January 26, 2016

I have to share a proud teacher story to start this week.

I went out to Bright Field last night where students were presenting their playground projects. As I walked around the commons, former students kept running up and persuading me to see their projects. But, that's not the part where pride kicked in. My heart swelled when nearly all of them started their presentations by talking about how they had included playground equipment for kids with special needs. And they could specifically describe how the equipment would help students in wheelchairs, with Autism, or other diversabilities. Now, that's something of which to be proud.

Head's Up

Wednesday, January 27 is the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Elementary School #11 and Middle School #5 on Featherston Road. Starts at 10:00 am.

One District, One Book launches on Friday, January 29. We would like to do a better job of documenting how this engages students and families. If you're on social media, use #bpsodob and post some pictures. Remember to tag @Bentonville_PS and we'll share them with our 4,500 followers. If you have a special project or unique activity that your class is doing for The One and Only Ivan, send me an email. Thanks Carol Halbmeier for producing this great intro video.

It's Clean Out Your Inbox Week from January 25 - 29, 2016. I hear Matt Saferite is going to achieve inbox 0 by the end of the week.

January 27th is Holocaust Memorial Day.

January 28th is Christa Mcauliffe Day to commemorate Christa McAuliffe and the six astronauts who died when the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after take-off on January 28, 1986.

February is Black History Month, American Heart Month, and Dental Health Month. It's also a leap year giving you an extra day to celebrate.

February 1st is National Freedom Day, a day to honor the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

February 2nd is Groundhog Day. Or for Bill Murray fans Avoid Ned Ryerson Day.









February 1st - 12th is Mr. Poore's annual Hunger is Heartbreaking food drive for SnackPack For Kids items. A flyer was sent home via Peachjar today. Let's fill his office and get him on the roof. Thanks to Mr. Engle's 4th graders for finding the coldest day of  February to get him up there. Thank you for supporting Samaritan Community Center and hungry kids across NWA.

@bpscommunity

Some very creative projects on display at Bright Field Middle School last night. Students presented their ideas to Bentonville Officials on upgrades to two city parks.  

How cool is this!  BHS student operating a camera for ESPN during last Friday's nationally televised game. Talk about an opportunity to get some real, relevant experience. Thanks ESPN for igniting the passion in students.

Grants and PD

Are you an innovator? Want to share your genius with other teachers in Northwest Arkansas? Or, are you planning your summer professional development and looking for something for teachers by teachers? Then Innovation Institute might be just the place for you. Details here.

Video of the Week

Finally, RSA Animate has made a video on Carol Dweck's famous (or infamous, depending on your mindset) book Mindset. Still a book on my required reading and re-reading list.


Enjoy your week.

January 19, 2016

Are you back in the groove yet?

Head's Up

Sunday, January 17th (not Friday, January 17th as posted last week), was Kid Inventors' Day. I apologize for not being more on top of this opportunity, but here's a link to some invention contests for "kidventers" and "learnerpreneurs." They might be something to share during your next #geniushour.

Diversability Awareness Festival is truly a community event this year! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 23rd and plan to join us at Lawrence Plaza in Downtown Bentonville to experience some creative projects that celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and the diverse abilities we all share, find solutions to challenges faced by people with disabilities, and showcase the creativity and solution finding of students in Bentonville Schools.

This year we're supporting Best Buddies. Best Buddies is an international organization dedicated to connecting people with disabilities and non-disabled people for friendship and mentoring. They're busy building an organization and preparing for a fund-raising walk on, wait for it, Saturday, April 23rd that starts and ends at Lawrence Plaza! This is a great opportunity not only for community service hours, but also for students to have a real impact on the community. This Saturday is also the first Farmers' Market of the year.

@bpscommunity

 Friday evening, Central Park's Maya Ellgass and Old High's Ashlyn Farmer were honored for their adaptations of MLK's I Have a Dream speech. Not pictured is BHS Sophmore Pierce Reitnauer, who also was honored.

