The Best Summer Assignment Ever!

Principal ponderings...

Several years ago, I discovered this Italian professor's summer assignment list.  Now those are assignments that I definitely support!  Reading his list, made me think back to several summers ago (pre-husband and pre-kid) when I spent my summer in Florence, Italy.  I signed myself up for a creativity workshop in one of the most creative and beautiful places in the world.  The workshop was amazing, and everyday we would spend time doing activities that stretched our thinking and got those creative juices flowing.  We would end our workshop session in time for a relaxing lunch together, and the afternoon would be left for exploring and completing our assignments.  Our assignments were often things like: go sit in a cafe for at least an hour and watch the people that come and go.  Sketch a picture of someone or write a description of them.  I have to say it was one of the most inspiring, relaxing times of my life.

So when I read this list from this Italian professor, it took me back to those wonderful days, and it reminded me that I can give myself some of those assignments from my workshop or add some from his list.  Of course, I love that he says read as much as you can because "it's the best form of rebellion you have."  And you know that I will be reading as much as I can over the summer.  Hope you get a chance to as well!  I love the idea of sitting and watching the sunrise and just being thankful in that moment.  And whether you are alone in your kitchen, at a wedding or having dinner out with friends...think about dancing shamelessly.  I guarantee you will feel better afterwards.

After reflecting and hearing and reading about "glows" and "grows" with all of you last week, it is evident that you have all worked incredibly hard this year.  You have been dedicated to helping our students be successful.  You have tried out new curriculum, planned lessons and reviewed assessments until your eyes hurt.  You have planned, implemented, redesigned and reimplemented behavior plans to help students learn how to be their best.  You have pushed your students and each other.  Always striving for growth.  But what was also evident after last week...you...ok we...all need to rest, relax, and rejuvenate this summer.  You need this assignment list!  We all need this assignment.

Read over the assignment list a few times.  Think about which assignments you will do this summer.  Add some of your own for extra credit! 

And be sure to...
"In sparkling sunlight or hot summer nights, dream about how your life could and should be. During the summer, always do everything you can to avoid giving up, and everything you can to pursue your dream."

What is on your summer assignment list for yourself?

Currently reading:
Saturday morning is our special day to go to the library.  Can't wait to have my kids be part of the library's summer reading program this year!  Emerson loves going to the library and then enjoys reading her book choices either in the car or at bedtime.  Saturday night's choice was a book about sign language and the ABCs and Sunday night's choice was a book about Independence Day. (We seem to be on a non fiction kick!)  I will be putting together a last week of school parent update with a focus on summer reading.  I will be sharing lots of resources for summer reading and encouraging families to make trips to the library a part of their summer routine.  This week I checked out a beautiful book called My Heart by Corinna Luyken.  It is a simple read, but has a lovely, important message about love and self-acceptance.  And the illustrations throughout the book are wonderful! 

I also checked out a great book called Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing.  This is a great book for kids to practice calm breathing with so many great ideas like "hugging breath" and "ninja breath."  I am excited to be meeting with Wendy O'Leary after school gets out to discuss planning to bring her to Mayo next year to talk about mindfulness and her new book called Breathing Makes It Better.  

And another book that I got from the library is called George, about a 4th grade boy who truly feels like he is a girl.  I had heard of this book and was excited to see it in the library on display with several other children's books about dealing with gender questioning and gender identity.  I love the back of the book where it says simply: "Be who you are."  

Events this week:
We made it!!  Last week of school!
Monday - Selectman Anthony Renzoni visits 3rd grade, Facebook Live Bedtime Story with Principal Garden @ 7:30pm
Wednesday - Grade 5 Program for the school @ 2:15
Thursday - Grade 5 Program for parents @ 10:30, End of the Year Staff Gathering @ 4:00
Friday - Move Up Activity @ 9:15, Whole School Assembly @ 9:55, Dismissal at 12:20, Staff Luncheon in the library provided by the Wiemer Family, "Staff Meeting" in the front circle at 12:30

Great things I noticed last week:
It was quite a week last week!  Field trips, enrichment programs, fun activities, author parties, book swap, wax museum, field day...  Here's just a small sample of everything awesome that happened at Mayo last week:

• 1st graders loved hearing all about birds of prey and getting an up close meeting with many of them! 
  
