February 23, 2020

Happy Sunday! 
It is the last week in February-- Already!!!

I want to start my blog this evening with a note about change and perspective.

What is perspective? It is a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. We all carry different perspectives of all things, especially about big changes. On Friday, I announced some big changes. 

I ask that each of you take a minute and reflect on the perspective you have taken about this change. The changes made were intentional, thoughtful and purposeful. With change comes opportunity. 

Is change easy? NO. Absolutely not. But what do these changes mean?

These changes mean some of you will be leaving teams you have been working with for a long time, BUT you will be gaining new teammates whom you have not had the opportunity to work with previously. And the opportunity to develop new relationships and gain new ways of looking at planning, data and students. 

These changes also mean some of you will be teaching a different grade level, maybe even one you have not taught before. In that, you will have the opportunity to take a fresh look at curriculum and work collaboratively with a new group of people.

I have had the pleasure of being at Stoneridge and observing for over a year now. Throughout this time, I have been able to see each teacher's skills and opportunities for growth as professionals. I am extremely confident in each of your abilities to take on these new challenges.

In all, we will work collaboratively to see our site from different vantage points in order to bring our best for our kids and our community.

I am excited for what the future brings!

Storybook Character Day was an incredible day, as always! 
Your grade level stories were so fun and you could hear kids laughing at the stories all over campus.
Thank you to everyone who worked to make 'I Love Reading Month' such a success and thank you to JeriAnn for taking the time to find books for each kid and to lead the door decorating contest!

Pennies for Patients Update:
Make another push in your classes! Pennies for Patients raised $489.05 this week, putting us at $5630.73! Only 1369.27 to go.

Benefit for the Arts is coming!! Seriously, right around the corner! Hopefully, we can get a few more ticket sales before the big day. Your classroom baskets are coming in and they look awesome!

This Friday is our Trimester House Celebration for Amistad! 
We will have outside lunch and it will be a little longer than usual. Like last time, lunch will be from 11:50-1pm. K-2 will eat first then play. Of course, 3-5 will do the opposite. The times are 11:50-12:25/ 12:25-1pm. Any ideas you have our ways to support the transition to/from quad to blacktop are greatly appreciated!  

Coming up this Week:
Monday, February 24
8:00am Stoneridge Technology Meeting
8:50am Flag Ceremony
PLC is for report cards

Tuesday, February 25
4pm RTA Council Meeting

Wednesday, February 26
Minimum Day for conferences, as needed
Brooks Offsite in the morning: TIC = Casey
2:30pm PBIS Meeting
3:30pm PTC Meeting

Thursday, February 27
7:45am Safety Committee Meeting
3:30pm SSP Meetings

Friday, February 28
9:05-10am Wild Things Assembly (Preschool, K-2)
10:05-11am Wild Things Assembly (3-5)
11:50am-1pm House Celebration/ Lunch

February 16, 2020

Happy Sunday!

Last Friday evening at 8pm, I was coaching my son's basketball team. Trust me, there was nothing I wanted to be doing more:) 
In this particular game, we had a rough start. The five starters were letting their nerves get the best of them and the shots were not falling. As they were playing, one of the players on the bench kept making negative comments like, 'Aww, come one! You gotta make that!' and 'What are you doing? Come on, stop him!' 
You know, I was on him! I told him he needed to say positive things to his teammates, or nothing at all. Then, I got really into the game and thought it had gotten better. However, when I called a timeout, three of the players on the court said, 'Jeese, can you tell him to stop. He is not helping.' 
I was surprised any of the players had even heard him because I assumed they were focused on playing. That was a big eye opener for me. 
When they first quarter ended, one players was almost in tears. He said, 'That is how he is at school too.'
Second quarter starts and this group is able to get their feet under themselves and finally put some points on the board. That one particular player is pounding his chest saying, 'That is how you do it! Yeah!' Do you think his teammates were excited to cheer him on? 
Before the game was over, I said a few things to this teammate about what it means to be part of a team and we went on to win. 
The next day, I had a conversation with my own kids. My boys are on each other ALL OF THE TIME and it drives us CRAZY!! We talked about how it makes one feel when they hear the other brother say negative things. I reinforced that we are a TEAM and we need to cheer each other on. And then, all of their issues were solved. Ha!! NOT!!! 
As I reflect on all of this, what I know is that I perform better when I know people are behind me and feeding me positive energy. 
At Stoneridge we are a team. Every single one of us is part of ONE team- working together to support kids. We all have to cheer each other on at all times. Our team members play different roles at different times. Remember the Kobe quote that said, 'I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on the bench waving a towel, handing water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.' We should all strive to be that player on our team. 
Cheer on ALL at ALL times!!! 
I know you have heard it before, but together we achieve more. 

