Bentonville in a League of It's Own

The BFF is here.

Heads Up

We received an allotment of 750 tickets for Thursday's League of Their Own celebrity softball game and movie showing at Arvest Ballpark.Tickets will be "will call" at the District Office. All the seats are in the Jack Link's Grass Berm area, so bring a blanket to sit on. They're first come, first served until they're all gone. Should be a fun night at the old ball yard. Remember: "there's no crying in baseball."

I will never complain about the BFF organization again after trying to pull together the First Annual Diversability Awareness Event on Wednesday, May 27th. On one hand, it's been awesome to see the passion of a group of professional educators and their students take a small kernel of an idea and blow it into an event that is destined to impact the community for years to come. On the other hand, it's a challenge to keep up with a group of professional educators and their students when the explosion starts. 

The plan is to move forward with student projects available to interact with and view at two locations - Fulbright Junior High and Lincoln Junior High. Activities will be available from 9:00 to 1:00 pm. Students in all grades from Thomas Jefferson, Sugar Creek and Lincoln are invited to walk to HLM Building; students at Central Park, Willowbrook and Bright Field are invited to walk to Fulbright. Students in all grades at Centerton Gamble, Ardis Ann, Elm Tree, Mary Mae Jones and Ruth Barker are invited to attend at Fulbright. Students at Cooper, Apple Glen, RE Baker, and Old High are invited to attend at Lincoln.  Let me know what grades and number of classes from the buildings outside walking distance and I'll get that information to Chris Dewitt to plan transportation. As with the "League" tickets above, it's first come, first served until all the available seats are gone.

This truly is an opportunity to see some amazing work by dedicated teachers and students and I believe this is the inception of an event that will be uniquely Bentonville and show how much our students, teachers and community matters. Also, given the climate of divisiveness, an event that celebrates our differences and promotes inclusion is greatly needed - no matter what your personal feelings are. Diversity is the thread that binds a community together.

Traditional elementary schools Kiwanis Hat Day for Arkansas Children's Hospital is this Friday, May 8th. 

National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 6th. They deserve a day off! Unfortunately, illness and the needs of our most vulnerable students won't allow that to happen. 

Finally, it's teacher appreciate week. I have a whole new appreciation for the work that happens in classrooms across the district and for all your efforts to support it. Thank you.

Grants and PD

Here's your link to all things PD.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FXyIt80yQ5Vbt86N5uCB8q0TeCqCo9AeJsC3apekuzc/edit?usp=sharing

Let teachers know about a unique opportunity to learn about PBL from BPS teachers on June 18, 2015 at 4:00 pm. Contact Matt Saferite for details, sign up on the BPS PD site.

There's some great offerings from Economics Arkansas this summer.

• K-12 teachers can learn how to qualify for for a study tour of Germany on June 24 from 1 - 3 pm at Crystal Bridges.
• The Economics of Sports, U of A Campus on June 25. Preferential registration for  Secondary Teachers. 
• Entrepreneurship Education Conference for K-12 teachers on July 15. 
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Video of the week

What happens when one little change is made to something that's been mastered?

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

A wee bit calmer this week. Hope yours is as well.

Heads up

The plans for Diversability Aware on the Square are still in the works. This project became like a giant ball of yarn rolling down hill, as soon as I grabbed a thread, it wasn't attached to the ball and unraveled in my hand. The ball kept rolling down hill. I think I've got a hold of a thread that is attached to the ball firmly in my grasp now. But the lessons learned will carry forward into next spring. I think the First Friday in May should be Diversability Day, don't you?

Speaking of First Friday, we will have a presence each event this year. The Bright Futures booth will be getting a lot of on the square. This Friday, we'll be taking "youmattergrams" and posting them on Instagram along with polling residents on what they would like more information about in the coming months. The theme is sustainability. The Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders Sustainability Group is looking for volunteers to collect recyclables, reusables, and compost at First Friday events. Classes or groups wanting to volunteer should contact Stephanie Garman. stephanie.garman@walmart.com

We'll be chatting about how to market classrooms, schools, and the district tonight during #bpseduchat. Join in and share your ideas, all are welcome. Not sure how to chat?



We are seriously considering implementing Peachjar for digitally distributing flyers to our patrons. There is a minimal cost to patrons, but it is far less than 8,500 2-sided color copies. There is not cost to the district or PTOs. Additionally, it's more sustainable and better for the environment.

Board recognition evening is tonight at Old High Middle School at 6:00. It will be the final recognition night of the year.

