Choosing Your Attitude

We had some PD time dedicated to our Middle School staff this week where we had the chance to talk about our school culture and climate.  We had some great conversations and reflections about what we as individuals bring to our school culture.  We watched this video and most seemed to enjoy it and value the message.  After watching the video, I challenged each teacher to choose their attitude each day with a purpose and keep it on a list somewhere.  I am doing the same thing and finding it quite powerful.  Enjoy the video.  Laugh out loud.  I hope you too can commit to choosing YOUR attitude.

Digital Textbooks - By Our Teachers!

Just read this article from Education Week (CLICK HERE), and it got me excited about the future of textbooks.  Personally, I am struggling with the notion of spending money, from an already tight budget, on textbooks.  Why?  Because I feel (and hope) we are on the cusp of heading towards a digital curriculum.  The idea of paying teachers to spend time writing their own digital textbooks is awesome! 

One, it would save the district some money (theoretically-I don't really have hard numbers).  But that's not the best part.  Our teachers are experts about the content in their classrooms.  Who better to write the textbook?  I know I value the expertise of our teachers.  This would be perfect!  There would be no wasted chapters.  The information would be relevant and up to date.  It would be a living document.  We would have the ability to update, transform and recreate, as we get data back from formative assessments. 

If done right, this could revolutionize local education.  Real life, relevant problems could be used in the text.  I'm excited!  Tell me what you think!

Starting Somewhere

It was a little while ago, but the entire Middle School joined the community in the Start Somewhere walk as a part of Governor Branstad' healthiest state initiative.  It was a great event.  Thanks to Keith's Foods for organizing the walk and for the bottle of water at the end.  The students really enjoyed the chance to get out and be a part of something.  Here's a picture of us walking our way to a healthier lifestyle.

Bully Prevention Tips

October is Bully Prevention Month and here at DCMS we are on a full blown mission to stop bullying.  We meet in our Social Skills/Bully Prevention groups once a week for 30 minutes.  This is sacred time for our students and teachers, as we have lessons and conversations about character, choices, and creating the best culture possible in our school! 

I just read a great piece that has some bully prevention tips for principals, teachers, and parents.  Give it a look.  CLICK TO READ.  There's some great ideas here.  Let me know what you think.  It will take everyone to stop bullying! 

When the Honeymoon is Over

This post is for the teachers.  We all enjoy getting back to school and working with the kids.  Typically, we get a nice little "honeymoon" phase when the kids are on their best behavior and things are fairly peaceful.  That period of time is different every year, but eventually, the honeymoon must end.  So here is a nice article to help keep our spirits high and motivated throughout the year.  CLICK TO READ.  The main theme is clearly taking care of yourself.  As educators, it is very easy to get wrapped in the lives of our students and their needs.  It is extremely important to have balance in our work and our personal lives.  To be the best we can be, sometimes we have to focus on ourselves!

The Middle School Dilemma!?

Whenever I tell people I am the principal of a middle school, I usually get the same look.  You know it, that, "You poor man, I don't know how you do it" look.  Let me begin by saying, I love my job.  Working in our middle school has been one of the most personally satisfying career changes I have ever made.

Now, with that being said, it's not an easy job.  There are many studies and research teams out there trying to find a way to get the most out of the middle school experience for kids.  And quite honestly, nobody has really come up with a tremendous plan.  I stumbled upon this article today about someone tackling the middle school "mess," as they call it.  CLICK TO READ.  A warning - it contains some drastic changes - and I'm not saying I agree or disagree with any of them.  But I do think we have to think "outside the box" when working with middle school children.  This is an extremely important time in their lives.  So as we continue our work to change the way we teach and learn - I feel good knowing we are trying our very best to make the greatest impact we can for all of our students.

I found it to be an interesting read.  Let me know what you think!

Homecoming 2011

It has come and gone, but Homecoming was great fun at DCMS.  Our students did a tremendous job with the dress up days and activities.  We collected over 500 food items to donate in our effort to "KO Hunger!" Here are a few photos from the week.

Well done students!  And I think we can all agree we had a great time but it gets to be quite exhausting!  LOOK!