Friday, November 18, 2011

Friday Focus - November 18, 2011

  • Just a quick word on next week.  Because everyone is furloughing two days, none of us are allowed to work in any capacity next week because of the Federal Law on furloughing.  This means no reading or writing emails (I know that you are heartbroken). 
  • Remember that BAT II is the week that we return.  We will be testing on Tuesday - Friday that week.  We also have our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Honor Roll assemblies on the Monday we return.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving break.  Please enjoy your time with your family and friends.  This is a great time to remember how lucky we are.  I know that this year has been difficult in various ways, but each of you has put those to the side to make sure that each of our students receives a quality education that only Floranada can deliver.  Thank you for everything that you do for our children and for making our school the best around and a truly special place to be every day.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Quote of the week:

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Friday Focus - November 11, 2011

  • November's Birthday Table and Super Citizen Ceremony are both Tuesday, November 15. 
  • Report Cards go home next Thursday, November 17.  
  • There will be a Faculty Meeting next Thursday.  Michael Berg from SIU will be here to discuss school safety.
  • Terrific Kids will come down to the Media Center next Friday at 1:15 to receive their packets and to be recorded for WFTV.
  • The deadline for Falcon Express articles is next Friday.  I am now sending the Falcon Express newsletter to our parents via email so more parents now have access to this.  It would be great to have news from each of the grade levels in the Falcon. 
Poem of the Week - This is a great one from Langston Hughes entitled "Dreams":


Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow. 

Friday, November 4, 2011

Friday Focus - November 4, 2011

  • This was a great week for me in getting to meet with grade level teams and with individual teachers during our data chats.  Thank you to our teachers for reaffirming my belief that this is one of the best groups that anyone could ever work with.  You were prepared to discuss students' strengths and weaknesses, you were able to discuss multiple forms of data, and you stated how you would help each child grow throughout the school year.  I feel privileged to work with you in helping our students achieve to their highest level.   
  • Zak and Adam will be here today to assist you with any technology issues.  
  • Report Cards are due next Tuesday to Team Leaders for their review and then to Administration next Thursday.
  • Names of Honor Roll students (grades 3-5) and Terrific Kids (all grades) are due next Thursday.  Terrific Kids will be honored on the afternoon of November 18 in the Media Center.  
  • Dr. Lewis and I will be beginning teacher "hold harmless" observations next week.  Teachers, please be aware that we will bring our laptops with us as the observation instrument is online.  Please remember that these "observations" are just for practice. 
Quote of the week - I thought I'd try a poem this week...

Success

by: Ralph Waldo Emerson

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
A garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.