tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52539708683087602062023-11-15T08:18:38.937-08:00From The Principal's DeskMy goal is to blog frequently throughout the year & I invite your responses & interaction.Mr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-65742407101399341362012-09-10T08:55:00.000-07:002012-09-10T08:55:02.358-07:00Back To School!
Back to School!
Well, Children are back in school again!
Isn’t it amazing how FAST life passes? Where does the time go?!
We are back to schedules & early mornings & homework & sports.
Life moves quickly. Enjoy your babies. Be present as your children grow.
Watch every morning sky & know that you have been given another fresh, clean day that many haven’t been given. Life brings new friends & fresh starts & so many things to learn.
My mother taught me as a child that there are very few BIG moments in life...that most of living is every day...ORDINARY moments...big lessons to learn...some ordained days but a lot of ORDINARY mixed in as well.
I hope & pray that we can all learn to be content in the ordinariness of life, & truly celebrate when the beautiful surprises pop up...that we can make the most of our ordinary days by what we put in them...
I also learned from my mother (who is the happiest person I know!) that we each
CHOOSE whether to be happy or unhappy. Positive or negative...content or discontent...that it is all decided in our minds...that we can be happy anywhere if we choose to be.
Kiss the face of a child...fix your favorite sandwich or dessert...Pull out a funny memory so you can at least smile while you cry!
Today I celebrate ordinary days. We have many extraordinary days at Denton Creek, but not all days can be special...some days are by nature more ORDINARY...but each day I am reminded that the KIND of day I choose to have is largely up to ME!
I hope we will create enduring memories for our learners this year...that we will help them grow & thrive in ways not even defined yet! That we can turn more of their days from ORDINARY to EXTRAORDINARY.
I'm out to build bridges this year with our students...with families...with each person I meet. I hope you'll build bridges with me - even on ordinary days!
-Mr. MacMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-69725327003654560642012-03-19T10:38:00.003-07:002012-03-19T10:46:11.688-07:00WORDSAs many of you probably know, I am fascinated & haunted by words!<br /><br />Not in the frightening sense, or even in that writing scares me. It bewilders, frustrates and confounds me at times, but the act of writing doesn’t frighten me.<br /><br />But I am brought up short by words I’ve written, said or have not written or said and should have. There are some in particular I wish I could take back or certainly take another run at.<br /><br />I’ve spent a lot of years writing articles, stories, even a book - just about every medium trying to come up with just the right word, the best turn of a phrase to convey my exact meaning. Sometimes the words flow as they should and it’s extremely gratifying. Other times, the words lay there, inert, awkward, not quite right and not at all what I envisioned.<br /><br />See, that’s the thing about writing. Ideas are easy. It’s having a great idea and not screwing it up on the way to the page that’s the tricky part.<br /><br />It’s kind of the same with life. I’ve written notes or letters to people and have caused hurt. Almost always unintentionally. Sometimes the hurt is inevitable because of the circumstances or the need to call out behavior that is harmful. But there are times when the words come out in a stream of emotion and what I thought I conveyed was instead interpreted as something else. And feelings were hurt. Distances created. Friendships tarnished.<br /><br />It hasn’t happened often and only a handful of times over my life. But words are powerful and they can be heat-seeking missiles and once we fire them, it can be very difficult to undo the damage they have on impact; no matter how hard we try to clean up the mess.<br /><br />This isn’t meant as a confessional. More like reflection and a renewed effort to handle words with greater care.<br /><br />So, I am grateful that words fascinate & haunt me. By the power they carry to move, transport and change.<br /><br />I also love words for the very same reason. They can be carrier pigeons taking possibilities in flight that can bring truth, healing and make the soul soar. Words like, friendship, joy, healing, hope and love.<br /><br />May our words find the light that brings out the best of what they were meant to be!<br /><br />-Mr. MacMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-79742303934129217452012-01-09T12:06:00.000-08:002012-01-09T12:13:56.997-08:0020 TIPS FOR A POSITIVE NEW YEAR<strong>Happy New Year!</strong><br /><br />It's hard to believe we're already into 2012! I found these tips from Jon Gordon that I'd like to share with you as we begin a new year. There are some really good ones!<br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><strong>20 Tips for a Positive New Year<br /></strong></div><br /><div align="left">1. Stay Positive. You can listen to the cynics and doubters and believe that success is impossible or you can trust that with faith and an optimistic attitude all things are possible.<br />2. Take a morning walk of gratitude. I call it a "Thank You Walk." It will create a fertile mind ready for success.<br />3. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.<br />4. Zoom Focus. Each day when you wake up in the morning ask: "What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help me create the success I desire?" Then tune out all the distractions and focus on these actions.<br />5. Instead of being disappointed about where you are, think optimistically about where you are going.<br />6. Remember that adversity is not a dead-end but a detour to a better outcome.<br />7. Don't chase success. Instead decide to make a difference and success will find you.<br />8. Get more sleep. You can't replace sleep with a double latte.<br />9. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.<br />10. Mentor someone and be mentored by someone.<br />11. Live with the 3 E's. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.<br />12. Remember there's no substitute for hard work.<br />13. Believe that everything happens for a reason and expect good things to come out of challenging experiences.<br />14. Implement the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=pkr9qun6&et=1109032609032&s=64180&e=001NAB_VssE_W4MVXwgssCwNkLRb5Hj5BNBS85wCfldQUQ8elAacWv0d5tff1SS4AcMha8rJfG1Hm8IPYJYmA0rUxpupCOyVwEmb5e74Gs3u9w7QzACskq8MDGlF4IP_E_pebdG_q42xOmZcFzIRUK9uQ==" target="_blank">No Complaining Rule</a>. Remember that complaining is like vomiting. Afterwards you feel better but everyone around you feels sick.<br />15. Read more books than you did in 2011. I happen to know <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=pkr9qun6&et=1109032609032&s=64180&e=001NAB_VssE_W5FXpXDXZXSRbSlrLsmJq3YwqpFZCOY6MnQ6Nx6XKH9SQG74H4Jx4Knythb-PYhVLbp-6S9NJTtkjVCf-j8HNNcHXds8JZKf5uEb3aLRaLFwJtk90rpRKAQ" target="_blank">of a few</a> good ones. :)<br />16. Don't seek happiness. Instead decide to live with passion and purpose and happiness will find you. <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=pkr9qun6&et=1109032609032&s=64180&e=001NAB_VssE_W6WAnIIQCyF3uqdDYOqJONHKE0N-H6snIAw9-igtFcXS7txlyaM3ECSXY6zhn6JJqx7jDU8lzzIgtyW-0V4Np9WX-bNA_9HmGc=" target="_blank">www.Seed11.com</a><br />17. Focus on "Get to" vs "Have to." Each day focus on what you get to do, not what you have to do. Life is a gift not an obligation.<br />18. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:<br />I am thankful for __________.<br />Today I accomplished____________.<br />19. Smile and laugh more. They are natural anti-depressants.<br />20. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.<br /></div><br /><div align="left">-Jon Gordon (used with permission)</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">My thanks to Jon Gordon for sharing these & my wish for you is that 2012 will bring you peace & prosperity!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Mr. Mac<br /><br /></div>Mr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-80814668701372559552011-11-10T09:51:00.001-08:002011-11-10T10:07:13.329-08:00Denton Creek is TWEETING!BIG NEWS AT DENTON CREEK THIS WEEK: <strong>We opened a Twitter account</strong> for our school & plan to use it as another communications tool to inform our parents of upcoming school events & to recognize & highlight the great things we see happening on campus.