I am not going to lie to you - it doesn't feel like March, and I can't believe three-fourths of the year has passed.
Heads Up
Please send photos of Humphrey author Betty Birney's visit to your schools and special events that are occurring as One District, One Book wraps up. Or better yet, post them to your Twitter/Instagram feeds and share the @handle of your building. That makes them much easier to share with the district community.
"Spread the Word to End the Word" awareness campaign is this week.More information/activities can be found here.
Planning is well underway for EdcampNWA on April 11, 2015. Not sure what an Edcamp is? Here's a quick video introduction via the edcampnwa website. Over 60 participants registered the first two day from across the NWA region and parts of Oklahoma and Missouri. Join us from 8:30 to 3:00 for a day of collaborative learning.
Bentonville 1/2 Marathon is scheduled for March 28. It's the Saturday after Spring Break so it's going to be a challenge to support the city in this, but I was wondering if school's could create some poster-paper banners of encouragement for the runners? Especially for those runners you know. I'll hand them on the fences at Tennie Russell and Thomas Jefferson on race day. Let me know if your building would like to participate.
Wednesday Walkabout
BPS staff rockin' the hairnets to support The Pack Shack
Best part of the job and the hardest to get done. I do appreciate all the invites from teachers to attend school events and honestly try to make them all.
Grants & PD
Thanks to the dedicated and committed faculty, staff, and administrators who braved the weather to pack meals for The Pack Shack last Friday afternoon. Thank you.
Here's an opportunity from our friends in Joplin.
Dr. Paul Bloomberg Core Collaborative Network
Bentonville Convention and Visitor's Bureau is now Visit Bentonville. Here's their re-branding video. I would love to produce something similar for each school in the district.
Enjoy your week. More winter weather's expected tomorrow.
I'm back after a week's hiatus due to inclement weather. Happy Administrator Appreciation Week, you all are awesome and deserve more than a week of formal recognition.
Heads up
Thank you all for participating in the Hunger is Heartbreaking campaign to collect items for Samaritan Community Center's Snack Packs for Kids program. We doubled last year's amount and donated roughly $6,000 in food and money.
Matt Saferite has set up a little competition between teachers on Friday afternoon. He's arranged to have The Pack Shack host "Feed the Funnel" parties at BHS and Central Park. There's a jean's pass for every participant. Sign up here. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DPXGJJG
We dodged a bullet with the latest snowfall, let's hope our luck continues and spring arrives early.
I'll be at BHS this Wednesday meeting with a talented young graphic designer who produced a logo for edcampNWA. Then I'll be at R.E. Baker to talk about grants. Meeting with teachers is the best kind of professional development because their driving questions always send me off to do some research.
Grants and PD
What's edcampNWA you ask? Edcamps are like a conference without the structure and agenda. While I know that raises anxiety in some, they are highly successful at empowering teachers to engage in professional development. Think of them as geniushour for grownups. Tracy Kincy is taking the lead on developing and hosting our first edcamp on April 11, 2015. Yep. Get the 4.1.1. on education from teachers cross Northwest Arkansas. More details to come or follow @edcampnwa on Twitter.
Google Science Fair grant opportunity
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2015/02/students-line-google-science-fair-2015
Video of the Week
If you're not smiling after watching this one. Well . . .
Finally, here's a story for National Friendship Week.
One day, when I was a
freshman in high school,I saw a kid from my class was walking home from
school.His name was Kyle.
It looked like he was
carrying all of his books.
I thought to myself,
'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be
a nerd.'
I had quite a weekend
planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon),
so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw
a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out
of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about
ten feet from him
He looked up and I saw
this terrible sadness in his eyes. My
heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking
for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.'They really should get lives.
' He looked at me and
said, 'Hey thanks!'
There was a big smile on
his face..It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his
books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I
asked him why I had never seen him before.He
said he had gone to private school before now.
I would have never hung
out with a private school kid before.We
talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends
He said yes.
We hung out all weekend
and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought
the same of him.
Monday morning
came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are going to really build some
serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!'He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four
years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think
about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.
I knew that we would
always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a
football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian
of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd.He had to prepare a speech for graduation.I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak
Graduation day, I saw
Kyle.He looked great.
He was one of those guys
that really found himself during high school.He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.
Boy, sometimes I was
jealous!
Today was one of those
days.
I could see that he was
nervous about his speech.So,
I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one)
and smiled. ' Thanks,' he said.
As he started his
speech, he cleared his throat, and began. 'Graduation
is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach..but
mostly your friends...
I am here to tell all of
you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.
I am going to tell you a
story.'
I just looked at my
friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had
planned to kill himself over the weekend.
He talked of how he had
cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying
his stuff home.He looked hard at me and gave me a little
smile.
