Sweeter's Tiger Tracks

Student Excelencia

I am excited to congratulate Katherina TInglund for placing in the "Premio de Excellencia" category in the National Spanish Exam.  She will be recognized nationally for her score.

Way to go.  If I new Spanish I would say it in Spanish, but I spent two years learning the language of Love, French. 

Tres Bein Mademoiselle Tinglund. 

New Program

I have spent countless hours researching for the next extracurricular program, and am excited to say that I cannot wait to see them perform next year in our arena.  Watch the following link to see a sample of this activity.  Knowing our students, I think in a year or two we could give this group a run for their money.

http://soonereyo.blip.tv/#17620 PS.  I am joking.  We will not be implementing this program, but it is pretty impressive what students can do if they are given proper instruction and guidance.

Teacher Shortage

I have reported on this issue in the past, but it is worth mentioning again.  In this month's NASSP magazine there is a graph showing the percentage of teachers, by state, that are over the age of 50.  Currently in SD 46% of our teachers are in this age bracket.  This information in itself is somewhat concerning.  It becomes more of a concern when you consider the facts that most of our neighboring states are more experienced than we are, and they all pay more than we do.  All of this evidence would tend to show that SDs brain drain will continue.  Why teach in Edgemont for $27,000, when you can go a few miles west to WY and get $46,000?  Sure we will have some students that dream to return to their hometowns, but in a shrinking world the dollar is getting louder and louder. 

Artistic Excellence

Five of our students, Bethany Abeln, Mackenzie Cutler, Martha Miller, Katie Spicer, and Katharina Tinglund, were recognized last week for their artistic accomplishments at the Granary All Dakota High School Arts Exhibition. The group won the Best Team from South Dakota Award.  In addition to the team success a couple of our students were recognized for their individual accomplishments.  Mackenzie's acrylic painting received the Judge's Choice Award, and Bethany's pencil drawing received the Student's Choice and the Judge's Choice Award.

Way to go!!!

All of their projects are on presentation at the Granary for the rest of the week, and then they will be displayed at our Spring concert on May 7th.  After that date I will try and put some pics here.

Cool Assembly

Mr. Johnson has lined up NSU's "Dominate 7" to perform for some of our students on May 13.  Last year we had a smaller group perform, and it was truly awesome.  There was some question as to whether or not they would be able to make it again this year, but as of now I am excited to say it looks like we are a go.  You may have seen them perform on PBS, No Cover, No Minimum.  I thinkwhat impressed me even more than the musicianship, was the fun and excitement that these students demonstrated while strutting their stuff. 

I will include a link for you to see just what our students are in for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJVLH5Dbcf0

The race is on...

Our tracksters shined again in Redfield on Wednesday.

On the girls side, Erin Wanner and Stephanie Fey continued their domination.  Erin placed 2nd and 3rd in the 200 and 400 respectively, while Stephanie placed 1st in the discus and 4th in the shot put.  In addition to these fabulous finishes, Katelyn Hawkins placed 4th in the 3200m, and the team of Maddie Howard, Alyssa Stolle, Erin Wanner, and Camille Sippel placed 1st in the Sprint Medley.

The boys didn't do quite as well as they did at the Luecke Invitational, but still had some great individual performances.  Leading them off was Sam Thorson and his first place discus hurl.  Justin Peterson placed 3rd in the 3200, and Ryan "Wheels" Koehler placed 3rd in the 200 as well.

Way to go guys and gals.  Good luck tomorrow in Ipswich.

If your going to be a bear; be a GRIZZLY bear.  ZOOM ZOOM!!

A Brave New World

As many of you know, more and more high schools are using virtual classes.  In fact, some rural high schools have had to go to with almost entirely virtual curriculum.  Tonight, I read about the predicted demise of traditional colleges and universities.  While I understand that we are living in an exponentially changing world, and that if you don't change you become outdated.  It is hard to imagine a world were textbooks are free and colleges are obsolete.  Ok maybe obsolete is an exaggeration after all we'll still need credits and diplomas, but it does make sense that there will have to be fundamental change.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705298649/Universities-will-be-irrelevant-by-2020-Y-professor-says.html

For my sports followers

I frequently get critiqued for being too high brow, and that I need to put more common man stuff in my blogs.  In an attempt to make everyone happy here you go.  I found an article that not only provides information about the future #1 NBA draft pick, but there are also some huge educational implications from this young man's choices. 

Bottom line is I need to start working with Ty a little harder.  If I do I might get to tour Europe for free.  Tonight's workout: Ty shoot until your finger tips bleed, and then shoot 100 more times.  I've always wanted to see Paris.

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-tyler042209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Soap Box

Last night the kids went to bed early and DeAnn went to a friends, so I took advantage of the peace and caught up on my blog reading.  Last night I blogged about an interesting quote from David Warlick.  Below I am including another Warlick post.  I like it because it remembers that we are dealing with students; not numbers or widgets.  I also like his points in regards to what is good for one kid may not be the best for another.  Education shouldn't be cookie cutter.  If time permits some of the post are pretty good also.

http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/?p=1718

A day late sorry

I found this website that would really work well with Earth Day.  Sorry it is a day late, but maybe it would be good to use with your kids or students next year.  Then again is there ever a bad time to save the planet.

http://www.meetthegreens.org/