<br /><br />I had been thinking about going this route for a couple of weeks & last week I attended a principals' conference where Alan November (see Novemberlearning.com) was a keynote speaker. In his presentation to principals November talked about the purpose of Twitter & the many different ways schools could use it. He explained that Twitter allows one to follow the greatest minds and his enthusiasm for it finally persuaded me. It all seemed overwhelming to me & somewhat silly to be honest, but now I think <strong>I finally GET IT!!!</strong><br /><br />My biggest reservation was the time factor. I barely have time now for Facebook - how am I going to squeeze one more minute in for anything else? I've wondered! And...what if it's addicting because of all the amazing people & tweets one wants to follow? We're all so busy as it is...<br /><br />I don't care when someone went to the grocery store or what they had for breakfast & this is the part that has caused me to take a while to come to terms with signing up for Twitter.<br /><br />So, all that to say that although it's taken me a while, <strong>I am finally on board</strong> & look forward to growing with this exciting tool that is common for so many of us these days.<br /><br />I am excited about it & hope my enthusiasm doesn't wear off anytime soon.<br />I've already tweeted about Spring Creek Night & our upcoming Movie & Pizza night as well as the incredible things we're doing with technology on our campus.<br /><br />I learned what a hashtag is...AND...I think I like being confined to only 140 characters! That way I won't get too verbose! Now, if I could only get some followers!!! :)<br /><br />-Mr. MacMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-34210124476954182392011-10-17T08:09:00.000-07:002011-10-17T08:51:51.176-07:00KIDS LOVE IT WHEN YOU...<div align="center"><strong>Kids Love It When You...</strong></div><br />* Look them in the eyes<br />* Listen to them<br />* Acknowledge their value<br />* Give them a surprise<br />* Take them on a scavenger hunt<br />* Play with them<br />* Let them choose the restaurant<br />* Invite them to a movie<br />* Laugh at their silly jokes<br />* Let them stay up late<br />* Talk in a funny voice<br />* Make fun of yourself<br />* Tease them<br />* Build them up<br />* Give them responsibility<br />* Hold them as able<br />* Believe in them<br />* Create challenges for them<br />* Dish out meaningful praise<br />* Encourage<br />* Practice what you preach<br />* Treat their mother well<br />* Pay attention to their friends<br />* Know their interests<br />* Do something that's unexpected<br />* Are spontaneous<br />* Show them your creative side<br />* Invest in their future<br />* Ask for their input<br />* Let them order what they want from the menu<br />* Set high standards<br />* Set a good example<br />* Make them do their chores<br />* Stand up for injustice<br />* Ride a rollercoaster with them<br />* Invite their friends to a movie<br />* Let them have a sleepover<br />* Attend their games<br />* Take them out for ice-cream<br />* Know what's going on with their schooling<br />* Get their sense of humor<br />* Don't nag<br />* Are fully present & engaged for their activities<br />* Are quick to forgive a mistake<br />* Let them lean on your shoulder<br />* Ask them questions that challenge their thinking<br />* Hear their insights<br />* Appreciate their diverse opinion opinions - even when they don't agree with yours<br />* Love them unconditionally<br />* Admit when you are wrong<br />* Empathize with what they are experiencing<br />* Show relevance to their world<br />* Apologize easily<br />* Keep standing in times of trouble<br />* Are there for them - no matter what!<br />* Remember their birthdays<br />* Teach them how to play a new sport<br />* Spend QUALITY time together<br />* Recognize the effort they put forth<br />* Reward their accomplishments<br />* Embark on an adventure together<br />* Let them sit in the front seat<br />* Know what their favorite color is<br />* Order their favorite food<br />* Ignite their passions<br />* Never blame them<br />* Question them in a way that shows you're genuinely interested in what they have to say<br />* Understand what they are going through<br />* Value them immensely<br />* Walk the walk<br />* Be a good Example<br />* Forget a transgression - show forgiveness<br />* Jam with their music<br />* Show them you yearn for new things too<br />* Make memories with them that means more than spending your money<br />* Do what you said you would do...Follow through<br />* Keep a promise<br />* Show them by example rather than by your words<br />* Tell the truth<br />* Try something new<br />* Act zany<br />* Appreciate their individuality<br />* Don't compare them to siblings<br />* Don't play favorites<br />* Make them feel like they are the most special person in the world<br />* Help an animal<br />* Show acts of kindness and compassion<br />* Do Random acts of kindness<br />* Clear your calendar for them<br />* Use good language<br />* Live your integrity<br />* Praise rather than criticize<br />* Demonstrate the ability to look at another perspective fairly<br />* Model good manners<br />* Listen without judgment<br />* Are actively involved in what matters to them<br />* Treat elders with respect<br />* Finish what you start<br />* Help them become mroe than they thought they could be!<br />* Develop their potential<br />* Believe in their dreams<br /><br />-Mr. MacMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-41991093559796707222011-09-12T09:21:00.000-07:002011-09-12T09:35:23.601-07:00Thoughts on 9/11It is hard to believe that the events of 9/11 transpired ten years ago. I think we were all shaken, outraged, & numbed by the events of September 11th. I'll never forget where I was when I heard the news: I was in a principal's meeting in HEB, & I'll always remember the look of horror, shock, & disbelief on the faces of the other principals in my group as we learned what had happened. <br /><br />Our world has never been the same since. Our thoughts were with all of the victims who perished in planes, buildings, & on the ground & all of their families who struggled to come to terms with what happened after such a devastating senseless assault. I remember thinking that certainly many of our international friends cope with terrorism every day of their lives as just another part of their reality. With it striking so close to home, perhaps America will better understand what our friends live through daily. Perhaps this tragic event will galvanize the global community & provide the motiviation for swift & decisive cooperative effort to restore some sense of humanity & provide the motivation for swift & decisive cooperative effort to restore some sense of humanity to the structure of our ever increasingly desensitized world.<br /><br />Our hearts & prayers went out to the families missing a parent, girlfriends who lost fiances, & parents missing a child who had just started a promising career. The countless stories were heartbreaking. I couldn't understand such atrocities & wondered what it must be like from a child's perspective.<br /><br />In the days following the attack we had business as usual at school. The children were fine - excited, curious, only a bit frightened & only at times - from what I could tell. I think it was the adults on campus who were most fragile. It was the adults who better understood than the 10 year olds the staggering implications of what we were witnessing.<br /><br />Our teachers continued in their profession & made their country proud. Learning continued, & the teachers did a wonderful job of balancing normalcy with the recognition that the world had changed & that children needed to process & learn emotions along with mathematics. We were a different place than we were, & yet we were the same as ever as well. There was a resiliency from the American people I had never witnessed before.<br /><br />Our kids are too young, too precious, to be thoroughly soiled with terror. The mind of a child is an incredible, resilient thing. It will file the lessons of this page in history where they will mold a different better adult than they would become without this calamity. The heart & soul of a child is precious, & we can only hope & pray that something good will come out of that unspeakable tragedy.<br /><br />Many of the kids we teach today weren't even born when those events unfolded. But it is important that they learn about that part of our history. May our country never have to endure this kind of terror again!<br /><br />-Mr. MacMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-26492429125906253072011-08-29T09:41:00.001-07:002011-08-29T09:56:34.718-07:00WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL/ DEAR WORLD...<strong>Welcome back to school Trailblazers!</strong> We hope you enjoyed a wonderful summer & have gotten off to a great school year. One of my goals is to blog more frequently this year as I almost never run out of things to say! I look forward to highlighting the many achievements that our students & staff will accomplish this year.
