tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80384553227728513712024-02-08T12:06:48.376-08:00First Things First!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-67006178722318300192016-10-06T07:14:00.001-07:002016-10-07T07:15:36.677-07:00The 2016 Presidential Election - Are we listening?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>424</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2419</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>20</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2970</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino"; mso-no-proof: no;">This year’s presidential race has
been contentious to say the least. During this blog I will attempt to remain
non-partisan and present two opportunities for learning and growth for our
children hopefully, in an unbiased manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino"; mso-no-proof: no;">Observing the first presidential
debate and listening to the vice-presidential debate, it’s obvious that both
sides have clear differing agendas that they want to promote regardless of any
agreed upon rules of conduct prior to the debates. This year's quadrennial
presidential election is creating more than a democrat-republican divide, it is
creating a social and cultural divide as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino"; mso-no-proof: no;">Through history we have seen
elections like this that have not only shaped our culture and social fabric,
but our Constitution as well. A look at the 1800 presidential election (made famous through the musical Hamilton) of
Thomas Jefferson brought about the 12<sup>th</sup> Amendment of the
Constitution. Some of the rhetoric of that campaign (which brought rise to the
two party system) mirrors the current divide in philosophies we have today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino"; mso-no-proof: no;">Regardless of where you stand on
different issues, a clear message can be sent to our children...and that is to
<b>listen</b>. Simply listen to each other. Listening can open doors of understanding
which then can lead the higher order thinking skill of <b>empathy</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino"; mso-no-proof: no;">The noun empathy refers to: (1)
the ability to comprehend another person’s actions and emotions, (2) the
identification of thoughts and emotional states within others, (3) the capacity
to understand a person’s emotional reaction, (4) the awareness of another’s problems,
without experiencing them. In general, empathy can be understood as “walking a
mile in another’s shoes” or to “see where they are coming from.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 31.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Developing active listening skills and empathy
can bring us together rather than keep us apart. Whether the larger issue is
police violence/racial tensions, foreign trade, or sharing blocks in
kindergarten, these skills make us better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 31.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">It is my hope by beginning a dialogue about
active listening and empathy within the home and our school we will create future leaders who will
be able to see issues more clearly.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "palatino";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 31.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Sumner Academy will begin the process of our
own presidential election after Fall Break. Our eighth graders will conduct
voter registration prior to the election and issue voter cards to each student
pre-kindergarten through eight. They then will assign electoral votes to each grade based on enrollment. On election day, the eighth graders will open a
polling station and be responsible for the collection and tabulation of popular
votes as well as electoral votes. Results will be announced after they are
verified by the “election commission” (also eighth graders).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 31.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The process of working and participating in
an election goes to the core of our democratic society and provides wonderful
learning opportunities for our school. Hopefully, this process combined with a
focus on listening and developing empathy will provide our children with
lifelong tools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-27663840415195546512015-08-10T10:34:00.000-07:002015-08-10T10:34:01.141-07:00Read to those Kids!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>352</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2011</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>16</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2469</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">It
was the summer of 1983 and I had just learned that I would be teaching fourth
grade at Clark Elementary School in Charlottesville, Virginia. My very first full time teaching position! At that time, I
was a breakfast bar manager at Shoney’s. An unexpected thing happened after I announced
the fact to a few co-workers. Toby the bus “boy” had worked at Shoney’s since
it had opened and was probably in his late 60’s at the time. He came up to me
and said the following, “Heard you’re gonna be a teacher. I only know one thing
about learnin and that is you need to <b>read to those kids</b>.” This was some excellent
advice from an unlikely source. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">I
did read to those fourth graders, and to the second and fifth graders I taught
as well. This year as I was preparing to teach U.S. history to our eighth
graders, I was able to sit down with Sumner Academy teaching legend Brenda
Whitsell. I was delighted to hear that she regularly read picture books to the
eighth graders for U.S. history. She said student faces lit up like it was like
a holiday if they saw a picture book on her desk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Story
time can set the stage for a love of reading. If you do not currently have a
regular time to read, here are some guidelines for you:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-fareast-font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Schedule a regular time to read. Bedtime is good,
but I usually would fall asleep until nudged by one of my children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-fareast-font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Have your children predict what a new book will be
about by examining the cover illustration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-fareast-font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Vary your books to expand their exposure to
different kinds of books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-fareast-font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Let your children participate by discussing the
illustrations, turning pages, finishing rhyming lines, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-fareast-font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Use different voices for different characters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-fareast-font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Take turns choosing. Children have traditional
favorites which they will ask for over and over again, this allows you to
introduce new books for your turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-fareast-font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Have one evening per week designated as reading
night…no screens!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Reading
is the essential tool in the attainment of all of our learning. When you model
reading, you set an example which your children will emulate. Just remember to
stay awake while reading!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Here
are some recommended lists for reading aloud:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;"><a href="http://www.readaloudamerica.org/booklist.htm">http://www.readaloudamerica.org/booklist.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/read-aloud">https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/read-aloud</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;"><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/books-for-kids#.qgVRNql3JN">http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/books-for-kids#.qgVRNql3JN</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-29538198415390782392015-07-20T09:21:00.002-07:002015-07-20T09:21:15.075-07:00Back to...already?
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>443</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2530</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>21</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3107</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Back to…already?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">It seems that major retailers clear out Fourth of
July displays and bring in the Back to School displays…much to the dismay of
children around the country. In the spirit of the Back to School supplies
everywhere, I’d thought I’d send out a blog about getting your family ready for
the start of school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">(1) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Re-establish
those School Routines -</b> For younger children it is wise to start backing
that bedtime up so it’s not such a shock on the first day of school. Also,
start moving wake-up times earlier during the last two weeks of summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">(2) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Keep
Morning Madness to a Minimum</b> – Mornings with children were always hectic in
my household. It takes practice to have everything down to a science to make
your mornings enjoyable. It’s a good idea to have those school clothes out the
night before, lunches packed and ready to go, homework checked and in the
backpack, notes to the teacher, permission slips signed, etc. All these take
practice to help you get to school on time in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">(3) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Attend
Orientations and Meet and Greet at the School </b>– Whether you are new to a
school, or a seasoned veteran, meet the teacher and check out the classroom
with your child. This calms much of the anxiety they may have about the new
school year. This also provides you practice if you drive your children to
school. How long does it take? Am I taking the best path in terms of morning
traffic? How does carpool work?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">(4) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Make a
Sick Day Plan</b> – With most families having both parents working, this is
critical. You don’t want your child waiting at school feeling terrible, so it’s
best you have a plan ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you have multiple children, find a family who lives nearby who can
help with carpooling. The school should help you with a list of those who live
near you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">(5) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Create
an After School Plan</b> – Your child should have a regular time and place for
homework designated within your home. It makes homework easier to manage when
your child has supplies they need right there, instead of asking you every four
minutes where the ruler is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">(6) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Make
the Process a Family Affair</b> – Be aware of school events and programs and
try to join in as a family. Be involved with the school through volunteering.
