Immune Attack

Here is one more link to a free educational game you may be interested in. If you click on Immune Attack
and use the game, which allows students to drive nanobots through the bloodstream, let me know what you think. If you find other free educational games on the web, let me know. We may use it at SLE. - JH
Posted using ShareThis

Study: Inexpensive Games Improve Children’s Reasoning Ability

Kids everywhere should love to hear their principal say this, "Students, play your Nintendos!"

Not all video games are bad for kids. It seems that many are very good for them. Japan is on the leading edge of using handheld games to teach and tutor students. Go to Study: Inexpensive Games Improve Children’s Reasoning Ability » Spotlight to learn more. - JH

Why Educators Should Embrace Texting, Tweeting and All That Mobile Technology Has to Offer » Spotlight

Here is another thought provoking article about a current trend that all teachers and parents should be interested in. I became interested in using social networking platforms, such as Blogger and Facebook, and emailing as educational tools after attending a workshop last year. I believe teachers and parents should be in the driver's seat when it comes to teaching children how to use these tools responsibly. Young people are going to learn to use them one way or the other, so we adults should learn to show them the correct way.

Click on: PLAYBACK: Why Educators Should Embrace Texting, Tweeting and All That Mobile Technology Has to Offer » Spotlight and give me some feedback. - JH

Can Gaming Change Education?

Here is an interesting article about how gaming IS changing education. Teachers, parents, and students will find it interesting. Click on: PLAYBACK: Can Gaming Change Education? » Spotlight.

If your children received video games and systems for Christmas, tell me what types of games they like. Have you checked into the educational features of your child's games? If you are interested in learning about what kinds of educational games are available for your child's entertainment system, contact me. - JH

Check Out This Free Download!

I found this while reading about how video games can be used in teaching kids about science and math. I've looked at it, and it looks fun and educational.You may want to check it out. Go to Download! If you try it out, give me some feedback.

Posted using ShareThis

Teacher Survey

Teachers, if you have not taken the January survey I published with Google docs, please go to this link and try it. Thanks,
JH

A Call To Arms To Improve Performance Label

I hope you've read the front page article in the November 26 issue of The Carthaginian about our local schools. We at SLE have known for quite some time that the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) would be labeling us as a "Failing" school, but we were not permitted to discuss it publically until now. So, let's start discussing it.


As the article stated, and as your children's teachers have been telling you, the new accountability model that has been put into place by the MDE has truly raised the bar for what we must reach to be labeled "successful." Gone are the Levels 1 through 5. They are replaced by seven categories. Here they are from highest to lowest:

Star School

High Performing

Successful

Academic Watch

Low-Performing School

At Risk of Failing

Failing

As the article stated, SLE, SLHS, and TAC are labeled as "Failing" schools. I promise you that this is not a reflection of our school's true worth. This does not reflect the dedication of our teachers or the hard work of our students and parents. However, it does reflect how well our students did on the MCT2, the state science test, and the state writing tests. The high schools have additional assessment standards they have to reach. The main thing to note here is that, as much as we love our school and the wonderful people involved in it, no one benefits from our school being labeled "failing."

I encourage you to plan to attend the public meetings that will be announced soon to inform the public of the MDE findings and what we are doing as a result. In the meantime, contact me, the SLE principal, if you have any questions, comments or want to know how you can help your children succeed in school. - JH








SLE Principal Jimmy Henderson shares the school's school improvement plans with the congregations of Truelight MB Church and Jones Chapel MB Church in December.

SLE Loses Two Teachers

SLE lost two teachers over the Christmas holidays. Mrs. Farrell will be moved to Carthage Elementary School and Mrs. Landrum will be moved to Thomastown Attendance Center. Students in Mrs. Farrell's class will be relocated in either Mrs. Sistrunk's or Mrs. Watkins' rooms.

This change will also cause Mr. Henderson to move Mrs. Todd from second grade to fill Mrs. Landrum's position in the 5th and 6th grade math position. Mrs. Todd's students will be reassigned either to Mrs. Tate or Mrs. Summers-Jones. These changes will take affect January 5, 2010.

We regret this, but the district has made these moves in order to help balance the district budget in the light of recent budget cuts handed down from Governor Haley Barbour. Visit The Parents' Campaign to learn more about the impact the governor's cuts will have on our district. Contact me, if you have any questions concerning the effects the cuts are having at SLE.

Free Professional Development for Teachers and Parents

The NASA Educator Resource Center (ERC) at Stennis Space Center announces professional development workshops for teachers for Spring 2010. K-12 teachers can receive CEUs for these free workshops. Home school educators are welcome, too! Topics include physical science, life science, biology, mathematics, technology and much more. Workshops are available for all grade levels and are held on-site at Stennis Space Center. For more information, visit the Stennis Education Web site at http://education.ssc.nasa.gov/workshops.asp or contact the NASA ERC by phone at 1-800-237-1821 (option 2) or 228-688-3338 or by email to ssc-nasaerc@mail.nasa.gov.

