November 17, 2015

Happy week before Thanksgiving week.

Head's Up

Well, next week is Thanksgiving, which officially marks the beginning of the Season of Nighttime Performances. Let me know what you all have going on so it can be shared.

One performance already scheduled is the BHS Choral Department's NOEL. This is a must see performance. Tickets are on sale now at www.bentonvillechoirs.com or by calling 800.965.9324.

This week is American Education Week - celebrate your awesomeness! Tomorrow, November 18th, is Education Support Professionals' Day. Thank you to classified employees for all they do to support teaching and learning. Friday, November 20th, is Substitute Educator's Day.

It's also Global Entrepreneurship Week. Curious? http://wearegen.co/gew I'm going to keep this in mind for next year and be more prepared.

December 7th through 11th is Computer Science Education Week. Find resources for adding computer science to your classroom here. Ozark STEM and BPS are collaborating to present Hour of Code this year on December 12th at Washington Junior High. It's actually a few hours of code and a FIRST robotics competition all in one. Here's a sneak peek at the flyer for the event. If you would like to volunteer at this event let me know.

@bpscommunity

Lot's of great activities across the District for Veteran's Day. I feel fortunate to have been able to be at a couple of schools as they honored our nation's most valuable citizens - those who literally put their lives on the line to secure the freedoms we too often take for granted, or worse, feel are our entitlement. (Thump - That's me jumping off the soapbox.)

Ardis Ann Middle honored Veterans with a choral performance that incorporated a history lesson on why we celebrate Veterans and their contributions. Great way to make content real and relevant and connect history to our time. 

Ardis Ann Color Guard preparing opens the assembly last Wednesday. 

 Central Park students, teachers and parents acknowledge the contributions of 30 Veteran's in attendance.

WWII Veteran Lavon Chandler inspires students to be people of character, conscience, and empathy. According to Mr. Chandler, the most important thing you can do in life is "do a little more and then some" no matter if it's in your job, your relationships, or your activities. Success will follow.








Jo Dunlevy lead Old High Middle School students to another fantastic performance. It's the 8th year OHMS has brought down the house with this inspiring performance.

Monday, four BPS teachers were honored at Economics Arkansas with Bessie Coleman Awards. This is a fitting tribute to their hard work and dedication to providing students with relevant learning opportunities. Jessica Imel and Jason Swim were honored for their work with kids at Gateway and infusing entrepreneurship into the curriculum. Cara Moreland at Mary Mae Jones, Krista Harvey at Central Park, along with Debbie Etheridge at Fulbright Junior High were honored for their innovative projects that engaged students in learning economics principals and helping society.

All this and BHS Dance team won a state championship, and the Bentonville Pride Marching Band took at the Bands of America Grand National in Indianapolis.
To keep up with all the events happening in Bentonville Schools, follow us on Twitter @Bentonville_PS and Like Bentonville Public Schools on Facebook.

Finally, check out these kids from Barker.

Grants and PD

Interesting eSchool News article on quick and painless PD. Two of the five suggests should be familiar.

Missing #bpseduchat? Suggest a new time and date here. Or follow this link http://goo.gl/forms/NIhGlZu6uC

Video of the week

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your week.

November 10, 2015

Thankfully, it's almost Thanksgiving.

Head's Up

It's National Young Readers' Week. Thank you for supporting them.

For the 8th year, Jo Dunlevy at Old High has organized an Honor Veterans concert. Performances are at 9:00 and 11:00 am in the auditorium; an evening performance is scheduled for 6:00 at Arend.

Wednesday, November 11 is Veteran's Day.

Many of you know former CPE art teacher Mitch Terry is a talented artist and writer. Mitch will be at Two25 Gallery and Wine Bar (225 S. Main, Bentonville) on Friday, November 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm signing copies of his latest book Okiehomeland.

Next week, November 16 - 20 is American Education Week. Let's celebrate what's good about what we're doing all week long (and into the next, and after that, for another few days, aw, heck, let's just make it a whole year.) The National Education Association has some resources at nea.org.

If you've had Cooper Mackey in class or know the Mackey family, then you know they are people of impeccable character and passion for helping others. For the past few years, they've organized a basketball tournament to support curecmd.org. Read their story here and support their efforts if you can.

