Communication is key, so let's plan something we can communicate about!

I declare the Valentine Exchange a SUCCESS!! I think everyone agreed it went very well except for a few small hiccups. But there will always be hiccups no matter how well you plan and execute.
So, big round of applause to Katie B. and Kaleigh!!! I'm so glad you are on OUR team!

Also, thank you to Dean for rising to the challenge of leading the debrief. Great job!

Benjamin, thank you for that superb presentation on communication! And I'm not just saying that because I'm your mother.
We really cannot communicate ENOUGH! Just make sure we are sharing a good and righteous message. We can learn A LOT from Hitler. He used his abilities for evil. We will use our abilities for GOOD.

Next week we are in for a big treat!!
Not one, not two, but FOUR character trait presentations!! Woohoo! Trey, Dean, Merry and Katie D.

Dean will also start us out with a leadership quote.

HOMEWORK-come prepared with a scholar meet-up proposal! Convince us to vote for your idea!

Also, start brushing up on the Declaration of Independence!

Thank you! Have a great weekend!!!




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We're MOVING and don't forget your SENTENCE

Last Thursday's class was spectacular!  Dean started us off just right with a very thought provoking quote.  He was followed by Katie Blanchard who gave her trait presentation on transparency.  It was marvelous.  She was followed by Noah who knocked it out of the park with his presentation on kindness.  

The bar for these presentations has been set and it is HIGH!  So don't let us down.  Keep the excellence coming!

We also took a few moments to discuss our upcoming Parent Night.

This is what our portion will look like:

1)Students line up in the back and come down the middle to the stage area while Hail to the Chief plays over the speakers. (The walking order is as follows: Kaleigh, Adam, Dean, Emma, Merry, Ben, KD, Noah, Trey, Katie B.)

2) Katie Blanchard recites a leadership quote

3) I give a brief description of class

4) Trey shares what he has learned from class. BRIEFLY

5) introduce the activities the students have chosen to plan

6) each planning group gives one sentence description of activity

7) 1/2 golden ticket award winners presented 

8)Students walk through middle to the back of the room in the opposite order : )

Did you remember that you will be describing your activity in ONE SENTENCE???  This can be a short funny poem, a riddle, a Shakespearean themed line, etc, etc......BE CREATIVE AND SELL YOUR EVENT!!  Make sure this sentence is written BEFORE class on Thursday!!!!

Also, DRESS UP for Parent Night! You are LEADERS!  Dress to impress : ).

And finally, Kaleigh and Katie B.  are heading up our upcoming Valentine events.  This Thursday, Kaleigh and Benjamin will be manning a Valentine gram selling booth during lunch.  Hopefully, emails announcing this event will be going out VERY SOON.

Here are the assignments that I remember:

EMAIL AND COMMUNICATIONS - Katie B.

Booth poster - Kaleigh (save receipts)

Booth lights - Kellie and Jennifer

Valentine gram example - Kaleigh

Poster with class pictures - Kellie

Valentine bows - Merry

Am I forgetting anything?

This Thursday, Emma has our quote and Dean, Kaleigh, and KD will be presenting their leadership trait.

DO NOT FORGET TO WRITE YOUR EVENT DESCRIPTION SENTENCE for Parent Night!!!!

PS - Our classroom has changed to the Fireside Room!!!  But we will still have our seating assignments:).

PSS - Trey, Adam, and Emma, we missed you!!

Rabbits galore and event description in ONE sentence

Thursday's class was one of our BEST!!!  I can imagine it would have been 100 times better if EVERYONE had read the book.
We had a great discussion about rabbits and leaders.  I was impressed with your insights of the book and so proud of those of you who read the book.  Thank you!!!!!  If you finish your assignment (reading and approach paper), BRING IT IN THIS WEEK!!!

Don't let a few rabbits get in the way of you earning the great leadership retreat at the end of the school year!
We want all of you to celebrate your hard work whether it be by jumping on trampolines, watching a movie, or kayaking near Pt. Defiance!

