Today's Friday Funny comes from Syracuse teacher, Dina Coverstone.
Last year when Dina was teaching Kindergarten she had a little fellow come up to her and exclaim, "Miss Coverstone, my mom is having her throat cut and her thyroid taken out."
Another little girl chimed in and added, "Now your mom can't have babies anymore!"
Have a great weekend. Go Warriors! Beat Northwood in the girl's sectional tonight in Angola. We play the early game.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Community Big Read!!
“The Big Read”
North Webster Community Public Library, Milford Public Library, and Syracuse Public Library will host book discussions in March on the book “The Grapes of Wrath,” by John Steinbeck. All of Kosciusko County is being encouraged to read “The Grapes of Wrath,”in March for “The Big Read,” a program that was planned by Kosciusko Literacy Services to encourage our whole community to read one book for pleasure and enlightenment.
The book discussions, open to anyone, are scheduled for March 1 (Thursday) 6:30 PM at Milford Public Library, March 5 (Monday) 5:30 PM at North Webster Comm. Public Library, and March 14 (Wednesday), 7 PM at Downtown Grounds in Syracuse.
Each time a student participates in an event of “The Big Read”, he or she may enter a drawing for an iPOD. Adults participating in an event may enter a drawing for two tickets to a local theater production and dinner for two at an area restaurant.
Other contests include a writing and art contest.
Contact your local library for more information.
FREE BOOKS are available in the Wawasee Administration Office (the small brick building in front of the high school). Stop in and pick one up! The only requirement is that you pass it on to a friend to read when you are done. Join the entire county in The Big Read!!
Provided by NW Librarian Helen Leinbach
North Webster Community Public Library, Milford Public Library, and Syracuse Public Library will host book discussions in March on the book “The Grapes of Wrath,” by John Steinbeck. All of Kosciusko County is being encouraged to read “The Grapes of Wrath,”in March for “The Big Read,” a program that was planned by Kosciusko Literacy Services to encourage our whole community to read one book for pleasure and enlightenment.
The book discussions, open to anyone, are scheduled for March 1 (Thursday) 6:30 PM at Milford Public Library, March 5 (Monday) 5:30 PM at North Webster Comm. Public Library, and March 14 (Wednesday), 7 PM at Downtown Grounds in Syracuse.
Each time a student participates in an event of “The Big Read”, he or she may enter a drawing for an iPOD. Adults participating in an event may enter a drawing for two tickets to a local theater production and dinner for two at an area restaurant.
Other contests include a writing and art contest.
Contact your local library for more information.
FREE BOOKS are available in the Wawasee Administration Office (the small brick building in front of the high school). Stop in and pick one up! The only requirement is that you pass it on to a friend to read when you are done. Join the entire county in The Big Read!!
Provided by NW Librarian Helen Leinbach
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Changes coming...
I am still hoping that our community and our students can be a model for the country on how a blog can provide an open avenue for communication. For two years the "comments feature" has been turned on allowing all anonymous comments. It worked very well. During that time I can only recall deleting one or two comments due to profanity. Problems have come with the increased volume of traffic. For the near future we will only turn the comments on for posts that are substantive in nature where a variety of thought and opinion are relevant. Announcements of various kinds such as snow delays and cancellations will have the comments turned off.
Blogging is best done in small doses because we all have work to do! The volume of inflammatory comments has created an editing problem. We do not have the time to monitor the blog all day and spend our time deleting or censoring comments.
Why do I say a "model for the country?" There have been 90,209 different computers access this site in the last 7 days for a total of 229,791 page loads in one week. That means other parts of the country are watching our "experiment" here.
For the near future we will only turn the comments on for posts that are substantive in nature where a variety of thought and opinion are relevant. Announcements of various kinds such as snow delays and announcements will have comments turned off.
We will see how that works. If that doesn't work then we will have to either require all commenters to register which many blogs do (that means you are identifiable) or turn off the interactive features which makes this all dry and boring!
Let's see if we can find the middle ground! Good luck!
Blogging is best done in small doses because we all have work to do! The volume of inflammatory comments has created an editing problem. We do not have the time to monitor the blog all day and spend our time deleting or censoring comments.
