Happy Holidays!

 

In his 1926 classic, “Winnie the Pooh,” A. A. Milne wrote, “Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” He was grateful for great friends, a warm place to sleep and a few tasty “haycorns” to eat.  

In that same spirit of gratitude, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for everything you do for the students of Venture High School.  For students and staff, this past year was not without its challenges; however, my heart is filled with gratitude for each of you as I remember the many instances of kindness and support that I witnessed and felt from you.  

As we go forward into the New Year, I count it a privilege to work alongside you in service to our students and our community.  I hope your holiday break is filled with opportunities to connect with those you love and refresh your own hearts and souls.

Friday 12/17/21 we will have lunch of sandwiches and salad from Caruso's served in Diana's room.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 1/3:  Non Work Day

Tuesday  1/4: 

Wednesday 1/5:

Thursday 1/6:

Friday 1/7: Kaiser out @PM

Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering

Monday 1/10:  Certified PD day (Horace Mann will be here)

Tuesday  1/11: 

Wednesday 1/12:

Thursday 1/13:

Friday 1/14: Kaiser out @am

Week of December 13

by Diana

 While contemplating my thoughts for this blog, I was at a loss as to what to write that would be an encouragement to others.  As a math teacher I am not skilled in the art of writing.  Ask any math teacher if they enjoy writing and most of them will probably say NO!  We are not wordy or flamboyant with our words, but are to-the-point and solve-the-problem type of people.  But I did find a saying that I love and one that has been so meaningful to me in the past five years at Venture.  It came from the classics (Pinterest).  

“The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other.  Without collaboration our growth is limited to our own perspective.”  

I have had other teachers who were my sounding board, my confidant, my encourager, my friend, and even my critic.  I have valued those relationships and hope to have grown as an educator and a person because of it.  I have so appreciated all of the staff here at Venture who have accepted me for who I am and have been so welcoming and supportive in my endeavors here.  If we didn’t have each other we would be single-minded and set in our ways.  I have learned to be open-minded and willing to change in most situations; even when I did not want to.  I have seen the results of being open and vulnerable.  I do not want to be limited by my own perspective, but want to grow in ways that others have encouraged me.  

I hope you have found or will find other teachers who will help you widen your perspectives and grow - even if it is uncomfortable.  I hope you will not only find them, but that you will listen and share with them your perspectives so we can all be a team and grow together.  

In closing, I quote the great philosopher - one of the Seattle Seahawks players.  As I watched the game this past week, one of the players had this written on the back of his helmet “We are in this together.”  

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling

Monday 12/13:  Certified Staff PD Day: Agenda

Tuesday  12/14: 

Wednesday 12/15:

Thursday 12/16:

Friday 12/17:

December 20 - December 31 - Winter Holiday!

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 1/3:  Non Work Day

Tuesday  1/4: 

Wednesday 1/5:

Thursday 1/6:

Friday 1/7: Kaiser out @PM

Week of December 6

By Diane

Stay At 17 Inches

We choose to work at Venture, all of us. Students choose to come to school at Venture, all of them. This is their reprieve. This is where they seek solace, guidance, and safety in a learner-centered environment. This is where we build community through mentorships, relationships, and leadership. 

With that said, I truly believe, we must continue to hold them accountable for their work and their behavior. This has been a challenging teaching year with many months ahead of us.

On Friday, I left work feeling absolutely spent. I had had an amazing day until my last period when the battle lines were drawn...not by me, but by a 'favorite' student. He was challenging, used vulgar language, and was absolutely disrespectful...and was escorted out of class. He was angry and I was...distressed...and it followed me home.

After some reflection (and a glass of wine), I felt better and began working on a plan to repair the relationship so I could get some sleep. 

The next morning, I checked my email and found a heartfelt apology from  this student. He had sent it at 8:14 P.M. the night before explaining the difficulties he has been experiencing at home and I remembered the article about Coach Scolinos, Stay At 17 Inches. I had not failed him, I had held him to a "higher standard, a standard of what we know to be right." And he did not fail me.

Student Exhibit Night                                                                                                                     Another successful Student Exhibit Night is in the books!  It was absolutely delightful to hear students and parents talking about the projects.  The beautiful display of refreshments was much appreciated by everyone in attendance.  A special thanks to everyone who made this evening possible for students and families. 

Thank you!

As we begin this new trimester, I want to emphasize how much I appreciate the tremendous thought and effort you give to teaching our students. Everyone at Venture is a teacher.  Everyone here plays their part in helping our students along their journey to becoming successful adults. The work is rewarding and also requires that we dig deeply into our own personal reserves to meet the many challenges.  As we've become better at building relationships with our students, they become more trusting of us and share both their triumphs and their pain.  

As we go into the weekend, think about how you are finding balance in your own life.  Are you consciously setting aside worries over which you have no influence?  Or, are you letting them circulate in your brain?  Are you taking time for recreation?  Are you taking time to focus on the things that matter to you outside of work?  The greatest gift you can give your families and Venture students is to keep yourself happy and healthy.  Take care of yourself - you are worth it!

Bus/Parking lot duty: Eastman and Mahoney

Monday 12/6:  Agenda

Tuesday  12/7: First Day of Trimester 2

Wednesday 12/8: Kaiser out@am

Thursday 12/9:

Friday 12/10: Kaiser out@am

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling

Monday 12/13:  Certified Staff PD Day

Tuesday  12/14: 

Wednesday 12/15:

Thursday 12/16:

Friday 12/17:

December 20 - December 31 - Winter Holiday!