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<br />My sweet grandmother gave me this "Letter of Introduction" written by a dad whose boy who goes off to school for the first time. I hope you enjoy it.
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<br /><strong>DEAR WORLD,</strong>
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<br />My young son starts to school today...it's all going to be strange & new to him for a while, & I wish you would sort of treat him gently.
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<br />You see, up to now, he's been king of the roost...he's been boss of the backyard. His Mother has always been around to repair his wounds, & I've always been handy to soothe his feelings.
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<br />But now things are going to be different.
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<br />This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand, and start out on the great adventure...It's an adventure that might take him across continents...It's an adventure that will probably include wars & tragedy & sorrow.
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<br />To live his life in the world he has to live in will require faith & love & courage.
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<br />So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by his hand & teach him the things he will have to know.
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<br />Teach him - but gently, if you can.
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<br />He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just; that all men are not true.
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<br />But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero...that for every enemy, there is a friend.
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<br />It will take time, World, I know, but teach him if you can, that a nickel earned is far more valuable than a dollar found...Teach him to learn to lose...and enjoy winning.
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<br />Steer him away from envy, if you can, and teach him the secret of quiet laughter.
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<br />Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest people to lick. Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books...but also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, & flowers on a green hill.
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<br />In school, World, teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat...Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong...Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people.
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<br />Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the band wagon...Teach him to listen to all men - but, teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth & take only the good that comes through.
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<br />Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad...Teach him there is no shame in tears...Teach him there can be glory in failure and despair in success.
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<br />Teach him to scoff at cynics & to beware of too much sweetness...Teach him to sell his brawn & brains to the highest bidders but never to put a price tag on his heart & soul.
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<br />Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...& to stand & fight if he thinks he's right.
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<br />Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself.
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<br />Because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind.
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<br />Treat him gently, World, but don't coddle him because only the test of fire makes him steel...Let him have the courage to be patient...Let him have the patience to be brave.
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<br />This is a big order, World, but see what you can do...He's such a nice little fellow...my son!
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<br />Thanks for letting me share that with you!
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<br />-Mr. Mac
<br />Mr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-13922855780998952482011-05-06T10:42:00.000-07:002011-05-06T10:48:04.040-07:00Looking Back on 2010-2011<div align="center"><strong>Looking Back on 2010-2011</strong></div><strong><br /><div align="left"><br /></strong>It’s hard to believe another exciting year has come and gone. It’s been a year of vast accomplishments from students and staff at Denton Creek. We continue to be proud of our exemplary campus which is one of the most exceptional schools in TEXAS!</div><br /><div align="left"><br />Let me share with you a few highlights from our year:</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Denton Creek made the prestigious TBEC Honor Roll (Texas Business Education Coalition) for the second consecutive year. This award is given for sustained excellence over a three year period; less than 4% of Texas public schools are named for this honor. </div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Denton Creek received many Gold Performance Acknowledgements from the state for high performance.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Denton Creek was selected as a 2010 NCEA (National Center for Educational Achievement) Higher Performing School which puts us in a very elite category with the highest performing schools across the state. Higher performing schools outperform their peers that serve similar student populations and have more expected academic growth for three consecutive years.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Our Denton Creek<strong> UIL</strong> team brought home the <strong>SECOND PLACE trophy</strong> in the January meet, barely missing first place by only ten points! </div><br /><div align="left"><br />· We expanded our Dual Language program from Kindergarten to first grade this year. The program adds a great deal to our school, and we will add a second grade section of Dual Language next year.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Our fifth graders attended Sky Ranch in October and enjoyed a wonderful outdoor education bonding experience that brought them even closer.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Students in all grade levels participated in a variety of exciting field trips.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Our annual Grandparents’ Tea held in September was one of the best ever!</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Our annual Turkey Drive and Jump Rope for Heart campaigns were very successful. Our students gave back to the community in many ways.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· We continued making huge strides in the area of TECHNOLOGY! Almost every classroom now has a Smartboard to enhance instruction, and our amazing PTO helped us purchase I-touches and I-pads to help us better educate our 21st Century learners. </div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Chinese Mandarin after school classes were introduced for our students.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Mrs. Martha Brown was named our Campus Teacher of the Year and represented our staff in an admirable way.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Mr. McLain was named a Texas NDP (National Distinguished Principal) finalist and attended Harvard! </div><br /><div align="left"><br />· We continued our vocabulary study with more SESQUIPEDALIANS than ever before, and our SAGACIOUS students excelled in every area. </div><br /><div align="left"><br />· We aced our TAKS tests and continue to have among the highest scores in Coppell ISD!</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· We implemented R-Time in our classrooms, a program that fosters improved communication and relationships.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· We implemented a new school-wide behavior system, called PBIS, (School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) which focuses on making good choices. The students enjoyed earning different levels and getting their cards punched for great behavior!