"THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK"

"If the adults in a school don't keep learning and improving, children won't either."

Something to think about....

1. What strategies are used to move everyone toward the development of a shared vision in which all students can learn?

2. What staff training opportunities exist in your school or district that lead to colleagues learning from one another?

3. What ways can you and your colleagues encourage professional collaboration over individual competition?

With many upcoming events, I want to remind you to please check your calendar, the school blog and www.teachtalladega.com on a regular basis to stay on top of what's happening in your school and system and to take advantage of the many professional development opportunities. Remember, knowledge is POWER!

FYI

Expand your Horizons! You may now earn professional development credit from your own computer available 24/7. For more information, go to www.teachtalladega.com. From teach talladega, you can access the program, view the courses offered, download an enrollment form, etc. If you need assistance or have questions, please let me know.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to gain knowledge in using Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, etc. As you know, you are required to teach the "technology course of study." How can you teach something you know very little about or rarely use? How can you answer questions by the SDE or a SACS steering committee regarding technology and its implementation if you are not using it? These are questions to ask yourself when deciding whether you need a technology course. According to Dr. Buck, these technology courses are great and the program allows you to actual practice during instruction. This would be great for many of you!!!!

Just a reminder....

The new Wellness Policy prohibits the use of food or physical activity as a reward or as a punishment.

From the SDE:

No food other than that provided by the Child Nutrition Program shall be available to students from the beginning of the school day until after the end of the last lunch period. In the event of such unauthorized sales, which include fundraisers and special school revenue events, the superintendent shall direct that the proceeds from such sales be deposited into the Child Nutrition Program account.

In other words, as we have mentioned in previous faculty meetings, no food shall be served before lunch. The idea behind this is that if children eat junk - they will not want to eat lunch. Although we do not have a problem getting our kids to eat, we must still follow policy.

Week of April 23, 2007

Tuesday, April 24 - Spring Book Fair Begins!
Wednesday, April 25 - Kindergarten registration/6th grade visits Ellis
Thursday, April 26 - 5th Six Weeks Honor Roll Trip/Fire Drill/Pay Day
Friday, April 27 - Spring Holiday

A Look Ahead....

Monday, April 30 - Spring Holiday
Tuesday, May 1 -Faculty Meeting - 2:45
Wednesday, May 2 -
Thursday, May 3 -
Friday, May 4 - Cinco de Mayo Celebration

"THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK"

"The way we present questions and manage student responses stimulates thinking and reinforces our teaching."

Something to think about.....

1. Do students in your classroom routinely disengage while another student is proving an answer? What approach do you use when this happens?

2. What the the positives and negatives associated with accepting multiple responses before responding to answers.

3. How do you avoid pitting students against each other as they present their responses to questions?

4. What strategies do you use to keep students thinking after you ask a question?

Week of April 16, 2007

Monday - 5th grade teachers - Testing meeting - 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday - BBSST Meeting - 2:45/Field Day & Cinco de Mayo Meeting - 3:30
Supper Club - 5:30 - Mexican Restaurant on Square
Guest from AIDB will be with Ms. Uptain

Wednesday - 5th grade pilot Science Test - 2 hours!

Thursday - Head Start - 10-12:00 / Honor Roll Assembly - time (TBA)/ GLAD (2-3)

Friday - Palmer Place will be here at 8:15 to sell bracelets. They will come by your classroom. Remind your students to bring money to support "Child Abuse Awareness Month"
Scoliosis Screening for 5th/6th grade - Mrs. Kemp's Room - 8:30 a.m.

Saturday - Several people have requested that we reschedule our "Clean up" day since the weather had not been very cooperative. Please let me know your thoughts ASAP.

A LOOK AHEAD........

Monday, April 23, 2007 - DIBELS Testing begins through May 3, 2007

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - All Grant applications due to me!!!!
All intent forms due to me!
Spring Book Fair begins!

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - Kindergarten Registration/6th grade visit Ellis

Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 5th Six Weeks Honor Roll Field Trip/Fire Drill

Friday, April 27, 2006 - Spring Holiday

Congratulations 5th graders!