Hundreds of community members toured the new Bentonville West High School yesterday. It was great to see so many excited students able to walk through the building.

Wolverine Wednesdays are coming soon! Get your Snarl on people!

This space is only going to get more amazing once it's finished. The clerestory windows flood the space with natural light. It's hard to describe how bright this area is, even on an overcast day.

Bentonville West is definitely worth the wait.







Superintendent Poore's annual Hunger is Heartbreaking food drive for Snackpacks runs Monday, February 1st through Friday, February 13th. Let's fill his office and send him to the roof! Thanks to David Engle's 4th grade class for researching the coldest day for Mr. Poore to work from the roof. Their prediction? February 19th.

Social media policy update:

I think we are close to having a policy that outlines rationale, expectations, and potential consequences without undue overreach. I'm meeting with BPS Attorney Marshall Ney tomorrow to go over the final draft. The group working on the policy has developed a survey for students in grades 4 -12 that will be sent out within the next week. We would like to have students in grades 4 - 6 complete the short survey during computer lab time. I'm not sure how best to engage junior high and high school students, but seminar would seem the logical choice. Any other suggestions?

Grants & PD

There's some interesting offerings coming up in the next few weeks from edweb.net. Check the right hand side of their webpage for some great one-hour webinars.

Video of the week

It's tax time. That W2 is coming soon, leaving some to wonder if it's all worth the effort. Here's slam poet and teacher Tayor Mali's response to the question: What do you make?

Enjoy your week.

January 12, 2016

Keepin' it concise this week.

Head's Up

January is National Mentoring Month. What do you think about a BPS STEaMentor Corps comprised of professionals in the community? Would having a group of people willing to volunteer their expertise to support student learning add value to your classroom? Let me know your thoughts on this.

Please share this opportunity with students. National Youth Science Center is taking applications for Summer Youth Science Camp 2016. Get details here. https://nysc.fluidreview.com/

Don't forget - Diversability Awareness Meeting tonight at 4:00 pm in room 200 at BPS Student Services Center.

Thursday, January 14th, students a Fulbright will be hosting the community for Tech Night from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. Students will be presenting their projects on Internet safety.

Ruth Barker Middle School will hold the first session of their Financial Wellness Series this Thursday, January 14th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Representatives from Signature Bank will be presenting on banking and budgeting. Contact Marisa Snow msnow@bentonvillek12.org for more information.







Need a contest with a cause for creative kids? Susan G. Komen Kids for the Cure Coloring Contest is waiting for their entry. Get details on the form, or contact Leslie Lyons llyons@bentonvillek12.org.

Sunday, January 17th is Kid Inventor's Day. Think about starting Genius Hour with your class or just giving kids time to brainstorm some big, crazy ideas. Who knows, they just might surprise you.

Monday, January 18th is Martin Junior King Jr. Day.

@bpscommunity

What do y'all think about bringing #bpseduchat back once a month? What about the second Sunday or Monay of the month at 7:00 pm? Great way to start the week.

Don't be shy, share your greatness with Taylor. She'll make you famous (at least in the District). Send story ideas, photos, projects, and celebrations to tblackwell@bentonvillek12.org.

Video of the week

Going to work on this. Wish me luck.



Enjoy your week.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Welcome back!
Full disclosure: If there was an award for the least motivated person in Bentonville during Winter Break, I'd most likely be the winner. Hope you all found time to do nothing as well.

