Term 1 going, going...
A huge thanks to each of you for everything you did to make first term run as smoothly as possible. My two main take-aways from this term is an awareness of how much kids need and actually like being at school and how much they APPRECIATE their teachers. In interviews over the past couple of weeks I heard various iterations of "the teachers at Venture actually care." They really, really appreciate YOU. And, so do their parents. And, so does the community. And so do I.
Better because...
For eight months we've talked about loss. Trips, both work and play, were cancelled. Lutherhaven - cancelled. Exhibit night - cancelled. Classroom collaboration curtailed as we social distance. Sports, when they take place at all, lack spectators. Some of us said our final goodbyes to family members, marriages were ended, lives were impacted by health issues, and our normal sources of comfort and security were disrupted. Maybe the most painful is the loss of positive narrative that normally surrounds learning and growing. Everything is "so hard," "so challenging," or "too bad."
Experiences take on a positive or negative slant based on how we choose to frame them. 2020 may not have been the year we wanted, but it is the only 2020 we're ever going to have. For our kids, it was their only year to be a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior. Has 2020 held anything for us beyond the need to just get through it? Were new family members welcomed, relationships strengthened, or skills learned? Did we examine priorities and make some shifts as a result?
In what ways are we better because of the events of 2020? Have you had a chance to reflect on positive outcomes from this experience for yourself or with your students? Can we guide students to find the golden strands inevitably woven into this experience and develop a new narrative that includes the ways that 2020 has made us stronger and better? The ability to see the gifts that coexist with challenges is at the heart of a life well lived and we can help students practice this very important skill.
December 9: We will participate in online staff PD with Keith Orchard from 9 - 10:30. Paper work for the meeting will be in the workroom. Snacks and light lunch provided.
Grades are due by Friday, Dec. 11.
Angie and Leadership Students: Thank you for making Venture Festive and Fun!
Watching Venture staff in action reminded me of this video. It's a worthy repeat. Thank YOU for being a champion for our kids!
Bus/Parking lot duty: Higgs and Levy
Monday 12/7:
Tuesday 12/8:
Wednesday 12/9: 9:00 - 10:30 am Staff development Thursday 12/10:
Friday 12/11:
Bus/Parking lot duty: Eastman and Mahoney
Monday 12/14:
Tuesday 12/15:
Wednesday 12/16: Non-Work dayThursday 12/17:
Friday 12/18:
Bus/Parking lot duty: Meeks and Hook
Monday 1/4:
Tuesday 1/5:
Wednesday 1/6: Non-Work dayThursday 1/7:
Friday 1/8:
