Brace yourselves!  This message is a bit longer than usual because after already having crafted my thoughts around one topic, I was inspired towards another after observing a lesson just a couple hours ago.

ONE BEAUTY OF TODAY’S GENERATION, thanks to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!

Each Friday we honor birthdays at our morning assembly.  The reason we do this is because this world would not be as magnificent as it is without the life of each of the special 553 students that come to Almond every day to learn.  Today is the actual birthday of a very influential American of African descent, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Many of our children today, especially those who attend Almond, live in a very different world than those who stood at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial when he addressed the nation with his “I have a dream” speech on August 28th, 1963.  The pervasive racism that prevented equal treatment of human beings based on the color of their skin has given way to value being placed on a person’s internal qualities rather than their outward appearance.  While there certainly still remain pockets in our country, and the world, where biases thwart this effort...much of Dr. King’s dream has been realized.  

In one of our 2nd grade classrooms today, students heard a portion of his speech, reflected on one direct quote and several others spoken over the years by Dr. King.

• “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
• “Faith is taking a step even when you do not see the whole staircase.”
• “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
• “We may have all come on different ships, but we are on the same boat now.”
• “The time is always right to do what is right.”

I share these with you because I was struck once again by this great orators’ eloquence, passion, and his unflappable dedication to all people.  We teach our children today about the past so that we don’t repeat these errors and so that we continue to advance as a community that values the worth in all human beings.

Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!  We are so fortunate you were born so many years ago on this day and are grateful for the sacrifices you made to make the world what it is today.

HEALTH - PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, & INTELLECTUAL

According to Google, “wellness” is defined as “the state or condition of being in good physical and mental health.”  I would further subdivide mental health into the categories of emotional and intellectual because both stem from brain function.  Regardless, all have equal importance.  Those who have ever experienced physical health challenges know that when your body is in peril, it affects how you feel and think.  And vice versa, if you’re struggling emotionally with something, that conflict can often seep into your body and lead to physical pain or discomfort.  Then there’s your intellectual health.  Our brains are our strongest muscle and they need constant exercise and stimulation.  When our brains are fully engaged, that contributes to an overall sense of well being.

To keep our bodies and brains in balance, we need to take an active role in caring for them.  At Almond, we not only focus on expanding the intellectual capacity of our children, but also in nurturing emotional and physical growth.  

In the classrooms, teachers take special care to create environments that are caring and safe where all students are valued.  This might take shape through morning meetings, classroom guidelines that honor each child’s voice, or even a manner of speaking to and addressing peers.  On our campus, we strive to remain solution oriented when solving conflicts, rather than functioning from a punitive standpoint.  We assume the best intentions in children and address them verbally the way we would want to be spoken to.  Our school wide Project Cornerstone initiative plays a crucial role in providing us with a common language to talk through sensitive topics that contribute to emotional well being.  This program also aims to increase the number of caring adults on campus who truly know our children.

Our children participate weekly in physical education with Ms. Alber (TK/K), Mrs. Marquis (Grades 1-6), and Mr. Core (Grade 3).   A significant focus this year has been on increasing the physical strength and endurance of our children.  While a component does focus on elevating our student’s heart rates and getting their muscles working, another is the goal is to heighten their self esteem and the belief that they can accomplish their personal best.  Classroom teachers have been working together to add minutes throughout the week to ensure students are getting adequate physical activity that their bodies need and crave.

Our children, and Almond School, need your support in one particular area.  As part of a state and national effort to curb childhood obesity, improve children’s health and enhance student learning, legislation has created stronger standards for food and beverages sold or provided at school. This impacts all districts.  LASD has a board policy (5030) that guides us as follows: “Schools should limit celebrations that involve food during the school day to no more than one party per class per month. Each party should include no more than one food or beverage that does not meet the nutritional guidelines.  Celebrations without food are encouraged.”

At the teachers’ discretion, classes may still hold a party during the month to celebrate a particular event.  However, the past practice of disseminating a sweet treat to the class on a student’s birthday is no longer a viable option.  This poses a challenge in that it is not in line with our efforts to provide a nutritionally healthy experience for children, along with the potential concern regarding the various types of allergies that students now face (nuts, gluten, dairy, etc…).  

While I am one who thoroughly enjoys some sinful pleasures like a saucy cheeseburger from In N Out or Five Guys, mint chocolate chip or cookie dough ice cream, and decadent chocolate morsel...I understand the call to allow you to make those decisions for your own children.  I thank you in advance for supporting us in safeguarding the physical health of our children by limiting foods at school that do not comply with the federal health guidelines*.

*Not more than 35% of total calories from fat.  Not more than 10% of total calories from saturated fat.  Not more than 35% of total weight is composed of sugar, including naturally occurring and added sugar.  Total calories should not exceed 175 calories per serving.

As we wound up the mountain towards our New Year’s hideaway, an idea came to me.  Instead of pushing forward through our annual family tradition of sharing goals/resolutions for 2015, what if each of us identified a “tagline” that would guide us through the upcoming 365 days.  After letting it ruminate around a few turns, I proposed the idea to the girls and my husband.  The first question the girls had was, “What’s a tagline?”  I explained that it’s a motto, or slogan that is typically used by companies for marketing purposes.  You guessed it, the next question was, “What’s marketing?”

Thanks to my handy dandy smart phone, I pulled up some of the most recognizable catchphrases and we had a terrific discussion around what each company did and what the associated slogan was attempting to communicate.  Here are just a few:  Apple - Think different.  GE - We bring good things to life.  Hewlett Packard - Invent.  NBC - Must see TV.  Southwest Airlines - You are now free to move about the country.  US Navy - It’s not a job.  It’s an adventure.  The Yellow Pages - Let your fingers do the walking.

The girls quickly got the picture and shared ones that they have heard, “Nationwide is on your side,”  or “Safeway - ingredients for life,” and “Snickers satisfies you.”  We talked about how companies and/or products might keep a tagline for years, or they might change to a new one to reach a different audience or to alter the audience’s focus.  Nevertheless, everyone was on board.

We included two design parameters.  The tagline needed to be broad enough to apply to the various parts of our lives (e.g. school, personal growth, professional) and, if using an already established tagline, try to personalize it and make it original.

For the next few days each of us dedicated thinking time to this task at different points in the day.  When I was putting the girls to sleep one night, after Alex had already passed out (which happens moments after her head hits the pillow), I turned to Sammi and her eyes were wide open.  I knew that left brain of hers was working overtime!  She shared that she was having trouble coming up with a tagline.  I assured her that it would come to her when she was ready and that it would perfectly represent her.  Chris tormented all of us with what he insisted would be his tagline, “Do tomorrow what you can do today.”  None of us approved!  Of course the more we protested and explained that being a procrastinator was not the way he should spend 2015, the more he delighted in our consternation and teased us even more.

New Year’s Eve arrived and the time to share our taglines was upon us.  Through our great conversations, we decided we needed a tagline for our family.

Benadom Family - Let’s go [to new] places!

Chris - Just do it. (Proudly borrowed from Nike and not modified one bit!)

Erika - Focus on what matters; keep it simple.

Samantha - Conquer life’s tangles.

Alex - Be an original.

Both Samantha and Alex’s taglines touched my heart dearly.  Sam and I arrived at hers together after our third episode of detangling her very long hair that she’s struggling to manage.  After spending over 20 minutes trying to get out various knots and tangles, I said, “Sam, we gotta find a way to conquer these because neither of us is enjoying this process.”  She then said, “Mom, THAT’S my tagline.  Conquer tangles.”  It brought the needed levity to that moment.  We talked about how this massive tangle was a metaphor for the various challenges that might come up in life and that while frustrating, you have to keep at it and straighten out the problem.  We also discussed how to be proactive to prevent tangles from the get go.  I am happy to report, she has been hair tangle free since the new year!

Alex knew her tagline the moment we began discussing it.  She was born with spunk, a strong conviction, a deep sense of justice, and a very strong understanding of who she is.  She has a shirt that reads, “I am who I am.  Your approval isn’t necessary.”  She is in a family that embraces and encourages her originality and voice.  We all find great joy in her spirit and she inspires each of us in a myriad of ways.

So what’s all this got to do with Almond and education?  Well, LASD has it’s own tagline that guides our work:  REVOLUTIONIZE LEARNING!  We do this by empowering students and teachers, through nurturing a growth mindset, when we value process as much as the product, by providing students with choice in various learning activities, and when we design learning that meets students at their ability levels.  This tagline has been part of our district culture for several years now and has gained clarity and greater purpose in leading us towards student needs.

On this 8th day of the New Year, I ask you…”What’s your 2015 tagline?”

Here’s to another terrific year together!

The holidays evoke within me a wide range of emotions; most at the joyful side of the spectrum, with a few at the opposing end.  At times the hussle and bussle seems to overtake the serenity of the season of giving and good cheer.  In order to hang on to the merriment, I remind myself to be present in the moment.  

Today I was afforded a much needed opportunity to practice focusing on NOW and revel in mommyhood.  I drove four (2 girls & 2 boys) fourth graders on a field trip to San Juan Bautista.  What a treat to listen to the conversations of 9 year olds.  Topics ranged from holiday travels, recollections of funny sayings from peers in class, and even nonsensical talk that I couldn’t decipher.  They laughed and worked diligently to garner chuckles from one another and I cherished being privy to a side of my daughter that I don’t get to see in our home environment.  

The fun continued during the two hours at the mission.  I was able to match dinner-time stories of Sammi’s friends with the outgoing personalities that couldn’t be contained.  I reminded myself frequently that in the PRESENT MOMENT I was Sam’s mom and not the principal.  There was one occasion where I couldn’t separate the two and thankfully it was welcomed by a wink of gratitude from the teacher.  

During our free time, I took out our crew of four on a rogue adventure through a muddy field.  We followed animal tracks, found pumpkins, and tested the capacity for water soaked dirt to hold our weight without sinking into an inescapable abyss.  To Sam, our trek into the unknown came as no surprise because she’s used to her mom’s non-traditional tendencies.  The others marveled at this grown up that was willing to color (a.k.a. walk) outside the lines.  

The journey back home was just as delightful!  On the way home I realized that I hadn’t multi-tasked, nor worried (hate to admit it) about what was happening beyond the moment in front of me.  While it’s not always possible to remain in this state of mind, it was one that I very much needed and was thankful for.

In my Thursday Word message at the start of 2014, I shared a poem written by my father.  In closing this year, I offer you this beautiful poem as a reminder to not get too far ahead of ourselves, nor to get stuck holding onto what has passed and is no longer in our control.

Enjoy each other, relish your time together!  Happy Holidays! Bring in the New Year with renewed hope and abounding expectations.  See you in 2015!

Earlier this week I attended the Learning Forward Conference with my fellow LASD principals and district staff.  It was a great opportunity to immerse myself in learning and to hear from experts in the field of education.  One such speaker was Michael Ungar, a Canadian researcher on social and psychological resilience.  During his keynote he reminded us that resilience is a quality that is more facilitated than innate.  It is a characteristic that develops as opposed to one that either simply exists or doesn’t.  However, if we bubble wrap our children to protect them from any and all struggle, they may not have ample opportunities to cultivate this aptitude.

On our playground, I was recently asked to elaborate on the rules.  In that exact moment (I had been dancing and partaking in karaoke with our students), I couldn’t come up with an extensive list.   Instead, I said it boiled down to making great choices and ultimately ensuring safety.  I asked the questioner to be more specific so that I could supply a better response.  “Are children allowed to play with sticks?”  Without hesitation I said, “YES…as long as students don’t pull off a branch from the tree to get it or poke their peers with it.”  While Unger spoke, I imagined a sterile playground where children were encased in the bubble wrap of intricate and exhaustive rules that would stifle their imaginations and suffocate their zeal.  When I walk Almond’s blacktop and see children negotiating (sometimes very passionately) the kickball rules, or discussing (often vehemently) whether the ball was in the four square line or not, or digging holes and getting their hands filthy with dirt...I see children building resilience.  Students experience these opportunities both outside and inside the classroom.

