source: textimages.us

Dear Educators,

There is nothing worse to our image than telling non-educators that your can’t wait for summer break and that you won’t have to work until September. Yes it is somewhat true, but the reality is that this time is spent reflecting on the school year, and preparing for the next school year.

In fact, many educators attend conferences, connect with each other through social media, read books, devour ideas on Pintrest, and work other jobs….Be prepared to articulate that to the folks who make it their job to criticize us. It will help our profession immensely. We don’t need any more fodder for the anti-teacher movement in this country.

Source: buffalocatholiccemeteries.org

As we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States, I think it is important to understand how we can provide students with opportunities to learn about this holiday. With the advent of technology, and web 2.0 tools, these learning opportunities are right at your fingertips. Let me know if you put them into the classroom and how it impacted your students’ learning.

5 Learning Opportunities for Memorial Day. As you will notice that the activities listed below climb Bloom’s Taxonomy. Be sure to have them go through all the stages to realize the full potential of learning:

1. History of Memorial Day – Check out Apples 4 the Teacher’s comprehensive site about the History of Memorial Day. Also, you can use the History Channel’s 4 minute video to assist with background knowledge
2. Understanding the Impact – Education World has a graphing activity for all grade levels so that the students can see the impact of those who lost their lives fighting for the country.
3. Virtual visitation – There are literally thousands of opportunities for students to take a virtual tours of the various memorials throughout the country. One place to start is the The National Mall and Memorial site. Halo creatives has a virtual tour of the National Mall.
4. Skype or Google Hangout with a Veteran – Make this activity an opportunity for you or your students to connect with someone who is either unable to visit the classroom because of health or distance. Ask your students if they have a relative, or I am sure someone in your school has a connection. Have the students develop questions for the Skype. Interview a few people and have the students analyze and evaluate the stories or maybe have them compare/contrast their learning.
5. Pay it forward – Have your students create a wiki, video, Prezi, or Augmented Reality activity for others. Make sure to post it in a blog so that others can learn!

Prior to the release of his now Best Selling book, the PrincipalCast crew interviewed Eric Sheninger about Digital Leadership. As you prepare for the summer, and maybe you are going to read the book, here is a a podcast with the man himself. Find out what he feels about the future of leadership, common core, and even when he works out…. Check it out! Let us know what you think

Episode 14: 

Photo by Carrie Sinone

I just celebrated my 4th Olympic Day as Principal of RM Bacon. The tradition of Olympic Day goes back to 1978 when a few Physical Education teachers got together and wanted to bring all of the elementary schools together for fun, community, and competition.Every year on the Friday before Memorial Day, the elementary kids and teachers in 4th and 5th grade parade through the town meet at the High School. Kids compete in various events such as Newcomb, Baketball, Kickball, Softball throw, as well as track events. The day of competition concludes with the tug of war!

As a principal, I am always so proud of the kids. They paint their face, their hair and as they parade through the town, they chant our school’s name. When they return after the day of competition, we play “We are the Champions” over the loudspeaker. Then, they join in the Fun Day activities that the K-3 graders were involved with throughout the day. The kids get to go in Bouncy Houses, Water Slides, and eat snow cones. Then we send them home to their parents for the 3 day weekend tired, wet, and blue! It is always a special time!

Pictures from the day: 

Photo by Carrie Sinone

Photo by Carrie Sinone

Photo by Carrie Sinone

Photo by Carrie Sinone

Photo by Carrie Sinone

source: www.change.org

This morning at our staff meeting, the district’s Anti-Bullying Coordinator trained us in the “Characteristics of Bullying.” The presentation covered the various aspects to bullies, victims and bystanders as well as helpful tips to maintain a bully free learning space.  At the conclusion of the presentation, we discussed 6 tips for staff.

Here are the 5 suggestions to address the bullying situation: 

1. Be sure that students know that you listened to them – Often times, parents and students will say that they told the teacher and nothing was done. Usually, that is not the case. Teachers deal with these concerns on a daily basis. Our suggestion, let the students know you will look into it, and that they might not see the outcomes, but if the issue comes up again, make sure to let them know.

2. Identify the balance of power – Do the students in question have the same power, or does one have more? Is this a case of bickering, or drama, or does someone always have the upper hand? This may be difficult to see or hear, so asking students about it or doing your own lesson in the classroom could help.

3. Avoid getting on the students level – Do not use sarcasm, instigate situations, or get involved in the student drama. Be the adult, don’t exasperate the situation. Sometimes easier said then done, but it is always important to be the adult in the situation.

