Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Free Educational Games: kidzpage.com
Mrs. Burkes, SLE's librarian, suggests we visit the website below for a great source for tutorial help at school and home. Kids love the games. They play while they learn!
http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/index.html
www.bookadventure.org
http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/index.html
www.bookadventure.org
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Educational News from Rainwater Observatory
Rainwater Observatory E-News 3/24/10
SATURN SHEDS ITS LIGHT WRAPS UP THE SPRING BYA SERIES Edwin Faughn will be sharing a new program about Saturn at Friday night’s last “Backyard Astronomy” program for this spring. The program stars at 7:00 pm, but if you want to picnic, feel free to come early. Now that Saturn is well up in the eastern sky in the early evening we will be able to view it through the telescopes after the program. Edwin will talk about some of the mythology of the planet as well as show some spectacular images of the rings and moons.
Please let us know in advance if you’re bringing a group. (662-547-6377)
GREENWOOD PROGRAM ON THURSDAY APRIL 1 AT 7:00 PM We’ll be doing a public program at Cottonlandia Museum on highway 82 west in Greenwood on April first. Come join us. Edwin will be doing his Saturn program followed by observing with some of our telescopes.
NOVA ALERT
Tuesday April 6 and 13 AT 7:00 PM NOVA will broadcast a program titled “Hunting the Edge of Space”.
NEWS FROM THE HILL
The big news is that Jim Coker and Jarrod Marsh have been helping with getting the Sangre scope back in operation. John Martinez came from Santa Barbara to shepherd the process and will be back from New Orleans next Monday to finish up. The mirrors are in, but we are waiting on a collimation tool from California to be able to finish the job. We plan on having it finished and on the sky next Monday. The progress has been slow on the 32” scope retrofit, but the azimuth motor is installed and we’re working on getting the altitude drive put in. It should be back in operation by Easter.
The Mid-south Star Gaze & Astronomy Conference is up to 70 registrations. If you plan to have meals or housing, the deadline is April 1. It’s a lot easier on us if you pre-register asap.
COMING EVENTS: ATTEND A PROGRAM NEAR YOU If you would like a program in your community or want to set up a field trip to Rainwater, let us know.
March 25: at Philadelphia Middle School (HELP APPRECIATED FOR THIS LARGE EVENT) March 25: Winona Rotary Club, noon March 26: Backyard Astronomy 7pm March 27: Ponchatoula Boy Scouts camping out March 30: at Houlka Attendance Center 7:30 (HELP APPRECIATED HERE TOO) April 1: at Cottonlandia Museum in Greenwood 7pm April 9: Rainwater Astronomical Association public meeting April 10: at Camp Seminole Cub Scout Camporee, (HELP APPRECIATED FOR THIS EVENT) April 14-17, 2010 Mid-South Star Gaze Regional Astronomy Conference and Star Party. Flyers to previous participants will go out this week. Information and online registration can be found at http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/
April 16-17, 2010 “Mid-South Astronomy Conference Educators Workshop”. 1 CEU can be obtained by teachers. Call for more information June 13-18: “Astronomy for Teachers” course at Rainwater (see below for details) June 20-26: Astronomy Camp (see below for details)
SUPPORT THE RAA BY BECOMING A MEMBER
Rainwater Astronomical Association membership is $15. We’ll be instituting some special programs for members as the weather gets better. Thanks for your support.
ASTRONOMY FOR TEACHERS COLLEGE CREDIT COURSE The “Astronomy for Teachers” class offer 3 semester hour credit through Ole Miss is scheduled for June 13-18. This is an intensive week and you must be enrolled in the university to take the course for credit. Information at www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers If you have questions contact Jonnie Fitch at Ole Miss jwfitch@olemiss.edu 662-915-7158
ASTRONOMY CAMP IN JUNE
A summer astronomy camp is scheduled for June 20-26 in conjunction with the Camp of the Rising Son. This week long event will be for 13-16 year olds. Registration information can be found at info@campoftherisingson.com The cost will be $484.00 for the week.
ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you’d like to share, let us know.
For you fans of the Sun. Here is a nice image courtesy of Edwin Faughn http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2010/22mar10/Rogerio-Marcon1.jpg?
PHPSESSID=pbf7k4gf7ov9gifgt7co2mtds1
Here’s an interesting thought. Black holes may eat normal matter, but not dark matter? http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/22/astronomers-find-black-holes-do-not-absorb-dark-matter/
If you were worries about our close encounter with the Andromeda galaxy in a few billion years, there may be a closer problem. Check this out. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/newsblog/88198587.html
Galaxies in the early universe appear to have had a growth spurt. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/21/galaxies-in-early-universe-experienced-growth-spurt/
And finally, a normal exoplanet. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/18/finally-a-normal-exoplanet/
SATURN SHEDS ITS LIGHT WRAPS UP THE SPRING BYA SERIES Edwin Faughn will be sharing a new program about Saturn at Friday night’s last “Backyard Astronomy” program for this spring. The program stars at 7:00 pm, but if you want to picnic, feel free to come early. Now that Saturn is well up in the eastern sky in the early evening we will be able to view it through the telescopes after the program. Edwin will talk about some of the mythology of the planet as well as show some spectacular images of the rings and moons.
Please let us know in advance if you’re bringing a group. (662-547-6377)
GREENWOOD PROGRAM ON THURSDAY APRIL 1 AT 7:00 PM We’ll be doing a public program at Cottonlandia Museum on highway 82 west in Greenwood on April first. Come join us. Edwin will be doing his Saturn program followed by observing with some of our telescopes.
NOVA ALERT
Tuesday April 6 and 13 AT 7:00 PM NOVA will broadcast a program titled “Hunting the Edge of Space”.
NEWS FROM THE HILL
The big news is that Jim Coker and Jarrod Marsh have been helping with getting the Sangre scope back in operation. John Martinez came from Santa Barbara to shepherd the process and will be back from New Orleans next Monday to finish up. The mirrors are in, but we are waiting on a collimation tool from California to be able to finish the job. We plan on having it finished and on the sky next Monday. The progress has been slow on the 32” scope retrofit, but the azimuth motor is installed and we’re working on getting the altitude drive put in. It should be back in operation by Easter.
The Mid-south Star Gaze & Astronomy Conference is up to 70 registrations. If you plan to have meals or housing, the deadline is April 1. It’s a lot easier on us if you pre-register asap.
COMING EVENTS: ATTEND A PROGRAM NEAR YOU If you would like a program in your community or want to set up a field trip to Rainwater, let us know.
March 25: at Philadelphia Middle School (HELP APPRECIATED FOR THIS LARGE EVENT) March 25: Winona Rotary Club, noon March 26: Backyard Astronomy 7pm March 27: Ponchatoula Boy Scouts camping out March 30: at Houlka Attendance Center 7:30 (HELP APPRECIATED HERE TOO) April 1: at Cottonlandia Museum in Greenwood 7pm April 9: Rainwater Astronomical Association public meeting April 10: at Camp Seminole Cub Scout Camporee, (HELP APPRECIATED FOR THIS EVENT) April 14-17, 2010 Mid-South Star Gaze Regional Astronomy Conference and Star Party. Flyers to previous participants will go out this week. Information and online registration can be found at http://www.rainwaterobservatory.org/stargaze/
April 16-17, 2010 “Mid-South Astronomy Conference Educators Workshop”. 1 CEU can be obtained by teachers. Call for more information June 13-18: “Astronomy for Teachers” course at Rainwater (see below for details) June 20-26: Astronomy Camp (see below for details)
SUPPORT THE RAA BY BECOMING A MEMBER
Rainwater Astronomical Association membership is $15. We’ll be instituting some special programs for members as the weather gets better. Thanks for your support.
