thank you

As often as I say it, I feel like I don't say it often enough:

Thank You.

Thank you for your effort, your insight, your willingness to risk and make mistakes and change your mind;

Thank you for your trust, for your sense of humor, for your curiosity;

Thank you for your time, for your attention, and

Most of all

Thank you for taking this learning trip with me this year.

It's been a feast of ideas.

I hope you feel like it was time well-spent.

Wishing you the best this summer and always,

Dr. Preston

no one said have a good summer like thoreau

june 5

JOURNAL TOPIC:
It's your journal.  Please take it with you.  Write in it as often as you like.  Start a new one.  And welcome to the beginning of the rest of your writing life.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. A moment for the secret sauce of awesome
3. A fully catered learning experience
4. Connection & reflection
5. Adjournment

godzilla sighting in la

smhs policy regarding electronic devices

Given today's incident in class, I think it's important for all of us to remember the school and district policy regarding phones and electronic devices.  The following is from p.58 of the district handbook (which you can read HERE if you haven't already).

june 3

JOURNAL TOPIC:
[Psych.]

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Finals plan/ sign-ups
3. Any unfinished business (?)
4. Finish Les Mis

POST:
Whatever you want me to read on your blog before I enter semester grades. (title: THIS IS IT FOR NOW)

les mis at the pantages theater

I planned on taking a couple pictures for you at the performance.  My own family forbid it, and they were right-- apart from not wanting to be embarrassed by the guy breaking the rules with the camera, they wanted me to be present with them and the performance, instead of being distracted by a device.  So here are some professional photos from the performance (and one of us outside the theater).

If you ever have the chance, whether or not it's already on your bucket list, I recommend you find a live performance you think you'd like.  It's one thing to read a book, or see a movie-- but it's truly powerful and moving to be in the presence of real people who are acting and singing their hearts out on stage.

And finally, yesterday I was reminded that sometimes direct experience is often the fastest path to curiosity.  Imagine my surprise when I walked through the kitchen to find my favorite fourth grader reading the book I still have bookmarked from where we left off...  The play sparked her interest!  We wound up talking about the characters, the story, and good and evil for the next half hour.