To-Do List

We spend much of our time each day doing the things we're responsible for doing.  We teach, have conversations with other staff, parents, and students, solve all the little logistical problems, answer questions for kids, write emails, talk on the phone, and manage conflicts.  We don't have to plan out a time to accomplish each of these things; we just do them as a normal part of our every day.  So much time gets used up doing these very important "every day" things.

And then there are the tasks or projects that need our extra time or special attention and focus in order to complete.  You know, the things that have deadlines.  We put these things on our "to-do" lists.  Constantly, new tasks are added, and who doesn't love crossing them off as they get completed?

Here are a few things on my to-do list right now (in no particular order):

School Improvement Reports - Through the School Improvement process, we create plans for improving every aspect of our school.  We have one report to complete in February, and another to do in March.  The SI team is nearly assembled, and we are just about ready to dive into this very important work. These reports will provide us with some great direction.

Observations/Evaluations- Soon, we will work together to schedule the second round of classroom observations, which will be completed in February and March.  I look forward to some great discussions with staff about the teaching and learning I've seen and heard happening in every classroom.

PLC Day for Data Review- A day in early February will be chosen to have our professional learning communities come together again at Betsie Valley, as we did in December.  There will be several brief grade level meetings in order to review the winter AIMSweb data, and to make important decisions about student placement into and out of our many Reading and Math interventions.

School Security- Our Lockdown Drill went very well on Wednesday, as Michigan State Police trooper Greg Hubers and a few other police officers assured us.  There are always opportunities to improve on our procedures, so we will be discussing this as a staff at an upcoming staff meeting.

Farm to School- Kirsten Gerbatsch is our point-of-contact for this initiative.  We will be working with her to help our students gain a better appreciation for fresh food, gardening, and nutritious decisions.  There will be a Farm To School Inservice on April 24th at TBAISD for one of our teachers to attend as well.  We will be inviting Kirsten to introduce herself at our February 8th staff meeting.

Great things happening at Betsie Valley:

2nd graders worked together on a water purification experiment in Mr. Kelly's science class Wednesday (pictures below).  Boys and girls used a metal screen, several coffee filters, a few paper towels, and two cups to try to take dirt, leaves, seeds, and other impurities out of their water samples.

4th graders learned a new way to do double-digit multiplication problems in Ms. Herban's class.  Correction: I learned a new way to do double digit multiplication in Ms. Herban's class.  Ask me, and I'll show you the "volcano" method.

Mrs. Garske is back in the kitchen.  She made a delicious turkey dinner for all staff and students on Wednesday!

Mrs. Hathaway has a great knack for getting her bunch of 1st graders to work hard on improving their reading skills.

5th graders have about 17 different desk arrangements in Mr. Wassa's room.

Ms. Kitty and Mrs. Hunsinger have our younger students doing remarkably well with the indoor recesses this week.

Mr. Luebke, always the trend-setter.  He flipped his windshield wipers up.  Then everyone else followed suit.  Well played, Tom.

Mr. Cox played chef as he cut turkey for 160 kids and 25 staff members on Wednesday. Ms. Dodge, Mrs. Bluhm, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Wassa, Mrs. Hunsinger, and Ms. Kitty all served kids as well.  Service is contagious.

Articles worth your time

Webber family's generous donation to TC's Munson Heart Center!

12 Things You Should Never Stop Doing

Crystal Mountain Snow and Ski Report

These videos are definitely worth your time:

Some insight into FoodCorps' Vision: Changing the Way We Eat (10 mins)

These brothers are incredible!

Pictures from Mr. Kelly's Science Water Purification Experiment

One aspect of the Farm-to-School Initiative at Benzie Schools is the "10 Cents A Meal" Program

This is worth putting in here again!

Cold Season

Winter is definitely here now.  It was one degree below zero on my drive to school Friday morning.  Some wind gusts reached 50 mph Saturday night.  It'll be this way for a while...cold all day, dark on the way to school, and again on the way home.  Sure, we'll get glimpses of the sun on some days, but we don't wake up in the morning expecting it.

There are some people who really struggle during these winter months, but most of us can get used to it.  Still others thrive in it, and see winter as a beautiful time of year.  
  