Wednesday Walkabouts

Tomorrow morning I'm trying to get to Centerton Gamble to take photos of the progress at the Bentonville West construction site.

Video of the Week

April 14, 2015

I seriously thought this would be shorter. Enjoy your week.

Heads Up

We're debriefing edcampNWA in tonight's #bpseduchat, join us to add your thoughts for next year's event. Chat starts at 8:30 pm. Lurkers welcome.

Planning is well underway for this year's Technology Showcase on May 21, 2015 at Fulbright Junior High. Teachers in the first year of the 21c program should plan to show off some of the ways technology has augmented instruction in their classrooms. Grant applications for this year are due Tuesday, April 28th and principal evaluations are due on May 1st.

May 21st is a busy day! Central Park will be hosting Pantene Beautiful Lengths. Stacee Freeman let me know that she would open this event up to any student in the district who wants to donate their hair to support the program to make wigs for cancer patients. 

Have you been influenced by someone who you think would make a great "kick-off" speaker for the start of next school year? Send suggestions to Matt Saferite. 

We have more support in telling the district's story in the communications department. Taylor Blackwell is our new assistant. You'll hear more from her soon.

Thank you for reminding your staff to send us information about events at your buildings. It's important that we tell the district story through the learning that is taking place in classrooms. If we don't tell the story, someone else will and we might not like what they say.

I participated in a presentation by Peachjar last Friday. Peachjar essentially removes paper flyers from schools and replaces them with digital versions that can be submitted by users. We're able to approve the content and target by school. Flyers can also be printed for distribution. If you're interested in participating in a focus group to check out how this product might simplify flyer distribution, let me know. The entire presentation takes less than a half hour. 

Want summer camp information included in our Campopaluzza Infographic. Send it by Friday.

Gold Rush run is Friday, May 1st. This is also First Friday so it should be a great time on the Bentonville Square. We will have a booth at each First Friday this year to promote the district.

Wednesday, May 6th is Bike to School Day this year. Anyone want to join me in a bike train from Bella Vista Lake?

Wednesday Walkabouts

Finally getting back out to where the magic happens this week! I'm going to visit MMJ scouting out location for the next Minute with Mike, and then off to CPE to for ballet practice. What's that line from the Godfather . . .  wait I remember.

Grants and PD

Classics for Kids Foundation supports matching grants for quality stringed instruments.
Easton Sports Development Foundation is ready to support archery programs. Requests are rolling for amounts up to $25,000.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics requests applications for the 2015 Engaging Students in Learning Mathematics Grant Program. NCTM members can apply for funds to show connectivity between mathematics and the world.
Finally, here's an opportunity that doesn't come along every day. Northrop Grumman Foundation is asking for entries in the Fab School Labs Contest. Winner's receive $100,000 to create the STEM lab of their dreams.

Looking for information on professional development? Follow the link below from Matt Saferite. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FXyIt80yQ5Vbt86N5uCB8q0TeCqCo9AeJsC3apekuzc/edit?usp=sharing

And don't forget that any June PD activities in your building need to be entered into FS Direct to make sure the facilities are up and running. 

Video of the week

Tuesday, April 7

April already, wow.

Heads Up

EdcampNWA has over 100 people signed up for this free day of teacher-driven professional development next Saturday, April 11. Unfortunately, less that 10% are elementary teachers! It would be a a shame not to have the voices of the hardest-working group of professional educators not represented. Interested teachers can register at http://edcampnwa.org/.

You will be receiving a card to be placed in Tuesday folders from Autism Involves Me, the local foundation that made the donations to 16 special education teachers in the district. They are having their largest fundraiser on May 2, 2015. They are approved for distribution. Here's a link to their organization. Here's a video promo for the event.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwMBYdWG4rL5V3FmRFVvUjFUNjQ/edit

You will be contacted about scheduling Kiwanis Hat Days. I've attached a link to the latest Minute with Mike PSA to promote this. Right click the image to share a link with teachers and parents.

Wednesday Walkabout

Fortunate this Wednesday to be at Arend Art Center to hear Mary Beth Tinker speak about student expression rights under the First Amendment. Mary Beth Tinker was a plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines. Should be interesting to hear her take on expression int he age of social media.

Grants and PD

Best PD opportunity this week - edcampNWA on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at BHS.

I haven't received any new grant information this week.

Video of the Week

Seems like I seeing more and more videos like the one below. Maybe if we let kids be more involved in defining what "educated" means, we might be surprised at the outcome. Enjoy your week.

Brevity

Short update this week. I hope you all had a wonderful break from work last week.

