Give Me a Break!

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear Daniel Pink speak at the Indiana Principal Conference.  He was sharing research that he used to write, "The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing."  In his book, Pink reminds us not to underestimate the power of a break and to consider them as a learning tool.  Here are some break suggestions:
* Any kind of break beats nothing
* Breaks where we are outside and moving are better than stationary
* Social breaks beat solo (Take a break with a friend)
* Fully detached beats semi-attached breaks

Pink spoke a lot about the importance of recess and brain breaks for our students as they are a necessity to learning.  He reminds us that our cognitive abilities do not remain static throughout the day; research shows steep inclines in productivity and focus after having breaks.

Not only are breaks in the classroom beneficial, but Winter Break can be a great time to rest and recharge as well. It is my hope for you that you can find much needed time to yourself, enjoy your family and friends and be ready to come back strong in 2020!
https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-make-most-winter-break

Important Information: 

Last Week Before Break:  Even though we only have 5 days before break, this time is still valuable for learning!  It is important to keep learning at a constant this week and help our students stay focused bell to bell, until the end!  Reminder we will have final exams this Thursday and Friday.  Please make sure students have something meaningful to participate in every day. http://www.spencerauthor.com/projectsbeforebreak/


Early College Activity - Reminder that Dana has organized an Early College activity for our students tomorrow (Monday).  Current college freshmen will be home to share their college experiences with our students:  2nd period to seniors and 3rd period to juniors.  Students should report to class and we will call them out by intercom.

5 days of Christmas (Before Christmas Break): 
     * 6th Day - Much to our delight, Principal Jody says wearing jeans this week is alright!
     * 7th Day - Our surprise today are desserts that are yummy, will surely be a delight to the tummy!  (Please stop by for sweet treats that will be delivered around 11:00 on Tuesday)
     * 8th Day - A Holiday meal to enjoy on Day 8, to let you know we think your're all great!
     * 9th Day - We only have one more day to come back, come to the office for an afternoon snack!  (Snacks will be set out around 11:30!)
     * 10th Day - This little candy cane saves the day, ending the semester in a sweet way.

Laurie Ferry - If the weather allows, Laurie Ferry will be at Perry Central on Monday to continue to help our school (K-12) with math teaching strategies!

Junior High Houses Creative Event - Reminder this event will be on Wednesday during 2nd WIN and 5th period.  We will be in the high school gym.  Looking forward to a great team event!!  Come and watch our teachers have a little fun with Lip Sync too!

Super Secret Surprise - If you would like to participate in Vanessa's Super Secret Surprise for students (Flash Mob) please meet in Vanessa's room tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.

PC Family

This past weekend, my family spent sometime together at the Hoosier Beef Congress.  Congress is a youth cattle show in Indianapolis.  The barns are full of kids of all ages with one thing in common - the all love cattle!  I love watching the little kids show their calves.  They are working hard, combing and cleaning their calves, showing through tears after the calf steps on their toes, helping each other and celebrating their successes with their families.  It is fun to watch all of them persevere and see adults spending quality time with their kids.  

The cattle show family makes me think about our Perry Central family.  It is such a blessing to be a part of a community that cares for our children and each other in so many ways.  Our family always finds ways to support each other -  in the classroom, on the court, in the pep band, or in the halls - our Commodore family is always there.  We believe in the power of strong relationships; helping each other through the tears and cheers.  Together we are modeling to our students how to be resilient, work hard, and be of service to each other. 

As I reflect about the holiday season, it reminds me how grateful I am to be apart of such a great work family. The dictionary defines family as a group whose love is not hindered by time, space or circumstances.  That is exactly what our Commodore family is to me!



Important Information:

Faculty Meeting - We will have a faculty meeting on Tuesday, December 10th at 7:20 a.m. in the high school library.  Please be there on time!

10 Days of Christmas (Before Christmas Break):  This week, we will start celebrating the few days we have left before our Christmas Break with some treats!

•   10th Day of Christmas (Before Christmas Break): If the Holidays make you gag, we have chocolate in a bag!  (In your Mailboxes)
•   9th Day of Christmas: Starting the day with breakfast for you, a little something for all that you do!  (Faculty Meeting - Schwartz Cinnamon Rolls)
•   8th Day of Christmas: Temperature is so cold, how about a cup of hot chocolate to hold?  (Hot Chocolate Bar)
•   7th Day of Christmas:  Don't get nutty this time of year, let's butter you up with some good cheer!
•   6th Day of Christmas:  How should your start your day?  With donuts, not other way!

More Fun Next Week!  

Ugly Sweater Contest - Tuesday, December 10th is our Ugly Sweater Contest!  It is okay to wear jeans this day.  Prizes will be given to the teacher that has the most student votes!  Bring out the best you have!!!!  

