Sunday, December 20, 2015

Pay It Forward

Please click on the following link to see the IMDB page for our A5 film we will be watching, which is a very good visual representation of S.A.I.L.S.:
Pay It Forward

Thursday, December 17, 2015

S is for Service (Project Explanation)

The next blog will consist of a multiple week project.  Our class is going to take the S.A.I.L.S. acronym and represent what each means to us.  We will do a letter per week.  When the overall project is done, we will have each player's feelings on what S.A.I.L.S. means to them.  The students will also have to answer what the acronym letters mean to our school and to our A5 program.  This can be a writing, art or combination piece.  Students will be encouraged to use Photo shop, Pixlr or Prezi to represent their answers to what S.A.I.L.S. means to them.  We will view different representations of each WORD during the beginning stages of the class.   Enjoy!

Week 1: What does Service mean to you?  How do you represent or demonstrate this for yourself?  How do you see it represented in our school and in our A5 program?  We watched the video:

We also watched the video:


I am going to put my spin on what Service means to me.  I believe Service is demonstrated by any act of kindness towards others.  This can be done through a major or minor act.  We don't have to spend a large deal of time on one act, to make a life lasting impression on others.  It can be a smile, a gesture or anything that is born out of kindness towards others.  The interesting thing is, when we act in kindness, there is an immediate, positive feeling within us.  One cannot feel regret, if we act in kindness.  We could also view Service, as a representation of the "Pay It Forward" movement.  One act of kindness will produce another act of kindness, which will spread.  Who knows how far it will go.  Service starts with us.  Each person can change the world for the better and it is not hard to do.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

SERVICE (Click on Link Provided)

https://docs.google.com/a/gloucesterschools.com/presentation/d/1THXptr5Q5hH5zuwgqsIMNrzGUwYGkfAJMok_4bXA2CY/edit?usp=sharing (LINK)

service

       an act of kindness can be as easy as holding a door open for someone, picking up something that someone my have dropped or even just a simple complement. just one act of kindness can change someones day :)    
Image result for holding a door for someone


Service

SERVICE WHAT IT MEANS TO ME: Service can come in many different forms so the definition of service can change depending on who you ask.But service to me is when someone does something, anything for someone else not just because it’s a good thing to do but because it's the right thing to do.I think that someone that demonstrates service is someone who, whenever the opportunity arises does the right thing without even thinking about it.Some examples of service that i do and see everyday are opening a door for someone,helping someone with schoolwork and picking up random trash.I hope that you enjoy this post and agree that service is very important part of O’Maley Schools SAILS values.

Service

                     What Does Service Mean To Me?

     Service can be as much as making somebody laugh, or holding the door open for them. It is free because you know you're doing it out of the good of your heart. If someone is having a bad day, serve them by putting a smile on their face!
    Service in A5 can be small as bringing the dodge balls up after we use them.
    At our school, we have a day of service were we go to peoples yards and clean them. It feels nice to know that you did a good days work.

Service

People go their whole day not knowing that they are doing some kind of service. People go around holding doors, donating food, giving homeless people things and they don't know that what they do can change someone's life. Service to me means that you do something for someone that can either make their whole or change their life. 
 

Service

Service A-5


Service means a lot of things. In my opinion I believe that service means to help people or assist people in need of help. Like if someone needs the door open you can help them out by opening it for them
Service in A-5 - If someone gets hit by a ball and is hurt you can ask them if they are okay and see if they need help to get up. If  someone is new you can explain them the rules or help them out by showing them the ropes on how to play. Doing something small can inspire someone to help others in need and it will go around.



Service

Service


Service means many things to me, but the major thing is helping people out as an act of kindness. So if someone needs help with groceries and some helps them that is service. Service in A-5 is if someone gets hurt help them out and if someone is new and doesn't know how to play or get to the blog someone could help them and that is a form of service.

Service means helping others, and staying loyal to them and try to get. Service is doing what is good for our neighbors. Service means doing all you can to make a difference and to inspire.
Image result for service

Service

                What service means to me?


Image result for holding a door Service means holding a door for somebody. Help somebody if they need help. A5 has service because if you had a bad day you van take it out in dodge ball.

