Friday Focus #18: 1.11.13

Just a couple of quick updates...

Don't forget, we have parent - teacher conferences on Wednesday from 4:30 - 7 PM.


Scheduling
Its that time of year again... time to start thinking about scheduling again!  Every year, I ask the teaching staff to complete a 'Scheduling Worksheet' that helps us plan in the scheduling process.  I would ask that every teacher fill this out by next Friday, January 18.  You will need to log in with your Celina Schools Google account to gain access to the survey.  Here is the link: http://goo.gl/eB6HI.


Tech Tuesday -- The Tri Star Series
Our focus for the next several Tech Tuesday's will be a preview of the Tri Star programs available to our students.  While many of us know what Tri Star is about and maybe even what programs are offered, few of us have met the teachers and heard first hand what the programs involve.  This Tech Tuesday series will offer us an inside look at the programs, an opportunity to hear directly from the teachers, and a chance to ask questions about the type of students that are ideal for the program.

Last week's sessions were very informative.  Please consider attending to learn more about our career tech programs!

Each day will involve a different morning and afternoon session and will take place in room 119.  Attendance will result in CEUs!  So far, we have scheduled these sessions (and we are working on more):

January 15
AM   Jon Clouse -- Engineering

January 22
AM   Jim Dorsten -- Automotive
PM    Warren Gregor -- Construction


happy birthday
1/9      Chris Sutter
1/17    Carol Bader

Friday Focus #12: 11.9.12

"Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them."

~ Aristotle

I hope everyone enjoyed the day off yesterday...  heard a lot of people say this morning that they felt rested and got a lot done yesterday!   Hopefully you had a chance to attend the Fall Play last week and/or will have an opportunity to see the choir performance this weekend.  These productions are truly a great reminder of the reason we all went into education -- KIDS!  Despite the headaches we encounter at times, we really do have a great job.  While difficult sometimes to see the direct impact we have on students day-to-day, what we do in the classroom and beyond for our students really is IMPORTANT!   An Evening of Motown Tickets are still available for the Choir Production for tonight @ 8 PM and Saturday @ 7 PM.  Presale tickets are $5 (email Cricket) or purchase at the door for $8.  We hope you will be able to come out and enjoy the music of the Temptations, Supremes, Jackson 5, and other wonderful Motown artists!   End of Trimester Info Exam Info For the Exam Schedule, look under the 'Schedules' tab at the top of the page.  You can refer students to the 'schedules' tab on www.CHSBulldogNews.org. If you have SENIOR TRI STAR STUDENTS 3rd period... they will take their exam on THURSDAY right after the conclusion of the shortened 3rd period.  We will proctor those exams in the office/lecture hall if you are unable to proctor them in your classroom.  Please send them down to us AHEAD of time! Students MUST be here during exams.  Students are NOT allowed to leave during intervention periods (or any other period).  Please have your students eat lunch at YOUR normally scheduled time.  On Friday, we eat during 3rd period... be sure to tell your students in advance what lunch YOU eat.   Grade Reporting Info If you believe a student might fail your course, please send the name via email to Wendy AND Lynne ASAP and no later than 2 PM on Friday, Nov. 16.  This will allow them to begin re-working schedules.  Grades are due by 9 AM on Monday, November 19th.   Special Ed Info It’s Progress Report time again!!! I know that you’re ecstatic and can hardly contain yourself!! So, here are a few dates to keep in mind: Red Progress Report folders will be distributed to all teachers Monday, November 12, 2012. We ask that Red Progress Report folders are returned to the clear bins on the side of the mailboxes by 7:25 A.M., Tuesday, November 20, 2012 so we can redistribute them to the Special Education Teachers. Please return the Blue Acura Folders to Renee/Jared anytime on/before Friday, November 16, 2012! Don’t worry about throwing any of the paperwork away, we will go through them and shred everything for confidentiality purposes! We are hoping to have the new 2nd Trimester "IEP at a Glances" out to the teachers by the end of the day Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Please check to see if students have the PASS/FAIL accommodation and be sure to communicate with the teacher who holds the IEP whether or not it is applicable for the student. Attendance Info Donna has a file in the Attendance folder on the Public Share Drive titled "1st Tri - 8 or more absences".  Please refer to this to determine if a student is 'over' on attendance.  Remember, our policy states that students do not get credit for days they are absent after 7 in a trimester.   Also find the file 'Attendance Updates' to see any changes that have been made to absence types.   Thank Donna for keeping such great records! Tech Tuesday No Tech Tuesdays until December 4th.   Calendar of Events Remember that Calendar Info can be found on the right hand sidebar of the blog... updated regularly... HAPPY BIRTHDAY 11/11   Michelle Voress

Updates

Tech Tuesday
Just a reminder to everyone that Tech Tuesday tomorrow will be "Socrative: a smart student response system that empowers teachers to engage their classrooms through a series of educational exercises and games via smartphones, laptops, and tablets".  John Higgins will be leading this discussion.  Socrative is being used at the middle school and from first glance, appears to be a great piece of technology. Consider attending!