I fall into that last category.  It really isn't too difficult for me to see the beauty in the snow-covered trees.  The cold is only cold when I'm not prepared for it.  Without the cold and snow, I could never properly appreciate the warmth and sunshine of summer.  I absolutely love each of our seasons, and I'm glad northern Michigan always has a good winter.

In the end, it's like anything else: we have to do the best we can with what we're given.  With our work at school, it's no different.  Some days are more challenging than others.  What makes what we do so special is that even though we know that challenges await us, we face each day with fresh perspective and a renewed hope.  When we enter a season of darkness, (and we all do at times) ...when it's winter, we move forward knowing full well that it won't last forever.  The sun is still there, even when we can't see it.  And soon, it'll shine through.  It always does.

The 2nd  Semester begins on Monday.  This means students will begin going to Music classes rather than Art on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Here is the Betsie Valley Specials Schedule (click to enlarge):

Great Things at Betsie Valley This Week

Mrs. Reed brought her Music supplies to Betsie Valley on Wednesday morning.  Kids are getting excited about Music starting this week.  Welcome back to the Valley, Mrs. Reed!

3rd Graders earned the cafeteria reward this week.  Great job, Mr. Luebke's class.

5th graders enjoyed the change in their classroom jobs this week.  Mr. Wassa's always keeping things fresh and new for the kids.

Mr. Cox was a snowboarding hero to a handful of 5th grade boys at Crystal Mountain on Thursday.  WOW! 

On Wednesday afternoon, 4th graders had a classroom celebration in honor of Mr. Booth, our high school "teacher academy" student who finished his time in Ms. Herban's room.

January is National Mentors Month.  Be sure to thank the Kid's Hope mentors that spend time with our kids every week.

Fun Article Worth Your Time
50 things that everyone should know how to do (I feel successful with 42/50 of these.  I'm getting really good at #49.  I've never done #40.) 


Last winter, voters in our school district decided to provide our schools with $1,985,000 for improving technology and transportation, and now we have 36 new computers in Betsie Valley's computer lab, and each classroom has a document camera, allowing us to display everything from textbooks to coins and insects for everyone in the room to see.  Without a doubt, our community supports our work here. 

This is a tutorial for our new Elmo TT-12 Document Camera (<5 mins)

This is a tutorial for our new Recordex Document Camera (<5 mins)

Los Angeles Overreacts to its "cold" temperatures. Funny Jimmy Kimmel Live clip (1 min)

 

Our 2nd and 5th graders' field trip to Crystal Mountain on Thursday:

 

Snow Days

During our snow day on Friday, I was reminded of snow days when I was a kid.  My brother Brandon and I would get board games out and play for hours.  Almost every memory I have of game times with my family involves Brandon taking over the Monopoly board, one property deed at a time.  He was constantly calculating odds and sticking to his strategies and principles.  I was often the first player to run out of money.

After a while, and very slowly, I began to pick up on Brandon's tactics.  Some time later, the day finally came where I was able to put it all together.  A few moves went my way, one after another.  I converted my eight houses on Boardwalk and Park Place to hotels and he landed there on his next turn.  I accepted a few of his deeds as payment.  I bought up the rest of his deeds with some spare change, and sat back counting my stack of leftover orange $500 bills.  He was bankrupt before he was able to pass "Go" again.  I did it.  I won!

It was at that moment that I learned an important lesson.  "Let's put it back in the box," he said.  And that was that.  It was over and done.  My houses, hotels, deeds, and cash were gone.  I couldn't take anything away from the table.  As with life, when the game is over, it all goes back in the box.

Knowing that all the stuff goes back in the box at the end, teachers build their legacies on what will last long after we're gone.  The meaningful life lessons we teach will live on in the lives of the students we impact along the way.  Our work is about investing in the future.  If the value of a life can be measured by the good that's poured into another life, the value of a teacher is immeasurable.

Great things I heard or saw at Betsie Valley this week:

During Boot Camp, the behavior expectations for our school were reviewed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Kids from Kindergarten to 5th grade were respectful and responsible.

2nd graders were sprawled out on the floor in Mrs. Vanderlinde's room studying Benzie County maps during a Social Studies lesson.

5th graders in Mrs. McClaren's Art class created amazing pieces of art using fountain pens and bottles of ink.

