Randolph School’s End of the Week Notes for November 30, 2007

Celebrations!

Happy Birthday to Nick Thomas on December 2!

Announcing the return of “December Delights”. The elves are planning three Wednesday celebrations for staff in December—“Cookie Delights” on Dec. 5^th, “Chocolate Delights” on Dec. 12^th, and “Lunch Delights” on Dec. 19^th.

Please note.

“It is that time of year when we all need to be reminded that space

heaters are not allowed in LPS buildings. I was reminded of this as I

listened to a radio story about the dangers of space heaters and a fire in a home that was the result of a space heater. The many dangers associated with space heaters include the fire hazard due to proximity of combustibles like paper and burns due to physical contact with the heating elements. Please ensure that staff in your building or departments are not using electric space heaters.

Similar safety hazards are associated with the use of electric coffee

mug warmers. Please ensure these items or similar type electric warmers are not being used. Your cooperation is appreciated.”

Dennis Van Horn, Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs

Curriculum and Instruction

From Trish Kuhl: “Is there a need to complete a class writing assignment, perform online testing or do research?

Your class can sign up to use the Computer Lab on day 4.

Programs that can be used in the lab include the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Firefox, and Kidspiration 2. Students cannot use the "Color Folders" or "Free Choice" folder that contain applications they use in Computer Class.

Printing can only be done in black and white to the Lexmark Lab.

Arrangements for students saving documents would have to made ahead of time with Trish.

Students would need to follow standard closing procedures of Apple Q and Apple W to insure the machine will shut down at the end of the day. There are procedures, as well for re-placement of headphones, chairs, etc. These directions are posted on each computer and are performed on each visit.

The sign up sheet will be posted near the computer lab door.

We will try this for the remainder of 2007 and monitor any concerns that come up.”

Staff Development

Randolph’s Technology Planning Committee has set up the following professional development opportunities for us to learn about and begin to use the DocuShare sytem. The Jan. 8 hour is our staff meeting: Tim Hahn is scheduled to come share the 50-min overview with staff on 1/8/08 @ 4pm.

This 2-hour workshop will be 2 hours of our building flex time for professional development. It is a required session. Chris Pultz is scheduled to come over to do the 2-hour DocuShare Basics class on 1/17/08, 4pm - 6pm.

Student Information

For Your Information

Meetings Held This Week

Elementary Principals Council met on Wed., Nov. 21^st at LPSDO at 8:00 a.m. The following information was shared:

1. Vern Fisher talked about the “data warehouse” and the transfer of stored data from the current storage (AS400) to the next storage system. The training will be introduced in the summer ’08.

Vern reminded principals that their schools should be through the essential outcomes phase of professional learning communities, and into SMART goals development. Next semester, his office will start asking for evidence related to achievement of SMART goals.

Mary Reiman and Glenda Willnerd from Library Media Services: Storyteller Diane Ferlatte will be in Lincoln the week of April 28-May 2 for performances in 15 schools. The cost is about $350. A sign up sheet was circulated. (27 schools signed up for 15 spots.) LPS is part of a trial of BookFLIX, a resource from Scholastic which offers videos and ebooks. Media Specialists in LPS know about this trial. Primarily for Kdg.-2^nd grade, and could be used with ELL students. If purchased, it can be available on any computer in the building, as well as home access. Mary also talked about Amazing Animals, a subscription data base available as a resource for students doing animal research. Mary suggested having a “visual moment” at a staff meeting so Media Specialists could show these resources to teachers.

Susie Katt gave an “ad” for the new teacher math meetings as a support for teachers new to the math curriculum. The meeting for teachers in grade 1-5 is November 29^th. She reminded principals that each building needs to order their own mathematics objectives cards. These are in the LPS catalog.

Karen Saunders talked about the upcoming writing study next year. Karen is doing a talent search for committee members. If you are interested in being on this study committee, please see Dr. B. before December 8. The study committee will meet three days this year with substitutes provided, some time this summer, and some days during fall break next year. Karen needs to go around to all the schools to conduct a needs assessment, to actually listen to teachers talk about what is working well or are concerns. Barb Jacobson shared an updated curriculum implementation schedule 2004-2011.

MaryBell Avery is asking for nominations for Health teachers to participate in a Health curriculum initiative. There will be one meeting, and two brief field tests.

Upcoming Events

Dec. 4 Band, Strings, Chorus concert 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 6 Technology Committee meeting 8:10 a.m.

Dec. 10 School Improvement Process committee 8:10 a.m.

Dec. 11 Staff meeting 8:10 a.m. Agenda = Budget and ordering processes, PLC sharing fair presentation

Dec. 13 SIP presents Randolph’s information about our PLC processes and progress at district meeting 4-6:00 p.m. at Lux Middle School

G.E.T. members to Love & Logic conference in Omaha

Dec. 14 Illusion Theatre assembly 1:30 in the gym

Dec. 17 SCIP meets in Mrs. Mahoney’s room

Dec. 18 NO STAFF MEETING

Dec. 19 Elementary Principals’ meeting at LPSDO

Dec. 21 Class winter parties

Dec. 24- Jan. 2 Winter Break NO SCHOOL

Jan. 3 Classes start again.

Jan. 7 GET meets at 8:10 in Mrs. Mahoney’s room

Jan. 7-11 Parent Survey conducted by LPS for appraisal of Dr. Bonaiuto as principal

Jan. 8 Staff Meeting from 4-5:00 p.m. for beginning DocuShare training

Jan. 8 PTA meeting 7:00 p.m. Program = “New Year’s Resolutions” (homework, getting organized, study skills, and student leadership project presentations)

Jan. 14 No School for Elementary Students

Jan. 15 School Improvement Process Committee meets at 8:10

Jan. 15 Principal’s Parent Forum 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center

Jan. 17 Professional Development meeting 4-6:00 p.m. in the computer lab: DocuShare training

Jan. 21 No School

Jan. 22 SCIP meets in Mrs. Mahoney’s room

Jan. 23 Elementary Principals’ Council meets at LPSDO

Jan. 25 Report Cards Home!

Jan. 29 PLC Early Dismissal 2:18

Jan. 30-31 Grade level instructional conferences with Dr. Bonaiuto