It is my pleasure, on behalf of the entire building staff, to wish each and every one of you the warmest of Holiday Greetings! 

Can it possibly be December already? It has been a most productive fall for both our staff and students.  Students have been at task working on classroom projects, memory work, experiments, reading and homework enrichment.  Students have also been learning to balance school work with after school extra curricular sporting activities.  This type of balancing act is difficult for some adults to do, not to mention, adding this to a young adolescent’s life.  I must admit, I am very proud of our young people’s growth and progress with this life skill. 

Staff members have been equally at task working not only in their classrooms, but as members of Professional Learning Community teams (PLC teams).  These teams have found staff working cooperatively with grade alike and subject alike partners in the building and in conjunction with St. John teachers.  Staff teams have been prioritizing g subject areas standard into Power Standards (The most important lessons/content for each subject). Focus on the Power Standards have pushed staff toward the creating of powerful and enriching lessons, which are deeply focus on the importance of student learning and the needs of our varied learners.

All-in-all, an upbeat energy is buzzing in the building.  We look forward to continuing this energy level into December and an opportunity to work with our county-wide Teaching partners in later January.  I am most encouraged by and proud of the effort of the staff.

Along with students and staff finding balance in their schedules, I am sharing a few ideas for helping families in finding balance in the morning time before school.  The article’s source comes from a collection of Resources for Families and Educators, a division of Aspen Publishers. 

A calm and happy school morning begins the night before.  Go to bed knowing everything’s in order with these tips:

□      Check the weather forecast and help your child choose clothes, coat, and shoes.

□      Have her stow her backpack by the door. Be sure she has put in homework, lunch money, and permission slips.

□      Together, plan breakfast, and pack a healthy snack or lunch.

□      Test your youngster for tomorrow’s quiz one last time.

Note: In the morning, set the oven timer to go off five minutes before your child has to leave.  That will be the signal to put on socks and shoes and head out the door.

As the holidays approach, no doubt all of us will be looking to support balance in our busy lives.  As always, do let us know how we can assist you or your child here at school.  Their individual and collective successes are of top priority.  Please contact me 509-657-3523, 509-648-9942 or at my email address sschmick@ endicott.wednet.edu.  Again, happy, safe holidays to each of our families and best wishes for a Happy New Year!!