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

The Office of Leadership and Professional Development offers low cost on-line professional development workshops through the MS e-Learning for Educators Initiative, a collaboration between the Mississippi Department of Education and Mississippi Public Broadcasting. This initiative provides Mississippi educators with quality professional development opportunities designed to address content knowledge and the skills required to improve student performance.

The workshops are scheduled to begin January 13, 2010 (Spring 1 session) and will run for a total of seven (7) weeks. Registration will end January 6, 2010. Participants are eligible to receive a certificate of participation or 3.0 CEUs. All workshops beginning after October 1, 2009 require a $30.00 registration fee, there is no charge for CEUs.

To download the registration fee form click on the provided link http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/olpd/elearn/docs/reg_fee_form.doc . Please visit http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/olpd/elearn/ to read about courses and registration instructions for e-Learning for Educator workshops.

Enter the following address into the web browser to register for an online course http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/olpd/elearn/docs/Instruct.doc . If you have any questions, please call 601-359-3954 or email elearningsupport@mde.k12.ms.us.

school improvement committee minutes 12.9.09

South Leake Elementary

School Improvement Team Meeting

December 9, 2009

In Attendance: Nettles, Clayton, Weathers, Withers, Ruffin, Rushing, Farrell, Truss, Todd, and Henderson

Time: 1:30-3:20

Place: SLE Library

 

Agenda

·       Review last year’s School Improvement Plan

·       Brainstorm ideas for this year’s plan

·       Adjourn

Minutes

These are ideas for this and next year’s plans in the following areas:

·       Student Achievement

o       Math Workshops for parents

o       Science Olympiad

o       Add an emphasis on science

o       Fund RtI

§       Coordinator and assistants

o       After-school and Extended Year program

·       Professional Development

o       Take teacher/parent field trips to successful schools

o       Seek workshops for parents and teachers from the Barksdale Group

o       Attend grant writing workshops

o       How to teacher from the frameworks

·       School Context and Organization

o       Change 5^th and 6^th grades to two teachers per grade

§       It will be easier for teachers to meet for planning

§       It will involve less transition time

o       Seek a drive around the building for safety when loading and unloading students

·       Family and Community Involvement

o       Conduct workshops for parent in how to be involved in schools

§       Parents Campaign

§       Parents for Public Eudcation

§       Saturday workshops

o       Community educational resource center

§       Boys and Girls Club

§       Mobile classroom

§       Downtown locations sponsored by local businesses

·       Bank

·       Prison

·       Tyson

o       Career Day at SLE

·       Bank

·       Tyson

·       Others

o       Job Fair for Parents

o       Parent Center

o       People to Call on

§       Duce

§       Ray Shoemaker

§       Woodards’ son

§       Marcus Mann

§       Arthur Gardner

o       Parent Field Trips

§       Pelehatichie Yoga Bear Campground

§       Golden Memorial

 

NEXT MEETING: January 6, 2010; 1 p.m. at the SLE Library

December SLE Newsletter

December

8-Parent Meeting 6 p.m.
11-K Visits Library
14-Exemptions announced
14-K/1st Grade Assembly
15- 9 Weeks Tests Begin
18-Dismiss at 1 p.m.
21-Holidays Begin
January 2010
4-No School
5-Students Return

Take Time to Evaluate Your Child’s Progress
December is a great time to take that “long, hard look” at our children’s academic progress. Talk with your child’s teacher about what the grades on the report card mean. Discuss how the grades reflect your child’s readiness for the MCT2 state assessment. These are serious times for South Leake, and it will take all stakeholders to move our schools back to the “Successful” rating. - JH

Joint SLE/SLHS Parent Meeting Set
SLE will join with Mrs. Mabry and the staff of SLHS for a very important and informative meeting for all parents and community members at SLE on Tuesday, December 8 at 6 p.m. All parents and community leaders are urged to attend as we will discuss the schools’ recent rankings from the Mississippi Department of Education. Both schools have received the label of “Failing” from the MDE. This meeting will be part of our ongoing efforts to keep you informed as well as to seek your help in developing a plan to move our schools off the bottom of state accreditation listing.

Student Exemptions to be Announced
Teachers will be notifying parents on Monday, December 14 of students that will be exempt from taking 9 weeks tests. Students are exempt if they have maintained an 80 average or above in a subject for the first two 9 weeks. Exempted students who choose to attend school will have to take the 9 weeks test for a grade.

