Uplifting!

Happy New Year!  It feels great to be back at school! I'm filled with optimism when I think about all that 2017 has to offer. 

In continuing with the strategy to choose one word as a central focus for the year as we kick off 2017, the word that immediately came to my heart and my mind was UPLIFTING. 

By focusing on this word, I hope to maintain a priority of uplifting everyone around me--to help others feel proud of their efforts, accomplishments and unique qualities and to support them through life's struggles. 

I find the time I spend with our students, staff and families incredibly UPLIFTING. Following are a few uplifting moments I experienced with them during the week before winter break:

Fourth grade students sang, danced and performed their hearts out--BRAVO!

5th grade students collaborating to solve a tricky math problem with fractions

Kindergarten students working together to build contraptions to help the Gingerbread Man safely escape--what awesome young engineers!

Fourth grade students helping one another create holiday gifts for their loved ones. 

The PTA provided a WONDERFUL Winter Wonderland experience for our students on the day before winter break. Older students helped younger students with crafts, card-making and BINGO. 

It was an extra special treat to have our superintendent, Dr. Bein, join us in reading 'Twas the Day Before Winter Break for our story time at Winter Wonderland. 

Third grade students proudly walked the red carpet to the Solars Awards assembly. This was a fun way to celebrate their accomplishments of their research on the various planets of our Solar System. 

It was great to see the third grade teachers all dressed up, interviewing the audience, telling jokes and presenting awards to the planets, very similar to the Oscars!