Head's Up

Some of you participated in, and many of you heard about, Diversability Awareness Festival last year. The inaugural event not only provided students an opportunity to think critically and find creative solutions to challenges faced by people with disabilities, but also educate and create awareness of the contributions made by people with disabilities. Diversability Awareness is back and committed to making a greater impact on the community. This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, April 23, 2016 in Downtown Bentonville. Diversablities Awareness is supported by strategic partnerships with Downtown Bentonville Inc., Walmart, Bentonville Special Education Equality Network (BeSEEN), and a group led by Former Cave Springs Police Chief Mike Caudill to bring an international disability support organization called Best Buddies to Northwest Arkansas. If you're interested in participating or know students who are already working on projects that align with Diversabilities, let me know. Here's the Google doc from previous planning meetings. The next meeting is Tuesday, January 12, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at Student Services 1000 SE 14th Street.

Here's video from last year's event, just to pique your interest.



Do you have students wanting to change the world, this opportunity for student voice in a public forum might be perfect for them. The MLK Holiday is Monday, January 18, 2015.

High school artists are invited to participate in the 2016 Governor's Young Artist Exhibit Competition. This year's theme is "bridges" and how creating "bridges" can help find solutions to various challenges. Click the above link for details and entry forms. 

Just found out about this: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles seeks entrants for the 2016 Drive for Design Contest. High School students are asked to design a Dodge SRT Hellcat for the year 2025. Unfortunately, the deadline is January 8! Something to keep in mind for next year.

@bpscommunity

Students at Sugar Creek collected food for Samaritan Community Center the week before Winter Break. 

Make your New Year's Resolution to share the great things going on throughout Bentonville Schools! Email me or Taylor Blackwell tblackwell@bentonvillek12.org and we'll get the word out. If you're using social media, tag @Bentonville_ps or use #bpsCares #bpsmorethanascore.

Thank you to Buddy Herndon and this great group of kids for their hard work and support for those less fortunate.

We'll be fighting food insecurity in NWA again in February during our Hunger is Heartbreaking food drive.

Social Media policy status update 

Work continues to draft a District Social Media policy. Currently, BPS attorney Marshall Ney is reviewing the current draft. After his input, we'll look at any changes to language. The next step is to develop guidelines for professional use. There are a number of people interested in collaborating in this process, if you'd like to help, contact me. Here is an interesting article with an infographic on best practices when using social media.

Grants and PD

Got this little gem on my Twitter feed last Friday. Check out these grant opportunities. to promote STEM, STEAM, and real, relevant learning opportunities.


Farmers Insurance is accepting applications in January for the 2016 Thank a Teacher Program. This program provides $2,500 grants for day-to-day classroom needs and $100,000 for visionary ideas that improve schools and the community at large.

Did you know that Crystal Bridges does PD? And did you know you can get credit for it? Check out these two offerings:

Looking Beyond the Obvious Part 1: Decoding Symbolism
Wednesday, January 6, 6 - 8 pm
This is the first part of a two part series that explores works of art using historical context clues to decipher the symbolism and intended meaning of the piece. Cost $10.

Learning with Chemistry and the Arts
Saturday, January 9, 9 am - 1 pm
What do Haiku poetry and chemistry have in common? And how do both relate to visual arts? Find out by attending. Cost $10.
For more details on these and many other opportunities available at Crystal Bridges click here.

Are you a science teacher who always wanted to attend Stanford? Then this MOOC's for you.

Video of the week

A lot of us are setting goals around this time of year. Here's a little video to help.




Have a great week.

December 15, 2015

I'm starting this week with a short story.

When my son, Tyler, was in 3rd grade he had a horrible year. He was bullied and shamed by his teacher through inaction. The week before Christmas that year, he came home and announced that he and couple of friends had come up with a new holiday - "Christmahannukwanzaka" - because they wanted to give everyone an opportunity come together and just be happy. My wish for you all is to be joyful, share joy, laugh, and embrace the childlike happiness of opening the perfect present - not taking life so seriously over the next two weeks.

Head's Up

While you're relaxing and being joyful, here's some events coming up next year.