Another topic that came to mind were the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) which have elicited much debate across the nation and in our very own Almond rotunda.  CCSS math contains standards for both mathematical practice and content.  The content standards are specific to each grade level and include such topics as place value, properties of operations, etc…  The practice standards describe varieties of expertise that mathematics educators at all levels should seek to develop in their students:  1) Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.  2)  Reason abstractly and quantitatively.  3)  Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.  4)  Model with mathematics.  5)  Use appropriate tools strategically.  6)  Attend to precision.  7)  Look for and make use of structure.  8)  Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

As I sit and help my 2nd and 4th grade daughters complete their homework each week, I’ve pondered what I’m certain many of you have asked yourselves, “Why aren’t we just teaching kids the way we learned math?  Learn the efficient algorithm to solve the problem or memorize the formula and apply it.”  The standards are designed in such a way that they will learn the algorithms and will utilize them with automaticity after having developed a solid foundation for the mathematical concepts themselves.  “Math is a language of logic.  It is a disciplined, organized way of thinking.¹”  To become fluent in this language, our students need to understand what exists behind the numbers and symbols.

I’ve heard it said that one of the most challenging aspects of the CCSS math is that children now have to explain their thinking and their strategies.  The reason this is hard right now is because students are not accustomed to doing this.  Math used to be about the end result, not the path to get there.  Now the process matters just as much or even more than the product.  Should we stop because it’s hard?  I, for one, don’t think so.  In fact, I often remind students that growing our brains IS hard!  Sometimes our brains might even hurt from thinking so hard, but that’s how we exercise our noggins.  To strengthen our biceps, we lift weights.  After a tough workout, our muscles are often sore.  That pain eventually subsides and our muscles grow and we can lift heavier and heavier weights.  Our muscles are resilient.  Let’s afford our brain these same opportunities.

As all of us grown ups know, life is full of challenges.  We’re going to have to climb some very high mountains, cross some treacherous rivers, navigate some dangerous valleys, and even survive the worst storm in 5 years :-).  Yes, we will need to access our intellect during these journeys.  However, what will keep us going towards that finish line, is our determination to persevere!  Without that, we will go nowhere.

¹ Ripley, Amanda. the smartest kids in the world and how they got that way.  New York:  Simon & Schuster, 2013.  Print.

One of the many things that separates humans from other animals is our propensity to express what manifests in our brains or emotions.  This expression takes many different forms: the spoken word, artistic creations, musical compositions, written feats, and more.  We are a species that wants to share our thoughts, stories, and memories - each of these contributing to the unique voice within every being.  No two of us have lived the same life.  No two of us have an identical story.  No two of us see the world in the same way.  These distinct perspectives contribute to the complex beauty of our world.

My preferred form of expression is writing.  It has taken many years to develop my voice and it’s still taking shape.  It certainly helped that my dad tortured :-), I mean tantalized, my sister and I on a daily basis with beautiful words that he would include in his poems.  In fact, while visiting him last week he asked me if I knew the meaning of “tintinnabulation” and then proceeded to tease me with a phrase he used to toss my way when I was little, “I cccaaaannnnn’ttttt believe you don’t know what ______ means.”  

Over the years, I have found that writing is much more than aggregating words on a page with the proper grammar and syntax.  Instead, it’s all about that VOICE*!  Whether you are creating art, composing music, or writing - the core message is what matters most.  There is incredible value inside each one of us and once we learn to listen to that worth...that voice - the output is often remarkable.  

At times this voice can be undermined by our own doubts.  What if no one likes what I say?  What if I can’t make money being true to my voice?  What if no one even listens?  This is where our authentic self needs to stand tall.  Your story is vital to this world.  Your song must be sung.  Your art will make this Earth more beautiful.  Allow your voice to come through because without it, this life would not be extraordinary.

