Author Visits, Summer School Tech, and a Sale on Plastics

Congratulations to third grade for finishing up their week of fun! Now it's 4th and 5th grades' turn. Thanks to everyone for your support during testing. I've heard several kids tell others to stop talking (politely!) in the halls because they know classes are working on the test. 

Author Visit
We had a nice morning with the author Javaka Steptoe. He spoke to fourth and fifth graders about his books and artwork. The art is pretty cool. I was really impressed with our fifth grader who greeted and welcomed Javaka. He worked all week on his introduction and despite some serious nerves, did a fabulous job. And he got to walk away with an autographed copy of Radiant Child, Javaka's Caldecott and Coretta Scott King winning book! We'll have Javaka's collection on display in the library for students to enjoy starting on Monday. 

CREdX Updates
It's been a busy week for the CREdX Committee. We had two representatives present their grant proposal to FTO on Tuesday and were able to secure funding for the event. Yeah! They also decided on the lineup of speakers for the event. We have 16 speakers ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade. They are (hopefully) working on their talks now and we'll begin revision and practicing in the coming weeks. Look for promotional materials in your mailboxes soon. Thanks for your support! 

Devices for summer school
I've had a few people ask about iPads for summer school. Here's the plan. K-2 teachers may keep the iPads you are currently using for summer school. You'll need to check them out before May 28th. If you are not going to use them, you'll turn them in to me before the last day of school. All iPads in grades 3-5 will be turned in and locked up for summer. Since those are used in 1:1 classes, we need to make sure those are ready to go for the new school year. We will have all three laptop carts and the lab available for checkout during the summer. How do I check them out, you ask? Well, that's not up to me. I'll be on the golf course with a cooler of icy cold...ah...Diet Cokes, so you'll have to talk to your summer school principal! 

The Old Bookroom...
Is no more. And I couldn't be happier! Someone will be coming to remove the boxes of books in the coming weeks. If you are needing any plastic containers/bins, then you should head to 343 and shop while the selection is good. 

Book returns
Please let me know if you would like updated lists of students with overdue books. I'll likely wait until the week of May 6th to run physical copies again. Students who don't turn in materials or pay fines from this year will only be allowed to check out one book at a time next year and will have to keep it at school. We want to give everyone access to good books, but we also have to protect our resources. 

I think that's about it. Have a wonderful weekend!

Spring Updates

Last four buttons earned!

It's been a while since my last post. I'm sure at least two of you have missed them. We have a lot going on this time of year, so check out the info below to stay up to date. I wanted to brag on Kaitlyn. She has read all 12 Mark Twain Award nominee books this year! If you see her around, give her a high five! 

CREdX 2019
Thank you for letting the student planning committee (or me) take some time to recruit speakers. As of 10:30, we have twelve applications turned in! Today is not a hard deadline, so keep encouraging students to apply who you think have a great story to tell. The event will be held on May 23 at 1:00 in the media center. The planning committee is looking at ways to invite some students to watch live. I'm also considering a live stream so you can watch in the classroom. Look for more updates soon! 

Last checkouts
We'll have our last week of checkouts the week of May 6th (this is the date that most elementary schools are using). Please collect books the following week to return to the library. We're contemplating having your classes come the next week to do maker stations. I have a bunch of books to give away for those students who have all materials turned in. On May 20 we'll start marking those books as "lost" and issuing fines. With about 100 books still out and the average replacement cost around $15, that's a big hit to our collection. Please encourage your students in any way you see fit!

Device Collection
The week of May 20th will be Device Collection Week. Get excited!! I'm willing to wait that along because I know you are using them and are more than willing to help out with the processes in your room. I'll give you specific directions in the coming weeks, but I wanted to make sure you have time to plan accordingly. If you are leaving the district or switching schools, I'll get with you to repo all of your technology before you are able to sneak away...

Book Room
I've started to box up the leftover bookrooms materials. Those will be shipped off to the farm. The professional books are now in the conference room by the media center. 

Have a great weekend!