Those who work during the day can still volunteer. Teachers have tons of projects
for volunteers that can be done at home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">(7) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stay in
Touch </b>– Ask the teacher how they prefer to be contacted. Some like texts,
others emails, and still others phone calls. Know how and when your teacher
likes to communicate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">(8) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Make
the First Day Memorable </b>- First day pictures adorn FaceBook every year.
Perhaps you would like to make a special breakfast that first morning. Others
may go out to dinner to celebrate a successful first day. You may want to write
a special note for your child’s lunch. You know your children the best, match
up a special event to celebrate that first day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">This will be my thirty-first first day of school
as an adult. I still get excited about the start of every new school year. Now
I just need to follow these eight steps!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-20542322790417539182015-01-23T08:26:00.000-08:002015-01-23T08:26:04.988-08:00Let's Head to the Movies
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>400</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2283</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>19</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2803</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Occasionally I will post a blog which is not
education related. Shocking I know, but there are actually other things roaming
around in my pea brain!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Amy and I love going to the movies. One of our
first dates was at Vinegar Hill Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia to see “The King and I” on the big
screen. For the last several years, we have enjoyed going to Oscar nominated
films. Not just in the best picture category, but across the board. This became
much easier once we became empty nesters. I am not a film expert and have not
taken any classes, I just rest on my 50+ years of movie going. From my big brother
taking me to “The Jungle Book” in the 60’s to this year’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“American Sniper.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">So, here are my thoughts on this year’s best
picture category (minus “Whiplash” which is the only movie we have yet to see).
I would place two movies together in the “out there” category: “Birdman” and “The
Grand Budapest Hotel.” Both were well acted (especially Michael Keaton) but
storylines were a bit too wacky for me. “Boyhood” is in a category all of its
own. No one has done what Richard Linklater has done before, so it is difficult
to judge. To me, it was too much like real-life. I go to the movies to escape
real-life, you can give me a good story like "Gone Girl" any day. We watched “Selma” on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Loved the acting
and story line and learned things I did not know about the three marches.
“American Sniper” was excellent showing one man’s realization that we all have
limitations, but we can in fact make profound differences in what we do. That leaves two more
“bio-pics” which I found outstanding: “The Imitation Game” and “The Theory of
Everything.” Both stories were engrossing and enlightening since I knew very little
about Alan Turing or Stephen Hawking. These would be my two favorites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Best performance by a lead actor goes to Michael
Keaton in “Birdman.” Steve Carell was creepy-good in “Foxcatcher.” Lead actress
goes to Reese Witherspoon. She gave a great performance in “Wild.” Julianne
Moore’s (not one of my favorite actresses) role in “Still Alice” is
heartbreakingly good. Supporting actor is close to me, but The Judge, Robert
Duvall gets the nod. Best supporting actress has some really good performances like Laura Dern in "Wild," but you can’t bet against Meryl Streep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Disappointment of the year goes to “Unbroken.” I
understand this story is long and full of twists and turns and would be very difficult to make. Apparently the sound was incredible. While it was enjoyable,
it did not catch the essence of the book. This goes into the great book, movie
OK file. Unlike my file for “The Monuments Men” which was a great book and
lousy movie. Another disappointment was the omission of “Life Itself” which is
a documentary on the life of Roger Ebert. This was outstanding. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">So, here are my random thoughts. Next time, it’s
back to school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-41923079768548929222015-01-15T09:15:00.003-08:002015-01-15T09:15:37.697-08:00One Week - Eight Middle School Classroom Observations
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>383</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2186</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>18</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2684</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The strength of any school can
and should be found in the classroom. This is why one of my all-time favorite
job responsibilities is to observe each classroom instructor formally. In the fall
of 2013, our faculty set forth on examining what should go into a lesson at
Sumner Academy. It was specific to our mission, students, and gifted
instructors. What came from that meeting was a lesson design with five
components; introduction, presentation, checking for understanding, independent
practice and closure. Also, eight teaching characteristics which should be
present for every lesson. They include; classroom management, compassion,
effective communication, enthusiastic/encouraging, expertise, flexibility, high
expectations, organized. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So, during an observation I look
for the five components of the lesson design as well as the eight teaching
characteristics and keep a running narrative on what is occurring in class as
well as thoughts on significant points on the lesson and possible changes for
improvement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
From my week of observing and
learning, I now know the following: (1) the origins of the discovery of DNA and
how to find the DNA of a strawberry and a human; (2) the controversial role of
Brutus in Shakespeare’s “<u>Julius Caesar</u>;” (3) factoring trinomials
forward and backward using the smiley face method; (4) the proper usage of
quotation marks; (5) various Spanish ocean related vocabulary; (6) using
complements such as predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives; (7) writing
traditional and modern haiku poetry; and (8) the culture and history of civil
disobedience and activism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Whew, I’m glad I just observed
and did not have to complete the homework assignments!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Here are a couple of
commonalities I saw in our instructors during the week. The first was how passionate
they each are about the discipline they teach. Without this passion, it would
just be reading the textbook, answering the questions, then completing the
homework. Our instructors go far beyond the classroom and bring technology to
our students to enhance their learning. I saw video clips, articles from
magazines, web based research, fun cooperative learning activities, hands-on
learning and much more. Another commonality came when I met with each
instructor individually. To a person, they were eager to hear what I had to say
and observed…even when I made a few suggestions. They each are willing to
change and adapt to make even more difference in the learning process for our
students.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
One instructor told her class I would be observing the following week. They were concerned with some of her "techniques" and "props" she used during instruction. Each subsequent lesson, the students would tell her, "uh, that might not be a good idea when Mr. J. comes in to observe." They even collected many things from the room and placed them in a "Tools of the Trade: DO NOT USE DURING OBSERVATION." You just got to love middle schoolers!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While my role of headmaster has
many duties and responsibilities which keep me from the classrooms, this truly
is my favorite time of the school year. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-18858198741199230162014-12-03T11:39:00.003-08:002014-12-03T11:39:52.930-08:00Humble in Victory, Gracious in Defeat
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>359</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2048</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>17</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2515</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
was a loser in college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup, check
the records, in each sport I participated in, I was a big loser. On second thought, they probably have burned the records by now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
I was fourteen, I tried out for and made the Arvco International junior soccer
team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a select group of
teenagers from around Kalamazoo, Michigan who excelled in soccer and traveled
around the state on the weekends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I still remember that first jersey, red and white vertical stripes with
the number 14 on the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
remember playing fullback and while trying to clear a ball, having it slip off
the side of my foot for an own goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They kept me around until I graduated from high school, and I was
fortunate enough to play in college for the Olivet College Comets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
first season was solid, winning as many games as we lost or tied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played in a league that featured two
highly ranked Division III teams, Calvin and Hope Colleges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It kind of fell apart half way through
my sophomore year with a bad losing streak to end the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The non-winning streak continued the next
season and then the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
managed to tie a few games but victory was something we did not experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, check the record book, I
believe they went three more seasons without a win.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
experience and a few more taught me valuable life lessons about why we do the
things we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gave me a base of
humbleness and one of introspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s easy as a parent to insulate our children from losing, but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">having them know that you are supporting
them in success as well as failure is even more important.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our children need a sense of stability
and structure that only we as parents can provide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than ask how many goals you scored, or what your
batting average is, we need to ask them if they gave it their all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
know that while playing soccer or other sports on teams that were not
successful can create stress and even a sense of failure, but we as parents
need to place the focus elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our children need to know it is OK to fail and that we have failed in
our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True growth comes from
learning from your past mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did I mention I also played tennis in college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My record of 2-23 REALLY made me very humble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did more apologizing to my opponent
