#Exploring the WHY

Hello My Fellow Rockets!  I hope you have had a wonderful weekend.  I spent most of Saturday working on my Stitch Fix.  Someday, I will have a better schedule that doesn't have me working all Saturday. (#goals).  Sunday, I spent with my family.  I have gone all week and only text my sisters one time.  We usually talk/text daily.  They understand it's a whirlwind right now for me but nothing is a substitute for face to face time with people you love.  I hope you took time to be present with those you love.

I continue to read The Innovator's Mindset and seriously it makes me feel inadequate as leading an innovative type school.  It's a good thing I have y'all and it's a good think that our sermon today was asking God for wisdom.  I thing I needed all of those things as I dug into this chapter of the book.

Before we can be innovative, we must understand what that means beyond the current "buzzword".  George Curos defines innovation as a way of thinking that creates something new and better.  Innovation can come from either and invention or iteration (a change of something that already exists.  Therefore, change for the sake of change is never good enough.  Another thing he says is that innovation is less about tools like computers, tablets, social media, and the Internet and more about HOW we use these things.

Question for you to respond to:  What is an example of a practice that you consider to be innovative?  How is it new or better than what you had before?

I can't wait to read your responses.  Don't be afraid to get back on the blog once you've responded and speak to others' responses.  We all learn from each other.

I have a challenge for any classroom(s) that feels up to it.  Watch the satirical look at Blockbuster and how their lack of innovation put them into bankruptcy.

http://www.theonion.com/video/historic-blockbuster-store-offers-gimplse-of-how-m-14233

Have students create an historic tour of education in the same format.  Use this for students to work on that you aren't seeing during intervention time, or as a class project.  Be creative!

The last thing I would like to leave you with is an 18 minute video (FUN FACT: This is the same amount of time it took the Texas Army to defeat the Mexican Army at San Jacinto in 1836-#historynerd)  It's about leadership -- not just my leadership but all of our leadership areas.  There was a quote that says "People don't buy WHAT you do but WHY you do it".  He went on to say the those who lead inspire us.  He talked about MLK's speeches were about his DREAM not a plan.  They believed in the WHY he was selling.  It's a good watch.  I hope you will take the time to view it.

https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?utm_campaign=tedspread--a&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

This week's ROCKET REVIEW:
9/25 & 9/27 - T-TESS Goal Meetings as scheduled.
9/26 & 9/28 - PLCs
9/27 - Initial RtI meeting during ITeam time - schedule to follow.
9/28 - Lesson Plans due by Nite Nite time
9/29 - Fuel store -details and schedule coming - Tonya & I are meeting tomorrow.

It was told to our teachers that faculty meetings would only be 2x per month vs. every week.  That hasn't been told to principals yet.  However, I will hold meetings every week -BUT you will only be required to attend 2 based on content.  One will be everyone and the other is content based.  So the next question is what about self contained K-2?  One will go to Math/Science and the other will attend ELAR/SS.  Your choice as to who attends what.  I will have a schedule that will determine these topics and times so everyone can plan accordingly.

Thanks for all you do!  I appreciate all the extra time you have put into making things happen at KGJ!

SK loves ROCKETS!

Be More Dog!

Another week completed.  Y'all are so amazing and I couldn't be more proud to work along side the finest teachers in GISD.  I started reading a book today called The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros.  I've only read chapter 1 and already am so inspired.  I'd love to do another book study but know if I gave you ONE MORE THING to do-- you may all revolt. Ha.... so, I'll just give you some cliff notes and my insights.  Although please feel free to grab a copy and read along with me if you want to.

"Once you stop learning, you start dying." - Albert Einstein

The best take away from the Introduction was that change is an opportunity to do something amazing.  We all know that opening this school was something very different for GISD.  It's a chance to allow students to show what they can do, not just what we've told them to know.  If we don't truly change the way we do things,  George Couros says that school will continue to look the same as it did when we attended, only in a digital form.  He went on to say that many schools have the latest and greatest technology but are still using them to do the same things they did before.  My question, everyone has a smart board.  Are we utilizing its full capacity or using it as a digital chalkboard?