On Tuesday, December 9th, the Almond PTA will host a writer’s workshop with author Jennifer Hartvickson in the multi at 6:30pm.  The Bookwave is an Almond tradition in which students create published works.  It is not just about imprinting a child’s writing in a book format...it’s about honoring a child’s voice.  It’s about giving their story value.  We look forward to seeing you at this event.

*This phrase inspired by Megan Trainor’s song, “All about that bass.”

Cornucopia – an abundant supply of good things of a specified kind.

The human brain fascinates me!  No two are alike; each is wired differently; it’s the most underutilized muscle in the body; what it is capable of at the beginning of life is vastly different than its ultimate potential in adulthood.  On top of all of that, our brains process information through our eyes, ears, taste, nose, touch AND then through a complex emotional/experiential filter that often leaves two people with very different versions of a single event or experience.

There is fact and opinion. 

Today I observed a lesson where students were categorizing statements accordingly.  In discerning between the two, students were encouraged to examine which words signaled an opinion.  In the definition above the words in blue (abundant, good) are those very indicators.

While my thoughts may seem random, my brain connects various experiences throughout each day that lead to insights and reflections.  It’s Thanksgiving, and a common symbol of this holiday is the cornucopia - the overflowing of food blessings. 

This is a time when we pause and reflect on what we appreciate.  A strategy that I often employ in this effort is reminding myself of what is fact and what is opinion.  Is my glass half full or half empty?  Or is it filled to the halfway mark?  The latter allows me to extract judgment and opinion and gives me the ability to simply see the glass as it is.

I have much to be thankful for from a professional standpoint and extend my gratitude for what is:

• Students at Almond come to school daily focused on their learning and growth
• Staff work together in the interest of serving children
• Parent volunteers lend countless hours of their time in various capacities
• District staff support the sites through leadership and vital resources

While it is virtually impossible to make gratitude statements without including indicators of opinion, the fact is (in my opinion) that I am an incredibly fortunate principal of Almond Elementary.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.  May you be blessed with seeing the abundant supply of good things around you!

On Tuesday of this week, our nation’s federally/state funded programs (one of those being our schools) had a day off.  While it was a day to stay in our PJs a little bit longer, to break away from our typical routine, and perhaps to even enjoy an adventure - Veteran’s Day symbolizes much, much more.  It’s about service!  Women and men in our country have dedicated their lives to serving in the Armed Forces to protect our freedoms as Americans.  If engaged in a conversation with a veteran, one might ask, “When did you serve? How long did you serve?  Where did you serve?  Who were some of the brothers and sisters with whom you served?”

Those of you who actually :-) read my Thursday Word messages, have likely noticed that I have spoken about service in the past.  In the 2013-14 yearbook, I signed the cover letter with “At your service.”  Why?  Why is service such a significant concept in my life’s framework?  To lead, one must serve.  One must understand the needs that exist and be willing to roll up his/her sleeves to find solutions to challenges.  Service however is a concept that transcends leadership and holds for me a fundamental place examining the human experience.  If we look at the word to “serve,” in its most raw form, it is about putting the needs of others ahead of one’s own.  It’s about selflessness.  

Tuesday was a day to stop and honor those who serve our country.  Today is an opportunity for us to practice this service to others on “World Kindness Day” established through the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.  It certainly shouldn’t be necessary for a day to be set aside to encourage us to put someone else’s needs before our own; however, since it has been done, let’s ACT NOW and make it happen.  Perhaps today is the day that you smile (and say hello, and shake hands) of the stranger waiting next to you in the Rotunda of Almond School at dismissal.  Or maybe you write a handwritten note to an Almond staff member or volunteer parent to thank them for their service to our children.  Whatever you choose to do, do it with selflessness, a giving heart and no expectation of receiving anything in return.  That is the true nature of service and kindness.

With that in mind, I close with a humble CALL TO SERVICE!