than celebrating.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
not sure if Olivet College is still in the Division III NCAA soccer record book
anymore and I’m not really going to research that, but the experience is one
that helped make me who I am today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*
Last year the Olivet College Comets were nationally ranked!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-54626169117167847692014-11-25T12:05:00.001-08:002014-11-25T12:05:50.846-08:00At the Core of Being Grateful
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>342</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1951</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>16</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2395</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">All across America, we will be sitting down to a
big Thanksgiving meal and sharing what we are most grateful for in our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Near the top of the list for
me is being grateful to lead an independent school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having the opportunity to lead outstanding educators in
knowing precisely what is needed to teach our children well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being independent allows us to teach to
each child’s needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been
preparing students for high schools in this manner for a very long time and doing it exceptionally well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Our friends in the public schools have lost the
opportunity to teach what they feel is important due to the Common Core
Curriculum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">When we lose control over who we are, what we do, and how we do it, we
are lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wandering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">I have collected three quotes about the Common
Core from experts in education who are far smarter than me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what they had to say;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“The curriculum is to schooling as blueprints are to
builders, as maps are to travelers, as patterns are to clothing manufacturers,
as models are to designers, complicated by the fact that what needs to be
understood is dynamic, therefore impossible to model with a static curriculum.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marion Brady<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">“Some states adopted them without seeing a
finished draft. The standards, unfortunately, were never field-tested. No one
knew in advance whether they would improve achievement or depress it, whether
they would widen or narrow the achievement gap among children of different
races. It is hard to imagine a major corporation releasing a new product
nationwide without first testing it among consumers to see if it is successful.
But that is what happened with the Common Core standards.” Diane Ravitch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">“</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">However,
for me there are two far bigger problems <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">with the Standards themselves</span> – errors that arguably caused the
bulk of the current backlash. The writers of the Standards (especially in Math)
did a terrible job of 1) justifying the Standards as appropriate to college and
workplace readiness, and 2) explaining in detail what the Standards imply for
educational practice. The documents simply fail at communicating the kinds of
changes the Standards demand locally.” Grant Wiggins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While the debate rages on, I will sit down to our Thanksgiving meal grateful
for Sumner Academy and knowing we are doing what is best for our children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Our
mission is to discover and cultivate each child’s unique abilities.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-86255283705055823092014-11-17T05:14:00.003-08:002014-11-17T05:14:22.924-08:00Snow Day? A retro blog about decision making.<br />
Anatomy of a Snow Day<br />
<br />
Recently, Amy and I were able to drive to my hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan to visit with my mother and two brothers. It was a great drive and as we were approaching the Michigan state line, we began to see traces of snow on the ground! That was a great reminder to me to let you know of my thought process in determining what constitutes a snow day and what does not.<br />
<br />
The decision making process is different for our school in comparison to other surrounding independent schools and public schools. Things I do have to consider include our faculty and staff driving in, our parents and their drive in, our bus routes and safe pick up and delivery, and the safety in and around the campus. One thing I do not have to consider is having student drivers on the road! Our school calendar and the required number of days in attendance does not play a role in closing school, safety always comes first. There is a process regarding make up days should we go over the amount of extra days. This is highly unlikely however.<br />
<br />
If we do not close and the roads are questionable, our students are not counted tardy for that day. I want your child(ren) at school, but I want them safely brought to school, so take your time!<br />
<br />
When our area anticipates wintery weather, I rise at 5:00 AM or earlier and check the local news and the radar and forecast on the National Weather Service website. Since our decision is independent of all other schools, I like to make sure all bases are covered before I make a final decision. The first call I make is to Hannah so we can update our website and send out notices via email and text. Next, I call four local television stations Channels 2, 4, 5, and 17. In my experience in Memphis, I know that television stations are not the most reliable in regards to timely posting…so check our website first!<br />
<br />
At this point it is around 6:15 or 6:30 and I have another decision to make – stay home and sit by the fire, or go in to work and complete some much needed paperwork that has built up over the last several weeks. Sometimes, I choose to drive in just because I’m from Michigan and need to prove it to myself I can still drive in snow and ice. So, if you see me in a ditch somewhere, just shake your head as you pass. Stubborn Michigander.<br />
<br />
I hope this gives you some insight into how I make the decision to close or stay open. As you read, the fastest way to find out is to check our website at www.sumneracademy.org.<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-12010552185269267002014-11-06T09:13:00.003-08:002014-11-06T09:13:52.387-08:00Take Care Now
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>293</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1674</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>13</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2055</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">So, we were ready to have a big week of fun and
excitement for my wife’s fifty-fourth birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The week included dinner out, tickets to see Josh Turner at
the Ryman, and then head The Grove in Oxford, Mississippi Saturday for some
tailgating with her family and rooting the Volunteers on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One perforated appendix had other
ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">In the early morning hours of her birthday, she
complained of severe abdominal pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our daughter, Madelyn, had surprised her Sunday by coming home for the
celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, she ended up
taking her mother to the doctor’s office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An ultrasound was ordered for later that afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The initial reading of the ultrasound
was inconclusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told if
the pain became unbearable, head to the emergency room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning it was, we were in the
Skyline Medical Center’s ER at 6:00 AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had six, yes, six, nurses/techs/doctors there taking care of
Amy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another ultrasound and a CT
was ordered and it was still inconclusive, but many possibilities were thrown
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were admitted and in a
room by 11:00 AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two main
nurses we had, Jackie during the day and Michael at night, showed exceptional
care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both went above and
beyond the call of duty in their caring and attention to detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially since it took the surgeon
nine hours to consult with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">That’s when it hit me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">I was seeing in this hospital setting the same
thing our parents share with me regularly about Sumner Academy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
teachers go well above and beyond the call of duty in their caring and
attention to detail.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
termed this practice, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prescriptive
education</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the founding
of the school, the vision and mission has not wavered, “Our mission is to
discover and cultivate each child’s unique abilities.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Postscript:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Amy has healed completely thanks to the attention and
care she received at Skyline Medical Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our students continue to reap the benefits of a Sumner
Academy education including the attention and care they receive fro each and
every faculty member here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-52414791272333349982014-10-10T10:07:00.000-07:002014-10-10T10:07:24.676-07:00Safe at Home
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>274</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1565</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>13</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1921</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Since my beloved Detroit Tigers are no longer
playing baseball, I will uncharacteristically refrain from making a sports
analogy with my blog title.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Where do you feel the safest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were growing up, most likely,
it was home with your parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a safe, nurturing, and loving environment and you just had the feeling that
all was well when you were there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">We hear the same words to describe Sumner Academy
from our parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
consistently report how their children feel safe, nurtured, and loved in our
learning environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of
these feelings come from the classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our students trust their teachers and perform for them academically in a
way I have not experienced in my thirty-plus years in education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meeting this basic need allows our
children to grow academically, socially, and physically without having to worry
about being safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Being safe in schools has become more and more a
topic of concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moving here in
the summer of 2013, one of the first local school articles I read was about the
Sumner County Schools hiring resource police officers in every school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They trumpeted this as a good