• 5th graders were very interested in hearing all about Dr. Mayo's life from his grandson, Roy Lane. 
  
• Who says you can't have fun with flashlights and practice your math skills?!  Mrs. Leroy's class had a fun with flashlights day in their class. 
  
• 4th graders in 4V were eagerly writing down book titles for their summer reading lists after listening to lots of book talks in the library from our amazing library volunteer Pat McEachen. 
  
• I was lucky enough to walk by in time to join in as the AM kindergarten class released their butterflies! 
  
• The 3rd grade Wax Museum was amazing!  So many famous people from MA!  I wish I could have pressed every single button. 
  

Our first Book Swap was a huge hit!  I loved being Oprah and telling kids that they could pick books for free!  I wish I had a video of the cheering that happened!  

• Field day was so much fun!  A big thank you to Mr. Wilde and all of the parent volunteers.  So glad we had perfect weather! 

• And in an appropriate ending to a jam packed week...I was dunked in freezing cold water about a hundred times! Thanks to the PTA for organizing a fun pizza social.
  

Check it out:
More book swap fun...

Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

Principal ponderings...

We have made it to the last two weeks of school!  This year has been full of hard work, struggle, new ideas, learning from mistakes, being vulnerable, stepping out of comfort zones, and successes.  It's important to take some time to think back over the year and reflect.  Right now, if we take time to look back, this year is fresh in our minds.  It's "closer" to us right now.  If we wait until August to think back on the year, we will most likely forget parts.  Here are a few questions and reflection prompts to get you thinking about the year, to help you look in the rearview mirror.

Reflecting on the 2018-2019 school year, I am proud of...

2 ideas/new learning/experiences I will take with me into next year are...

Something I wish I had done differently...

Ways that I have grown professionally this year...

Now see if you can picture a particular student for each of these prompts, and think of what you learned or how you will grow as an educator as a result of your interactions:

Think of a student that challenged you...

Think of a student that made you proud...

Think of a student that you felt lucky to teach...

Think of a student that made you better...

Think of a student that you will miss...

I went back to find my first post to all of you and found this quote that I had shared back in September:

As we wrap up this school year, I know I will be asking myself...were children the priority in our school?  Were they at the center of every decision we made?  A change in leadership was certainly your reality this year.  I look forward to gathering feedback from you at our last staff meeting.  I consider myself an educator who always needs to hear constructive feedback in order to keep improving my practice.  Did we live up to the statement "Collaboration is the strategy"?  I think we took some baby steps and some big steps in terms of collaboration.  

I really do enjoy these last few days, thinking back over all that has been accomplished.  Thinking about where we all were on the first day (when I was just getting to know all of you and you were getting to know me) and how we have gotten to this point right now.  I also think about what did not work and what are ways to make changes for next year.  I like to think about all the new innovative experiences that our students had and how we will have even more new and innovative experiences next year.  And I am looking forward to growing myself professionally even more this summer, taking time to read, write, connect and reflect.

Once you are done reflecting on the year, be sure and think ahead to this summer.  How do you plan to be mindful over the summer break and rejuvenate yourself?

Currently reading:
I found time this weekend to finish listening to Brave, Not Perfect.  It was a great book to listen to and certainly has me pumped up to be brave and fail forward.  It's a great book to get me warmed up for Empower Our Girls.  Excited to read a book written by a good friend of mine, Lyn Colon.  The next book I started listening to was Grenade by Alan Gratz.  I loved his book Refugee so much so I am thinking I will enjoy this one.  

We usually go to the public library after gymnastics on Saturday mornings.  This week, I added a picture book to Emerson's pile.  It was called How to Teach a Slug to Read.  This is such an adorable book!  I think many of our kindergarteners and 1st graders would enjoy it.  Might be added to the Facebook Live Bedtime Story list.  

