Home Sweet Home

 Principal Ponderings...

This picture was made by my great grandmother, Marion Forbes Cossler,
and as I have been carrying it from room to room trying to decide the best location to hang it,
I thought it was fitting to add into my post about home.

Wow, I went back and read my post from one year ago...the one where I selected my one word...pause.  At the time, I was forced to pause when I slipped and fell on the ice.  And then we were all forced to pause when the pandemic took over our lives.  I never would have thought that a year later I would still be dealing with pain and injuries from that fall and that we would all still be surviving a pandemic.  Pause was certainly an appropriate word for 2020.

And when thinking about my one word for 2021, I certainly had a few choice words in mind, maybe even some involving expletives, but those are really directed at 2020.  New year, new focus, new mindset, new beginnings.  Saying Buh-Bye to 2020 and all the not so nice words that I associate with it now.  

I have decided that my one word for 2021 is HOME.

I know it seems like a crazy choice for a word.  We have just spent a little under a year, practically confined to our homes.  We have all certainly had our fair share of time to go stir crazy quarantined with our families; life as we knew it put on hold.  But for me, I have developed a new appreciation for my family, my children, my husband, and our home.  Yes, we did just sell our house and buy a new one...which I love...but my word is not house, it's home.  And I feel like home means so much more to me than a physical place where I live.  You know I love quotes, and the one that says "home is where the heart is" has popped into my head a lot as I was trying to decide on my word.  I am lucky enough to have a home where my heart is with my family, but I also feel like Mayo School is my home, and you people surely do have my heart as well!  

This year, I truly hope that we will see positive things happening.  Vaccines.  COVID numbers going down.  Communities coming together.  School back in session.  I don't know if we will ever "go back to normal."  We will simply have a new normal...whatever normal is!  But I don't want to lose what I have gained during this pandemic.  My new appreciation for home.  If I get technical and use the verb form of 'home' then I will certainly make sure to continue to "focus on" what is most important....my home and all of the people that make this school and my house...home.

Music is so good for the soul...here are two songs to go with my one word:

What will your one word be for 2021?

Currently reading:

I am slightly excited that my new home has a space that I am calling the office/library.  I am actually able to fit many of my books in this space...so many boxes of books that I unpacked!  And there is an upholstered rocking chair in it where I can sit and read and escape.  I have certainly had to work hard to keep my reading routine going during the pandemic.  Half the time I was either too exhausted to read or too busy trying to entertain my children to focus on my reading time.  But this space is going to help me get my reading life back.  Over the break, I finished reading Jacqueline Woodson's Before the Ever After.  A book written in verse about a pro football player who has some brain and memory issues after being tackled so many time.  It's told from the perspective of his teenage son.  

I also read another book written in verse called All He Knew.  This book takes place in the 1940s and is about a young boy who is deaf and is sent to an institution.  Thankfully a young man who objects to the war and comes to work at the institution helps the boy get back home where he belongs.

I just started a book called A Home for Goddesses and Dogs by Leslie Connor.  She is the author who wrote The Truth as Told By Mason Buttle.  

And I have several that I am excited about in my Audible account...

 Events this week:

Monday - Welcome back!  PD day for staff

Tuesday - Students start back with remote learning

Wednesday - Staff meeting at 8:00 am

Thursday - Liz meeting with Commissioner Riley @ 10:00

Staff Check In:

Feel free to fill out this optional Monday morning staff check-in form.

Check it out:

A blog post about supporting students' social emotional needs: https://www.daveburgessconsulting.com/2021/01/03/supporting-social-emotional-needs-with-a-feelings-check-in/

And I came across this image...good reminder for all of us, we all have the right to rest.  Let's remember that even when we aren't on a break.

Strange Gifts

 Principal ponderings...

I continue to struggle during this time with writer's block.  I have been writing a blog post for almost 10 years every week.  COVID hit and writer's block seemed to settle in.  But I am trying to break out of the hold this block has on me and get back to my writing routine that I know and love.  This week, when I finished reading Poisoned, one of the last lines inspired me to write a little or at least share the line from the story with you and some thoughts about it.

