Westbrook Staff Blog

  Happy Sunday! Any Ted Lasso fans out there? The other day, a list of lessons we can learn from Ted Lasso crossed my path, or infiltrated my feed, however you want to look at it. So of course, I went down a Ted Lasso rabbit hole. I have zero regrets! I found lessons for leaders, teachers and students and I love them so much! On our first installment of lessons from Ted Lasso, I share 8 lessons for teachers. I do want you all to know that my vision for Westbrook was in no way influenced or inspired by Ted Lasso. However, reading through his lessons, I was both surprised and delighted by the similarities. I think you are all very good in these areas but I have a challenge for you. Read through them and find one you have some room for growth or find the most difficult. Write that lesson on a piece of paper and put it somewhere you will see it often. As you go through the next few weeks, find ways to practice that lesson. See if by making an effort to make yourself uncomfortable, or t...

Happy Sunday Westbrook! I always love these two 3-day weekends in a row! However, next week is a different story. Sometimes 5 whole days in a week feels like a lot to ask. The good news is that we get to go back to work with people who see the greatness within us.  The latest example of what is capable when we surround ourselves with people who support us is our field trip for the Unified Sports event. Man, it was the absolute greatest, but in all honesty, there were more than a couple minutes when I was nervous about it. We were essentially creating a spot for ourselves in a high school event and we were the first elementary school ever to do this. Many times I had to ask myself 'What if we can?' I am so glad we didn't give up when were met with resistance. Our students and our parents were able to experience something they have never been able to do before. They were also able to see students like their own children in high school! What a gift! Thank you to Kim and Monica...

  Happy Sunday! Yesterday morning I was lucky enough to catch up with one of my close friends. Her name is Shy and we met when I met Paul. You know, The Paul😂 She is actually the brains behind the work that Paul does with schools and what he works on with us. She and I are constantly brainstorming about how to build capacity around our mutual passion for school culture and relationships. We want everyone to know about it, and of course, to make it a priority. She had some big, awesome things happen with their business in the last few weeks that make this dream a reality. I think most of you know this by now, but you are all essentially part of a case study about what a 'People First' school looks like, sounds like and feels like. We have all created a school built around relationships from the ground up. Westbrook will be an example as the concept of 'People First' is brought to other schools.  Whenever I get asked questions about how to get things to work at a school,...

February is here! I just listened to a whole montage of news reporters saying 'Wow, February is already here' so, I won't say that! But it is here and it brought the rain! I put in a request that it only rain when there is not recess or lunch, but I don't think my request holds much clout. I also know the rain causes issues in the morning and there are many late students. We do our best in front, but the way our parking lot is set up causes a lot of slow traffic. If you could please hold your attendance on rainy days, it is greatly appreciated. In education, we live in this space between understanding we need the rain but hoping it does not happen during the school day! Ha!  Skate Night:   We have skate night this Wednesday from 6-8pm.  This time, we are going to have a competition. Wear your grade level shirts and the grade level with the largest turn out will get an extra recess on Friday, 2/9.    Westbrook Culture/Customs/Yearly Events Committee: We will hav...