Department Chairs
Unfortunately, I just found out I have to participate in the ODE special ed on-site review interviews for administrators, which will be taking place on Wednesday during our department chair time slot.  I will have to reschedule.  I would really like to get this in this week... so, let's try Tuesday.  I will try to keep the meeting to 30 minutes!  Let me know if you can't make it. 



Friday Focus
If you haven't had a chance to read last week's Friday Focus, I encourage you to do so now... well worth the time it will take!
http://goo.gl/Dj0mi

Friday Focus #7: 10.5.12

“Good teaching is more a giving of right questions than a giving of right answers."

Josef Albers

Levy Signs
There are levy yard signs (and wires) in the office across from the mailboxes in the office.  If you live in the district, please consider placing a sign in your yard!


Faculty Meeting
JUST A REMINDER -- We will have a 20 minute faculty meeting on Wednesday 10/10 @ 7 AM in the lecture hall to go over some of the evaluation documents and procedures.  This will be very informal and maybe informational!  You can find those documents on the staff blog under the tab 'Documents'.


Tech Tuesday
Next week's Tech Tuesday will be VOKI: Voki enables users to express themselves on the web in their own voice using a talking character. You can customize your Voki to look like you or take on the identity of lots of other types of characters… animals, monsters, anime etc.  Carol Bader & Chris Sutter will be leading this session in room 118 on Tuesday morning and afternoon.

Also, don't forget that you can request or offer to present a Tech Tuesday topic here or you can see upcoming topics here.   These links can ALWAYS be found under the Tech Tuesday tab at the top of the blog.



Study Tables
Please send Phil an email if you are interested in working study tables or if you have questions. 

FROM LAST WEEK: 

We have secured funding for a limited amount of study tables.  We will begin ASAP... the times will be from 2:30 - 3:00 PM Monday through Thursday and from 7 - 8 PM on Thursday evening.  Study tables will be hosted in the Media Center.  We would ask that teachers in charge keep a sign-in sheet so we can track attendance.  In addition, based on attendance and need, we can add time as we see a need (i.e., we can extend 30 minutes if necessary).  

Kyle Maynard Assembly
On October 9th, we have the distinct privilege of hearing from motivational speaker Kyle Maynard.  This assembly will begin at 8:30 AM and will last for approximately one hour.  For this assembly, we will be placing chairs on the gym floor (like we did for Rachel's Challenge two years ago) so that ALL students and staff can sit.  We would ask that everyone attend this powerful assembly.  The schedule can be found under the 'Schedules' tab at the top of the page (Special Assembly Schedule).


Parent-Teacher Conferences
As a reminder, we DO NOT NEED the hard copy of the parent-teacher conference log sheet -- just log your conferences under the 'PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE' tab at the top of the blog.  If you turned in your hard copy and need it back, please let me know.


Calendar of Events
Remember that Calendar Info can be found on the right hand sidebar of the blog... updated regularly...



Happy Birthday
10/10    Connie Opperman
10/11    Jason Andrew
10/12    Kim Koesters

Friday Focus #5: 9.21.12

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." 

John Wooden

What a great week this has been...   you really can feel the excitement in the air -- especially today.  Thanks for helping to make this a special week for our students and our athletic teams.




Building Goals Follow-Up
Please make sure you read the follow-up post from the building goals meetings and complete the survey.  Here is a link to the post and the survey: http://goo.gl/qUkm1
If you are still unable to log into your Celinaschools Google account, please email Sheila Baltzell.



FIP Reminder
Don't forget to complete your FIP module BEFORE Wednesday 9/26.  For help with logging in and finding the module, use the eyes on the right.



Faculty Meeting
We will have a 20 minute faculty meeting on Wednesday 9/26 @ 7 AM in the lecture hall.  This is the 2-hour delay day...  the meeting is separate from the inservice activities.  We will be hearing from Kevin Mast regarding the ALICE training for lock-downs.



Advisory
Please remember to issue passes BEFORE activities that take place during advisory.  Also, please try to help us limit the amount of hall traffic during advisory!



Tech Tuesday
Next week's Tech Tuesday will be 'Remind 101': an easy and free way to remind your students about important classroom activities in a format that suits them!  Come listen to Ashley Lefeld show you how to use the service and what she has used it for in her own classroom.  Room 119 on Tuesday!



Upcoming Assembly
On October 9th, we have the distinct privilege of hearing from motivational speaker Kyle Maynard.  More on the schedule and format, but here is a video to give you a little preview:








Calendar of Events
Remember that Calendar Info can be found on the right hand sidebar of the blog... updated regularly...



Happy Birthday
7/23   Ryan Parrish

Friday Focus #3: 9.7.12

"I touch the future.  I teach."  

