Which Came First? Chicken or Egg?

Today's post wasn't the biggest thing on my Principal plate today but it certainly was the most special. For several years our fifth graders have incubated and hatched chicken eggs in their Science classrooms. It is an incredible unit of study and the whole school eagerly awaits the chicks arrival each spring. For a couple years we have kept a rooster and hen from one of the broods in hopes than we could really complete the life cycle by hatching eggs laid by the chickens we had hatched. It finally happened! Our first real Chets Creek babies were born several weeks ago! Today though one of the teachers brought me a special surprise - a freshly laid egg!

One. Last. Read.

I think today I finally finished the School Improvement Plan! I've spent many, MANY hours on it in the past month. Digging through data, creating strategies with teachers to help us meet our goals and making sure it is an accurate reflection of our work. Laborious - Yes! Worth it - Absolutely!

Off...Yea Right!

I was off today, but not really it would seem. We had an appointment 4 hours away and I've spent almost all 8 hours of the car ride working on the School Improvement Plan and studying Text Complexity. My understanding family has given me some much needed think time and I've gotten lots done! I'm sure they actually stayed so quiet because I wasn't nagging my husband about his driving or my oldest child about doing homework!

The Tables Are Here! The Tables Are Here!

Today 24 brand new Dining Room tables were delivered and installed! After 15 years our old ones had outlived their service and were breaking and difficult to fold and move. Thank you to our awesome PTA for this gift to our school!!!

Celebrating Betsy!

Today we honored our Guidance Counselor, Betsy McCall, by celebrating her 5th Anniversary of being cancer free by holding a pink out. The day was finished by announcing that Betsy had also been chosen as our Teacher of the Year! Congratulations Betsy - you deserve it!!!

When Your Past Meets The Present...Again

Tonight was the first of our Open House nights. Fourth and Fifth Grades showcased their day and our sweet, little Kindergartners spent the time happily pointing out the special things in their classrooms and sharing the work they've already accomplished. I have such a sweet spot for Kindergarten. It was where I spent all but one year of my teaching career. Today one of my 21 year old (yikes) past Kindergartners was standing at the front counter as I rounded the door to my office. I recognized her immediately and was thrilled to learn she was getting married this weekend even though in my mind she'll always be five.

To Africa With Love!

Spent some time communicating today with a Chets teacher who is currently serving as a missionary in Africa. Even though Beth is living her dream teaching halfway around the globe she is still a part of our school family and we miss her. Looks like she misses us too - at least a little more than Five Guys!!

The Unexpected

Sometimes things just happen that require immediate attention outside of the school day. Today I had to return to school to help deal with a situation. Enough said.

Nobody Cries Alone In My Presence!

Tissues are a necessary staple on my desk. Seems like pretty regularly somebody cries in my office - teachers, parents, students and even me! Our hearts are so heavily invested in this work that sometimes our emotions take over. Today I listened, and cried, as a heartsick teacher anguished over a child in distress. I then went immediately into make a plan and fix it mode but my heart is still so heavy.

And On The Seventh Day Sometimes There's Work

Today I attended the Community Missions Expo at Chets Creek Church to showcase volunteer opportunities at our school and at the MARC at Portside. I am so grateful for the extraordinary partnership with this church that has spanned our entire existence as a school. It was my pleasure today to serve.

It's Rick Pinchot Day at The Creek!

Today we celebrated the fact that three teachers were nominated for a very prestigious award and one of them was selected as a finalist. Rick Pinchot was speechless today as he learned he was one of three finalists in the state of Florida for the Presidential Award of Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics and Science! This is a huge accomplishment and I couldn't be prouder of him. Congratulations Rick!!!

The Dream Continues...

The second MARC (McKenzie's Academic Resource Center) celebrated its grand opening today in the Countryside Village community. This partnership between the McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation, American Residential Communities and local school Windy Hill Elementary is an exact replica of our MARC in the Portside community. My heart swelled with pride as I thought about how one little dream is now touching lives for a whole new community of children like it has for our kids at Chets Creek. A life changing dream!

Holy Smokes - What a Day!

Today was so busy it's worth more than one blog post! It started by meeting with our incredible Curriculum Leadership Council. I then spent the majority of the day working with our awesome new teachers and orienting them to life at CCE. Then just when I thought the day couldn't get anymore exciting - the fire alarm went off in the middle of Extended Day. Smell, smoke but luckily no fire!

Bus Drills Baby!

There's nothing more important than student safety. Twice a year we make sure they know what to do in case of an emergency on the bus. We also double checked how they were wearing their seat belts!

Tying Up Lose Ends...Ugh!

Paperwork everywhere - not my favorite part of the job - but necessary!

Principal's Meeting

Today was spent with colleagues reviewing district opportunities, policies and expectations.

Book of the Month is BACK!

Loved spending time today with my outstanding faculty sharing a great story and engaged in digging deeper into the common core standards and our expectations for growing literate students!

911...What's Your Emergency?

Hate it every single time I have to call but have never hesitated when it was needed. Today it was for a grown up and now I just say a little prayer that our "Grandma" from the kitchen is feeling better soon!