'Thankfully, I was
saved.My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'
I heard the gasp go
through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest
moment.I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling
that same grateful smile
Not until that moment
did I realize it's depth.
Never underestimate the
power of your actions.
With one small gesture
you can change a person's life.For
better or for worse.
God puts us all in each
others lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.
There is no beginning or
end.. Yesterday is history.
I'd mention how great the weather has been, but I don't want to jinx it - just sayin'.
Heads Up
Thanks to the generosity of your students, families and staff, Mr. Poore's office is filling up with donations to support Samaritan Community Centers Snack Packs for Kids program. The donations collected help to offset the support not longer received from Arkansas Rice Depot and help Samaritan expand the program to junior high and high schools across Northwest Arkansas. Please remind everyone that donations will be accepted through Friday of this week. Mr. Poore will be working from the roof on Monday, February 16th.
You may not be aware that I receive phone calls from local media outlets all the time looking for positive stories about what is going on in the district. I routinely "pitch" them ideas. Trust me, they will find the negative stuff (or be informed by one of the cadre of journalists in the car line), so if you have anything that helps to polish the brand of Bentonville Schools, let me know.
#bpseduchat returns this week at 8:30 pm tonight. The topic this week is: Help! My PLC is making me crazy. Join moderator Janet Schwanhausser and I for an interesting and important conversation.
Some of you are aware of the goIT robotics camp that was held last year. I spoke with representatives from TATA Consultancy Services on Thursday and they are planning on sponsoring the camp again this year and have developed an option for high school students. There may be an opportunity for collaboration in curriculum development and design of the camp in the next month. I'll be looking for teachers interested in helping to facilitate the camp.
Here's an interesting article about the challenges we all face when trying to move students (or grown-ups) out of their comfort zone.
Wednesday Walkabouts
Wednesday came and went without the opportunity to get out. I was able to visit most building on Friday to pick up Snack Pack donations. I really wish there was a way for the community to have the same access to building that I enjoy. There is such a good vibe in each and every one that makes you so confident that what's happening is aligned with what's best for kids.
Grants and Professional Development
Act 1294 is still with us and many are looking for options moving forward for students with Dyslexia. Here's a blog post that highlights some iPad apps that may provide help for Dyslexic students.
Video of the Week
I decided is time for a little pep talk from Sir Ken Robinson, one of the best voices arguing for relevance in education I've ever heard speak.
Bonus video
BHS A/V department documentary of MuSigma Inc. decision sciences course. Great example of business community and school district collaboration.
Thanks for all you do, send comments/suggestions, and remember, at the end of the day few will remember what you did, but many will remember how you made them feel.
Mr. Poore's Hunger Hurts food drive (or campaign, if you watch KNWA) started yesterday. We've already received a few donations at the district office. Vicki Lundsford and I will be making the rounds in our pickups to collect what you receive. We hope to get out on Wednesday and Thursday each week, weather permitting.If we can't make it, I'll get to your buildings on the weekend. Here's a video of RBMS students at Samaritan Community Center packing snack packs created by OHMS teacher Randall Simmerman.
Thursday night there will be an informational on Bentonville West High School in Arend Arts Center.
The first #bpseduchat connected a group of people in our district around the topic of project-based learning last Tuesday. The next chat will be Tuesday, February 10, at 8:32 pm. Topic TBD. Let me know if you want to co-moderate; post topics and questions here.
Wednesday Walk Abouts
I was able to meet with a group of students at Fulbright last week. They've started a project largely on their own to organize a 5K race for charity in their neighborhood. Amazing how a committed group of kids can truly start something big. I hope to get out to Washington this Friday, I hear there's some making and tinkering going on.
Just a few items to make you aware of this week. It was great to see so many of you at the PBL Professional Development last night. Tonight is the first ever #bpseduchat at 7:30 pm. The topic is PBL join us and share your wisdom.
Heads Up
I am meeting with a representative of the Walton Family Foundation about the bike program soon. If you could ask your P.E. teachers to provide some information about the program's impact on students, I would appreciate it. It doesn't have to be a dissertation, only a couple of sentences about how many students participate, what they see as the importance of the program and effect on students, and any issues or wishes they would like me to communicate.
Board recognition night is tonight starting at 6:00 pm in the OHMS Auditorium.
Thank you for participating to help support the Samaritan House Snack Pack program. They have stepped up their support of NWA schools and do great work. I've attached the flyer feel free to distribute to community groups, etc. Let me know what you need.
As always let me know when great things are happening in your buildings, if we don't frame the conversation - some else is going to do it for us.
Wednesday Walkabouts
Last week I spent some time talking with teachers interested in applying for 21st Century Grants from the district and didn't make the rounds as I would like. This week I'll be at Fulbright to speak with students about organizing a 5K run in the neighborhood. Can't wait to hear their ideas.