</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· Our giving PTO supported us in numerous ways and held a successful Parent Auction in February.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· We enjoyed a successful Field Day in May where many a Trailblazer got busted with water balloons!</div><br /><div align="left"><br />· We celebrated great RELATIONSHIPS with students, parents, and each other!<br />Denton Creek is a REMARKABLE school with incredible students, an outstanding staff, and extremely supportive and involved parents. </div><br /><div align="left"><br /><strong>Thank you for a truly memorable year and for adding so much life to our school.</strong> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">We are a family!</div><br /><div align="left"><br />Have a wonderful summer!</div><br /><div align="left"><br />All the best,</div><br /><div align="left"><br />Mr. Mac</div>Mr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-63625384375045487352011-03-07T10:28:00.000-08:002011-03-07T11:07:39.518-08:00Conversations That Connect<div align="center"><strong>Conversations that Connect</strong></div><br />Difficult conversations...all principals have to have them. In the past, I dreaded them and would fret and stew about them for days.<br /><br />Yet my confidence has significantly improved as I learned more about having effective conversations, both through the book <em>Fierce Conversations</em> and from my staff's work with the Fierce organization. This approach improved my ability to have those conversations that used to keep me up at night and left an indelible mark on our campus.<br /><br />Practicing the work has enabled me to be more proactive about the tough conversations I need to have, in part because I now understand that some of the most costly conversations are the ones that never happen.<br /><br />I was recently able to incorporate Fierce principles into my work in two cases. In one example, I was working with a teacher who was not being a team player. I knew I needed to step in to address some serious perceptions that were prevalent on the campus. <br /><br />Often, miscommunications arise as a result of unclear expectations or misunderstandings. In this case, the teacher and I each had differing viewpoints we needed to express. Doing so honestly, though difficult at first, ultimately led to a successful resolution and improved the communication between us. The confrontation model made addressing this challenge much easier, and the results, though not perfect, were better than I had expected. In the Fierce confrontation model, we start with naming the issue. We then clarify our emotions and perspectives through specific examples and make clear why this issue is important. We also show an openness to resolving the issue and invite our conversation partners to respond.<br /><br />In another example, I met with a defensive parent about a discipline issue and was more prepared to handle the intricacies of the difficult situation because of my knowledge of the confrontation model. I had learned not to be defensive, nor did I take the parent's frustrations personally. I worked hard to find common ground with the parent, while explaining the school's position. I was able to stand my ground about a consequence his child had earned for a bad choice. The parent tried valiantly to defend the young man's indiscretion. I was able to hold the parent "as able", meaning, as capable of handling the consequences without backing down, and I did so in a way that moved the relationship forward. I noticed I didn't get upset that the parent didn't agree with the outcome of the situation. The difference for me was that I felt it was truly allright to feel like the only win-win wasn't just having the parent support me and my viewpoint. That wasn't realistic. Yet I didn't worry about it because I had honestly shared my perspective and listened to the parent openly.<br /><br />Stephen Covey's early work on "seeking to understand first before being understood" played a part in this example as well. I needed to first completely understand the parent's point of view before I could get him to hear and consider my perspective. I had to listen carefully without being too quick to form a response. Often, more than anything, angry parents want to be heard. When the parent knew I had heard his viewpoint, his defenses diminished, and we were able to reach a solution.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>FUNDAMENTAL SHIFTS</strong></div><br />As I look back at gaining the skill to have the conversations that used to keep me up at night, I had the following realizations.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>WITNESS THE STRUGGLE</strong></div><br />As principals we must be willing to empathize and "witness the struggle" of the difficult parent, or the frustrated and frazzled teacher. The empathy we show can go a long way in helping resolve conflicts.<br /><br />A logical, clear confrontation model takes the emotional charge out of confronting a tough issue. It allows you to speak to the heart of the issue with clarity, without attack. Also key elements are empathy and a sincere desire to understand the other person's perspective.<br /><br />We've heard it said before - you can't change others - you can only change yourself. Therefore, our responses to challenging situations are critical and significantly contribute to the outcomes. As I am often reminded when dealing with combative parents, managing a difficult person first means managing myself.<br /><br />In conflict, perspective is everything, and others are more likely to be open to our viewpoint if we are willing to be present, to listen and try to understand their viewpoint.<br /><br />I've learned to be more bold and direct when confronting issues. Before I might have hemmed and hawed about the issue as I tried to resolve whatever conflict landed in my lap. Now I'm more prepared to address difficult issues with confidence, honesty, and diplomacy.<br /><br />I am grateful to have grown in my ability to handle conflict. Although we tend to think of conflict in negative terms, many positive things come from handling conflict effectively such as change, personal growth, solutions, and the opportunity to solve problems more effectively. Conflict is a normal, inevitable part of our everyday lives, and effective administrators need to learn how to deal with conflict skillfully.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>WHO OWNS THE PROBLEM?</strong></div><br />In both the parent and staff member example above, I learned how valuable it is to engage the people who own the knowledge about the issue under discussion. Both parties were able to contribute to the solution, which made it easier and more satisfying for all involved.<br /><br />Administrators are often required to make unpopular decisions. One question I continue to ask myself as I work with students, staff, and parents is "How can we move forward from here given this new understanding?"<br /><br />All confrontation is a search for the truth. We all own a piece of the truth, so as administrators it's up to us to skillfully find out what is really going on.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>ATTEND TO GRADUALLY</strong></div><br />I am grateful that I've learned the importance of being conscious during the gradually. By that I reference what Susan Scott says in her work - "Our careers, our schools, our relationships, and our very lives succeed or fail, gradually, then suddenly, one conversation at a time." There is a lot of gradually built in there.<br /><br />I have become more intentional about what I strive to accomplish on a daily basis. Being aware of our relationships and results is important. Sometimes we need to ask what we can do differently to keep from losing students and staff gradually, before a negative suddenly blindsides us.<br /><br />To really understand in the moment that "the conversation IS the relationship" shifts everything. This sounds simple, and is something we all know on one level. I find myself thinking about that a lot more with regards to what I do as a campus principal to cultivate more positive relationships with my staff daily. And I know this happens gradually, one conversation at a time.