Christa McAuliffe

What a long short week it was last week!  Not sure how you all felt, but I felt like there were two Mondays last week...  turns out there were none!  Hard to get in a groove in a week like that!
But, today is Monday and we have a fresh start to a new week.
I know the Friday Focus is late, but.... better late than never!  I don't have a great deal of info to include this morning, but here are some items of note...

Project Wisdom
This month's theme for PW announcements is: Respecting Ourselves and Others.  If you haven't recorded your PW, please consider stopping down soon or scheduling a time with Kassie to record.
Also, if you have a student or ANYONE else in mind that would be good for a PW, please let us know. It is nice to have a wide range of participants!
If you are a coach or activity advisor... please have your captains and/or seniors record an announcement before your season is over.   Consider taking the camera to the practice field or just have the students come to the office.


FIP
Don't forget to login to the FIP website and watch the first module.  Print your certificate at the end and give it to Kelly Black or Kim Uhlenhake.  This should be completed by September 26th (2-hour delay inservice).


AAA Inspections
AAA will be here on Thursday doing student vehicle maintenance inspections.  Please encourage your students with vehicles during advisory to sign up for an appointment.  If they have their car inspected, they get a free lunch and a chance to win prizes.  Inspections are during lunch and advisory. Sign up is in the office with Kassie.


Tech Tuesday
This week's Tech Tuesday will feature the Classroom Management software found on the FRESHMEN netbooks.  This was requested by several teachers and will be led by Keith Gudorf.  We will meet in room 119 at 7 AM or 2:30 PM.  Consider attending one....  especially if you are using the FRESHMEN netbooks in your classroom.


Calendar of Events
Remember that Calendar Info can be found on the right hand sidebar of the blog... updated regularly...



Happy Birthday
none

Friday Focus #2: 8.31.12

The start of this school year has been a very positive one so far.  Thanks to everyone for helping make the beginning of this year positive!  I continue to see good energy and attitude from students and staff alike!

I was just discussing our 'expectations of students' with a couple of different groups over the last few days.  Our conversation centered around the idea that students will live up to the expectations that are set for them.  These expectations might come from home, school, or both.
Our students will live up to those expectations set before them...  Why not expect the best.  Set the bar high... because if we don't, who will?  We must know that 4 years... or 10 years... or 20 years... from now, WE HAVE DONE ALL WE CAN for the students.
And through everything you do... in your classroom, in your planning, in your test creation, in your conversations at lunch, in your reflection of the day's lesson... remember that we must do what is best for the students!
I know you all work hard to ensure we offer the best we can... KEEP IT UP!
I said to the parents at Open House on Wednesday night that we take a lot of pride in our school and we have confidence that we have a great system with great teachers to offer their son or daughter.  I meant every word of it!
Keep up the great work!

Below of some items of information:

Netbooks
Distribution went well... we should have just over 400 students walking our halls with netbooks now.  Hopefully everyone is finding ways to implement the netbooks into the classroom.  Here are some things I have seen this week:

• Students looking up their grades and assignments on Progressbook
• Students doing presentations of a project they completed completely on their netbooks
• Students completing an assignment in class using the online textbook

If you have had students with netbooks in your classroom, please post to the comment section something you have used the netbooks for in your classroom...

Walkthroughs
As some of you have noticed, I have begun doing 'walkthrough' visits in classrooms and will continue this practice as much as my schedule allows.  You will notice I am on my iPhone while in your room.  I am only making notes about my visit in regard to time, name, and location as well as anything I might wish to discuss or remember at some point in time with the teacher.  I hope to give written notes on some occasions that may include reflective questions, but I will not ALWAYS be able to give written feedback!  If you wish to discuss my visit to your room or to see my notes, feel free to let me know!  I enjoy this part of my job and hope to make it a more regular habit.



Tech Tuesday
Remember that Tech Tuesdays will begin on September 4th.  Click on the tab at the top of the page to find the calendar and to request a topic or offer to present for Tech Tuesday.  Please share your knowledge with your colleagues!

Next Week's TT Topic: Getting Started with FIP modules, with K. Uhlenhake & K. Black, ROOM 118

Calendar of Events
Remember that Calendar Info can be found on the right hand sidebar of the blog... updated regularly...



Happy Birthday
9/7    Lisa Sorrell

Friday Focus #1: 8.24.12

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." 

Albert Einstein

It's been a great FIRST week of the school year.  The positive energy and attitude in the building makes me excited for a new year.  Keep up that energy and attitude as we go on through the year and I am certain this will be a good one!
Thanks also for your patience as we continue to hold class meetings and have other various interruptions.

It was great to see the Cheerleaders & Band as they marched the hallways this morning.  Thanks to everyone for getting your kids into the hallways to support those students.  School Spirit has such a direct impact on our school culture... it helps us create a close knit community, bonding us together as we celebrate our school.  This truly can make a difference in the classroom when students are excited to come to school in the morning!


