Exemplary Eagles

Well it's official, Rann Elementary is a TEA Exemplary Campus! I am so proud for each of you, it was a long time coming and very deserving. At times like this you reflect upon what was it that made this year different from the past years, and why did it take so long for Rann to get here? I don't have the answer as none of us do, but we each have our thoughts as to possible reasons why. Last year Dr. Gindt came to me when they were beginning to think about who would be the principal at Young. We discussed the possibility of me moving over there, would have loved the new building and stuff..., but I told him that I felt Rann needed consistency, and change of admin again would not be a good thing, however I would do whatever he felt was best for the district. He decided that it would probably be best to keep me at Rann, and I agreed with him. I think we are beginning to get in a groove as a staff, understanding each others wants and needs better, and realizing that we are in it for what's best for our kids. I am very excited to begin my third year with all of you. I know we are on the verge of exploding with great potential for our students and each of us. I think the consistent communication every six weeks or so through the RTI process was a huge way of supporting you, determining which strategies would work best for our kids, and creating a plan to meet our students needs. The continual practice and immediate feedback our students received through tutorials, extra intervention, CEI lab, and aids giving extra academic support was a tremendous help also. What moved us from ordinary to extraordinary I believe was doing the ordinary things more often and with more focus and consistency than the others. Winners are not made the day of the game, but many hours of blood, sweat,and tears poured out earlier in the season. That is what it's all about. We put the hours upfront with the students through hard work, practice and repetition, immediate feedback for correction, and the by product is success! This is the plan, this is what we all must follow, and this will continue to produce strong students, thrilled teachers, and ecstatic parents! Way to go Rann, you truly are Exemplary Eagles. Let's go forth and shine!

What Happened to Summer Vacation Time?

WOW, the month of June just flew by. It was packed with workshops, finishing things for 2009-10, and getting ready to embark upon 2010-2011. I haven't had much time to enjoy our summer so far. I know many of you have also been busy with workshops, moving, and planning for next year. In June a group of us went to the CSCOPE conference in San Antonio. We came away with a variety of things to do and many reassurances that we have been on the right track. That was a great feeling. I went to one session on Parent Nights and even won "The Best of the Mama's and Papa's" CD. I was pretty excited, since I seem to never be one of the lucky ones when it comes to winning things. The session had some great ideas that I think we will be able to use this year with our parents. The building is still a mess, lots of painting going on, things still need to be moved, textbooks piled in the halls, and cleaning going on all around. Hopefully this next month we will begin to see things coming together. I am really looking forward to next year! We have a lot of good things going on and are on the curve upward for even greater things to begin happening at Rann. I know some of you have had the chance to meet Lana Thompson, the new AP, when you have been at school. She officially does not begin work till the last part of July, but she has been at Rann helping get things together, leading book studies when I have been called away to central, and lending a hand where ever it needs to be. She is pretty excited to be with us! Our theme for next year will be sports related, all of them, just take your pick, "We're in the Game for Kids!" Our student's needs change seasonally, as do the sports we partake in, and with each new season comes a burst of excitement and passion to do your best. We too are like this at Rann. As coaches we are continually striving to do better than the season before, always looking for new ways to help our students shine! So get your game plan and be ready to begin two a days soon! We are going all the way this year. THINK EXEMPLARY!!!! It can happen AGAIN!