<br /><br />As Michael Fullan and others have reminded us, "Relationships drive everything we do," and as my teachers and I were reminded during our work with Fierce, "The most valuable currency we have is relationships." If we don't connect with peoples' hearts as well as their heads, it's not likely we'll move forward collectively.<br /><br />Being an administrator is a high calling, and while many obstacles lie in the way of our success, and while we would have no trouble enumerating the many problems we face, we are not in the business of predicting rain, but of building arks.<br /><br />I believe we either build a bridge or a wall with every person we meet. What is your style when handling conflicts? Like you, I'm out to build bridges, and having the courage and skills to have Fierce conversations helps me build bridges by being a more effective instructional leader.<br /><br />-Bryan McLainMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-21319700103551303852011-01-10T07:45:00.000-08:002011-01-10T08:04:47.534-08:00What IS My Job?Several years ago, when my sweet adorable daughter was five years old, she announced to me out of the blue as we were driving in the car, "Dad, if someone has a fat face, I will tell them!" I turned to her, appalled that any offspring of mine would make such a statement. I said, "You will NOT do that - it would hurt feelings, etc...besides, THAT is NOT your job!"<br /><br />Well, I guess I made an impression on her. I could see the wheels turning in her head. Finally, she looked at me & asked, "Then, what IS my job?" For a long time afterwards, it became a joke between us at various times to ask, "What IS my job?"<br /><br />As I thought about this year & the incredible first several months of school we've had, I thought it might be good for all of us to ask...<br /><br />"WHAT <strong>IS </strong>MY JOB?"<br /><br />First, it is my job to be part of the world of little people where we laugh & dream & find joy in a tooth that wiggles. We express "real" enthusiasm over treasures that are put on our desks such<br />as flowers that have been picked so short that they have no stem, or a love note written with great care. It is our job to be thankful to be part of their world so that we don't always have to take life so seriously.<br /><br />It is my job to teach when it's 105 degrees outside or when my learners are full of sugar from Halloween candy. After all, we've been entrusted with unique miracles of nature who might not ever love books, understand numbers, or eventually be an important part of history unless we teach them.<br /><br />It is my job to greet each day with love in my heart. When I do, I'll be better equipped to deal with the child who is tired because his parents argued all night, or the child who throws up, or the one who challenges me because he's smart & needs to know why or more. If I greet each day with love, my job isn't just a duty; it's a joy.<br /><br />It's my job to be parent, teacher, coach, counselor, & sometimes even friend. Sometimes I didn't know that I could/would wear so many hats. But it's funny - I often don't even realize when I take off one to replace it with another.<br /><br />It's my job to encourage...Encourage my coworkers when they are down, or hurt, hot, frustrated, tired, or mad. My job is tio encourage those I am around...to encourage the child who is on the verge of tears because he's fearful of going to 4th grade & not remembering his multiplication facts. It's my job to encourage each child. After all, I might be the only one who does.<br /><br />I'm going to be honest with you & admit to you that we all have a hard job. As I look at my job with its mounting pressures, numerous constraints, & endless frustrations, I've made a commitment & decided that I'm going to continue to become better at my job this year!<br /><br />I am so fortunate to get to work with the Denton Creek staff - they are truly the best...the cream of the crop. I'm especially lucky to get to work with our kids who are truly what it's all about.<br />They're smart, well-behaved, & genuinely care about one another, & they are what keep me here!<br /><br />-Mr. McLainMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-36018087740191500302010-11-30T13:43:00.000-08:002010-11-30T13:56:25.403-08:00TALKING WITH YOUR KIDSOne of my favorite aspects of being a principal is the wonderful interactions I get to have with children. They say the neatest things, & I think we need to listen to kids more than we do!<br />I want to share with you some questions that are fun to use with students taken from the book entitled <em><strong>Funtastic Conversation Starters for Parents and Kids</strong></em> by Robert Crosby.<br /><br /><strong>Great questions to ask your Preschooler:</strong> What is your favorite cartoon? When you're happy, what do you like to do? Why do we go to work? What kinds of things make you laugh? What is your favorite color? What new things did you learn today?<br /><br /><strong>Great questions to ask your Grade-schooler:</strong> Other than recess & lunch, what hour do you enjoy the most at school? What is a conscience? What's your favorite joke? How do you decide who your friends will be? Why do kids like computer games? What is one thing you're looking forward to right now? What is the nicest thing a teacher ever said or did for you? What are five questions that most kids your age would love to be asked? If you were the head of our household, what would be your top five rules? What do you think we need to do more as a family? How do you think computers will change in the future? How will getting good grades now help you when you're twenty-five years old? What is the most incredible thing that has ever happened to you? What is one thing of yours you would never be willing to sell at any price?<br /><br /><strong>Great Questions to ask your Teenager:</strong> Describe the kind of person you would like to marry one day. What is "Generation X?" What are your five favorite books? What are some of the best things happening in our world today? What is the most significant thing you have done this year? What do you like the most about growing older? Who is your favorite teacher? How do you show respect for your teachers? What does "cool" mean to you? Are you happy? What is the best time you have ever had with me? What are your top three strengths? Is happiness a decision or a result of circumstances? When you're choosing music, what is most important to you - the sound, the lyrics, or the lifestyle it promotes? What would you most like to do for the rest of your life? What is one thing you've never done that you would really like to do? What are the three nicest things anyone has ever said about you? What do you like most about being a teenager?<br /><br />I hope you will find some of these questions useful with the important people in your life! I have used many of them with my own daughter & it's a great way to learn more about our precious children.<br /><br />-Mr. McLainMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-52353380122548640472010-11-17T09:29:00.000-08:002010-11-17T09:32:45.238-08:00Denton Creek has earned Braggin' Rights - AGAIN!!!Mrs. Evans, our current Teacher of the Year, Ms. Shelton, & I traveled to Austin this past Monday to attend a TBEC recognition ceremony where Denton Creek was honored for making the prestigious TBEC Honor Roll for the second year in a row!<br /><br />Too often, recognizing our public schools for academic achievement takes a back seat to winning championships on the athletic field. Also, too often, the media seems to headline any event that has a negative slant, while rarely showcasing our many outstanding schools & their accomplishments.<br /><br />The Texas Business and Education Coalition (TBEC) Honor Roll recognizes schools for academic performance & honors those students, teachers, principals, & superintendents who have won championships in the classroom.<br /><br />Being named a TBEC Honor Roll school is the MOST prestigious academic award given in Texas. “Schools get on our honor roll the old fashioned way – they earn it,” says TBEC’s former business chair, Jack Lowe.<br /><br />TBEC identifies Honor Roll schools by analyzing three years of performance data for every public school in Texas. A TBEC Honor Roll school must have a high percentage of students meeting state standards on every TAKS test for three consecutive years. That’s the easy part. TBEC Honor Roll schools must also perform at the state’s most rigorous standard – commended – in ALL subjects.