School Improvement Planning
SLE is looking for able-bodied and interested parents to serve on its school improvement team. There are many opportunities for parents to take part in their child’s schooling at SLE, and one of the most helpful is in serving on this committee. Each year we use this group of people to evaluate our current programs, to identify areas needing improvement, and to create a plan of action for the coming school year. We are seeking a broader support from our businesses and groups in our communities. So, please contact the school at 253-2324 or through our web page (http://www.leakesd.k12.ms.us/Schools/SLE/index.htm) for more information.

Keep Learning Over the Holidays
The holidays are a wonderful time to teach children sportsmanship and skills that can help them in school. We’re talking about old fashion board and card games. Take time to play Uno, Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, Sorry, Battleship and any of a multitude of other classic family games. You’ll be teaching valuable sportsmanship and counting skills.

SLE and SLHS Parent Meeting Planned

South Leake High School and South Leake Elementary will be hosting a Parent Forum Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the elementary gymnasium. Both principals, Mrs. Mabry and Mr. Henderson, will be discussing the schools' recent ratings on the Mississippi Department of Education accountability model.


Parents, community members, and other interested parties are strongly urged to attend to receive vital information that will affect all of our children. For more information, please contact Mrs. Mabry at 601-253-2393 or Mr. Henderson at 601-253-2324.

Christmas Toys for Learning and Growing

Your child may be hoping that expensive PS3 or PSP will fit under the Christmas tree, but let me suggest that you consider purchasing toys that build character and develope skills that will help them in school - and aren't quite as expensive as the electronic alternatives! It may be tempting to buy toys that will keep children occupied while we adults rest or watch TV, but the times and experiences shared with good toys that the whole family can enjoy will give us a great feeling for the rest of our life.

As you prepare to shop for your children's Christmas toys, please take a look at the following websites for ideas and guidance in purchasing toys that will be fun AND educational.

The first link I suggest is http://www.besttoys-guide.com/ for a great site for articles about and pictures of games and toys that you can buy at most Wal-Marts, Freds, and Dollar Stores.

Go to http://singleparents.about.com/od/havingfu1/tp/Board_Games.htm for great ideas for classic, inexpensive games for the whole family to play. This link also gives leads you to other great topics about child rearing and how to make your time with your children count.

My personal list of favorite games for the kids and family are:
Card Games
Uno
Go Fish (using regular playing cards)

Board Games for Two Players
Checkers and Chess
Battleship

Board Games for 3 or More Players
Chinese Checkers
Sorry
Monopoly
Clue

If you have ideas for fun AND educational games, leave a post or send me an email.

A Message for Parents of 6th Grade Students

Hello Parents,


I hope your Thanksgiving holidays are going well! Also, I need your help.

Friday I observed that only two 6th graders passed their math test. This was a re-test from a test that was given Monday, November 16. I asked Ms. Landrum what had happened, and she said many students did not put forth any effort on the retest. Some students even told here they were not going to work the problems because they didn't want to. It sounds incredible, true, but I too have noticed a lack of effort on the part of the students in our 5th and 6th grades. This time the 5th graders outperformed the 6th graders, however. In fact, the 5th graders did very well on their retest. One student who retested made a 92 on her retest.

To give the 6th graders an opportunity to pull up their failing grade, I asked Ms. Landrum to allow the students to study over the holidays and take a second retest Monday, November 30. This second retest will be averaged with their grade from this past Friday.

Please help ensure that your child studies for this test. It will cover adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators and determining the GCF (greatest common factor) and the LCM (least common multiple) of two numbers.

Students who do not pass this retest will require a parent conference. So, please help them prepare for the test.

If you have any questions, please email me. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Jimmy Henderson

Second Graders Show Their Patriotism

The SLE Second Graders presented their assembly program today, November 20. Even SLHS Band Director, Latoya Bradley, placed Taps and patriotic music for the program. Thanks to Ms. Tate, Mrs. Todd and Mrs. Summers-Jones for all their hard work. Of course, thanks to the students who did a great job, too!

From L to R: Zarria Rushing, LaRavia Evans, Diamond Patrick, Tiyunna Cooks, and Falandria Barrett warm up for the program back stage.

Ms. Charlen Tate looks on as Zion Havey and Jakira Yarbrough give the news and weather during the program.

"Uncle" Earl Truss awaits the opening curtain before the assembly program.

SLE Jr. Beta Stuffs Samaritan Purse

Seated: Tyshaun Andrews and Jayla Kennedy

Middle Row L to R: Michael Wells, Journee Peavie, Wallace Bass, Steven Lackey, Keviyun Hutchins, Brianna Wells, Jarmeisha Townsend, Brittany Truss, Jennifer Hughes.

