This video made me think about ways we could help students improve their own mental outlook by practicing gratitude.  Watch it and let's see if some ideas begin to sprout.

I am thankful for the opportunity to spend my days with each and every one of you at Venture.  This work is a challenging blessing and I am thankful to be part of something that matters.  It's a journey directed toward a destination that can never be reached and completely embodies the notion of finding joy in the journey.  What are you thankful for that makes your heart happy?

PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR CLASSROOM INVENTORY!!!  Thank you!

Grades:  Please make sure that when students are missing assignments that it calculates as a zero.  We go back and forth about this every year trying to find the perfect solution (apparently, there isn't one) but if we don't calculate zeros, students think they have pretty good grades.   For example, I was speaking to a young man yesterday who assured me he had A's despite his 9 absences.  Indeed, an A was calculated for two of his grades even though he'd only turned in less than half the assignments.  

When parents and students see the gradebooks they should either have a sense of urgency (generated by a low grade) or a sense of joy (generated by an authentic high grade).  Worst case scenario is they have a sense of joy generated by a false high grade.  Explaining to parents that an A is actually an F (or incomplete) is among my least favorite conversations. Please check your gradebooks before going home on Friday to make sure that student grades accurately reflect their learning.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Mazhan and Posey

Monday 10/31:  PD- Certified Staff: agenda

Tuesday  11/1: Kaiser out

Wednesday 11/2: Kaiser out

Thursday 11/3: Extended learning    

Friday 11/4: 4th Wellness

Bus/Parking lot duty: Penske and Gonzalez

Monday 11/7:  PD- Certified Staff: Agenda

Tuesday  11/8: 

Wednesday 11/9:

Thursday 11/10: Extended learning    

Friday 11/11: Staff Work Day; Suicide Prevention 11:00

Bus/Parking lot duty: Gaynor and Higgs

Monday 11/14:  Non Work day

Tuesday  11/15: 

Wednesday 11/16:

Thursday 11/17: No Extended Learning: Thanksgiving Dinner  

Friday 11/18:

Bus/Parking lot duty: No One!

Monday 11/21:  Enjoy your day!

Tuesday  11/22: Enjoy your day!

Wednesday 11/23: Enjoy your day!

Thursday 11/24: Thanksgiving

Friday 11/25: Enjoy your day!