Bentonville Parks and Recreation contacted me  with an opportunity for students to get involved with the Bentonville 1/2 Marathon Saturday, April 2, 2016. The route runs right in front of Tennie Russell, Sugar Creek, and Thomas Jefferson, and within a shoelace of Washington and Apple Glen, but all school's are invited to come up with something creative to support runners. One idea that's been tossed out is to have kids run the equivalent of a 1/2 Marathon January - March and complete the distance on race day. Could be great training for Gold Rush. Then, there's the always popular "Where you from?" map.

The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Fayetteville in February as part of their World Tour 2016.

Every night this week Bentonville Public Library is showing each Star Wars movie leading up to Star Wars Day on Saturday when The Force Awakes.

@bpscommunity

There was a huge crowd Downtown for the 2015 Christmas Parade. It was great to see so many schools and students participating. They looked like they were enjoying themselves.



A group of BHS students got an opportunity for some real, relevant learning when Dr. Christopher Dougherty performed an ACL repair surgery live on stage at Arend. Select students also had hands-on experience with the tools and equipment used in orthopedic surgery.

http://5newsonline.com/2015/12/10/live-surgery-performed-for-high-school-students/

BHS students get a hands-on look at a femoral artery.

Dr. Chris Dougherty demonstrates an ACL repair surgery live on the Arend Art Center stage. Dr. Dougherty is the team physician for the NWA Naturals and the Kansas City Royals.





BHS students work with an arthroscope.






Amazing what kids will do when given the opportunity. Mr. Killingsworth and Ms. Parker are supporting a group of young engineers who started a passion project to convert an internal combustion engine vehicle to electric power. They plan to compete in a competition in North Carolina in the spring.

Thanks to all who participated in Computer Science Education Week and Hour of Code. Bentonville is definitely taking leadership on incorporating computer science into the  K - 12 curriculum. Old High Principal Jeff Wasem gives a great explanation for why exposing kids to code is so important in the clip below.

Bentonville Middle School Students Learn to Code - Story

Awesome to see so many schools participate the Bentonville Christmas Parade. 

Here's Old High and Bright Field Middle Schools Giving Clubs ready to go. These kids, did something special during the parade. They gave away socks, gloves and hats along the route.

Elm Tree Elementary's float had the elves on the vacation.

On RE Baker's float, the elves were busy working on preparing gifts.

BHS International club added some global flair to the festivities.

Give it up for the Creek! Sugar Creek is ready to roll.

Lincoln Junior High is cheering for a an excellent Winter Break.

And no parade's complete without a celebrity in a convertible.

Straight up, Good advice right here.

Here's a link to the Employee Social Media Survey results for those who are interested. Thank you to all who participated.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AlGqPOWuzcsiULUuAtHpkULWJ9dJeXdxVp7b8A0t6G4/viewanalytics#start=openform

Grants and PD

If you have receive a grant or donation so far this school year, please fill out this form. I want to share with the School Board how much value you add beyond what you do day in and day out for students in your classrooms.

Video of the week

Thought a reminder from one of my favorite educational theorists might be a great way to send us all into a well deserved vacation.



Enjoy, be joyful, share joy, and be nice to each other. If third graders can figure it out . . .

December 8, 2015

I'm sure you've started the countdown.

Head's Up

It's Computer Science Education Week, and there's a lot of code being written by students in Bentonville Schools. Tag @Bentonville_ps in your Twitter posts so we can share them with @AsaHutchinson. Use the #ARKidsCanCode. You'll still have 112 characters left.

Take a trip around the world with Ardis Ann Choir next week when they present Christmas Around the World, Monday, December 14 at Arend starting at 5:30 pm.

Or join BHS Chamber Orchestra at one (or all) of their three performances over the next two weeks. The Orchestra is performing to raise money for their trip to the American Stringed Teachers Association national conference next March. They are only one of 12 orchestras across the nation to be invited to perform.

Tuesday, December 15, is Bill of Rights Day celebrating the ratification of the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. Besides 1 and 2, can you name the rest? #civics

On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers launched a technological revolution after tinkering a bicycle into an airplane. We need to foster that kind of innovative, creative experimentation whenever possible. I wonder how they did on the ACT? (Thump, that's me jumping off a soapbox.)

