Picking Myself Up and Dusting Myself Off

This past week has been kind of a rough one.  As I shared with the kids in class, I received some not so great news last week.  Last Friday I found out that I did not make the cut to become a Nationally Board Certified Teacher.  In the field of teaching, this is a pretty prestigious title to hold and it is in no way an easy process to become one.  I spent the better part of a year preparing portfolio entries and studying for a test in order to achieve this honor.  When I found out that I didn't certify, I was pretty upset...more sad and disappointed than anything else because the work I put into this was extensive and what I considered to be my best.  I was then forced to think about this:  What do you do when your best isn't good enough?  My next reaction went to anger as I couldn't believe that the National Board powers that be decided to release scores less than a week before Thanksgiving.  My next thought...what do I have to be thankful for?  It was this question that immediately reminded me how insignificant this event actually is in my life.

If I am to truly believe that everything happens for a reason, perhaps not passing my certification this time around was a blessing in disguise.  Here's a list of reasons why:
1.  The process is not completely over for me....I still have two more chances.
2.  I don't need this certification to keep my job.  This is a challenge that I presented to myself to practice what I preach to my students about not settling or being afraid to take on new things no matter the difficulty.
3.  There are some people who look at the requirements to become Board certified and decide on the spot no to do it.  I, at least took the chance...even if the first outcome wasn't what I hoped for.
4.  If at first you don't succeed, try and try again; which is exactly what I intend to do.

Later on in the day last Friday, I found out that there was a serious car accident on the road that my in-laws live on involving three teenagers, and one of them was killed.  My thoughts about my Thanksgiving being ruined became absolutely ridiculous, especially when you think about Thanksgiving this year for the parents of the girl that was killed.

I have a million things to be thankful for this year for Thanksgiving and every other day of the year.
Three of them are:

Perhaps I needed to fail this time to remind me what's truly important.

Make every minute count with your family this Thanksgiving.  Feel free to leave some comments and share what you are Thankful for...everyday, not just on Thanksgiving.

Not certified and fine with it,
Mr. Fletcher

How's it going, Avery?

It has been one week since our good friend Avery switched schools.  It is definitely different without her and we miss that huge smile!  Let's check in with Avery and see how things are going for her at WAJ.  We are so lucky that we will have a friend to help introduce us to some new ones when we go to Ashokan in June.  We miss you, Avery and hope you're having a great time at your new school. 

Keep Smiling,
Mr. Fletcher

Do Gooders

At a conference I attended over the summer, I learned about a site called freerice.com.  This is a site where people can answer some basic knowledge questions in a wide variety of areas.  It has been on my list of suggested sites to check out since the day I found out about it, but nothing has really been done with it.  As I was teaching the group this year how to navigate through the site to find old postings or other sites to visit.  It was during this time that I was reintroduced to freerice and showed the kids how to use it.  Everyone was immediately hooked and in about ten days, as a class, we have already donated over 12,000 grains of rice.  This is a pretty amazing number since you get ten grains for every correct answer you give and the time we have had to spend on the site has been minimal.  While I think it is awesome, to watch the excitement and intensity the kids approach the site with, what has been even more heart warming is that the kids are visiting this site when they have their own choice for computer time.  How cool is that, spending indoor recess doing something to help out someone less fortunate or in need.  Keep up the great work everybody!  Perhaps we can set a goal and a celebration for when we reach one million grains!


Upside down like a gravitron,
Mr. Fletcher

Don't Forget Us!

Miss Berger has promised to check in with us and let us know how she is doing at her new placement.  Let's leave her some questions or words of encouragement for her to reply to!

Do You Miss Me Yet?

Hi Everyone!

I know you all have had a great week with Miss Berger and I would like to hear all about it!  What's been going on?  What have you been learning?  While this solo week is an incredibly important time for Miss Berger on her path to becoming a teacher, I can't help but miss your smiling faces!  Take some time to fill me in on everything that has been going on with you that you would like to share.  Give Miss Berger some feeback about how you think this week has been going.  Before you know it, we'll have to say goodbye to her.  Let's use this opportunity to catch up with each other and share all the positive things that have been happening in the class this week!  I can't wait to read and respond to your comments!

Talk to you soon,
Mr. Fletcher

Ordering Online From Scholastic 2010 - 2011

Online Ordering Information


Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs

Class Activation Code: GNRZW



Dear Parent,



There’s no time to lose! In order to make our deadline and have all our books arrive on time, your order to Scholastic Book Clubs is due by the date shown above.



Use the order form in the flyer your child recently brought home and return it to me with your payment right away!



Or, make it easy and send me your order online!



Go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and log in using your user name and password.



If it’s your first time ordering online, use the Class Activation Code shown above to get started

SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the “Don’thave a user name or password?“ link, then register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This code ensures that your order is sent to me.





SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.





SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Ordering online is fast and easy!



Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.





Thank you!

Makin' New Friends Along the Way....

I'd like to send a big "Thank You" to everyone who was able to make it to Open House last night.  It was a fantastic turn out and for that I am truly thankful.  Your presence at these types of events speaks volumes about the involvement you have in your child's education!  Based on last night, I'd say I have some pretty lucky kids.  Thank you for the more than kind words of support, encouragement, and praise....they are truly appreciated and meaningful....despite how much I try to take the attention off of myself!  This year has gotten off to an amazing start and Open House last night gives me a strong feeling that many, many, more good things are to come.  Thanks again for a great night!

Keep in touch,
Mr. Fletcher