NOTE: Our news is now being posted at: http://slewalnutgrovebookclub.blogspot.com/
Visit us there. JH
We missed Ms. Nettles, Mrs. Rushing, and Mrs. Burkes at our Monday meeting, but we had a rather lively discussion of "The Shack" anyway. Thanks to Ms. Hicks and Mr. Henderson, who actually finished the book this month, we were able to talk for about an hour. Of course, we digressed a little her and there.
It is now own to Ms. Nettle's next pick, "The Queen's Sorrow" by Suzanna Dunn. Click on her name to go to her homepage and learn more of her latest book. It looks like we're in for a little history lesson this month. However, those English queens can be so randy!
I guess we'll meet on the third Thursday of April at 3 p.m., unless we try going 6 weeks between meetings. It is difficult for busy people to read these big books! Leave a post, if you want to participate in our discussion.
More About David Baldacci
In February our group read "The Collectors" by David Baldacci. The current issue of Newsweek has a great article about him titled, "Thriller Instinct." It gives a great history of him and his 16 hit books. Click the article link and read it. Leave a post of what you think.
More for the Bookworm in You
If you haven't seen Booktv's website yet, click on the hyperlink to go there. You can find out great things about some of the latest books and authors.
See The King
It's not Elvis, but it is the king of horror and mystery that I'm talking about. If you haven't been to Steven King's home website, you've got to try it. In addition to learning about him, his past work, and his future projects, there is a nifty site on his page that allows you to take a virtual walk through his office. If you try it, let me know what you think. I heard him speak at Ole Miss years ago, and he said he attributes his writing partly to the fact that he has the heart of a 10-year-old boy...and he keeps it in a jar on his desk! See if you find it.
What author sites do you like to visit?
Our Club Meeting News
Our March 26 meeting has been moved to March 30 at 3 p.m. at the library.
I am really enjoying meeting with Linda Bounds of the Walnut Grove Library and several ladies from SLE monthly in our book club. Finishing the book before our meeting is usually a challenge for me, but I have really widened my horizons of new books and authors because of our meetings. And, it is always fun to talk about the book and the sidebars that we think about during our discussions.
Our next book will be "The Shack". Brother Mark Mayo of the West Carthage Baptist Church said in church recently it was a great book. It is Mrs. Truss' choice, so I'm sure it will be great. At least it is shorter than "The Collectors" - which the ladies said was a great book, too. In addition to a great book, Mrs. Burkes introduced us to a great chewy cookie "from home". She bought it at Wal-Mart and then brought them "from home." I'm telling you, there's never a dull moment!
Our group this month consisted of Ms. Nettles, Mrs. Farrell, Mrs. Rushing, Mrs. Hicks, and Mrs. Burkes. Mrs. Truss was out. I don't know what happened to Mrs. Barton. If you want to join in this lively meeting, call Linda Bounds at the library for more information.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
SLE's New Mission
A Work In Progress
It has been several years since SLE developed its current mission statement. In brief, it states,
What Is Our Mission?
Stephen R. Covey has a new book out that I think is really good. "The Leader in Me" talks about applying the 7 Habits to schools, and it offers a great way of looking at school improvement. "...try imagining fifty teachers and administrators attempting the same trapeze stunt as a team. Envision them all gathered on the lower platform preparing to launch. Some are excited, some are nervous, and some are outright resistant. Just the act of getting everyone to launch at the same time will be a major undertaking."
Sometimes I think this is why we seem to never get great projects off the ground. We can't launch correctly. The bigger the project, the greater the hesitation for the group to take the first step. It takes practice just to get started! Covey writes about the idea that the group must trust the leader before they make their launch. Or, it will be more likely to succeed, if there is great trust in the leader. A leader inspires this trust through modeling the behavior desired in others, relating to the needs of the people he or she works with, and teaches them new skills needed to make things happen. How are you doing in this area? What have you found that works in making your group bring about positive change as you work towards your goals? Are you personally modeling the behavior you want in your team members?v
Covey writes that the mission answers the why of what we do.