@bpscommunity

Old High Middle School P.E. program is making the most of the space they have available on campus to get kids out on the bicycles in this short "day in the life" documentary of Old High P.E. class cycling activity.



I'd like to make a similar short video for every school. P.E. teachers, let me know when those bikes are out!

Big crowd at Arend to celebrate 134 students inducted into the National Honor Society.

Cooper Roundup featured student performances. Student leaders run the show and do a great job -very empowering for the kids. 

 Cooper students judging the "minute to win it" leaf dropping contest. Yes, those teachers are on chairs.

Cooper teachers accept $2,000 donation for a makerspace from Russ Daniel. Central Park is the next to have their projects put to public vote. 

Bentonville High School's 14 (yes, 14) National Merit Semi-Finalists - some fantastic kids with some serious academic skills.

 Allen's Grocery Store in Bella Vista is donating 1% of sales to Bentonville Schools. All you have to do is shop and drop your receipt in the box. That simple.

Grants and PD

Did you miss Edcampnwa 2015  on October 17? Here's a sneak peek at the day. Without a doubt, Edcamp is the best, most engaging, relevant professional development anywhere. Don't miss the next one.

Video of the week

Thought-provoking or infuriating, I'll let you be the judge.



Have a great week.

November 3, 2015

Hope that extra hour of sleep helped you recover from Halloween.

Head's Up

Let me know when the bikes will be out at your school. We're making a short video about the bike program for the Walton Family Foundation.

Today is National Sandwich Day. Thank the Earl for disrupting lunch by packaging it between two slices of bread. 

It's No-Shave November y'all. Let it grow to raise awareness and money for a variety good charities. www.no-shave.org/

A preliminary Diversability Awareness meet-up is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2015 from 4:30 to 5:30 at the Admin building. If you are interested and can attend please add your voice to the conversation. 

Monday, November 9th is World Freedom Day. The week of November 9th - 13th is National Young Reader's Week.

Need some books for those young readers? Visit Barnes and Noble Book Fair November 6 - 8, 2015 and not only get some new books but also support  the Washington Junior High Robotics team and FabLab. 

There's an interesting opportunity coming up on November 21, 2015 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Meteor Theater in Downtown Bentonville. There will be a Holiday Market! Might be an opportunity to sell some of those maker-space items for a profit. The Lighting of the Square occurs on the same day at 6:00 pm. 

@bpscommunity

Know a new teacher who's just plain rockin' it? Email Taylor Backwell tblackwell@bentonvillek12.org and suggest that he/she be the subject of the next New Teacher Feature. Read about the inaugural featured teacher Ruth Barker's Katie Trumbo here. 

Grants and PD

Infosys Foundation USA is looking for applicants for its Infy Maker Awards program. Fifty middle and high school students will win $1,000 each. 

Foot Locker Foundation seeks entrants for the 2015-16 Foot Locker Athletes Program. Could mean $20,000 for a student.  


Here's a calendar of webinars from edweb.net. I've done a few of these and they are pretty good,. The presenters supply their materials to participants the following day. http://home.edweb.net/webinars/

A whole bunch of good stuff from Economics Arkansas:

JOIN.ME/ECONOMICS ARKANSAS: (TESS 4d and 4e)

The 3^rd Tuesday of each month at 3:30 pm, we will host a quick online meeting (30 minutes or less) spotlighting a resource or activity to use in the classroom. To join, simply visit: https://join.me/economicsarkansas. Our next online meeting will be November 17^th! 

ECONCHALLENGE: (TESS 3c)

We are excited to announce that we are offering the EconChallenge this year. This academic competition is free for student teams in grades 9-12.  The first phase of the competition is an online testing period which is available November 16-20^th.

To find out more information, visit: http://www.economicsarkansas.org/for_teachers/econ_challenge.html

10 FUN-FILLED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS: (TESS 3c)

Edutopia recently shared 10 of their favorite formative assessments. Learn more at

http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/10-fun-filled-formative-assessment-ideas

“FREE” NEW ECONOMIC AND PERSONAL FINANCE  RESOURCES (TESS 1d)

1.   EconEdLink   http://www.econedlink.org

There are a number of wonderful new lessons available on EconEdLink. Plus, your K-12 teachers will find many tried and true lessons. All are available at no cost to educators and integrate economics through technology, literature, and more!