Service

                   You go your whole day not knowing that you have done some kind of service either holding a door, or helping an elderly up the stairs. For example the A5 after school activity is a service to me because if I have a bad day (which can happen) I have something to look forward to after school. In school we have a day of service where we go to a neighbor hood and clean up their yard just to be kind I believe it is a great thing to do.    

Service

Still the service of life
"Spread love everywhere you go, let no one ever come to you without leaving happier"
                                                                                                                   - Mother Teresa
            This is service to me, you go somewhere to make that person happier even on the worst of days, and you don't stop in till you do just that.......MAKE THEM HAPPIER!!!

           Because if you hold a door for someone, it shows to them that people notice him\her, so do it!

Service


What does Service mean to me? Service to me is being the nicest you can and helping everyone that you can. Even if what you are doing is small it is still helpful and can make change. Service is also just being nice, It doesn't have to be helping them physical, it can also be just being a friend and If somebody is having a bad day or seems sad just talking to them could help. This is what Service is to me.Image result for service

Service.

Service to me means being good even when no one is looking. It also means to do what is good without anyone asking. Most people do service every day. Most people do service it spreads.


Image result for service of people helping
Image result for service of people helping

Service

Service is doing something for someone without them asking you or  you being required too. You can do something from holding the door for someone at the mall or joining the military. People do acts of service every day of their life. If you do service it can make a person that witnessed this  act to want to do service as well.


Harrison Pelosi: SERVICE

What Does Service Mean To Me


Image result for community service quotes Service means to help others in need and help the environment. Doing service is an act of kindness and whatever it is, it could benefit in any way. Doing service is a very important role in life. One little act of kindness can change the world. Someone could be having a really tough day and you could make their day by simply saying hello or holding the door for them. You could have a nice conversation with them or make them laugh. You won’t believe how good it feels to make someone smile. That is what service means to me.                                                                                              Image result for community service quotesImage result for kindness quotes

Christian Francis: Service



Service to me is helping anyone but yourself with anything. When you help people in the community you can get hours for the for yourself so you can do stuff with the school.  

Andrei Ouellette: Service (Please click on link provided)

Please click on the following link to see my slideshow:  Andrei Ouellette: Service (LINK)

Dylan Orlando: Service (Please click on link provided)

Please click on the following to see my slideshow:  Dylan Orlando: Service (LINK)

Sunday, December 13, 2015

What does S.A.I.L.S. mean to me?

The next blog will consist of a multiple week project.  Our class is going to take the S.A.I.L.S. acronym and represent what each means to us.  We will do a letter per week.  When the overall project is done, we will have each player's feelings on what S.A.I.L.S. means to them.  The students will also have to answer what the acronym letters mean to our school and to our A5 program.  This can be a writing, art or combination piece.  Students will be encouraged to use Photo shop, Pixlr or Prezi to represent their answers to what S.A.I.L.S. means to them.  We will view different representations of each WORD during the beginning stages of the class.  I also would like to add, we as an A5 class will try and watch the film, "Pay It Forward."  This movie displays all parts of S.A.I.L.S.  We will watch the film, when the 5 week period is over for our S.A.I.L.S. assignment.  Here is the IMDB link for that film:
Pay It Forward

 Enjoy!

Week 1: What does Service mean to you?  How do you represent or demonstrate this for yourself?  How do you see it represented in our school and in our A5 program?
We watched the video:

We also watched this video:


Mr. Epple:

I am going to put my spin on what Service means to me.  I believe Service is demonstrated by any act of kindness towards others.  This can be done through a major or minor act.  We don't have to spend a large deal of time on one act, to make a life lasting impression on others.  It can be a smile, a gesture or anything that is born out of kindness towards others.  The interesting thing is, when we act in kindness, there is an immediate, positive feeling within us.  One cannot feel regret, if we act in kindness.  We could also view Service, as a representation of the "Pay It Forward" movement.  One act of kindness will produce another act of kindness, which will spread.  Who knows how far it will go.  Service starts with us.  Each person can change the world for the better and it is not hard to do.

