Hey Winfield, Thank a Teacher
During this “Teacher Appreciation Week”
The greatest UCLA basketball coach, serving from 1965 - 1975, had the best record, with 620 WINS and only 147 LOSSES, with only two loses at home over that 10 year span! His focus was on the fundamentals, sportsmanship, the basics, learning the game, how to execute plays, and what followed was a win. By stressing the people, procedures, and processes, the product was often positive.
Later, talking with a coach here in the middle school, I was reminded of how a lesser coach might focus on wins and losses over fundamentals, building skills, learning the basics, and ground laying foundation work. Similarly, we may have pulled us off the mark by focusing too much energy on the ENDS and not enough focus on the MEANS. As we wrap up, let’s not be overcome or distracted from our highest and best work. Lets re-center as we wind down and not quit or give up, but remember these things about our students…
The struggle is real.
Students are filled with the uncertainty, doubt and ambiguity about the future.
Love them!
Is their behavior a cry for help?
They are especially susceptible to the changes and transitions happening at the beginning and end of a school year.
So the question becomes,
“How much do academics matter?”
.
Mathematics
ELA
Keep it up!
2016-17 in Green
2015-16 in Red
Is our focus on the scores or on the excellence achieved in the preparation?
Maybe this is what the first quote is trying to address?
Summer Academy
Summer Academy will meet daily. The AM will be an academic focus and the PM will use the kinesthetic adventures to build relational connections to the high school. Students will be able to use transportation, and meals are provided as well.
May 1st - May 12th
Monday - May 1
- BLACK/ LAST DAY OF BLOCK SCHEDULING
Tuesday - May 2
- Spring Choir Concert - Middle School Gym at 7:00 PM
Wednesday - May 3
- 6th MAP Testing tomorrow - get good sleep!
Thursday - May 4
- MAP TESTING BEGINS
- 6th grade ELA in the AM and Math in the PM
Friday - Cinco de Mayo
- MAP - 8th Grade ELA
Monday - May 8
- MAP TESTING CONTINUES
- 8th Grade Science in the AM
- 6th & 8th grade Make-ups in the PM
Tuesday - May 9
- MAP TESTING CONTINUES
- 7th grade ELA in the AM and Math in the PM
Wednesday - May 10
- MAP TESTING CONTINUES
- 8th grade Math
Thursday - May 11
- MAP TESTING Make-ups
Friday - May 12
- Six Flags
THE NEXT WEEK, IT BEGINS!
Middle School MAP Testing - May 4th - 11th
Please follow Test Taking Suggestions
Get plenty of rest, exercise and stress-free activities
Upcoming/Ongoing
- Step Up Days for the 5th Graders
- We have worked these days into a different type of event this year. We are working on a plan to maximize our learning as well as set the minds at ease of the incoming 5th graders.
- TBD: May 15th or 16th (Not the Field Day)
- All 5th grade students will visit the building together
- They will travel, tour, explore lockers and eat lunch in small groups
- Details will follow
- Spring Choir Concert - May 2nd
- Middle School MAP Testing - May 4th - 11th
- Please follow Test Taking Suggestions
- Get plenty of rest, exercise- and stress-free activities
- SIX FLAGS TRIP - May 12
- Senior Clap Out - May 12th
- Field Day - May 15th - The Consummate Ac Lab Challenge
- Spring Band Concert - May 16th
- Chris’ Cakes - May 17th
- Last Day of School - May 17th
- High School Graduation - May 21st at 2:00 PM
- 2017-18 6th Grade Back to School Night - Thursday, August 10, 2017
Where is the focus?
On the grade or on the learning?
As I contemplate our efforts, what we have done so far and where we have come from, I see what that looks like from my perspective. As a coach, I should worry more about the process and less about the actual outcome. Although it is still valuable, the journey deserves more attention. The process as well as the product has value!! For instance, I should make sure they know how to turn a double play, bunt at the right time and swing for the fences as well!
Tom McCracken