I also finished reading Mountain Dog.  I love finding good books written in verse.  Amazing how the author can use fewer words, but still tell a story and paint a picture of the character's thoughts and feelings.  

Events this week:
Monday - Bird Man presentation in 1st grade @ 10:30, Roy Lane presentation in 5th grade @ 10:30, KM Authors' Celebration @ 2:00
Tuesday - Grade 3 Field Trip to Holden Center, Liz meeting w/superintendent @ 2:30
Wednesday - Last Staff Meeting of the Year @ 8:00!  Grade 5 Field Trip to Sturbridge Village, Grade 4 Earth Science Enrichment Program, Grade 3 to Senior Center @ 1:15, KL Authors' Celebration @ 2:00
Thursday - Kindergarten Screening all day in the gym, Reading Assessments (DRA and F&P) should be completed, Grade 2 Field Trip to Boston Children's Museum, Book Swap set up after school in the gym, Staff Gathering in the library @ 3:30
Friday - Field Day!  Book Swap during specials!  Grade 3 Wax Museum @ 9:30, PTA Pizza Social @ 5:30

Great things I noticed last week:

• The 5th grade End of Year Carnival was a blast on Friday night! https://www.facebook.com/LEMayoSchool/videos/692880291142956/?modal=admin_todo_tour
• I had a hard time keeping up with Principal Mastro, the principal for the day! https://www.facebook.com/LEMayoSchool/videos/664195010689275/
• The 4th Grade Math Olympiad group was recognized for their competition participation.  We had one student perform in the top 10% of all 4th-6th graders!  And a few students who performed in the top 50%! 
  
• Mrs. Hilton shared her love of National Parks with 4B.  Did you know she has visited over 25 parks?!  And did you know that 4th graders and families can get into the parks for free over the summer? 
  
• I stopped into kindergarten and everyone was excited to show me the stories they had written as well as the butterflies! 
  
• What an amazingly awesome concert put on by the 3rd, 4th and 5h graders!  Thank Mrs. Popek for working so hard and including so many fun songs and dance moves! 

Check it out:
Loved reading this post about rewriting our stories as teachers: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/unshakeable-angela-watson/
Also loved reading this diary entry of a first year teacher reflecting on the school year: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/first-year-teacher-looking-back/

Toes in the Sand and Nose in a Book!

Principal ponderings...

The beautiful weather this past weekend makes me think about all of the sunny days we hope to have over summer vacation!  Perfect weather to bury your toes in the sand and your nose in a book.  And the crazy storm Saturday night made me also think about those summer storm days when it's perfect to curl up on a porch and read with raindrops in the background.  Yes, with only a few short weeks until summer vacation, it's time to start thinking about summer reading.  Not summer reading for your students, summer reading for you!  I love that I have more time and more energy in the summer and can move quickly through my "to be read" pile which is currently a leaning tower on my night stand about to fall over any day now.

Do you have a reading plan or have you been thinking about a reading plan for this summer?  I do still work in the summer, but my schedule is certainly lighter during the day so one thing that I do is actually schedule professional development reading time and writing time.  Might seem silly, but if it's on my schedule, I usually follow through with it.  Think about creating a regular reading time and writing time for yourself.

Do you have books that people have recommended and you have tucked them away during the school year?  Now it's time to dig them out so you can get ready to dive into them!  You know I have a whole list of books to read for professional development, books to read so I can book talk with students, and books to read just for fun.  How about you?  What's on your summer reading list?  Here are some books that I am excited to dive into this summer...

I am working on creating a plan for our optional summer book club with Katie Novak's book, UDL Now.  Even though I have read articles, been through some coursework and implemented UDL components, I have not read this book.  Looking forward to reading it this summer!

I have been skimming through another new professional development book, Welcome to Writing Workshop.  I ordered several copies for any teacher who is interested in reading it this summer.  Since we will be focusing on writing instruction as a staff next year, I want us to have some current resources to work with.  I love that this book is full of video clips from current teachers and principals so you can read a section and then also check out a video clip about the topic. 

