PPBF: I Am Every Good Thing

As I work with my illustrator to put the finishing touches on our upcoming picture book, Mr. Quigley's Keys, I'm thinking about goodness and love.

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Crowning Moments

It's almost here, the end of one year, the start of another.

Today, a few things before I unplug for digital detox. 

First, I wrote these prompts to make holiday cards

to take along on our vacation home to Wisconsin.

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The Power of the Circle

Today I'm energized because yesterday afternoon I got to visit my high school PALs for a few minutes. Those superheroes-in-training exude excitement about the chance to empower and supercharge those special someones under their care this year. I gave them each one of these capes to decorate as we anticipate and eagerly await their flight to our campus:

Click to order yours from Really Good Stuff.

It's a visual representation, I told them, of who they are.
Our first impression of them and what they'll bring to us.
We can't wait to see their superpowers posted on our walls.

Speaking of superpowers, I found this tiny treasure on my morning walk ...

and it made me think about the power of circling up.
Part of the excitement about my new space is that we've got lots of room now, 
to huddle up, 
to sit and stand in a circle,
to sing, move and laugh together.
Knee to knee, shoulder to shoulder, sometimes hand in hand even,
with the person beside us.
Eye to eye with the friends in our group. 
To utilized inner-outer circle pair and share time.
To engage in team-building time.
And to look at each other with a message that clearly conveys
"I see you. You matter!" 
as we play to learn and connect to lead. 

On my walk I also got to thinking about the circular nature
of collective responsibility {So much interconnectedness when I walk}.

In our #leadupchat Twitter talk this morning, Bob Abrams shared this food for thought nugget that was posted on a wall in the gym at a Chinese school, so I attached it to the picture I took this week of Joshua in his new FHS letterman jacket.

Such a powerful reflection question ... 
How do I make my school proud?
... one which we could ask ourselves wherever we go. 
How do I make myself proud? 
My family proud?
My friends proud? 
My community proud? 
My Higher Power proud?

And why might it matter?

 I guess it boils down to this:
What goes around comes around.
And therein lies the power of the circle.

How do you use circle time to empower your super class family?

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Our Brand Promise

Tonight as I unwind and get ready for bed, I'm thinking about the word brand. Not as in brand new, like the outfit I wore to kick off the 2015-2016 school year. And only sort of like brand your herd of cattle, like we did back on the farm. I'm talking specifically about a school's brand, about identifying our product and aligning what we want our customers to think, experience and feel with what they actually do. Look at the card from our District Convocation this morning:

It made me think about branding, and wonder how these words were chosen ... 

and by whom. 

Then I wondered what words I would have chosen, 

what words our stakeholders would choose?

Then my mind went to a picture from a Southwest Ad that I took in the airport on my way to CA. What can you tell about the Southwest brand? Can you tell what they want us to think? What sets them apart? What makes them unique? Authentic? Desirable?

Note: I added the thoughts written on the airplane.

Now go back to our FISD brand.

Couple the word cloud above with our district mission:

Leading To Achieve Excellence In All Endeavors

Can you tell who we are? 

Can you tell what we stand for? 

Can you tell what sets us apart?

How will we know if our Brand Promise delivers?

And, because we're in customer service, let's talk branding in your school, in your classroom, in your family, even.

Click to follow @steph_frosch on Twitter

What does your brand look like, sound like, feel like?

How can you make sure it accurately showcases your identity?

Who are your brand ambassadors?

Why is branding important?

And how do you share out your school's story?

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PPBF: I Pledge Allegiance

Happy PPBF! It's so good to be back after a week off.

Look what's in the character case as we launch into Veterans Day:

Today's pick perfectly complements our citizenship focus this month.

Title: I Pledge Allegiance

Author: Pat Mora & Libby Martinez

Illustrator: Patrice Barton

Publisher: Knopf Books For Young Readers

Date: April 22, 2014

Suitable for: K-3rd grade

Themes: citizenship, patriotism, pride

Brief Synopsis: Libby and her great-aunt Lobo practice the Pledge of Allegiance together, but for very different reasons. Libby is a young child who gets to lead the pledge in her classroom; Lobo, her adult relative of Mexican descent, is studying to become an American citizen.

