Powdersville Progress Second Edition

"According to Fullan (2007) school culture can be defined as the guiding beliefs and values evident in the way a school operates. 'School culture' can be used to encompass all the attitudes, expected behaviors and values that impact how the school operates." The school culture for Powdersville Elementary is so unique because it is ours. OURS. In education, there are very few things that we really have control over. We don't have much say in the standards we teach or the students that end up in our classrooms. What we truly do have control over is the culture that we create for ourselves and our students. We may not get to decide what situations are put before us each day, but we are in control of the attitude we have in dealing with it. We have control over how we reflect our beliefs and values in the decisions that we make daily and how we spend every minute with our students. We are in control of our culture. This week, let's take some time to reflect on wha...

  Last week we had the opportunity to grow professionally through collaboration, learning from experts, and planning for the weeks to come. In my session, our presenter challenged us with an activity that I would like to share with you. I would even ask you to pause and participate in the same activity. She asked us to take out our cell phones and find a picture of someone that we are willing to fight for or do anything for. For me, it was my daughters. For you, it may be a child, a niece or nephew, a godchild, a cousin, or another loved one. Then we had to think about this question, is what I am doing every day good enough for them. She followed up by asking us to make a commitment to ensuring that when we say all means all we mean it and we remember the face of that special person. She charged us with the mindest of "not on our watch" will we let this person receive anything less than excellence. If you skipped over the quote above, go back and read it again. Excellence is ...

This week I shared the truths below with our homeroom teachers during their Thursday collaborative team time. I wanted to share the same with the rest of our staff this week in our blog. Often times we can feel overwhelmed, defeated, or unsuccessful due to the noise and circumstances around us. I wanted to remind you that when you find yourself feeling this way it is important to go back to what is true. I have to often do the same for myself and so I thought this week would be a great time to put these truths in front of you that we believe about our staff at PVES. I hope you will find rest, comfort, and encouragement in these today and all week long.  Many Celebrations at PVES...  We had many students to celebrate over the last couple of weeks. Students were recognized for pride practices and the writer's wall of fame. Thank you for making these students feel special. Teachers and students have enjoyed our What's Up Wednesday time to do a mid-check on how everyone is doing. ...