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been told this line
item is close to a one million dollar cost per year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a disappointing commentary on today’s society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">When parents drop off their children at Sumner
Academy, they have the knowledge, trust, and confidence that they will be safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year, the entire faculty and staff
was involved in writing the school’s first Crisis Action Guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the unlikely event of a crisis on
campus, the guide gives a step-by-step process to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much time and energy (and cost) went
into the publication of this guide which can be found in every room on campus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">We appreciate the way our parents care for our
school and hope that they are able to convey that feeling to others who may be
interested in becoming part of the Sumner Academy Family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-6800722055576957132014-09-09T08:33:00.003-07:002014-09-10T08:20:44.573-07:00Headmaster Gets Schooled<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Author>Hannah G. Martin</o:Author>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Created>2013-02-20T16:46:00Z</o:Created>
<o:LastSaved>2013-02-20T16:46:00Z</o:LastSaved>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>504</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2877</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>23</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3533</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">Professional development for me
comes in different ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being
able to attend a national conference isn’t something that I can do budget-wise
every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In mid-July thousands
of elementary and middle school principals met at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel
for the National Association of Elementary School Principal’s National
Conference (insert your own joke here).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having the conference thirty miles away was a real blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">It was my fourth such conference
and a great chance for me to see outstanding speakers, hear what is going on
with various colleagues around the country, and witness what impact national
policies and legislation is having on elementary principals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an independent school leader, I was
definitely in the minority by about 99.5% to 00.5%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was refreshing for me not to have to attend Common Core
themed discussions and presentations which dominated the agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">Instead, I heard one of the best
presentations ever by Robert Fulghum who authored the best seller, “<u>All I Ever
Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten</u>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told a beautiful story about his neighborhood elementary
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During his morning walks,
he always knows what season it is by what is displayed on the windows of the
classrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From fall leaves, to
pumpkins, to snowflakes, the seasons are all on display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On one such occasion, he ran into the
principal, a very busy man, and mentioned the beautiful snowflakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The principal replied, what beautiful
snowflakes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Fulghum walked him
to the nearest kindergarten snowflakes window display which the principal had
never noticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both stood
there and enjoyed the sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
message here is for more than just principals: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t miss the snowflakes</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">Todd Whitaker is a highly sought
after speaker and former principal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He concentrates his
messages on moving ordinary schools to extraordinary ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Schools which are extraordinary shape a
vision of academic success for each student (sound familiar?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also stated that schools that are
extraordinary keep the needs of the students first in all they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so refreshing to hear what we do at
our school being espoused on a national stage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">Finally, Former Supreme Court
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor held a session championing iCivics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a web based civics program for
middle and high schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still
sharp as a tack at 84, she told of not being able to find a job after law
school due to her gender. </span><span style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">She
eventually found employment as a deputy county attorney in San Mateo County, California after
she offered to work for no salary and without an office and sharing space with
a secretary.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her message to us was the importance of
civics in the curriculum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
personal delight for me to meet her afterward and have her sign some books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Secret Service was very careful to
explain how to have the books out, don’t ask for the book to be personalized,
and keep moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit like
the soup line in a Seinfeld episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When she noticed I had bought a hard back copy, she asked who it was
for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her it was for my son
Tucker who teaches history and government in high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a nice talk about Tucker before
the next person came up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
looked in his book later, I noticed she personalized it and wrote a sweet
note.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope the Secret Service
doesn’t read this blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">Learning never ends, even for
headmasters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This love of lifelong
learning is something we are instilling in each of our students here at Sumner
Academy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-7171202572948452292014-07-14T13:21:00.003-07:002014-07-14T13:24:21.079-07:00Seven Common Parenting Mistakes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>441</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2518</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>20</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3092</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">I have never claimed to be the perfect
parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually, the perfect
parenting moment for me arrives just after I made a not-so-perfect parental
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do like to read advice
on parenting and pass along those that I feel strike a nerve with me, and maybe
you as the reader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Dr. Tim Elmore is an expert in the transition of
children becoming adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
written over twenty-five books and founded Growing Leaders <a href="http://growingleaders.com/">http://growingleaders.com/</a> which is
dedicated to mentoring today’s young people to become the leaders of
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is his take on some
parental behaviors which keep our children from growing into leaders:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">We don’t
let our children experience risk.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children should be able to fail without
parental interference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have all
heard about helicopter parents…sometimes you need to turn off the key and let
your child crash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(this is
probably the hardest thing as a parent to do)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">We
rescue too quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;">It is human nature to swoop in and protect our
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As in the first point,
we are removing the child’s ability to navigate choppy waters on their
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to remember that
children are often much more resilient than we are as adults. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">We rave
too easily.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Face Book posts are such a culprit
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When our children hear us
constantly rave and sometimes downplay poor behavior, children often avoid
difficult realities and can resort to lying and cheating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">We let
guilt get in the way of learning well.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children can get over disappointments
in life, but it is much more difficult to get over being spoiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Material rewards for something like
good grades takes away any possibility of intrinsic motivation or unconditional
love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">We don’t
share our past mistakes.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teenagers will push the envelope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These may be the very envelopes you pushed
when you were there age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Life
lessons” are more meaningful when it is YOUR life as their parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Share your feelings on how you felt in
a break-up, or being left out of a party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">We
mistake intelligence, giftedness and influence for maturity.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children
learn and grow at different rates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keep from comparing your child to those around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no magic age of responsibility
and research shows that the brain is not fully developed until the ages of
20-23.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">We don’t
practice what we preach.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to model the life we want our
children to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that means
praying before a meal in a crowded restaurant, then those behaviors must be
modeled by you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be mindful of
those ethical choices that are before you…there are always another set of eyes
or two watching what you will do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">One of Dr. Elmore’s favorite lines is, “coach
them, more than coddle.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
many moments in the past I would have loved to practice these but failed in
doing so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps we can allow our
parents, our children’s grandparents to display these seven mistakes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">My next blog will discuss some thoughts from
attending the National Association of Elementary School Principals Conference
held right here in Central Tennessee!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-61666689700528717932014-07-01T08:55:00.000-07:002014-07-01T08:55:55.947-07:00If it's Thursday it must be Soccer, or is it Ballet?
