Welcome to Inside the Hood -The Principal’s Corner at J. Turner Hood Elementary 2025-2026

Sometimes you stumble across a moment in a lesson that just makes you smile. Today, during a reading session, I discovered that my name made an appearance in the story — and not just anywhere, but as a frog! 🐸 (Apparently, it happens less often when your name is Glen!) The students had a good laugh, and what stood out most was how easily they connected with the text. Mrs. Fleming’s class was fully engaged in reading The Frog and The Slug . At the end, students were asked to select their favorite sentence. My choice? “Glen is a frog with black spots.” This moment also highlighted a powerful reading strategy: anchoring. When readers can connect the story to something personal — a name, an experience, or even a laugh — comprehension and memory improve. These little connections help students remember what they read and make reading meaningful. It was wonderful to see students giggling, reading, and sharing their favorite parts — proving once again that a good story (and sometimes a f...

  Murphy the Therapy Dog: Spreading Joy and Support at J. Turner Hood We are lucky to have a very special and frequent member of our school community—Murphy, my certified therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International (TDI) . Murphy brings a calm and joyful presence to our school. From greeting students at arrival with wagging tail and plenty of smiles, to children stopping to pet him before starting their day, moments like this remind us just how much of a positive impact animals can have on children’s well-being and sense of belonging. A Special Gift from a Student Murphy even received a special gift—a beautiful seashell from Bianca! It was such a thoughtful gesture, and Murphy seemed to appreciate it as much as we did. Moments like these highlight the meaningful connections students can make with him. The Murphy Story: From Observation to Success: How Murphy Became Our Therapy Dog The professional community in our school noticed a growing need for emotional support among ou...

  🌟 Hopes and Dreams for the Year Ahead As part of our opening faculty meeting, we began the year with a tradition I hold close: a Hopes and Dreams activity. Each of us took time to reflect on two prompts: “This year, my biggest hope for our school is…” “This year, my boldest dream for my students is…” The responses, heartfelt and inspiring, paint a vivid picture of what we collectively want for our school community. I’ve organized them into themes to share here—not as a final word, but as an invitation for everyone in our community to see what we hold close as we begin a new school year. 💫 Hopes for Our School Safety & Support To have a safe, productive, and fun-filled school year Safety, kindness, community, and the joy of coming to school A safe, supportive place for all kids Positive School Culture & Community A building full of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunities we have at the Hood Kindness for all members Celebrating ...

Dear J. Turner Hood Families and Friends, Welcome to Inside the Hood , a new platform designed to offer a more personal and reflective view into life at the J. Turner Hood Elementary School. While official school news will continue to be posted and shared through the School News section of our website, this space will serve a different — and complementary — purpose. Here, you’ll find a glimpse into the lived experiences that shape our days at the Hood: stories from around the schoolyard, updates related to my professional practice , and reflections from the principal’s lens. After stepping away from my former blog and X (Twitter) account, this newsletter is meant to simplify communication while building a stronger connection between school and home. I hope you’ll follow along as we continue growing our vibrant school community — together. Hand in Hand — Together We Can. With appreciation, Dr. Glen McKay Principal, J. Turner Hood Elementary