Mini CEOs

Dear Friends,

Exciting things are happening with our 4th grade Leadership Forum Lunch Group!  Take a look at the pictures below- don't the kids look like little CEOs?!  They are hard at work on something that is a pretty big deal and I just can't wait to see what these little leaders will accomplish in the coming months!  I continue to be inspired and surprised about their ability to get things done!

P.S. These kids are so inspiring!

Blog-tastic

Dear Friends,

Guilty as charged.  I haven't updated my blog in over a week and that is a big NO-NO in my rule book of blog keeping.  Luckily, I am the author of said rule book and have decided to forgive myself as long as you all will, too.

We are chugging right along here at Carmel Elementary.  So many great things are happening around here...I wish that you all could see the amazing, exciting, and fun learning opportunities that our teachers are creating for our kiddos!  I encourage you to visit one of the following blogs- they are all blogs that belong to a teacher here at CE...if you have a minute, take a peek at one that belongs to a teacher who is NOT your child's teacher.  Wouldn't it be fun to see what's happening out there in the world of CE? :)

http://hallskinders.blogspot.com/
http://kindergartenwithmrstrammell.blogspot.com/
https://kinderwithmissfernkas.wordpress.com/
http://mrsdiggs.blogspot.com/
http://firstgrademousekids.blogspot.com/
http://mrsselmsrockstars.blogspot.com/
http://secondgradersareofftogreatplaces.blogspot.com/
http://secondgradelearningfactory.blogspot.com/
http://mrshayesthirdgrade.blogspot.com/
http://twothreechallengenews.blogspot.com/
http://www.thirdgradewithmrshrenoce.blogspot.com/
http://grade3atce.blogspot.com/
http://mcelweesfourthgraders.blogspot.com/
http://singletonsfabulousfourthgraders.blogspot.com/
http://wiegandclassroom.blogspot.com/
http://teamhepper.blogspot.com/
http://learningwithleffers.blogspot.com/
http://thielsthoughts.blogspot.com/

P.S. Sometimes I wish I could be a kid again just so I could go to school at Carmel Elementary!

Leadership Lunch

Dear Friends,

Yesterday was a really fun day for me!  We had our first Leadership Forum Lunch Group and it put a perma-smile on my face!  I had a chance to meet two students who are new to Carmel Elementary and learn more about students who have been with us for a year or even four!  We discussed different ideas for leadership opportunities at Carmel Elementary and the most important thing that came out of that is the need for kids to have walkie-talkies at school (I am not making this up!!).  However, eventually the kids came up with some really valid points and suggestions for ways to improve our school and opportunities for our kiddos.  I am so happy to have formed this group and can't wait to meet with them again next week!

P.S. Don't they looks official at the conference room table and in swivel chairs?!

Dear Friends,

Mrs. Douce is my guest blogger today!  Mrs. Douce is our Student Services Coordinator. 

Carmel Elementary students had a fantastic anti-bullying presentation Thursday morning entitled “Upstanders Rock.”   Our presenter, Eugene Clark, taught all of us about how to eliminate bullying and work as a team to accomplish that goal.  We had a great time with lots of laughs and learning.  My favorite was all the students dressed up as adults.  J  The kids were reminded that they can report bullying to a parent, teacher, student services coordinator (me!!), or our principals.

 



 

Calling All Young Aspiring Authors, Creative Collaborators, and Budding Bloggers!

Dear Friends,

I am looking to highlight the voice of our student body, one kiddo at a time! To do that, I'm seeking a guest student blogger to post on my blog (www.apafterthoughts.blogspot.com)!  I will invite students to participate every few weeks, and each invitation will be open to one grade level at a time.  Interested students may submit:

•  original written work of any style (300 words or less)
•  original digitally recorded videos
• original audio recordings (songs, instrumentals, spoken word)
• original art work
• a combination of any of the above suggestions

May I suggest that you think outside the box?  May I suggest that different is cool?

There are few parameters to the style of submission:

• it must be school appropriate and original work
• students may work together or alone
• parents may provide technical support, but remember, we are highlighting the voice of our student body
• please pay special attention to the quality of recordings so that a submission posted on the blog is clear and audible
• projects need not empty the bank accounts of parents :) 

Please encourage students and friends to make a submission.  This first round of submissions is open to 5^th grade students only.  I will advertise this opportunity via live announcements this week and the deadline is Wednesday, September 9th. 

 

P.S. I am so excited to showcase our creative leaders!

 

 

Leadership Forum

Dear Friends,

As we begin to learn about the 7 Habits of Happy and Highly Effective kids, staff members will be looking to create opportunities for all students to participate, collaborate, and lead at Carmel Elementary.  My first venture in creating opportunities will be a Lunch Group Leadership Forum.  This lunch group will meet once a week during lunch, generally on Thursdays, for a total of four meetings.  Each lunch group will be grade level specific, and made up of approximately 6 students.  After I've cycled through each grade level, I will start over with a new group of kiddos.  Be on the lookout for the invitation and permission slip!

During our lunch group meetings, we will discuss leaders around our school, city, and world.  We will enjoy conversations about what our leadership strengths and needs are, and how we can best impact our world with these gifts.  Our lunch group will be a fun and relaxing way to connect!

I'm starting with 4th grade and will hold our first session on Thursday, September 3rd!

PS- don't forget to subscribe to my blog!  Put your e-mail address in the "Subscribe" box on the right of this webpage...then don't forget to look for the confirmation e-mail and click yes to confirm!

Meet the Teacher!

Dear Friends,

Meet the Teacher Night was a HUGE success!  I love being part of this night, both as a parent and as assistant principal.  I'm so happy that we were able to host childcare- the kids were so well-behaved and cute, and I think it was really helpful to parents.

I am kicking myself because I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES.  If I had remembered, I would be able to show you the hilarity of 24 adults sitting in chairs made for 7 year olds, the note that I was able to leave in my daughter's desk during her teacher's presentation, and the kids joyfully sprawled out on the gym floor to watch a movie (I do actually have a picture of this that I'll share, excuse the lighting).

Thanks again to all of our lovely teachers for making last night an informative and fun evening.  Thank you to all the parents who were able to work out their schedules in order to be here.  We have a truly amazing school!

P.S. My daughter's desk was far tidier than mine!