you.

                                B.    Items that are not District purchased but are in your classroom and you don't want them, either dump them yourself OR email to staff what the item is, anyone interested, come by your room to get it.

                                C.  DO NOT put items outside your classroom door OR in the staff lounge and say FREE. We are not a yard sale. :D  Help our custodians out and pack what you can to the dumpster and ask for assistance when you need it. 

                                D.    If you are unsure of some items, please ask Carina or myself.  We will find out for you.  

                                E.  If you are moving classrooms, please don't leave behind the sh*t that was left for you -paint, extra coffee cups -you know what I'm talking about. :D  PURGE and feel good that you are leaving your space better than when you found it. :D

3.    SAFETY - Buildings will be working with custodial staff and Mike Kay this summer to take inventory of what we are doing well and what we need to tighten up for everyone's safety.   You have ALL done a GREAT job of being visible in the hallways during passing times, keeping doors shut and locked and overall more vigilant.  Many of you sent suggestions and ideas.  These will be shared when we walk the building this summer. 

Identified staff are checking the bathrooms regularly.  This has cut down the graffiti in the bathrooms; not 100% but a small amount. 

4.  Please mark your calendars for August 29-September 1st -these are days that will be designated Building Directed and First Contract Day.  Before you leave on June 20th, the days will be outlined for you.

5.  Room Check Out -Armida will be placing the Room Check-Out Check List in your mailbox the week of June 13th.  In talking with Brent, this is how your classroom should be left:

• Leave furniture where it is. When teachers stack furniture, we unstack it to clean it. 
•  If you want the walls washed behind posters and pictures. Please remove them from the walls.
• Put things away on counters and desks so we can wash the surfaces easier.
• Send me an email of requests for repairs, we will either fix them or do a work/order if we are unable to do the repair.

6.  THANK YOU to the PE Department!  They have been extremely flexible with many people using their classrooms-large and small gyms even when the weather has not been so good they made it work!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

Something to Ponder

Have you ever given your students a survey at the end of the year to gain feedback on how you did? It can be very scary and intimidating as well as insightful; speaking from experience. If you have, what questions did you ask?  What information did you gain?  Surveying students can be powerful if the right questions are asked.  What if you started with "What went well this school year?" and "What didn't go so well?"  "What should I keep for next year?"  "What is one thing I should change and why?"

Data give us the numbers, percentages, etc. of knowledge based learning.  Asking for honest feedback gives insight to what your clients felt, learned and gained throughout the school year. 

I would love to hear from you if you have given your students a survey for feedback.

Something to ponder.  Hope you find a gold nugget in the article.

Quote

The belly teaches all arts. -English Proverb

Little Humor

These made me laugh and you know I'm a Denzel Washington fan. :D

Calendar of Events

 Thursday Thriller

May 26, 2022

Photos from the Field

A few photos from Girls on the Run this past Saturday.  The girls enjoyed themselves and completed a 5k!!!  Thanks to Yaneth, Becky Jo and Christy for being coaches!  Shout out to Agnes, Rubi, Maria, Amber and her sister and Carina for being Running Buddies.

Zoe's students did awesome in their play!!

The 8th graders getting their picture taken. :D

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.    Yaneth is working on parent volunteers for our 8th grade activity day on June 16th and the 6th/7th activity afternoon on the 17th.  We reached out through Parent Square with Signup Genius.  However, if you know of parents who would want to volunteer on either of these days, please let Yaneth know.

2.    Here is the schedule for the YMCA on June 16th.  THANK YOU, Steve, for putting this together. 

3.    Tomorrow is the Staff vs Student bball game.  Here is the link so you can watch it in your classroom. If you are a teacher who is playing and needs to warm up but you have a class at 2:45, email me ASAP.  We will find coverage.  That person will stay with your class until 3:00 in which the person covering will bring your class to the gym.  Hope that makes sense.  THANK YOU for your flexibility with this game.  It's appreciated. :D

4.   Supplies for next year:  Each certificated staff will receive $125.00 for classroom supplies.  Armida has an updated a form to help track your expenditures.  When we receive our building budget in the fall which is based off of Garrison enrollment, Carina and I will work with the Leadership/Logistics Team and the Union reps to go over the bigger budget and how we decide to allocate dollars that are not tied to ASB.  Example:  staff members have wanted to attend workshops in which they needed help paying for registration, the amount allocated for Art, PE, etc.  Working with a team to tie our expenditures back to our mission and vision grounds us all in how our building funding is allocated and spent. 

