Even after the class has finished you've followed up by using another great site for the survey. Zoomerang is a great tool that will be very useful in surveys for students, parents, staff and community.
Way to go!!! A+++
http://www.zoomerang.com/
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
S. Redford Schools Vote to Retain Vocal Music
According to today's Redford Observer the South Redford Board of Education decided to reinstate vocal music at the middle and high school levels, in addition to an arts teacher who also has classes in both grade level buildings. These positions are kept inspite of cutting $2 million from their budget for the 2008 - 2009 school year.
This is a school district that just completed nearly $35 million in renovations, including a new performing arts facility.
Why do these districts spend millions of dollars to renovate schools and then decide they don't have enough funds to hire teachers? I know enough about school financing to realize that the monies are from different "pockets" but let's be realistic here people.
Anyway, kudos to the SR Board of Ed for keeping choir and art at the secondary level!
This is a school district that just completed nearly $35 million in renovations, including a new performing arts facility.
Why do these districts spend millions of dollars to renovate schools and then decide they don't have enough funds to hire teachers? I know enough about school financing to realize that the monies are from different "pockets" but let's be realistic here people.
Anyway, kudos to the SR Board of Ed for keeping choir and art at the secondary level!
Monday, June 23, 2008
S. Redford Cuts Update
According to our local newsrag (Redford Observer) the proposed budget cuts for our neighboring school district seem to be heading for approval. I wish them well.
Our district (Redford Union) has been dealing with budget cuts, downsizing, trimming the fat, or whatever you want to call it, for what seems like forever. An editorial headline in the Detroit News tells the Detroit Public School chief to look to the Ford Motor Company to learn how to deal with cuts before it becomes too late. I laugh because I think Ford called Redford Union to see what to do?!
I do remember our union leaders and administrators telling the staff that the problem is greater than the apparent mismanagement of funds, at least in our district. The real problem is school funding from the state. We were told that it wouldn't be long before every district, even the "rich" ones would be affected. I believe that time is here. In addition the souring economy in the state certainly doesn't help the overall picture of school finances.
Our district (Redford Union) has been dealing with budget cuts, downsizing, trimming the fat, or whatever you want to call it, for what seems like forever. An editorial headline in the Detroit News tells the Detroit Public School chief to look to the Ford Motor Company to learn how to deal with cuts before it becomes too late. I laugh because I think Ford called Redford Union to see what to do?!
I do remember our union leaders and administrators telling the staff that the problem is greater than the apparent mismanagement of funds, at least in our district. The real problem is school funding from the state. We were told that it wouldn't be long before every district, even the "rich" ones would be affected. I believe that time is here. In addition the souring economy in the state certainly doesn't help the overall picture of school finances.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
South Redford Schools Cut Secondary Vocal Music
This article was released in the Redford Observer Newspaper this evening. You can read by clicking on the title above.
South Redford school officials agreed to slice $2 million from next year's budget, largely by laying off eight teachers and cutting the district's busing program in half by eliminating busing to Thurston High School.
During a tumultuous, standing-room-only school board meeting Monday, board members also chose to increase the pay-to-participate fees (to $150 for Thurston, $100 for Pierce Middle School); eliminate the high school athletic director position, but roll those duties into the Thurston assistant principal job; move to fall elections; and slash the extra club pay for teachers and staff from $300,000 to $100,000.
Two other teaching jobs were eliminated, the vocal music director for secondary school and the vacant home economics position.
Board members plan to approve a budget by June 23 to meet state requirements. The $2 million shortfall was based on a budget planned to have no increase in state per-pupil funding, but also contractual increases in longevity pay and retirements and big fuel price hikes. The district also lost almost $300,000 in local revenue, due to fewer tuition students and less adult education and latch-key income, officials said.
School board members shared frustrations with the process and the timing. Supt. Linda Hicks and business manager Teresa Davis worked through a PowerPoint presentation of $7 million options for cuts that were projected onto a screen as board members asked questions or tried to reach consensus. No votes were taken, though.
South Redford school officials agreed to slice $2 million from next year's budget, largely by laying off eight teachers and cutting the district's busing program in half by eliminating busing to Thurston High School.
During a tumultuous, standing-room-only school board meeting Monday, board members also chose to increase the pay-to-participate fees (to $150 for Thurston, $100 for Pierce Middle School); eliminate the high school athletic director position, but roll those duties into the Thurston assistant principal job; move to fall elections; and slash the extra club pay for teachers and staff from $300,000 to $100,000.
Two other teaching jobs were eliminated, the vocal music director for secondary school and the vacant home economics position.
