In response to the 8/19/11 post “Teacher Nests – Part 4,” a LYS Principal writes: SC, Just thought I would forward you what one of our teachers who moved to Dallas wrote about nesting Hi boss! I wanted to let you know that I got settled in my new school. It is a COMPLETELY different environment than what we had at (A LYS Elementary Campus), but so far I like it. Of course, middle school is a HUGE change! P.S. Thank you, for making us clean our rooms at the end of the day… You wouldn’t believe the trash on the floors, messy walls and staples left in the walls everywhere. SC Response Cleanliness, organization and a lack of clutter are all highly correlated to increased student performance. Plus, taking pride in one’s appearance and environment is a critical component of espirt de corps. But I’ll take this quick discussion of maintaining a clean and instructionally purposeful environment to another level. A clean classroom environment represents a small thing that to do well requires little brainpower but lots of will and discipline. If staff and students are unable and unwilling to do the little things that require no thought, but discipline, why would you ever believe that they can accomplish the tasks that require both brain power and discipline? Quite frankly, the odds aren’t in their favor. Think. Work. Achieve. Your turn… Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation Attend the LYS presentations at the Texas School Improvement Conference on 10/26/11 and 10/27/11 Confirmed 2012 Presentations: NASSP Conference; NASB Conference