Trying something new this month. I hope you enjoy the "From the Principal's Desk" video edition.

This month our SEL team wants to spend some time sharing some of what they've been talking about a lot lately with students. Time management has been a big struggle for several students this year, especially our 5th graders the last few weeks as they have their first book reports coming up. Many students are worried about completing all the required work on time and at a high level. Time management is one tool that we have found helpful in calming students and helping them create a plan. Below are 10 time management skills we use often with students. If you are hearing many of the same concerns from your student, this would be a great source of information to help you guide them. If you'd prefer to read the entire article it can be found at simplilearn.com

1. Make use of a daily schedule template to plan your day.
2. Understand how you are currently spending your time.
3. Set proper goals to measure your progress.
4. Break large projects into smaller, actionable tasks.
5. Be realistic about the time you need to complete a task.
6. Pay attention to your body's natural energy highs and lows.
7. Take breaks at the right time.
8. Remove distractions
9. Avoid multitasking
10. Build better routines and habits for long-term success.

The article goes into more detail on each item, but even picking 1 or 2 to start can be a monumental help to keep students happy, focused and able to do their best work.

Students are often curious where I go all day. So I thought I'd describe a normal day for me. Mr. Culver wakes me up at 5am most mornings and we go to the gym together. I have to work hard at making sure everybody gives their best effort and let them give me pets when they are done. After that we take a long car ride to school. Mr. Culver listens to music while I get ready for students by taking a nap. When we get to Central I run into the office to see if there is anyone that needs pets. There's usually a few students there and sometimes a teacher. We play with my ball and run around the office. Then I take Mr. Culver to the busses to welcome students. Lots of students come up, say hello and give me pets. When all the students are inside, Mr. Culver takes me to a couple classes to say hi. After that I'm pretty tired so we go back to the office and I eat my breakfast and take a quick nap. Mrs. Henson, or Mrs. Carriger usually come get me next and I get to meet with students and help them set goals, talk about their day and try my best to be a good listener. Then it's recess time! Mr. Culver and I go to the playground to make sure everyone if following something called SOAR. Mostly they just want to come sit with me in the grass and pet my head. I'm usually pretty tired after all those pets so I go in my bed, chew my bone and sleep. Then it's time for everyone to leave. I help to make sure that everyone gets picked up safely and quickly. I'm sad to see them go, but I know they will be back tomorrow. Mr. Culver and I say bye to some teachers then we go home too. Somedays we stop at the dog park so I can run. Other days we go see students play sports. Then we go back home so I can get pets from the rest of the Culver family before I go to bed. It's a lot of work, but I love my students and helping make their day better.

Central was the first elementary building to take part in a new athletic department event to connect future student-athletes with current senior student-athletes. Seniors came over and greeted our Central Champions before school started with a tunnel of high fives both at our parent and our bus drop off entrances. The seniors then went into each classroom and talked about their sport, club or band and what it meant to represent Linden that way. Students then had the chance to ask them question and hear what it's like to be a high school student athlete. We appreciated our seniors for coming over, being great role models and helping our students see how academics and athletics can connect to make your school experience even better.