Reminder: Character Dress Up Day is Friday, 2/21. I just finished my shopping. Fingers crossed it comes together!

Benefit For the Arts: It will be here before we know it. I love how you are keeping the competitive spirit alive. Keep sharing the info with your parents. It would be great to meet our goal of 150 tickets before the event. 

Pennies for Patients: Keep pumping it up! We are very close to our school goal and I know we will make it. 

Need Your Help: If you have your class on the blacktop on Friday afternoons, if you could please help by gathering all balls and putting the carts in room 36. Brian will be removing the tether balls after lunch, just to make things easier. 
On that note, keep an eye out for kids sitting or standing on the tether balls. The rope is not strong enough and the balls are breaking off like crazy! 

Also, I am hoping to share your grade level assignment by the end of this week but it may roll into the following week. 

Coming Up This Week:
Monday, February 17: NO SCHOOL!!
Tuesday, February 18: 
4:00pm LITE Meeting at DO

Wednesday, February 19:
Brooks Off Site- Casey TIC
3:30pm Staff Meeting(Room 35)- Jerry Jorgensen presenting

Thursday, February 20:
3:30pm SSP Meetings

Friday, February 21:
Story Book Character Dress Up Day
1:15pm House Rally

Sunday, February 9

 I hope you are all enjoying your 3 day weekend!

Thank you to all of you that have shared your daily schedules. You will be comparing your instructional minutes to the required instructional minutes in the two PLC's in March. 

It also looks like most of you have filled out the Grade Level Preference Form. 

If not, here is the link: If you could teach any grade...

I will be setting up appointments with each of you to notify you of your grade level for next year. We will also be closing out your evaluations, if you were evaluated this year. 

Coming Up This Week:

Monday, February 10

NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, February 11

Brooks Off Site- Christi TIC

4pm RTA Executive Board Meeting

Wednesday, February 12

3:30pm PBIS Tier 1 Meeting

Thursday, February 13

3:30pm SSP Meetings

4:00pm EL Coordinators Meeting at DO

Friday, February 14

💕Valentine's Day! 💕

9:00am Coffee with the Principal

Sunday, February 2

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

February is "I Love Reading Month"

Monday, Feb. 3rd

Read My Shirt Day!

Wear a shirt that other can read(appropriate for school)

Tuesday, Feb. 4th

Oh the Places You Will Go!

Wear a shirt that highlights a please such as Disneyland or a University,,etc.

Wednesday, Feb. 5th

Wacky Wednesday!

Wear your clothes backwards, inside out or mis-matched

Thursday, Feb. 6th

Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!

Wear a Cat in the Hat hat, crazy hat or favorite hat

Friday, Feb. 7th

Reading Fun in the Sun!

Bring your shades, beach blanket, etc.

Friday, February 21st

Story book Character Dress Up Day

Choose a character from your favorite book and bring the book.

This Wednesday, 2/5, is Global Play Day.
It is your choice as to how you integrate play into your day.

iReady Window is open from 2/3-2/21. 

Staff Meeting this Wednesday, 2/5.
There is a staff meeting this Wednesday after school and it is my expectation that you will attend. Please double check your calendar and make changes, as needed. I will be sharing information about potential changes moving forward.

Coming Up This Week:
Monday, February 3~iReady window opens until 2/21
Staff Luncheon- Italian
8:50am Flag Ceremony

Tuesday, February 4

Wednesday, February 5
Global School Play Day
3:30pm Staff Meeting: Room 35

Thursday, February 6
7:45am Safety Team Meeting
3:30pm SSP Meetings
3:30pm ELAC Meeting

Friday, February 7
1:15pm House Meeting
4:00-9:00pm Mountain Mike Spirit Night