Week of November 13, 2023

This week I have one of my favorite stories that I heard during my principal internship in 2006-2007. When my mentor shared the story way back then, it stuck with me and I have shared it with others when I would sensed it was needed. I hope you enjoy this tale and more importantly you can see the connection between the story and the truth that all of us...no matter our role...are connected.

The Rat Trap

(Author Unknown)

A rat looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package. What food might it contain? He was aghast to discover that it was a rat trap. Retreating to the barnyard the rat proclaimed the warning; “There’s a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!”

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Rat, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.”

The rat turned to the pig and told him, “There’s a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!” “I am so very sorry Mr. Rat,” sympathized the pig, “but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured that you are in my prayers.”

The rat turned to the cow. She said, “Like wow, Mr. Rat. a rat trap. I am in grave danger. Duh?” So the rat returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s rat trap alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a rat trap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer’s wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever.

Now everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the barnyard for the soup’s main ingredient.

His wife’s sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer’s wife did not get well.  She died, and so many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat.

So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when there is a rat trap in the house, the whole barnyard’s at risk.

This week's WICOR Strategy can be found here.

Week of November 6-10, 2023


Birthdays
None on calendar
If you would like to get a gift of time, please share your information on the form we've shared so we can celebrate you birthday. ALSO, if you complete this form you could get treats you like instead of stuff you don't...your choice.

PURPLE Duty Rotation for PM Duties
Monday, November 13
  • Principal Council Forms to go out (hopefully)
  • Strings in Music Room for 3rd, 4th, and 5th enhancements
  • Music (pianissimo style) in classrooms for 3rd, 4th, and 5th enhancements
  • Sutton Out
  • Donaghy Out
Tuesday, November 14
  • Cogat in third grade
  • Planning
    • 4th Grade 9:45-10:30
    • 3rd Grade 10:30-11:20
    • 5th Grade 12:05-12:50
    • 2nd Grade 1:45-2:30
    • K 2:35-3:20
  • Hemeyer Out
Wednesday, November 15
  • Cogat in third grade
  • Eby Service Club
    • 4:00-5:00 PM
  • SIT Meeting in Media Center
    • 4:15-5:00 PM
  • Tina Out
  • Ingram Out
Thursday, November 16
  • First Priority Meeting in Media Center at 7:55
  • Hill at Principal Meeting
  •  PLCs (Small Group Instruction Focus)
    • 4th Grade PLC 9:45-10:30
    • 3rd Grade PLC 10:35-11:20
    • 5th Grade PLC 12:05-12:50
    • 1st Grade PLC 12:55-1:40
    • 2nd Grade PLC 1:45-2:30
    • Kindergarten PLC 2:35-3:20
  • Jumping Dragonfly Mandatory Practice 
    • 3:55-5:10
  • PTO Meeting in Media Center at 6:30-7:30
  • Tina Out
  • Ingram Out
Friday, November 17
  • First Grade Friendsgiving during lunch outside (if it rains, on their hallway)
  • Please give us the names for Give Me Five 
  • Ingram Out
  • Tina Out

Items for Attention

  • Please remember to post a lightbulb of nomination for classified and certified staff member for the month of November.
  • Digital Learning Tools Survey
    • Next Monday, November 6th, the district team will be sending a survey to all JCPS staff about digital learning tools (subscriptions) that are provided at the district level. The survey will be open until November 21st. Please encourage your staff to complete the survey as we anticipate budget cuts for the 2024-2025 school year and their feedback will be used in the decision analysis process.
  • Kenan Fellows Application

    • During the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, Courier will run on Monday and Tuesday



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