Back Row L to R: Mrs. Rose Weathers, Ravyn Shaw, Sharon Patrick, KeEric Odom, Mytasia Giles, Desmond Stewart, Brandon Williams, Kobe Gates, and Shawn Lewis.

The SLE Jr. Beta members collected gifts and school supplies for the Samaritan Pursea recently. These boxes will go to needy children aroudn the world as part of the yearly Christams gift program. Thanks to all who helped make this year's program a success.

Jr. Beta members help Mr. Henderson load his truck for deliver to the pickup point in Carthage.

Businesses Visit SLE

I want to thank the following people who visited SLE Wednesday to talk about important school and community issues. The people attending our "summit" were:
City of Lena - Cine Watkins
Central Electric - Steve Bryan
Bank of Walnut Grove - Teresa Withers
Madden Hospice - Shirley Jones
Britt Barnes Realty Group - Britt Barnes
C & C Grocery - Cindy Jones
Leake Memorial Clinic - Kristi Estep
SLHS - Shaniece Mabry
Carthage Chamber of Commerce - Melanie Hartley

The group gave the school some vaulable input which we hope to act on soon.

Britt Barnes and Steve Bryan grab a snack after our tour of the school.

Shirley Jones and Cindy Jones at the SLE Business Symposium today.

November Newsletter

November Events


3- Book Fair Night

3- 4th Grade Field Trip

10 – K Vision Test

12- 5th Grade Safety Expo

12 – 6th Grade Field Trip

12- Progress Reports

13-2nd Grade Field

20- K Trip To Library

20 – 5/6 Grade Ball Game

23-27 – No School

30 – School Reopens



From the Principal:

Progress reports will go home again with children Thursday, November 12. It is very important that you contact your child’s teacher if they are making low grades in any subject. Please plan to meet, if you are contacted by your child’s teacher for a conference. You may contact me by phone or by email through (www.schoolnotes.com )for further help. - JH

Thanks for Saturday Work

We want to thank all the folks who turned out to help beautify the campus on Saturday, October 17. Visitors will see some of the flowers that were planted in front of the school. Thanks also to parents who donated money to help defray the cost of this project. If you missed helping out this time, call the school and ask how you can help make the school a better place for all our children. “Thanks” also goes to the Book Fair Volunteers this week!

Second Grade Assembly Scheduled

Friday, November 20 at 9 a.m. the SLE second graders will present a seasonal play. All parents and friends are invited to plan to attend. But don’t wait! All parents of second graders are encouraged to contact the teachers to see how they can contribute to make this play one to remember. Sets, costumes, props and other items are needed. NOTE: They also have an AR Reward field trip to the fire department Friday, November 13.



Donate Used Uniforms to SLE

If your child has outgrown his or her uniform, and it is still in good condition, please consider donating it to the school. This can go a long way in helping families and children in need. Please talk to Mrs. Weathers, 601-253-2324, for more information.

Remember the Dress Code Concerning Coats

Please help your children stay within the school board dress code when it comes to coats. Many children are wearing coats that do not meet the guidelines. “Coats that are to be worn all day must be solid navy, khaki, black or the school color” (blue and white). Children who wear coats that do not adhere to this cannot wear them in the classroom. Please talk with Mr. Henderson (253-2324), if you have any questions about the policy.

Halloween Pumpkins

Look at what SLE second graders did with their pumpkins!

Homecoming Pictures 2009

Better late than never, as the saying goes. Here are some pictures from this year's great homecoming activities. Enjoy!

Recent Saturday Work Day

Thanks to all the folks who came out Satruday, October 17 to help clean up and beautify the SLE campus. Speacial thanks go to the SLHS Boosters for providing breakfast.

5th Graders Tour Birmingham

SLE students recently resumed its yearly trek to Birmingham. The students toured the Mcwane Science Museum, the Civil Rights Institute and the American Village. Here are some picutres from their educational trip. Click on the links to visit the sites on the web, too.

New SLE Jr. Beta Officers

We want to congratulate the following students for being selected to serve as officers in the SLE Jr. Beta Club for 2009-2010:


President - Keviyun Hutchins
Vice President - Ke Eric Odom
Secretary - Mytasia Giles
Assistant Secretary - Jasmine Truss
Reporter - Desmond Stewart
Treasurer - Brandon Williams
Parliamentarian - Jante Andrews
Fund Raising Chairman - Steven Lackey

http://www.fathers.com/

I want to share an interesting web site to you that helps fathers as they raise their children in school. Go to http://www.fathers.com/ for some good reading. We thank all the fathers and grandfathers for the good work they do with our little Wildcats at SLE!