2nd grader, Chance, enjoyed the time he spent learning using technology in Mr. Kelly and Mr. Cox's rooms this week.

After looking at several great examples on the web, 2nd graders in Mr. Kelly's room were writing books from the perspective of snowmen and snowgirls.

1st and 4th graders were rewarded on Monday with ice cream at lunch for winning the cafeteria behavior challenge.  It's amazing what Mrs. Hathaway and Mrs. Couturier have been able to do by setting high expectations and rewarding positive behavior (and with a little frozen dairy motivation).

3rd, 4th, and 5th graders attended and participated in an inspiring Tom Thelen assembly where they were challenged to "Be the Change" they wanted to see in their school.

Video Worth Your Time:
Tom Thelen: Our 3rd-5th graders were able to spend some time with Tom on Thursday morning.

Article Worth Your Time:
Benzie Central Schools ranked in the top 10 traditional public schools in the state of Michigan

5th grader Noah, wearing his new Tom Thelen t-shirt: "Be the CHANGE"

 East of Betsie Valley Elementary Monday afternoon

The fourth grade bus on the way to see Tom Thelen on Thursday

New Year

About 45% of Americans make New Year's Resolutions every year.  Only 12% follow through  and accomplish their goals.  So why? Why would anyone make a resolution? Because life is nothing if not about taking risks and testing our own limits in spite of the odds stacked against us.  Because it's better to make a resolution and fail, than continue on in the status quo.  Because self-improvement is exciting.  These are the messages we want to send our own kids/students, so why would we live our lives any differently?

So let's all resolve to make a resolution in 2013.

A successful resolution is specific and measurable.  We also need to make sure we pick something attainable and realistic.  And we'll write it down and tell others because we all need accountability and encouragement.  Plus, if no one else knows what we're doing, it would be too easy to change our goals when the going gets tough.  

One of my own goals for 2013 is to run a 26.2-mile trail marathon, finishing under 3 hours and 30 minutes.  I've taken the step of signing up already, even though the race isn't until September.  An amazing thing happened once I signed up: I went out for a run.  And then another and another.  It's early January and I've already taken a few steps toward success. I'd love to hear about your goals for 2013.

Soon, we will come together as a Betsie Valley staff to set several specific and measurable school improvement goals for our school.  We will take stock of where we are and discuss attainable and realistic goals for where we want to be.   We will write it down because  accountability (even from the State) is good, and thus, we'll chart a course for 2013 for our school.

It's going to be a great year, and I'm so fortunate to be able to share it with you.  Happy New Year!


Take Note:

Mrs. Dodge's new room was turned into a kindergarten classroom this week.  Also, Mike painted the doorways in the Kindergarten hallway.  Have a look on Monday!

As of right now, no new computers or document cameras have been installed at Betsie Valley.  They are in at MS/HS, and Lake Ann. Betsie Valley is next in line, so please be patient, and make sure you keep any and all post-it notes on your personal monitors and computers. Grant and Kurt will be working over the next week or so to make this happen. 

We will be rescheduling the Christmas dinner (12/20 snow day) and the Staff Breakfast/Secret Santa Reveal (12/21 snow day).  Stay tuned early this week for that information.

Videos worth your time:

In the life of that one student, be the person that unlocks a passion (Fascinating!) (3 mins)

A Great Way to Start 2013 (5 mins)

Wright's Law: it's his personal life that he uses to teach the true meaning of life (12 mins)

Articles Worth Your Time:

Amazing role models: hard to find, surprisingly easy to be!

8 Things you must give up to find peace

Here are some outstanding pieces of Christmas artwork completed by Mrs. Lamkey's art students at Betsie Valley Elementary, printed by the Record-Patriot Newspaper:

Students from Mrs. Vanderlinde's 2nd Grade Social Studies class are pictured in the Record-Patriot Newspaper here with their National Monuments.

The Best Laid Plans

We had several very fun things planned for Thursday and Friday last week.  There was a formal Christmas dinner and a reading of "The Grinch" planned for Thursday.  On Friday, there were going to be classroom Christmas parties, class trips to Crystal Mountain, and a staff breakfast.

Despite looking forward to all these exciting traditions for the past month or so, you can bet we all loved the sound of Carol's voice Thursday morning as she called to let us know that school had been cancelled.  So, all of a sudden, here we are on Christmas break.