Fifth grade students at Hal Henderson Elementary School participated in the First Family Service Art Contest. First Family Service Center partnered with Palmer Place and Piggly Wiggly for Child Abuse Prevention Month (April). Three prizes were given. First Place - Jeremy, Second Place - Lebrieuna, and Third Place - J'lyricc. The winning bags will be displayed at Piggly Wiggly. All bags not chosen will be given out to customers throughout the month. We are proud of all of our 5th grade students for their participation in this contest.

"THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK"

"It's hard to be down when you're helping someone get up."

Something to think about....

1. Identify factors that influence your thinking and are likely to make you feel down.

2. When you are experiencing the "blues," what activities can help you alter your state of mind?

3. How can you regain the balance that allows you to "choose" to get out of a low?

4. What new skills can you offer students to help them have more highs than lows?

5. Share an example with students and faculty members that shows how doing something for someone else made it possible to get out of a low.

Week of April 9, 2007

Monday - SAT Testing/Board Meeting - Houston/Happy Birthday Donna Burdette!

Tuesday - SAT Testing/Faculty Meeting - 2:45/Field Day Committee Meeting

All grades posted!!!

Wednesday - SAT Testing

Thursday - 5th Report Card Goes Home/Book Buddies (?)

Friday - RECYCLE

A LOOK AHEAD....

Monday -

Tuesday - BBSST - 2:45/Supper Club - Matuala (on the square)

Margaritas changed manager and owner "was not interested!"

Career Shadowing with Ms. Uptain - A visitor from AIDB

Wednesday - 5th grade Science Pilot Test

Thursday - Honor Roll Assembly (4th & 5th Six Weeks)/Head Start/GLAD (2-3)

Friday - Palmer Place selling bracelets beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Scoliosis screening for 5th/6th grade

Saturday - Hal Henderson's Clean-up Day!!! We will all come together to make the front of our school attractive. More details are coming up!

"Conrad" the Boa visits Mrs. Barksdale's Class

Mrs. Barksdale's class experienced a real treat on Friday, March 30. After reading about Boa Constrictors in a fluency passage, Mrs. Laros arranged for her husband, Shane, to bring one of their family pets to school. Conrad, a Dumerils Boa, brought the reading passage to life. Following research on the internet, the children prepared interview questions for the special visitor. Each child had a chance to touch and pet Conrad. The beautiful brown and cream colored reptile did not seem to mind at all! Actually, he enjoyed his day out of the aquarium. Conrad slowly twined himself around Mr. Laros' arm as if it were a tree in the rain forest. What a great experience for the children to be that close to a boa constrictor! Way to go ----- our little brave first graders!

"THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK"

"Avoiding a parent will never make him or her easier to work with."

Questions to ask yourself and think about...

1. Think of colleagues who are making a "significant contribution." On what basis do you draw this conclusion?

2. How can knowing parents' needs help you defuse a difficult situation?

3. What might you do to increase your level of influence in the school?

4. How does being a learner enable you to fit in and belong - and find success?

5. What techniques do you use to prepare mentally to deal with difficult parents?

6. Share an example that shows how a difficult parent was transformed into a strong supporter.

Well, the time has come!!! The next two days are very important to all of us. Think about what you can do to help our children relax and "do their very best on the test." You have worked hard all year to prepare them and I know they will represent us well. Please ask to make sure all students have eaten breakfast as soon as they arrive in your room. Please make every effort not to upset students. If they start the test with a "good attitude" our chances of them doing well are much higher.

During testing, please do not allow students to put their heads down for any reason, do not allow them to read a book when finished, or draw on scratch paper. Students may rush to finish the test if they are allowed to do these things when finished. They must keep their desk clear and their heads up until time is up! Please reward those that follow your instructions and stay engaged. Encourage them to check answers and make sure all questions have been answered.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!

Week of April 2, 2007

Monday, April 2, 2007 - Faculty Meeting - 3rd - 6th grade only!

Tuesday, April 3, 2007 - ARMT Testing

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - ARMT Testing

Thursday, April 5, 2007 - GLAD (K & 1)

Friday, April 6, 2007 - End 5th Six Weeks/Good Friday!

A LOOK AHEAD .............

Week of April 9, 2007

Monday - Board Meeting (Houston)/Happy B'day Donna Burdette!

SAT Testing

Tuesday - Faculty Meeting/SAT Testing

Wednesday - SAT Testing

Thursday - 5th Six Weeks Report Card goes home!!!/Book Buddies (?)

Friday - RECYCLE