Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 4

Please checkout our weekly video:

Eric Thomas: You have to TAKE success - http://youtu.be/hCbyptL5TbU

The No Excuses Turnaround Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogspot.com/2014/07/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book_25.html

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Chapter 3

This chapter starts out with a quote:

"Some things have to be believed to be seen"

-Ralph Hodgson

A gift that I keep with me at all times constantly reminds me to believe with ALL my heart:

I have an belief so strong that it leads me to having a Powerhouse Purpose. What is your purpose and what drives you?

My purpose is to ensure that Emeline Carpenter becomes a student empowered environment. If someone takes your focus away from student empowerment tell them that WE don't do that here!  After all possession is 9/10 of the law!  So posses and internalize this process and know that this is OUR school!

In this chapter they refer to a certain type of teacher that says:

I teach them and it's their business to learn. What are your thoughts on this type of teacher?

When establishing a Culture of Universal Achievement it takes each of us to step up and accept Personal Accountability. For his I would like to know what Personal Accountability means to you and who does No Excuses actually begin with?

So many of us have been building the Carpenter BRAND throughout this summer. The culture is being built and I would like to know what will you do to protect our BRAND?

As this chapter states in elementary you have three non negotiables: reading, writing and math. However, I have been amazed at the drive of everyone to integrate the curriculum and allow it to build upon itself. We will be able to add the use of Technology and Science to empower the students of Emeline Carpenter!  After all we are the Technology and Science magnet school that everyone wants to attend!

The chapter breaks down the amount of time that on average you have to educate a student. How can you get optimal production from the 5 hours?  

I will close with a few burning questions that jumped out to me:

Do you have an intense/impatient obsession to achieve our ONE GOAL?

How will you embrace the No Box Thinking mentality?

Many students will have broken spirits at the beginning of the year, how will No Excuses come into play?

I am super excited about the Turnaround process that has already began at Emeline Carpenter and will leave you with this:

Burn your boxes and excuses because we deal in Turnaround Solutions!!!

Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 3

Please checkout our weekly video:

Eric Thomas: Resiliency - http://youtu.be/QtkSGhvF350

The No Excuses Turnaround Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogsot.com/2014/07/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book_21.html

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Chapter 2

This chapter is all about being solutions oriented versus problem oriented. It starts off with the feel of the quote:

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day

Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime

This stuck out to me due to the comparison that was made to the shipment of food to the country. They spoke about smaller doses given at frequent amounts throughout the day versus giving it to them in large amounts once or twice a day. How could this practice relate to instruction of students who maybe behind?

The next phase of chapter 2 that stuck out was the fact of knowing what systems are currently in place. With that being said we are a new group with a blank canvas. What will write on this blank canvas?  What will you do to make an impact?

The author then goes into detail about the 6 exceptional systems that will ensure success. Which of these systems do you feel is most important and why?

As with all things in life we need leaders to step up and make the difference. Who is willing to step up to the plate and lead the charge for the turnaround process?  Would you be willing to serve on the leadership committee and why?  If you would like to serve on the leadership committee, how will you assist in silencing the opposing minority?

At the end if the chapter they spoke on many systems being in place but just not being Exceptional. In your opinion what makes an Exceptional system?  I would also like to know what makes a school Exceptional?

Thanks for your willingness to go on this journey before school begins!

Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 2

Please checkout the weekly video:

Eric Thomas: How bad do you want to succeed? - http://youtu.be/WTFnmsCnr6g

The No Excuses Turnaround Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogspot.com/2014/07/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book_14.html

Weekly pictures:

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Chapter 1

Today the Revolution Begins!

The title of this chapter placed me in the proper mindset of the upcoming school year.  The very first sentence speaks volumes:

You don't believe ALL your students can learn. 

This statement was made by a principal towards a staff whose students had not performed at an optimal level. 

The word those students was used often to describe the kids that attended Los Pen and it has been thrown around to describe our Carpenter kids as well. 

The next phrase that stuck out to me was that from this day forward EVERY student will be academically successful. This is where our mission statement comes from:

Every student without exception or excuse, will be proficient or advanced in Science, Technology, English and Math. 

We are beginning the development of the six exceptional systems and will start with a culture of universal achievement. 

My question to you is what does a culture of universal achievement look like, feel like and sound like?

What will you do to change the those students label?

What was the highlight of chapter 1 for you?

Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 1

The weekly newsletters will be archived here for easy reference.  Please checkout the weekly video:

Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion - http://youtu.be/SFnMTHhKdkw

The No Excuses Turnaroud Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogspot.com/2014/07/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book.html

Below you will find some July 4th images from Team Carpenter:

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Preface

Turnaround Schools

Creating Cultures of Universal Achievement

Book Study for Emeline Carpenter Academy of Technology and Science

July 4, 2014

Preface

My light bulb moment was the MLK quote of seeing the Promised Land as I can clearly see Emeline Carpenter Academy of Technology and Science becoming the model elementary school for all others to follow. This school year will be monumental due to the hard work and dedication that each of us will exhibit on a daily basis. 

The journey that we are beginning today will not be easy but if it was easy everyone would do it. Please enjoy July 4th and look for our first newsletter Monday morning. 

Reflection Time:

 

Please take some time to reflect on the preface and tell me what jumped out at you as a key word, phrase or sentence?

Action Time:

Please go out and purchase your favorite Kool-Aid packet and use it as your bookmark! More details coming soon.....