Get to work and finish all the requirements!  DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!

Here is the list from the last blog:

-Book Presentation (I am missing a presentation from Katie D. and Dean)--there is still two weeks to complete these!

-Watership Down (read) (Benjamin, Kaleigh, Emma, Dean, Adam (I think))

-Watership Down approach paper (pages filled out to the best of your ability) (Benjamin, Kaleigh, Emma)

-Watership Down discussion  (attend class next week, talk about the book, and you are DONE) (Everyone but Merry was in class for this)

-Written activity debrief (Everyone has turned one in!!)

-Participation in both the Halloween and Christmas party - (YOU ALL DID THIS!)

-Good class participation (I think you have all done a pretty good job of this, as well.)

Speaking of requirements, be sure to complete the requirements that meet the half-way point so you can earn your 1/2 GOLDEN TICKET at parent night:).  PLEASE take this seriously!

Our major activity happening next is Valentine's Day!  Katie B. and Kaleigh are taking the lead.  But please don't shirk the brainstorming you should be doing for your own activity.  During parent night you will each be advertising your activity in 1 complete, information packed sentence.  You will be dangling a carrot for all your attendees!  Make them excited to attend your future event:)!

For example for the Christmas party the sentence could be:

Wear your pajamas and enjoy pancakes stacked with your favorite toppings, while you sit back and let us entertain you with an exciting variety show, games, and prizes!

Come with great ideas and ready to work!!
We have three trait presentations by Noah, Katie B, and Dean. 

The rest of the time needs to be spent VERY WISELY!

Dean, you are signed up for the Leadership Quick Quote.

THANK YOU, everyone!

Sent from my iPhone


Sent from my iPhone

Awesome Activity Line-up of Leaders!!!

It was great to get back to the grindstone on Thursday. 

Merry and Katie B. started us off just right.

Katie shared an excellent leadership quote focusing on the fact that good leaders don't take all the credit: )!

Merry was quick to follow with a great presentation on the book LeaderShift.  Now if only we can get ten percent of the population to stand up and fight for our rights!!

We had several items to discuss during class.

The first item was the upcoming scholar get together.  I believe it landed on Friday, February 3 at Sprinker Ice Arena.

I will send out an announcement.  PLEASE mark your calendars, invite your friends, and spread the word to the FILA scholars.

The second item was our fascinating book about rabbits, Watership Down.  PLEASE finish the book by Thursday, January 12, 2017.  That is NEXT week.  Also finish your approach papers.  Simply fill out the pages I gave you (because I love you.) The pages are attached to this email, if you forgot them in the classroom.

If you read the book, it will be an easy task.  We will discuss the book next week.

The next item we discussed was our upcoming activities.  I am so excited to see what you have in store for us all to enjoy! I have complete confidence in your ideas and abilities!!  Keep brainstorming and be ready to start making your vision boards next week.  Please communicate with your leader partners.

Here are the assignments:

Valentine's Day and Valentine fundraiser - Katie Blanchard and Kaleigh

Spring Scholar Activity - Dean and Merry

Shakespeare Bake Sale - Katie Dial

Field Day - Noah and Trey

Scholar Retreat - Adam, Benjamin and Emma

Have you all noticed how our activities get better and better?  We have a top notch team this year.  I am so grateful for all the hard work you put into these activities!!!  You are sooooo incredible.  Keep it up!!!

Don't forget the upcoming presentations on a character trait of a leader.

Below is the format to follow:

CHARACTER STUDY

(3-5 minute presentation)

"You express the truth of your character with the choice of your actions."-Steve Maraboli

1) Choose a characteristic you believe every good leader should embody.

2) Find an example of a leader using this characteristic.  Share this example with the class.

3) Research and report to the class on how we can develop and practice this characteristic.

Here is the schedule thus far:

January 12 - Katie B.

