May 31, 2019

Yes, the weather is FABULOUS and yes, Chrome Books have been turned in and yes, some behaviors have escalated ANDDDDDDDDDD WE NEED TO FINISH STRONG!  How can we do that, you ask?  I am so glad that you did!  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE to get some fun and creative ways to stay engaged, keep our kids engaged, and finish STRONG!!

Don't miss out on this exciting and engaging PD on September 14, 2019 from 9-3 at Cordelia Hills where you can learn all new ways and ideas for engaging students, increasing your technical knowledge, and all while attending an "unconference"!!  Sign up NOW and don't miss out!  It's going to be FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!

Well.  We have made it through the 90 DAYS OF MAY.  I swear there are 90 days in this month.  We may have a few scars (I hope these heal over the summer), we may have had many laughs (how can you not just laugh at some of the events and things that our kids say?), and we may have shed a few tears (laughter? anger? stress?).   Please make sure that you have ALL of the dates of everything coming up in the next few days!!

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

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• SUPER awesome shout out to Julie, Lynn, Karron, Ryan, Anita, Katherine, Tamia, and Marlys for all you have done to make this year survivable and fun!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sandy who has been completely awesome and accommodating while we move our classrooms!  Sending boxes and leadership kids to get stuff done!  It's been AMAZING!  ~Heather P.
• SUPER awesome shout out to Lynn for the awesome yearbook! ~Julie
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dave and Cristina for hosting students who needed an alternative surrounding for classwork!  I appreciate it! ~Julie
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue.  There are so many words of thanks to Sue.  Thank you for being a mentor, a leader, and a friend.  I have been so lucky to be on your team for 3 years and to know you for far more.  Thank you for lending supplies, manipulatives, a hug, or an ear...I will miss you immeasurably.  I appreciate all you've brought to my life professionally and personally for the past 10 years!! ~Heather P.
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tom for his work with the Robotics club this year! ~Ken
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tamia for doing so many things for so many people- you are amazing! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to Katherine...you will be missed!  I appreciate what you have brought to our 6th grade team!  You've kept bringing fresh and innovative ideas to our collab time inspiring us to be better!  Thank you! ~Heather P.
• SUPER awesome shout out to Heather T for helping me with CB check in schedule and creating forms to use!  Thank you to your team for being so flexible and loaning me your TAs for this huge task!~ Karen
• SUPER awesome shout out to KC and CL for your unending support in one of , if not THE most challenging school year of the past 17 years! ~Heather P.
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tamia for jumping in and checking out chrome books manually in the chaos of Tuesday! ~Karen and Annette
• SUPER awesome shout out to Kevin for always making me laugh with emails and text!~ Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tamia!  It has been a rough one, girl!  I appreciate the kindness and support over the school year; so many deeds one cannot count.  SHOUT OUT, LOVE and APPRECIATION!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to everyone at GVMS this year!  You all have been welcoming and helpful as I took over as the Deaf/Hard of Hearing teacher here.  I am thrilled that I will be back here next year as your DHH teacher and cannot wait to continue the collaboration for the DHH students! ~Tara
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sarj for taking over track while I was in Colorado!  Thanks buddy! ~Nate
• SUPER awesome shout out to Liz, Dan P. and Sarj for sitting on interviews with us!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Lynn for managing grades and behavior for Ryan's third sub!  You are going WAY ABOVE AND BEYOND and it means the world to me! ~Karron (and KC AND CL TOO!!)
• SUPER awesome shout out to my Secret Pal! ~Peter

May 23, 2019

Don't miss out on this exciting and engaging PD on September 14, 2019 from 9-3 at Cordelia Hills where you can learn all new ways and ideas for engaging students, increasing your technical knowledge, and all while attending an "unconference"!!  Sign up NOW and don't miss out!  It's going to be FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!

Would YOU come back to visit YOU? Ask yourself, have I engaged my students?  Have I made a lasting POSITIVE impression on them?  Have I connected with them on a level more than just with subject matter?  If you said NO to any of these, take a moment to reflect on your teaching.  ARE YOU MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT AND A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE?