As I was folding laundry and listening to the last chapter of the book, I had to stop and replay this line to hear it a second time:

"...just another of pain's strange gifts.  From sadness, came empathy.  From grief, came compassion.  From anger, came resolve.  From loss, came love.  These are the things that make us get up when we fall.  Try again when we fail.  These are the most valuable jewels."

In the book, Fear and Pain are personified as a brother and sister.  And Pain continually says in the book, "sometimes I help."  I was thinking throughout the book about that idea...sometimes pain is helpful?  And then this line, brought it all together.  

As we finally bring 2020 to an end over the next few weeks, I am going to let this line sink in more.  This year has certainly brought pain, sadness, grief, anger and a lot of loss...on many different levels.  But as a school community, I have witnessed empathy, compassion, resolve, and especially love.  Pain can be helpful if we think of it the way the author spelled it out for us.  

People who are not in education might say that learning has been limited during 2020.  I would argue that I have learned a great deal more this year.  Certainly lessons that I would have never learned if it was just another "normal" school year.  And I am pretty sure that educators, students, and parents have learned these valuable lessons as well this year.

As we enter into the giving season, I am grateful for the strange gifts that we have received together this year.  What other strange gifts will we receive? 

Currently reading:

I enjoyed having some time over the break to actually just sit and read.  Hasn't happened in a while.  Usually I need to schedule some reading time in and then I feel like I should be working on other things instead of reading.  I finished Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly.  Loved her other book Stepsister.  Definitely two female empowerment books!  I have also been enjoying reading Blended by Sharon Draper, the author of Out of My Mind.  And as soon as I finished Poisoned, I jumped into listening to Making Bombs for Hitler.  Also excited to start a new book club this week with female leaders across the country, reading and discussing the book Leading While Female.

Events this week:

Monday - Welcome back, hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating Thanksgiving Break!

Thursday - CST Meeting @ 8:00am

Friday - Optional Staff Meeting @ 8:00am

Staff Check In:

Feel free to fill out this optional Monday morning staff check-in form.

Check it out:

Interesting collection of stories/tips for remote learning: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/education/learning/students-parents-teachers-remote-stories.html

And to make you laugh...

We're All In This...

 Principal ponderings...

My brother came across this chalk message on a sidewalk in CA and shared it with the rest of the family.  He said, "obviously the word together washed away but I actually think what's left is a more appropriate encapsulation of the time we are in."

The 'together' part may have washed away, but it was there at one point.  You may feel like the together part has washed away for you, but I promise you it was there and it is still there.  Our minds still automatically fill in that chalk message.  You are not alone.

As we prepare to make another change, and as you are still navigating and adjusting to remote teaching, remember that the together part may not be visible, but it's still there.  We need to support each other.  We need to lift each other up.  We need to remember that everyone is experiencing that same struggles, the same frustrations, the same anxiety.  

I am enjoying co-facilitating a book study with the book Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain.  Our Sunday night discussion focused on the chapter about the anatomy of the brain and some culturally responsive brain rules.  The first one and the most important one is: "The brain seeks to minimize social threats and maximize opportunities to connect with others in community."  And the book went on to say "The brain's two prime directives are to stay safe and be happy."  Ha, wow, did that sentence jump off the page and slap me in the face during this crazy time we are living in?!  But see...we are hard-wired to fill in that chalk message.  We need to fill in the message.  And our brains fill in that message even if we don't want to in the moment.

Heard this beautiful song and thought it was appropriate to include and share with all of you...

Yep, we are all in this...

Together.

Currently reading:

I was excited to get a new book in the mail called Just Look Up by Joe Beckman.  A prefect, quick read to inspire me right now...