2.   St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank Resources http://www.stlouisfed.org

Encourage your teachers to visit the economic resource section on the St. Louis Fed website. There are a number of children’s literature selections tied to economic and personal finance with Whiteboard applications. In addition, there are online courses, podcasts, video series and more for all ages.

Crystal Bridges has some great opportunities coming up as well: 

Wednesday, November 4, 6 to 8 pm

Wednesday Series for Educators » Unveiling the Mysteries of the Art Library

Join Interim Library Director Valerie Sallis for a guided tour of the Crystal Bridges Library and helpful advice on how to use the library for research. Two hours of professional development credit available. Sponsored by Neff and Scarlett Basore. $10.

Friday, November 6, 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Teacher Preview Night » Picturing the Americas

Join fellow educators for a first glance of Picturing the Americas and a discussion of possible classroom connections. This event does not count for professional development credit. Sponsored by Neff and Scarlett Basore. Free.

Register for these and other Crystal Bridges programs here, or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335

Video of the Week

This one's for all the nerds and geeks out there.

If you haven't checked out TEDed yet, it's worth a look.

October 27, 2015

It's the last week of October, and this year there is a mental health day after school Halloween parties!

Head's Up

It's Red Ribbon Week. Did you know it's the largest and most visible prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States.

Attention P.E. Teachers! Could you let me know when you have the bikes out? I need to put together a video for the Walton Family Foundation to show how they are being used in the district. Send me a quick email on where and when to get some footage.

Are you looking to build that classroom library? Teachers are invited to Once Upon a Time Books Open House on November 10 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. There's food and prizes (but no jean's passes). RSVP via their Facebook page.

November is Native American Heritage Month, Military Family Appreciation Month, National Family Literacy Month, and Aviation History Month. A great topic for investigation this month -Louise Thaden. Great tie to Bentonville and aviation history - Google her.

Remember to set your clock back Sunday! Daylight Savings Time ends.






Here's a unique contest for students. The Arkansas Future Jewelry Designer Contest is open to students in to categories: Category 1 for kids in 9 - 12 grade, and Category 2 for kids in 3 - 8 grade. Get details here http://www.arkansasjewelers.com/ or contact ashley@lindensjewelry.com.

@bpscommunity

Thanks to all who completed the Employee Social Media Survey. Your opinions will guide the update to social media guidelines in the district. The results will be shared with the board and a link published here next week.

Word cloud from responses to concerns about social media use. 

#bpseduchat appears to have run its course. Thanks to all who participated regularly. Here's a list of alternatives to get your chat on. https://sites.google.com/site/twittereducationchats/education-chat-calendar

We're heading into prime events season in the District. If you have a news worthy item to share use this link https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16dK0Qxt4pAK8WCeD7ggnk276QiMZuZygKMjLydvoWDc/edit?usp=sharing

Grants and PD

Computer science education week is December 7th - 13th. Sign up for Hour of Code and expose your kids to computer coding. The University of Arkansas is holding a code.org professional development workshop on November 14, 2015. It's FREE - register here. 

Lexus is looking for entrants for the 2015-16 Lexus Eco Challenge for students in grades 6 - 12. Student teams are asked to solve air and climate issues in their community. Sixteen $10,000 awards will be given. Details here. 

Video of the Week

No costume for me this Halloween. I don't need to add anymore ink to my digital tattoo.
Have a great week.

October 20, 2015

Head's Up

Bentonville School District is updating it's social media guidelines and policy. We realize that due to the exponential growth in social media use as an educational tool and a way to connect students, parents, teachers and experts in various fields, it's time for a review and revision of existing guidelines. Your input is valuable in the process of developing a policy that supports you in leveraging the power of social media to educate and engage students, as well as sharing the story of our District with various stakeholders. Take this short anonymous survey to add your voice to help guide the development of new guidelines and policy.