Why do I say a "model for the country?" There have been 90,209 different computers access this site in the last 7 days for a total of 229,791 page loads in one week. That means other parts of the country are watching our "experiment" here.
For the near future we will only turn the comments on for posts that are substantive in nature where a variety of thought and opinion are relevant. Announcements of various kinds such as snow delays and announcements will have comments turned off.
We will see how that works. If that doesn't work then we will have to either require all commenters to register which many blogs do (that means you are identifiable) or turn off the interactive features which makes this all dry and boring!
Let's see if we can find the middle ground! Good luck!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Two Hour Delay Wednesday
Wawasee Schools are on a two-hour delay with alternate kindergarten schedule for Wednesday. There will be no early release. Students will remain in school until the regular dismissal time.
Girls' Basketball Sectional Postponed
Due to a water main break at Angola High School, the girls' basketball sectional game at Angola has been postponed to Wednesday. Wawasee will play Angola in the second game which will begin around 7:30 p.m.
Congrats to Warrior Athletes
Wawasee High School had several champions in athletics over the weekend.
Chase Davis won a high school wrestling regional championship at 130 pounds on Saturday. He will compete in the individual semistate on Saturday at Merrillville. Justin Wegener also advanced by placing third at 160 pounds.
Krista Spearman won the 100 yard breaststroke in the Warsaw Girls' Swimming Sectional on Saturday. She will compete in the state finals this weekend. Eleaya Rodes finished third in diving and will compete in the diving regional at South Bend Riley tonight
The varsity girls' basketball team became the champions of the Northern Lakes Conference by defeating Northridge on Friday night. They finished the conference 7-0. They play Angola tonight around 7:30 p.m. in the second game of the sectional at Angola.
If any postponements occur with tonight's events, we will post that information here on the blog.
Chase Davis won a high school wrestling regional championship at 130 pounds on Saturday. He will compete in the individual semistate on Saturday at Merrillville. Justin Wegener also advanced by placing third at 160 pounds.
Krista Spearman won the 100 yard breaststroke in the Warsaw Girls' Swimming Sectional on Saturday. She will compete in the state finals this weekend. Eleaya Rodes finished third in diving and will compete in the diving regional at South Bend Riley tonight
The varsity girls' basketball team became the champions of the Northern Lakes Conference by defeating Northridge on Friday night. They finished the conference 7-0. They play Angola tonight around 7:30 p.m. in the second game of the sectional at Angola.
If any postponements occur with tonight's events, we will post that information here on the blog.
Tuesday Cancellation - School All Day Wednesday
Wawasee Community Schools are closed today, Tuesday. This day will be made up on March 23rd.
On Wednesday, students will be in session all day. There will be no early release.
On Wednesday, students will be in session all day. There will be no early release.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Monday Cancellation
No school Monday.
We tried this morning, but according to Mr. Green, our head mechanic, all the buses in the "bull pen" have trouble staying running. Cold weather is causing the fuel to jell up.
Too many buses will not stay running.
Make up day will be February 19.
We tried this morning, but according to Mr. Green, our head mechanic, all the buses in the "bull pen" have trouble staying running. Cold weather is causing the fuel to jell up.
Too many buses will not stay running.
Make up day will be February 19.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Two hour delay Monday
There will be a two-hour delay on Monday due to the extreme wind chill.
This will give the Transportation Department the needed time to make sure the buses will start after an idle weekend.
This will reduce the likelihood of children standing in the cold too long waiting for a late bus.
We are announcing it early to make it easy for parents to make plans.
(No - It's not a premature celebration of the Colt's anticipated victory! :-)
This will give the Transportation Department the needed time to make sure the buses will start after an idle weekend.
This will reduce the likelihood of children standing in the cold too long waiting for a late bus.
We are announcing it early to make it easy for parents to make plans.
(No - It's not a premature celebration of the Colt's anticipated victory! :-)
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Boys' Basketball Games Postponed
The junior varsity and varsity boys' basketball games against Northridge have been postponed due to weather. They will play on Tuesday, February 13th at Wawasee with the junior varsity game starting at 6:15 p.m.