Events this week:

Tuesday - Prodigy Parent Session 7:00 PM, Hybrid/Remote survey due

Wednesday - Half day, Staff Meeting 12:30-1:00, Liz and Laura in a 504 training @ 1:30, 30 minute eSpark optional PD call @ 2:00, SIMCO Meeting @ 3:00

Thursday - Halloween read alouds by High School Student Council Members, schedule coming

Friday - Halloween read alouds by High School Student Council Members, schedule coming

Staff Check In:

Feel free to fill out this optional Monday morning staff check-in form.

Check it out:

So this might hit a little too close to home, but we all need to be able to laugh about all of this...

And if you have not seen this brilliant kid, take time to listen to his #YouCanBeABCs!!

Thank you Kate for sharing this video tutorial about virtual parent conferences...

Rise Above the Mess

 Principal ponderings...

I recently read the We Are Teachers post titled, "Are Teachers OK? No, and Toxic Positivity Isn't Helping." You may have seen it floating around on social media last week. And there were many points that resonated with me. When the author talked about the phrase "it could be worse," it made me think of one of my favorite books growing up called...Could Be Worse. Yes, one of my Reading Rainbow favorites!

I totally get the idea of toxic positivity.  No one wants to hear that it will all be ok, things could be worse, let's only focus on the positive.  If you know me, then you know that I have tried to be realistic and honest during this pandemic mess.  I have agreed with parents...this is a terrible situation we are in.  I have shared with all of you...there is no good answer, this is hard, and the joy of teaching is getting harder and harder to find each day.  

You have heard from me that we all need to stop saying when we are available and start saying when we are unavailable.  It's ok to be unavailable, to not respond to emails late into the night or super early in the morning.  You already don't make the money you deserve, let's stop working 24/7 and bringing the hourly rate down for yourself more and more.  (At this point, are we actually in the negative with our pay with the hours worked?!). 

Yes, will I still try to share inspirational videos with you about how this job is a calling?  Yep.  But at the end of the day...it actually is a job.  Do your students and families know you care about them even if you closed the laptop and went to bed early instead of commenting late into the night on Seesaw or Google Classroom.  Yep.  Do I wish I could take away the stress and the anxiety and the pressure that educators naturally put on themselves.  Yep.  Does the world know you love teaching even though you might not be able to be in your classroom right now?  I love the end line from the author of the post: "You can care about your kids and love teaching and still leave school when school ends."  

There is no award for working the longest school day.  There is no bonus being given out for fastest email response.  Who am I kidding...there is no bonus.  Period. Ever.  That's pretty much the opposite of positive thinking.  But it is realistic thinking.  I certainly don't mean to bring anyone down.  I feel like as a leader I am learning how to walk a very fine line.  How do I lead people through a pandemic?  How do I support everyone and appreciate all of you while also not sugar coating the situation?  How do I remain transparent about a fairly bleak picture of the school year while also trying to calm anxieties and reassure everyone that we will get through it?

I love my Sirius Radio and the other day I was listening to my 90s on 9.  Hootie and the Blowfish came on with the song "Hold My Hand."  The beginning lines of that song have been on repeat in my head...

"With a little love and some tenderness,

We'll walk above the water,

We'll rise above the mess.

With a little peace and some harmony,

We'll take the world together,

We'll take them by the hand.

'Cause I've got a hand for you..."

I will continue to offer you all love and support, along with a regular dose of reality.  I will continue to remind you about self care while also recognizing that none of us can meditate our way out of this current situation and not answering an email tonight really just means it will need to be answered tomorrow.  

I've got a hand for you, please reach out if you need to grab on.  Please keep sharing the text message memes that show how not fun any of this is.  And I promise to continue to answer you honestly in emails or over the phone when you call me in tears and say you don't think you can do this anymore.  I will give you real talk and not tell you it will get better.  You know that I will do what I can to lighten the load, to relieve the stress, to shield you, to reduce the work, to advocate for you.  

This year is a mess. But we will rise above the mess.  You might not feel that way or see it happening, but it will happen.

We will rise above the mess.