<br /><br />Each school is evaluated based on its commended performance over the past three years with the most recent year’s score being double weighted. Campus level TAKS data provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) are used in calculating the TBEC score.<br /><br />Last year 206 Elementary schools across the state were recognized; this year the number was down to 191 schools. It is a real honor for Denton Creek to have made the TBEC Honor Roll two years in a row!<br /><br />In addition to our TBEC Honor roll award, Denton Creek has also recently received Gold Performance Acknowledgements from the state in the following areas: Attendance, Commended Reading, Commended Writing, Commended Math, Commended Science. (Out of seven possible acknowledgements, Denton Creek received five!) This speaks well to the high caliber of our students & staff.<br /><br />I couldn’t be prouder of the many accomplishments that Denton Creek has achieved & I know our school wouldn’t be as successful without your involvement & support. I hope you are as proud of our school as I am!<br /><br />The Denton Creek staff wishes you & your family a very Happy Thanksgiving & best wishes for a joyous holiday season!<br /><br />-Mr. McLainMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-36763489621320960492010-10-20T09:40:00.000-07:002010-10-20T10:07:39.165-07:00Fierce ConversationsOctober 20th<br /><br />Denton Creek teachers were fortunate to have Deli Bock from Seattle present to us last week on the art of having FIERCE CONVERSATIONS with one another.<br /><br />I thought the training was so powerful that I wanted to share a few of the highlights with you.<br /><br />You may think of her strategies as just "common sense" or "good communication strategies", & they certainly are, but for me, they resonated deeply & made me re-examine my own conversations & communication style.<br /><br />Here are a few of the highlights & key points from Deli's presentation that I thought were especially powerful:<br /><br />What is talked about & how it is talked about determines what happens or doesn't happen. In other words, conversation is essential to what we want to achieve. Conversations are the way through.<br /><br /><strong>While no single conversation is guaranteed to change the trajectory of a career, a company, a relationship, or a life, - any single conversation CAN.</strong><br /><br />Deli defined a FIERCE conversation as a conversation in which we come out from behind ourselves & make it real. There is no hidden agenda & complete vulnerability.<br /><br />She posed the question, <strong>"How can I tell the truth in a way that gets me invited back?"</strong> (I love that!)<br /><br />She stated that the most expensive conversations are the unreal conversations. It's the missing conversations that matter the most, because they never happen.<br /><br />Deli used the analogy of a person going bankrupt & asked, <strong>"How did you get bankrupt?"</strong><br /><strong>GRADUALLY - Then SUDDENLY.</strong><br /><br />She believes our lives are one long chain conversation - & that many of us are not conscious during the gradually. She challenged us to ask ourselves how close we are to suddenly.<br /><br />She contends that <strong>we succeed or fail one conversation at a time & stressed the importance of gradually saying, "Our careers, our personal relationships, our schools, & our very lives succeed or fail gradually, then suddenly, one conversation at a time."</strong><br /><br />She encouraged us to be conscious during the gradually so we won't wake up to the pain of suddenly! Great point!<br /><br />We were reminded that the greatest leverage we have is the conversation we're in RIGHT NOW & again asked us "How can we be REAL in a way that gets me invited back? (She joked, "If you don't get invited back to the table, find another table!!"<br /><br />She emphasized that <strong>the conversation IS the relationship & that the most valuable currency we have is relationships.</strong><br /><br />I like the point she made when she said that if we don't connect with students' hearts as well as their heads, we will lose their hands. The CONNECTIVITY is what's important.<br /><br />Another interesting point she made is that <strong>"All conversations are with MYSELF & sometimes they involve other people!"</strong><br /><br />She shared the Seven Principles of Fierce Conversations which are:<br /><br />1. <strong>Master the Courage to Interrogate Reality.</strong> (Dig deeper with any given issue to find out what is really going on.)<br /><br />2. <strong>Come out from behind yourself into the conversation & make it real.</strong> Be honest. Be vulnerable. Put down the mask & facade & reveal what you really think & feel. Don't withhold. Deliver the message with clarity, courage, & compassion.<br /><br />3. <strong>Be here & be prepared to be nowhere else.</strong> Really listen.<br /><br />4. <strong>Be conscious of the messages you're sending.</strong> We're not used to people paying attention at that level. Hold people as ABLE to handle your message.<br /><br />5. <strong>Tackle your toughest challenges today.</strong><br /><br />6. <strong>Obey your instincts.</strong><br /><br />7. <strong>Take responsibility for your emotional wake.</strong> (Our words are powerful, but it's the DELIVERY of our words that people will remember. If people don't feel respected, they will not listen.)<br /><br />There were many personal take-aways I gained from hearing Deli. Perhaps the most important one for me is "How can I help move Denton Creek forward from here given this new understanding?"<br /><br />I was also challenged to examine my own conversations with others. I want to be a better listener & to better understand dissenting perspectives.<br /><br />I know it doesn't do Deli justice to list just a few bullet points from her presentation, but again, their impact on me personally warranted their sharing with you.<br /><br />We are truly blessed & grateful to have such a wonderful school, & I am convinced training like this can help enrich & strengthen what we're doing for kids.<br /><br />I really believe that with every person we meet, we either build a bridge or a wall.<br /><br />I'm out to build bridges. What about you?<br /><br />-Mr. McLainMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-69278099684165298742010-10-18T11:13:00.000-07:002010-10-18T11:38:42.494-07:00FIERCE CONVERSATIONSMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-60367847183706750842010-10-04T06:26:00.000-07:002010-10-04T06:27:20.600-07:00Sky Ranch Here We Come!Heading to Sky Ranch this morning to get to spend some wonderful time with our fifth graders who will be camping for three days! This is always a highlight of the year for me - & the weather is BEAUTIFUL! Here's hoping our fifth graders will have the time of their lives!Mr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-28923030486123371492010-09-23T11:39:00.000-07:002010-09-23T11:55:18.936-07:00Thanks for My Birthday Surprises!<strong>I want to thank everyone who surprised me for my birthday today!</strong><br />(I had quite a few nice surprises from students & teachers, so thank you very much!)<br /><br />The students in 5C had a little party for me with waffles & strawberries & they had all prepared home-made birthday cards which were very neat. Other grade levels made me a cake, one brought me lunch, one played a trick on me, one gave me flowers & a really BIG card, so I had a really fun day filled with all kinds of goodies. Thank you, thank you for your thoughtfulness!<br />You reminded me how much fun birthdays are supposed to be!<br /><br />We had a great turn-out at our school social last week & it was good to see all of the visiting going on among our families.<br /><br />This week all the principals in CISD came to Denton Creek for a meeting & several of our sagacious students had an opportunity to show off their vocabulary skills which was very impressive. <strong> KUDOS to Max, Almira, Michael, Paige, Mihir, Maddy, Shane, Dylan, Seth, & Nathan for being such great ambassadors & sesquipedalians!</strong> You guys rock & truly impressed our visitors. You always make me very proud...thanks!<br /><br />Next week is our annual <strong>Grandparent's Tea on Friday, October 1st,</strong> & we are looking forward to having your grandparents & special friends join us for our big event.<br /><br />I am going to start posing some questions on my blog that I hope will generate some dialogue so that this is more interactive & not just me writing to myself!