ACT Scores
The ACT score report was released earlier this week...  CONGRATS to all of you on a job well done!  We increased our average score from the previous year in all 4 areas (English, Math, Reading, and Science) and on the composite score.  In English and Reading, we had our highest score in 5 years and in Math, we had our highest score in 4 years.  This truly is a testament to a job well done in the classroom.  KEEP IT UP!


Open House
Don't forget that Open House is next Wednesday from 6:30 - 7:30 PM.  Parents will follow their child's schedule.  Class periods will begin at 6:45 and will last 5 minutes each.  Please post an idea or something you do in your classroom during Open House to the comment section below...


Pep Assembly

Remember... pep assembly schedule today!  Please only release your students AFTER we call the students down!  You will have announcements to play first...


Netbooks
All Freshmen should have netbooks by the end of the day today -- as long as they have turned in their contract.

Sophomore netbook distribution will take place on Wednesday 8/29 during advisory.  If you are a sophomore advisory teacher, you should have distributed netbook contracts to your students earlier this week.  Please plan to come to the lecture hall on Wednesday with your students and help in the distribution process.  Remind the students that if they don't turn in the contract, they won't receive their netbook.

AUP's & Emergency Med
Students should be turning in their AUP (front page in the handbook) and Emergency Medical form to their advisory teacher.  Please remind your advisory class of this and ask them to have them in by next Wednesday.


Tech Tuesday
Remember that Tech Tuesdays will begin on September 4th.  Click on the tab at the top of the page to find the calendar and to request a topic or offer to present for Tech Tuesday.  Please share your knowledge with your colleagues!




Calendar of Events
Remember that Calendar Info can be found on the right hand sidebar of the blog... updated regularly...



Happy Birthday
8/30    Derek Wenning

CHS Opening Day 2012

For those of you that like to have a paper copy of the agenda: http://goo.gl/hyBJv 

Important info from our Opening Day meeting (this will be updated later as well):

CHS Opening Day Meeting 2012 Agenda

• New Staff Intros

• Special Ed News & Notes

• Guidance News & Notes

• Handbook, Discipline, Attendance & all that fun stuff

• Frosh Orientation
• Teacher intros @ 8:30 AM
• Mini-schedule from 11 - 12 noon


• copy of Frosh Orientation schedule:  http://goo.gl/oJYmC




• Class Meetings: 
• 9th -- Wednesday
• 10th -- Thursday
• 11th -- Friday (last 15 minutes of 5th p.)
• 12th -- 7:45 AM (w/ picture?)




• Open House -- 6:30 - 7:30 PM on Wednesday 8/29
• Schedule: http://goo.gl/wtESz 




• Tech Tuesday: 
• List:  http://goo.gl/jfL14
• Request:  http://goo.gl/oVQ48 

• FIP with Kim & Kelly

• Then, Now, & the Future

Friday Focus #27: 4.13.12

Imagination Library
Imagination Library is a national program sponsored by Dolly Parton that sends books to children once a month through the age of 5.  A local initiative of the Imagination Library was started a couple of years ago by a couple of teachers at East Elementary (Renee Kramer was one of those teachers).  They are always looking to raise funds to help support the program.
Next Friday, we will donate our Jeans Day money to the Celina Imagination Library.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please make a check out to the Mercer County Civic Foundation with Imagination Library in the memo.

Service Learning Day Info

• Faculty Meeting
• We will have a meeting on Wednesday, April 25th at 7 AM in the Lecture Hall to review Service Learning Day information and distribute group assignments and info.  Please plan to attend this important meeting.  

• Garage Sale
• As a reminder, we are accepting items for the garage sale.  Bring your stuff to the office!

• Car Wash
• We are also doing the annual car wash as a fundraiser for the American Red Cross.  During the car wash, we are always in need of extra towels.  If you have any old towels at home that you would like to donate, please bring those to the office. 

Justin Hoffman

If you read Mr. Miller's email Thursday morning, you already know that Justin Hoffman was the Mercer County Franklin B. Walter award winner this year.  This marks the 2nd year in a row a Celina student has received this award.  This is truly a testament to the quality of education in Celina.  Congrats to all of you...  KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!




Tech Tuesday

The future of Technology @ CHS is an important topic and one that bears a serious discussion!  Join us Tuesday, April 24th before and after school for Tech Tuesday: Preparing for the Future @ CHS... an open forum discussion on the future of technology at CHS.  


