Principal ponderings...
I knew that we couldn't start the year on our staff day with just talking about student voice. We needed students' voices to be part of the day. I loved being able to gather and share some initial voices through this video compilation:
I asked them all the same three questions.
1. What is one thing you wish your teacher knew about you?
2. What is something new or different that we should do at our school?
3. What is something that we should not do anymore at our school?
We are going to be surveying our students throughout the year, using the terms sunset, amplify, and create. It will be interesting to see their answers. It will be even more interesting to see if they notice that we are listening to them. That we are taking their thoughts and their ideas and turning them into realities. We can talk about how we want to amplify student voice, but actually doing it and actually helping students see that their voice matters...that's much harder to accomplish. But the thought of it is what gets me jumping out of bed each day! I think asking students the first question, one thing they wish you knew about them, will be a great opportunity to begin to build connections. Their answers might surprise you!
I took a risk taking the student voice idea to another level and inviting 5th grade students in to help us kick off the year. But seeing the end results, the amazingly unique vision boards created by students and staff together, the risk paid off! Watching all of you interact with our "education experts" filled my bucket. The kids were excited and loved coming to school a day early! It's an amazing thing when you can watch educators light up simply by having them work with students to create vision boards. My goal is to interview the students who created each board to hear more about what the boards represent and what it was like working with all of you. (Planning to start a Mayo podcast - another way to amplify...literally...student voice!)
Check out each board...I put a few thoughts under each one with things that I noticed, but there's so much awesomeness packed into each one! 
I love the mountain lion boldly stating "a really big family!"
Did you notice the elephant on this one? Always remembering the baby elephant story. This group thought outside of the box, or the board, with the sign saying "you belong here."
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Love all the rays of positivity and inspiration coming out of this board!
Check out the emphasis on writing and illustrating on this board, even with a tiny notebook and pencil! And I love the statement "all the love you need."
Did you know that the kids who worked on this board left their mark by including their fingerprints on it?! Love the bright colors and the amazing words painted on this board.
Check out the beautiful hearts formed by hands on this board. And it may be in small print, but the message is huge: "you put students first."
Choice and play - so important. Love the image of the two different light bulb ideas coming together to make the best idea!
Each board is so unique. Each board is a product of educators and students working together to visualize what school could be. We created them, now this year is about making them happen!
What will you do today to start turning these visions into reality?
Currently reading:
I just started reading a book called What Elephants Know. It's about a young boy who was discovered in the jungle.
I am enjoying reading stories from educators across the country in the book Because of a Teacher. George Couros curated lots of inspirational stories, including one by Katie Novak about a principal that made a huge difference in her life. 
I just got a funny new picture book in the mail called Chairs on Strike. Imagine what chairs would say if they complained; imagine if they finally had enough and went on strike! 
Events this week:
Monday - Labor Day, No School
Tuesday - 5th Grade CTBN Assembly @ 2:30, Library Volunteer Training @ 7:00pm
Wednesday - Staff meeting @ 8:00 in the library, 4th Grade CTBN Assembly @ 9:15, 3rd Grade CTBN Assembly @ 2:30, PTA Meeting on Zoom at 6:30
Thursday - Liz @ PLT Meeting from 8-10:00, 2nd Grade CTBN Assembly @ 2:30
Great things I noticed last week:
- It was a great first week of school and I am excited to be able to get around more this year and take pictures of all the action happening in our school. Feel free to send me photos as well, since sometimes I am stuck in the lunchroom covering lunch duty!
- Can't wait to kick off our Choose to Be Nice program this week. Loved seeing everyone in their shirts on Friday!
- I love that kids were trying to collect confetti all day on the first day of school after our countdown to start the year!
Check it out:
Some great picture books to start the year with:
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