Currently reading:

I started reading the book Blended by Sharon Draper. This is the same author who wrote the amazing book Out of My Mind. This book is about a girl who is the daughter of a biracial couple who end up going through a divorce. The book is about how Isabella deals with divorce and racial identity.

I was excited to get two new books in the mail.  One was a recommendation from a principal friend in Illinois.  It's called Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators.  And it comes with a workbook that should be arriving in the mail this week.  Hoping to be able to share some nuggets from this book with all of you.

Another book that came in the mail is called 180 Days of Self Care for Busy Educators.  I am looking forward to working my way through this book and sharing self care tips with all of you.

Events this week:

Wednesday - Half day, STAR Math and ELA self-directed training, 2:00 Prodigy PD, October birthday books available in the lobby

Friday - Parent survey due for remote vs hybrid decision and transportation plans

Staff Check In:

Feel free to fill out this optional Monday morning staff check-in form.

Check it out: 

A video of Colby Sharp sharing some read aloud titles for upper elementary of you are looking for new read aloud options: 

                        

                                                                                    Amen!

World Teachers' Day!

 Principal ponderings...

So apparently it is World Teachers' Day today.  I feel like it should be World Teachers' Day every day.  Sorry I can't be in school to appreciate all of you, but I will share this statement that was posted today in honor of all of you.  Here is a snippet from the statement and you can go to the link to read the whole statement.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF AND EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL

"In this crisis, teachers have shown, as they have done so often, great leadership and innovation in ensuring that #LearningNeverStops, that no learner is left behind. Around the world, they have worked individually and collectively to find solutions and create new learning environments for their students to allow education to continue. Their role advising on school reopening plans and supporting students with the return to school is just as important.”

https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldteachersday

Thank you all for the leadership, compassion, dedication, innovation, and love you have shown for all of our students. I appreciate you. And I honor you today and every other day. You are truly difference makers, and our students continue to grow into amazing human beings because of you!

It is also the kick-off day for Global Read Aloud. Sadly, think this is the last year that Pernille Ripp is doing GRA. But if you want to do anything related to it with your students, here is the link: https://theglobalreadaloud.com/2020/09/05/a-final-year-of-amazing-events-welcome-to-our-authors-live-gra20/

Happy reading!

Currently reading:

Looks like I will have a lot of time this week to do some reading!  I plan on listening to a book called Kids These Days: A Game Plan for (Re)Connecting with Those we Teach, Lead, and Love.  A recommendation from a friend and seems like a good time to read this one. 

I also have book lined up in my Audible account that a friend recommended, Making Bombs for Hitler.  Will be diving into that one too. 

Events this week:

Monday - World Teachers' Day!

Wednesday - Half day, teacher directed afternoon time

Friday - Parent survey due for remote vs hybrid decision and transportation plans

Staff Check In:

Feel free to fill out this optional Monday morning staff check-in form.

Check it out: 

Here is a cool newsletter I came across: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1, He shares 3 ideas, 2 quotes and 1 question.

Here is a resource a parent shared with me from the Worcester Public Library: https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=C6F3F04A&ss=&r=

And to make you laugh...

Office Hours Reinvented

 Principal ponderings...

In the spring, we suddenly had the added schedule item of "office hours."  We tried to make ourselves available for our students and parents.  And now, this year, as we begin the year remote, our "office hours" can at times feel like they are taking over our lives.  I know I have spoken to some of you and you are making calls to parents late at night or you are answering tech questions and brainstorming over the phone throughout the day or you are up early responding to the never ending emails.  During this new way of teaching, our jobs can easily become 24/7.

But that is not sustainable.  That is certainly not an expectation, being available at every hour of the day.  And it has the potential to very quickly burn us all out.  

So I propose a new requirement.  I am calling this new expectation "family hours."  I expect that we all set aside some time each day designated to "family hours."  During this part of our schedule, we cannot answer emails, we cannot call parents, we cannot plan lessons.  This is a time to do something for yourself unrelated to work.  This is a time to spend with your family.  This is a time for you to fill your emotional cup back up.  