It's Christmas parade time in downtown Bentonville this Saturday. The action starts at 11:00 am.

Washington Junior High is hosting Ozark Stem's FIRST Robotics competition this Saturday. There's also hours of code going all day long.

@bpscommunity

Bentonville Choral Department's NOEL performances over the weekend were exceptional. These students have incredible talent.

I had the distinct pleasure of  accompanying members of the Bentonville Police Department and BPS counselors and social workers during Shop with a Cop last Tuesday. 

If you want to see joy, participate in Shop with a Cop. It's hard to tell who's more excited the officers or the kids. 

I doubt there are many school district's that have a better relationship with their local police department than we do here in Bentonville.

Russ Daniel presented $2,000 to Mrs. Surly's class at CPE to fund their friendship bench project. Centerton Gamble has their projects posted on McLarty Daniel's Facebook page now. And Mary Mae Jones is next up in the middle of January.

Grants & PD

Here's a painless PD possibility to ponder.
This free webinar from ASCD on questioning techniques to promote discussion sounds interesting .

Arkansas Department of Education is conducting a Technology Use Survey from December 1 - December 14.Click the linked text above to complete this survey. Honestly, it takes less than 5 minutes.

Video of the week

In the recent survey sent to staff on social media use in the district, over 90% responded that safe, appropriate use of social media should be taught in school. Over 80% of the community respondents responded yes to the same question. Here's one teacher's perspective on our digital footprints.



Have a great week.

December 1, 2015

I hope you all were blessed with a joyful Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Head's Up

Sixty years ago today, Rosa Parks quietly refused to stand up and started a conversation that continues to this day.

I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. - Rosa Parks

Today is also #GivingTuesdayAR. Great day to donate to Bentonville School Foundation, the Friends of the Bentonville Library Foundation, or other non-profits that support what we do each day. Or support these Donor's Choose projects.

'Tis the season for special events. I'll do my best to let you know of everything that's happening in the District from now until Christmas Break. You can help by filling in this form.

Bentonville's newest holiday tradition comes to Arend again this year. Don't miss Bentonville Choir's NOEL program on December 4th, 5th, and 6th! The talent is amazing, the songs inspirational, and there's no better way to get into the spirit of the season. Get tickets here.

Can't make it to NOE?, Get your choral fix at the Lincoln Choir Concert on Tuesday, Decemeber 8^th 
 at 6:00 pm at the Arend Arts Center.

It's A Cave Springs Christmas December 5th and there's a whole sleighful of activities throughout the day.

December 7 to 11 is Computer Science Education Week. Check out code.org for information on how to include some computer coding into your classroom - even without devices! BPS and Ozark STEM Foundation are partnering to host Hour of Code workshops at Washington Junior High on Saturday, December 12th. Bring your own device and join us. Pre-register here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nwa-hour-of-code-event-tickets-19138297162 

The choirs from Fulbright, Lincoln, and Washington will perform with the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, December 19^th at 7:30 pm at the Arend Arts Center.

@bpscommunity

The Scott Family Amazeum is looking for creative student performers to entertain guests on the weekends during the Holidays. No performances would be for an entire day, only a couple of hours at a time. If you know of or have a class full of making and tinkering musicians contact Pody Gay, Guest Experience Manager, at pgay@amazeum.org or 479.696.9280.

Here's something to check out. http://2030schools.com/ Looks like a good site to launch some student projects that, as they say in Arkansas, might could change the world. 

Have a room full of iPads and want to get kids creating screencasts? Check out Explain Everything.

Grants and PD

If you have been awarded grants or donations, please add them to this form. Thank you.

Video of the week

I have to thank Taylor Blackwell for discovering this wonderful validation of why teachers are the most important professionals in society.

Have a great week.