Sunday, October 30, 2016

October 31 - November 4, 2016



Bears,

It was a week of learning, fun, rewards, and opportunty.  Let's jump in...

Early in the week, I was able to attend a meeting hosted by the distrcit elementary literacy coaches. I, along with other principals and administrators, saw first hand how hard the coaches are working to improve the quality of education throughout the district.  The information they shared was useful, and I'm looking forward to seeing how we build from this session.  I'd say we are off to a great start in targeting ways to improve student learning.

Also this week, parents, students, and staff alike gathered at Bacon for the annual Halloween Frolic.  Between the hayride, dancing, games, arts and crafts, and food in the cafeteria, there was something for everyone.  A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event possible.  Also, thanks goes out to the Millville Police Department, the MPD explorers, and the Millville Fire Department for being on hand to help with the festivities.   

Workout Wednesday is officially in full swing.  Staff, you are invited to join Mrs. Bingham and the Dare to be Fit club each Wednesday at 8 am to start the day with some exercise!

On Thursday morning, our SIP team assembled to review the progress we've made since the summer meeting.  On the PBIS side, we've accomplished much of what we set out to do.  Some areas of concern were also brought up, and we'll be exploring solutions in the coming months. 

Thursday night saw the return of the Parents as Leaders group.  I'd like to thank the brave souls who ventured out into the chilly and rainy night to come learn about rules and respect.  Thanks to the United Advocacy Group for all you do to empower and equip the members of the Bacon community.

On Friday afternoon, we had our PBIS Pep Rally and Bear Bucks Store.  All the students had a great time.  We celebrated another great month in discipline and attendance (see more below), and the students were able spend their well-earned bucks at the store.  In addition, the students selected to play the games during the rally had a blast, and the whole school cheered them on.  It was a great afternoon.

PBIS Update - Speaking of PBIS, we are happy to report that October has seen another reduction in major and minor referrals.  The exact numbers won't be available until next week (we still have one more day of October), but we had a very good month overall.  Kudos to the staff and students for remaining positive and keeping our school safe, responsible, and respectful.  Also, the attendance rates have been trending good this month.  Again, we'll have exact numbers next week, so stay tuned.

There are lots of pictures to check out from this week.  Please see below!

Keep being great.

Mike
Principal, RM Bacon
"Together, we can.  Together, we will." 


Pictures from around the School

A red and winning homeroom for Wellness Week
Some Bear friends volunteering to help clean the cafeteria!
Helping set up for the Halloween Frolic
All smiles!
DJ "Bee" Bingham dropping beats at the Frolic

Hayride at the Frolic

Fun and games at the Frolic
More fun and games at the Frolic


Pumpkin painting at the Frolic

The pumpkin station

Mr. Coyle being surpirsed by a few former Lakeside students!

A chilly morning during arrival

Students learning about fire safety

Students learning about fire safety

Students learning about fire safety

It was chilly, but they had fun


Students learning about fire safety

Students learning about fire safety

Thank you, Millville Fire Department

Some birthday love for Mrs. Bingham

A spooky (but fun) story time

Thank you for a great story time!

Friends having fun in Mrs. Lore's class

GT students working on their windmill

GT students working on their windmill

Excited about their windmill

Mrs. Blithe giving feedback and asking questions
Ms. Berry's lunch friends

Having fun in Ms. O'Neill's class



Birthday Selfies!



Happy Birthday, Mrs. Bingham!


Weekly overview (be sure to check the official school calendar)
Monday (10/31): B day - lesson plans due, Halloween parade at 2 pm, classroom parties 

Tuesday (11/1): C day - A Terrific Tuesday!

Wednesday (11/2): D day - Workout Wednesday, Dare to be Fit (8 am in the gym), RAC visit

Thursday (11/3): E day - Staff meeting (8 am in the library)

Friday (11/4): A day - Wear Bacon gear

Saturday, October 22, 2016

October 24 - 28, 2016




Bacon Bears,

Hello, everyone!  The picture above captures a simple but true concept that we embrace here at Bacon.  We believe that all kids can learn, and all means all.  Anyone who is willing to put in the time and effort can achieve success.  Our job as educators is to engage, equip, and empower every student for academic, behavioral, and social success.  So - work hard, get smart, and go far.  All can do it, and all means all!