**District is still paying for school supplies.  We will work off of last year's supply list.  We may not be able to purchase it all but we will try.

5.  Angie, Agnes and Stephanie B have taken the lead on the Step Up day for our incoming 6th grade students.  Step up day is Thursday, June 9th from 1:00-2:00. They have enlisted the help of some 8th grade students to greet, tour, and welcome our newest Troopers.  More information to come.

Something to Ponder

In the wake of the horrific act of violence in Texas, coupled with two big incidents at Garrison has left me asking myself, "Are we doing everything in our control to be as safe as possible?" If there are things that you have noticed and wondered about, please let me know.  I have blind spots.

Also, take care of yourself.  Hug your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, students and even colleagues. :D 

Quote  

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Thursday Thriller

 Thursday Thriller

May 19, 2022

Dear Staff,

This week's TT is a skeleton of what I usually send you. While I hate to admit this, other things took priority and I ran out of time. 

Garrison community has been hit with two big incidents in the last month and a half.  They have worn on people's emotions.  I can't thank you all enough for showing up each day and giving 100%.  Full disclosure, my tank is a little empty but is slowly filling back up.  :D

My apologies for a shorten TT this week.

Have a great evening. 

Kim

Fun Nuts-n-Bolts

1.  We had two groups of students visit both EWU and WSU last week!  Students came back, jazzed and excited about college possibilities.

2.    James Shipp in the SEL program was one of two recipients of the We Belong Award!  Read Mark's 10-10 for details.  Go JAMES!

3.    Millennials ended and what a huge success! 70+ students participated!

4.    Zoe's drama class is performing their play Tuesday night "The High Schooler's Guide to the Galaxy."

5.    Garrison took ALL 6th grade students to see Cinderella

6.    Beth's drama club will be performing in a few weeks.  This is the club that meets after school two days a week. 

7.  Several girls along with Becky Jo, Yaneth and Christy will head to Richland for the Girls on the Run 5k on Saturday!

SO MANY THINGS TO BE PROUD OF HERE AT GMS!  My tank is filling up :D

Business Nuts-n-Bolts

1.    Friday, June 17th and Monday, June 20th 8th grade students ARE able to come to school.  We will not be advertising that students 'can't' come back after the YMCA fun day on the 16th. Please be ready with something (this is not a free pass to be on their phones) if they come back-board games, coloring, etc.  Also, they won't be participating in the activity afternoon on the 17th for 6th and 7th grade students.  I understand in the past students have not returned-totally get that!  However, we can not tell students they can't come.

2.    GC meets tomorrow morning @ 7:30 CANCELED SEE KIM'S EMAIL

3.    8th grade students have a group picture at 9:45 tomorrow. 

Thursday Thriller

 Thursday Thriller

May 12, 2022

Photos from the Field

It's fun to watch sports outside when the weather is nice :D

The girls wanted to perform their dance for their moms for Mother's Day.💙

Officer Kelty with the WWPD has been popping in at lunch time. I have put this out on social media so alarm bells don't go off, "Why are the police at Garrison?!"

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.    Just wanted to thank our custodial staff Brent (Happy Birthday!), Marco and Ian for their help in setting up the gym last night for our parent meeting.  In addition, Stephanie was the BEHIND-the-SCENES coordinator for this event and she did amazing! Several families of incoming 6th grade students showed up.  Carina and I tagged teamed the evening and hopefully made a good impression. LOL

2.    Next week we begin iReady testing.  Several of you, ELA and Math teachers, have shared how you are setting goals with your students.  Please make it a priority to pump students up.  THANK YOU

3.  Logistics/Leadership Team members thus far are Steve, Robin, Yaneth and Nancy.  A couple of you have shown interest but still need a additional time to decide. There is room for more people. 

4.    Tomorrow afternoon is yours to collaborate with your colleagues.  Carina and I will be here if you have questions or need us.

5.    Bitter-Sweet~ Beginning next year, Marie, Jose and Zoe will have new adventures.  Marie will be the new ELA teacher for WWOnline, Jose will teach Algebra at the high school and Zoe will be teaching ELA at Lincoln in a new ALE program.  We wish them well!

Something to Ponder 

In last week's TT, the topic was end the year strong and 'Working the Roster.'  My results are dismal.  I will do better this week. Finishing strong is important even when I'm tired; it's a mindset. 

This week is Part 3 called "Tell me Five."  This activity resonated with because it focuses on credibility and belonging.  Plus, you can work it into your entry task/Do Now/warm up with the first 5 minutes of class. 

