Bears,
As we reflect on the life, leadership, love, courage, and sacrifice of Martin Luther King Jr., let's remember our purpose as a school in doing what we do. Teaching is more than getting students to work through a division problem, or explaining to students the difference between nouns and verbs, or having students correctly rattle off important dates in history. Sure, those things are important and they certainly have their place. But we all know that education encompasses more than rote knowledge. As Socrates put it, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." Even further - it's about helping young people develop into good people - kind, caring, understanding, accepting, loving people. Martin Luther King Jr. embodied these ideals, and he led and taught by example. Let us not take his lessons lightly, and let us not take the roles we play in children's lives as anything less than the noble and just callings they are. We can raise a generation of smart young people, but if we neglect the matters of character, what have we really accomplished? MLK died for this principle. May the spirit of his life and work be with us everyday and guide us into deeper areas of understanding. May we as educators help our students realize the importance of developing the "content of their character."
Weekly recap and preview
Last week, some of our teachers attended a valuable meeting in which they analyzed data that will help them drive their instruction. It was a productive and thought-provoking time, and we plan on using it as a springboard to greater things. At this week's staff meeting, we are going to build on this information in order to help facilitate learning at the highest levels in all classrooms. Stay tuned.
Linda from the RAC team will be here on Thursday to perform some demo lessons on guided reading and how to adjust instruction to meet the needs of all learners. We look forward to having her here, and we can't wait to see how far our awesome teaching staff will go with this training.
Also on Thursday, the Parents As Leaders Coalition will host their monthly meeting at Silver Run School beginning at 6 pm. The meeting will not be at Bacon like usual. Normally due to space limitations, the PALC meetings are open to those families who have already been contacted ahead of time. This month, however, the meeting is open to all parents of 4th and 5th grade students. This month's important topic: Internet Safety. We hope to see you at Silver Run!
Everyone have a great week.
Pictures from around the School (and beyond)
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| Multiple Bear sightings at the Philly Zoo - they, along with their Girl Scout troop, enjoyed an overnight stay |
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| Brightening up the cafeteria |
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| Some of our awesome staff working on plans to make Bacon even better |
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| Nurse Pruett knows how to have fun - at the Philly zoo |
Birthday Selfies!
We were a little light this week on pictures - we'll make up for it next week!
Weekly overview (be sure to check the official school calendar)
Monday (1/16): Schools closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday (1/17): B day - Lesson plans due
Wednesday (1/18): C day - Dare to be Fit (8 am in the gym), Workout Wednesday, PBIS Tier 2 meeting (10:44 - 11:24, conference room)
Thursday (1/19): D day - Staff meeting/articulation (8 am in the library), Parents As Leaders Coalition meeting at Silver Run (topic: internet safety -- this meeting is open to all parents who have children in 4th or 5th grade -- 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Please call the Bacon main office for more information).
Friday (1/20): E day - Wear Bacon Gear
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