Why would we want to do this at our school?
Why would we want to come to our school?
Why would this be worth it to me as a teacher, student, custodian, cafeteria worker, principal, etc.?
What is our Vision?
Covey states that vision is the destination, the "end in mind" of our school. "Results" is another way of considering determining when our vision becomes a reality.
What is our Strategy?
Strategy is the path or the way to our destination. You can consider this as the "how" to realize our vision.
What are your comments?
(Visit South Leake Elementary's Missission Blog to further the conversation.)
It has been several years since SLE developed its current mission statement. In brief, it states,
"...to provide meaningful learning experiences in a safe and orderlyWell, I believe we've accomplished this, and we continue to do so daily. Now we are turning our attention to uncharted territory in many, many areas of our lives, and it is time to review our mission at SLE. So far, Mrs. Todd, Mrs. Burkes, and I have been working on updating our school's mission. Along with comments from the staff via feedback through our email, we are working on "S", "L", and "E" as an acronym for our new mission. We are considering
environment...."
"Super Learning for Everyone"as our new mission/slogan. It's short, catchy, and it conveys what I hope we do everyday.
What Is Our Mission?
Stephen R. Covey has a new book out that I think is really good. "The Leader in Me" talks about applying the 7 Habits to schools, and it offers a great way of looking at school improvement. "...try imagining fifty teachers and administrators attempting the same trapeze stunt as a team. Envision them all gathered on the lower platform preparing to launch. Some are excited, some are nervous, and some are outright resistant. Just the act of getting everyone to launch at the same time will be a major undertaking."
Sometimes I think this is why we seem to never get great projects off the ground. We can't launch correctly. The bigger the project, the greater the hesitation for the group to take the first step. It takes practice just to get started! Covey writes about the idea that the group must trust the leader before they make their launch. Or, it will be more likely to succeed, if there is great trust in the leader. A leader inspires this trust through modeling the behavior desired in others, relating to the needs of the people he or she works with, and teaches them new skills needed to make things happen. How are you doing in this area? What have you found that works in making your group bring about positive change as you work towards your goals? Are you personally modeling the behavior you want in your team members?v
Covey writes that the mission answers the why of what we do.
Why would we want to do this at our school?
Why would we want to come to our school?
Why would this be worth it to me as a teacher, student, custodian, cafeteria worker, principal, etc.?
What is our Vision?
Covey states that vision is the destination, the "end in mind" of our school. "Results" is another way of considering determining when our vision becomes a reality.
What is our Strategy?
Strategy is the path or the way to our destination. You can consider this as the "how" to realize our vision.
What are your comments?
Making Plans for March
See what the teachers at SLE have in store for you and the students for the month of March. Here is a preview of our March Newsletter:
Important Events
March
2-6 McHenderson Zoo Week
2 SLE vs. CJHS @ SLE
4 5th Grade MCT Test
5 SLE vs. CJHS @ CJHS
9-11 9 Weeks Tests
16-20 Spring Break
27 Stennis Center Field Trip
Stennis Space Center Trip
Students in 5th and 6th grades are planning a filed trip to the Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, MS for March 27. The bus will leave well before school starts, so watch for a letter from your child’s teacher for more information. Go to the Stennis Space Center’s web page and take a virtual tour to see what the students will be learning.
Spring Break March 16-20
Please mark on your calendar that SLE will be out of school for Spring Break March 16-20, but students don’t have to be out of “school.” Go to http://pbskids.org/ for links to web pages that offer fun and educational activities to do all week long! School will resume its regular schedule March 23.
MCT Science/Writing Tests
Please help your child do his or her best on the 5th Grade MCT science test, March 4, and the 4th Grade MCT writing test, March 11. Make sure that your child(ren) do not miss school those days. Also insure he or she gets a full eight hours sleep the night before and breakfast before coming to school. Special recognition will be given to students who perform exceptionally well.
