New Year's Resolutions - 2023

 

New Year's Resolutions for Educators

New Year's is a time for reflection, and for having a fresh start.  I appreciate the work that all of you do, and want to ensure that you will keep the stamina to do the job!  These resolutions are meant to help "preserve" you - pick one as your goal for 2023!

Resoluve to Make Actual Me Time

When was the last time you had time that was just for you?  As educators progress through their careers, they often encounter mental stress and fatigue.  It's no secret that an educator's nature is to nurture - and usually we channel all of that energy into the children in our care.  Prioritizing time for yourself at least once a week can be incredibly beneficial to your mental and physical health.  You may not be able to book a massage for tomorrow, or fix everything that is frustrating you, but this is a resolution worth considering:

• Take time out to de-stress.
• Have a chat with a friend or colleague.
• Ensure that you have a good life/work balance.
• Take care of your physical well-being.

Resolve to Say No

Educators are asked to do a lot - and it's OK to say no sometimes.  While there are always "additional duties as assigned" that go along with any job, be careful not to overcommit, and to wear yourself down.  

Resolve to Make Work-Free Time

While some teachers actually enjoy grading in the early hours of the weekend when the rest of the family is sleeping, or lesson planning on a Sunday night, there needs to be a designated time where you allow yourself to be work-free.  You can't make the out-of-school work go away, but you can hold yourself accountable to make sure that you find the right time for that work, and stick to it so that work doesn't leak into your important time with family, friends, or just time for yourself.

Resolve to Ask for Help

You are the commander of your own classroom, but you are not on this ship alone.  Whether it's turning to your team for a much needed p0ep talk, checking in with your supervising teacher or administrator, or turning to teachers on social media for ideas, it's OK to ask others for help.

Resolve to Not Take it Personally

This is a tough resolution for many - not just for educators.  As humans, we care about what people think and say about us.  But the next time you get an email from a parent that sets you on edge, or a student says something disrespectful, consider this: It's not always about you.  Yes, their words were personal, but are they lashing out because they are having a bad day?  Is there sometime going on at home?  Giving others grace allows us to separate the attack from the person's situation and give ourselves grace while we are at it.

Resolve to Forgive

Each person matters, each day, but sometimes you and certain people may just have a hard time understanding each other.  Again, this is human nature, so don't be too hard on yourself.  Resolving to let go of disagreements and misunderstandings you've had with students, families, or colleagues can lift a huge weight off your shoulders.

Happy New Year!
Sue

Last Week Details!

 

I know there is going to be a lot of catching up this week, from being off 2.5 days last week - but here are the all-school things coming up!

Monday -

Catch up on everything you missed last week...

Cookie Contest!

Tuesday -

Last day for Toys for Tots

Wednesday - hang on to your hat!

7:45 - ALL STAFF breakfast, gift exchange, and Will-o-mania (don't miss out!)

Wear holiday colors, accessories, sweaters, etc. =)

WINDCHILL ADVISORY - potential inside recess...

Vanessa's birthday!

Helena's last day =(

3:00 - All School Sing Along (special event schedule)

I am so grateful for  your work, dedication, and commitment to our students - this is such a gift for not only me, but for everyone you touch.  Wishing you the spirit of the holidays this week, to enjoy your students, and each other!  And then, the gift of time with family, friends, and yourself.  

Merry Christmas! 

December Dilemma

 December Dilemma

As we move further into December, the following are some reminders for referencing. Because all of our students have different home experiences, their feelings around this time of year vary. A variety of backgrounds, beliefs, demographics and family situations impact how our students react throughout these upcoming weeks. We try and keep our schedules as consistent as possible because we know this can play into a feeling of unrest for some of our students. I know all of you still try your best to keep the learning expectations as consistent as you can to help students feel grounded, even if their lives outside of school are not. Thank you for the commitment you show to our students each and every day.

- REMINDERS  -

The holiday season can be tricky when acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during this time of year, while also balancing the need for sustained quality teaching and learning. The following guidelines can help:

 

● Public schools must never appear to endorse religion over non-religion or one particular religious faith over another. 

● Public schools must be careful not to cross the line between teaching about religious holidays (which is permitted) and celebrating religious holidays (which is not). 