Board members plan to approve a budget by June 23 to meet state requirements. The $2 million shortfall was based on a budget planned to have no increase in state per-pupil funding, but also contractual increases in longevity pay and retirements and big fuel price hikes. The district also lost almost $300,000 in local revenue, due to fewer tuition students and less adult education and latch-key income, officials said.
School board members shared frustrations with the process and the timing. Supt. Linda Hicks and business manager Teresa Davis worked through a PowerPoint presentation of $7 million options for cuts that were projected onto a screen as board members asked questions or tried to reach consensus. No votes were taken, though.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
How I'm Spending Summer Vacation
* Update blog and wiki page
* Go through all the neat pages I've bookmarked
* Play computer games until my wrist is aching
* Read my journals that I've neglected all year
* Create my To Do list on 30 boxes
* Watch the Tonight Show
* Get off the PC to actually start working on my To Do list
Hey, I actually did create the list and accomplish one thing on it today. It took me about 3.5 hours, so I feel I've actually done something today! Tomorrow is another day tho...I may need to rest from all that work!
* Go through all the neat pages I've bookmarked
* Play computer games until my wrist is aching
* Read my journals that I've neglected all year
* Create my To Do list on 30 boxes
* Watch the Tonight Show
* Get off the PC to actually start working on my To Do list
Hey, I actually did create the list and accomplish one thing on it today. It took me about 3.5 hours, so I feel I've actually done something today! Tomorrow is another day tho...I may need to rest from all that work!
Monday, June 16, 2008
23 Things Comes to an end
Well, the SBCEU form has been mailed and the 23 Things program is officially done for the summer (or will be very soon). The things I've learned I'm using quite regularly, especially the blog and wiki pages. I've embedded calendars, and videos and all sorts of stuff into them and many students are using them regularly (even now that school is out). I'm hopeful that it will continue to grow throughout the summer and even more when school starts in the fall.
I'm also hopeful that I'll be able to use several aspects learned and present some professional development to the high school staff next year.
Thanks to all of the 23 Thingees and presenters. It's been a great experience!
I'm also hopeful that I'll be able to use several aspects learned and present some professional development to the high school staff next year.
Thanks to all of the 23 Thingees and presenters. It's been a great experience!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Graduation Performance
Our local newspaper (and I use that term lightly) recently published an article about our high school graduation ceremony. The article basically was a teaser saying that the story, photos and names of the grads would be found on page 4. Of course page 4 contained no article, names or photos. I scrounged around online and found these photos and thought I'd load them onto my blog and wikispaces. I think they turned out nicely, but I doubt they'll be used in the newspaper.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Choir Final Exams - Part Two
Well I think I feel better now. My 5th hour Concert Choir exams are completed. Since this group is "By Audition Only" the caliber and caring of the students is much better than my 4th hour kids (see previous posting).
What this means is that fewer kids had to take the exam (even though it's a larger group) and fewer still had to pass the exam to receive credit. Roughly 80% of the students passed the exam (and I also graded it on a curve, but not nearly as large as the one for 4th hour). The two students who had to pass the exam did, quite handily, so I'm relieved at the situation.
My grades are entered, the rooms (both middle school and high school) are cleaned, so all I have to do tomorrow is turn in one set of keys and administrative stuff, pick up my paycheck, and go to the middle school staff party at a neighbor's house. I already feel my blood pressure lowering!
On a positive note, I also feel more prepared to begin next fall. I have several musical selections organized, sound bites listed on my wikispace for the students to listen to, and some new supplies ordered. I've seen classlists for the classes and they're not accurate, but I know they will change 100 times between now and the first part of September...so all in all....let SUMMER begin!
What this means is that fewer kids had to take the exam (even though it's a larger group) and fewer still had to pass the exam to receive credit. Roughly 80% of the students passed the exam (and I also graded it on a curve, but not nearly as large as the one for 4th hour). The two students who had to pass the exam did, quite handily, so I'm relieved at the situation.
My grades are entered, the rooms (both middle school and high school) are cleaned, so all I have to do tomorrow is turn in one set of keys and administrative stuff, pick up my paycheck, and go to the middle school staff party at a neighbor's house. I already feel my blood pressure lowering!