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>315</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1801</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>15</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2211</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">I am a huge proponent of the arts, athletics,
hobbies, and other endeavors which help to round out who we are as people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most common pastime for me and my
neighborhood friends was to head to the field for football or baseball
depending on the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few of
us even had an indoor hockey league during those snowy days in Michigan and we
would take our plastic hockey players and play on each other’s table top hockey
games, complete with statistics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We would play until the sun started to go down and run home as fast as
we could before dark, sometimes we even made it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Today, things have changed quite a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your child has a special interest,
you can find others locally and enroll your child in that endeavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of these things take our finances
and more importantly our time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Here are some healthy guidelines about scheduling
(and over scheduling your child’s time) from the National Association of
Elementary School Principals:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small;">></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Aim for
three activities.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great balance would include one
athletic, one artistic and one social, not necessarily all in one week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small;">></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Limit
involvement.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This avoids burnout and keeps the child
focused on just a few activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small;">></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Broaden
their horizons.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Encourage “stretching” their interests
with new pursuits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small;">></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Be
supportive and not critical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;">You should be your child’s biggest cheerleader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goal should be to expand a child’s
interest, not to live vicariously through them or to expect the next LeBron
James.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small;">></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Schedule
downtime.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all need time to reflect, rest, and
relax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small;">></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Change
it up.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time and energy spent on one sport or activity can be
draining and can lead to burn out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small;">></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Watch
for signs of stress.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a key factor for not only your
child, but you as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch for
signs of stress in your child including stomachaches, headaches, difficulty
paying attention and a drop off in interest in the activity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small;">></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Decompress
at home.</span></b><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family dinners are an excellent way to
communicate about what is going on in the lives of each family member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Schedule regular dinners with everyone
at the table at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">We all want what is best for our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we need to take a <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">step
back rather than forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-17336918437357198422014-06-04T07:11:00.000-07:002014-06-04T07:11:06.929-07:00Share-Care-Wear
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>368</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2100</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>17</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2578</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">I love getting together with other heads of
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the position of head
of an independent school is unique in nature to other jobs, I relish time
spent with those who share my vocation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is also a great time to steal innovative ideas and programs from
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that being said, this
blog’s title and idea comes from a fellow head, the content is all mine
however.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">As Sumner Academy steps into its next forty years
of service there are three ways you as a parent, friend, alumni parent, or
alumni can assist our school to thrive and prosper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just think of the following three rhyming words…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">share-care-wear</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">SHARE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">The best means of marketing for our school is
reading this blog right now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sharing your experiences at Sumner Academy with those who may not know
about our school opens the door for us to serve others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we attempt to increase enrollment,
we need you to help us reach as many Sumner-Wilson-Davidson County families as
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Share our mission, our
website, and more importantly what Sumner Academy means to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">CARE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">There are several ways to care for our
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of those is sharing
monetarily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of you have
received a letter from me requesting additional funds for our annual fund.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a parent, you were “hit up” several
times this year for donations, gifts, and even dog food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The policy of different groups asking
you for money over and over and over is changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next year we will limit the times the school asks you for
money in addition to tuition and our adventure education trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is what we will be focusing on:
(1) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Annual Fund</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will see a formal campaign next
year on how your gift to the annual fund will support our mission and long range
strategic planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Auction</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great time for fellowship and supporting our school
while winning some fabulous items and services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(3) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Top Secret
Event </b>planned for February you will not want to miss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intrigued?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope so!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">WEAR<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Seeing our Spirit Wear around the area helps with
our brand marketing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will have
a chance to purchase more Spirit Wear when school begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hoodies are appropriate for school
and the new dress code!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a
rather big guy, I am a walking billboard for the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s show our school spirit whether it
be our logo shirts or new athletic logo items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please join me in this “walking billboard project.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your
child’s education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
remarkable children at this school and I know they come from remarkable
families!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-45745439505613849892014-04-23T11:25:00.003-07:002014-04-23T11:25:36.646-07:00Bullying
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>264</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1510</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>12</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1854</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">Some memories from childhood can
be joyous, others painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
most powerful of those painful memories usually involve teasing or verbal
bullying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bullying is not a
typical “kids will be kids” problem anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bullying is a societal problem which touches all of us
whether we are in public or independent schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recent studies show that one of ten students is regularly
harassed by bullies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contrary to
popular belief, it’s not the students who stand out who are bullied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children who wear glasses, are
overweight, have red hair, speak differently or dress differently do not
automatically invite bully attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Any student can be a victim of a bully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">Here’s what you can do to help
stop this from being a big issue at our school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1) Acknowledge your child’s feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t minimize the distress caused by
teasing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A child who has been
teased or bullied may be ashamed to tell anyone, so be sensitive to your child’s
concerns. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(2) Watch for symptoms
your child may be a bullying victim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Withdrawal, a drop in grades, torn clothes, unexplained bruises, not
wanting to go to school, needing extra money, “losing” possessions at school
are all symptoms. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(3) Share your
past with your child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were you
bullied or teased?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sharing this
information will help to ease your child’s humiliation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(4) Praise your child’s kindness and
acceptance to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our children
look to us as parents to set the tone when it comes to accepting the
differences of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(5) Most
importantly, notify your child’s teacher of possible bullying behaviors in a
timely manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps us
tremendously if we can investigate this as soon after it occurs as
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waiting a week or two
does not help in these situations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">If you have any further input on
this topic, please contact me through email at sjackson@sumneracademy.org.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-48904390104387265822014-04-15T12:06:00.000-07:002014-04-15T12:06:16.267-07:00Be a Dreamer!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>380</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2171</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>18</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2666</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">Well, for me, it was a dream come
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the summer of 2007, before a crowd of
about fifty or so at AutoZone Park in Memphis, I had my chance to play big time
baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a Fantasy Day for Memphis Redbird sponsors, coached by former big leaguers Reggie Williams and Charlie
Lea. I was issued practice clothes, a uniform, and a locker…complete with my
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to participate in
pre-game batting practice and fielding practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there I was, playing first base at AutoZone Park! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My performance was one you might expect
from a then 46-year-old, overweight, slow, minimal-talent
"wannabe."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My stats: two
walks, one hit by pitch, two runs, and NO fielding errors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My performance at the post-game buffet
dinner was much better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My team,
Reggie's Raiders, did come up victorious 24-4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">I have dreamed of such an
experience all my life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growing up
a Detroit Tigers fan, I dreamed of playing first base for them and having Ernie
Harwell announce my name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To have
a chance to hit in a real ballpark with adoring fans (Amy and two other
couples) and have my name announced for all to hear (50), was truly a dream
come true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">What about your dreams?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about those of your children?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I firmly believe that as we get older,
our dreams are put on the back shelf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As you have probably noticed, time goes by more quickly with each
passing year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So don’t wait. Make
time to take that trip you've always wanted to take. Or, just enjoy some real
quality time with your children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It's so easy to say, “maybe at Christmas Break, or Spring Break, maybe
this weekend . . . or next?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">So, what is that dream of
yours?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it rafting down the
Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, riding horses at a dude ranch, or visiting
lighthouses on the coast of Maine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps you’re yearning to try out for <u style="text-underline: words;">American
Idol</u> or a game show like Jeopardy (been there, done that)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you simply desire to sit down
with your family for dinner three nights in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about reading a book like <u>Treasure Island</u> as a
family instead of watching episode #500 of “Law and Order” or some other show?