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

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• SUPER DUPER UPER AMAZING SHOUT OUT TO ALL OF YOU.  YOU ALL ROCK FOR TAKING KIDS, TESTING STUDENTS, GETTING IT DONE!!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Karen for helping with the schedule for returning textbooks and chrome books!  Appreciate your help! ~Lorraine
• SUPER awesome shout out to everyone who is helping with Sport O Rama- refs and coaches!  This doesn't happen without you! ~Dave
• SUPER awesome shout out to Kevin for coming to the English Department! Heather T
• SUPER awesome shout out to our AWESOME 6th grade team!  Another great day of collaboration and planning for next year!  Great ideas all around! ~Katherine
• SUPER awesome shout out to English Department work this year!  ~Lorraine
• SUPER awesome shout out to Voz for not complaining about my trash every day as I purge! ~Sue
• SUPER awesome shout out to Heather T for being amazing and helpful for everything I needed this last year and a half!  I will miss you very much! ~Megan
• SUPER awesome shout out to Heather P., Anita, Cristina, Lynn, Karron, Katherine, and Tamia for an awesome and productive planning day! ~Julie
• SUPER awesome shout out to Aubry for always making me laugh and brightening my day!  I will miss you next year! ~Megan
• SUPER awesome shout out to Marlys for all of your help with testing and teaching co-taught this year! ~Megan
• SUPER awesome shout out to Lorraine for all of the awesome collaboration this year!  I can't wait to keep it up next year! ~Megan
• SUPER awesome shout out to all the staff who have made my first year at GVMS amazing!  I am so happy to be here and have loved every minutes of it (truly!).  Looking forward to a great end to a wonderful year and a new year in August! ~Karron
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dan Peckham for being Dan Peckham!  Woot! ~Jerry Garcia (aka Morace...I think)
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue Kinder for being Sue Kinder! Woot! ~Ada Lovelace (Again, Morace...I think)
• SUPER awesome shout out to Paula Vargas for being Paula Vargas! Woot! ~ Annie Easley (again, again...Morace)
• SUPER awesome shout out to Michele LaVoy-Reimer for being Michele LaVoy-Reimer! Woot! ~Hildegard of Bingen (Now, I just can't even....)
• SUPER awesome shout out to Susan Ratterman for being Susan Ratterman! Woot!~ Catherine the Great (Can't even....)

May 17, 2019

Let's finish the school year in a strong and FUN way!  I know we still have testing going on and we need to encourage our students to reach their goals!  AND there are some awesome ways to complete the school year in a fun and strong way.  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE and THIS ARTICLE to get started on some easy fun ways to culminate the year including making the students the teacher or hosting a talk show....try to include the outdoor classroom too!

As we get more and more antsy about it getting closer to the end of this school year, we notice that the positive vibes can sometimes be shoved to the side.  This is one of the times throughout the school year that we need it THE MOST!!  How can we continue to foster our positive school climate so that we are just as excited to come to GVMS today as we were at the beginning of the school year?   
While we have several school-wide systems in place to promote a positive school culture, we are already planning for an even STRONGER positive school culture for next school year.  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE regarding what we, as a collective group, can do to take our staff (and, in turn, students!) to the next level!!

Would YOU come back to visit YOU? Ask yourself, have I engaged my students?  Have I made a lasting POSITIVE impression on them?  Have I connected with them on a level more than just with subject matter?  If you said NO to any of these, take a moment to reflect on your teaching.  ARE YOU MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT AND A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE?

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

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• SUPER DUPER UPER AMAZING SHOUT OUT TO MATH.  YOU ALL ROCK FOR TAKING KIDS, TESTING STUDENTS, GETTING IT DONE!!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tamia for bringing daily treats and happiness for Admin Appreciation Week!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Lynn and Karron for working with Ryan's THIRD sub that we have had! THANK YOU!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Karron and Katherine for offering to help with lesson plans and ideas for 3rd period in Ryan's class! ~Lynn
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tamia for ALL of the testing, lesson planning, and reconfiguring of Lilia's absences!  THANK YOU!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Jason for taking on the scorpion by the library....even if it was fake! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dave and Dan for always making me laugh at yard duty! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to all who go to their yard duty without having to have a reminder phone call!
• SUPER awesome shout out to all who wished me a happy birthday and sent love my way!  A special shout out to my ELA ladies who have made this year the best yet! ~Heather
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tamia for all you have done as site rep!  Thank you to Sue for keeping me in touch with all of the Reminds!  You are both amazing! ~Carol
• MAJOR SUPER awesome shout out to my lunch crew: 6th grade team!  You have made my year, thank you for always making my day! ~Karron
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue for ALWAYS making us feel like a family! ~Julie and ALL OF GVMS
• SUPER awesome shout out to Karron for sharing her umbrella this morning with me during the torrential downpour! ~Megan
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• SUPER awesome shouts out to:  Heather Toll, Megan Layne, and Aubry Russell for sorting the CAASSP cards by teacher and period...THANK YOU For all of teachers allowing students to complete the tests.....much appreciated....and Brenita for doing breaks at our end of town. Susan Ratterman, Michele Silva, and Michele Reimer for helping with the incoming 7th graders testing after school...even walkiing the students up to my room!!!! ~SUE
• SUPER awesome Shouts Out to: all the Green Valley staff for your Awesomeness, Dedication, Hard work, and Commitment to our students. It has been great working at Green Valley and building some special relationships. Special Shout Outs to Sue Kinder (My Angel), Jason Morace, Dustin Cloud, Anita Green, Heather Toll, Dan Pozzesi, Lorraine Nitto, and Karen Andrews for your Kindness, Smiles, and for helping me during some hard Times and in times of need. Thank you Kristen and Christine for being Great Bosses and for being understanding when I was dealing with hardships (There has been a few). However, God is AWESOME! I Thank GOD for Blessing with this journey called 'Life'. I pray for Blessings, Good Health, Peace, Love, and Happiness for all of you!! Congrats to Sue Kinder, Mr. Peckham, Michelle Reimer,, and Susan Ratterman, LIVE, LOVE and ENJOY your retirement. YOU ARE NOW A PART OF THE "EVERY DAY IS SATURDAY CLUB!" ~PAULA

May 10, 2019

THANK YOU for all you do.  I know we have said and tried to show it and just another reminder that we truly appreciate the hard work, dedication to our kids, and collaboration that you all do day in and day out!  Just one more time on the Kid President video =)  Always makes EVERYONE smile!!

