Trust Me

I attended the 2015 International Literacy Association's gathering in St. Louis last week. 
A final session found our team in the delightful company of "Bad Kitty" author Nick Bruel. 

By the way, my colleagues are

 smart, caring, and passionate.
That is a great combination, if you

care about nurturing learning 
opportunities for youngsters. 

Bruel's lighthearted luncheon banter
ended upon a serious note when he
alluded to an article by Debra Kachel, concerning  the gradual disappearance
 of school libraries across the U. S.
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/122293/school-libraries-are-under-attack 
  
That factoid has serious implications if
we're dedicated to improving literacy for
our families, schools, and community.

If you advocate for helping kids learn
how to read and write, then you'll
applaud, uphold, and use the library.

  You will support the librarian by building
a relationship, or volunteering to help
promote their many programs.  

You'll echo their mission by reading to
and with children at any opportunity.

The library provides essential services. 
Libraries are centers for the arts.
They champion youth.
Libraries are stable spots where we
gather to explore, interact, and imagine.  

Strengthening and promoting
literacy is indispensable and libraries
are an essential part of the effort.

Learn more about ILA: 

http://www.reading.org/

Happy Endings

June is nearly over.
School's out until August. 
Amid chores our janitorial staff
are busying themselves with,  staff
who will not return for the new term
have packed up and cleared  things
from classrooms and offices.  
They're turning in their keys. 

Before youngsters left for 
summer break, I posed this question:  

 "Just what should teachers and our
principal do now that they're not
   coming back to Parkside next year?
What shall make them happy in retirement?" 

Prognostications
   made, here are their proposals: 

#5  "Get a cool, new pet."

 They suggested something

unusual, perhaps a pig.  Why? 

A pig will help you make new friends.

#4  "Eat all your favorite foods."

They guessed retirees would opt for burgers & s'mores.

#3  "Hang out with friends & those you love."

 Now that is sage advice!

Note their phrase:  "Hang Out."

#2  "Every so often, get all dressed-up."

They cautioned me that men who retire

 would not have to dress-up as often as ladies.

#1 "Take lots of naps."  

Tough job, yet someone has to do it.

Kids are wise;
listen to them more often. 

  In the conversations about retirement

and ending a school year,
sincere feelings concerning all
four woman began to spill out.

"They are ending their school year forever."

 

Everyone had an opinion about

Mrs. Large, Mrs. Dickerson,
Mrs. Mullen, and or  Mrs. Frederick. 

I'm not sure that the teachers or

staff at a school always realize,

really realize how very important
they are in the lives of their students.

The youngsters had numerous,
sincere opinions about each
(beyond time management suggestions)

related to "happiness." 

The realization that these familiar
people would no longer be present daily,
was prompting some thoughtful responses.

Several were upset that they'd never

have a chance to have these
retirees as a classroom teacher.

Many wished they'd see one or more

of the women back, as substitutes.

I'll never forget this response:

"Oh she's so special.

She made learning fun again, for me."

"She always believed in us

and I'll miss her," was
echoed by so many students.

Yes, careers come to a close,
and "happy endings" are grand.

I just hope that these women
understand that they've

made an important difference
in the lives of many children.

Yes indeed, we shall miss them!

I trust they'll continue finding

fulfilling ways to spend their days.

 

 

Ten Positives

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed.  Happiness is
the spiritual experience of living every
minute with love, grace, and gratitude."

                                                              ~Denis Waitley

Walking together

Having shoes

Sharing conversation
Knowing the route

Feeling safe

Sheltered from rain
Laughing
Heading home
Giving encouragement
Feeling capable
 

 

Dear Mom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRsI77c4q8I

What's One Thing You
Want to Say About Your Mom?
From SoulPancake 
 

Recently I found out what Kindergarten, First, and Second graders think about the adult women in their families.  At no time were they at a loss for words!  My customers earnestly gave their impressions of mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and even great grandmothers. 

It began with Blueberries for Sal.  If you haven't discovered it, treat yourself

to this Robert McCloskey tale. 

We went on to fashion pouches using
paper decorated with individual
drawings and watercolor images. 
Filled with some sweets and a
note for the intended recipients, the
creations will likely become
Mother's Day surprises.    

Wish I could see the faces of these

beloved women when they're handed

those "little packages of love" during 

the next few days.  Discovering how
the children feel will surely reaffirm
the deep devotion our youngsters
feel for those whom they depend upon.

  

I savored their lovely colors and artwork. 
The notes were filled with 

honest feelings such as these:

"You are a lot of stuff.  

Mostly, you are pretty."

  "I really, really, really, really, really love you!"

"You are the best!"

"You will always be in my heart!"


"I love playing games with you!"


"The chocolate chip cookies
you make are so yummy!" 

"Our Mom is the loveliest one I know."

"You are as sweet as candy."

 "You rock!"

"My favorite time of the day is

when you tuck me into bed
and give me a kiss good night." 

"Thank you for being my Mommy!"



"You're my hero."


"My mom is the 
prettiest one in the whole world."


"You are so nice to me!"

Building Project

Post images on your blog.

Print and place each in a binder

Display them for inspiration.

http://www.teachthought.com/literacy-2/600-other-ways-to-say-common-things-improving-student-vocabulary/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem&utm_content=550da76c15bb3b0ea0000002&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Help youth "speak" more fluently and

and write better by enriching vocabularies.

"Devour or Write," As Much As Possible!

A wonderful time is here,
"National Poetry Month."

Immerse yourself in verse.
Share your enthusiasm for
poems with reckless joy and delight!

Read, write, recite some poetry.

Treat yourself to glorious lines and stories. 

After all, poems are a
language of history,
longing, despair, courage,
and often a beautiful song.

Notable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9STI37rRQo

Sonya Romero could be your neighbor.

First of all, she's a parent.   

She's currently an educator at Albuquerque Public Schools.  Go there and you'll
find this teacher in a kindergarten
classroom at Lew Wallace Elementary.   

  

Sonya Romero considers herself a 

"first responder,"

by serving her pupils in all ways that
enable them to feel valuable, secure, safe.

I like her thinking!

It is essential for the youngsters
who enter into the classroom to

feel a part of something important. 
The school experience is often the
initial community each child becomes a
part of, beyond that of their family.  

  Sonya is not unlike many educators
today who value their kids as the unique human beings they are, not simply
a "number" on the class roster.  

She was recently surprised and
honored by Ellen Degeneres
(watch the segment on the link above)
for the impact Sonya Romero's made
at her workplace, on behalf of children.    

It does a heart "good" to make a difference.

Thanks to the teachers
who do that every day.