This week was Wellness Week.  I want to thank Ms. Spanbauer for putting together a week of great info and activities.  The students and staff did a nice job with the color-of-the-day, and the classrooms and halls resounded with the positive messages of the week.

On Monday, Dina Klaudi and I completed the SAMS time and task management training.  I have set a personal goal for how much time I want to spend on instructional matters during the year.  So far, it's going very well, and I can already tell my time is more focused and productive.  Our SAMS trainer has been great, and he's been helping us implement the program quickly and effectively.  Thanks to all the Bacon Bears for your patience and understanding as we collectively adjust to this new system.  I'm looking forward to seeing where this takes us.

The I&RS team had it's first meeting of the year.  I was able to stop in a few times during their sessions, and it was apparent that everyone was focused on helping our students.  Nice job, team. 

On Tuesday, Bacon will be having it's annual Halloween Frolic from 6-8.  We hope to see you! 

Have a great week, everyone.  Be great.  Be awesome.
Mike
"Together, we can. Together, we will." 


Pictures from around the School

Congrats to Mrs. Taylor on 10 years in education!

Safety Patrol doing their thing on a beautiful but warm fall morning.

Dare to Be Fit is officially underway.

Dare to Be Fit

Lunch time!

A happy Bear

Getting ready for the Frolic

A bit of nature close by outside Mrs. Levari's room (maybe a little too close)

Friends visiting an animal friend

Friends visiting an animal friend

These guys were happy to bring some breast cancer awareness

Friends having lunch outside with Ms. Berry

Another great morning

Learning taking place in Mrs. Cheeseman's room

Wellness Week!

Wellness Week!

Wellness Week!

Birthday Selfies!



Happy Birthday, Mrs. Levari!



Weekly overview (be sure to check the official school calendar)
Monday (10/24): B day - lesson plans due

Tuesday (10/25): C day - PARCC data meeting at Culver, Halloween Frolic (6-8 pm at Bacon)

Wednesday (10/26): D day - Workout Wednesday, Dare to be Fit (8 am in the gym), Wheaton Village trip, PLC meetings with Amanda for 2nd grade (10:44), Kindergarten (12:50), 5th grade (2:14), and 3rd grade (2:56)

Thursday (10/27): E day - SIP meeting (8 am in the library), 4th grade PLC (10:44), Parents as Leaders meeting at Bacon at 6 pm (topic: roles, rules, and respect)

Friday (10/28): A day - Wear Bacon gear, 1st grade PLC (12:08)


Sunday, October 16, 2016

October 17 - 21, 2016


Bacon Bears,

Good things were happening at Bacon this week.  I'd like to give a shout out (just like on our shout out board at school - see the pic above) to all the great people I have the pleasure of working with each day.  You all make the school a wonderful place, and I look forward to coming every morning.  It's fun for me to do what we do alongside each other.  I also want to give a shout out to all the students (or should I say BEARS) who call Bacon home.  Without you, there'd be...nothing to do all day.  Okay, but seriously - I love seeing your smiling faces, and your joy is contagious.  Keep learning.  Keep working hard. Stay positive.  Stay great!    


Weekly Recap
We had our first PBIS Tier 2 meeting, and it was a success.  The team was focused on helping students stay on track behaviorally and academically.  Issues were addressed, ideas were shared, and plans were made - all in the interest of our students. Great job, Tier 2 team!

I also attended our monthly Leadership Team meeting at the Culver Center where I got to hear from other school and district administrators on the positive things going on around MPS.  I'm proud to say I work alongside other individuals who believe that all students can learn and high levels and all means all.

Also this week, teachers during their PLC times began the process of drafting their SGOs (Student Growth Objectives) for the year under the guidance of Ray Jacobs.  Teacher questions were addressed, and the planning that took place during these meetings was crucial to helping the staff and students have a successful year.  Thanks to all who participated, and a big thanks to Ray for his steady hand and depth of knowledge in helping the teachers arrive at their growth targets.

On Thursday, our PBIS Events Planning Committee met before school to plan our PBIS Respect the 29th Pep Rally.  A big shout out to all who came early to help prepare a fun and rewarding rally for our deserving students.  Our first assembly was a big success because of your hard work, and I believe each will only get better.  Thank you!