We are in dire need of volunteers for hot lunch.  Each day approximately 200+ students eat hot lunch.  If your child participates in this offering, I, Mrs. Benadom, am personally asking you to help OUR SCHOOL serve your child.  It is incredibly frustrating, exhausting, and demoralizing to the few volunteers that we currently have to frantically attempt to serve students without the necessary adult support.  The end result is your child waiting in line for over half of their lunch to get their food because we do not have the 5 needed adults on hand to efficiently serve our students.  This service requires 1 hour of your time (11:45am - 12:45pm).  If every single parent of the 200+ students who utilize the hot lunch program served OUR STUDENTS once per month, this need would be satisfied.

There are many of you out there that already contribute countless hours of service to OUR SCHOOL!  Thank you for your gift of time, service, and selflessness.

“OUR SCHOOL” - This is a phrase that our students and staff often hear me say.  At the end of recess, I ask students to stop and pick up a ball that might cross their path and return it to the ball containers so that we may work together in taking care of equipment at OUR SCHOOL.  At lunch, I ask students to work together to ensure our lunch tables are clean for OUR SCHOOL.  At dismissal, I ask students to walk their bikes through big gatherings of people to make certain OUR SCHOOL is a safe place.  As a staff, we remain positive problem solvers, focused on children, to create a climate that promotes learning and cooperation at OUR SCHOOL.  

This school belongs to each and every one of us; students, staff, and our parent community.  TOGETHER we have the opportunity to make OUR SCHOOL a remarkable place where learning, joy, and safety intersect.

OUR SCHOOL needs OUR cooperation.

We have recently had some occurrences of lice in some of our children’s hair.  Lice tends to give a lot of people “the willies” and for some there is an associated feeling of shame or embarrassment.  Let me be the first to tell you, there is NO need to feel this way.  I had it when I was a little girl and I fully expect that at some point my daughters may get to experience this childhood right of passage.  There is a misperception that lice implies dirtiness or is linked to poverty. These beliefs could not be more false.  

It is our district’s policy that a child must go home from school if they are found to have active, adult head lice and/or nits.  Parents will be contacted immediately to pick their child up for proper treatment.  Staff shall maintain the privacy of the student identified as having head lice and we will offer you our dignity and respect.  A minimum of 24 hours is required for adequate treatment.  An appointment with the school office team (the parent must be present) is also required to ensure that the student is free of head lice and free of nits.  

There are ways to prevent and minimize the spread of lice and that’s where we need your help.

1. PLEASE report to the office if your child has lice.  When you call us to report that your child has lice, we will maintain your privacy.  We will send an exposure notice to all the families in the same classroom, but we WILL NOT share your name.  
2. Have your child’s head and home treated for lice.  Some of you may take this on yourselves.  Others might be interested in support from an outside agency.  
3. Talk with your child about effective practices to prevent the spread of lice.  Lice do not jump, they crawl.  Some of the ways they are spread is through sharing combs, brushes, hats and other things that touch hair.

I have been in conversation with our sister schools in Los Altos that have developed comprehensive practices around addressing lice occurrences and we are reviewing and strengthening our practices here at Almond School.  We are exploring how we might leverage our PTA to support in this process.

Whether your child experiences lice, or perhaps your doctor shares that your little one has strep throat, chicken pox or flu, we ask that you be a responsible member of OUR SCHOOL and notify the office so that we may be diligent in supporting the wellbeing of OUR STUDENTS.

Here are some helpful links that can provide you with additional information.

California Department of Health Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Pediculosis Association, Inc

SCC Department of Environmental Health, Vector Control District

My brain is struggling to find an elegant segue from lice to wearing pink this Friday, so I’ll just delve in.  (If any of you brilliant parents out there can think of a way to connect the two, I’d love to hear from you and will tuck it away for a future day.)

Tomorrow is Breast Cancer Awareness Spirit Day and students are encouraged to wear pink.  The idea for this spirit day came from our student council and was brought to our staff for consideration.  At the time, with our best thinking, we decided to move forward.  