As we continue through testing season, how do we keep students focused and encourage them to do their best (besides just saying it to them)?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE about surviving and thriving during testing season and get simple ideas for ways to give our students support and encourage them to do their best! 

As we get closer and closer to the end of the school year (or closer and closer to retirement for some!), burnout can be a MAJOR concern!  How can we help each other with burnout???  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE for some easy and fun ways to make sure that you stay energized, recharged, and on top of your game for the end of the school year to MAKE IT AWESOME!!  Things like incorporating play time into the school day (outdoor classroom in the garden anyone?), NOT giving yourself extra homework, and leaning on your friends!

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

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• SUPER DUPER UPER AMAZING SHOUT OUT TO ENGLISH.  YOU ALL ROCK FOR TAKING KIDS, TESTING STUDENTS, GETTING IT DONE!!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tamia and Carol for representing us!  We appreciate all of your hard work! ~Cristina
• SUPER awesome shout out to Carol for working with our new student, Ma Ja, during state testing!  Super appreciate it! ~Julie
• SUPER Awesome shout out to my secret pal!  I cannot wait to find out who you are soon! ~Karron
• SUPER awesome shout out Rosa for helping me with swim stuff!! ~KC
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sarj, Nate, and Liz for helping me with my P5 kids and helping me out! ~Heather T.
• SUPER awesome shout out to Rosa for my beautiful gift!  I absolutely love it! ~Heather T.
• SUPER awesome shout out to Admin for the awesome Teacher Appreciation Week! You Rock! ~Heather T.
• SUPER awesome shout out to Lynn and Katherine for tackling the Foss kits in the back!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Heather for ALL her work with Check in and Check out kids!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Cloud for having my back and covering my class so that I could catch my breath and get water!  You're my boy Blue! ~Diaz
• SUPER awesome shout out to everyone who asked how I was feeling and checked in on me!  You made me feel loved and missed! ~Katherine
• SUPER awesome shout out to everyone who helped me finish the testing for the kids! ~Cristina
• SUPER awesome shout out to Heather P., Lynn, Karron and Julie for the lunch laughs!! ~Cristina
• SUPER awesome shout out to Tara for ALWAYS keeping us in the loop!

May 3, 2019

As we continue through testing season, how do we keep students focused and encourage them to do their best (besides just saying it to them)?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE about surviving and thriving during testing season and get simple ideas for ways to give our students support and encourage them to do their best! 

"____ more days" seems to be the most common greeting we here lately....

If you think that you are feeling the "burn" and classroom management is slipping, the Good Behavior Game is a quick and easy solution for your most "challenging" period during the day!  It has a TON of evidence to support it, it's easy to do and it has impressive outcomes (click here!) and results in classrooms, especially in secondary!! 

Check out THIS LINK on a "how to" guide to get started NOW!!!

How do we #finishstrong?!?!  I know we are tired.  I know we are stressed.  I know there is a lot of pressure.  I know we ALL have things going on outside of GVMS.  I also know that we are here, with each other (and awake usually), more than we are with our families. So, again, HOW do we FINISH STRONG and encourage others to do the same??  Well, I think the pic above nails it.  Mic drop.  Keep Moving.  Plan for success. COLLABORATE.  Grow as an educator. Evaluate your goals and ask for feedback.  

CELEBRATE CELEBRATE CELEBRATE!

Celebrate YOU!  Celebrate YOUR/OUR STUDENTS!  Celebrate PARTNERS at GVMS!

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

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• SUPER awesome shout out to Tamia for taking care of Lilia's IEPs, her testing, her lesson plans, and MORE.  You are a ROCK STAR!  
• SUPER awesome shout out to Rosa and Brenita for taking care of all you do and helping us with our 6th graders! ~Julie
• SUPER awesome shout out to Cherry and Lucero for helping us with our runners and other classroom challenges! ~Julie
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dave for coordinating Sport O Rama, the most legal fun you can have at school! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to Alisa for already working on the PE Orders for next year!
• SUPER awesome shout out to History Department for being a great group of people to work with! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to Heather T for taking those that needed to complete make ups!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Cristina, Sandy and Kevin for wanting to pilot the new textbook and take on more meetings! ~Carol
• SUPER awesome shout out to My Secret Pal for all the great gifts! ~Peter
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue for letting me borrow your weed wacker for the garden this weekend! ~Katherine
• SUPER awesome shout out to Mimi for being here for Aida and letting us go to the bathroom! ~Sue
• SUPER awesome shout out to Kevin for his big heart for these middle school kiddos!