Focus on the Positive

 

This weekend, I ran across this post on Facebook.  Reading this and thinking, "that is nice" is a lot easier than actually being in this mindset daily.  My Grandma Miller and mom are always good at this.  I will call my mom to vent to her and she is always flipping the story on me, making it positive.  It is SO ANNOYING sometimes!  :-)

But, what I have learned about my mom and grandma is they are always happy as they see the world through a lens where the glass is always full.  They know how to create their own happiness by choosing to focus on what is positive.  

Last week, Stephanie shared some SEL activities for teachers to help us flip our script.  She taught us the importance of focusing on things we can control and not on what we can't.  Just like this Facebook post, this work is very powerful and necessary to help us manage our stress.  

All of you have made it through some of the toughest years in education and I know the kids are still struggling, making your jobs stressful.  Thank you for your continued work and care for our students.  We are lucky to have all of you.  I hope you can find all of the positives this week and create your own happiness! (Even if it is annoying!)  

Important Information: 

RECN Survey - Please, please, please fill out this RECN survey.  They have extended the due date to April 5th, so you can take some time on the 4th to do it if you need to.  If we get 3/4 of our teaching staff to take the survey - we get $400 to spend on all of you!   If you have any questions, please let me know.  

https://uncg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0qbzVEZ6744zdY2?=t1&sc=1886

Professional Development Schedule:  Attached HERE is a copy of the tentative Professional Development Schedule on April 4th.  We will make a few updates this week, but it will give you an idea!  Assistants, like the past few times, you are welcome to come in for training in the morning and eat lunch with us.   Remember there will be no students on April 4th!  

8th Grade Dessert and Learn - 8th Grade teachers are invited to join us for cookies and brainstorm ways we can possibly incorporate SEL into the school day.  We are only taking this one step at a time!  You should have received an email as well.  We will meet on Tuesday, March 29th from 11:45 - 12:24 in the Health Science Room.

Reflection Meetings - Thanks to all of you who have met with me so far for our reflection meetings.  They have been so helpful.  I appreciate everyone's honest feedback.  Looking forward to the rest of the meetings!

Spring Dates - HERE is a link to important dates this spring.  We will continue to add to it as we move forward. 

Commodore Pride - Thanks to everyone who met last Friday to discuss Commodore Pride. There will be another meeting this Friday morning in Vanessa Johnson's room.

Special Thank You - A special thank you to all of the assistants for their work everyday and specifically for their help last week covering so many classes.  They all worked together through last minute changes and my mistakes to get it all taken care of.  Our building wouldn't run without them - so please give the an extra high-five this week!