Friday Flush 8/30/13

What an amazing week!  I cannot be more pleased with this week.  Yes, we have some issues here or there, but we were prepared and able to be flexible to deal with them all!  Thank you….thank you….THANK YOU!

I got this magnet from Ms. Ljungdahl, and I thought it was perfect for a Mush or Flush.

 

What a great motto!  I think we need to look for ways to enjoy live instead of worrying or being mad….  I think we need to see the pure joy in seeing our friends rather than being unsure of what is out there.  I am not saying we shouldn’t be cautious, but just putting the enjoyment of an activity above all of the doubt, can sometimes be the difference.  Our circumstances in life don’t change, but our reaction to them can.  Positive or happy people don’t have better lives than grumpy people….they just have a better outlook.

 This weekend try to think of some places you should enjoy life more.  I need this for sure.  I am always thinking of what is next or how I can be more efficient.  My kids and family just want me to enjoy the now and hang out.  So, find time this weekend to enjoy the now and wag that tail!

Happy Friday!

First Day of School Monday Mush

 

Hopefully everyone is rested up ready to go!  It is going to be a great first day, and I truly appreciate all of the energy that you have put into this school year before the kids even showed up. 

I think this pictures show some of the emotions that are going on right now.  I know kids are nervous, but excited.  I know they are curious about their year, teacher, and classmates.  I know that you have the power to calm their anxiety and raise their excitement.  I hope that everyone finds a way to tap into their  student’s enthusiasm for day one to carry it out till June!  I think parents are nervous too, but I know many are ready to let us have them for a while!  Keep them in the loop, and enjoy creating that partnership!

 

Remember to look for the kid that doesn’t have the new backpack or the new shoes…give him the extra hug, and pass on some info to our counselor, as we have plenty of community members ready to help them out! 

You guys are great….enjoy the day….keep kids safe and happy and BREATHE! 

Thanks for all you do….happy Monday!

Friday Flush 8/23/13

What a week!  I know it has been a TON of information, communication, and preparation.  You guys are an amazing team….When I look back over the week, I have a lot of highlights.  But, my favorite was Edcamp.  I loved watching you guys learn something from each other.  I think it was a great example how “None of us is as smart as all of us!”  I think the ideas were practical and able to be utilized quickly.  Thank you to those of you that willingly participated and presented.  You made it worthwhile.

Many of you are stressed this week.  And, there is a ton going on, so it is understandable.  Remember my philosophy is that if you are stressed, you care.  Some of you are thinking that you must care VERY deeply about right now.  But, think of the times in life you were most stressed….they almost always had something to do with something you cared deeply about.  This job isn’t a job….it is what you were designed to do.  I know it….I see it. 

So, in some ways, I appreciate your stress….I appreciate your heart to do the best you can now to prepare for these students.

Friday is a great day.  It is a day that starts all of the relationship building.  Remember that you may not be as prepared or ready as you want with your physical room, but I know you are fully prepared with your training and ability to create/foster relationships.  Thank you in advance for creating a warm environment from day 1. 

So, in the theme of stress, Ms. Lynch shared the attachment with me.  I think it is a great way to view how we handle stress.  As you move past meet the teacher and into the weekend, take some of these suggestions to help you unwind. 

Again, I appreciate you, and happy Friday!

 

 

 

 

Welcome Back Mush 2013-2014

As we are starting this new year, I am VERY excited.  We have done so much planning and hiring this summer that I am finally going to see it all in action.  There is sooooooo much talent going to be in the building, and I cannot wait to see all of the amazing things done on campus.  You are all truly change agents in the lives of students, each other, and this community.  Embrace that, and tap into your strengths and the strengths of others. 

One of the things that I commit to for this year is a Monday and Friday motivational message each week.  They have been coined the “Monday Mush” and the “Friday Flush” – as we flush out the week of stress to relax for the weekend.  I want these messages to give you some inspiration and help you set goals professionally and personally.  Some will be quotes, videos, and songs, but each is designed to help you.  I will NOT put school practical details in them, and I will not ever quiz you on if you watch/read them either.  They are there if you choose to read them, skim them, or delete them.  Each one is also posted on my blog….some people share that blog with relatives, and you are more than welcome to do so.  It is mushandflush.blogspot.com . 

 

I figured we needed to kick off this year with a “pep talk!”  This kid is amazing and hilarious.  I know many of you have seen him or this video, but it never gets old.

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o (3:28) – Feel free to stop at the 2:37 mark)

 

My favorite lines:

·         The world needs you to stop being boring

·         I mean are we on the same team?

·         If there are two roads, I want to be on the one that leads to awesome.

·         Don’t stop believing…unless your dream is stupid.

·         What will be your “Space Jam?”

·         We can make every day better for each other.

·         We were made to be awesome.

·         So get to it!

 Here is to an amazing year…thanks for being a part of this team!   We will have challenges and hard times, but it is a great team to lean on.  Feel free to lean on me as you know I will lean on you too!