ASTRONOMY FOR TEACHERS COLLEGE CREDIT COURSE The “Astronomy for Teachers” class offer 3 semester hour credit through Ole Miss is scheduled for June 13-18. This is an intensive week and you must be enrolled in the university to take the course for credit. Information at www.outreach.olemiss.edu/teachers If you have questions contact Jonnie Fitch at Ole Miss jwfitch@olemiss.edu 662-915-7158
ASTRONOMY CAMP IN JUNE
A summer astronomy camp is scheduled for June 20-26 in conjunction with the Camp of the Rising Son. This week long event will be for 13-16 year olds. Registration information can be found at info@campoftherisingson.com The cost will be $484.00 for the week.
ASTRO NEWS: If you have info or links you’d like to share, let us know.
For you fans of the Sun. Here is a nice image courtesy of Edwin Faughn http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2010/22mar10/Rogerio-Marcon1.jpg?
PHPSESSID=pbf7k4gf7ov9gifgt7co2mtds1
Here’s an interesting thought. Black holes may eat normal matter, but not dark matter? http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/22/astronomers-find-black-holes-do-not-absorb-dark-matter/
If you were worries about our close encounter with the Andromeda galaxy in a few billion years, there may be a closer problem. Check this out. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/newsblog/88198587.html
Galaxies in the early universe appear to have had a growth spurt. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/21/galaxies-in-early-universe-experienced-growth-spurt/
And finally, a normal exoplanet. http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/18/finally-a-normal-exoplanet/
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Students Report on The Great Mail Race
For Mr. Henderson’s Blog, from Mr. Roberts’s students from Ms. Drury’s 4th grade class
Ms. Drury’s Fourth Grade class at South Leake Elementary School is participating in The Great Mail Race. The Great Mail Race is about fourth grade students writing to other fourth grade students in other states, telling them about their class, their school and their community.
Ms. Drury’s class received a letter from Brittney in Mrs. Barker’s class at Dogwood Elementary School in Kearney, Missouri (about 20 miles north of Kansas City), inviting the class to participate in The Great Mail Race. The letter also told about their class and school.
In The Great Mail Race, the fourth grade class is invited to reply with information such as:
What is the name of your school?
Do you have a school mascot?
Is your school named after a person or place?
When does your school day begin and end?
What is your community like?
The letter also challenges the class to write to a school in each of the fifty states.
Our school has students from more than one community. Some of the schools we will write to are one of many elementary schools in their city. It is interesting to learn about other schools and fourth grade classes across the country.
We are excited to take part in The Great Mail Race!
Moses Carson, Adria Hollis, Curtis Jones and Amaya Ruffin contributed to this article.
The Great Mail Race
Ms. Drury’s Fourth Grade class at South Leake Elementary School is participating in The Great Mail Race. The Great Mail Race is about fourth grade students writing to other fourth grade students in other states, telling them about their class, their school and their community.
Ms. Drury’s class received a letter from Brittney in Mrs. Barker’s class at Dogwood Elementary School in Kearney, Missouri (about 20 miles north of Kansas City), inviting the class to participate in The Great Mail Race. The letter also told about their class and school.
In The Great Mail Race, the fourth grade class is invited to reply with information such as:
What is the name of your school?
Do you have a school mascot?
Is your school named after a person or place?
When does your school day begin and end?
What is your community like?
The letter also challenges the class to write to a school in each of the fifty states.
Our school has students from more than one community. Some of the schools we will write to are one of many elementary schools in their city. It is interesting to learn about other schools and fourth grade classes across the country.
We are excited to take part in The Great Mail Race!
Moses Carson, Adria Hollis, Curtis Jones and Amaya Ruffin contributed to this article.
Contest Winners
Monday, March 22, 2010
My Virtual Tutor: Reading
Check out this SlideShare presentation for a great reading game for your child's DS.
My Virtual Tutor: Reading
View more presentations from thespot84.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Ravitch Tells It Like It Is and Should Be in Interview and Book
I saw a very interesting interview with Diane Ravitch on Booktv.org Sunday night that I think every teacher, parent, superintendent, school board member and legislator should see. You will have to go to www.booktv.org for the next scheduled viewing.