Week 2:  What does Acceptance mean to you?  How do you represent or demonstrate this for yourself?  How do you see it represented in our school and in our A5 program? 
We watched this video:

And this video:

And this video:

Mr. Epple:

What does Acceptance mean to me?  Not putting labels on people.  Looking at us a one human family.  We define ourselves as black, white, catholic, agnostic, religious, non-religious, rich, poor, smart, dumb, lazy, motivated.  We are people.  We need each other.  We need to belong to something, hopefully positive.  We are more a like than we want admit.  We are a human family, that needs to work together for the common good of ALL on this planet.  We need to accept each other as our fellow humans, rather than separate ourselves with labels.  As Morrie Schwartz (Tuesday with Morrie)  once said, quoting the poet W. H. Auden, "Love is the only rational act," and "Love each other or die."  Great quotes and great ideas from some great people.

Week 3: What does Integrity mean to you?  How do you represent or demonstrate this for yourself?  How do you see it represented in our school and in our A5 program? 

We started the class by looking at the definition of Integrity:

Integrity:
the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

Synonyms for Integrity: honesty, virtue, straightforwardness, sincerity, goodness, wholeness, purity, (the inability to be corrupted)

Students could ask questions about integrity and give examples of when they have done it or where they have seen it.

We then watched the following video clips on Integrity:
A Life of Integrity:

Do what you say you will do (Abraham Lincoln Story):


Animation about Integrity:


Integrity gets you Everything (Motivational Video):



Mr. Epple

Integrity.  What is it?  How do we know if we do it?  Is it a part of us?  Do we have to try and live life with Integrity?  Ask yourself.  If you know you are someone who doesn't tell the truth, you are not living with Integrity.  If you do what is easy, rather than what is right, you are not living with Integrity.  If you need someone to watch over you, in order to do the right thing, you are not living with Integrity.  Look in the mirror.  What do you see?  If you see an honest, hard working, motivated, pure (will not be swayed by others) and straightforward person, then you are the definition of Integrity.  Your word should be your word.  A handshake counts, as your word.  You don't tell others what you think they need to here.  You tell others the truth, no matter the consequence.  You don't "yes" people, you are honest with people.  In the midst of criticism, negativity and anger, you do what is right.  You do not shy away from what is right because of difficulties.  If you are not living with Integrity, ask yourself why?  Why am I not living with Integrity?  This can not be taught.  We can see examples of Integrity, but it needs to come from within.  Integrity starts here........ with us.

Week 4: What does Leadership mean to you? How do you represent or demonstrate this for yourself?  How do you see it represented in our school and in our A5 program?  Please also answer what qualities you think a good leader should posses?  You can either list them out or write them in sentence form.

Definition of Leadership:  The action of leading a group of people or an organization

What should a good leader be like (what qualities do they posses?):

Please check out the following link for the article: Top 10 Qualities of great leadership

Profiles International: Top 10 Qualities of Great Leadership. Do you have what it takes?

Please check out the following Leadership video clips:
Middle School Speech:

Famous Failures:

Kid President: Leadership and Teamwork:
Abbot Middle School Leadership:

Mr. Epple
In creating this week's blog about leadership, I spent quite a long time putting it together.  Reason being, I couldn't stop.  I researched and found more and more information on Leadership, leadership qualities and video examples.  I wanted to include more, but was worried it might be too lengthy for the readers and I don't want to lose interest in any of our topics.  Everything I put into this week's blog are my feelings on leadership.  I don't want to restate what the blog has already said.  Without leaders we would be in trouble.  We need strong leaders, with integrity, who commit themselves to service,  for the common good.  These leaders need to be transparent.  They need to gain their followers through respect, not fear.  They need to lead by example.  Inspire us!  Lead us!  Treat others with kindness and respect.  Be honest.  Clearly communicate.  Doing this, will make others WANT to follow them.  As a teacher, father, man and just plain old human being, I try and live my life this way.  Being a leader is not easy, but it is necessary to accomplish greater things.  I hope you all have great leaders in your life.  By the way, everyone has the potential to be a great leader.  Find it in yourself.........

I would like to end this blog by giving you some examples of leaders that have changed my life for the better.  Thank you for reading.