Another, great point he made is that Kids walk into schools full of wonder and questions, yet we often ask them to hold their questions for later, so we can "get through" the curriculum.  Have we forgotten to spark a curiosity that empowers students to learn on their own?  

We forget that if students leave school less curious than when they started, we have failed them. 

WOW!  I don't know about you, but that statement was so powerful to me.  Are your students leaving curious more days than not?  Are you leaving curious about the world around us and how we can bring that to life for our students?  That is where we will be different.  It's not ONLY about the pacing guides.  That's what they are GUIDES.... how can you cover the necessary material and bring real world into the classrooms.  Becoming innovators is a challenge for EVERYONE in our organization.  All hands on deck as Couros states.  

We want to create a school community where kids are inspired to be better people because of their experiences at KGJ.  We (students, staff, administrator) should be creating an experience where students are knocking down the doors to get in.

Watch this short video about entitled BE MORE DOG (embedded code below).  Think of how this applies to teaching --- and it does!  What is one way you can be more dog and less cat this week?  Please comment by Friday, September 22nd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=futQVPRCOOY

What's going on this week at KGJ:

Monday: We will have cheeseburgers for lunch with chips and desserts.  We also have tea! :)  It's also jeans day for a fabulous LION WIN at Friday night's game.  After school, we will start constructing our board for the Power of 10 presentation if you are available.

Tuesday:  Dr. Liggins Bday.  We will record a message at our Monday Morning Meeting and send to him today.  Regular PLCs going on.  After school, we will continue working on Power of 10 presentation if you are available.

Wednesday:  T-TESS goals are due today.  For Iteam Meeting - Bea, Gina, and Karen will meet with Rebekah Jacobson on vertical writing.  The rest of the group will work on tearing into the Science STAAR and how K-4 supports the success of our students.  Also, Helen Williams will be there for the first part of the meeting to talk about the dedication and get your input as well.  We will work on presentation as needed if you are available after Iteam meeting.

Thursday:  PLCs as usual.  Lesson plans for the week of Oct 2-6 due before you go nite nite.  I will be at a principal's meeting from 1-3.  Crystal, could you go out at 3:05 to start taking car names if I am not back?  We will start initial conversations for students you feel need interventions this afternoon.  I will have a schedule prior to this day, so you will know when to attend.  If we haven't finished our presentation, we need to do so!!  Will update...

Friday:  Picture day.  We will tell parents that students can wear whatever for that day.  It's a lot of trouble trying to change clothes and I really don't want all of our kids in spirit shirts for school pics. :)

Power of 10 presentation at 1 p.m. 

And....another week down!  

Have a great week and BE MORE DOG!  

SK loves Rockets

Week 2 in Review!

Hey Staff!

Can you believe we completed week 2?  What an amazing Friday!  Y'all were all so flexible today with the overwhelming response to our Grandparent's Day Celebration.  I never would have dreamed so many people would come. Thanks especially to 1st and 4th grade for eating in their classrooms with their kids and their loved ones today as there was no room in the cafeteria.  We are taking notes for everything we do so when we get ready to plan for next year, we all have a few "lessons learned" under our belts.

I have heard many of you tell me about how overwhelmed you are with all of the NEW pieces of lesson planning and unpacking PAs.  I want you to know that I hear you.  I am asking everyone to hang on and let's continue with the process and see if by the end of the month and going into October that it seems better as we will only be preparing a week at a time at that point yet still being 2 weeks ahead.  I want to know your needs and what I can do to help this process for you.  I want you to know that you are doing everything beautifully.  I will start commenting on your plans and heading into your rooms this week.  You've got this -- don't lose heart!

What's happening THIS week?

Monday - Patriot's Day - If you didn't get a chance to finish your cards, please do so before 10:45 and give to Tonya.  I have no idea how many (if any) first responders will visit.  We will deliver any extra cards to area stations.  I know many of you did that on Friday as a lot of our kids left with grandparents.

