AM Announcements - February 16

AM Announcements
February 16, 2010

1. Today is Day 103.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Tuesday: February 16
Access Testing for LEP students continues
Technology Staff Development - 2:40-4:15
A's and Bees Tutoring - 6:00-8:00 PM

Wednesday: February 17
Access Testing for LEP students continues
Curriculum Coordinators' meeting - 8:00-3:30 - Marston off-campus

Thursday: February 18
Access Testing for LEP students continues
Job Site meeting - 9:00-10:00 - Powell and Reichert
Field Trip to Salemtowne - Ms. Say's class - 9:30-11:00
Staff Policy Committee meeting - 4:00-5:00 - Reichert off-campus

Friday: February 19
Access Testing for LEP students continues
Move meeting - 8:00-9:00 - Powell and Reichert off-campus
SolEd Partnership meeting - 3:30-5:30 - Reichert off-campus

4. Upcoming Calendar Items:
a. 02/24 - Title-1 Parent Involvement Audit
b. 02/26 - Dollar Dress Down Day
c. 02/26 - Box Tops for Education Due
d. 02/27 - Title-1 Comprehensive Needs Assessment Training - 9:00-1:00

5. CERTL applications are available from Ms. Rhodes. The application deadline is this Thursday, February 18.

6. Books for the African Book Project can be dropped off in the front lobby. We have until this Friday, February 19.

7. Through the generosity of Ms. Dagenbach and her daughter, we replaced the microwave that died. The new microwave was placed in the cafeteria. Staff members began using it immediately. Unfortuately, those who use it have not always been those who clean up after themselves. When you use the microwaves, please remember to cover your food and if a mess is made, clean it up. Don't just walk away and expect someone else will do it for you. Thanks for your consideration.

8. Review Conferences today:

9. There will be a 4 hour Title-1 Comprehensive Needs Assessment training here in Winston-Salem on Saturday, February 27 from 9:00-1:00. Yesterday, the Title-1 office sent out an e-mail limiting the number of participants to 1-2 per school. Since Ms. Miller serves as the co-chair of SIT, I would like her to attend. I held a drawing from the other three names and Ms. Higgins pulled out Ms. Heyland's name.

10. There is a sign-up sheet in the mailroom to take food or groceries or a meal to Rose Rusch and Amber. Please see Ms. Higgins if you wish to donate Annual Leave days to Rose. Your support is greatly appreciated.

11. The 2nd Quarter AR Incentive Sessions will take place on the following schedule:

Monday, Feb. 22 - 8:00-8:45 : Grades K/1
Tuesday, Feb. 23 - 8:00-8:45 : Grades 4/5
Wednesday, Feb. 22 - 8:00-8:45 : Grades 2/3

12. From Ms. Laney: Thank you so much for supporting the Arts Council Campaign. There have been many generous donations. It will help make a difference with our children and their experiences. Fund-raising ends on Friday, February 19th. However, I am not at Speas after Wednesday. If you plan on donating make sure it gets to me before then. Don't miss out on a studio experience at Speas Elementary! Thanks again.

13. Students involved in Jump Rope for Heart will be with Ms. Alston this morning from 8:05-9:00.

14. Today is Shrove Tuesday ("Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras" in French) the last day before the observence of Lent. It is the final day of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Mobile, Carnival in Rio and the International Pancake Race in Liberal Kansas. This race dates back to 1445 in Olney, England and has now become a friendly competition between the two cities. It is said to have begun when a woman was making pan cakes and heard the church bell summoning the faithful to have their sins "shriven." She reportedly grabbed her skillet and ran all the way to church where she was granted absolution for her sins. Have you decided to give anything up for Lent?

15. England and America are two countries separated by a common language.
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.
H. G. Wells (1866 - 1946), Outline of History (1920)

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931), (attributed)

The price of freedom of religion, or of speech, or of the press, is that we must put up with a good deal of rubbish.
Robert Jackson