Got Blogger?

I'm wondering what ideas we can come up with to encourage people to use this forum. I check periodically, but not much is going on discussion-wise so I'm not sure how often I'm going to remember to keep checking it.

One thought I have is to ask each PLC to use it to discuss an issue (with the opportunity to get "outsider" feedback). If we have new PLC groups being created, this could also be a good forum to get ideas / issues for groups to deal with and potentially allow some people to contribute to more than one PLC.

Where's your homework?

Late policies / penalties have come up in numerous conversations with various staff members recently--specifically the desire for a uniform policy 9 - 12, and one that is more stringent. I'm concerned with how comfortable many students have become with not having their work done on time. I'm not positive that harsher / more rigid policies will change this, but it is something to consider.

How do others feel? What are some other suggestions for changing this behavior?

Facebook

I don't get how this would be very useful to me given that Facebook is blocked at the school, which is where I do almost all of my work (home with two young'uns is not conducive to getting things done). Also, if the students can't access it at school and they are looking up an assignment during library time, it won't work on that end either.

I use the Homework Hotline and know from experience that few students access it. I'm open to something else that would work more effectively, but I'm not seeing that "something else" as Facebook. I also have deactivated my Facebook account because I don't enjoy getting hourly updates from my cousins and former high school classmates who apparently have loads of time on their hands.

If anyone has solutions to these issues, I'm interested.

Failing Schools

On the way into school this morning, was listening to Susan Gendron on talk radio discussing the list of failing schools. Be thankful that we have not made the list this time around! In those schools listed, principals and teachers have been fired based on student performance over a 3 year span.
This time around it was Title 1 criteria. What will it be next time around? Gendron did stress that these schools are not necessarily the worst schools in the State but fit the criteria, hence they are labeled a failing school! Now those administrators & teachers have more stresses and hoops to jump through for the State. Ugh!

Monday Blues

UGH! I hate Mondays... In reality though I think it is just the concept of Mondays that I really dislike. You know that feeling Sunday night when you think to yourself "Do I really need to go back to work tomorrow? It feels like the weekend just started" This hit me yesterday as my family and I were walking one of the Land Trust Preserves. I hate that dreaded thought and it lingers. It lingers until I get here, then the trepidation leaves and I remember that I really love this profession. We are all truly lucky to be able to do what we do, I think teaching is one of the world's most trying professions but also one of the most rewarding.

Thank you to you all for all you do.

Dan

Tech Support

If anyone needs tech support with this blog please let me know.

I like Blogger because it is so easy to dress your blog post up with pictures, maps, video, and anything you need really. Plus, its free. Below you can see exactly from where I made this blog post.


View Larger Map

Support

Hi All,   Just posting to show my support of this blog site.  This is a great way to continue and start discussions.  Mary M

My Thoughts

My label is Mrs. H(hersom) because I have other blogs that students use - so please accept my apology for being so formal. Think this is a great idea as long as we respect each others opinions and ideas. I know that I have many that differ from many of you and all of our ideas/opinions come from each of our individual experiences. Thanks for keeping those things in mind when others make comments. We aren't necessarily disliking your perspective or dislike you for what you say. Just want to get that out incase I accidentally offend someone without the intention of doing so. This is a great place to work, with great people who are dedicated to their profession. That is why I have been here as long as I have. Have a great day!

Great idea

I think this sounds like a lot of fun.  As anyone who knows me can probably guess, I'm opinionated and like to talk.  This is a great way to communicate with each other without having to look at the clock every few minutes to see if it's the magic hour of 3:00 p.m.  

Welcome Teachers and Staff

Hi All,

I got to thinking after last night's faculty meeting that we really do have some great discussions but with time constraints we often have to cut them short.

I think that having this blog is a way to have ongoing discussions about whats going on here. Please feel free to post comments and new discussion topics, please remember that this is for professional purposes and we need to remain respectful of all others. With that in mind feel free to bring up topics around teaching, learning, athletics, school climate and culture. I truly hope that we can use this technology to increase our abilities to communicate with each other in a meaningful way.

Thank you to all you do for our school and our students!

Dan Welch