Dec. 21 W @ Osky; GBBall pratice @ EEAC; BBBall pratice @ BAC
22 Elementary Christmas parties
23 If we have school!!! Elementary Winter around the World; Middle school locker clean out/movie day; Early dismissal; end of 2nd quarter and 1st semester in Middle School.
24 Christmas Eve
25 Happy Christmas to all and to all a Good Night
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
This week
Everything changes this time of the year
Dec. 14 W@ home; GBBall pratice @ BAC BBBall pratice @ EEAC
15 AEA Hearing rechecks; Staffing, Staffing, Staffings; Elem. Christmas Concert @ 7:00
16 Santa's Workshop, Mr. R gone to Osky all day; Staff Christmas party after school
17 Senior Christmas meal; Pre-school Christmas program @ 1:30 7/8 GBBall @ Charition; 7/8 BBBall @ home vs Chariton
18 ETS 7th period 7; 8th period 8
Dec. 14 W@ home; GBBall pratice @ BAC BBBall pratice @ EEAC
15 AEA Hearing rechecks; Staffing, Staffing, Staffings; Elem. Christmas Concert @ 7:00
16 Santa's Workshop, Mr. R gone to Osky all day; Staff Christmas party after school
17 Senior Christmas meal; Pre-school Christmas program @ 1:30 7/8 GBBall @ Charition; 7/8 BBBall @ home vs Chariton
18 ETS 7th period 7; 8th period 8
Monday, December 7, 2009
How Old Do I Feel!!
Did you know that the Internet has only been around since 1990? Not to long, but to our students it has been here forever. These fact were included in the 2009 Pew Internet and American Life Project:
If teens are doing this in their spare time as...recreation, we need to leverage this willingness, interest and passion and direct it towards learning.
John Palfrey, a Harvard University law professor , summed this up in a quote for a 2009 Associated press article: "From the standpoint of young people, there's no real distinction between online life and offline life....it's just life."
Makes you kind of go mmmmmmm.
- Today 93% of teens use the Internet and 9% of online teens use their browsers to cloud computing activities
- The first blogs were written in 1997; today, 30% of teens keep a blog and 54% read them
- E-mail is 22 years old and 87% of teens use it.
If teens are doing this in their spare time as...recreation, we need to leverage this willingness, interest and passion and direct it towards learning.
John Palfrey, a Harvard University law professor , summed this up in a quote for a 2009 Associated press article: "From the standpoint of young people, there's no real distinction between online life and offline life....it's just life."
Makes you kind of go mmmmmmm.
Friday, December 4, 2009
NW@BAC
Dec. 7 MS music concert 7:00 @ MS
8 Elementary music concert 7:00 @ MS
9 Early out; Staff Development in P.M.
10 Mr. R to admin. meeting in morning; Senior Citizen Christmas meal; 7/8 GBBall @ home vs Centerville; 7/8 BBBall @ Centerville
11 Leadership team meeting (all day)
I told you it would get busy!!
8 Elementary music concert 7:00 @ MS
9 Early out; Staff Development in P.M.
10 Mr. R to admin. meeting in morning; Senior Citizen Christmas meal; 7/8 GBBall @ home vs Centerville; 7/8 BBBall @ Centerville
11 Leadership team meeting (all day)
I told you it would get busy!!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Miles to go Before we Sleep
One my favorite poems always comes to mind at this time of the year.
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though:
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farm house near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And mile to go before I sleep,
And mile to go before I sleep.
Thank you Robert Frost.
We are almost half way through the school year, but we too have promises to keep and miles to go before we sleep. But take the time to stop and see what your students have accomplished already this year.
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though:
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farm house near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And mile to go before I sleep,
And mile to go before I sleep.
Thank you Robert Frost.
We are almost half way through the school year, but we too have promises to keep and miles to go before we sleep. But take the time to stop and see what your students have accomplished already this year.