<br /><br /><strong>I would like to know what your favorite things are about Denton Creek.</strong><br /><br /><strong>What are the best things about our school?</strong> Please write & let me know.<br /><br />Also, I hope you will remember to check out our bookfair next week.<br /><br />Thanks again for making my birthday such a special one! I am one lucky principal!<br /><br />-Mr. MacMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-50003911518594977232010-09-15T14:20:00.000-07:002010-09-15T14:26:17.541-07:00September is Flying By!I can hardly believe we are half way through September already!<br /><br />Time just flies by at Denton Creek because we are having fun! (And staying busy!)<br /><br />I want to thank our students & teachers for a very smooth beginning to the year. It's great to see our students so excited about learning & so engaged in learning!<br /><br />I hope our parents will check out the cool blogs, websites, & animoto videos that our teachers have created. They are quite impressive. I can see very positive implications for teachers to use instructionally.<br /><br />Blogging is new to me and I will soon be posting some questions for our Trailblazers to ponder and answer, so please check back with me! I am anxious to see the dialogue from this!<br /><br />If you will take the time to respond to my blogs, that will reinforce me to continue!<br /><br />We are looking forward to seeing our families Friday night, September 17th for our Back-to-School Social from 6-8PM. <br /><br />See you soon!Mr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-82091031887362414682010-08-16T12:31:00.001-07:002010-08-16T12:31:48.872-07:00Tim Tyson's TeachingsI hope you've enjoyed Tim Tyson today!<br /><br />What are you willing/committed to put into practice?Mr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-66422828760463042392010-08-16T05:10:00.000-07:002010-08-16T05:18:09.333-07:00Mr. Mac's Memo #1<div align="left"><br />It’s great to welcome you back today to what promises to be a memorable year! Sheri & I are blessed to work with the most outstanding staff in the district, & we are excited about the work that lies ahead. You are such an integral part of what we do at Denton Creek & I hope you are ready for an exciting year. Although our summer break is never long enough, we hope you are returning revitalized & energized about the celebrations & the challenges that await us. <br /><br />We want to welcome once again our new staff members. They are in a great place & will add so much to our faculty. We are fortunate to have them, so welcome aboard to Miguel Rivas, Debbie Lukert, Lindsey McCartney, Lisa Stokes, Tessa Knickerbocker, Jennifer Coates, & Allison Pryor. You will love Denton Creek & I know we will enjoy having YOU!<br /><br />Here’s a reminder of our schedule for this week:<br /><br />I’m excited to welcome Tim Tyson back to Denton Creek to kick off our year! Tim has a lot of great information to share with us. Here’s what today will look like:<br /><br />7:30 – 8:00 – Coffee & Connection Time – PTO is providing breakfast for us!<br />8:15 – 9:30 – Teachers as 21st Century Instructional Leaders (Overview)<br />9:45 – 10:45 – Teachers as 21st Century Instructional Leaders (Demo)<br />11:00 – 11:30 – Hands on with Animoto (Lab workshop for teachers who want to put together a video intro of themselves for their blogs.) Space will be limited on this one.<br /><br />12:30 – 1:15 – Blogging 101 in the Lab for teachers with no blogging experience<br />1:15 – 2:00 – Intermediate Blogging for teachers with some blogging experience<br />2:00 – 2:45 – K-2 teachers – Personal Learning networks & other resources<br />2:45 – 3:30 – 3-5 teachers – Personal Learning networks & other resources<br /><br />Please choose a blogging session to attend in the afternoon in the computer lab.Barbara’s specials team will attend with K-2 teachers at 2PM & Glenda’s team will attend with 3-5 teachers at 2:45.<br /><br />Tuesday – District Convocation – Irving Bible Church – 8:00 – Coffee & our Celebration begins at 9:00. Michelle King has worked hard to put together a great event for us!<br />Please be there by 8:30 so Denton Creek can sit together – you may dress up for the NASCAR theme or wear your DC t-shirts which you will receive today. Please pay Sheri $13.00 for your t-shirt.<br /><br />Lunch on your own immediately following convocation. Please be back & ready to start by 1:15 to hear Steve Knagg whose humorous talk will center on balance in our lives…don’t we all need more of that?! His talk is titled, “Sane Living in an Insane World” & I’m confident you will enjoy him – a lot!<br /><br />Wednesday – District Day – We will have schedules printed so you will know where to go.<br />As you may have heard we are not posting class lists this year, so Wednesday is student registration/teacher assignment pick up from 8:00 AM – 7PM in the cafeteria. We will see how the new system goes!<br /><br />Thursday – District Day – Meet the Teacher Night – 5:30 – 6:30 PM<br /><br />Friday – Happy New Year Party!!/Faculty meeting, Cafeteria – Light breakfast 8:00 – 8:15<br /><br />Team-building, Nuts & Bolts –We’ll do our best to have you out by 11:15 – possibly sooner!<br /><br />We are planning on having your class lists to you late Tuesday afternoon – but not before!<br />Please don’t ask Donna to see them ahead of time.<br /><br />We are excited to be getting new library furniture sometime this week. We will not be able to meet as a group in the library any this week until all of the furniture has been delivered, so our meetings today, tomorrow afternoon, & Friday morning will be held in the cafeteria.<br /><br />Early dismissal for students in K-2 is scheduled for week after next (Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday) for assessment as we’ve done in the past. Sheri is working on a schedule that you will receive soon.<br /><br />We will continue our school-wide D.E.A.R. program & ask that you have it in place no later than the second week of school. Please respect the integrity of the program by ensuring that you are reading/modeling with your kids the entire time. (8:10 – 8:30.)<br />I think you know how important this is to me!<br /><br />Courtney Jennings will be our RTI specialist this year. Congratulations to her on her new position!<br /><br />Your PTO teacher reps this year are Martha Brown, Kathy Flatt, & Barbara Larsen.<br /><br />The following teachers will serve as content specialists this year:<br />Janet Dickerson – Social Studies<br />Kerry Webb – Math<br />Cynthia Alaniz – ELAR<br />Kathy Flatt – Science<br /><br />We will provide you with 6 hours of flex hours opportunities this year & you will be responsible for getting 6 hours, & we’re asking that you obtain at least six hours of technology training this year. Please remember that approval for flex hours must be given ahead of time! See me if you’re not sure about this so there won’t be any confusion as to what’s allowed for flex hours, etc.<br />Your team leaders have lots of information to share with you regarding things you need to know for the new school year. If they haven’t already met with you, they will!<br /><br />One of the neat new things this year is our access to AWARE – a new assessment data system that will put student data in your hands much sooner. Aware is an online computer adaptive assessment system (for grades 2-9) that identifies individual students’ instructional level. It will provide data instantaneously, give us diagnostic information, information on sub groups of students, etc. so it will be a valuable tool for us. Sheri will be our trainer!<br /><br /><strong>Our Most Important School Goals For This Year Include:</strong><br /><br />· Delving deeper into 21st Century learning – both as educators & learners.<br />· Improving our Commended scores & continuing to focus on rigorous instruction with special emphasis given to Math & Science & a greater focus on our subgroups.<br />· We will embrace our Dual Language program wholeheartedly & make sure we do everything we can to support the program & ensure its’ success.<br />· We will strive to create a sense of belonging for ALL students & will work to reduce & prevent bullying – our new R-time program will help us with this initiative.<br /><br />Although next Monday will be my 23rd “Opening Day”, I never lose the nervous edge I felt on my very first day of school when I began my career as a fifth grade teacher in Amarillo.