SLE October ’09 Newsletter

October

12- No School

12- SLHS Report Cards

14 - SLE Report Cards

16 - K/1st Grd Field Trip

17 - Volunteer Work Day

18- SLHS Booster Game

25 - Jr. Beta Ball Game

23 - 4th Grd Field Trip

27 - 3rd Grade Assembly

29 - Jr. Beta Induction

30 - Fall Harvest

From the Principal:

If your child has any grades on the report card below an 80, I strongly urge you to make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher. Though a grade of 65 is passing, it is not an indication that the student has mastered the skills to be successful at the next grade level. Contact me at 601-253-2324 or by email through www.schoolnotes.com for further help. - JH

No School for Children Monday

Monday, October 12 is a day set aside for teacher professional development. SLHS will hand out report cards from 2-5 p.m. Monday. SLE will send home report cards Wednesday, October 14.

Volunteer for the SLE Work Day

Saturday morning, October 17 is scheduled for volunteers to help do some needed work at SLE. Work will begin at 7 a.m. and finish about 11 a.m. Areas needing help will be in refreshing our flower beds, spot painting, classroom cleaning, playground repairs, and other work. If you are interested in helping to make the school and its grounds safer and more pleasant for our children, please contact the school to sign up. If you cannot make it to the school, you can help by donating money for the purchase of supplies for the day.

MECA Confernece

Mrs. Karen Watkins, kindergarten teacher, and I last week attended the Mississippi Early Childhood Conference in the Biloxi. We presented a program about using blogs and emails when communicating with parents. You can see some of the vendors in the pictures to the left. Mrs. Watkins found some interesting items she bought.








I helped with the presentation mostly by running the projector.

We also learned a few new tricks from the audience. A couple of the members have been working with blogs, too. It was a great time sharing ideas.

If you have ideas or want to know more about using blogs and email to communicate with parents or schools, contact me.

Making Up for Budget Cuts

Below is a link to an interesting article that appeared in the Clarion-Ledger this week. It is about how schools in other areas are making up the difference when school budgets are cut.

Article Title:


Filling the gap: Fundraisers prop up schools amid cuts



To view the contents on www.clarionledger.com, go to:

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200909210100/NEWS/909210327

SLE Alumni Welcome

I want to welcome Mecdric who is following this SLE blog. He is now serving our country in the armed services, and he signed up to follow our news. It is always good to hear how our former students are doing, and I hope Mecdric stays safe and does well! (Leave a post and tell us more about your career.)
I encourage all other SLE alumni to follow this blog as well as post comments of what you're doing now.

Exemption Policy Changes

The school board voted at their last meeting to change the exemption policy for this first semester to allow any and all students with an 80 average in a subject to be expempted from taking exams in December in that subject. This is to make allowances for absences due to the flu this fall. Email Mr. Henderson for more information. - JH

Science Project "Impacts" Students

Mrs. Vivians' fifth and sixth graders tested their ideas today as part of their science class. They were to research how to create ways to keep an egg from breaking when dropped from the top of the school. You will see they enlisted the help of Mr. Jenkins to throw the eggs from the top of the school. I will ask Kobe and Eric to write up their report and post it here soon.

Mrs. Watkins' Blog

Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Karen Watkins has a classroom blog she has started. It is a great way for parents to keep up with the work and news of her students. Parents can leave messages on her blog, too. Visit Mrs. Watkins Blog soon and become a follower.

MCT2 Practice Test Link

I want to thank the parents and teachers who attended last night's SLE PTO meeting.




In our discussion, a parent asked where one could find copies of the practice MCT2 tests. Please go to this link



http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ACAD/osa/mct2_practice_tests.html





and click on the grade for the test you are looking for. Remember that the MCT2 is given in grades three through eight.



Share your comments and thoughts with us.



Thanks,

JH

The Impact of Poverty

FYI: SLE now surpassing TAC with the highest ratio of students in the district that qualify for free or reduced lunch status. Source: Leake County School District Food Service Department report 9.1.09.




SLE - 95.57%

TAC - 93.33%

SLHS - 90.94%

CES - 84.31%

CJHS - 83.85%

CHS - 72.54%

EAC - 62.69%



Think about and research what impact poverty has on our school, communities, and county. How does it impact your teaching? How does it impact student learning?



An informative website you may want to visit is http://www.ahaprocess.com/. This is the web site sponsored by Dr. Ruby Payne, the author of "A Framework for Understanding Poverty."



Email me your thoughts on the subject and share other sources of information that you have found interesting.



JH

Prevent Underage Drinking Meeting

The public is invited to the "Smarter Choices Community Coalition" launch of the Leake County Initiative to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drunking. The meeting will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, September 10 at the Leake County Career and Technical Center in Carthage.
Judge Cynthia Brewer will be the guest speaker.
For more information, call Darius Dunnat 601-481-2403.