Earlier this week I received a very respectful, thoughtful email from a parent who shared the conversation that she had with her little one (first grader) to explain what this all meant.  Having two children myself, one of them being a 2nd grader that worries endlessly about a myriad of topics, the complexity around talking about cancer resonated.  In addition, having a 4th grader who is starting to experience the joys of awkward adolescence, I also understand how mentioning the word “breast” can elicit uncomfortable giggles, blushing, and more.  These are matters that each family handles differently and is shaped by your family culture and practices.  We want to honor your beliefs and will be very mindful in how we address this day.  We will also be very considerate around the span of ages that range from 5 years old to 12.

In closing, I want to thank you for being active participants in OUR SCHOOL.  All of you leaders out there know that with any decision there will be some who are pleased and others who would have preferred a different outcome...the nature of humanity and our beautiful differences.  I’d like you to know that while I might make a difficult decision that does not sit well with some, I do take the time to consider diverse opinions and do appreciate the time that many of you take to share your thoughts in a constructive manner.

I thank you (students, parents, and staff) for making OUR SCHOOL an amazing place to come to on a daily basis.

A BIG WEEK:  WORLD SERIES, HALLOWEEN, and ELECTION DAY!

WORLD SERIES

It has been no secret that this principal has been rooting for the Giants to win the World Series.  What might surprise you…until about a month ago, I couldn’t have told you the name of one of the players.  In fact, when recently purchasing my Giants gear to offer my allegiance to this team, I purposefully didn’t select anything that identified a specific individual because if doing so, I wanted to be able to justify my endorsement.  Seven games later…I now know many of the player’s names, have learned terms like “tagging up,” and consider myself a fan that will pay much closer attention to all of next season.

So what was the tipping point?  What captivated me and brought me into Giants’ spirit?  Without hesitation, the ENERGY and PASSION of our students, families, and staff.  It wasn’t just from our diehard Giants fans, it came also from those rooting for the Royals.  Some of our youngest Eagles that were cheering for Kansas City taught me some great baseball trivia.  What tickled my heart most was their willingness to walk their own path by wearing blue on a day when many were covered in orange/black and their joyful smiles as they boasted with pride over their wins. 

In last night’s 7^th game, as I sat beside my daughters in the bottom of the 9^th inning, 2 outs, Bumgarner pitching (2-2 count), the Royals’ crowd going crazy…I couldn’t help but think of our Almond children and learning.  I marveled at the mental stamina that all the players needed to have to make it through that moment.  On the mound, Madison had to tune out all the noise, calm his own thoughts, believe in his abilities and fight through the pain of 5 innings ontop of 117 Game 5 pitches to...deliver excellence.  Catching, Posey had to keep laser focused for anything that came his way.  The infielders and outfielders needed to work as a team to ensure that Gordon, on 3^rd base, didn’t come home.  The end result, Perez hit a pop up in foul territory, Sandoval got into position and caught it to end the game.  Why think of learning at this time?  Because in order to be the best at something (as these gentlemen have all become), one must intertwine both PASSION and DEDICATION. Yes, there is an element of natural talent, but that goes nowhere without the hard work that accompanies it.  Whether our children become famous athletes, brilliant surgeons, renown engineers, selfless public servants (and more), they must LOVE what they do and WORK HARD to become the very best at what they ultimately choose to dedicate their professional lives to.

HALLOWEEN

Our staff has dedicated their lives to serving the learning of children and the families who support them.  At today’s Halloween Carnival you may not recognize some of them because some will be dawning pirate costumes.  Why?

In September, at the LASD hosted EdSummit learning conference, many Almond teachers had the great pleasure of hearing Dave Burgess, author of TEACH like a PIRATE.  With humor and an unmistakable zeal for his craft of teaching, he shared ways to increase student engagement (interest in learning) through out of the box thinking.  At the very end of his workshop he talked about how he drives some people crazy while he brainstorms ideas with them and asks detailed questions like, “when the students come in your classroom are the lights going to be on or off?”  That seems so trivial, but he argues that you must give a high degree of attention to absolutely every aspect of your lesson to ensure it’s engaging.  In that exact moment, after being in education for 19 years, all of a sudden I understood who I was and why I do what I do.  “Aye matey,  I am a pirate to my core!”  That’s why I dress up at Friday assemblies, that’s why I build ball pits, that’s why I incorporate music in my messaging that I’m passionate about, that’s why I think about how to support staff, students and families at 4am in the morning.