The mother of one of my colleagues is taking tap dancing lessons at the age of
77.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last time she tapped was
in elementary school!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">Some of the things I’ve mentioned
here can be cost prohibitive--others are free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only you know what you are able to afford, but please
continue to chase your dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
time in the spotlight lasted only six hours, but the memories will last a
lifetime!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-no-proof: no;">As always, I hope this message
finds you well and happy with our school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please know that my door is always open, should you have anything you
would like to discuss with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-51666792305619637082014-03-10T07:10:00.000-07:002014-03-10T07:10:40.945-07:00Back to the Basics
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>362</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2067</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>17</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2538</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Each year in mid-February Florida and Arizona
comes alive with one single phrase, “pitchers and catcher report.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s one of those signs that spring is
nearly here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also a time when
baseball fans everywhere say, “this is going to be the year.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Cubs fans!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Spring training for major league baseball players
has a long and storied history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
1894 the Baltimore Orioles, skippered by Ned Hanlon, worked eight hours a day
for two months in Macon, Georgia on the basics of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This base of solid fundamentals led the
team to three straight National League pennants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can imagine what soon followed, every other team in
baseball now had a spring training regimen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These basics and fundamentals early on can determine October
championships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just ask my Detroit
Tigers in the 2006 World Series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our pitchers committed five errors in five games opening the door for
the St. Louis Cardinals to be world champions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was fortunate (?) to see two of those errors in games one
and two in Detroit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just know
that every team after that 2006 series put into place additional fielding work
for their pitchers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Solid fundamentals and understanding the basics
lead to success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">It’s true on the baseball diamond as well as a
school setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often times you
hear about the extraordinary at Sumner Academy: a Shakespearian play, a
Geographic or Spelling Bee champion, a math team placing high in competitions,
outstanding science and social studies fair projects, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you do not hear about is all the
hard work it took to get to that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You do not hear about all the countless hours of instruction, drill and
practice, and homework it took to get to that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Many of our students will never win a Geographic
Bee or place high in a mathematics competition, but they will be prepared for their
high school experience regardless of the demands placed upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to an incredible gift of
education their parents have given them, an outstanding faculty and staff, a
philosophy that places each child’s unique learning styles first and foremost, and
a very low pupil/teacher ratio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
low ratio allows our faculty to delve deeper into the basics and fundamentals
that may be lacking with our students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Sumner Academy prides itself on the hard work of
our students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and then through high
school and college, but most of all, helping to create productive and involved
members of our society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all
starts with the basics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-31052222427750883322014-01-31T05:32:00.003-08:002014-01-31T05:32:47.886-08:00Kids Do Say the Darndest Things!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>369</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2108</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>17</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2588</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Art Linkletter was well known for his interviews
of children on his radio and television shows, House Party and Kids Say the
Darndest Things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amy and I were honored
to hear him speak in 2001 in Los Angeles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told his favorite “kid quotes” from those shows and they were
hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As educators, we hear
lots of stories from children as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here are a few of my favorites…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">My second year of teaching at Clark Elementary
School in Charlottesville, Virginia was challenging due to sheer numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had twenty-nine students that
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A part time teacher was
hired to assist me in teaching reading and language arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That year I had Bobby, one of my
all-time favorite students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bobby
was legally blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents
were both blind since birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down
the road from Clark was a company who hired visually impaired employees and
both of his parents worked there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a short walk from their house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Monday, Bobby came into class with a big bandage on his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked what had happened,
and he told me this…”My Mom and Dad took me for a drive Sunday and got into an
accident.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I was thinking to
myself, “uh, both are blind…hmmm, should I ask?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seems they inherited a car from a seeing family member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bobby explained, Dad would load everyone
in the car on Sundays and pull forward until he bumped the house, then back up
until he bumped the garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently, on the last ride he bumped the house a little too hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Then there was the kindergarten boy who told me
just how tired his father was every afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“He comes home, puts
down his briefcase, gets a drink, and then falls asleep until dinner.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">I enjoy giving riddles for students to solve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is one and the surprise answer; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you cut at the table, but do
not eat?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer I was looking
for was a deck of cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
answer I got was, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Dad’s credit cards.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">And a little bathroom humor…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">I picked up my phone one day in June several
summers ago to hear the following…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">”Mr.