One of my dear friends and one of the leaders who I worked with to form Moms As Principals, just wrote a book with Adam Welcome, the author of Kids Deserve It.  This new book is called Empower Our Girls, and I am super pumped to get my copy in the mail this week. Can't wait to read this one! 

I loved Serpent's Secret and loved that I was able to sit next the author during my Scholastic board meeting in February.  I am presenting in CT for Scholastic at the Reading Summit in July and Sayantani Dasgupta will be speaking there.  I will definitely be reading her second book before I see her in July! 

Another book that I was given recently but am saving for summer reading is Front Desk.  It's about an immigrant family who works in a motel and the main character is a 10-year-old girl who works at the front desk.  I have heard rave reviews about this book and can't wait to dive into it.  

Besides reading a ton, I hope to also do even more writing in the summer.  I would love to get myself in more of a habit of writing in a journal.  I have written in several over the years, but I can't ever seem to make it a true habit.  After seeing Jack Gantos speak at the MA Reading Association Conference in April, I am excited to use his book to help me with my journal writing.  I am also part of a group called TeachWrite, there is a Facebook page, Twitter chats, blog posts, and they even offer courses where you are able to connect virtually be motivated by other educators to write.  I am thinking of doing this Monday course in July: https://www.teachwriteacademy.com/notebook-noticings?utm_sq=g31b2e8vax&fbclid=IwAR2sKnYmwI98NJsJxwIrcJWpCaFzEN5aYM07qEwOKGv9zGr1qhZCv9RUudg

I belong to a Book of the Month club.  I keep trying to cancel my subscription because I can't keep up with the books that come each month!  And then my brother just sent me a few free months as a gift.  I have to fly out to Washington State to do a presentation, and I am thinking that will give me lots of reading time!  One book that was delivered but I have not had time to read yet is Maid.  I have read several good reviews about it so I know I need to read it. 

I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan.  I have seen her speak, been fascinated with her research process that she does with every book she writes, and have been sucked into many of her complicated stories packed with so many current issues.  I would like to read her newest book, A Spark of Light.

Ok, so now you know just a few books on my summer reading list.  What books are on your summer reading list?!  Will you participate in any book clubs?  Will you set a goal and record your completed books on Goodreads?  Will you bury your toes in the sand and get lost in a book on the beach?!

I am excited about our book swap for the students on field day.  I have heard from many of you that you might be interested in a staff summer reading book swap.  How about if you plan to bring in books during the last week of school and on Thursday and Friday of the last week, I will set up another staff book swap in the conference room like we did back in December?  Maybe you will leave for vacation with some "new to you" books to pack in your suitcase or add to your night stand!

And do you have any recommendations for me?  I know I always have a long "to be read" list, but I love getting recommendations from fellow colleagues!

Currently reading:
One of the many perks of being connected to Scholastic and serving on their Principal Advisory Board is that I sometimes get read advanced copies of books.  I spent my Sunday morning reading White Bird by R.J. Palacio.  You might remember this author?  She wrote Wonder!  (If you have not read Wonder, you should stop reading my post and start reading that book right now!).  Her new book is a graphic novel and it's historical fiction.  It tells the back story of Julian, a character who most of us did not like in Wonder because of how mean he was to Auggie.  This book will be available to buy in October and I think it will part of the fall Scholastic Book Fair.  Here is Colby Sharp talking about it...

I have a principal friend in California who just wrote a picture book about kindness.  The book is called One Drop of Kindness by Jeff Kubiak.  The book shows how one small act of kindness can create a ripple effect, and we see that we all have kindness within us.  Sometimes it just takes a little work to bring that out of all of us. 

You might have heard me book talking Peter Reynold's new book over the announcements the other day.  His book is called Say Something.  In the book, he encourages everyone to speak up through words, art, music, poetry, or simply by being present and showing support.  It's a great message for all kids (and adults) to hear.