This will be an 'informal' discussion with a short agenda... one item on the agenda will be a discussion of the new Freshmen Computer Apps course that ALL freshmen will be taking during 1st trimester.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

4/20     Jana Hopf

Upcoming Events

4/13     Promenade @ 5:30 PM, Fieldhouse
           Prom @ Romers following Promenade
4/14     ACT
4/20     CHS Spring Musical, 8 PM
4/21     CHS Spring Musical, 8 PM
4/22     CHS Spring Musical, 3 PM

4/25     Faculty Meeting, 7 AM, Lecture Hall
4/27     SERVICE LEARNING DAY
           CHS Spring Musical, 8 PM
4/28     CHS Spring Musical, 8 PM
4/29     ART SHOW, 2 PM, HS Gym 
           CHS Spring Musical, 3 PM

Friday Focus #18: 1.20.12

Trimesters...
If you haven't already heard the news, St. Marys high school (our beloved neighbor and rival) has made the decision to change their schedule to the trimester schedule.  This is a very quick decision and they are hoping to implement the change in time for next school year.  They have not followed the same process we did to arrive at their decision...  and they have a limited time frame to gear up for the transition.  They have seen the value in the alternative schedule and are gearing up for the switch.

I have been in conversation with their principal, Dave Lewis, about the change.  They are very interested in visiting our building and learning more about how the trimester schedule works from all angles.  I am sure they will want to talk with our teachers to learn more about adjusting the curriculum and adjusting to the longer periods.  I will keep you informed of any visits or help they may need...  just wanted to give you all an early heads up!

Technology
Celina City Schools  has been chosen to present at a regional summit held at Wright State University Lake Campus with area leaders, businessmen, and politicians about our use of technology and how it is changing how we educate our students.  Each grade band (elementary, middle, and high) are working on a short presentation showcasing our technology.  I am working on our portion of the presentation and would like to make it student-driven.  Right now, I would like to develop a list of some of the technology tools that are student centered that we are using in the classroom right now on a regular basis (i.e. graphing calculators, movie maker, glogster).  If you use something technology based, please complete the form found at the end of this post.  We will be using this to feature technology used with our students!

Scheduling Time...
Don't forget to fill out the Teacher Scheduling Worksheet by the end of the day TODAY!

If you have any ideas about changes or new course offerings, see your department chair soon OR Jason very soon!

Tech Tuesday
Next week, Sheila Baltzell will be leading a session on SIRS, Social Issues Resources Series.  This is an online research service (we purchase it) that many of our students already use. 

It has a really wonderful Pro and Con format that helps students see both sides of any given issue/topic. 

Searches return quality articles from: magazines; journals; newspapers; websites; images; editorials; encyclopedias; and blogs.

Remember, Tech Tuesdays are from 7 - 7:20 AM and 2:30 - 2:50 PM in room 117.  We are always looking for volunteers!

Service Learning Day Update


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!  ENJOY THE SNOW!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

none...

Upcoming Events

1/20     Pep Assembly
1/20     Teacher Scheduling Worksheet due


_______________________________________________________________________

Friday Focus #17: 1.17.12

Scheduling Time...
That's right, its time to begin the scheduling process for next school year, already.  The first step in this process is to collect information from teachers about scheduling preferences for the 2012-2013 school year.  Please fill out the Teacher Scheduling Worksheet by the end of the day on Friday to help us in the schedule building process.

Also, please be aware that department chairs will be in the process of finalizing course offerings and descriptions over the course of the next month.  If you have any ideas about changes or new course offerings, see your department chair soon!



Don't forget to post your New Year's Resolutions on last week's Friday Focus comment section if you haven't done so already!


Tech Tuesday
No Tech Tuesday this week...

Next week, Sheila Baltzell will be leading a session on SIRS, Social Issues Resources Series.  This is an online research service (we purchase it) that many of our students already use. 

It has a really wonderful Pro and Con format that helps students see both sides of any given issue/topic. 

Searches return quality articles from: magazines; journals; newspapers; websites; images; editorials; encyclopedias; and blogs.

Remember, Tech Tuesdays are from 7 - 7:20 AM and 2:30 - 2:50 PM in room 117.  We are always looking for volunteers!

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Remember that Parent-Teacher conferences (Round 2) will be TOMORROW NIGHT from 4:30 - 7:00 PM.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

1/17      Carol Bader
1/20      Craig Broering

Upcoming Events

1/18     Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:30 - 7 PM
1/20     Teacher Scheduling Worksheet due

Tech Tuesday -- eBooks

*****  REMINDER *****


New eBooks on the Celina High School Card Catalog

Sheila Baltzell will be showing staff how to:

• create a user account
• search for the 44 new ebooks
• read online
• check-out
• read from your online device
• check-in 

Friday Focus #13: 12-9-11

On Wednesday, December 14th, we will be administering a survey to all students during advisory after announcements.  The surveys will be in your mailbox later today.  Instructions can be found by clicking here.

Parent-Teacher conferences for 2nd trimester are (believe it or not) right around the corner -- JANUARY 18TH from 4:30 - 7:00 PM.  Conference cards will be distributed soon.  Instructions can be found here.