Student Wellness Alert

We have not had any official cases of the Swine Flu reported at SLE, but there are cases around the county. Please talk to your children about how to avoid exposure to the flu by following these tips:

• Do not put fingers, pencils, and other objects in your mouth
• Do not share food or drinks with other students
• Cough into the bend of your arm to avoid spreading germs
• Wash hands with soap while humming the "Happy Birthday" tune to do a really good job
• Use GermX (but don't forget washing hands with soap)
• Stay away for other people who are running fever

If your child does get sick, please do the following:

• Take your child to the doctor immediately at the first sign of the flu
• Keep your child at home so she will not spread the flu.
• Keep children at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone
• Tell the school of your child's condition and progress

Thank you for helping to keep your children well. Don't worry about absences and test exemptions, we are working on an alternative policy during these unusual circumstances. Please call the school and ask for the principal or the counselor for more information. - Mr. Henderson

SWCD to Honor Mrs. Summers-Jones

The Leake County Soil and Water Conservation District selected second grade teacher Peggy Summers-Jones for their Outstanding Educator Award. This award is given to teachers who have done an outstanding job in teaching or demonstrating conservation education to their students. Mrs. Summers-Jones will be honored at the SWCD annual meeting in October. (Those window butterbean guardens paid off!)

NED Said...

Steve and NED talked to our students today giving them a great, positive message for everyone. The uplifting program was the first of our Good Friday events, and Steve had the audience laughing and cheering as he talked about what it takes to be a champion. In the picture above, Austin (middle) shows off his "fancy smancy" yoyo Steve (right) gave him for participating in the show.
Students learned that NED stands for:

N- Never Give up

E - Encourage Everyone

D - Do Your Best

If your child asks for money to purchase a yoyo, please help them do so. It is how the school was able to bring this positive message to the children. Learning how to use the yoyo is also a great way to build confidence and interests in a hobby. Prices are $6.50, $10, and $15. The school doesn't retain any of the money. It is a service for the children.

Teachers on the Radio

SLE's second grade teachers Peggy Summers-Jones and Crystal Todd will be featured on Rurual Voices Radio in September. This is part of the Writing Thinking Institute and Mississippi Public Broadcasting's efforts to improve writing across the state. Tune in to public radio on these dates:

Monday September 7: Peggy Summers Jones/ 12:04 p.m

Monday September 14: Crystal Todd/ 12:04 p.m.

Open House Survey

I hope you were part of the crowd that visited SLE during our Open House Monday evening. If you were, please give us some feedback by completing the survey that we sent home by the students Tuesday. If you did not get one, email me. I'll see that you do. I'll also post the results on this blog soon. Your responses will help us as we plan future events.

MCT2 Scores

Please plan to come to the SLE Open House Monday, August 24 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and ask your child's teacher about his/her MCT2 Scores. Students in grades 4 through 6 at SLE will have them.



The whole community will need to know and understand what these scores mean to our school and community before they can begin to help. And they will need to help! For more information, please go to The Parents Campaign link.



Also, ask your teacher about your child's progress for the first three weeks of school. Most teachers have several grades and can give you a good idea of how things are going.



Let me know, if I can help.

Open House Planned

Please plan to attend the SLE Open House Monday, August 24 from 4 p.m to 7 p.m.

We will have activities for kids in the gym so parents and teachers can talk more casually. Please pass the word along and plan to be at SLE Monday. - JH

Library Research from Home

If your child has a research project, and you need a source for articles, follow the instructions below. They were provided by the Carthage Library for the public to use. - JH


How to Access Magnolia Data Bases From Home

Type  in the web address: http://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/
Click on “Services to General Public”
Click on “Magnolia” (left-hand column)
Click on “Public Libraries”
Click on “C” and scroll down to the Carthage-Leake County Library
Click on database from selections in left-hand column
If site requires a password or ID, type in: magn1026

Free Carpentry Training

The Leake Career and Technical Center (formely called the Votec Center) is offering free carpentry training, and I thought you may know someone who would be interested in it. Registration is 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday, August 10. Classes start August 11.

One must be 18 years old or older, unemployed or under-employed, registered with the Selective Serivce, and be able to pass a drug test.

Pre-registration is required by calling Timmy Fanguy at 601-267-8442 ex. 215.

Calendar Events for 2009-2010

For those of you who like to plan WAY ahead, here are some events we are planning at SLE for this school year. Some dates may change as the year goes along, and we'll update you when this happens, but this will give you a preview of some of the things we have planned.

