Summer Wrap Up and September Preview

Bears,

Are you ready?  It's time to get excited.  It's time to get your game face (or school face) on.  It's time to make a difference.  It's time to be the awesome educators you already are. 

It's always been my belief that, if you work in a school, you are an educator.  Regardless of your specific duties, if you work with kids or around kids, you're a leader - period.  And as author and speaker John Maxwell puts it, leadership is all about influence.  Are you ready to be a positive influence on the kids entrusted to our care?  Are you ready to mold, shape, guide, engage, equip, and empower the little Bears who call R.M. Bacon their educational home?  They are counting on you and me to be the best you and me possible - every day, every week, all year.  So, are you ready?  Are we ready?

August Wrap Up

August was a busy month in the bear cave.  Teachers were in-and-out setting up their rooms.  Our custodial staff worked hard to get the building and classrooms ready for another year.  Everything looks great - all we need are the students.   

Earlier in the month, some members of our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) team attended a Tier 2 workshop hosted by the Drexel team.  It was two great days of learning how to help students through positive redirection and reinforcement.  We were trained on various strategies to help promote academic and behavioral success for our students.  

Later in the month, we had voluntary meetings for our PBIS and ScIP (school improvement panel) teams.  During those sessions, we hashed out as a group such topics as how we will meet our school goals and how the recently revamped PBIS program (with Tier 2 training) will be used to make our school even better.  Ideas were shared, questions were posed, and we even left with a few new questions that don't yet have answers.  That's ok - it just means we let those areas of uncertainty guide us into better decision making and clearer goal-setting.  The "not sure yet" elements of today will be motivation for continuous school improvement.  Thanks to all the staff who came out to these important times of planning.     

Tier 2 training

Summer meetings are the best!!

September Preview

It's hard to believe the school year is upon us.  Although September usually gives us a few warm weeks (and hot ones, according the forecast for the upcoming week), we'll soon be putting away the summer gear, taking out the sweatshirts, and celebrating all things pumpkin and autumn.  I like the transition from summer to fall - I always have.  As a new principal, it's even more exciting.  I'm looking forward to seeing what this year has in store for all of us, and it's an honor to serve the school in this position. 

Here's a glance at the month ahead:

9/6 - First day for staff.  We will meet in the library/media center at 9:00.  Bagels, coffee, and water will be provided.  Also, for those who wish to remain during the lunch hour (11:30-12:30), lunch will be prepared by our fantastic cafeteria staff and sponsored by the HSA. 

9/7 - First day for students.  Game on!

9/13 - Bacon Community Night.  This is a free event to all who live in the Bacon area.  Students, staff, parents, and community members will have an opportunity to play games together (kickball, basketball, football, etc.).  We are also working on some other fun things for the families and community members to enjoy.  Some local businesses have also agreed participate or help in some way.  You don't have to have a child who attends Bacon to participate.   The event will run from 5-7 p.m., and $1 hotdog and water combos will be available for sale.  Come ring in the new school year with us!  Click here to see the flyer. 

9/20 - Back-to-School Night.  Parents, please join us at 7 p.m. for our annual BTS night.  We look forward to seeing you. 

It is going to be a great year.  Together, we can make a difference.  Together, we will. 

See you very soon,

Mike

Weekly overview (be sure to check the official school calendar) 

Monday: Labor Day 

Tuesday: First day for staff.  Opening meeting begins at 9 in the library.

Wednesday: A day - First day for students! 

Thursday: B day - Yet another great day at Bacon.  We are just getting started!

Friday: C day - Wear Bacon gear