Moving through May

Week of May 18-22, 2009

Monday (29th anniversary of St. Helens eruption--where were you on that sunny Sunday?)

WATCHDOG Mr. Craig Miller for Zachary/Rm 209

Safety Committee Meeting/3 pm, Conference Rm

Tuesday

WATCHDOG Mr. Aaron McConnell for Tori/Rm 134

Grade Level Meetings

Success Night Planning Meeting/2:45 pm, Conference Rm

Wednesday

S/TAT

Choir Assembly 9-10 AM

LIC-Evaluation & Conferencing

Thursday

PACK Leadership Meeting/3:15 pm, Conference Rm

Friday

Forza Friday

Olweus Topic of the Week: The spirit of giving. Let's pump up our Special Olympics fundraiser drive! What does it mean to give? What are some ways you have given of yourself for others...time? gifts? donations? Why does our school run fundraisers to give to others? What does it feel like when you give?

Student Management in Common Areas: I appreciate the dialogue occuring regarding student behavior in common areas. I anticipate that this focus may pick up with WASL/standardized testing checked off, and with the weather change to a more summer feel. It will be that much more important that we reinfoce expectations and are more aware of attire expectations. Thank you for your support in this area.

Videos in the Classroom: As the year winds down, it seems like there are more and more things we are all celebrating, whether it be AR goals, math improvement, hellos and goodbyes, etc. However, please do keep in mind that showing personal videos such as Disney films or other G movies is not allowed unless you have a licensed copy for public showing. Our PTA has such a license for our movie nights, but we do not as a district or school. Videos downloaded through United Streaming are ok to use because we have purchased licensing for those as a district for instructional use. Remember, what we show should be related to the curricular content we are studying. 

Also, if you are just showing random things during lunch in your classrooms, that is not the intent of our media system. Please be cognizant of the laws and rules behind video use. Kids nowadays have no shortage of TV and movie watching, so we want to be very intentional about how we use these mediums so that it is appropriate for the learning taking place in your rooms. We greatly appreciate the richness that videos can provide, but please do so in a manner reflective of the licensing of the products. The last thing we want to be doing is showing videos to babysit or kill time. For questions, please stop by and chat with Miles or contact ITC at 8600.

Difficult Times: Throughout the district we have had teachers receive letters identifying them as involuntary transfers, receiving a change in program, and even RIF'd. The bad news is that all of this has also directly occurred to one or more of our own Carson staff. I am thankful that the May 15th deadline has now come and gone. Unfortunately, it does not mean that the difficult work is over. However, I wish to thank all of you for the great job that you have done of supporting colleagues (friends and teammates) and handling each individual situation in as professional a manner as possible.

THANK YOU!!!: We want to thank 6th grade for taking the lead on a terrific Boss's Week last week! What a great way to start each day with cards and treats ending with a special RAM lunch on Friday! Also, thank you to so many that also brought by treats and other wonderful items. The funniest part is that this week is officially Boss's Week according to Halmark, so you still have time if you want to keep celebrating (lol)! Seriously, though, you guys are all amazing and we couldn't be more proud than to be of service to so many fine individuals. Carson is great because YOU are here and that's what keeps us coming in bright and early each and every day! So, enjoy another great week as we count down the final 5 weeks to the end of the school year!