Opening page:

Resources:

*Check out a review from Publishers Weekly {here}

and a review on Mundie Kids blog {here}. 

*Download the Educators' Guide at the authors page {here}.

*Learn the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language.

*Download the Pledge of Allegiance Cut 'n Paste Activity

from Lori at Teaching With Love and Laughter {here}.

*A pledge is a promise, so use this as an opportunity to review your classroom constitution or social contract. Discuss or write about what's working well in your classroom community so far. What needs more work? How do we hold one another accountable for the promise that we make when we say the pledge?  Challenge students to imagine an instance in which we might no longer be able to uphold the promise that we made in a pledge. What might that experience be like and what would we need in that situation?

*Make a patriotic visual display thanking soldiers for their service;

here are a few in our first-grade hallways celebrating the Veterans who've served to protect our country and keep us safe and free.

Why I like this book:  Whether you're born into America or you've moved here, like Lobo, and been a resident for awhile, citizenship is a big deal. It's all about making wherever you go better because you're there. In this heartwarming, intergenerational tale, Lobo explains to her young niece why she'd want to become an American citizen despite her love for her native Mexico and its Spanish language and culture. As the two practice the pledge side by side, it becomes clear that there's something very special about gaining Citizenship.

Use this gem to find out from your learners what makes them a good citizen. How do they make where they go better? How is their class better because they're in it? How are the Scouts or their sports team better? How is their family better? How about their community? Discuss and map the ways that citizens can work individually and in concert to make the world a better place.

For today's other PPBF selections, visit Susanna's blog {here}.

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That Small-Town Pride

Yesterday was a big day in our small town.

A few weeks back, our High School Marching Band earned a spot in State competition. In 6A, the large-school category. That meant we would march with the 37 top bands from the 245 largest High Schools in the State of Texas.

A big event calls for an extra-big send-off,

so we broke out the rally towels and the character flag

and saw them off in style.

It's so wonderful to live in a place where a Hometown Hero sendoff is the rule rather than the exception, where hometown fans caravan to San Antonio behind the busses to fill the Alamo Dome with cheers of jubilation as their teen musicians and dancers put on their game faces ...

and perform their hearts out, leaving it all on the field.

Let's watch as they perform their 2014 show,

Echoes Of Time:

After the performance, UIL officials interviewed head Drum Major Emma, who also happens to be a Westwood-Bales alum, and asked her what it felt like be the leader of such a wonderful group and to be making their debut in 6A competition. She said that it was amazing to be there and added that her role as leader of the band was really all about serving others. My heart jumped with joy when I heard this young leader tell everyone in the Dome how important servant leadership is.

I'm planning to show this performance in my next peace-class lesson, when we talk about empathy. What would it be like to walk in a band member's shoes, from that first day of practice in August before you even know if you're going to earn a spot, through all of the rehearsals and competitions, to performing in front of thousands of fans four months later at 6A State? 

What would it take? 

What would you need? 

How would it feel? 

Could you do the job of a Drum Major? A dancer? A musician? What instrument would you like to play? What if you didn't qualify for a spot in the band? Would you be okay with the job of pushing those bells around? Is any job out on that field more important than another? Why or why not?

Our daughter Kaitlyn met us at the competition, to watch her brother march. Seems like just yesterday she was wearing that very uniform.

As we awaited news about the top-ten finalists,

her University of Texas Longhorn Band performed for us.

Here's the patriotic portion of their 2014 Veterans Day show:

Our performance in prelims placed us in a tie for 14th, so we didn't advance to finals yesterday. But in the end, it's not the trophy or rank that determines whether or not we win. It's the diligence, determination, and drive of each and every one of these dedicated individuals who band together to create something so beautiful that puts them at the top, regardless of what the final scores say. 
Their hard work is passion and perseverance personified.

They truly are our pride and joy, and when they represent our small town so well, it makes those early morning rehearsals and all of the chaos of running around from pillar to post during marching season so well worth it. 