William B. Epple, founder of Harmony animal hospital, veterinary doctor, farmer, loves Joe Montana, inspiration, a great son, down to earth, man whom I want to be like, man whom I want to impress, My father

Ruth G. Epple, co-founder of Harmony animal hospital, hard worker, friend, inspiration, major life influence, a great daughter, always positive, women I want to impress,  My mother

Lauren N.F. Epple, Independent soul, inspiration, artist, my partner in life, women I want to impress, best friend, soulmate, My wife

Jeffrey Destino, fellow teacher and inspirational leader

Eric Passeriello, high school best friend

Barry Jo Milenuc (Wambold), childhood best friend

Mitch Albom, author (Tuesday with Morrie, For One More Day, Magic Strings of Frankie Presto)

Dave Mustaine, lead singer, guitarist and creator of band: Megadeth

Guns N Roses (band), for providing the soundtrack to my life and a source of inspiration for me whether I am up or down

Abraham Lincoln, 16th US President

Red Cloud (Makhpiya Luta),  Oglala Lakota (Sioux) warrior

Crazy Horse (Thasuka Witko), Sioux warrior

Sitting Bull (Tatanka lyotake), Hunkpapa Lakota (Sioux) warrior 

Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany

Lady Diana, Princess of Wales

Zakk Wylde, leader singer, guitarist and creator of band: Black Label Society

Dalai Lama, Spiritual Leader of the Tibetan people

Morrie Schwartz, Brandeis professor, inspiration and subject of book: Tuesday with Morrie

Derek Jeter, shortstop and leader of the New York Yankees

Liz Murray, inspirational person that movie: Homeless to Harvard: was made about

Chris Gardner, Stock Broker, movie: Pursuit of Happiness: was made about his life

Pete Frates,  ALS patient whose story created the Ice Bucket Challenge 

Prince EA (Richard Williams), American rapper and activist

Tupac Shakur, American rapper, actor and activist

Daniel Day Lewis, English actor

Oskar Schindler, German industrialist, spy and member of Nazi party that is credited for saving 1,200 Jewish lives during World War II (the Holocaust) 

Elie Wiesel, writer (Night), political activist, professor and Nobel Laureate, Nobel Peace Prize Awardee (1986)

Steve Jobs, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Apple, Inc.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:  American Baptist Minister, activist, humanitarian,  and leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement

John Lennon, co-creator of The Beatles, guitarist, poet and humanitarian

Bill Coutney, American football coach (documentary: undefeated) and CEO of Classic American Hardwoods

David and Tina Long, parents of Tyler Long (character that was mercilessly bullied and committed suicide in the documentary: Bully, They are also leaders in fighting to make schools a safer place for all students

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals Quarterback

Walter Payton, Chicago Bears Running Back

Tom Brady, New England Patriots Quarterback

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Point Guard

Kevin Garnett,  Minnesota Timberwolves/ Boston Celtics/ Brooklyn Nets power forward/ center


Week 5: What does Success mean to you?  How do you represent or demonstrate this for yourself?  How do you see it represented in our school and in our A5 program?
What is success?  
According to the dictionary....
the accomplishment of an aim or purpose (goal)

Sounds great to me, but what does it mean to me?  People can be successful in their careers, personal life, financially, spiritually, etc.  I believe success means different things to different people.  I will not put someone down who looks at riches as success; or being the president of a company as success, or being an athlete that goes pro as success.  Great examples.

My understanding of success is summed up in a few things.  I believe if one does their best, each day, at living a positive, learning from their mistakes type, hard working, responsible, respectful and thoughtful life: then they are successful.  If you look at what each letter of the S.A.I.L.S. stands for, I believe living your life with a focus on those standards is success:

S is for Service
A is for Acceptance
I is for Integrity
L is for leadership
These will eventually lead to Success.

I try and do my best everyday at my job,at being a good father, good husband, respectful person, responsible person, kind person, understanding person and thoughtful person.  When I look myself in the mirror every night, if I can do that and feel I accomplished the prior, than that was a successful day, which leads to successful weeks, which leads to successful months, years and eventually a lifetime.

That is my definition of Success.


Success (Motivational Video)






Sacrifice to Succeed