I recently read Pay it Forward. I had seen the movie years ago but had never read the book. I appreciate the premise of challenging kids to make the world a better place.

Coincidently, each day last week on my way to work, I saw a senior picking garbage in the community. She obviously wasn’t doing it for the fanfare or attention, but simply to make her neighbourhood a little cleaner. She found her own way to pay it forward.

Pay It Forward Day is coming up on Thursday. Remember, in Aesop’s words, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” What’s your plan to pay it forward?

As I watch the news and see the extreme weather facing other parts of the world, I feel especially fortunate to live where we do. The grass is turning green, the trees are budding, the sun is shining and the birds are singing. Good-bye winter: hello spring!

Be sure to find some time this week to enjoy the weather with your students. You just don’t know when it might snow…

 

 

Last week I was inspired by the old Oilers. As I watched the farewell game at Rexall Place and the subsequent ceremonies, I was reminded of the excitement, pride and cohesion of the 80s dynasty. The word ‘family’ surfaced time and again during the interviews.

Mark Messier’s words in particular stayed with me: “…the stage is big enough for everybody. You’ve got to make everybody feel that their contributions are just as important as the next guy’s, whether it’s thirty minutes a game or two minutes a game. Everybody’s got to feel they’re important.”

Yes, I know he’s talking hockey. But truly, what wise words for all areas of life, especially a school or classroom. The result of everyone feeling valued is sustained effort, dedication and strength of character. Synergy at its best!

Imagine the same in our school family: the stage IS big enough for everyone…

 

Spring Break comes to an end, the snow has melted and we have arrived in April. I’ve never been one to count down until year end but experience has taught me that we have reached the home stretch. From this point on, the school year simply seems to fly.

My goals over the next few months: be deliberate in my instructional planning, work smarter not harder, maintain balance, and most of all, enjoy the time with the kids. They are the reason we do what we do!