I need to be the example.  I need to model "family hours" for all of you.  I recognize that I will have a mental breakdown if I continue to physically leave work, but mentally keep bringing it home with me.  I plan on scheduling this time on my calendar so that I have a visual reminder to focus on self care every single day.  I am thinking I may even add it to my email signature so everyone knows.  I propose that you all do the same thing.  Give yourself the time.  I need you and our students need you this whole year, through the good, the bad and the ugly.  Set some limits.  Do not work 24/7.  Schedule in "family hours."  

You are the best staff around.  I expect the best and want the best.  You don't want or deserve what's left of me.  So I don't want what's left of you.  Time to reinvent our office hours.  Family hours.  Pencil it in.  Schedule it into Google calendar.  Turn off your notifications.  Take care of you.

Currently reading:

I am almost done with the book Roll With It.  There are a lot of topics that it deals with like physical disabilities, poverty, divorce, and the main topic, Alzheimer's.  I didn't realize how close to home this book would hit.  

I am also listening to an interesting book that a friend recommended to me: The BookWoman of Troublesome Creek.  It was inspired by the true blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse Library Service of the 1930s.

Events this week:

Tuesday - Liz G will be a panelist for an MASCD Webinar on Educator Self Care - you can register if you are interested at Bit.ly/mascd929, School Committee Meeting @ 6:30

Wednesday - Half day of school, Staff meeting @ 12:30, TpT training @ 2:00

Thursday - We made it to October!

Staff Check In:

Feel free to fill out this optional Monday morning staff check-in form.

Check it out:

This was an interesting article that I read in August and meant to share with all of you: https://elemental.medium.com/your-surge-capacity-is-depleted-it-s-why-you-feel-awful-de285d542f4c

You Don't Need Inspiration

 Principal Ponderings...

I was trying to find something inspirational to kick off my blog posts for the year.  What a year it's going to be.  But after I watched this video clip from another principal in a totally different state, I thought...she is so right.  You all have no idea how inspiring you are.  You might not feel it today or tomorrow or at all.  But I am telling you...You don't need inspiration.  You ARE the inspiration.  

I am blown away with your dedication, your perseverance, and your love for our students.  Is remote teaching fun?  No.  Is it easy?  No.  Is it challenging?  Yes.  Are you exhausted at the end of the day?  Yes.  But are you all giving it your all and rocking it?  Yes!

I will certainly keep trying to inspire you and remind you to take care of yourselves and be a support for all of you.  But for now, stop reading this, sit for a minute, breathe, and really believe that you are inspiring.  Need more convincing?  Watch this video clip...

Currently reading:

I just finished listening to Dear Martin by Nic Stone.  I love this book!  It is certainly not for our young readers, but for those of us who want to keep educating ourselves about racism and racial inequities, this is a good fiction book that mirrors reality.  Looking forward to reading the sequel, Dear Justyce.

I have started the book Roll With It, about a girl in a wheelchair who tells it like it is.  I am enjoying this book, but this week...go figure...I just did not have much energy to keep reading.  Will try to get into it more this week. 

I am also reading Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain.  Kris Dorogi and I are going to be running a book club with this book for the Wachusett Area Social Justice Alliance.  I will be sending out a sign up for educators in the district if you are interested. 

Events this week:

Monday - First full week of remote learning - You Got This!  Take it one day at a time.

Wednesday - Half day, quick 15 minute staff meeting check in at 1:00, Working with Teachers Pay Teachers and it should be available starting today.  I have an optional training set up for the following Wednesday for any teachers that want to learn more. 

Friday - Birthday Book Distribution Day - Liz will be giving out birthday books to the September birthdays!

Staff Check In:

Feel free to fill out this optional Monday morning staff check-in form.

Check it out:

You may have already discovered this teacher's site; she goes by FirstGradeCreative.  What I loved was she has about 15 already created Bitmoji classrooms focused on brain breaks.  Check her site out!

Quick 2 minute listen, mindful message: Busy People...

And this seems about right...