Neither David Burgess, nor myself, are referring to pirates that wreak havoc through robbing and pillaging ships.  No, we’re talking about the adventurous, risk taking spirit that pirate characters are known for and their unyielding quest to discover treasure and enjoy life.  In TEACH like a PIRATE, PIRATE is an acronym for Passion, Immersion, Rapport, Ask/Analyze, Transformation, Enthusiasm.  By combining these elements into our practice as educators, we can revolutionize learning for children.

Almond School is full of pirates.  Be sure to catch a glimpse of them at today’s Halloween Carnival.  Our staff brings their passions to their classrooms/campus, they allow the noise of the world to blur and hyper-focus on the present moment of meeting the needs of the children in front of them, they build relationships to deepen the educational experience for our youth, they incorporate questions and curiosity into their work, their rooms transform into hypothetical rivers where they test the strength of levees and dams, and they do it all with gusto.  Thank you Almond staff!  It is my pleasure to live the pirate life alongside you!

ELECTION DAY

While the life of a fictional pirate is full of adventure and at times involves creative interpretation of rules, our reality-based American society has structures in place to ensure that we work together as effective crewmates to navigate our many ships and journeys. 

Next Tuesday, November 4^th, is our day to exercise our rights as United States citizens to vote.  We are a very fortunate society to have the opportunity to have our opinions and beliefs factored into the outcomes of our elected officials and the various measures and initiatives that impact our daily lives.  Let us hold this privilege sacred and honor it by ensuring that we make it to that ballot box to have our voice counted.  I invite you to talk with your children about the various choices you’ll be making and what has lead you to your ultimate decisions.

As many of you know, I love to dress up in costume!  Tomorrow is Superhero Spirit Day and I cannot wait to transform into my all time favorite superheroine from my childhood (the late 1970s...yikes, dating myself).  There’s something extremely liberating about shedding my day-to-day persona and taking on a new identity for a finite period of time.  For me, it connects to imagination and the outer limits of possibility.  What IF we could really fly?  What IF we could gain super strength to move objects 5 times our size?  What IF we could spew ice through the air to make travel pathways?  What IF we could transport ourselves to a new location by simply thinking of that place?

In Angela Maiers’ book, Classroom Habitudes:  Teaching Habits and Attitudes for 21st Century Learning, she dedicates a whole chapter to imagination.  One particular passage captures for me the essence of why imagination is so critical in life, “If we cannot see the possibility, we cannot achieve the outcome.  Imagination is our mind’s eye and give us the capacity to jump from present facts to future possibilities.  Our capacity to dream, hope, and plan for the future is influenced and impacted by the control and understanding of imagination’s remarkable power ... Imagination helps us cope with and solve problems.”  Some of the greatest inventions in life have been the result of one’s imagination paired with knowledge and perseverance to transform an idea into reality.

One of the best ways to spark imagination is to play; something we tend to do less and less of as we grow into adults.  At this week’s staff gathering, the Almond 2014-15 iLearn Team (Joann Martinez, Laura Ohlund, and Jill Williams) lead us in a team, non-verbal, Skittles sorting game during our “getting connected” time.  Three years ago, LASD created the iLearn program as an additional way to nurture and foster creativity in our teaching staff. Each summer teachers throughout the district gather for a full week to learn, practice, and apply the latest techniques around innovation in education.  Not only do we engage in these creative practices as a staff for our own growth as educators, but also to learn new activities to take into the classrooms for our students.

I look forward to seeing our children dressed up tomorrow for Superhero/heroine Spirit Day!  Let us shed the confines of what reality deems possible and allow imagination to propel us into the endless possibilities that our minds can generate.