Principal’s Post
Elementary Update, Summer 2023: Letter of Resignation
Hello MPES families, It is with difficulty that I share with you that I submitted my letter of resignation as elementary principal with the school district. I accepted a position as systems coach with CESA 3 for the coming school year. My last official day with the school district is expected to be August 11,… Continue Reading Elementary Update, Summer 2023: Letter of Resignation
Elementary Update, Summer 2023: The Start of Summer; Elementary Library Summer Hours, Registration Update
The Start of Summer As I go about errands and activities around the city, I have been asked “Has your summer started yet?” more than a few times. I try to keep my response brief. “This week!” Not that I don’t want to chat. I would feel a bit longwinded to explain that, as an… Continue Reading Elementary Update, Summer 2023: The Start of Summer; Elementary Library Summer Hours, Registration Update
Elementary Update, May 2023: Step Back; Summer School Registration; Intruder Drill Practice
Step Back Over spring break, my family and I went to the Indiana Sand Dunes off of Lake Michigan. While walking along the beach, I took some steps back to take a picture of our kids against the background of the lake and the dunes. That’s when I noticed the small rocks. They formed long… Continue Reading Elementary Update, May 2023: Step Back; Summer School Registration; Intruder Drill Practice
Elementary Update, March 2023: Luck; Update to Dismissal Time; After School Family Care Survey; Summer School Dates
Luck Scientist Louis Pasteur stated “Chance favors only the prepared mind.” So, can we can increase our luck by simply being ready for new ideas and insights? What I’ve learned about increasing one’s luck is it depends how we choose to respond to what life throws at us. Pasteur was a living example of this… Continue Reading Elementary Update, March 2023: Luck; Update to Dismissal Time; After School Family Care Survey; Summer School Dates
Elementary Update, Winter 2023: The best teacher; attendance letters; arrival at school; family requests for lunch; the benefits of reading aloud to young children
The Most Effective Teacher To start the new year, we had 1st grade students come down to the office to read aloud a joke they prepared in class for morning announcements. I often read aloud “dad jokes” during announcements. When the students see me at lunch, more times than not someone has a joke they… Continue Reading Elementary Update, Winter 2023: The best teacher; attendance letters; arrival at school; family requests for lunch; the benefits of reading aloud to young children
Elementary Update, Oct-Nov 2022: Volunteer for the Book Fair; Fall Family Conferences; New Literacy Curriculum
Hello MPES families, Almost every day as I help walk the kindergarten and 1st grade students from lunch to recess, at least one student will ask me if they need to wear a jacket. The rule is, if it is 60 degrees or higher, no jacket is required. For me, it’s not just whether or… Continue Reading Elementary Update, Oct-Nov 2022: Volunteer for the Book Fair; Fall Family Conferences; New Literacy Curriculum
Elementary Update, September 2022: Homecoming Week, Parade Expectations, First Family Educational Partnership Meeting
Hello MPES families, As I passed by a staff member in the hallway this morning, she noted, “It’s sweatshirt weather, but I don’t mind.” It was a small reminder of the one constant in life: change. The seasons, especially in Wisconsin with their slow yet visible transitions from one to the next, can be viewed… Continue Reading Elementary Update, September 2022: Homecoming Week, Parade Expectations, First Family Educational Partnership Meeting
Elementary Update, August 2022: Welcome Back; Parking Procedures; Attendance Guidelines; What to Expect on the First Week
“School is just around the corner…” An apt comparison that people have shared with me lately, and as the first day draws closer, that corner can feel like I am going a little too fast! After 22 years of teaching and leading, no amount of preparation seems to be enough to feel prepared for the… Continue Reading Elementary Update, August 2022: Welcome Back; Parking Procedures; Attendance Guidelines; What to Expect on the First Week
Elementary Update, Summer 2022: Time Flies; Library Access in July; After School Program Interest Survey; E.L.A. Curriculum Selection
Hello Mineral Point Elementary School families, Today is our first day of summer school. It’s nice to see the kids and staff back in the school. Speaking with one staff member this morning, she commented on how quickly the summer goes. “Once you hit the 4th of July, time just flies.” I agreed, and… Continue Reading Elementary Update, Summer 2022: Time Flies; Library Access in July; After School Program Interest Survey; E.L.A. Curriculum Selection
Elementary Update, April/May 2022: Spring Events, Summer School, Family Group, Literacy Curriculum Review
Hello elementary school families, Today I was reminded that there are nineteen days left of school. Time has played out differently at different times these past couple of school years. Time felt slower when stress was high. Now that we are in full swing of the last quarter of this school year, days zip by.… Continue Reading Elementary Update, April/May 2022: Spring Events, Summer School, Family Group, Literacy Curriculum Review