Almost Halfway...

Thursday, January 2nd is our 77th day of school so far this year. We’re almost half way through the school year. The actual halfway mark is January 22nd.

How’s this year going for you?

Are you happy with your work so far?

Are you learning?

Sometimes its helpful to stop for a moment and look back to see how far you’ve come. Progress often gets lost in the day-to-day grind of school. 

What new skills have you acquired? What can you do now that you could not do in August? What do you know now that you did not know in August?

Are you a better writer now?  Can you find the main idea of a book or story better than before?

Can you handle new concepts in math that would have looked like gibberish before?

Do you have a better idea of how our government runs, or how the solar system formed or how a symphony of fifty individual musicians somehow work together to create something beautiful?

Believe it or not, you are growing in all the ways - intellectually, emotionally and socially. It’s not easy and it’s not linear but, even despite setbacks, you are are moving forward. 

Now is the time to recommit yourself to doing your best; to being the best student, friend and community member you can be.

I'm Baaaaaaaaaak

It’s been a while since I wrote a blog post. 

The last one  - see below - was just before the October progress reports were scheduled to come out and, lo and behold, the December progress reports are about to come out.

As I grade the work you did while I was out on medical leave, I have several thoughts about what I have seen:

• First, for all of you who took the work seriously and did your best each and every day - Thank You!  I know it can be difficult to stay focused but my hat is off for those of you who did! Your grades reflect your learning, your focus and your hard work.

• Second, some of you fell into some bad habits in doing your work. I see a lot of copy/paste in your work and, as you well know, that is not allowed. It’s pretty obvious when someone has not used the resources I included - readings, videos, slideshows, etc. Your grades reflect the shortcuts you took in doing your work. 

• Third, some of you missed a LOT of work. When I grade your work, I excuse work you were not here for. So my questions is; If you were here and did not do the work, what were you doing instead? Having been a middle school teacher for a long time, I can only imagine what was happening instead. Your grades reflect your unwillingness to attempt or engage in the work.

I am really happy to be back. I missed working with you and helping you grow as science students and humans.