In case you didn't notice, we now have a green screen.  Essentially, this allows us to place any image or video in the background of a recording video or image taken in front of the green screen.  I have one license for software that we are using in the office for announcements and we are working on finding another program so others can use the screen.  If you want to learn more or you think you have an idea for using the green screen, see Jason.  The guidance conference room is the 'green room'.

We are always in need of readers for the Words of Wisdom.  Please see Megan if you would like to record one or if you know of someone that would be good to feature on Words of Wisdom (we are always looking  for any staff member, alumni, community member, famous person, etc.)!

Every teacher needs to begin to become familiar with the new Common Core Standards.  Curt Shellebarger (Curriculum Director) recently sent out an all-staff email with instructions for finding subject specific standards.  In case you lost that email, or you just need a quick link, click here and you will find specific content standard links on the left hand side of the page.  More on the Common Core and its impact later!

CEUs from the Inservice Day on November 23rd are available in the office next to the envelope for the Jeans Fund.  If you attended the inservice, stop by and get your CEUs!

Every year, Student Council does a number of fundraisers to help raise money for the StuCo Santa fund -- the main one being Dime Wars.  This year, they will be trying a new fundraiser: beginning on Monday during class changes, they will be playing a Chipmunks Christmas song -- the same one over & over.  Students and staff can donate money to stop the playing of the music [it really is an annoying song].  If a certain number is reached, they will stop playing the song.  (sounds fun!)

In an effort to help raise money for the Santa fund & the Toys for Tots campaign, we will be having some dress down days between now and Christmas break.  We have created 5 theme days... if you meet 2 of the 3 criteria each day you can wear jeans on these days.
#1 -- dress to the theme
#2 -- pay $1
     OR
#3 -- bring a toy for the 'Toys for Tots' campaign

Themes: 
Wednesday, December 14 --> Christmas Tie Day (I have plenty if anyone needs to borrow one!)
Thursday, December 15 --> Christmas Hat Day
Friday, December 16 --> Christmas T-Shirt Day [last day for Santa fund]
Tuesday, December 20th --> Christmas Socks Day [last day for toy drive... $1 goes to jeans fund]
Thursday, December 22nd --> Christmas Sweater Day (Ugly is Optional!) [$1 goes to jeans fund]


Tech Tuesdays

Tech Tuesdays next week will be 'Using Twitter for PD'.  Believe it or not, the same tool that movie stars use to tell their fans when they are getting coffee or breaking up with their significant other is also one of the greatest PD tools available for educators.  Learn how to use Twitter to make you a better educator.

Week in 3 Words

Thanks to those of you that have participated in the Week in 3 Words.  Many of you have either helped by recording during your advisory/class or by doing your own '3 words'.  Let me know if you would like to do any recording...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

12/16   Jared Rolfes

Upcoming Events

12/13   Payment for Christmas Party due
12/13   Messiah Choir Performance @ St. Paul's UMC, 7:30 PM 
12/14   Tri Star Visits (Sophomores)
12/18   Band Concert @ the Fieldhouse, 3 PM
12/20   Staff Christmas Luncheon
12/21   StuCo Christmas Assembly
12/22   Blood Drive
12/22   Club Photo Day
12/22   Staff Christmas Party -- Club 211
12/22   PAY DAY... Don't forget to update grades in Progressbook!
12/23 - 1/2  CHRISTMAS BREAK!
1/3      First Day back to reality

In Case You Missed It... Tech Tuesday: Evernote Edition

In case you missed Tech Tuesday this week, we covered the many wonderful uses of Evernote.  For more, use the link below.  This will take you to an Evernote "Notebook" I created with my notes for Tech Tuesday and some other notes about great ways to use Evernote.

http://goo.gl/hFMj4 

Updates 11-29-11

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Break!  Looks like we had a relatively smooth transition into the 2nd trimester.  Just a few quick reminders and informational info:

1. If you are in need of desks, please email Megan.
2. Tech Tuesdays will resume next week with a session on Evernote.  This electronic note-taking app has many uses from taking notes in class to organizing your personal life!
3. The updated lunch schedule can always be found on the blog under the 'Schedules' tab. 
4. If you have a survey from the staff development day, please place it in my mailbox.  CEUs will be distributed later this week. 
5. Gateway has asked us to administer a survey to our sophomore and senior students.  The survey takes about 50 minutes.  We discussed this survey at our department chair meeting in early November and decided that this week would be the best time to administer the survey.  Today, we will ask sophomores to report to the lecture hall immediately after attendance during advisory.  These sophomores will be late to 5th period.  If the students are done after advisory, they will be released.  Students released during 5th period will have a pass.  Seniors will take the survey tomorrow on the same time schedule.  Senior tri star students will be asked to take the survey Friday morning beginning at 8:00 AM. 
6. Grade cards will be distributed today during advisory period.  Grade cards will be placed in advisory teacher mailboxes by lunch time today. 
7. We mailed home magnets with our Bulldog News web address and our phone number to all high school parents this week.  We will also be placing one in your mailbox this morning.  Enjoy!
8. Tri Star Orientation is this Friday for sophomores.  The time schedule will be distributed later today. 
9. We had originally scheduled a pep assembly for this Friday... that assembly has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.  