This Week @ BAC
Nov. 30
Dec. 1 ESC team meeting @ 3:15; MS W @ Pella; 7/8 GBBall @ home vs Sigourney
3 7/8 GBBall @ home vs Clark; 7/8 BBBall @ Osceola
This is a slow week, but watch out for the rest of the month.
Dec. 1 ESC team meeting @ 3:15; MS W @ Pella; 7/8 GBBall @ home vs Sigourney
3 7/8 GBBall @ home vs Clark; 7/8 BBBall @ Osceola
This is a slow week, but watch out for the rest of the month.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Being Part of a Team
Next fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.
When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What message do we give when we honk from behind?
Finally, and this is important, when a goose gets sick or in wounded by gun shot, and falls out of formation, two geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; and only then do the launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. If we only had the sense of a goose.
Thank all of you for being part of the same team and flying together.
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.
When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What message do we give when we honk from behind?
Finally, and this is important, when a goose gets sick or in wounded by gun shot, and falls out of formation, two geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; and only then do the launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. If we only had the sense of a goose.
Thank all of you for being part of the same team and flying together.
Friday, November 20, 2009
NW@BAC
Nov. 23 Begin 2nd Trimester for Elementary; 7/8 W @ Tri Co. ; 7/8GBBAll @ DC; 7/8BBBall @ home vs DC
24 Sped meeting 2:00 @ BAC; 7/8 W @ BGM; GBBall pratice @ EEAC picture day; BBBall pratice @ BAC
25 Early Out
26 Happy Thanksgiving
27 No School; see you Monday
Nov. 30 Report cards need to be going home from the Elementary
24 Sped meeting 2:00 @ BAC; 7/8 W @ BGM; GBBall pratice @ EEAC picture day; BBBall pratice @ BAC
25 Early Out
26 Happy Thanksgiving
27 No School; see you Monday
Nov. 30 Report cards need to be going home from the Elementary
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Why "Pretty Good" isn't Good Enough
I've sat in on a lot of meetings, wheather it's an IEP, Staff Development, Parent Teacher Conferences, Teachers meeting, or even Administrative meetings, I hear a lot of the same things. Our students are doing pretty good. And I've always thought everyone must be happy with the way our students are doing. I alway was. Then I read something that made me think we could be doing better. Here it is. It was written by Charles Osgood.
There once was a pretty good student
Who sat in a pretty good class,
And was taught by a pretty good teacher
Who always let pretty good pass.
He wasn't terrific at reading,
He wasn't a whiz bang at math,
But for him education was leading,
Straight down a pretty good path.
He didn't find school too exciting,
But he wanted to do pretty well,
And he did have some trouble with writing,
And nobody taught him to spell.
When doing arithmetic problems,
Pretty good was regarded as fine,
Five plus five needn't always add up to be ten,
A pretty good answer was nine.
The pretty good school that he went to,
Was there in a pretty good town,
And nobody there seemed to notice,
He couldn't tell a verb from a noun.
The pretty good student in fact was,
Part of a pretty good mob,
And the first time he knew what he lacked was,
When he looked for a pretty good job.
It was then, when he sought a position,
He discovered that life could be tough,
And he soon had a sneaking suspicion,
Pretty good might not be good enough.
The pretty good town in our story,
Was part of a pretty good state,
Which had pretty good aspirations,
and prayed for a pretty good fate.
There once was a pretty good nation,
Pretty proud of the greatest it had,
Which learned much too late,
If you want to be great,
Pretty good is, in fact pretty bad.
There once was a pretty good student
Who sat in a pretty good class,
And was taught by a pretty good teacher
Who always let pretty good pass.
He wasn't terrific at reading,
He wasn't a whiz bang at math,
But for him education was leading,
Straight down a pretty good path.
He didn't find school too exciting,
But he wanted to do pretty well,
And he did have some trouble with writing,
And nobody taught him to spell.
