Thursday, February 14, 2013

Wow - that week went fast! 
We haven't had to put in too many five day work weeks this year. 
Here are some things to note for next week:

• Re-teach Lining Up Expectations from the matrix
• Hawks Ticket reward will be an extra recess - similar to the old Green Recess.  Wednesday the winners can come out at 1:45 prepared to go home.  I could use some extra assistance with monitoring.
• Leadership End of Year Presentation Planning meeting, Tuesday @ 3p.m.
• Rhonda will begin the IELA testing with ELL students
• Milkshakes will be purchased for students who have reached 100 points in AR this year.  Submit names to Yvonne.
• Friday - after school, Nicole Flores will have personal safety equipment on display in the library.  All proceeds will go to benefit the research foundation for the heart condition her daughter died as a result of in December.  I personally purchased the mace canisters as a running partner.  No obligation, but feel free to stop by.
• Friday - is Blue Jean Friday

At our PAC meeting on Tuesday night we made a slight change in the carnival basket procedures.  This year - all proceeds from your class basket can go right back into your classroom needs.  So if your basket raises $50 or $200, you can spend that amount on books, technology, iPad apps, art supplies, chair pockets, rug, book shelves, etc. whatever you need.  So start picking your theme and encouraging families to get involved.  I can share the concept with newbies on Tuesday morning. Email me your theme as soon as you decide.  Here are some tips from past experience to consider when selecting your theme:

• Adult themed baskets go at a higher price - Mother's Day, Father's Day, Gardening, Fishing, Camping, Cooking....
• Kid themes do not sell well - I think they have just purchased lots of game tickets and don't invest lots in kids toys or movie baskets.
• The pet basket went best after a cute little puppy was added at the last minute.  Who could turn down those puppy eyes?
• Original Themes (first come first serve) add variety or add competition - Bronco v Vandals, one chocolate rather than two.  If there are two, they save their bidding to buy the next one rather than feeling the sense of urgency.
• Get buy in from families - encourage them to get grandpa to bid on their class basket.

Food for thought.  The incident in the article from the link below is a good reminder for all of us. iCloud could of been the reason for this. We do not want to allow iCloud on teacher iPads due to the fact that personal information could end up on the iPads.  We discourage staff from using iCloud.

http://digitallife.today.com/_news/2012/10/19/14560717-topless-teacher-on-school-ipad-say-students-but-district-says-no?lite

Middleton will be running a plant facilities levy in March to continue the same funding we have had for the past ten years.  This money covers upgrades and repairs.  If you consider that building square footage has increased significantly in the past ten years it is surprising that we are only asking for a continued funding and not a tax increase.  If you live in the Middleton School District boundaries, you are eligible to vote on March 12th.  Voters can avoid election day lines by requesting an absentee ballot to be mailed to you for each election that you mark.  So completing it once a year with all the boxes checked you will get all the ballots mailed to your home.   I did this last year, and was glad that I could vote from home while reading about each issue during my available hours or days.  I will post the absentee request link in the side bar.  Remember, if you moved or married this year you will need to update your voter registration.  Lisa has cards in the office to assist.  These absentee ballots and voter registration cards work for all of Canyon County elections.