A few weeks ago, I asked teachers and paraprofessionals to think about and share what they were proud of from this school year. It didn't take long for people to fill up sticky notes and chart paper. I wanted to share with all of you some of these accomplishments; a list like this makes me proud to be the principal of Florence Roche!
We are proud of...
- the number of staff who took SEI endorsement courses and/or ELL classes
- completing my first year as a new teacher
- being flexible and patient when dealing with schedule changes
- the hard work and progress with the new math program, Eureka
- piloting several Units of Study for Writer's Workshop
- persevering with a challenging group of students
- working and raising our own families
- gaining an understanding of a student that I have worked with all year
- the progress made in year one and two of a co-teaching model
- leading PD in the multi-part series
- transitioning from a different school district to Groton-Dunstable
- progress made by our ELL students
- coming back to work after being a stay-at-home mom
- accomplishments and progress of many different students
- forming a new building leadership team
- our awesome music concerts
- surviving the school year and watching a student thrive
- helping out in a challenging classroom and learning from the experience
- creating and implementing a rubric for placement
- our grade level teams
- my own children and all of their accomplishments this year
- passing the MTEL!
- student growth in social emotional skills
- student growth in academics
- making a break through with a student
- 2nd year of Student Council
- participation in the Variety Show!
- collaborating on implementing new curriculum
- working at FloRo with dedicated teachers and administrators
- working with a student who at the beginning of the year would not look at me, now he gives me a hug everyday :)
I know that there are even more things that happened in your classrooms, in the hallways, on the playground, that you are proud of. So many special moments. So many times where you had an impact on one student or many students. So many times when you surprised yourself with a plan that worked or an 'aha' moment that caught you by surprise.
I am proud of all of the dedicated educators in our school. You have worked extremely hard this year with new curriculum and regular daily challenges. I am proud of the students in our school. They have worked hard with the new curriculum and regular daily challenges. And now, the school year is quickly coming to an end. Keep all those proud memories tucked away. Reread the above list as you relax this summer. Let all of your accomplishments and hard work from this year guide you as you plan for next year. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done, put your feet up and take a break, take pride in what you have done all year for our students, and get ready to do it all over again next year!
Currently reading:
My husband is wondering why we keep getting Amazon boxes in the mail. Well...because I have to gear up for summer reading of course!! Here's a new to be read pile that just came over the weekend. It's got a mixture of some MCBA books, some professional development books and a recommendation from Mrs. Guernsey for a personal read...
Events this week:
Monday - Dr. Rodriguez visits FR in the pm, Kindergarten Meet the Teacher @ 4:00
Wednesday - FIELD DAY!! Teachers should have report cards entered and checked over by today.
Thursday - 4th Grade Moving Up Ceremony @ 9:30 in the PAC, End of Year Assembly @ 2:00 on the back field, Staff Party at Maureen's house
Friday - Last day of school!! Half day of school, 12:15 dismissal, Step Up Day @ 10:00
Great things I noticed last week:
- Loved watching Mrs. Spiczka's kindergarteners perform for their parents. It's amazing to think how far these kids have come since those first days back in August!
- I had two first graders pop into my office and read to me what I wrote for the Memory Book. Definitely loved hearing them read the A.A. Milne quote I included: "You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think!"
- On Wednesday, I got to go on the Williams Barn field trip with Mrs. Pierantozzi and Mrs. Fournier's class and learn about school days of long ago and how soap and butter was made back in the late 1800s!
- To practice penmanship on their slates and learning a valuable lesson, 3rd graders copied this poem from the board...hey, that sounds like growth mindset to me!
- What is Mrs. Fulreader doing?! Tap dancing her way into the last week of school with a smile on her face! :)
Check it out:
What's on your summer writing bucket list? https://twowritingteachers.org/2016/06/09/summer-writing-bucket-list/
Here's a great list of professional resources for literacy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1010M8acpPNne64FseHB44ZdSFmgMs4A4z5M7C70ZBWk/edit