I will also be looking for faculty, staff, and administrators to serve on a committee to create and review new guidelines. Contact me if you're interested.

Yes, this is a real tattoo

It's Digital Citizenship Week. Here's some resources from Common Sense Media to support talking with kids about the importance of being a good citizen online as well as off, and avoiding a really hideous digital tattoo.

October 18th to 24th is National Save for Retirement Week. Great excuse to do some lessons on the power of compound interest, and start an IRA or make sure and contribute to the 403b Plan. Did you know that $200 a month turns in to over $116,000 over 30 years at 3% interest?

Red Ribbon Week starts Friday, October 23rd and continues through Saturday, October 31st. This year's theme is: Respect Yourself. Be Drug Free. Did you know that 42% of teens are less likely to try drugs if their parents talk to them regularly about drug use?

There is an opportunity today to visit America's Disability Rights Museum on Wheels at the Downtown Community Center, 215 SW A St. This traveling exhibit is free and open to the public from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

@bpscommunity

Last week we found out that 5 of our schools were voted "Very Best" by Celebrate Magazine readers. Elm Tree, Mary Mae Jones, Ruth Barker, Fulbright, and Bentonville High School all made the list in 2015. 

Last Thursday, Team Champions at Old High held Genius Day and gave kids the whole day to explore their passions and just learn for the sheer joy of it. 

If you're interested in adding genius hour to your learning environment here's some great resources. Joy Kirr's livebinder and A.J. Juliani's online starter manual. http://ajjuliani.com/20time-part1 | http://ajjuliani.com/20time-part2 | http://ajjuliani.com/20time-part3 | http://ajjuliani.com/20time-part4 Angela Meier's latest blog post has a link to starting genius hour and helps plan out the first 20 days http://linkis.com/www.angelamaiers.com/jejHT.

Video of the Week

This video is as professional as you will find anywhere. Scott Fusselman and his talented team at BHSTV turn out some amazing work.



Enjoy your week. Please fill out the anonymous social media survey. Thank you.

October 13, 2015

Just couldn't get it all done last week.

Heads Up

There is an opportunity on Saturday, October 17 to attend the best day of professional development you're likely to see all year - EdcampNWA 2015! There's no Razorback game to distract you from gathering with peers to share innovative practices in classrooms. The best day of professional development around.

It's school lunch week. A great time to add in some discussion about food and nutrition to those lesson plans.

Wednesday is NATIONAL FOSSIL DAY. What's better than fossils? Not much if you're a rock hound like me. Take a break and dig into these resources from the National Park Service. https://nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/

Ok, somebody planned this. Friday is Alternative Fuels Day. Fossils on Wednesday, alternative fuels on Friday - great week to make connections if you ask me. Friday is also Dictionary Day.

Next week, October 19 - 23, is chock full 'o observances! It's Earth Science Week (shouldn't every week be), School Bus Safety Week, and Character Counts Week. So, demonstrate good character to the bus driver when you bring your rock collection to school.

Join the Solution wants the opinion of educators throughout NWA to help find solutions to mental, physical, and basic needs of students. Take a few minutes to complete their survey at www.jointhesolution.org.

@bpscommunity

Missi Pitman's 2nd graders joined a group of students from all over NWA as the first group to participate in "unfield" trips at the Amazeum.

The Amazeum: One place where even grown-ups say: "Have you seen this?"

Wonder what it's like in Andy Mayes' Internet Technology Solutions class at TATA Consultancy Services? Here's a sneak peek. It's a very professional atmosphere.

Apple Glen was rockin' last Friday morning. You ever see the leadership video on how a movement begins. Here's the Apple Glen version.

 Followed the sound of engagement to Ms. Dewey's and Ms. Sanders' classrooms and found these students making and tinkering on their Rube Goldberg machines that illustrate the story line from a book they read. Talk about a fusion of literacy skills and creative problem-solving.

Russ Daniel from McLarty/Daniel stopped by Apple Glen to present a check to be donated to a NWA food bank thanks to a project by these students.