When doing arithmetic problems,
Pretty good was regarded as fine,
Five plus five needn't always add up to be ten,
A pretty good answer was nine.
The pretty good school that he went to,
Was there in a pretty good town,
And nobody there seemed to notice,
He couldn't tell a verb from a noun.
The pretty good student in fact was,
Part of a pretty good mob,
And the first time he knew what he lacked was,
When he looked for a pretty good job.
It was then, when he sought a position,
He discovered that life could be tough,
And he soon had a sneaking suspicion,
Pretty good might not be good enough.
The pretty good town in our story,
Was part of a pretty good state,
Which had pretty good aspirations,
and prayed for a pretty good fate.
There once was a pretty good nation,
Pretty proud of the greatest it had,
Which learned much too late,
If you want to be great,
Pretty good is, in fact pretty bad.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Next Week @BAC
Nov. 16 MS GBBall @ BAC ; BBBall @ EEAC; School Board meeting 6:00@BAC Library
17 MS BBBall Pictures @ 3:30; MS WR Pictures 4:15 @ HS; BAC PTO rescheduled meeting @ 7:00
18 Mr. R to Mahaska Tech meeting: Early out; PD @ EEAC 1:30
19 First BBall games; 7/8 GBBall @ Albia; BBBall @ home vs. Albia
20 End of 1st Trimester in Elementary; Elegigility due; MS ETS 8th grade 7th perios; 7th grade 8th period
17 MS BBBall Pictures @ 3:30; MS WR Pictures 4:15 @ HS; BAC PTO rescheduled meeting @ 7:00
18 Mr. R to Mahaska Tech meeting: Early out; PD @ EEAC 1:30
19 First BBall games; 7/8 GBBall @ Albia; BBBall @ home vs. Albia
20 End of 1st Trimester in Elementary; Elegigility due; MS ETS 8th grade 7th perios; 7th grade 8th period
Monday, November 9, 2009
What a Weekend!!!
The sun is out, the sky is blue, it's beautiful, and so are you. Dear Prudance, won't you come out and play.
How nice was this past weekend, and three days at that. I even got out and played a little golf, although not my best. But, it sounds like our Mock Trial team did their best on Saturday. They are going on to the state competition again for the second year. Congratulations!!!!!
We have had our share of sickness in the past couple of weeks. I hope the worst is past, but remember if you are sick, please take the time off. We need you here doing that thing you do, but we also what you well.
It looks like we had a good turn out for our first Parent Teacher Conferences. Make sure you turn in your numbers to Conne.
Veterains Day is this week, let's remember those who serve to keep us safe.
How nice was this past weekend, and three days at that. I even got out and played a little golf, although not my best. But, it sounds like our Mock Trial team did their best on Saturday. They are going on to the state competition again for the second year. Congratulations!!!!!
We have had our share of sickness in the past couple of weeks. I hope the worst is past, but remember if you are sick, please take the time off. We need you here doing that thing you do, but we also what you well.
It looks like we had a good turn out for our first Parent Teacher Conferences. Make sure you turn in your numbers to Conne.
Veterains Day is this week, let's remember those who serve to keep us safe.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Next week at BAC
Nov. 10 Early out schedule for MS/community clean up in the afternoon; PTO meeting @ 7:00 ; MS girls BBall pratice at EEAC/boys @ BAC
11 Veteran's Day; MS band to preform at City Park @ 9:00; sixth grade class to participate in flag raising at City Park; all elementary classes invited to attend.; MS girls BBall pratice in back gym @ HS/boys @ BAC
13 Mr. R to admin meeting in AM
11 Veteran's Day; MS band to preform at City Park @ 9:00; sixth grade class to participate in flag raising at City Park; all elementary classes invited to attend.; MS girls BBall pratice in back gym @ HS/boys @ BAC
13 Mr. R to admin meeting in AM
Friday, October 30, 2009
Should our students be Writing their own Tests
Could our students be using tests as learning tools as well as assessments? For years schools have given tests to students to assess what has been taught. Students study, take the test and forget it. The information regurgatated for the test was useful to that student only for a short time. They get good grades, but are they learning anything. I'll use my loving wife for an example. She was always a good student. Honor roll, top of the her class. I on the other hand never made the honor roll, I don't even know where I was in the standings at graduation. And didn't really care. But, most of what I learned, I can still remember today. She on the other hand can not.