Art Instruction Offered
Local artist Joshua Summers is seeking 5th and 6th grade SLE students who are interested in taking art lessons. He will be signing up students for fee-paid lessons where he will teach them the concepts of drawing and charcoal art. If you are interested in your 5th or 6th grade child participating, watch for an application form to come home the first week of March. You may also call the school for more information.
Jayla Ranks Superior
Jayla Kennedy is the only student from Mrs. Cunn’s piano students to score ALL superior at a recent piano competition at Neshoba Central.
Jewel, Makia, and "Spud" Commended
We recently held our spelling bee. First place winner was Jewel Leflore. Second place was Makia Grove, and Third place was LaJeffery "Spud" Kidkland.
Important Events
March
2-6 McHenderson Zoo Week
2 SLE vs. CJHS @ SLE
4 5th Grade MCT Test
5 SLE vs. CJHS @ CJHS
9-11 9 Weeks Tests
16-20 Spring Break
27 Stennis Center Field Trip
Stennis Space Center Trip
Students in 5th and 6th grades are planning a filed trip to the Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, MS for March 27. The bus will leave well before school starts, so watch for a letter from your child’s teacher for more information. Go to the Stennis Space Center’s web page and take a virtual tour to see what the students will be learning.
Spring Break March 16-20
Please mark on your calendar that SLE will be out of school for Spring Break March 16-20, but students don’t have to be out of “school.” Go to http://pbskids.org/ for links to web pages that offer fun and educational activities to do all week long! School will resume its regular schedule March 23.
MCT Science/Writing Tests
Please help your child do his or her best on the 5th Grade MCT science test, March 4, and the 4th Grade MCT writing test, March 11. Make sure that your child(ren) do not miss school those days. Also insure he or she gets a full eight hours sleep the night before and breakfast before coming to school. Special recognition will be given to students who perform exceptionally well.
Art Instruction Offered
Local artist Joshua Summers is seeking 5th and 6th grade SLE students who are interested in taking art lessons. He will be signing up students for fee-paid lessons where he will teach them the concepts of drawing and charcoal art. If you are interested in your 5th or 6th grade child participating, watch for an application form to come home the first week of March. You may also call the school for more information.
Jayla Ranks Superior
Jayla Kennedy is the only student from Mrs. Cunn’s piano students to score ALL superior at a recent piano competition at Neshoba Central.
Jewel, Makia, and "Spud" Commended
We recently held our spelling bee. First place winner was Jewel Leflore. Second place was Makia Grove, and Third place was LaJeffery "Spud" Kidkland.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Early Childhood Readiness Resource
Go to Mississippi Building Blocks for information about what you can do to help community-based groups prepare children to be successful in schools.
If you are interested in early childhood education, and everyone should be, go to PreK Now to lear more about the latest research and news.
If you are interested in early childhood education, and everyone should be, go to PreK Now to lear more about the latest research and news.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Boost Your Brain
As a result of attending the MECA conference this past week, I found something that educators and persons in general may find helpful.
I stopped by the wonderful, new Barnes & Nobel bookstore in Ridgeland and saw an interesting article in Scientific America Mind magazine about how to boost your brain power. Who isn't interested in that, right? Well, I started to purchase it of $6 when I noticed the web address on the cover. I took my laptop to a nearby restaurant and logged onto their wifi network and went to the site. Guess what, the entire issue was there - FREE! So, go to the site and enjoy.
Maybe you should click on a few adds so it can stay free?
I stopped by the wonderful, new Barnes & Nobel bookstore in Ridgeland and saw an interesting article in Scientific America Mind magazine about how to boost your brain power. Who isn't interested in that, right? Well, I started to purchase it of $6 when I noticed the web address on the cover. I took my laptop to a nearby restaurant and logged onto their wifi network and went to the site. Guess what, the entire issue was there - FREE! So, go to the site and enjoy.
Maybe you should click on a few adds so it can stay free?
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