2009

August

3 - District Professional Development
28 - Good Friday – and YO YO program
10 – SLHS Booster and Band Meeting
15 – Wildcat Day/Community Day
21 - STAR Reader and Math
24 – Open House (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.) to

TBA:
Fall AIMS Assessment
PTO meeting
MCT 2 Proficient and Advanced Students Celebration/Recognition

September

7 – Labor Day
10 – PTO 6 p.m.
25 - Good Friday
25 -Native American Day
8 – Progress Reports

TBA:
3rd Grade Assembly Program

October

22,23 - 5/6 grade trip to Birmingham
26-30 - Red Ribbon Week
29 – Beta Induction Program
30 - PTO/Fall Festival/Halloween Festival
30 - Good Friday (plan a "give away reward" rather than an event)

TBA:
Homecoming Week

November
2-6 – Book Fair
3 – Book Fair Parent Night
11 - Veterans Day observance (school in session)
16-20 American Education Week

20 - Good Friday
23-27 - Thanksgiving Holidays

TBA:
2nd Grade Assembly Program
PTO Meeting

December
14 - Good Friday
16 - Faculty Christmas Party
15, 17,18 - 9 Weeks Tests
21-31 Christmas Holidays

11 -Assembly – K & 1st Grades

TBA:
11 - Fall STAR Reader/Math Assessment
Winter AIMS Assessment

2010
January

4 - Professional Development (no students)
5 - Students Return
18 - Holiday (no school)
29 - Good Friday

TBA:
4th Grade Assembly Progrm
PTO meeting

February

2-Progress Reports go out
3 - Conduct needed parent meetings
11 - Valentines Banquet
12 – Beta Sale and Dance
25 - Black History Month Program (5th/6th Grade Assembly Program)
26 -Good Friday
TBA:
PTO meeting

March

1-5 Dr. Seuss
3 - MCT Science Test
10 - MCT Writing Test
17 – St. Patricks Day
15-19 - Spring Break
26 - Good Friday

TBA:
PTO meeting

April

1 – Kindergarten Easter Egg Hunt
2 - Easter Good Friday Holiday
20 - Progress Reports
21 - Conduct needed parent conferences
30 - Good Friday

TBA:
Spring AIMS Assessment
PTO meeting

May

3 – 7 Teacher Appreciation Week
4 - National Teacher Appreciation Day
5 - SLE Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
11 - MCT 2 Reading
12 - MCT 2 Writing
13 - MCT 2 Math ; 6th Grade Graduation program
14 - Awards Day / K Graduation

TBA:

Final STAR Reader/Math Assessments
6th Grade Farewell Party/Awards Program
Spring Festival – PTO

Welcome Back

I want to thank all the staff who have made this opening of school a success! We welcome back all our wounderful children and their parents. We hope you will see our school and staff as you second home. Remember that we all win when we help our children be successful in school!

Remember to take the survey that should be on the right hand side of this blog.

Send us some feedback by posting an answer to the following question:

What was your impression of the first day of school for your child this year?

Professional Development

The first day of school for the teachers went well Monday. I will try to post the PowerPoint presentation on this blog (to the right, maybe?) for your information. However, we had a lot of great discussion that is not in the slide presentation. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a post. (NOTE: I've looked, but there is no way to leave a whole slide presentation easily. So, I'll email it to the staff.)

By the way, if you're prompted to sign in for a Google account, I encourage you to do so. It's free, and there are a lot of free applications to use.

Ideas for New School Year

School starts next week, and I need your help. Any parents interested in working with the school on various teams and committees should email me. We need your input on the great things planned and to be planned for SLE children this year. If you prefer, call me at the office at 601-253-2324. Thanks, JH.

"New" Schoolnotes.com

Schoolnotes.com has upgraded itself, and teachers who were using http://www.schoolnotes.com/ should update their pages for this year, too. You can access the new site by going to http://new.schoolnotes.com/. If you have questions, please email me. - JH

Take a survey

Please look at the righthand side of the page for a new survey I've added. Take the survey and give us an idea for what you think SLE can do this year to make our school even better.

August 3-6 Events

The following is a tentative schedule for the first three professional days:


August 3
7:30 - noon - meet at CES for district business
1:00-3:30 - Staff Meeting at SLE

August 4
7:30 -3:30 - Staff Meeting at SLE

August 5
7:30 - 3:30 - Work in Rooms

August 6
7:30-1 p.m. (60% day) Students start
1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Work in Rooms

Unscientific America Article

Go to this site, Unscientific America, for a great interview with the author of the book by the same name. He talks about how the American population's lack of understanding of basic scientific concepts may be adversly affecting our public policies. It's a little unnerving, when you think about it.

See How D.C. Is Coping with Test Scores

I listened to a very interesting story on NPR via the Internet about D.C. schools and their recent analysis of their test scores. The chancellor, Michelle Rhee , gave some interesting information during the interview that may shed light for teachers and parents of South Leake. Click here for a link to the story.

Web Resources for the Coming Year

Those of you who are looking for resources for the upcoming year may want to check out the links below.