You can also go to http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/ for links to other interviews of Ravitch. In my opinion, her latest book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education I (Basic Books, 2010), is right on the money. Read more at her website at http://www.dianeravitch.com/.
You can also go to http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/ for links to other interviews of Ravitch. In my opinion, her latest book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education I (Basic Books, 2010), is right on the money. Read more at her website at http://www.dianeravitch.com/.
Friday, March 19, 2010
60second Recap | Learn literature's finest in fun 60-second videos
60second Recap Learn literature's finest in fun 60-second videos
Here is a great site to help you with your high school and college literature assignment. I give it my stamp of approval! - JH
Here is a great site to help you with your high school and college literature assignment. I give it my stamp of approval! - JH
The Census Is Here. How Can it Impact Your School's Funding?
The Census Is Here. How Can it Impact Your School's Funding?
Posted using ShareThis
Read this from Scholastic to see how and why the Census is important to us at SLE.
Posted using ShareThis
Read this from Scholastic to see how and why the Census is important to us at SLE.
Education Cuts Summary
The following is a summary, from Mr. Ladner, of budget cuts the governor has made to the state's education budget so far this school year. The coming school year looks even worse. I read in the local paper that Sen. (R)Giles Ward predicts the budget situation will not look better for as much as another FOUR years.
NOTE: A down economy is one thing, but not to meet our obligation to educate our children is not something we as a society should tolerate.
"Budget Situation Brief Summary
Budget Cuts 09-10
August - 5% Budget Cut
December 3 - 3.193% cut
$75,413,738 cut to K-12 education
This brings the total K-12 education cut in February to 8.193%,
or $193,490,566
Leake County Lost $1.2 M
March -SB 2495 Restores $33.9 M
March 17 - $19.16 M Cut
Total cut To Date = 9.476 %
More Cuts
For this School Year ?
POSSIBLE 10-11 Cuts
● 17% + Budget cut
● Everything On The Table
● EXPECT MUCH MORE"
NOTE: A down economy is one thing, but not to meet our obligation to educate our children is not something we as a society should tolerate.
"Budget Situation Brief Summary
Budget Cuts 09-10
August - 5% Budget Cut
December 3 - 3.193% cut
$75,413,738 cut to K-12 education
This brings the total K-12 education cut in February to 8.193%,
or $193,490,566
Leake County Lost $1.2 M
March -SB 2495 Restores $33.9 M
March 17 - $19.16 M Cut
Total cut To Date = 9.476 %
More Cuts
For this School Year ?
POSSIBLE 10-11 Cuts
● 17% + Budget cut
● Everything On The Table
● EXPECT MUCH MORE"
Thursday, March 18, 2010
"Restoring" Education Funding?
Below is an excerpt from an email from Nancy Loome of The Parents' campaign. It give a good explanation and update of how the governor's budget cuts are affecting our public schools overall.
from The Parents' Campaign
Governor Barbour announced today an additional $19.16-million in cuts to K-12 education. Of that, $16.8-million is to MAEP and $190,671 is to the National Board Certified Teacher Program. This brings the total cut to this year's K-12 education budget to 9.476%, or $223,769,811.
Of the total funds that have been cut from schools, $37.6-million was restored as a result of your terrific work on Senate Bill 2495. As you know, schools are already reeling from the earlier rounds of cuts, and critical teaching positions and programs are being lost. The cuts made today to all state agencies totaled $41-million.
This most recent round of cuts was made in response to the revised revenue estimates that were adopted by the Legislative Budget Committee this morning. The Revenue Estimating Committee recommended revised revenue estimates for both the current fiscal year and the next fiscal year. The estimates were revised downward as follows:
• Fiscal Year 2010 Down $119.4-million from the November estimate to $4,432,000,000
• Fiscal Year 2011 Down $112.9-million from the November estimate to $5,562,900,000
The Revenue Estimating Committee bases its recommendations on national forecasts and recent and historical economic trends within the State of Mississippi. It is on the revenue estimate for FY2011 that the FY2011 budget will be based.
