Month: November 2018

Hero Headlines: Suit Yourself…Be Kind.

Seth E. Berg on

Safe. Respectful. Responsible. 

Greetings, Meadow Brook Partners!

When I walked out of the building from conferences on Thursday evening I saw something that made me remember what is means to be a Meadow Brook Hero.

It was dark, it was snowing, and it was cold.

It had been a long day. Wonderful, with opportunities to share stories and celebrations with many partners, but long nonetheless.

It would have been understandable if people walking out of the building late in the evening would have been thinking about nothing more that heading home.

What I saw was an act of selflessness and kindness.

Mrs. Schroeck was just finishing wiping the snow off of everyone else’s cars.  If your car was still in the lot, it was cleared off by Mrs. Schroeck.

Thank you, Mrs. Schroeck, for being a shining example of what it means to be a Meadow  Brook Hero!

Let’s all follow that lead over the next couple of days and do as many acts of kindness as we can.  It feels good and it helps all of us build the positive partnerships we pride ourselves in our wonderful school community.

For more on how kindness can help us and everyone around us check out this inspirational Ted Talk from Mark Kelly:

Thank you for your patience and your partnership…in it together for the kids!

With optimism and gratitude,

 

Seth

 

Seth E. Berg

Principal

Meadow Brook Elementary

Call: (248) 726 -4101

Click: sberg@rochester.k12.mi.us

My Reflective Journey: Berg’s Eye View

 

 

MBE School Improvement Plan (SIP) Hero Headlines: PBIS at MBE (Kindness Write-Around)

Seth E. Berg on

A Message from Ms. Troutt: Kindness Write-Around in 5th Grade!

Every Monday, we begin our week with a Kindness Write-Around.

In this activity, the whole group sits in a circle with a sheet of paper with their name on it.

Every 40 seconds, we pass the paper to the right and write a compliment for the person whose name is on the paper.

At the end of the Kindness Write-Around, each person receives a paper full of compliments from his/her classmates – and has given a compliment to every classmate, as well!

We do this on Monday mornings to set the tone for the week.

It comes before we do any lessons because, above everything else, it is of utmost importance to treat each other with kindness and respect.

In the Kindness Write-Around, everyone must think something positive about everyone else in the room, and everyone receives a paper showing just how important s/he is in our classroom community.

This has been a wonderful community-building tool in our classroom!

MBE School Improvement Plan (SIP) Hero Headlines: PBIS at MBE (Mind Up)

Seth E. Berg on

A Message from Mrs. Czarniowski: Mind Up In 3rd and 4th Grade!

In Mrs. Czarniowski’s 3/4 split classroom kids are learning a lot about active listening through what’s called the “Mind Up” curriculum.

Mrs. Czarniowski uses “Mind Up” to drive Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS) in her classroom.

The idea is that we need to practice with tools and skills for active listening and respectful communication.

This practice helps us interact with one another with kindness and compassion in real time, and in turn, it helps us stay positive in any number of challenging situations that could and do occur during the course of any typical day.

During the practice, kids were split up into groups of four or five.

One student in each group read directions describing what to draw while the others drew.

It sounds easy, right.  What the kids learned is that following a set of directions precisely takes some focus and dedication, just like actively listening in any situation.

Mrs. Czarniowski facilitated a reflective conversation with the whole group following the activity.  Kids were enthusiastic about sharing their thinking around how it all went, how people typically function when speaking and listening, and how we can all grow.

They discussed challenges, problem solving, intentionality, distractions, kindness and more.

PBIS is about learning and growth.  As our 1st grade partner Mrs. Lovell always reminds, “practice makes progress!”

Mrs. Czarniowski’s kids are making progress through their “Mind Up” practice!

Focused and Engaged.
Thinking and Trying.
Collaborative and Productive.
Joyful.

MBE Week At A Glance (WAG): 11/19/18 – 11/23/18

Seth E. Berg on

Monday, November 19

  • November 19th Officer Ludd visits Ms. Troutt’s 5th graders 1:00-2:00 p.m.
  • November 19th Officer Ludd visits Mr. Shadeck’s 5th graders 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  • November 19th Evening Conference 5-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 20

  • November 20th 3rd grade Van Hoosen Museum 12-2 p.m. Mrs. Piechalski
  • November 20th Thanksgiving Recess Begins @ end of day

Wednesday, November 21

  • No School – Thanksgiving Break

Thursday, November 22

  • No School – Thanksgiving Break

Friday, November 23

  • No School – Thanksgiving Break

MBE Spirit Wear is Updated and Ready for Online Shopping!

Seth E. Berg on

MBE Spirit Wear Online Store is Open!

Get your Meadow Brook Spirit Gear in time for the holiday season! The online store is available for a limited time until Monday, November 26 11:59 pm.

ONLINE STORE LINK: MBE Sprit Wear Fall 2018

All items are made to order, no exchanges or refunds. Personalization is available. Items will be ready for pick up during the week of December 17th.

If you’re purchasing gifts, contact Kristine Ma at krma17@gmail.com for pick up options.

Founders Day Nominations Are Coming Due…Plus Kids Logo Contest!

Seth E. Berg on

Founders Day Nomination Form 1819

Founders Day Logo Contest 1819

Special District Honorees ~ Founder’s Day 2019

Distinguished Service Award / John Schultz Leadership Award /
Bright Ideas Award / Council Member of the Year Award / Advocacy Award

2019 Honoree Nominations are due to your Founders Day Committee by 5:00 pm December 7th, 2019

The Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award may be given to persons who have shown tireless dedication to the cause and extraordinary service on behalf of children and youth.

John Schultz Leadership Award

This award was developed as a special Rochester PTA Council Founders Day award to honor retired Superintendent, Dr. John Schultz. Dr. Schultz was the Rochester Community Schools (RCS) Superintendent for 22 years. He provided leadership in areas of curriculum development, technology, finance and special education. His expertise in strategic planning helped RCS maintain an outstanding reputation during a period of rapid growth in enrollment and declining revenue resources. He was a fervent supporter of PTA since his early days as a teacher in our district and Dr. Schultz met regularly with PTA Council Executive officers to ensure that a true partnership exists between parents and the school district. The Rochester PTA Council decided to honor Dr. Schultz by developing a leadership award in his honor.

Leadership Award Criteria:

  • Must be a current PTA member.
  • The nominee should also demonstrate significant leadership ability above and beyond the normal duties of his/her role with PTA. 

Examples:

  • Initiated a new program.
  • Make significant and effective changes to existing programs.
  • Especially effective at chairing an event or committee. 

The winner of this award will receive:

  • A certificate of recognition, his/her name on the Dr. John Schultz Leadership Award plaque kept in the RCS Administration Building.
  • Payment of his/her registration fee for the Michigan PTA Convention or a contribution to the PTA Council scholarship fund.

The Bright Ideas Award
This award was created for two reasons:
1) To highlight innovative, creative or out-of-the-box ideas from which many or every school can benefit
2) To give an opportunity to honor a group or event on this special night

Council Member of the Year Award
To honor outstanding council level leadership, a commitment to children and a genuine passion for PTA.

Advocacy Award

To honor outstanding council level leadership in advocacy for all children.

Additionally, students have the chance to create a logo for this year’s Founder’s Day Awards ceremony.

The theme is TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More. Logo designs are due by Dec. 7th to Allison Patterson at algal1@ameritech.net or can be placed in the Founder’s Day mailbox in the school office.

See attached for design criteria.