•http://www.worldofteaching.com/ - This has many free PowerPoint presentations ready made for you. They are categorized and relatively easy to find.
•http://www.whatworks.org/ – This site offers resources for teaching reading.

•http://ascd.typepad.com/blog/2009/01/never-work-harder-than-your-students.html
This is simply an interesting book and author interview that I want to share with you. One of the points the author makes is that the teacher should "never work harder than the student" when learning something. See what you think and write back.

Parents vs. Peers

I read an interesting article about the power of parents vs. peers on children in Scientific Mind magazine. It was actually an interview with the author of a new book on the subject, and it contained some information classroom teachers might want to read.

SLE Mission Statement Question Reponses

 

 Place your cursor at the point you want to insert a comment. Go to "Insert" on the tool bar and click on the yellow cloud/comment bubble. Type away! -Jhenderson 6/24/09 4:39 PM 

 

 

SLE Mission Statement 09-10 DRAFT - Spring Survey of Staff

 

I.              Why Do you come to work at SLE

A.              staff is friendly

B.              feel comfortable here

C.              I started my teaching career at SLE. I have enjoyed working with the staff. enjoy the children. I see alot of ideas that I can bring to them. I like opening them up to new ideas

D.              I feel like a make a difference in children's lives

E.              It is close to home

F.              Teaching is my work (chosen profession)

G.              relationship between paretns, teachers, and principal are very close

H.              I can ask for help without the fear of being ridiculed

I.              I must have a paycheck

J.              Good working environment

K.              Family atmosphere; co-workers are willing to share and lend a hand

L.              good relationships between principal/teachers; teachers/parents; office/staff

M.              Pride in school campus by all

N.              Principal's high expectations of teachers and students

O.              opportunities for CEUs

P.              opportunities to give students a well rounded education through field tips, school functions, speakers, programs, etc.

 

Vision: I enjoy the friendly staff. I am proud of my school and the people in it. I like chosing high expectations for myself, my children, and the people I work with. I like giving opportunities for children to learn and grow. I love having opportunities to learn and grow, also. I must have a way to provide for myself and my family financially, and this job allows me to do so.

 

II.              Why do you teach at SLE

A.              Why is this important to you?

1.              Makes me happy

2.              It is important to feel relaxed and that you can be yourself

3.              Less stress than occurs elsewhere

4.              I am a people person; friendliness is important to me

5.              I get a sense of importance and accomplishment.

6.              I want my work to "accomplish" something in this world

7.              I love to teach

B.              SLE is a good place to teach

C.              I love the sense of family and community

D.              Staff has the same values I have

E.              I like the warm, friendly people

F.              Small classes

G.              It is fun to give needy children opportunitities.

H.              Everyone is so nice

I.              I feel like I make a difference

J.              A strong administrator, caring teachers, and the interested paretns have provided many opportunities for our students

K.              I'm proud of the progress this school has made

 

Vision: I teach at SLE because it makes me happy. I feel relaxed, and I can be myself. I like having fun when providing children with opportunities. I love to teach where I feel I make a difference. I like teaching in a place where the people are friendly, and there is a sens of family with people who have the same values as I do.

 

III.              As a parent, why do you send your children to SLE?

A.              SLE has given my children experiences and preparation for life.

B.              Staff seems exceptional

C.              The size of the school

D.              It is close to home

 

E.              For more one-on-one attention between teacher and child

 

Vision: I send my children to SLE because of exceptional staff that provides experiences that prepares my child for life. The small school size and its nearness makes it seem close to home.

 

SLE Vision

                                                                                                                                                                                     I would change to "...and my collegues". -Ggmarlin 6/30/09 3:14 PM 

I enjoy the friendly staff. I am proud of my school and the people in it. I like chosing high expectations for myself, my children, and the people I work with. I like giving opportunities for children to learn and grow. I love having opportunities to learn and grow, also. I must have a way to provide for myself and my family financially, and this job allows me to do so.

 

I teach at SLE because it makes me happy. I feel relaxed, and I can be myself. I like having fun when providing children with opportunities. I love to teach where I feel I make a difference. I like teaching in a place where the people are friendly, and there is a sense of family with people who have the same values as I do.

 

I send my children to SLE because of exceptional staff that provides experiences that prepare my child for life. The small school size and its nearness makes it seem close to home.

 

Mission

 

 NOTE: After reading the information above, write a short one to two sentence statement here. Go to the "Insert" dropdown tap on the tool bar and click "comment" JH

 I will continue to set high expectations for myself, my students and my collegues.  I will provide an environment that is conducive to learning in a friendly, professional, and collaborative atmosphere.  -Ggmarlin 6/30/09 3:20 PM   This is good. Now make it shorter - 10 words or le -Jhenderson 7/10/09 12:23 PM