“Today for our warm-up, really simple — I'd like you to write five things to me that you think I should know about you in order to have a fuller picture of who you are. While you're writing yours, I'll write mine, too — and just as I'll ask you to turn yours in to me, I'll let you read mine."

Here are my five:

1.  Being creative is difficult for me.  I always like to start from a template.  Even in high school and college I needed something to launch from.  Maybe fear of completing the assignment wrong.

2.  Language is difficult for me.  What I mean is trying to find the right words to articulate what I say can be difficult.  I have often times put my foot in my mouth unintentionally.  I will also look up, pause, rehearse and then speak when I am trying to find the right words.

3. I have a great sense of humor and I use it often.  I LOVE to make people laugh.

4.  Once I leave work I am truly introverted.  God bless my husband because I don't have a lot of words left at the end of the day to converse with him.  I enjoy being at home and not going out much.

5.  I worry a lot about how people feel after conversations with me; especially those that didn't go well. I rehearse, reflect, replay and hope I don't make the same mistake again.  In administration, you 'shouldn't care what people think.'  I am not that way.  I care deeply what people think of me especially those I respect because I don't want to let them down.

I had 7 seconds left! :)

Hope you find a gold nugget in this activity.

Quote

Little Humor

Tee Hee

I had to end on this one. Just saying 😆

CALENDAR of EVENTS(click and it will pull up May and June calendars)

Thursday Thriller May 5, 2022

 Thursday Thriller

May 5, 2022

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!! 

There is not enough space to list the many extraordinary characteristics each one of  you has that contributes to an AMAZING Garrison Community!  Thank you, for the endless hours of work during the week and on weekends, your dedication and grit that keeps you going which keeps our students going! 

I don't say it nearly enough.  You ARE appreciated.  

Photos from the Field

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.  A couple of you have responded with interest regarding being a member of the Leadership/Logistics team.  Would LOVE to have additional voices around the table. :D

This was the original post in the April 21st TT:

 GC team is going to focus more on the PLC work as we enter next school year.  The past 2.5 years have been difficult through COVID to really dig into the PLC work.  GC has done a lot of logistics and planning.  With that being said, Carina and I are looking for staff members (classified and certificated) who would like to be a part of a Leadership/Logistics Team.  The team would meet once or twice a month most likely in the morning but that is not set in stone and there would be green sheet for certs and blue sheet for classified.  This table explains the difference between a Leadership/Logistics Team  v. Guiding Coalition.   If you are interested in being a member of the Leadership/Logistics team, please email both Carina and I, tell us why you want to be on the team AND what you would bring to the team. Tuesday, April 26th end of day, Carina and I will look through the multiple ;D emails and decide team members.

2. If there are no objections, I think when 8th grade students return from the YMCA we will have their dance.  PE Teachers, could we use the gym for this?  On Friday afternoon, June 17th (no 8th grade students Friday or Monday)  we would have an activity time for 6th-7th grade students. One of the choices would be a dance for them.  Unbelievably it was not just the 8th graders who wanted a dance.  If you know of any parents, who could be of help planning the dance and activity day, can you send me their names?  Thanks

3.  May 11th at 7:00 PM new 6th grade students and families are invited to attend an informational meeting. The goal is to share with families a little bit about Garrison, tour the building and ask questions.  You are more than welcome to attend not a requirement.  I just wanted you to know in case someone asks.

4. Some of you have inquired about paper planners for students for next year.  A rough estimate would be: 100 pages, printing on both sides of the paper, folding an 11x17 in half (making the booklet 8.5x11) and stapling along the side, as well as a 3 hole punch.  if we use white copy paper only, it would cost approximately 1.68 each booklet (or planner).  For 500 planners it would cost $838.65.  This comes out of our building budget for supplies and materials.  We do not get our budget until October.  Our budget is based upon enrollment. All materials -PE, Art, non-CTE elective classes, gen ed supplies, copy paper, office supplies, green sheet and blue sheet for staff for extra planning and meetings, are just some items that come from this budget.  If we want planners, I'm good with it.  I just need to know if we all want them or if some of us want them.  Please talk with your colleagues and let me know.

Something to Ponder

 Ending the year strong is a goal of mine; not to 'just finish.'  May and June seem like the months when everything needs to happen; end-of-year celebrations, testing, grading, after hours curriculum work, on and on the list goes. Naturally, the mentality is to 'just get through.' I have decided to try something different. I am going to try and 'Work the Roster.'  I will share my results with you.  It will not just be students on my roster, but a mixture of colleagues and 

Little Humor

What about needing ALL of the above? :D

CALENDAR of EVENTS