The downward revision in the FY2011 revenue estimate means that the Legislature will have even fewer dollars to appropriate for the coming year. This makes it more important than ever for the Legislature to make K-12 education an absolute priority, setting it apart from other state agencies whose functions, though important, are not vital to the success of our state. Our state's constitution and state statute make it clear that it is the obligation of the Legislature to ensure that every child is provided a free and appropriate education - in good times and in bad. We will need your help to make it so.
from The Parents' Campaign
Governor Barbour announced today an additional $19.16-million in cuts to K-12 education. Of that, $16.8-million is to MAEP and $190,671 is to the National Board Certified Teacher Program. This brings the total cut to this year's K-12 education budget to 9.476%, or $223,769,811.
Of the total funds that have been cut from schools, $37.6-million was restored as a result of your terrific work on Senate Bill 2495. As you know, schools are already reeling from the earlier rounds of cuts, and critical teaching positions and programs are being lost. The cuts made today to all state agencies totaled $41-million.
This most recent round of cuts was made in response to the revised revenue estimates that were adopted by the Legislative Budget Committee this morning. The Revenue Estimating Committee recommended revised revenue estimates for both the current fiscal year and the next fiscal year. The estimates were revised downward as follows:
• Fiscal Year 2010 Down $119.4-million from the November estimate to $4,432,000,000
• Fiscal Year 2011 Down $112.9-million from the November estimate to $5,562,900,000
The Revenue Estimating Committee bases its recommendations on national forecasts and recent and historical economic trends within the State of Mississippi. It is on the revenue estimate for FY2011 that the FY2011 budget will be based.
The downward revision in the FY2011 revenue estimate means that the Legislature will have even fewer dollars to appropriate for the coming year. This makes it more important than ever for the Legislature to make K-12 education an absolute priority, setting it apart from other state agencies whose functions, though important, are not vital to the success of our state. Our state's constitution and state statute make it clear that it is the obligation of the Legislature to ensure that every child is provided a free and appropriate education - in good times and in bad. We will need your help to make it so.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
math link
Here is a link to a website that uses video clips to explain algebra and other high school math classes. Tell me what you find. Send it on to whomever you think would use it. I think it is very helpful!
www.brightstorm.com/d/math
www.brightstorm.com/d/math
Big Changes In Store for Failing Schools
SLE staff and students are working diligently to ensure that students meet their academic goals and move the school off the "Failing" rung of the state's accreditation ladder. The following is some important information parents, teachers, and community members need to know in the event we do not do well enough to move beyond the "Failing" category.
If you have not seen the bills being considered by the Mississippi House and Senate concerning charter schools and New Start Schools, please visit
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/Extrel/leg/2010Legislation.html
and click through until you see House Bill 1043 and Senate Bill 2293. I encourage you to read through these and learn what they will mean to South Leake Elementary and High School. If you have any questions, contact me to discuss it further. SLE will plan a community meeting soon to discuss these and other issues facing our schools.
If you have a suggestion for a topic for us to discuss, please email it to me. Please share your thoughts here on this blog by posting your ideas.
Thanks,
Jimmy Henderson
Principal
If you have not seen the bills being considered by the Mississippi House and Senate concerning charter schools and New Start Schools, please visit
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/Extrel/leg/2010Legislation.html
and click through until you see House Bill 1043 and Senate Bill 2293. I encourage you to read through these and learn what they will mean to South Leake Elementary and High School. If you have any questions, contact me to discuss it further. SLE will plan a community meeting soon to discuss these and other issues facing our schools.
If you have a suggestion for a topic for us to discuss, please email it to me. Please share your thoughts here on this blog by posting your ideas.
Thanks,
Jimmy Henderson
Principal
CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News
Go to this link on CNN for a view of an interesting school. Too bad we don't fund these kinds of extras for our children!
CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News: "school"
CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News: "school"
Monday, March 8, 2010
Girls Softball
Please pass on to all your girls that, if they haven't signed up to play softball at Carthage City Parks this spring and summer, they have until 5:00 Thursday, March 11, 2010. They need to go by City Hall. I believe the fee is $40.00.
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