Have a great (short) week!

Friday Focus #12: 11-18-11 --> updates in bold

End of Trimester 1 -- update

• Tri Star students & exams: we have created a list of Tri Star students in case you need to refer to it for exams.  Included are post secondary students as well.  

• Tri Star juniors may not be quite on time to their 4th period exam on Monday.  All Tri Star students will arrive by 10:25 and if they are late, they will have a pass from the office. 

• If you have senior Tri Star students 3rd period, please let Megan or CJ know and send down a copy of your exam... we will be proctoring these in the lecture hall on Monday (see schedule).   

• USE 11/23/11 for exam date in Progressbook. 

• Remember that the window to enter grades is currently open. You have until 11/29/11 @ 9 AM to finish entering grades.  Probable failures should be sent to Wendy or Lynne by 9 AM on 11/23/11 or AS SOON AS YOU KNOW!

• Announcements will be at the end of the 1st - 5th period on Monday and will be over the PA.  On Tuesday, we will do essential announcements ONLY at the beginning of the day after the Pledge of Allegiance.

• We are short on Special Ed test readers on Monday and Tuesday.  Any teacher that is willing to read a test during their planning period will be paid $20 for doing so... this is easy to do and sometimes doesn't take the whole period.  On top of the extra money you can make, you will also be helping out in a BIG way.  Email Jason ASAP if you are interested.    

• Please return the Blue Acura Folders with Special Ed accommodation sheets back to Jared or Renee's mailbox by the end of the day Tuesday so they can begin getting them ready for 2nd Trimester.  Thanks for your help in this.  

Inservice Day
More info about the inservice day will be out on Monday morning.

Tech Tuesdays

Tech Tuesdays will resume after the Thanksgiving Break, beginning on Tuesday, December 6th.  Check out the poll on the sidebar for options.  Please vote!  If you have topic suggestions, feel free to comment below.

Week in 3 Words

Thanks to those of you that have participated in the Week in 3 Words.  Many of you have either helped by recording during your advisory/class or by doing your own '3 words'.  Let me know if you would like to do any recording...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

11/21    Candy Weitz
11/27    Mary Jo Alig
12/1      Mary Meyer
12/1      Tommy Huston

Upcoming Events

11/18   Fall Choir Production
11/19   Fall Choir Production
11/21   Exams -- Day 1 
11/22   Exams -- Day 2
           End of 1st Trimester
11/23   Inservice Day
           Failures due by 9 AM
11/29   Start of 2nd Trimester
           Grades due by 9 AM
           Start day in Advisory

Friday Focus #11: 11.11.11

End of Trimester 1
We are now only a week and a half from the end of the 1st trimester.  We will have exams on Monday 11/21 and Tuesday 11/22.  The exam schedule can always be found under the schedules tab on the staff blog.  Exams work like this:

• Day 1: we run through a full schedule of shortened periods (30 minutes in length) as a final review day.  Then, we jump into exams around 10:20 AM with only 4th and 5th period exams on this day.  Lunch is organized by the 4th period teacher on day 1... eat the same lunch you always do.  We release at normal time on this day
• Day 2: we hold exams for periods 1, 2, & 3 on this day.  Lunch is during 3rd period and is based on the teacher the students have for 3rd period -- teachers should eat the same period (A, B, or C) while students could potentially be eating a different lunch period.  Tell your 3rd period students prior to day 2 which lunch they should eat.  ALL STUDENTS ARE RELEASED @ 1 PM on day 2.  Teachers are required to stay until normal time!
• Tri Star schedules can be found on the exam schedule.  Special arrangements will need to be made 3rd period for seniors in Tri Star.

Grade Entry Timeline

Grade entry can begin any time.  Grades are due by 9 AM on Tuesday, November 29th.  Remember that probable failures should be sent to the guidance counselors by 9 AM on the inservice day. 

Inservice Day

There was a blog post last week regarding our inservice day.  I have been working over the last 2 weeks to create a day that is meaningful to everyone with Professional Development tailored to your needs as a teacher.  The tentative schedule is still a work in progress.  Initially I was planning for department level meetings in the afternoon, but the district has planned to have a bully prevention event in the afternoon.  Here is an outline of the day:
8:00 - 11:45    Breakout sessions on a variety of topics (4 sessions total)
12:00 - 1:00    Lunch
1:00 - 2:30      Bullying Prevention Session (Lecture Hall)
Teachers of Freshmen can use the afternoon to work with Matt Dunlap out of the Media Center as an alternative to attending the bullying session. 