Isn't that what happens to our best-laid plans?  We prepare our lessons, yet we can never know what will actually happen.  We never know if the lesson will work out the way we plan it.  We constantly adjust and modify our plans, everyday, in mid-stream.

So first, take a well-deserved 18 days off, then we'll do our Secret Santa reveal, take a trip to Crystal Mountain, and have a formal dinner sometime in 2013.  We'll figure it out on January 7th.  Merry Christmas and Happy 2013!

Great Things I Noticed This Short Week at Betsie Valley

There was a table set up in the lobby that was full of bright and animated robots created by Mr. Kelly's second graders.

There were 28 beautiful and accurate National Monument projects brought in to Mrs. Vanderlinde's classroom on Monday morning, which were displayed for all to see on Wednesday.

Three separate groups from outside our school contacted Mrs. Sauer, each wishing to donate Christmas presents for entire families.

Ms. Herban's kids collected clothing and hygiene items all this week to donate to BACN as a way to celebrate the holiday season together.

4th and 5th graders, Tyler and Larry, led Mrs. Vanderlinde's 2nd grade class in singing Christmas Carols Tuesday.

After two days of training at TBA-ISD, Mrs. Corey and Mrs. Gramzow are now certified in P-BIT.

And...there are about ten kindergarteners who think my name is MR. GRAPES.

Articles Worth Your Time
3 Characteristics of a Great Teacher - (A Brief Description of Betsie Valley Teaching Staff)

10 Things Teachers Can Do Over Christmas Break - Read it from the bottom to the top if you want realistic ideas :)

This is how our Kindergarteners were learning volleyball skills Wednesday (FUN!):

Short Videos Worth Your Time

Special Holiday Message From State Superintendent Mike Flanagan:

The year 2012 is almost over...Hard to believe! Here's a recap, based on Google searches:

How to wrap a present:

Mrs. Vanderlinde's and Mr. Kelly's 2nd Graders' National Monument Projects:

Meeting the Needs

The second week of the month is always a busy one for teachers, as many of us lead or attend  meetings around the district.  This past week, we bounced from curriculum council and liaison meetings to a school board meeting, from a technology committee meeting to a PTS meeting, and then a building staff meeting.  In addition, there were a handful of special education meetings sprinkled throughout the week.  Each of these meetings has its own individual purpose, yet each discussion and decision always contributes back to the overall mission of the school.  That mission truly wraps all these meetings together.

Two key parts of the mission of Benzie Schools:

1. "...provide a safe learning environment..."
The staff and students at Betsie Valley Elementary School conducted a Code Red Lockdown drill on Wednesday afternoon.  We have a detailed plan which requires the cooperation of everyone on staff as well as the students to maintain safety in the event of an emergency posing an immediate physical threat in or around our building.  A huge "Thank You" to you if you were a part of this drill.  The crisis plan is consistently being adjusted and updated to ensure we are always doing everything within our control to assure everyone's safety while at school.

2. "...motivate all students to reach their highest potential..."
We try to help students to understand that knowledge is important, and that the key to knowledge is learning.  When students understand this, their motivation comes from within themselves.  This is called intrinsic motivation.  However, when this kind of motivation wanes, like we all know it can on occasion, students need extrinsic motivation for learning.  Students don't always see the big picture, or understand why "this" is important to learn.  At other times, they may not understand a new concept, and that can lead to frustration.  Therefore, we strive to always make learning exciting, use technology, develop hands-on lessons, and make the lessons relevant to their lives.  We strive to consistently involve both sides of the brain in this process, catering to the many different learning styles that students exhibit.  Betsie Valley truly is a great place for students to learn and grow!!


Here are some great things I noticed during the past week at Betsie Valley Elementary:

Every student was given an opportunity to shop for gifts to give their family members at the Christmas Bazaar.  Several families donated gently used items.  Other families donated some new items.  Still other items were purchased by our PTS.  A group of parents volunteered their entire days wrapping those gifts.  This year's Bazaar was especially made possible by Michelle Tinoco and her "extra mile" efforts.  Thanks Michelle!

Fifth graders demonstrated great servant leadership this week as they helped wrap presents for 1st graders at our Christmas Bazaar on Monday.  They were not asked to help.  They simply saw a need and then helped meet it.