4. Follow up, follow up, follow up – One way to make students “know” that you have listened to them, and that something was “done” take the time to ask them if things have improved. If they need to speak to guidance or the principal, be sure to refer them immediately.

5. Help the bully – If there is a student who doesn’t like to keep a balance of power with the other kids, take time to help them understand. You can’t bully the bully out of bullying because then you become the bully! Model the interactions you want them to use when dealing with other.

6. Empower the bystanders – Very rarely does bullying happen out of the watchful eye of students. Encourage the students, the witnesses, the bystanders to break the code (snitches get stitches). If they can’t tell an adult, then the bullying will get worse. There are lots of lessons, and learning opportunities to encourage the bystanders to speak up.

In addition, we read the No Bullying Pledge every morning on the announcements. Feel free to use it.

I will treat everyone with respect, I will try to solve problems in a peaceful way, I will not take part in any actions that purposely hurts another person, I will join with friends to stand up for kids who are being picked on.

source: progood.me

I believe it was our former President, Bill Clinton, who famously said, “We can agree to disagree, but let’s not be disagreeable.” I have always resonated with the quote because I firmly believe it is true. I use it often when I am dealing with staff, parents and even students.

The next time you are in an argument, or a heated discussion and it seems to be headed nowhere try to use the quote. 99 times out of 100, you can turn an argument around and stay process centered.

Source: crownheights.info

Each day, no matter how crazy, insane, busy eventually ends… As a principal, the minute that the dust settles, becomes the opportunity for reflection. For instance, a few minutes ago, the last person left the office for the night. Peace and quiet enveloped the atmosphere. It was the first time all day that this office was quiet. Some leaders like to get right out when this happens. For me, I cherish these minutes and try to make the most of them. I usually take 5 or 10 minutes to reflect on the days events. This is also when I tend to blog. I whole hardheartedly believe that reflection is the key to improvement.

Here are 5 key strategies to make the most of when the dust settles:

1. Enjoy it – You know it won’t last
2. Recap the positive and negative aspects of the day
3. Make a plan for the next day
4. Write a journal (or blog) this will help your leadership
5. Be sure to leave it at work

Let me take a selfie!

How do you get people excited about your school? Get some gear, put it on and walk around the school! As we prepare for our annual Olympic Day and Fun Day activities, we made sure to drum up excitement after 2 weeks of state testing. It was time that everyone got back to smiling, and to the real work of creating a world-class school!

This year we ordered visors as an attempt to keep our eyes shaded and school spirit flowing. Something as simple as a visor, new t-shirt or any other spirit wear can assist in developing a “brand” for your school. In order to sell them, I walked around the school and took selfies with the first to buy the visors…

Here are some of the pictures from the day

our adopted school dog, Rookie!

Our guidance counselor is so happy to be done with testing!

Just a few of the visors on display

Then, as we were separating the Olympic Day and Fun Day shirts, I got two volunteers to model the new gear. We walked around the school and they posed for pictures in the various events they will compete in on Friday! I took those pictures and a few minutes later I had them on the School Blog for all to see… This only took a few minutes, and using the technology available to everyone (smart phones and free blog sites) viola… Just a few visors, shirts, selfies and spirit ….What a great school! 

source: allourdays.com

As I plan for the summer, I always try to provide the staff with some resources… As educators, I feel that the summer is not only a great time to recharge the batteries, but also a time to learn. So what do you have planned for yourself? your staff? your students this summer?

Here are 10 ideas for this summer

1. Learn how to use Augmented Reality

2. Take the Digital Leadership Challenge

3. Read Digital Leadership by Eric Sheninger

4. Connect with an educator on Skype (or GHO) and write about the experience

5. Redesign your learning space

6. Take pictures of your vacation and make a travel blog for students

7. Subscribe to an educational podcast

8. Attend an edcamp or some other free professional development opportunity 

9. Participate in a few twitter chats 

10. Find a great children’s book to “deliver” to your students in the fall

Provide me with some ideas… I would love to add them to my resources page for the summer of 2014!

source: www.cherigregory.com

As I scanned the twitterverse today, I missed spending time with friends and tweeps at EdCamp Philly. I wasn’t able to attend because I had so much to catch up on. As I am sure you can understand, the life of an educator can get really busy, and this is a very busy time of year. For the past two days I have written about the changes at my school. Let’s just say I was extremely happy that I woke up this morning and it was Saturday. So, instead of attending the EdCamp in Philly, I played catch-up.

My day ended up being a productive catch up day! I worked out in the morning, cleaned the house, mowed the lawn, blogged, played soccer with my daughter, and took my son to Karate…. and I still have time to spare, time to relax. I know my kids have “movie night” planned tonight! What a great day playing catch up!