Grants and PD

Thank you for using the grant request form before applying for funding from outside sources.
Here's a cool contest for those aspiring film makers in your classroom. Scotties Facial Tissues is accepting entries in their 5th Annual TREES ROCK! video contest. Students in grades 3 - 6 are eligible. Details? http://scottiestreesrock.com/?

It's on! KNWA's brightest classroom is back and brighter than ever.
http://www.nwahomepage.com/community/brightest-classrooms

This is less contest and more project. Stumbled on this website over the weekend and found the basis of a great project. The Superschool Project asks: What if we team up to create the new American High School? Could be a cool project (hint, hint). http://xqsuperschool.org/

Attend Edcampnwa at BHS Saturday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Video of the week

It's going to be a great week.

September 29, 2015

Whoa! October already?

Head's Up

October is Bullying Prevention Month (although it's better to not be a bully all year). If you have any projects on this theme, let us know so we can share them. Or, better yet, share them on social media and tag Bentonville Public Schools.

Thursday, October 1, BHS Civics classes will be volunteering to help Bentonville Parks and Recreation at Orchards Park. Great way to meet new social studies standards for civic engagement.

Thank your custodial workers on Friday, October 2. It's Custodial Worker's Day. October 2nd is also National Diversity Day, take time to appreciate the strength that comes from diverse fibers woven into our social fabric.

Show you want to prevent bullying by wearing a blue shirt on Monday, October 5.

October 5 - 9 is Fire Prevention Week. I suspect the BFD Smokehouse will be coming to an elementary school near you.

Friday, October 9, 2015 is Homecoming at BHS. Tiger Stadium will be rockin' starting at 10:30 am with the Homecoming assembly, The Tigers take on the Har-Ber Wildcats that night.

The BHS Alumni Association invites BPS teacher Alums (or anyone else looking to celebrate) to its Homecoming Dance Saturday night.

You may have heard about our professional studies|workforce development initiative called -

We are officially launching this initiative with a screening of the documentary film Most Likely to Succeed on Tuesday, October 6 at the Scott Family Amazeum. After the movie, there will be a discussion surrounding the driving question: Are we educating future-ready students?

Reserve your seat at the table here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ignitepsc-launch-event-tickets-18580893954

@bpscommunity

Wow, what a day Friday was.

RE Baker was awarded $2,000 from McLartyDaniel Automotive Group to fund a student-created

project to purchase wheelchair accessible swings for their playground. Each project they submitted was focused on helping the community. Vote for Apple Glen's student projects now on our Facebook page.

Huge pride of jaguars waiting for America's Hometown Hero to arrive. Great day to celebrate Mary Mae Jones.

 Principal Williams gives some last minute instructions to students leading the assembly. They stepped up and did a fantastic job of honoring Mrs. Jones, their school, and each other.

Jaime Gaston nominated Mrs. Mary Mae as Mrs. Field's Hometown Hero. Over 16,000 American's were nominated, but Mary Mae won. 

Grants and PD

Economics Arkansas has some great opportunities available this month. Here's a list of links to economics-oriented grants, professional development, and contests.

www.economicsarkansas.org

State Farm's Celebrate My Drive http://www.celebratemydrive.com/ a chance to win $100,000.

H&R Block's Budget Challenge www.hrbds.org awards over 130 separate $20,000 college scholarships.

Secondary Economics Teachers can receive training at the Federal Reserve Bank in Little rock on October 26 - 27, 2015. Details http://www.economicsarkansas.org/our_supporters/event_calendar.html/event/2015/10/27/economics-it-s-not-dismal-anymore- or jennifer@economicsarkansas.org

Register to receive access to the electronic edition of USA Today for your classroom, sponsored by the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation.  Complete the  2015-2016 application at http://usatodayeducation.com/k12/usa-today-education-grant-request

Newsela: This is a great way to differentiate instruction in your classroom as students read current event articles at their lexile level. https://newsela.com/

ReadWorks: This is also a great resource to bring informational text into your classroom specific to your grade level. www.readworks.org

If Edcampnwa isn't on your calendar, why not? It's dollar for dollar the best professional development you can buy (it's free, fun, and full of relevant information). Join educators from across the region on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm at BHS.

Video of the Week

Sneak peek at Most Likely to Succeed.



Have a great week.