Events this week:
Monday - Happy Memorial Day, No School
Tuesday - Grade 4 team meeting @ 8:00, Mountview Middle School Concert @ 9:15 in the gym
Wednesday - Force and Magnetism Enrichment Program for 3rd grade, Liz at Dawson from 9-10 for a transition meeting, Grade 5/Mountview Transition Meetings from 3:30-5:30 in the conference room
Thursday - Liz at Central Office for PLT Meeting from 7:45-10:00, Grade 3-5 Spring Concert @ 2:00
Friday - Grade 3-5 Spring Concert for Families @ 10:00, Grade 5 End of Year Celebration from 6:00-8:00pm in the gym

Great things I noticed last week:

• Monday afternoon I stopped by in the yellow pod for a celebration of the amazing girls who participated in Girls on the Run.  A big thank you to the staff that helped these girls conquer fears and push themselves: Merle Olson, Jamie Leroy, Shelley Brennan and Sarah Shaughnessy!
  
• Kindergarten Orientation happened on Tuesday night.  We had lots of parents attend, and I showed them this quick video of our current kindergarteners explaining what happens in full day kindergarten! 

• Even though I was not able to go on the 1st grade field trip to the zoo, I did get some photo updates.  Looks like the 1st grade team had a ton of fun and loves the zoo...but looks like they are missing a few students?! ;)

• 5th grader Michael did an awesome job being the Principal for the Day on Friday!  He read to a 1st grade class, visited classrooms, met with Mrs. Hurley, helped load buses, and enjoyed lunch with a friend...it was just another busy day at Mayo!  Even though it was a half day of school, a lot was accomplished! 
  

Check it out:
Here is another video clip of Colby Sharp.  This time he is sharing some great ideas for the end of the year.  I love the idea of having kids create favorite books from the year lists.

And if anyone needs a feel good cry for the day...here you go...seriously (ugly cry happening for me when I watch this!)

Looking in, Looking Out, Looking Through

Principal ponderings...

Every year around this time, I write a post about reflecting on the year.  I have done it in different ways over the years, but one of my favorite ways was from the end of last year when I had everyone think about mirrors, windows, and doors.

Last year, I participated in a Principals in Action Twitter chat (#piacahat) that focused on reflecting on the school year.  I loved the concept behind it and wanted to share it with all of you.  The reflection centered around three parts of a house: a mirror, a window, and a door.  Thank you Kelley McCall, Jay Posick, Mark French, and Ryan Sheehy...hope it's ok to borrow your reflection questions and build on them!

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the best educator of them all?  Ok, I might spend a little too much time with princess dolls.  Sorry, that's not the mirror question I was thinking of.  Here was the first question that we discussed in the chat:

Like a mirror, what did you do this year to reflect on your practice?  
I would also add...
If you are looking in the mirror, do you like the educator who is staring back at you?  
Are you the same educator that you were in the beginning of the year?  
How have you changed and how has that impacted your students?

With the weather getting nicer (maybe we will have a day with no rain?!), and the sounds and signs of summer beginning to appear outside, this is when students (and adults) can't help but stare out the window thinking about days of summer ahead.  The next reflection question focuses on the concept of the window:

Like a window, what did you see someone else do that you then implemented in your classroom?
I would also add...
Did you allow yourself to look out the window every once in a while?  Whether that meant observing in another teacher's classroom, learning about something someone did on social media, or simply having a conversation with another educator?
Was there a window into your room?  
Did you allow others to see or hear about your teaching?
Did you celebrate and share your successes with others?
Did you also share your struggles and keep the window open for feedback?

Probably my favorite sound of summer is the opening and closing of the screen door.  Granted...this year I would probably be ok with a few less door bangs from the two four year olds in our house who spend a lot of time running out to the backyard and running back in!  The question from the chat that dealt with doors was...

Like a door, what opportunities will you open for your students and your colleagues next year?
I would also add...
With a second year with new leadership next year, there will be even more opportunities to continue looking at everything through a new lens.  How will you help keep the door open?
In what new and innovative ways will you connect with your students, create learning opportunities, and celebrate growth?

Whether you choose the mirror questions, the window questions or the door questions, it's important to stop and reflect on the past year and think about moving forward next year.  As we reflect, we constantly improve ourselves and our teaching.  And as we improve as educators, automatically our students improve and reap the benefits of our self-reflection.