Why I seldom censor comments
A handful of people have suggested that I should delete some of the more inflammatory comments that get posted, especially those that take potshots at teachers or administrators.
Here are some random thoughts on the issue:
1. The wide-open forum of the internet is here to stay. Schools should embrace the technology and use it for good, instead of getting squeamish. The internet has given everyone an equal voice. You just didn't hear that voice before. Not all voices will make sense to you and not all voices will be respectful. That doesn't mean they weren't out there before - it just means they ran in different circles than you and you never heard that voice.
2. When you were in school did you know who the superintendent was? Did you interact with him or her? Having a voice in the past meant you had to have "connections." Today, connections may be technology-based.
3. It will take time for people to adjust to maintaining their dignity when they think no one is physically watching. You see, they just don't realize yet that the whole world is now watching. It's just electronic. Bill Gates calls it, "Living the documented life." Every key stroke you make leaves a digital footprint. Every place you go the security cameras and web cams are likely to be recording you. Every person that posts wild ramblings and embarrassing personal information on their website will have to explain it to a future employer. Many large businesses now employ people specifically to search out every internet reference to a potential employee before they hire them.
4. Twenty years ago you older folks left your imprint on the world by carving your initials in the tree with your rusty pocketknife. "Leroy was here." Today your children and grandchildren blog their views to the world and publish their daily lives to thousands by posting to their personal websites. It's no different in that respect, their imprint is just digital and far reaching - even into the future. It is a permanent record.
5. As far as censoring or deleting comments goes, I have not yet had to censor any comments except for one or two for profanity.
6. Comments, suggestions, criticisms and compliments are appropriate here when they are in reference to policies, practices or school-wide issues. If a criticism is in reference to a specific individual or department it is best made directly to the individual or their "boss." I will delete any inflammatory comments that reference an individual or employee. Except for references to me. Everyone considers the superintendent fair game I guess. (Someone came up to me recently and started pinching my upper arm lightly. They looked up with a grin and said, "I was just checking to see if you had thick skin!")
7. The biggest problem with internet communication is that it lacks the non-verbal cues that accompany face-to-face interaction.
8. And the simplest reason for blunt and sometimes inflammatory posting is actually quite simple. Some people get lazy (perhaps they aren't very good typists) and they don't take the time to soften their words and explain themselves more carefully the way they would face-to-face.
Here are some random thoughts on the issue:
1. The wide-open forum of the internet is here to stay. Schools should embrace the technology and use it for good, instead of getting squeamish. The internet has given everyone an equal voice. You just didn't hear that voice before. Not all voices will make sense to you and not all voices will be respectful. That doesn't mean they weren't out there before - it just means they ran in different circles than you and you never heard that voice.
2. When you were in school did you know who the superintendent was? Did you interact with him or her? Having a voice in the past meant you had to have "connections." Today, connections may be technology-based.
3. It will take time for people to adjust to maintaining their dignity when they think no one is physically watching. You see, they just don't realize yet that the whole world is now watching. It's just electronic. Bill Gates calls it, "Living the documented life." Every key stroke you make leaves a digital footprint. Every place you go the security cameras and web cams are likely to be recording you. Every person that posts wild ramblings and embarrassing personal information on their website will have to explain it to a future employer. Many large businesses now employ people specifically to search out every internet reference to a potential employee before they hire them.
4. Twenty years ago you older folks left your imprint on the world by carving your initials in the tree with your rusty pocketknife. "Leroy was here." Today your children and grandchildren blog their views to the world and publish their daily lives to thousands by posting to their personal websites. It's no different in that respect, their imprint is just digital and far reaching - even into the future. It is a permanent record.
5. As far as censoring or deleting comments goes, I have not yet had to censor any comments except for one or two for profanity.
6. Comments, suggestions, criticisms and compliments are appropriate here when they are in reference to policies, practices or school-wide issues. If a criticism is in reference to a specific individual or department it is best made directly to the individual or their "boss." I will delete any inflammatory comments that reference an individual or employee. Except for references to me. Everyone considers the superintendent fair game I guess. (Someone came up to me recently and started pinching my upper arm lightly. They looked up with a grin and said, "I was just checking to see if you had thick skin!")
