When swimming, watch out for SHARKS!

On Tippy-Toppy Tuesday (Read the fun chapter book School! by Kate McMullan to know about a"Tippy-Toppy" day!), I wore my shark hat. This hat is one of my favorites because the shark looks like it's chomping on your head when you wear it! I learned about this hat from Mrs. Patti at our Lexington County Main Branch Public Library during the "Make a SPLASH!--READ" summer reading program a couple summers ago. It's a funny hat sure to inspire a GIGGLE ATTACK.

I was thinking about sharks and how these fascinating animals get such a bad rap. I was pondering how if we don't go looking for sharks or "trouble," we're unlikely to have an encounter--it COULD happen, but the chances are pretty small. I was also considering the enormous whale sharks we saw at the Georgia Aquarium recently. These giants of the sea only eat PLANKTON! Some of the sharks or "trouble" we're worried about . . . really not a big deal . . . and we put so much energy into the worrying , , ,

So remember to watch out for SHARKS as you swim, trouble will MOSTLY leave you alone if you don't go lookin' for it. And when you do have an encounter, the counselors here at school, are glad to lend a helping hand! "Just call out our name, and you know wherever we are, we'll come running!"

Take a BITE of these good stories!

Have you read about Gilbert? Our family recently read Gilbert the Great by Jane Clarke and Chales Fuge. It's a fun story about a great white shark and his best friend, a remora, There are other stories about Gilbert I haven't read but would like to check out: Gilbert the Hero and Gilbert in Deep. Gilbert may be a BIG fish but he has everyday problems, just like you and me. He's a good ambassador for sharks--take the bait and READ one of his adventures!

The Great, White Man-Eating Shark by Margaret Mahy--One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE stories of all time. Norvin wants the cove all to himself to swim like a silver arrow, so he capitalizes on his acting talents and PRETENDS to be a Great White Man-Eating shark . . . using his talent for selfish gain backfires, as Norvin is quite a good actor. Dah, duh . . .dah, duh . . . dah-duh, dah-duh, dah-duh . . . this cautionary tale is worth risk!

Watch out for SHARKS and have a trouble-free day!

Just keep swimming!

Today I wore my "Nemo" hat so we could "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, that's what we do we keep on swimming!" It's hard to believe we've only been in school 9 days . . . it feels like a month! Persistence was our 21st century learner skill this month and we've got to kick it into gear--we've got to hang in there and not give up, persevere!

Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State said, "As you go along your road in life, you will, if you aim high enough, also meet resistance . . . . but no matter how tough the opposition may seem, have courage still and persevere."

I learned about a lady named Florence Chadwick today. She was a world champion, long-distance swimmer. She once tried to swim from the California coast to Catalina Island, but after fifteen grueling hours in the water, she gave up . . . only to realize whe was a half-mile from her goal . . .

Labor Day is around the corner. Make sure you get a good night's rest each evening, make healthy choices, so you can "just keep swimming, just keep swimming" like PERSISTENT Cougars! The reward will be worth the strokes.

Happy Hotsy-Totsy Monday!

ORANGE you glad to be a PHES Cougar?

ORANGE you glad to be a PHES Cougar? Friday was school spirit day! The last Friday of the month is a chance to wear your GREEN and YELLOW and show off your COUGAR PRIDE! I wore my sunglasses shaped like oranges with my spirit shirt and asked Cougars the above question and ORANGE you glad it's Friday? and ORANGE you glad it's time for a weekend?!

"Roland S. Barth, founding director of the Principals’ Center at Harvard University, says that the quality of relationships among adults at the school is a powerful influence on school quality and student accomplishment." http://pubs.cde.ca.gov/tcsii/ch10/proflrngfortchrs.aspx

I'm truly glad to be a staff member at PHES because the "adults at the school" work hard to do what's best for children each day! I'm tremendously thankful to be a parent at PHES--we have a kindergartner and 3rd grader (6th and 9th graders too, former PHES Cougars) this year. They are excited about learning because of the education foundation they receive (and received) at PHES.