For me, I am excited to take time now and once school is out to reflect on my first year here at Mayo School.  It was certainly a big change for me to leave a place that I had spent seven years growing and learning in, but I am so glad that I made the transition.  Change is hard, but you all have made this change a positive experience for me.  Thank you.  

As I think back on the work we have done so far, mainly getting to know everyone and connecting with everyone in the building, I love thinking about this quote from another reflecting principal...

"Many leaders believe that the way to sustain change is to communicate a vision, and then monitor compliance.  They use evaluation, write-ups, or walkthroughs as a hammer to ensure 100% compliance.  This philosophy will never lead to sustained change...we have to realize that change doesn't get done in the faculty meeting or staff email.  It gets done one conversation at a time.  It gets done in one-to-one relationships.  It gets done with a lot of talking and a lot of listening.  It gets done inviting disagreement and conflict in a safe environment. It gets done addressing the concerns and obstacles of the people closest to the change.  It gets done over the long haul." (https://principaljoey.wordpress.com)

I feel like I have done a lot of talking and listening with each of you this year.  Some staff more than others, but hopefully everyone feels like I have connected with them in some way.  I am excited about the possibilities of what we will accomplish together over "the long haul."  There's so much for us to do to keep having a positive impact on our students.  As we begin to finish up our first year together, I am already looking forward to rolling up my sleeves with you and doing even more work together next year!

Currently reading:
We went to the public library on Saturday to check out some new bedtime books.  I don't usually check out books since I am currently reading several.  But I started reading Mountain Dog while the kids were playing and decided I wanted to keep reading it.  It's a novel written in verse about a boy whose mother goes to prison and when he moves in with an uncle, he forms a bond with a search and rescue dog.

Super excited to get a new order of books in the mail this week...including this funny one...

Will let you know how it is!

Events this week:
Monday - Grade 5 Science MCAS, Windows on Wildlife Program for 4th grade, Town Meeting @ 7:00
Tuesday - Grade 5 Team Meeting @ 8:00, Grade 5 Science MCAS, Kindergarten Orientation @ 6:30, PTA Meeting @ 7:30
Wednesday - Patty at Central Office in the morning, PTA Dairy Queen Fundraiser 5:00-8:00
Thursday - MCAS testing window closes, Kindergarten field trip to Davis Farmland, Grade 1 field trip to Southwick Zoo
Friday - Half day, dismissal at 12:20, 5th grader Principal for the Day, Staff Appreciation Luncheon, paras at 11:30, teachers at 12:30

Great things I noticed last week:

• Lots of 1st graders have been book talking and this book talk included a model of the toy boat in the story! 
  
• 3Pz was working on some genius hour projects when I popped in the other day.  Besides help from Mrs. Palazzo, they also had help one day from Mrs. Palazzo's mom who came to visit! 
  
• I walked into one kindergarten class full of scientists who were recording observations of plant growth. 
  
• And then I saw another group of kindergarten scientists having fun exploring bubble science! 
  
• Ellen Miller from the District Attorney's office came on two different days to meet with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to discuss bullying and internet safety.  Hoping to bring her back next year during the beginning of the school year, and we might even add in a parent coffee chat session. 
  
• On Thursday night, I had the pleasure of attending the Wind Beneath My Wings Awards Program at Davis Hill.  Several of our staff were nominated for their work with students with special needs.  Thank you to all of the teachers and staff who work hard to provide the best services to students on IEPs. 
  

Check it out:
Some ideas to think about instead of taking away recess time:
https://schoolleadersnow.weareteachers.com/how-to-discipline-a-child-without-taking-away-recess/?fbclid=IwAR3juq1-OjDG9EguW8cVFI2vpGyUv-7ft5mFxxN1c20squ0WIqtLJsHFyHE
A list of some awesome books from 2019 to check out: https://www.mrcolbysharp.com/2019
Wondering if I should use some of his ideas for teacher appreciation?!

And Donalyn Miller's latest infographic about motivating students to read...