7. The biggest problem with internet communication is that it lacks the non-verbal cues that accompany face-to-face interaction.
8. And the simplest reason for blunt and sometimes inflammatory posting is actually quite simple. Some people get lazy (perhaps they aren't very good typists) and they don't take the time to soften their words and explain themselves more carefully the way they would face-to-face.
Friday, February 02, 2007
They methed it up
Friday's Funny
Mr. Garner, Principal of Syracuse Elementary, reported he saw the following methed up abbreviation running on a local TV channel during the snow cancellations:
"Milford Meth Church - Activities cancelled"
Have a Super weekend. Go Colts!
Mr. Garner, Principal of Syracuse Elementary, reported he saw the following methed up abbreviation running on a local TV channel during the snow cancellations:
"Milford Meth Church - Activities cancelled"
Have a Super weekend. Go Colts!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Is school work getting harder? You be the judge.
Many of you may not know this, but Indiana was recently ranked first in the nation in its academic standards and its assessment system. (link here) That might start some debate!
Many veteran teachers feel like the curriculum has been shoved down and shoved down. Most parents wouldn't recognize the material from their elementary days!
Here is a 2nd grade writing standard for Indiana:
Write or deliver a research report that has been developed using a systematic research process (defines the topic, gathers information, determines credibility, reports findings) and that: uses a variety of resources (books, technology, pictures, charts, tables of contents, diagrams) and documents sources (titles and authors).organizes information by categorizing it into single categories (such as size or color) or includes information gained through observation.
Whoa Nelly! When I was in second grade I think I was still having 3 recesses a day and maybe even milk and cookies! If middle schoolers could do this with consistency we would be thrilled. Now granted, the subject matter can be scaled down considerably.
Parents, do you want to know what your children are expected to know and be able to do in Indiana at each grade level? Click here and choose a subject from the pull down menu. Then move your cursor over the colored buttons for every grade level and look at the standards. It's all here.
You can also print off sample problems to practice with too.
Many veteran teachers feel like the curriculum has been shoved down and shoved down. Most parents wouldn't recognize the material from their elementary days!
Here is a 2nd grade writing standard for Indiana:
Write or deliver a research report that has been developed using a systematic research process (defines the topic, gathers information, determines credibility, reports findings) and that: uses a variety of resources (books, technology, pictures, charts, tables of contents, diagrams) and documents sources (titles and authors).organizes information by categorizing it into single categories (such as size or color) or includes information gained through observation.
Whoa Nelly! When I was in second grade I think I was still having 3 recesses a day and maybe even milk and cookies! If middle schoolers could do this with consistency we would be thrilled. Now granted, the subject matter can be scaled down considerably.
Parents, do you want to know what your children are expected to know and be able to do in Indiana at each grade level? Click here and choose a subject from the pull down menu. Then move your cursor over the colored buttons for every grade level and look at the standards. It's all here.
You can also print off sample problems to practice with too.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Netiquette
We evidently have attracted a lot of new readers with the recent snow delay controversies. Evidently it was the "Jerry Springer" atmosphere that attracted so many! There were 11,000 separate computers that accessed the site over 39,000 times yesterday. Given the volume, I thought it might be helpful to provide a few links that review internet etiquette. Why?
In educational terms, it is a "teachable moment!" :-)
Most blog sites or internet forums go through growth stages as new readers grow accustomed to interacting online. It is said that much of human communication is transmitted through non-verbal cues. If this is true than it would be easy to misread the written communication of others in an online format, or to forget basic courtesies when posting anonymously.
Here is a link to Wikipedia (an open, collaborative, online encyclopedia) that discusses some of the pitfalls to online communication.
Here is a link to an excerpt from a book entitled "Netiquette" that summarizes 10 guidelines for online interaction.
Here is a link to a 10 question quiz on "netiquette."
I do not post these because I am offended or upset by the criticism. It comes with the territory and sometimes it is deserved.
