Week 15: 11/17/14 – 11/21/14

“When asked to identify what made the school so good, every person, without fail, said it was the people of the school: the children, the families, and most importantly, the staff. Nobody said, ‘We have a really great computer lab’ or ‘a brand new reading textbook.’
(Eaker, DuFour, & DuFour, 2002)

With the Thanksgiving holidays quickly approaching, I thought it was a great time to simply offer heartfelt thanks to all of you for enriching the lives of our students. Whether you are a returning teacher, a teacher in a new role, or a teacher new to Kennedy School, I am sincerely thankful that you are here. I have the best job in the world because I am surrounded by the hardest-working teachers in the world. In the above quote, Eaker & colleagues have clearly stated what makes our own school great: It is not our facilities, or our curriculum, or technology; instead, it is each of you performing great deeds day in and day out. THANK YOU for teaching me so clearly what effective teachers do differently, and thanks for teaching with passion each day!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, November 17th
American Education Week
Vision Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm

Tuesday, November 18th
PATS Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
Parent Visit Day (9-10am and 1-2pm)
Yearbook Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 208)

Wednesday, November 19th
MyOn Common Plan <–click for agenda
PreK/PATS Thanksgiving Feast (2-3pm)
Santa Visits ABC *Talk this up with your students!
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, November 20th
Staff Thanksgiving Potluck (in lounge)
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
BPAC/Community Forum @ 6:00pm (LMS)
Happy Birthday Rosa Worwa 🙂

Friday, November 21st
Spirit Assembly
5 by Friday! 🙂
Happy Birthday Emily Kronlage 🙂

Thanksgiving Break (November 24-28)

“Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. 
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times. 
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.
It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who 
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.”
                                   -Author Unknonwn