<br />As we begin a new school year, I hope you share my sense of excitement, rejuvenation, & anticipation of what will be a tremendous year of growth for our students & staff.<br /><br />Although our success as professional educators will depend to a great extent on our specific skills & the breadth of our knowledge base, I firmly believe that our character & our human relations skills are even more vital to the ultimate success we experience with our students & our entire school community.<br /><br />We will follow the same NORMS/EXPECTATIONS that we had last year which are:<br /><br />· We will treat all students with dignity & respect.<br />· We will ensure success for all students.<br />· We will grow professionally both individually & collectively as a staff.<br />· We will communicate consistently, positively, & professionally with parents.<br />· We will work together to promote a team-oriented environment conducive to learning.<br />· We will listen to & respect the opinions of others & be willing to compromise.<br />· We will base decisions on fact rather than supposition & support decisions that are made.<br />· We will tell the truth; admit mistakes; take responsibility; keep confidentiality.<br />· We will be perceptive to the needs of others & be willing to help; remember, we are part of a team.<br />· We will have FUN!</div><div align="center"><br />If we can all adhere to these norms we will be in great shape!<br /><br /><strong>Upcoming Important Dates:</strong><br /><br />Meet the Teacher Night – Thursday, August 19th from 5:30 – 6:30<br />Curriculum Night – September 7th – K, 1, & 2 – 5-6PM & 3, 4, & 5 from 6:15 – 7:15PM<br />Grandparent’s Tea – October 1st<br /><br />We know this is one of the busiest times of the year as there are many last minute things to do to prepare for your students, & we truly appreciate the effort you have already put into your classroom preparation, lesson plans, etc. so that you are ready for kids on Monday!<br /><br /><strong>NOTEABLE QUOTABLES:</strong><br /><br />Coming together is a beginning;<br />Keeping together is progress;<br />Working together is success! <br />-Henry Ford<br /><br />Today we decide how tomorrow will look.<br /><br /><strong>CELEBRATE:</strong><br /><br />· Coppell ISD being an EXEMPLARY school district for the first time in 10 years!<br /><br />· Denton Creek’s EXEMPLARY status as well! We will strive to take our school to even greater heights this year!<br /><br />· Our new staff members – Miguel, Debbie, Lindsey, Lisa, Tessa, Jennifer, & Alli!<br /><br />· The beginning of a new year with new students, new colleagues, new learning, & new excitement!<br /><br />WELCOME BACK EVERYONE!!!<br /><br /> -Bryan<br /> </div>Mr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-22817801309428447602009-09-04T09:14:00.000-07:002009-09-04T09:16:27.384-07:00QUESTION OF THE WEEK #1<strong>What have you enjoyed most about school so far this year?</strong><br /><br />I am looking forward to hearing your responses!<br /><br />What are you liking most about school?<br /><br />-Mr. McLainMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-67944474281767383232009-09-04T07:57:00.000-07:002009-09-04T09:14:42.561-07:00Denton Creek's VISIONI'm excited to be learning about blogging & want to invite our students & staff at Denton Creek to join me in this endeavor as we embark on a fun school year together.<br /><br />Many of our DC students are WAY AHEAD of me when it comes to technology, but I am learning, & I hope you will help me learn! Our teachers have committed to making technology an even bigger focus this year which is very exciting.<br /><br /><strong>I'm going to share my vision for our school in this blog, & then I'd like to start a weekly question that you may answer. I hope you will jump right in on the discussion!</strong><br /><br />It is well known that all leaders have a vision - a place in their mind or a dream about how things can be better. The vision provides the motivation & energy that helps you to accomplish your goals & bring about productive change. I want to share my vision with you.<br /><br />In my vision I <strong>SEE </strong>a safe place...free from prejudice not only toward color but toward indifference in learning. I see all children - wise & unwise, social & unsocial, eager & reticent, privileged, & lacking, learning capable & learning challenged, THRIVING...in this safe place.<br /><br />In my vision I <strong>HEAR</strong> excitement...Children's voices & grown up voices motivated by the need to know & the need to share what is known. I hear kindness & courtesy & encouragement. There is no room for sarcasm or criticism or the need to control through fear...in this EXCITING place!<br /><br />In my vision I <strong>TOUCH</strong>...Hand upon hand & heart upon heart & encourage others to do the same. We have to touch kids' hearts before we can engage their minds! The touch heals the spirit & feeds the children who are lacking...in this safe place.<br /><br />In my vision I <strong>SMELL</strong>...reams of paper & endless books, musty rooms & dusty, warm bodies - all signs of life & synergy in an otherwise lifeless building...now made into a safe place.<br /><br />In my vision I <strong>TASTE</strong>...the sweet taste of tentative, fragile success - hoping that living out the vision will make a difference for kids - in this safe place!<br /><br />My vision is simple, straightforward, & attainable!<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Some of the goals that we have as a staff include:</strong></div><br />1. To build relationships rooted in trust rather than judgment,<br />2. To create a climate of respect in which those who participate in the day-to-day activities have ownership of the process,<br />3. To continue traditions & ceremonies that celebrate success,<br />4. To replace rules with mutual respect,<br />5. To replace competition with cooperation.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>The Denton Creek staff is committed to:</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div>1. Maximizing instructional time,<br />2. Teaching the TEKS & Tackling the TAKS,<br />3. Promoting higher levels of cognitive learning by asking higher level questions & ensuring that we're working on the "3 R's" with our students: RELEVANCE, RIGOR, & RELATIONSHIPS!<br />4. Instilling in our students an even greater desire to achieve excellence.<br />5. Integrating more technology into all areas of our classrooms including multimedia presentations, blogging, use of the smart interactive board, creating pod-casts, etc.<br />6. Researching the process of becoming an "IB" school - or what's known as the "Primary Years Program."<br />7. Ensuring success for all students & having fun while doing so!<br /><br />I hope you will embrace our vision as we work to provide your children with the best educational experience possible!<br /> -Mr. McLainMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-5196010480853676652009-08-21T12:17:00.000-07:002009-08-21T12:26:45.916-07:00Denton Creek Rocks!I want to welcome our sagacious students back to school...we are lucky to have YOU at Denton Creek & are looking forward to an exciting year.<br /><br />As a school we will be studying 21st Century Learning & Literacy this year which will involve using more technology. We have purchased some Smart Boards which teachers will be using to engage our students, & your teachers will be doing lots of things to keep you engaged & excited about learning!<br /><br />We will also be creating more podcasts & every teacher will have an on-going blog.<br /><br />We're excited about CELEBRATING THE PRESENT as we CREATE THE FUTURE!<br /><br />I'm counting on some of our awesome Trailblazers to help me learn more about technology as that is one of my colossal goals this year!<br /><br />Let's collaborate to make this the best year EVER at Denton Creek!<br /><br />-Mr. MacMr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253970868308760206.post-2822185741171944832009-08-21T11:26:00.000-07:002009-08-21T11:28:57.966-07:00Mr. Mac Learns To Blog!Mr. Mac is wanting to become tech savvy!<br />This is his first attempt to create a blog.<br /><br />Be patient with me as I enter the 21st Century!Mr. McLainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01580852251134356780noreply@blogger.com1