Mrs. Winburn sent me this cool video.
http://www.schooltube.com/video/12420/PS22-CHORUS-2009-Viva-La-Vida-by-COLDPLAY
Two things I noticed right away is the energy that the teacher has, and that students are the same around the country. Who is having more fun the teacher or the students? Some of them acted as if they were the next Beyonce, others wanted to disappear and were probably lip syncing.
Years worth of work and planning came to fruition yesterday, when the ground was officially broke for the new building addition. As most of you know the addition will add three new state of the art science rooms, a new media center, and a new safer front entrance including more accessible administrative offices. We are hoping that phase one of the project will be in done by the end of first semester. I say that but also realize that we live in SD, and anything can happen.
From time to time I will put updates here so that you can see what is going on. This is just another example of what will make next year such a great one.
Let me start by saying that I am not an economics expert by any means. However one thing that I am almost certain of is that if the supply goes down than the price goes up. This is true almost everywhere except education. Teacher supply is declining at an incredible rate and we still get paid at a rate that almost qualifies us for food stamps. Beings it is summer I will put a silver lining on this. Maybe just maybe our time is coming, change is slow but inevitable.
As always I read something that got my gander up. Below is the link, from Forbes, that spurred the economics lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1IqqlW1U4k&feature=player_embedded
Is it a plane? Is it a bird? NO its Computer Man.
We had several students do extremely well at the state track last week. Perhaps the highlight of the weekend was our throwers led by Stephanie Fey and her record breaking performance. Stephanie placed 5th in the shot, but stepped up BIG TIME and placed 2nd in the discus throw. Her discus throw actually broke the school record set by Marsha Locke in 1983, WOW!!!. All this and she is only a sophomore. Sam Thorson continued our throwing demonstration by placing 3rd in the discus. With results such as these Coach Donovan could have a throwers clinic.
In addition to our throwers success, we had some boys relays place as well. The Medley Relay team of Tanner Johnson, Sam Smith, Ryan Koehler, and Justin Peterson placed 5th, and the 3200m relay team of Justin Peterson, Sam Smith, Matt Thorson, and Tony Waage placed 6th.
Way to go tracksters. Zoom Zoom.
Mrs. Nyberg sent me an article today that further reinforced my opinion of standardized tests. It is no big secret that I am against standardized tests, and trust me I am not saying this because our students do poorly on them. Actually the opposite is true, our students' scores are some of the best in the state, so why the hate? Let me break it down for you. For 2-3 weeks out of a year our students and teachers have to stop the learning process, so that politicians can be reassured that their state or country is the best. What is in the best interest of our students? Filling in bubbles? What do they actually learn from this activity? I can think of numerous other things that I would prefer TY and Dylan do than fill in bubbles. Quit wasting my children's's education.
This is enough of a soap box for the summer. I'll let the author further drive home the point. I need to go fishing.
http://www.keloland.com/custompages/kelolandblogs/madvilletimes/?c=3385
It is the end of the year and there are many many irons on the fire. I am going to provide you with some of the highlights.
1) The library is going to be open this summer on a limited basis. HS hours are Tuesday and Thursday 12:30-4:30. Elementary hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00-4:30 with lunch from 12:00-12:30. It will also be open from 8:00-12:00 on Tuesday and Thursday.
2) Our 8th graders took the exit exam for Algebra I. They have to test out in this class so that they can receive HS credit. The following is an excerpt from Dr. Cypher the person that heads this testing at the state level.
"I just wanted to let you know that Darlyne has some of the best results I have seen in SD schools. She and the previous teachers, curriculum, parents, and you, are all responsible. You must be doing a great job!" Thanks, Dr Cypher This is further proof that our math department is top notch, Mrs. Johnson deserved teacher of the year, and that our students are some of the best. 3) The following students qualified for the state track meet: (Girls) Erin Wanner in the 200m, 400m, and 3200m Relay; Stephanie Fey in the Shot and Discus; Katelyn Hawkins in the 3200m; Cheyenne Schaller, Halle Dohman, and Camille Sippel in the 3200m relay. Wow it looks like our girls program could be strong for a while. Three 7th graders, a 9th grader and 2 Sophomores. (Boys) Ryan Koehler in the 100m, 200m, 400m Relay; Justin Peterson in the 1600m, Medley Relay, and 3200m Relay; Tanner Johnson in the 400m relay and he Medley Relay; Sam Smith in the Medley Relay and the 3200m Relay; Heath Geidt in the Shot Put; Sam Thorson in the Discus; Gabe Kjellson in the Triple Jump; Tony Waage in the 3200m Relay; Kalen Kjellson in the 400m Relay; Ryland Strom in the 400m Relay and Matt Thorson in the 3200m Relay. Wow that is a lot of student athletes. Great job!!! 4) We had 4 students qualify for state soccer ODP team: Douglas Heinrich, Toby Carda, Cheyenne Schaller, and Camille Sippel.
Karma must think I must need inspirationor else its simply coincidence either way I found another cool educational quote.
Chinese proverb:
“If you are thinking a year ahead - plant seeds;
If you are thinking 10 years ahead - plant a tree;
If you are thinking 100 years ahead - educate the people “
Mrs. Gonsoir found this quote and forwarded it to the staff. I found it particularly interesting, so thought I would spread it further.
The quote comes from a speech that Lee Iacocca gave to the Pearson Foundation and the Council of Chief State School Officers conference last year. "In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something else." I am probably biased here, but it truly makes sense. Where would we be without someone to teach us?
Mrs. Nyberg provided me with two articles, and they each had information that I found especially helpful/informative.
2008 ACT scores
-On the ACT writing test, females outscored boys 7.6 to 7.0.
-Students who took ACT's recommended core curriculum -- 4 years of English and 3 years if math (algebra and higher), science, ss had an average score of 22. Students who didn't follow this recommendation averaged 19.5.
-If you were at graduation you heard how important a good ACT score can be. Our top students received incredible amounts of money.
-Males had an average score of 21.2 and females averaged 21.0. Males scored higher on Math and Science, while females scored higher on English and Reading.
Cyberbullying
Tips for Students:
-Don't retaliate. Escalates the situation and blurs who started the incident.
-Make a hard copy of the material.
-Show an adult.
-DON'T DO OR SAY ANYTHING YOU WOULDN'T SAY OR DO IN PERSON.
Tips for Parents:
-Leave the computer in an open spot. (Kitchen or Living Room)
-Talk to your child about on-line etiquette.
-Be active in your child's on-line communities.
-Document bullying.
-File a complaint with the web site or phone company.
-Contact the police if the bullying includes threats.
