Before last school year ever ended the careful crafting of this school year began. The organizing, planning and plotting for ways to make the new year better excites me. The WOW factor for kids, but especially for teachers, is a huge part of the plan. I have often been asked why so much goes into planning the first day back for teachers and I can tell you why very plainly - relationships. Heard that before? Relationships are critical in the success of any teacher, and any student in any school anywhere! You build relationships through fun play, building awareness of the gifts of others and creating a laser like focus towards your common goal. That is exactly what our first day back was all about.I had the occasion this summer to be in the company of several Non-Chets teachers who began to talk about how dull and boring the first day back is, "a real snooze fest," one of them called it. They were not excited to go back and the rolling of the eyes was almost seizure provoking. I was horrified and could only shake my head and apologize to them. I made a little promise to myself right then and there to never be the boring principal who talks their teachers to death the first day back and my mind began to whirl with ideas on how I, me personally, could do something extra special to THRILL my teachers this year. I solicited a little help from some dear friends (the Receptionist, Bookkeeper, Attendance, Copy and Guidance Clerk, Security Clerk, Standards Coach, Literacy Coach and Technology Coach), worked out the costuming, began the practicing and created what I hope was far from a snooze fest to kick the day off with my teachers.
Thriller from Melanie Holtsman on Vimeo.
Every moment of time spent here will be a carefully measured beat in creating a rhythm that is sure to make for a masterpiece. An orchestration of learning that produces a symphony of success. Just another school, just another school year - NOT!!! Chets is not and will never be just another school and this certainly won't be just another school year. In the words of Vincent Price "Chets Creek is the THRILLER...Can you DIG it?"
Can you hear the music?
14 comments:
I always look forward to our first day back together. Thanks for making our time together so very special.
Sherrie
Oh my - what I do for the good of the order! Who ever thought I'd be caught dead in cargo pants and a hoodie? Oh my, oh my!
We were certainly THRILLed! Thank you for all of the planning to make it special for us. We have the best dancing admin in the world! :)
That was so much fun. What a hoot! Everyone's skits are my favorite part of the day. I always remember what each person did. Thanks for making relationships a priority. I think it shines through in all we do!
It was thrilling! I always love the first day back and this may have been the best one yet. I was barely out of the parking lot before I was calling my friends from other schools to tell them of my day, and your dance! Thanks for another great beginning.
This was one of the best and will be remembered forever! Thanks for everything you prepared and gifted us with on that first day back!
Lori Metzger
So memorable and extremely fun! Thank you for creating a place where the music lives on through our work together :). Great first week!!! ~rachel bridges
Mrs. Phillips, you are truly the best! Thank you so much for a thrilling first day back! Your blog looks wonderful! Love you much!
I have never known anything else, but I am sure that other schools would benefit the whole year through if they took time to address all of the issues that you mentioned in your post. I know that I am blessed to be where I am.
It's like Leroy "Satchel" Paige said, "You need to work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt, and dance like nobody is watching you."
The front office ensemble did a smashing job, and we all appreciate the effort!
Simon Cowell AKA
T-Cubed
I feel sorry for the people at other schools. I also heard them complain this summer. I have always felt lucky to be at Chets, but now I really know how lucky I am! Thanks for always going the extra mile for us. Even if it was out of some of your helpers comfort zone. You were all FABULOUS!
I showed Kevin and he was, WOW, That is a great way to go to work!
It is a thrill to be at Chets every single day. There is no place like it.
I continue to be amazed and thrilled! Thanks for the blog comment :) It's nice to know people read my hard work!
The dance was really awesome. I never expected to see you guys dance to Thriller :) Thank you for always making it exciting!
I love looking at your blog posts and your school site. I want to come and work with all of you--you all seem to get along and have so much fun as you work with kids, and plan for the year. I wish my staff were fun!!
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