January 19 - Noah

                     Dean (Confidence)

January 26 - Kaleigh (Bravery)

February 2 - Emma (humility)

                    Adam (Patience)

February 9 - Benjamin (communications)

                    Trey 

Lastly, Parent Night is coming up quickly.  And WE will be presenting!!  YAY! The Leadership Class has never presented before.  You will be the FIRST!!!

So these are the requirements you need to complete to get half of your golden ticket to our big class finale (our awesome LEADER retreat!!!)

-Book Presentation (I am missing a presentation from Katie D. and Dean)--there is still two weeks to complete these!

-Watership Down (read)

-Watership Down approach paper (pages filled out to the best of your ability)

-Watership Down discussion  (attend class next week, talk about the book, and you are DONE)

-Written activity debrief (Everyone has turned one in!!)

-Participation in both the Halloween and Christmas party - (YOU ALL DID THIS!)

-Good class participation (I think you have all done a pretty good job of this, as well.)

All of these items are due January 19!!!!

If you have any questions about these requirements, please ask!!!  I want you all to attend our LEADER RETREAT!!  It will be the first year we actually do it (if we have everyone fulfill both semester's worth of requirments!)  And you know that Teacher Kellie is going to make it so fun and exciting!!!!

THANK YOU!!

Teachers Jennifer and Kellie

PS - Adam has the leader quote next week.

PSS- Feel free to ask any questions you might have.

New year, new YOU!

Happy New Year's all you awesome leaders!!

I love the start of a new year.  It is the perfect time for making goals to improve oneself.  So many great leaders continually work on self-improvement.  George Washington is the perfect example of this.  He was constantly working on the 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.  Benjamin Franklin created an entire self-improvement plan he worked on his entire life.  So go for it!!  Set a goal, make a change, and create a habit!  Big or small, it can make significant changes to your life!

So how are you all doing on Watership Down?  The author Richard Adams passed away recently.  Read more here: 'Watership Down' author Richard Adams dies at age 96

'Watership Down' author Richard Adams dies at age 96 LONDON (AP) — British author Richard Adams, whose 1972 book "Watership Down" became a classic of child...

As you read, think of the leaders in the book.  Are they good leaders, poor leaders, or a mix of both?  Why do they do what they do?

Don't put off your approach paper for this book!  It is really a simple format, as long as you have read the book: )!

Also, how are your volunteer hours stacking up?  Hopefully, you found many chances to serve others during the holiday season.  Have you noticed that good leaders are always willing to serve others.

This Thursday, Merry will be presenting on her chosen leadership book.  

Katie Blanchard has our leadership quote.

And then YOU will be choosing what future FILA activity you would like to LEAD.  This includes planning, assigning committees, and LEADING this activity.

Start thinking about an activity that you would like to MAKE GREAT!

These are the activities you have to choose from:

Valentine's Day Exchange

Scholar Spring Activity

Shakespeare Bake Sale

Field Day

Scholar Retreat

Notice that there are FIVE activities and TEN of you.  This means you will be working TOGETHER to make GREAT things happen.  And remember you will all play a leadership role at Scholar Retreat.  We need great ideas for all of these activities so start BRAINSTORMING NOW!!!

And once again, the Christmas party was FABULOUS!  I hope you read Teacher Genevieve's email regarding the party.  

THANK YOU!!

Teacher Jennifer and Teacher Kellie

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Great job on the Christmas party decorations on Thursday!  The more prep work you can get done before an event, the better.  Keep that in mind as you work on all your action items this week.  Communicate with your committees.  We don't want our activity tower to come crumbling down due to someone forgetting to accomplish their action item.

The Variety Show Committee should be hard at work working on the run-down, reminding performers, acquiring necessary music, preparing intros, planning BINGO, printing BINGO cards, etc...

The Communications Committee should be hard at work REMINDING people to WEAR PAJAMAS!!  Also, you need to remind people to bring their toppings!! Please send out emails, Trey!  This is ESSENTIAL!