Thank you, Mighty Mustang Band; 
your big success makes our small town proud.

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The Best

Today I'm excited because my friend was just awarded Montana's School Counselor of the Year. You may remember her from several guests posts she's written, most notably the ever-popular Empathy in a (Shoe) Box. Her name is Tanya Kirschman and I feel blessed by her friendship even though we've yet to meet in person.

When I was injured in a car collision last year, she sent a sweet note and some treats to cheer me. At holiday-time, she sent a JOY statuette. And last week, she sent me a book, 

just because.

And it's not just because she sends me stuff.

Over the years I've received notes of affirmation, just because.

She prays for me and her emails are always Day Makers.

Along with the book came a note, that she thought I'd like this book, 

and if I already have a copy, to please share it with my intern.

Isn't that the best?

It's a vibrant book with an important message:

We don't have to be the best, just be our best.

The best that we can be.

Dog stays busy bragging about being the best,

but my students were quick to notice that

he wasn't comparing apples to apples, so to speak.

When the tables are turned and his friends point out the

skills that they're better at, Dog realizes the error 

of his ways and apologizes. But is Dog done boasting for good?

Lots of food for thought in this little nugget;

I think you'll agree it's a delightful treasure.

Please join me in congratulating Tanya

on this outstanding achievement. What a thrill it was

for me to be contacted by a friend of hers and be in on 

the surprise nomination by writing a letter on behalf of my compassionate and caring counseling colleague.

Tanya, I'm so proud of you.

Keep up the heart work!

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Sold Out For The Kids

I wasn't even going to go to that National School of Character Open House at North Pointe Elementary yesterday because I've been there before, three times to conduct workshops, once as a site visitor and then in November when they brought home the CEP banner from the National Forum in DC.

That was a special celebration!

I attended that day to bring congratulations from our NSOC to theirs 

and to dance the Six Pillar Shuffle with them.

Click the picture to read all about it.

But late this week I made a last-minute, executive decision that, because I have an intern who would totally benefit from attending and networking at their NSOC Open House, I simply had to attend.

And, sure enough, I was blessed beyond belief. 

The sixty participants were treated to the most amazing morning. We started in the monthly Character Connection community meeting, then moved to the library for an overview and agenda, to look at our maps and to enjoy some time to reflect. At 9:00, we broke into a six-session, two-hour block of pure bliss. 
Our chance to watch and see, to learn and grow. 

From the best in the business.

A school family that is clearly sold out for the kids.

I sent my intern with Angela, a counselor and friend from a neighboring district, and I moved from session to session enjoying the blessing by the fruits of our labor. You see, the character momentum was fueled when their Principal Kelly Mooney and their Counselor Jennifer McCaffrey joined us at the Westwood Elementary NSOC Open House at this time five years ago in 2009. I am at once honored and humbled to have been a part in this school's glorious journey.

I started in the Coffee Chat with the Principal, then I took a solo session to simply roam the halls, look at their vibrant visual displays, followed by the Character Cruise session led by my colleague and friend, Jennifer. I was bursting with pride at the way this young counselor has taken seeds I've planted and cultivated them to positively impact her faculty, staff, students, and families. I took a water break that's worth mentioning because it was a passing period, and I got caught at the bubbler while a class passed by. One student saw that I was waiting, and she stopped the line and invited me to go through to get back to my classroom. On her own. Because that's how they treat others at this  model school. 

I attended a session on the CEP's Eleven Principles, a session on Morning Meeting, and visited a random classroom where students recognized me from their celebration last fall and were eager to tell me about their blogging adventures. I was intrigued when they broke into small groups and began by working on their secret group handshakes.

Before I knew it, it was time for a yummy working lunch and the closing. I sat by my intern and listened as she eagerly shared all that she'd taken in and experienced. After we heard from the fifth-grade Leadership Team, it was time for a Q & A with a student panel. I decided to play devil's advocate and ask this question: Aren't fourth and fifth graders too cool 

for all of this character stuff?

