Back To School Transformations

Our campus is going through some renovations.  I couldn't be more happier for my students, parents, and staff.  They deserve this beautiful space.  The library needed a big makeover.  The library furniture was outdated.  The fluorescent lighting wasn't giving off the best light for reading.  The space just wasn't inviting.  The library wasn't a space where anyone wanted to stay for long periods of time.  Thankfully the community passed a bond, and we are now blessed with this beautiful space.

BEFORE RENOVATION

AFTER RENOVATION

The library is divided into multiple sections.  (1) We have an upper elementary section that can be used by students and staff. (2) A lower elementary section for our youngest students.  (3) A reading cave; and (4) a lounging or gathering space.

Literacy Library 

Two years ago I started purchasing leveled books for guided reading.  Over the two years,  I spent as much money as I could investing in our literacy program.  The book bins were purchased from Ikea.  They are just heavy cardboard, but they really do the job.  I created the color-coded labels on my computer.  You can download them here.

DOWNLOAD LITERACY LIBRARY LABELS

The book cases were ordered from Amazon and stacked on top of each other.  I ordered 4 total.  Maintenance braced them together and then for extra safety measures we braced them to the wall.

HOUSE SYSTEM

PRESENTATION

Download Welcome to My House Presentation

We are excited to kick off the 2019-2020 school year and introduce the House System to our students.    At the end of 2018-2019 school year, we discussed this idea with the staff.  They were 100% on board.  Thankfully, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with some great principals who have already paved the way for me.  Heather Patterson and Trent Hamilton are both Texas principals and have implemented the House System a few years ago.  Through the use of social media and this blog, I am able to connect to other administrators and brainstorm ideas, share resources, and just build great friendships.

I also watched Ron Clark's Facebook Live presentation this summer.  I found about it through social media and marked it on my calendar.  This too was a big help.  You can watch the playback of the event here.

Ron Clark Youtube

STAFF HOUSE REVEAL

My staff will be in a House.  I thought and thought about how to reveal their Houses.  A lot of school do balloon popping, spinning the wheel, etc...  However, I had forgotten I had these scratch off tickets until I was going through my supplies.  I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do.  So the entire staff will scratch off their tickets to review a number: 1, 2, or 3.  We have three Houses.  We have not named our Houses or assigned colors yet so adding a number under the scratch off was the best option for me.

DOWNLOAD SCRATCH OFF TICKETS

These are the best scratch off stickers!  I purchased 1000 of them, and they will last forever.

SCRATCH OFF STICKERS

SUMMER MORALE BOOSTER

Our maintenance, custodial staff, and construction crews have worked so hard this summer.  Since we are under a big renovation, they have been working even harder despite the dust, piles of tools and buckets of paint throughout the halls.  We decided to have an afternoon of ice cold watermelon as a treat.  Watermelon is affordable and delicious too.  If you need a great pick-me-up, this is the perfect one for a hot summer day.  

For more MORALE BOOSTERS, check out Morale Magic!  It has everything you need for many years of gifting and lifting spirits.