Everyone should be preparing their favorite pair of pajamas to wear! I can't imagine what Teacher Schmeider is going to do to you if you DON'T wear your pajamas.  (It might involve cake or pies;))!

If you will be serving, it would be extra awesome if you can bring an apron to wear, to protect your favorite pajamas that you WILL be wearing.

On Thursday, be ready to report to your stations immediately after 2nd hour.  We will need ALL hands on deck ASAP!  Merry, Katie, and I (and hopefully Teacher Schmeider) will hopefully have mountains and mountains of pancakes all ready to eat by 11:30 a.m.

If you would like to come to FILA early, we would love extra hands finishing off the decor.

During our 4th hour class we will debrief the party.  I will allow all committee heads to lead the debrief.  This will allow you to check off that requirement.  Remember if you submit your written debrief to me, you will also get another requirement checked off!  My excitement is growing over all these check marks.

Following our debrief we will have an exciting round of the White Elephant Exchange game.  I will bring all the gifts.  You are all interested in framed photos of me, right?

Over the break, I suggest you finish reading Watership Down and working on your approach paper.  You will find all the details in your Leadership Class binder.   (Dean, I have your binder in my bag.)

Also, I suggest you start volunteering anywhere you can!  You need 20 hours by May.

Thanks, everyone!  You are truly a dream team!

PS - Did I mention that you BETTER show up in PAJAMAS?!?!

Peace, Committees and Scholar Corner

"Impressive, most impressive." - Darth Vadar

This quote perfectly illustrates how I feel about your behavior and class demeanor.  Thank you for making such a positive change.  I feel like I am in a completely different classroom.

With that being said, on Thursday, Katie Blanchard delivered her book presentation on the book, The Anatomy of Peace.  I personally loved the stories and excerpts she shared from the book.  This book can easily apply to any facet of our life because contention is unfortunately EVERYWHERE.  A leader that can keep peace is valuable indeed!  Thank you for the topic choice, Katie!!  Well done.

Bravo to all of you that completed your book presentation.  You are one step closer to attending our fabulous LEADER RETREAT (aka.  super fun adventure/party!).

After Katie's fine presentation we discussed the importance of committees.  We then went to work in our committees, deciding our action items and goals.  For the Christmas party we have the following committees:  communications, variety show/BINGO, decor, pancake, and the candy cane hunt.

You all came up with great goals and action items, especially the pancake committee ; ).  I hope the action items are in your thoughts and that you are working on them this week.  

Before class was over, we brought to the table the issue of the SCHOLAR TABLES in the Fellowship Hall.  We resolved to set up a Scholar Corner during lunch.  Trey, will you please bring this issue to the board meeting for approval?  Thank you!

And finally, we talked about the possibility of having a white elephant gift exchange after we debrief the Christmas party.  This idea was met with trepidation from some, so I resolve that I will provide ALL the white elephant gifts for the exchange.  So don't expect an old gum wrapper, but also don't expect an i-pod : )!  Just come ready to have fun and maybe shed a few tears.

This week during class we will start decorating the Fellowship Hall for the party.  BRING YOUR SNOWFLAKES AND PAPER CHAINS!!!

Also, if you want to make plain white paper chains with printer paper from home (or old worksheets, etc) that would be simply GRAND!!

Thanks, everyone!!  Teacher Kellie and I love working with you SO very much!!!

Sincerely,

Teacher Jennifer

PS - Communications committee, stay on top of your email, Facebook reminders.  Also, make this week's lunch announcement AMAZING and EXCITING!!  I'm picturing Trey in his pajamas showing everyone HOW they should look for the party next week!  

Also, Trey, make sure all the sign - up spots for the pancake toppings are filled with volunteers!  Look at the co-op member list to see whom has not signed up, and zero in on them this week during lunch; )!!  THANK YOU!!!!

PSS-  How is everyone doing on Watership Down?  Dare I call it the BEST BOOK EVER?  Read it with thoughts of leadership in mind.