It was while students were answering my question, that I got emotionally overwhelmed and started to cry.

Yep, big crocodile tears. 

Of pride. 

Of joy. 

Of hope.

This fifth-grade girl told the participants in no uncertain terms that they were not too cool, that, in fact, kindergarteners "get so ecstatic" to be able to sing with the big kids. We do it for them, she told us. Another student added that it's important because "we're building our reputation." And a fifth-grade boy said that they might be the oldest now, but next year in sixth, it'll be like they're "back in kindergarten as the youngest." 

Their message? You're never too old to be a character kid. And that doesn't happen by chance. That happens when you're committed to raising future leaders founded by character values. It's because you're hiring for character and a climate of caring is your top priority.

And, as we were leaving and thanking administrators for the morning, Kelly handed my intern a hardcover copy of the Kathryn Otoshi's One from her Principal's Book Of The Month club and wished her well, evidence that they're walking the talk and always seizing opportunities to pay it forward.

Thank you, NPE, for inviting us to experience what being

 sold out for the kids looks like, sounds like, and feels like.

You have truly captured my heart.

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Humility and Gratitude

I can't believe that our 21 days are almost gone.

What a joy and a blessing it has been to focus on thankfulness.

Today's gratitude challenge spurred some interesting reflection. 

My initial response to not want to waste spend my time thinking about something I value about myself because it seems there's already too much me, me, ME! 

in this world.

But a few questions about this opportunity changed my mind.

1. Why do we readily share what we can't do well 

yet struggle to share what we do have to offer?

2. What is the difference between boasting 

and being humbly proud?

3. Would exchanging pride for gratitude help?

I know all too well what I'm not good at; 

to name a few these skills include but aren't limited to

Math.

Paperwork.

Sitting still.

Messing up.

Paying attention in meetings.

Housekeeping.

Being patient.

Apologizing.

Forgiving.

Some of those are hard to admit and certainly not anything I'm proud of, at all. They're something that I not only tend to beat myself up for but also feel guilty about. A lot.

The skills that I do have I either tend to take for granted or blow off with statements like, "no big deal" or "anyone could do that." 

Why is that? For me, it's because we were taught that it would be bragging to go around thinking you were all that. A small dose of healthy pride, sure, but there was no room for a big head in our house.

Then, I became a mom.

Talk about your bragging rights.

And not because my children were necessarily any different from anyone else's, 

but a child, well, that's a huge source of pride.

Then multiply it by three.

Frustration, too, of course. And angst. And worry.

And pride. 

Humble, unadulterated pride (if there is such a thing!).

I'll never forget the time I was playing cards with my sister and going on and on about the kids and what they'd accomplished and who they were becoming and my husband leaned over to her husband and asked, "Does Debra brag about her daughter all of the time, too?" Ouch!

It hurt, but it also gave me pause. And a lot to think about.

That's when it first hit me.

What if I exchanged that pride for gratitude?

What if, instead of boasting about how well they were turning out (through a mom's lens, of course), I'd reframe that pride with gratitude for the gifts that we'd be given. For the chance to raise three beautiful little beings and for the challenge to help them become 'value-able' family members, friends, and colleagues to the people who cross their paths in the world.

Gratitude.

One little word.

So simple.

Yet often so complicated.

Such a beautiful reframe.

Then, this summer, when a successful businessman in the field of chemical engineering who'd met our son on a band trip in March called to offer him a matching full-ride scholarship to the University of Texas if he'd rather go to John's alma mater and be where his sister is (instead of to the rival Texas A & M), I didn't want to share that story with too many people at the risk that it'd sound boastful. But my overwhelming gratitude to this man and his generosity toward Jacob trumped those thoughts as I shared my joy at this incredibly kind offer that further cemented my belief in and hope for human kind. 

So, to my friends at Kind Spring, my answer is that showing gratitude is one skill that I value in myself and and that I'm working to refine in who I am becoming. 

Perfecting my practice of gratitude in. all. things.

Until it becomes my superpower.

Humbly grateful.

 For my gifts.

So now it's your turn:

What skill do you most value in yourself?

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