J, I pooped in the potty, I pooped in the potty!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This was from a rising pre-kindergarten student whose
mother had told her, “Mr. Jackson says you cannot go to big girl’s school until
you poop in the potty.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mission
accomplished!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">So kids aren’t the only ones who come up with some
funny stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My third year
teaching, Sherry came into my class about 30 minutes late and handed me the
following explanation from her mother, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Sherry
is late due to tardiness.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">I’ll keep adding to my list of funnies…who knows, you
or your child could be in the next blog!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-88950260262960486202014-01-24T13:03:00.000-08:002014-01-24T13:03:03.076-08:00When Being Uncommon is Good!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>503</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2872</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>23</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3527</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I want to preface this blog by
saying I am not politically motivated to write what you will find here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just look back at my other blogs about
my family, TV shows, or snow days and you will see I have never written
anything political.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intent
here is to educate the reader on the Common Core and where Sumner Academy
stands in the growing controversy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More and more we are giving tours to prospective parents who are
dismayed with the Common Core in their public schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not endorsing any political party
or specific politicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are
just my thoughts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There have been many opinions expressed
on the Common Core issue in our nation’s public schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a nutshell, the Common Core is an
attempt to nationalize the K-12 curriculum in the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proponents say multiplication facts,
for example, in one state should be taught at the same level in every other
state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the 1965 Elementary
and Secondary Act, curriculum issues were the responsibility of the states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intent was to limit federal
intervention in these matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
state’s testing and accountability period that began in the 90’s spawned some
national efforts such as No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These national efforts came with big funding
attached to set goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During my
last two years in public education, we were (in my opinion) spending an
inordinate amount of time preparing our students to take tests rather than
teaching the actual content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
needed another two hours in our school day to accomplish both.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Independent schools such as
Sumner Academy regularly review national standards in each of the subject area when
setting and reviewing curriculum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These standards are set by national organizations of teachers in those
areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few websites
which contain these standards:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.csun.edu/science/ref/curriculum/reforms/nses/">http://www.csun.edu/science/ref/curriculum/reforms/nses/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.socialstudies.org/standards">http://www.socialstudies.org/standards</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ncte.org/standards">http://www.ncte.org/standards</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.nctm.org/standards/">http://www.nctm.org/standards/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Common Core has adapted some these
into a their guidelines.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What makes us <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">uncommon</b> is our independence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything about Sumner Academy is
centered on our mission, not state or national testing or Common Core curriculum
guidelines. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our mission is to help
discover and cultivate each child’s unique abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Common Core is incongruent with the creative curriculum
building and management we employ at Sumner Academy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know our students well and prescribe the best curriculum
and teaching practices to cultivate their learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our teachers are free from teaching test taking and able to
incorporate more depth and breadth to our curriculum. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is important for us to prepare our
eighth graders for success in ninth grades at schools they historically attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our students are highly successful on
the standardized testing we conduct in the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Area high schools clamor for our students who have shown to
be at the top of their classes year in and year out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sumner Academy embraces being
uncommon and has been successfully serving its students and families for forty
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell a friend, neighbor,
family member or co-worker about us being uncommon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would love to show them the campus and introduce them to
some outstanding and uncommon faculty members!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-60022106838813703462014-01-17T06:12:00.002-08:002014-01-17T06:12:26.224-08:00Gem Hunt
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>250</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1429</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>11</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1754</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino;">So, three snow days…wow, that’s a lot of calling
off school for this Michigander!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While sitting at home during one of these days, I ran across a show
on the Travel Channel entitled, “Gem Hunt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Here
is the description from the Travel Channel website:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 58.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Gem Hunt follows a team of
modern treasure hunters on their high-stakes quest for the world's most
precious stones. Their global journey takes them to some of the planet's
busiest and riskiest trading regions. Fascinating, exciting, unpredictable and
embedded in some of the most remote locations, Gem Hunt follows gem dealer Ron
LeBlanc, jewelry expert Diane Robinson and geologist Bernie Gaboury as they
maneuver through mines, markets and tense negotiations in search of the world’s
biggest, brightest and most profitable jewels.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The three “stars” of this show look for uncut
gems they can take back to their shops and create works of art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They examine, create cutting plans for
each stone, cut, shape, and polish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I began to binge watch the show, I realized the show and our school
had similar missions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Sumner
Academy, <b>it is our mission to help discover and cultivate each child’s unique
abilities.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our faculty and staff
examine, create plans for each student “gem,” (hopefully not cut), then we
shape and polish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as master
jewelers, our teachers look for those unique qualities that make your child
special and “shine.” This individual attention is what sets Sumner Academy apart from other schools in our area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I celebrate my first six months here at
Sumner Academy I have realized that Sumner Academy is a hidden jewel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us spread the good news about Sumner
Academy’s teachers and programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please share your experiences with your friends, neighbors, co-workers,
and families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU are our best
marketing outlet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-17025899318648311962013-11-21T07:26:00.001-08:002013-11-21T07:26:25.427-08:00Is it snowing yet?<br />
Anatomy of a Snow Day<br />
<br />
Recently, Amy and I were able to drive to my hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan to visit with my mother and two brothers. It was a great drive and as we were approaching the Michigan state line, we began to see traces of snow on the ground! That was a great reminder to me to let you know of my thought process in determining what constitutes a snow day and what does not.<br />
<br />
The decision making process is different for our school in comparison to other surrounding independent schools and public schools. Things I do have to consider include our faculty and staff driving in, our parents and their drive in, our bus routes and safe pick up and delivery, and the safety in and around the campus. One thing I do not have to consider is having student drivers on the road! Our school calendar and the required number of days in attendance does not play a role in closing school, safety always comes first. There is a process regarding make up days should we go over the amount of extra days. This is highly unlikely however.<br />
<br />
If we do not close and the roads are questionable, our students are not counted tardy for that day. I want your child(ren) at school, but I want them safely brought to school, so take your time!<br />
<br />
When our area anticipates wintery weather, I rise at 5:00 AM or earlier and check the local news and the radar and forecast on the National Weather Service website. Since our decision is independent of all other schools, I like to make sure all bases are covered before I make a final decision. The first call I make is to Hannah so we can update our website and send out notices via email and text. Next, I call four local television stations Channels 2, 4, 5, and 17. In my experience in Memphis, I know that television stations are not the most reliable in regards to timely posting…so check our website first!<br />
<br />
At this point it is around 6:15 or 6:30 and I have another decision to make – stay home and sit by the fire, or go in to work and complete some much needed paperwork that has built up over the last several weeks. Sometimes, I choose to drive in just because I’m from Michigan and need to prove it to myself I can still drive in snow and ice. So, if you see me in a ditch somewhere, just shake your head as you pass. Stubborn Michigander.<br />
<br />
I hope this gives you some insight into how I make the decision to close or stay open. As you read, the fastest way to find out is to check our website at www.sumneracademy.org.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-28878255175752570762013-09-24T08:20:00.000-07:002013-09-24T08:20:19.778-07:00From Shakespeare to Snuffy Smith
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>368</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2099</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>17</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2577</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">So, this week, it seems to me, represents the
great diversity of learning opportunities which makes Sumner Academy unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is why we embrace our independence
as a school community as our number one strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Our fifth, sixth, and seventh grades are currently