Snow blanketed the playground early in the week, providing a new element of fun for kids at recess, especially those continuing to play Four Square!

Mrs. Sauer invited kids to sit in her chair and chat as she wrapped the Christmas gifts they bought for their brothers and sisters at the Bazaar.

Mrs. Dodge's new kindergarten classroom is looking great and coming together in a hurry!  Mr. Fekete finished painting the walls and put the cabinets in, and Mr. Zelinski hung the smartboard and replaced the bathroom sink.

Students in Mr. Kelly, Mrs. Travis, Mr. Cox, Mrs. Corey, and Mrs. Gramzow's classes are all utilizing the set of Title I iPad's to enrich what they're learning in their reading and writing lessons.

Savannah, in fourth grade, was reading so quickly, accurately, and fluently for Ms. Herban during partner reads, that it became a challenge for Ms. Herban to keep up and to track it on Savannah's graph!  Great work, Savannah!

I got mobbed with hugs in Mrs. Erfourth's 1st grade class...again.  They come out of nowhere!

Here is the schedule for Tuesday's PLC meetings: (Click on image to enlarge)

Articles Worth Your Time:

You're doing better than you think

Very Short Stories That Will Make You Smile

Videos Worth Your Time:

Lost Generation - (Watch it all the way through)

December Excitement

The most interesting thing to me about elementary school-aged children is their excitement.  They seem to always be excited about something: one day it's a toy, the next it's an assembly, a birthday or field trip...  Not too long ago, it was Halloween.  And then it was the snow falling outside.  Next it'll be Christmas.  Then it will be Valentine's Day... and so it will continue until we start all over again at the beginning of another school year.

I think we all enjoy that annual cycle.  It's a part of what helps keep us going as teachers throughout the year.  We look forward to our projects with students, long weekends, end-of-year field trips, staff get-togethers, conferences or seminars, and holiday and summer breaks.  Those things are milestones that come around at the same time every year and which mark the seasons for us.

I've always looked forward to and anticipated dates and events that are off in either the near or distant future.  What I have found this year though, is that I'm simply enjoying each day I'm in.  Time always goes by so much faster when I'm actively involved in a project or activity all day long. Every day this year, I've found myself doing that which I love doing.  I'm not sure if living in the moment like this is something that is a result of being so busy with the transition into a new school or working on something different each day with the great staff, families, and students at BVE, but I love it.  I really can't believe it's December! Time is flying!

Here are some great things I noticed during the past week at Betsie Valley Elementary:

Lily and Devon led the Kindergarten class in a rousing dance to the Alphabet Rap Song Friday morning.

Kindergartners and 5th graders sang the praises of  Mrs. Couturier and Mrs. Hathaway as they delivered rewards to them for being the lunchroom winners in the behavior competition.

Mr. Luebke's class was sitting on the floor clapping out all their spelling words Thursday morning.

3rd grader, Cody, turned his Monday around in a big way at the Community Meeting, where he was recognized for working extra diligently the week prior, and where he won a Betsie Valley t-shirt.

Ella, in Mr. Kelly's class, was experimenting with an iPad app and was so captivated by it that it was nearly impossible for me to get her attention, even as I knelt down in front of her and spoke her name a few times.

On the playground, Paige and Ms. Kitty have a nice game of cat and mouse going that has lasted several days so far.

5th graders have been caught being responsible a couple times as they read to each other in the hallway.

Red, Mr. Luebke's dog, paid us a visit on Thursday afternoon.

Mrs. Kessler once again did a fantastic job subbing at Betsie Valley, this time in 1st Grade at the end of the week.

Deer Beware: As of Friday morning, Ms. Herban has a beautiful new Toyota Camry in the parking lot.

Office Discipline Referrals Are Down!

Article Worth Your Time:

8 Things Skilled Teachers Think, Say, and Do

Very Short Videos Worth Your Time:

This is the kind of passion for teaching that teachers have at Betsie Valley!

The all-time best Christmas Advertisement

These are awesome!  Kids tell the story, adults act them out.  This one is a Math Lesson.

Jill and I went in for a 3-D ultrasound on Wednesday night.  Jill and baby are both healthy. This little guy is due January 27th!!!

 Have a great weekend, everyone!  See you in school.