2015

The year is 2015.  The uplifting phrase we hear every new year, "Wishing you a healthy and happy new year," has new meaning to me. 

As educators, we are responsible for making sure kids learn, saying it simply.  Expose, make progress, and come out knowing more than you went in with.  But we need to remember, we are dealing with kids.  And adults.  With people.  With people's lives.  It's not black and white.  People have lives beyond the schoolhouse. 

Today I learned that one of my family members has only a few weeks to live.  The ripple of heartbreak in the family is echoing. Nothing else matters right now.  And when she's gone, nothing else will matter for a while. Slowly, real life will creep back in, we will join our routines again. And we know this is a good thing. It begins to happen naturally.

I also look at my own health differently this new year.  One week ago, I had my gallbladder removed. After several months of curious pains, I finally narrowed down the culprit. Of course, this is the year I lowered my level of health insurance because "I never get sick." I began to question my ego of good health. I'm not a sickly person.  I'm proud of my good health. But what if I'm not that person? This entire experience affected my job, my family, and my pocketbook.

I am one person who boasts a drama-free life.  But these big things have happened to ME in one week.

When you tell someone that you wish them a happy and healthy new year, mean it.  People will feel your good energy.  And that is something we all need.

The Holiday Season

 

The holiday season is upon us!  Can you believe 2014 is almost over?  

Celebrating Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, feel nostalgia, and simply count our blessings.  I am thankful for good health, a family who loves me, and a job/career I enjoy.  I realize many, many people do not have any of these things. I believe we need to appreciate our good fortunes, either openly or privately.  So many other parts of the world do not have food, water, or shelter. Let's be happy we live in a country that tries to provide for everyone.

Only three more weeks until the next holiday!  Wow!  Each day that gets closer to December 19th (our last day of school!), the student's buzz of excitement gets louder and louder!  It is a happy time here.  We love seeing the students bring gifts for their friends and teachers.  That reminds me, I need to get started on my Christmas cookies.  I hand decorate each cookie I give as a gift.

We have many fun things to look forward to at IMMS the next few weeks.  Concerts and dances are coming up.  And remember, December 19th is early release at 1:45.

No matter what your beliefs are, we wish you a very happy and safe holiday season.

 


 

Flying Time

 

November.  What...?

Can you believe it's almost the holidays?  As the weather changes, the kids get frisky.  And, so do the teachers, rightfully so.  

Good things are happening at IMMS.  Athletics, band concerts, clubs...so many things for our kids to get involved with.

Rigor in classrooms has stepped up.  Benchmark testing is this week.  I'm looking forward to seeing the scores.  I want to see if suggestions I have made to teachers is paying off.

It's this time of year that we have to take, what I'll call, "attitude inventory."  I feel like we still have good momentum on campus.  Attitudes are positive with teachers.  I don't hear discouragement.  

I'm very conscious of my attitude as well.  The administrative team supports each other.  We are a team; we listen to each other; we have to take care of each other.

As the holiday season creeps in swiftly, and long hours at work consume us, let's remember why we are here...why we became educators...why we are so committed to the cause.  

We are here to contribute.  To make the world a better place.

Fall has arrived!

Wow.  Can you believe it's the 6th six-weeks?  You know what that means...six-weeks tests! Teachers and students have been working hard getting ready for this first round of testing.  We've been busy this last month and a half.  Football and volleyball are in full swing.  The first dance of the school year has come and gone too.  And now, here is October staring us in the face.  

October is always busy with activities.  Mark your calendar for our annual Fall Festival. It's at IMMS October 25th, from 9am to 1pm.  Cotton candy, snow cones, hot dogs, music, and a soccer tournament!  We usually have awesome weather this time of year.  I hope it continues for us this year.

Don't forget, the CHS Homecoming is this Friday, October 3rd.  IMMS students have their own special section.   We always anticipate a big crowd.  Be sure your student arrives in dress code.  Also, all students need to be picked up when the game is over, which is around 10pm.  

Happy Fall, ya'll!

News Flash from the IMMS AP Office!

I am excited to announce that the IMMS AP Office finally has a new secretary.  Our office is now blessed with Ms. Adilene Aguilera.  She is actually a Castleberry graduate.  Fun Fact:  She had Ms. Wilson as a technology teacher!  Ha!

Luckily, the mechanics of the AP office are relatively quiet for this time of year.  Things are starting to pick up so it's a good thing we have her now!  Come by and meet her!

Other fun news at IMMS is that football season has started!  It's a great atmosphere seeing the boys dress up so nicely on game days.  They are proud and excited.  We are too.

The girls have their first volleyball game this week also.  They are playing at home!  Come see them!

And don't forget, Fall Festival is just around the corner.  Start watching and listening for announcements about the fun things we do to prepare for our annual Fall Festival.  It is October 25th from 9am-1pm.

Have a great week!

We are in the final countdown!  

Only a few more days left until the kiddos report back.  Our newest IMMS teachers reported last Monday.  I know their brains are stuffed.  Returning IMMS teachers came back yesterday.  I love seeing the happiness in their faces when they see their old friends again.  EVERYONE was so excited!  I <heart> IMMS.  We are a family.  It's a great feeling working in a place where you feel so supported and loved.

Today, Mr. Jones and CISD hosted 2014 Convocation at CHS.  It was a time of celebration.  Lots of good energy in there.  People are well-rested and ready to return.  We are spending this week with teachers learning about things that are making us better educators.  I am so happy to work with great teachers who love what they are doing.  It makes their job, and mine, so much easier and more fun.  With less than a week left until the first day of school, we are checking our lists; checking them twice...  

Don't forget, we have Meet the Teacher Saturday from 9:30-11:00.  This will give our students a chance to pick up their schedules and tour the building.  This is especially helpful for our incoming wide-eyed 6th graders.  I can't wait to see them!

Back to School Already?

School registration is happening at IMMS this week!  That means the kids will return in two and a half weeks.  I cannot believe we are in the year 2014, and school year 2014-2015 is here.  Time flies when you are having fun!

It's cute to see the new 6th graders come in.  They are scared, they look really young, and when asked if they are coming to Irma Marsh this year, they shyly say, "yes..."  It's funny to see the shy side, then a completely confident, open side when they get to school with their friends.

I'm excited for the all the grade levels this year.  7th and 8th grades will have their very own netbooks.  The 6th grade classes will have a set in every classroom.  We also have our very own full time campus Technologist to help support our teachers.  I foresee a very creative year!

Please continue to visit the IMMS website or my blog for information about fun things going on at Irma Marsh!