I post these because a number of commenters tried to bring civility and politeness back into the picture and found it difficult.
In educational terms, it is a "teachable moment!" :-)
Most blog sites or internet forums go through growth stages as new readers grow accustomed to interacting online. It is said that much of human communication is transmitted through non-verbal cues. If this is true than it would be easy to misread the written communication of others in an online format, or to forget basic courtesies when posting anonymously.
Here is a link to Wikipedia (an open, collaborative, online encyclopedia) that discusses some of the pitfalls to online communication.
Here is a link to an excerpt from a book entitled "Netiquette" that summarizes 10 guidelines for online interaction.
Here is a link to a 10 question quiz on "netiquette."
I do not post these because I am offended or upset by the criticism. It comes with the territory and sometimes it is deserved.
I post these because a number of commenters tried to bring civility and politeness back into the picture and found it difficult.
Online access to grades and attendance
Students:
Do you know what your current grade average is in each class?
Do you know if you have missing assignments still to turn in?
Parents:
Have you sat down with a printout of your son or daughter's grades and discussed it with them?
Don't forget those high school age young adults. They need to know you care too.
It's a click and a password away.
Click on the grade portal links on the sidebar, enter your password and take a "look-see."
If you do not have your password handy or you lost it, call the school or e-mail them for the information. (TIP: Post the passwords somewhere handy and teach your children to access and monitor their own grade book!)
SE 457-4484
MLF 658-9444
WMS 457-8839
NE 834-7644
WHS 457-3147
In addition to having online access to grades and attendance, next year we will be able to provide access to your child's lunch account as well.
Do you know what your current grade average is in each class?
Do you know if you have missing assignments still to turn in?
Parents:
Have you sat down with a printout of your son or daughter's grades and discussed it with them?
Don't forget those high school age young adults. They need to know you care too.
It's a click and a password away.
Click on the grade portal links on the sidebar, enter your password and take a "look-see."
If you do not have your password handy or you lost it, call the school or e-mail them for the information. (TIP: Post the passwords somewhere handy and teach your children to access and monitor their own grade book!)
SE 457-4484
MLF 658-9444
WMS 457-8839
NE 834-7644
WHS 457-3147
In addition to having online access to grades and attendance, next year we will be able to provide access to your child's lunch account as well.
Wednesday Delay Update
Road reports show that many of the drifted areas we were worried about this morning are plowed out now.
Drive careful. Have a good day.
Drive careful. Have a good day.
Wednesday Delay
Two hour delay.
Road conditions are actually pretty decent considering everything. But....there are isloated sections of certain roads where we have drifting.
Ninety-percent of the roads are clear. The remaining 10% are one lane. Some of those would hang up a school bus.
Skies are clear, some roads are even bare.
This will give the county road crews time to knock down the extra drifts.
Road conditions are actually pretty decent considering everything. But....there are isloated sections of certain roads where we have drifting.
Ninety-percent of the roads are clear. The remaining 10% are one lane. Some of those would hang up a school bus.
Skies are clear, some roads are even bare.
This will give the county road crews time to knock down the extra drifts.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Our Condolences
We would like to pass along our condolences to the family of Jodi Molle. Jodi was the driver of the vehicle involved in the head-on collision with the Wawasee school bus on Friday morning north of Dewart Lake. Jodi has family that attend the Wawasee Schools.
Jodi passed away Monday afternoon at KCH hospital.
Thank you blog reader D.S. for the private e-mail concerning the details.
Jodi passed away Monday afternoon at KCH hospital.
Thank you blog reader D.S. for the private e-mail concerning the details.
Early Dismissal
Wawasee Schools will be dismissing early on Tuesday due to the wind advisory being extended. Blowing and drifting snow is expected until 1:00 AM Wednesday morning.
Dismissal is 1:00 PM for all schools except Wawasee Middle School which will be 1:20 PM.
Afternoon Kindergarten will be cancelled.
Dismissal is 1:00 PM for all schools except Wawasee Middle School which will be 1:20 PM.
Afternoon Kindergarten will be cancelled.
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