Some of our students are very good at What and When questions. But the Why somehow eludes them. Others, can explain why something happens, they can see the relationships among the facts and understand how the facts had become facts.
Most tests our students are given are what and when tests. They don't give the "why" student the chance to shine.
Maybe we should start having our students write the tests. They would reflect what the students learned and could be a cooperative experience for the students. Grouped students would write questions that would reflect their learning style. Everyone would be able to show what they learned. They could act as learning tools as well as ways to give grades.
Some of our students are very good at What and When questions. But the Why somehow eludes them. Others, can explain why something happens, they can see the relationships among the facts and understand how the facts had become facts.
Most tests our students are given are what and when tests. They don't give the "why" student the chance to shine.
Maybe we should start having our students write the tests. They would reflect what the students learned and could be a cooperative experience for the students. Grouped students would write questions that would reflect their learning style. Everyone would be able to show what they learned. They could act as learning tools as well as ways to give grades.
Next Week at BAC
Nov. 2 MS BBall Practice Starts: girls @ EEAC; no boys ; 5/6 BBall clinic @ HS 3:30-5:00; HS football at West Branch @ 7:00 GO ROCKETS
3 Early Dismissal/ P.D. 1-4/ PT Conferenc 4-8 No MS pratice
5 Early Dismissal/ P.D. 1-4/ PT Conferenc 4-8 No MS pratice
6 NO SCHOOL
3 Early Dismissal/ P.D. 1-4/ PT Conferenc 4-8 No MS pratice
5 Early Dismissal/ P.D. 1-4/ PT Conferenc 4-8 No MS pratice
6 NO SCHOOL
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wed. Oct. 28 P.D. 1-3
Technology in the classroom
Please share/collaborate with a colleague
Make a list of questions or concerns regarding technology. We will do our best to address those at the next meeting.
Please share/collaborate with a colleague
Make a list of questions or concerns regarding technology. We will do our best to address those at the next meeting.
Let's look at Homework
I know most of you assign homework for your students. I did almost everyday when I taught. It was always a good way to have the students pratice the lessons we learned that day. But, was that home work always fair for all my students. I realize now that it may not have been. According to (Rothstein, 2004), middle-and upper-class parents are more likely than lower-class parnets to help with homework. When lower-class children are unabel to complete homework because of family or economic conditions, teachers run the risk of unfairly punishing those children for factors beyond their control.
What if the way teachers use homework worsened the achievement gap between rich and poor students? Would that cause us to consider homework more carefully? When assigning homework, the following advice should be followed. (Payne, 2008)
We might want to think about who we are teaching, and where these families are financially, before making homework decisions.
What if the way teachers use homework worsened the achievement gap between rich and poor students? Would that cause us to consider homework more carefully? When assigning homework, the following advice should be followed. (Payne, 2008)
- Do not assume the child has a quiet place to do homework.
- Do not assume the child has a parent home in the evening.
- Do not assume the child's parents speak and read English.
- Do not assume the family has money for school supplies.
- Do not asume the child has access to materials such as paper, a pencil sharpener, scissors, glue, magazines, or a calculator.
- Do not assume the child has access to a comupter or the Internet.
We might want to think about who we are teaching, and where these families are financially, before making homework decisions.
This Week at BAC
This is Red Ribbon week!!!!
Oct. 26 Begin 2nd Quarter in MS
28 Early out because of HS football
29 Late start
30 Halloween Dance in MS/ Party time in Elementary
Oct. 26 Begin 2nd Quarter in MS
28 Early out because of HS football
29 Late start
30 Halloween Dance in MS/ Party time in Elementary
Monday, October 19, 2009
Getting Bugged???