on Adventure Education trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
fifth grade is at Barrier Island learning about the unique ecosystems of the
Atlantic Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This type of hands-on
leaning may inspire one of our students to be a marine biologist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Our sixth and seventh graders are at a
YMCA Camp in North Carolina working on team building strategies and learning about forest ecosystems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This allows them to set personal and
team goals and work together to meet those goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This type of training could inspire one of our students to
work in counseling, personnel, or group dynamics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">In LC II, it’s all about apples this week!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thursday culminates their study with a
morning full of apple activities and a visit from Johnny Appleseed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being exposed to this type of learning
may lead one of our students to work in the field of green technology and
building a more sustainable environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Johnny Appleseed would certainly be as well received today as he was in
the late 1700s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Our eighth graders have a very busy week as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half of the Class of 2014 will be
performing their silent movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Written, acted and directed by themselves, this project takes many of
our students out of their comfort zone and allows them to express themselves
artistically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be the
start of the next Martin Scorsese or Alfred Hitchcock right here on our Sumner
stage!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Eighth graders also are performing the Shakespeare
play, “<u>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</u>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have worked relentlessly on their lines and blocking for Thursday
night’s performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may see
the next Meryl Streep or Harrison Ford on our stage that night!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">The week culminates with all of our PK – 8<sup>th</sup>
grade students being visited by John Rose, political cartoonist and author and
artist of Snuffy Smith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John is
the third artist to draw the Snuffy Smith strip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During his assemblies, John will talk about his life as an
artist and how he got to where he is today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He will also show the students how to draw different characters from the comic strip. </span>Who knows...John may be talking to a future political
satirist or artist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">As parents, the best thing we can do for our
children is to provide opportunities and options for their future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sumner Academy provides numerous
opportunities for its students to live, learn and grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through these opportunities, we live
our mission statement every day here: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Helping
discover and cultivate each child’s unique abilities.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-64832698386626053152013-09-03T09:07:00.003-07:002013-09-03T09:07:39.911-07:00Diamonds in the Rough
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>220</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1259</o:Characters>
<o:Company>(901) 683-6873</o:Company>
<o:Lines>10</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1546</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
I would like to
confess something…I know I should be reading or anything more constructive than
watching television, but I just can’t turn off American Pickers when it comes
on the History Channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Wolfe
and Frank Fritz are the co-hosts who travel the country in search of junk that
they can turn into treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
go through attics, barns, out buildings, you name it, all in search of rare
pieces of American history and something on which they can make a buck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of you have probably been to their
store in Nashville.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
When I record
the show, I try to fast forward to them digging around places for hidden
treasures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is my focus for
the show, not the banter between them and/or Danielle who holds down one of their
storefronts in Iowa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like that
thrill of the search.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
These guys, who
are searching for a diamond in the rough, remind me of comments I hear about
Sumner Academy’s teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
work very hard to determine the gifts our children have and the mission of our
school reflects the shows basis premise, ”Our mission is to help discover and
cultivate each child’s unique abilities.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mike and Frank can look at a pile of rusted iron and pull out something
that is important and valuable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
same is true for our teachers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
see different qualities in our students and enrich them to create a more
well-rounded individual.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Help us spread
the good news about Sumner Academy’s teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please share your experiences with your friends and
families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU are our best
marketing outlet!<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Palatino; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-65091293701233633372013-08-21T10:20:00.007-07:002013-08-21T10:20:58.466-07:00It's All About the Pie<br />
My blog is not always centered on education, family issues, or Sumner Academy, sometimes I like to have a little fun…so…here are some random thoughts on pizza. We Americans love that pizza pie. Did you know that…October is designated as pizza month? Every second, Americans eat 350 slices! About 93% of all Americans eat at least one pizza per month. The National Restaurant Association estimates that Italian food is the most popular ethnic food in the country and that it is a thirty billion dollar industry.<br />
<br />
Being the pizza lover that I am, I have rated the best pizza parlors I have frequented…<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Top Five Pizzas Parlors for Mr. J.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Grand Lake Pizza, Grand Lake, Colorado</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
www.grand-pizza.com/</div>
<br />
A braided dough crust and outstanding toppings are the highlights for these pies. We were in Grand Lake two days and ate dinner here both days. The second day we even waited two hours due to a power outage! Now THAT is a great pizza!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Crozet Pizza, Crozet, Virginia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
www.crozetpizza.net/</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Housed in a very rustic building in Crozet just outside of Charlottesville, Crozet Pizza has all the ingredients listed on a huge blackboard. You build your own pie according to which ingredients they have for the day. Great sauce and those fresh ingredients highlight these pies.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bilbo’s Pizza, Kalamazoo, Michigan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
www.bilbospizza.com/</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The absolute best deep dish pizza I have had (no travels have taken us to sample Chicago’s yet). It comes to your table still sizzling. That crust is crunchy on the outside edge and soft and doughy inside. Terrific sauce as well. This was a happening place of my high school years and remarkably is still around.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mellow Mushroom, Memphis, Tennessee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
www.mellowmushroom.com/</div>
<br />
Fresh ingedients, lots of choices of ingredients and a tasty crust make this one the best I have had in Memphis. I know this is a national chain, but I still love it. Their selections of microbrews is also outstanding.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Luigi’s Pizza, Harrisonburg, Virginia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
RIP</div>
<br />
Sadly, Luigi’s went out of business since we lived in Harrisonburg. It was a great place to go after the softball/soccer/football game for some wonderful pizza. They had fun t-shirts. If you went somewhere notable in the world and had your photo taken in a Luigi’s t-shirt, you got a free pizza (if no one else had done it). We wore four Luigi’s t-shirts all day on a visit to the Four Corners one vacation! They also let you play with dough regardless of your age.<br />
<br />
Honorable Mention...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pete and Sam’s, Memphis, Tennessee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
http://peteandsams.com/</div>
<br />
A Memphis tradition, Amy even used to go there as a child. I have tasted a couple of barbeque pizzas in Memphis, but this one is tops in my opinion!<br />
<br />
<br />
OK middle Tennessee friends, now I need your suggestions…will they be good enough to crack the top five? <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038455322772851371.post-60938447514760156312013-08-12T06:56:00.002-07:002013-08-12T06:56:20.986-07:00Looking to the Future<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think we can all agree that every parent wants the best for their children. The tricky part of this wish is determining just what is the best course for our children to follow. I know Amy and I had long conversations about which paths to take for our son Tucker and our daughter Madelyn.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A fellow headmaster shared an article with me in which Tony Wagner, Co-Director of the Change Leadership Group of Harvard University, discusses what skills our children need for the future.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These are seven areas he discusses:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Critical thinking and problem-solving</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Collaboration across networks and leading by influence</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Agility and adaptability</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Initiative and entrepreneurialism</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Effective oral and written communication</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Accessing and analyzing information</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Curiosity and imagination</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I informally observe our classrooms here at Sumner Academy, I see each and every one of the skills listed in action in our classrooms PK – 8th grade! Our teachers are outstanding at taking each child where they are in many different areas and nurturing growth in each. It seems to me Sumner Academy was built on these seven skills and has been cultivating them for forty years.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At Back to School Night, I thanked each parent for the sacrifices they are making by sending their children to our school. I know it is a financial struggle for many. The investment in education however, cannot be taken away from you. Other investments fluctuate with market influences and outside forces. A Sumner academy graduation diploma from 8th grade is an investment which will last a lifetime.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you for entrusting your children to us each and every day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02411670058961623154noreply@blogger.com0