Tech Tuesdays

Tech Tuesdays will resume after the Thanksgiving Break, beginning on Tuesday, December 6th.  Check out the poll on the sidebar for options.  Please vote!

Week in 3 Words

The theme for the Week in 3 Words next week is 'Being Thankful'.  If you or your class would like to record a Week in 3 Words, let Megan know via email and we can send someone.  We will record Wednesday and Thursday next week. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

11/9    Kristi Stachler
11/17  Brian Stetler

Upcoming Events

11/18   Fall Choir Production
11/19   Fall Choir Production
11/21   Exams -- Day 1 
11/22   Exams -- Day 2
           End of 1st Trimester
11/23   Inservice Day
           Failures due by 9 AM
11/29   Start of 2nd Trimester
           Grades due by 9 AM

Friday (Midweek) Focus #10: 11.1.11

• Remember that Tech Tuesday is 'Study Blue'.  If you weren't able to attend this morning's session, consider joining us this afternoon for this useful tool.  

• Veteran's Day is on 11/11/11.  Here is a website with ideas and resources for teachers: http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday.

• The girls volleyball team will compete in Regional action on Thursday night in Ontario.  For tickets, see Bruce any day this week from 10:45 - 2:45.  

Hannah Fleck runs in the State Cross Country meet in Hebron this Saturday.  She took 3rd at Regionals.

Also... don't forget that the Autumn Theatre is this weekend: "I Hate Shakespeare".  Tickets are still available by calling 419-586-1494.  Performances are Friday & Saturday @ 8 PM and Sunday @ 3 PM. 

• Netbook initiative...  I have seen some really great things going on in the classroom with netbooks.  Please share things you have done with the netbooks in the comment section below.   No need to get detailed or elaborate, but share something if you have netbooks in your room and have been using them with the students.  

• When you are planning your lessons and thinking about integrating 21st Century Skills, please think about seeking out ideas and help from others.  Begin by asking other teachers about things they have tried or have done that might work.  I have come across quite a few great classroom ideas just from my conversations with our very own staff members!  Sometimes, you might have an idea that can be further/better developed just by bouncing it off someone else in the teacher's lounge.  

Online research can also be a great way to find classroom ideas.  

Finally, seek the help of someone else.  Never be afraid to ask someone to assist in your lesson if you are integrating something new.  Betsy Crites is available on Mondays & Fridays and will even come in and teach the technology to the students.  Keith Gudorf and I are also both willing to help as we are able. 

• This week's Jean's Fund money will be used to purchase a gas card for Diane Booher and her husband.  Diane's husband, Mike, has been diagnosed with cancer.  He will be undergoing treatments, some of which will take place in Lima.  Please keep Diane and Mike in your thoughts and prayers. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

11/2   Wendy Gabes
11/2   Ryan Jenkins

Upcoming Events

11/4  CHS Autumn Theatre, 8 PM
11/5  CHS Autumn Theatre, 8 PM
11/6  CHS Autumn Theatre, 3 PM

Friday Focus #9: 10.21.11

• Thanks for your help and patience in making this a fun Homecoming Week for our students.  

• A discussion on in-service came up at our recent department chair meeting.  I would like to do a variety of professional development on our scheduled in-service day (November 23rd).  Please make suggestions in the comment section of the Friday Focus.  

• Tech Tuesday next week will be titled: "Sharing with Google Docs".  We will be discussing the ins and outs of sharing documents with each other and your students.  Included will be a way to see changes made by individual students.  Join us at 7 AM or 2:30 PM. 

Also... Remember that we will have an afternoon "Movie Maker" session on Monday for those of you that were interested in Movie Maker last week but were unable to make the morning session.  

• A quick note about our bells: periodically, the clock that rings our bells is not in sync with the Dukane clocks in your rooms.  Please do not release students early when the Dukane clock indicates the period is over... always go by the bell!

On a somewhat related note, some students have been complaining that there is not enough food during their lunch (especially during C lunch) and may be trying to convince you that they need to leave early for lunch.  For what its worth, their is PLENTY of food... however, we may run out of pizza periodically.  Please do not let students leave for lunch early as this will create issues in the hallway and lunchroom.  Also, if you see students running, please tell them to stop!   

• If you haven't seen this video about vodka soaked gummy bears, you should take a few minutes to watch it now.  Something to watch out for among our students. Click here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

10/29     Bruce Boley
10/30     Dave Maurer

Upcoming Events

10/22  Homecoming Dance, 8 - 11 AM
10/24  OGT -- Reading
10/25  PAY DAY
          GRADES UPDATED IN PROGRESSBOOK
          OGT -- Math
          Tech Tuesday: "Sharing Google Docs"
10/26  OGT -- Writing
10/27  OGT -- Science
10/27  Marching Band Concert, 7 - 8:30 PM, HS Gym
10/28  OGT -- Social Studies
          Pep Assembly