Well, the Japanese beetles are on the move again. It won't me long before the Boxelder bugs are joining them in an all out invasion of my house. Every year they seem to take up residance on my front poarch. I wouldn't mind that so much if they would just stay there and not invite themselves into the house.
Don't get these beetles mixed up with Ladybugs. I made that mistake a couple of years ago when my grandson said "These ladybugs are biting me!" Of course grandpa said, "Don't me silly, ladybugs don't bite." and placed another one on his arm. He yelled, and there was a red spot on his arm. Ladybugs don't bite. Japanese beetles do. Nothing else to the story. Just another bug moving in only there is no shot for this one.
Don't get these beetles mixed up with Ladybugs. I made that mistake a couple of years ago when my grandson said "These ladybugs are biting me!" Of course grandpa said, "Don't me silly, ladybugs don't bite." and placed another one on his arm. He yelled, and there was a red spot on his arm. Ladybugs don't bite. Japanese beetles do. Nothing else to the story. Just another bug moving in only there is no shot for this one.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
First things first............. Congratulation Mrs. Ocampo!!!!!!!!! What a great wedding. I even got to go visit with my grand kids afterwards. Can't get much better then that.
As I am sure you are all aware, the H1N1 flu is making an apperance in our district. We have, as most districts, made changes in our policy regarding absentisim. Doctors are not wanting people to come to their offices with flu symptoms. They are asking that people stay home, away from the public for ten days. Therefore we have eaised up on our policy in reguards students that are missing classes. We will not be closing any buildings unless we are missing staff members in numbers that we cannot cover. If that happens, we will evaluate the situation and make changes. As the T.V. ad says. STAY WELL SOON!!!!
As I am sure you are all aware, the H1N1 flu is making an apperance in our district. We have, as most districts, made changes in our policy regarding absentisim. Doctors are not wanting people to come to their offices with flu symptoms. They are asking that people stay home, away from the public for ten days. Therefore we have eaised up on our policy in reguards students that are missing classes. We will not be closing any buildings unless we are missing staff members in numbers that we cannot cover. If that happens, we will evaluate the situation and make changes. As the T.V. ad says. STAY WELL SOON!!!!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Can you believe we are already more than a month into this school year. Every year seems to move faster and faster. Or maybe I’m moving slower and slower. It’s already the second week of October and I haven’t been drug to the mall to start Christmas shopping yet. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Christmas season. It just feels like Hallogivingmas gets here sooner each year.
I want to thank everyone for making things run so smoothly this first month of the year. I know it’s the most hectic month of the year for teachers, but you all make it look so easy.
Remember, the next couple of months can be very exciting for kids. They can also be very depressing for some people. Keep smiling and doing what you do best. Caring for each other.
I want to thank everyone for making things run so smoothly this first month of the year. I know it’s the most hectic month of the year for teachers, but you all make it look so easy.
Remember, the next couple of months can be very exciting for kids. They can also be very depressing for some people. Keep smiling and doing what you do best. Caring for each other.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
This is the first time that this blog has been up. I will try to keep it updated each week. I am the Principal at Eddyville-Blakesburg Middle School in Blakesburg Iowa and have been sending out weekly news messages to my teachers. Each week the message containes information about what is happening that week, as well as issues in education that may be important to them.
I am proud to annouonce that all most all of the teachers in my two buildings are using the new Promethian boards that we placed into their classrooms earlier this year. Our students are coming into the techno world.
This week is our Homecoming week for our High School Football team. Go Rockets!!!:)
I am proud to annouonce that all most all of the teachers in my two buildings are using the new Promethian boards that we placed into their classrooms earlier this year. Our students are coming into the techno world.
This week is our Homecoming week for our High School Football team. Go Rockets!!!:)
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