Tuesday - Big Kahuna fundraiser kick off & PLC (k-2)

Wednesday:  ITeam Meeting

Thursday: PLC 3-5


Below is our tentative schedule for our Power of 10 presentation:

Monday: September 11 – 3:45-4:30 – Decide on a design and materials needed – and assign tasks

Tuesday, September 12 – 3:45 – 4:30 – start putting design together; accomplishing assigned tasks if possible.

Wednesday – Iteam Meeting over district items

Thursday, September 14 Meeting with Dr. Liggins after school

*Friday, September 15 – Power of 10 due (just our ideas that we wrote out- I am responsible for this) 

Please continue working on your student ambassadors.  They are doing an amazing job.  I'm so proud.

Remember we will have our morning meeting in the cafeteria.  Red Team at 7:45 and Silver team at 8:00 (isn't that the order I said earlier?)

Please comment with an encouraging thought to your colleagues.  That will be your "sign in" so I know you have read this!

Thanks so much for all of your hard work.  You are all amazing and I am truly blessed to work with you each day!

SK loves Rockets 

What a FABULOUS, MAGICAL week!

WE DID IT!!! We opened a new school and got every child home EVERY day!!!  You managed to win the hearts of each student along with their parents.  The feedback that is coming back to me is excitement and a fire that parents haven't seen in their children!  Thank you for making that happen for them.  Thank you for making this a place to learn about life!

I am working on getting books out to everyone and clearing out the hallway and storage closet.  I am ordering shelves for the closet so that we can store design challenge items so if you need something, you can always check there.  Hopefully, this will help get some things out of your rooms.  I need you to keep your teacher resources that go with your adoptions.  We have seriously little to NO storage.  If this is a problem, please let me know once everything has been delivered.

We have a list of supplies on order.  Once we get those, if there are things you are finding you need in your classrooms, email me and I will do what I can.

I am interested in possibly sending 2 teachers to the gifted conference in Houston November 29-Dec 1 (barring no issues from the hurricane).  Please let me know if you would be interested in attending this 3 day event.  I'll see what I can fund if we have interest.  If you find a MUST GO TO conference, please let me know so I can plan accordingly for it.

I will get a presentation date tomorrow for our Power of 10.  We will have to meet to get our design ideas and who is doing what.  I'll get more information tomorrow.  So excited!

John Wink is one of my favorite presenters.  He just makes sense.  I enjoyed the article below and wanted to share.  Please comment with your thoughts by Friday before you leave. :)

http://leadlearner2012.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-5-prerequisites-to-rigor.html

If you haven't filled out a form to give to Greenville Educational Foundation, I would encourage you to do so.  Forms are at Lori's desk and you have until the 15th to sign up.

Please make sure you are prepared for each PLC as we begin unpacking your PAs.  I want you to look for ways to "STEMify" your PAs when possible.  It doesn't have to be huge challenges with each PA but add a technology piece - especially for those kiddos who have already provided you evidence early on that they have mastered the skill.  Which will give you some differentiation opportunities.

Dismissal is running like clockwork!  Y'ALL TOTALLY ROCK!

WEEK AT A GLANCE:
Wednesday -6th Crystal's Bday - Iteam Meeting 3:45-4:45 Science Lab - all teachers
Thursday - 7th - PLC for grades 3-5; set up for Grandparent's Day @3:45 (Tonya will let us know - short and sweet decor) for those who volunteered; Robotics parent interest meeting @5 p.m.  PTA start up meeting 6-8 p.m.  I would like as many of you that can attend to please come support.
Friday - 8th - Grandparent's Day during student lunch time.

Typically, I will send these out on Fridays so you will know what's coming each week.


School WILL NOT be open this week-end.  I will open one weekend per month and ask for air.  I will open September 23rd from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and 24th from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.  I will touch base and make sure that someone actually wants to work in the building.  :)

Don't forget the Pinner's Conference in Arlington on September 30.  Please let me know if you are interested in going with me.

Thanks for all you do!  You are an amazing staff and I can't believe that I get to be here EVERY.  SINGLE.  DAY with y'all!

Don't forget to post a comment about the article.

SK loves ROCKETS!