Video of the Week
Here's an interesting take on testing from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
What's the difference between 230 and 192? Quiet, and yesterday was really quiet at central office. I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful weekend.
Heads Up
Here's some things to be aware of in the coming weeks.
Mr. Poore is planning his annual "fill the office" food drive for February 2nd through 13th. The goal is to fill his office with snack pack items to the point where he's working on the roof of the admin building on February 16th. Items will support Samaritan House snack pack programs at schools. Samaritan House has stepped up to fill the shortfall created when Arkansas Rice Depot stopped supporting the program January 1st. This is an opportunity for us to partner with an exemplary organization to support students and families in our district. I'll send out something for Tuesday folders and post to social media next week. Our goal is to support sustainable food initiatives, spread food collections out during the school year, and support programs that directly benefit our students. Samaritan began distributing snack packs to 275 middle, junior, and high school students this month.
Tuesday, January 27, is the next board recognized night. It will be at Old High and begins at 6:00 pm. Vicki will get information to you.
One District, One Book kicks off next week.
I have Crystal Bridges January/February calendars - FREE - if you want some let me know.
Are you, a PLC, or a group looking for a fun, creative, team building activity that supports a good cause. See attached flyer or http://www.cwjcnwar.org/getouttabedrace/
Wednesday Walkabouts
Last Wednesday, I started the day tagging along on a field trip to Samaritan House with Marisa Shofner and Ruth Barker student council members to pack snack packs. I honestly had no idea of the depth and breadth of their programs to support the NWA community.
Next, I previewed GoNoodle videos created by students in Rissa Webber and Tiffany Snodgrass' classes at R. E. Baker. The kids were so excited to show off their hard work to the visitors assembled. GoNoodle is free to classroom teachers thanks to support from Mercy (Health), Arkansas Children's Hospital, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Then I went to Mary Mae Jones and visited with ESL teachers and watched an amazing transition take place. All the first graders left their rooms, gathered in a designated spot with a teacher, and headed off for intervention and enrichment activities. Unbelievable.
Finally, I stopped in Carrie Beach's classroom at Washington to talk about bats. She and Amy Van Pelt at Old High have got some pretty big ideas about how students can educate the community on the benefits of these oft-maligned creatures of the night.
Grants and Professional Development
Encourage teachers to apply for KNWA' brightest classroom awards. Each winner receives $500 for classroom supplies. Donor's Choose has also worked well for some teachers. Blake Matthews at Washington just had a project funded in a day. Here are the current projects from Bentonville Teachers http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=AR&community=15771:2 I started checking this site to promote teacher requests on district social media. In my opinion, fifty $500 donations that directly impact kids is worth more than one $25,000 grant in many respects.
Welcome back!
I hope you all enjoyed every minute of time with family, friends, an acquaintance or two, and whatever provides you with an opportunity to "sharpen the saw" as Steven Covey would say.
Obviously, I couldn't get everything put together last week. I should have spent more time working over the break, but old habits die hard. I'll get back into the grove this week.
We had a considerable amount of media coverage last week. Fulbright Junior High 7th graders in Ms. Renfroe and Mr. Smallridge's classes presented projects to Mayor Bob McCaslin. News stories can be seen here http://goo.gl/K5lKxZ, here http://goo.gl/Nazbtx, and here http://goo.gl/K8GHxO. A story on Ruth Barker's Ellis Island project for 6th graders aired on KUAF Sunday - http://kuaf.com/post/recreating-ellis-island-bentonville. Keep encouraging your staff to contact me when they have something going on, even if they don't think it's newsworthy. The more we put a positive story out to the public, the more we show that Bentonville Schools are #bpsmorethanascore.
When students, faculty and staff complete community projects and volunteer, remind their teachers or someone on your campus to log the hours, send them to me, and I'll build a spread sheet. The Mayor's office collects this data as part of the community volunteer program.
Wednesday Walkabouts
This week I'm planning on visiting R.E. Baker on Wednesday to see 4th grade presentations of their GoNoodle math "brain breaks." I was fortunate to have a conversation with Mary Mae Jones last week, so I feel obligated to visit her namesake and get acquainted. I may get over to Washington and check in on the "bat project." I am happy to support curriculum and instruction in any way I can - reading a book, authentic audience member, genius hour panel member - whatever you all need.
I became interested in Stanford Physiology Professor Carol Dweck's work on the importance of developing and maintaining a growth mindset a couple of years ago. If you get the chance to read her book, I would highly recommend it. Until then, here's a short video overview.
As always, I appreciate all you do, and thanks for letting me help create the best learning environments for students in Arkansas.