ORANGE YOU glad to be a part of such a GGGRRRReat institution?! Happy Weekend!

Happy Birthday, EVERYONE!

Today was PHES Library Lady, Ms. Andis' Birthday! Happy Birthday, Ms. Andis!

I thought it might be fun to celebrate EVERYONE WHO HAS A BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR today! I love birthdays. It's a day you feel so special or at least should! Mrs. M-C and I share the same birthday--that should be extra fun for the guidance gals this year. :-)

Here is some birthday reading to get you in the mood for celebrating:

Epossumondas Saves the Day by Colleen Salley--It's the noodlehead's birthday and Momma is gonna make light, fluffy biscuits for the party. But you can't make light, fluffy biscuits without baking soda so off to the store goes Baby Gator . . . Auntie . . . Momma . . . and then Epossumondas . . . SAVES THE DAY! I always enjoy tangling with the GREAT, LOUISIANA SNAPPING TURTLE!

Moira's Birthday by Robert Munsch--Moira's birthday party spirals out of control, but all the participants pull together so a good time, and good food, is enjoyed by all!

Happy Birthday, Good Knight by Shelley More Thomas--I love the way these little fellows keeping goofing up as they try to prepare for the Good Knight's special day! What can you do with dragons? Love 'em!

11 Birthdays by Wendy Maas--What a great read for upper elementary students! These two celebrate their birthday over and over and over again! It's a neat plot and the resolution is satisfying.

A Birthday for Bear by Bonny Becker--Good chapter read for younger students. I love this pair and their adventures. Mouse is such a steadfast friend, despite Bear's stubborn nature.

Laugh Out Loud

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." Charlie Chaplin, English Actor, 1889-1977

Today I wore my frog hat and squeaked my croaking frog toy to encourage smiles, giggles, and chuckles. Thanks to Banie for the great poster with the laughing frog which inspired today's effort!

Laughter is a stress, depression and anxiety buster! It's a anti-aging, natural pain killer, a source of many health benefits (controls blood pressure, strenghtens immune system, stimulates heart and blood circulation, improves lung capacity and oxygen levels in the blood). http://www.laughingrx.com/14.html

I love the story by Keiko Kasza about a possum who has trouble "appropriately" laughing! In Don't Laugh, Joe, Joe has a challenge of knowing when to laugh and when to play possum!

So tickle your funny bone, check out a book on jokes, somehow crack yourself up, at least once day! A good laugh (and a good apple), should keep all kinds of doctors away . . .

Be Yourself

"In a world where you can be anything -- be yourself!" Mrs. Coffey and Mrs. M-C gave me a plaque for National Library Week one year that had these neat words. I wore my new flamingo hat on Monday to celebrate "you-ness!" It's a cool thing to discover what makes one special and then develop that uniqueness. Here are some books to remember the importance of digging on your individuality:

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patti Lovell--you gotta love David Catrow's whimsical illustrations and you gotta love Molly Lou!

Hooray for You! A Celebration of You-ness by Marianne Richmond

Ruby the Copycat by Peggy Rathmann--Ruby struggles with being herself. Sometimes it's hard to figure out what's special about you. But once you "hop-pen" upon it, there's no stopping the hopping!

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester--Tacky is odd bird, but a GREAT bird to have around!

I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson--I always like to have kiddos look in the mirror and practice saying, "Hey, Good Lookin'!"

Incredible Me! by Kathi Appelt

Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus--Your pace is the right pace for you.

I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont--More fun David Catrow illustrations!

A parent observed, "Well, you have a new job but you're still Mrs. Broam!" YEA! And I will always try to be the best "Mrs. Broam" I can be. :-)

Happy First Week of School, 2011-12! I'm enjoying my "new hat!" Mrs. Andis (far left) is our PHES Library Media Specialist and she's paving the way for the new "Library Commons" concept with style and grace. I will be working as a school counselor (that's me on the far right) with Mrs. M-C (in the middle) and Mrs. Clark (not pictured--she was busy helping folks inside the building, while we were on "outside" detail). It's gonna be an unFROGetable year!