Wellness Week 2016

Next week (10/17 - 10/21) is Wellness Week!  Staff and students - join in the fun as we show our commitment to wellness.  Dig through your closet and get your "colors of the day" ready to help represent "wellness all the way!"  Here's the schedule for the week:
  • Back-Black Monday: Dress in BLACK because you won't stand BACK when someone is being bullied
  • Spread-Red Tuesday: Get the word SPREAD by wearing RED - no drugs for me
  • True-Blue Wednesday: Dress in BLUE to represent a friend who is TRUE 
  • Clean-Green Thursday: Keep the world CLEAN by wearing something GREEN
  • Think-Pink Friday:  Dress in PINK to show you will THINK about ways to respect yourself and others (Breast cancer awareness) 
  • **Each day, the homeroom with the most participation in wearing the designated color will be featured on the digital sign and on the Bacon Weekly.**
What is Wellness Week? (from Ms. Spanbauer, guidance)

Each year, the Millville School District celebrates Wellness Week. It incorporates Violence Awareness Week and Red Ribbon Week (anti-drugs).

Wellness week is a time to really stress to our students the importance of a drug-free, non-violent lifestyle that is full of healthy choices for our mind, body, spirit and world!

We will be celebrating with a “rainbow theme.” Each day of wellness week will be a special color day. Don’t be left out! Keep your eyes & ears open so you’ll know the color of the day!!!

Wellness Week Activities

K-5 classes will be doing various art projects which will be displayed around the school.
  • Kindergarten - Blooming with Respect
  • 1st grade - Bucket Filler
  • 2nd grade - Simon's Hook
  • 3rd grade - Chrysanthemums
  • 4th grade - Word Hurt
  • 5th grade - Respect Bumper Sticker


Other announcements

This year's Halloween Frolic will take place on October 25th from 6-8 (rain date Oct 26th).  If you are interested in helping, please contact the school.  Note: Due to recent events and out of an abundance of caution, the Millville Police Department has recommended that no clown costumes be allowed this year. Bacon school is heeding this advice; therefore, no clown costumes will be permitted this year.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

On Monday, Dina and I will attend our first SAMS training session.  SAMS is a program designed to help me focus my time on areas that improve instruction and learning through effective time management and task prioritization.  It will be a new experience for me (and everyone at Bacon), and I'm looking forward to getting started to see how it will play out in our school.  Dina and I met with one of the coaches last week, and he was able to answer what questions we had at this point in the game.

On Monday night, staff members who have reached various milestones in terms of years of service will be honored at the staff meeting.  For those Bears who received letters stating that you'll be recognized - I hope to see you there!

On, Tuesday, I'll be attending my second and final personal coaching session.  I had homework (sort of), so I hope I pass.  Kidding aside, it will be nice (and no doubt enlightening and educational) to check in after a few weeks to discuss my progress in the areas on which we focused.  While this sounds like I'm focused on me, the ultimate goal here is to help me serve the Bacon family in the best way possible.   

Staff - there are various meetings throughout the week.  Please see the weekly overview below and/or check your calendars. 

On a personal note...
On Friday, I'll have the pleasure of attending Joe Baruffi's retirement party.  I worked with Joe at Lakeside Middle School for 12 years.  He always proved himself to be helpful and knowledgeable, and I appreciate his guidance, advice, and support through the years.  We took many Phillies and Sixers trips together with the students, and his care for the kids showed in what he did.  I am honored to call him a friend, and I'm looking forward to him receiving the honor he deserves at his party.  Joe, you ran the race well - now enjoy your family and all that life has to offer!  You more than earned it!

Everyone have a great week.

Be great. Be awesome.
Mike
"Together, we can.  Together, we will."


Pictures from around the School

Mr. Coyle playing a review game with the students
It was rigged! He had no chance of winning.

Tic-tac-toe, anyone?

3rd grade chorus doing an awesome job!

3rd grade chorus singing "My Country Tis of Thee"

Bacon friends

She's in the big seat

Last day of Bacon for this friend.  We'll miss her!


Birthday Selfies!






Weekly overview (be sure to check the official school calendar)
Monday (10/17): B day - lesson plans due, Mr. Coyle at SAMS training, board meeting at 6:30 to recognize various staff members' years of service 

Tuesday (10/18): C day - I&RS meeting, Mr. Coyle personal coach session part 2

Wednesday (10/19): D day - Workout Wednesday, Wheaton Village trip, SGO meeting for Kindergarten during PLC time

Thursday (10/20): E day - Staff meeting (8 am in the library)

Friday (10/21): A day - Wear Bacon gear!