Friday Reflections

On Monday our SIP committee met.   The majority of the meeting dealt with a discussion of how our students are performing in terms of reading achievement, and the vision we have to keep reading achievement levels high – and move them even higher.   So many of the SIP members offered valuable insights – your voices are much needed.   Together, and only together – we will move the needle further and further.   Several solid books/authors that I am trying to absorb – piece meal, I have to admit. I have earlier mentioned Notice & Note with a subtitle Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst – and Mike Schmoker’s Leading with Focus. All three educators share common insights about reading i.e., what we are teaching and what and how we need to teach and also what we are doing that is sometimes counterproductive to equipping our students with the literary skills they need to become better readers. Their work offers us promise – and a roadmap

An elementary school is full of caretakers – after all, we are responding to needs of the youngest in our society – and, in the case of Irving – hundreds of bright eyed, diverse youngsters under one roof.  And, school nurses are in a special category of school caretakers.  Julie, our nurse, you are an invaluable presence in the midst of Irving.  We often take all you do for granted because you are so darn good at doing it.  You give – give non-stop each minute of the school day.  You apply countless BandAids because you know that a BandAid is a little strip of reassurance that a scrap will heal and get the student back to class. You delve into your stash of crackers to feed the weak, hungry stomachs who didn’t eat in the morning.  You care and track kids who need insulin, inhalers, Epi pens, and prescribed drug medications.  You are calm under pressure paying attention to the smallest details and changes with our kids who have the most serious health conditions. You respond to

Ms. Maddie Emrich, our own second grade teacher has responded to Leah O’Donnell’s invitation to participate in the Slice of Life writing experience that is sponsored by the renowned blog – Two Writing Teachers. Maddie has started her own blog .  Her message is enthusiastic – a contagious enthusiasm indicating that she values the practice of writing – and wants to instill that practice into her students.  Her entries are a must read!  Hats off to you, Maddie. Your writing is fresh and honest – from the heart.  You have chosen some great slices of your life – deeply personal events that merit reflection and sharing.  I know you better and value your contribution to our staff and to our students.  I will continue reading your blog.  We need more Maddie’s. Tell us more Maddie. Your entries will inspire us to write and pass what we learn in the process to our students.  Mike Schmoker’s in Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning gives us a working definitio