● Religious music, literature, art or other religious activities should not dominate school activities. School events, assemblies, concerts and programs must be designed to further a secular and objective program of education and must not focus on any one religion or religious observance. 

● Religious symbols are not appropriate seasonal decorations in public schools. At the same time, students should not be restricted from choosing to express their religious views in course assignments (e.g., artwork, personal narrative). 

● High quality standards-based instruction and student learning is the expectation in December as it is throughout the school year. Holiday activities should be a minimal part of the school day. Based on district procedure 330.1, the showing of full length movies is limited to those shown with direct alignment to current curriculum and require prior principal approval, and with the purchase of a movie license. You are allowed to show "snippets" of movies without a license (but not the entire movie).

● The goal for our schools is that we provide an inclusive learning environment for all students. Every student should feel welcome and represented at a public school and should be able to participate in every activity we have.

 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions that may arise.

Wishing you a wonderful week.

December Mindset: 100% Accountable

 December Mindset: 100% Accountable 

December's Mindset is 100% Accountable.  100% accountability teaches us that we are not victims of our past, our future is not predetermined, and our lives are what we choose form this moment onward.  With a focus on recognizing fears and excuses, this mindset allows us to break down barriers, freeing our minds and focusing our energy to take the critical step towards our goals.  It's a perspective that looks inward and builds a sense of responsibility.  I thought the following "tips" were helpful for us as adults (or parents!), as well as some things we can share with our students.

1.  Accept responsibility

One of the first and fastest ways to own your life is to take responsibility for your life.  The good, the bad, the ugly - it's all on you!  Our perspectives, attitudes, reactions, feelings, thoughts, beliefes - these are all things that we control ourselves.  This is an amazing thing because it means that you can create the life you want since you are at the wheel.

2.  Stop blaming

It's very easy to blame sometimes, especially since most of us have some sort of experience of being treated wrongly or unfairly as children.  We can't let negative things from our past have any power over our today.  Every morning, you have a clean slate. No one can stop you from being the person that you want to be or living the life you desire to live, unless you grant them that power.

3.  Forgive

Forgiveness is a huge task, usually one that requiers a lifetime of repeating. By holding a grudge, you are harboring negative energy, which will only poison you.  And sometimes, the ones we hold the most grudges against are ourselves, for past mistakes and actions we deeply regret.  You can't live a happy life if at some subconscious level you don't believe you deserve one.  Everything we experience, even the bad, helps us grow in some way.  Forgive others and yourself, and instead be grateful for the lessons you've gained.

4.  Change your attitude

Your attitude plays more importance on your quality of life than you may think.  Ever notice when you have a bad attitude that your day just seems to be getting worse? It's because you're a ball of negative energy walking around collecting more nearby negative energy!  When you force yourself to be in a good mood (and yes, many days it does require force) and you look for the good things in your day,  you bring more good things to you.  Don't waste another day pushing the good things away!

5.  Decide what you want

Have you thought about what you really want in life?  Not what your mom wants fo ryou, not what you think is easiest to accomplish, but what you want.  If money or circumstances weern't an issue, what would your heart most long ot do? The magic of this universe that we live in is that it meets us more than halfway when we go after a dream.  When we really know what we want and believe we can have it, when we epect it to happen, we set magical forces in motion that arrange the people and circumstances in our lives necessary to achieve our dream. 

6.  Become intentional

Become intentiaon with your time.  Implement a daily routine.  Highly successful people are known for following morning routines every day.  A time that you prepare for your day first without letting the outside world bombard your mind, so you feel mentally prepared.  Also, become intentional about the kind of people and information you let come into your experience.  Negative people, stories, and articles that promote hate, fear or controversy only breed more negativity and drag you down.

7.  Compete with no one

When we don't focus on our own path because we are too busy looking around us to see where everyone else is, we start to stumble.  We start wondering if we're not good enough, or why good things are happening to others and not us.  Don't focus on anyone else but you.  Be grateful for where you are and the things you have achieveed.  Every day is a fresh start to go after your own dreams and improve yourself from your yesterday.

Owning our lives can seem a ibt overwhelming at first, but if you just start small and turn everything into a habit as you go along, in no time you will begin seeing the obvious and transforming things of living life with a different mindset.  There is no better time to start than now!