Heads Up

NWAedcamp is gaining traction across the region. Teachers from as far away as Tulsa have signed up to share their knowledge and discuss education. It's not too late to register for the Saturday, April 11 event at BHS.

I'm thinking about having a one-stop location on the website for summer camp information. If you have information from regional camps, please send it my way. We'll develop a page with links to camp information to get the word out.

Tonight's #bpseduchat topic: Topic: Downtime, why it's important and what you're reading now. It's also "love a lurker week." Invite a newbie to join in the conversation, Short video intro to a Twitter chat. Never been a better week to join in.

Wednesday Walkabouts

The hiatus will hopefully end soon. There is nothing better than experiencing the vibrancy of a building full of students learning. I wish all stakeholders could walk in my shoes,

Grants and PD

Some great opportunities this week.
Know an excellent mentor in science, math or engineering? Encourage them to apply (or apply for them) to receive a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.

ASM Materials Education Foundation seeks to help teachers bring the real world of materials science into their classrooms.

Donor'sChoose.org and Paul G. Allen Family Foundation challenge teachers to "teach for the planet" and find innovative environmental science, climate change, and sustainability projects. Over 500,000 projects have been funded.

Captain Planet Foundation will fund student-directed projects that integrate environmental education and a solution to real-world problems.

State Farm is accepting applications for its service-learning grants program in a variety of areas.

Video of the Week

After hearing this family speak this morning at Central Park, I thought I share their story with you all.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Happy St. Patrick's Day, enjoy it!

Heads Up

Has anyone created a banner to support runners in the Bentonville 1/2 Marathon March 28, 2015? Perhaps this is the week to do it, especially with those antsy kids ready for spring break. Great way to share school/community pride.

No #bpseduchat this week. Next week is love a lurker week. Topic: Downtime, why it's important and what you're reading now. Short video intro to a Twitter chat.

I'm starting to get calls asking to promote summer camps. The plan is to create a one-stop link on the website to direct stakeholders to camp offerings along with posts to district social media. Send inquires to me.

Wednesday Walkabouts

Thank goodness for Twitter! If a staff member at Old High hadn't hipped me to Arts and Academic night on Thursday, I would never have known about this fantastic event. (Nor would I have been able to buy some new tools in the silent auction). Quid pro quo time, people. I send you information on Tuesday, you send me your weekly communication to staff. Thank you.

Grants and PD

Foundation grant applications are due this Friday, March 20, 2015.

EdcampNWA is on for April 11, 2015 at BHS. I'll be sending information to faculty tomorrow on how to sign up. It's real simple. www.edcampnwa.org/

Educational leaders from NWA will be discussing education on Thursday, March 19, 2015 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm at Trike Theatre.

Follow the link below for on-line course offerings sponsored by ADE.
http://www.virtualeduc.com/e-announcements/ade.htm

Video of the Week

Have a great vacation.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

I guarantee no snow days this week.

Heads Up

Please share the Bentonville Parks and Recreation membership information with your staff again. Here's the link to PowerPoint and I've attached the forms.

I'll be posting a reminder on immunizations prior to Spring Break on district social media. Deb Keith is helping put that together.

Consider having your students create a banner of encouragement for runners participating in the Bentonville 1/2 Marathon on March 28th. I'll be happy to pick them up and hang them on the fences by Thomas Jefferson and Tennie Russell early in the morning. If your kids know anyone participating, I'm sure they would love to see a personalized message.

Tonight's #bpseduchat is on assessment. Questions can be found here. Add any that you would like to discuss.

If you haven't heard already, Conner Dohse has taken a position at Arkansas Arts Academy as head of technology. He's perfect for the job and will definitely make positive changes.

Wednesday Walkabout

Postponed due to PARCC. Do let me know of any news-worthy events.

Grants and PD

Interesting grant opportunities this week.
Lily Sarah Grace provides support for teacher-initiated projects that foster arts-infused approach to inquiry-based learning in K-5 Title 1 schools. http://www.lilysarahgrace.org/grants

NCTM is looking for proposals for it's In-Service Training Grants program. http://www.nctm.org/Grants/

The following link has information on the U of A Administrator's retreat - Writing for the Common Core.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6b-hmPbL-K9aXNJaHJBYS1naVk/view?pli=1

And don't forget edcampNWA coming April 11, 2015. Register here. Want to read about how a district used the edcamp model to train teachers. Read this.

http://rogers.ss5.sharpschool.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3091742&pageId=5307013

Video of the Week

In the Media

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/mar/09/tiny-house-idea-big-help-for-teens-2015/