 (Please remember it is important to dress professionally even during jean day.  Please stay away from hooded sweat shirts and other overly casual apparel.  We want to always look our best!  I believe you can look very professional in jeans!)   

Eva Kor - This week on Wednesday and Thursday our junior high will be participating in the Eva Kor Virtual Reality Tour!  Students will learn about the Holocaust and Eva Kor's life-affirming message of forgiveness, healing, empathy and moral courage.  Thank you to the English and Social Studies department for hosting this great event!

Fed-Ex Day - Thursday, December 12th is Fed-Ex Day.  Thanks to Jennifer Ball for leading our students through this project.  

School Board Meeting - The December school board meeting is Monday, December 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library.  This is Mary's last official meeting as Superintendent of Perry Central Communities Schools.  We will have an open house on December 20th in case you wanted to wish her well!  

Snow Make Up Day -  We will be making up our one snow day on January 20th.  Students will have a virtual day on the 20th and teachers are asked to come to school that day for a day of Professional Development!  This will leave Christmas break from December 21 - January 6th!  

Candy Cane Carnival - Thursday, December 12th, Perry Central will host the annual Candy Cane Carnival.  The high school band will be performing their Christmas Concert at 5:30 p.m. along with many great activities for kids.  It is a great evening to come and enjoy the Holiday Season with our community!

Christmas Dance - Thanks to Mary Jo Hagedorn for sponsoring the High School Christmas Dance, this Saturday, December 14th!  Looking forward to seeing all of our students dressed up for a great evening! 

Next Week Dress Up Days:
Monday - Christmas PJ's
Tuesday - Santa Hats/Reindeer Antlers
Wednesday - Green and Red Day
Thursday -  White as Snow Day   (Students will have the opportunity to purchase hot chocolate!) 
Friday - Crazy Christmas Socks

Classroom for the WIN!

I LOVE rivalry college football week.  This is a week that records do not matter and everyone is out to win for pure bragging rights among their family and friends.  Facebook is full of some of the best memes, no matter what side of the field you are sitting on! 

The high level of engagement for football fans this week reminds me of the importance of engagement and a strong offense (teaching strategies) in the classroom.  Mike Schmoker, in his book Focus 2nd Edition, reminds us of strong teaching techniques:
* Clear Learning Objectives/Learning Targets
* Guided Practice
* Checks for Understanding/formative assessment - which includes teacher circulating to observe student work, cold calling, hand signals, etc.
* Independent Practice

Classrooms that run this offense often will have much success! 
As we come down to the final seconds of our first semester, let's not forget the basics of our classroom offense with the outcome of strong student learning!  We will be in for the win every time!

I hope your color won this weekend!   (Purdue says "Happy Thanksgiving" to all of you Hoosier Fans!) 


Important Information: 

After School Training - Tuesday, December 3rd we will have a corporation training on autism.  The training will be from 3:15 - 4:15 in the elementary cafeteria.  Thank you for being there!

Project Based Learning Brainstorm - Anyone that would like to brainstorm some ideas for PBLs (or Work Based Challenges) for the classroom is invited to attend a meeting December 4th at 7:30 a.m. in the high school library.  Remember, teachers that come up with a lesson and implement it can earn an extra $500 per lesson!  We are willing to help in anyway we can. 

Faculty Meeting - We will have a faculty meeting on Tuesday, December 10th at 7:20 a.m. in the high school library.  Please be there on time!  Breakfast will be served!

Eva Kor - On December 11th and 12th, we will be hosting Eva Kor Virtual Reality Tour in 7th and 8th grade English/Social Studies classes.  It is a powerful experience for students as they get to engage in Ms. Kor's experiences as a 10 year old girl in an Auschwitz Concentration Camp.  Thank you to our teachers and Tara for setting this up for our students. 

Creative House Competition - Our Junior High Creative House Competition will be Wednesday, December 18th during 2nd WIN and 5th period.  May the most creative win! 

10 Days of Christmas/ Christmas Week - The last two weeks before Christmas break will be filled with a few Surprise and Delight activities for students and faculty!  We will communicate a few items soon.  Be on the look out for an Ugly Sweater for the upcoming contest! 


Great Pep Block - Wednesday night at our varsity opener at Tell City, we had an AWESOME pep block!  Over 100 students showed up in their Hometown Hoops t-shirts.  The JV won a barn raiser in overtime, but the varsity fell a little short this time (we will have a lot more opportunity to play them.) 
Great job to our students and the class they showed as they cheered on their classmates!

  "It is a great day to be GREAT!" - Abe Schwartz