On a positive note, I also feel more prepared to begin next fall. I have several musical selections organized, sound bites listed on my wikispace for the students to listen to, and some new supplies ordered. I've seen classlists for the classes and they're not accurate, but I know they will change 100 times between now and the first part of September...so all in all....let SUMMER begin!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Choir Final Exams
Today I gave my 4th hour choir their final exam for 2nd semester. Our school policy is that if you have more than 3 absences for the semester you must take the exam; if you have more than 10 absences you must pass the exam with a C grade to receive credit in the class. If your absences are higher than 10 per semester the grade required to pass goes up by a 1/3 of a grade for every additional 5 absences. Now the throw even more confusion into the mixture, tardies... You're allowed 3 per semester, anything after the 3rd one counts as an absence. So a student with 9 absences and 7 tardies must pass the exam with a C+ in order to receive credit for the semester.
Believe it or not this is not the basis of this rant!
What is the basis is that this choir (and I use the term loosely) was told exactly what would be covered on the exam: short answer questions about repertoire, vocal music programs in the schools, etc., eighth notes and rests, terminology (such as dynamics, tempo and expression markings), sharps/flats/naturals, whole and half steps, and enharmonic spellings. Then, they are allowed to use any materials given in class, including handouts, worksheets and previous tests. Students are given slightly over two hours to take the exam (I know...there's another rant subject).
Out of the 17 students who were required to take the exam, 6 had to pass the exam with a C or C+ (depending on absences) and one student had to pass with an A+. Fortunately for this young lady she didn't show up to take the exam and therefore automatically receives an E for the semester.
Given all of the above, two students passed the exam. The class average, including a very generous curve, was 28%. Even with the curve only three students passed the exam. Out of the 7 who HAD to pass it, only one did; the others weren't even close.
I am a good teacher, no wait...I'm a great teacher. What is it with some of these morons who sit in a chair (on a good day), day after day and nothing sinks in. No desire, no shame, no motivation. I just don't get it (and obviously they don't either). The real problem is: they don't give a damn and I do!
(Climbing down off of my soapbox now). Just one more round of exams to go!
Believe it or not this is not the basis of this rant!
What is the basis is that this choir (and I use the term loosely) was told exactly what would be covered on the exam: short answer questions about repertoire, vocal music programs in the schools, etc., eighth notes and rests, terminology (such as dynamics, tempo and expression markings), sharps/flats/naturals, whole and half steps, and enharmonic spellings. Then, they are allowed to use any materials given in class, including handouts, worksheets and previous tests. Students are given slightly over two hours to take the exam (I know...there's another rant subject).
Out of the 17 students who were required to take the exam, 6 had to pass the exam with a C or C+ (depending on absences) and one student had to pass with an A+. Fortunately for this young lady she didn't show up to take the exam and therefore automatically receives an E for the semester.
Given all of the above, two students passed the exam. The class average, including a very generous curve, was 28%. Even with the curve only three students passed the exam. Out of the 7 who HAD to pass it, only one did; the others weren't even close.
I am a good teacher, no wait...I'm a great teacher. What is it with some of these morons who sit in a chair (on a good day), day after day and nothing sinks in. No desire, no shame, no motivation. I just don't get it (and obviously they don't either). The real problem is: they don't give a damn and I do!
(Climbing down off of my soapbox now). Just one more round of exams to go!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Final Chapter
Last night (June 5th) was our annual HS Commencement Ceremony. My Chorale students sang the National Anthem, and two selections: "Come Travel With Me" and "Letting Go" from Jeykl & Hyde
One of my lead altos was Valedictorian and spoke at the ceremony. What an honor to watch her grow and know that I've had a small part in shaping her future.
One of my lead altos was Valedictorian and spoke at the ceremony. What an honor to watch her grow and know that I've had a small part in shaping her future.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
A Foot In the Door
At our June staff meeting this week the discussion turned towards Professional Development (PD) ideas for next year. I mentioned the great lessons learned here during 23 Things, and that the staff and students could benefit from many of the websites and widgets explored here. I'll be working up some ideas for our administration in hopes that we can move ahead into the late 20th century. Wait...are we still there? No, the world has moved into the 21st century, our IT is still in Windows 2000.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Neat Stuff
This wanders away from the 23 Things that have been the focus of this blog so far.
Several years ago a student in my Chorale graduated as Valedictorian at our high school. Her speech spoke of the enjoyment and growth she found in this class/choir, and what an impact the events had had on her life.
This lovely young lady got married this past weekend, and I had the honor of being asked to supply some of the music for the ceremony.
I've always enjoyed watching my students move from middle school through high school, and eventually graduating. Every so often these wonderful men and women return so that our paths cross again. It always touches me to see how they continue to grow, and hopefully not sounding too full of myself, how I'm made some small impact on their lives.
I know it certainly makes the rough times seem miniscule in comparison. I will make it through tomorrow.
Several years ago a student in my Chorale graduated as Valedictorian at our high school. Her speech spoke of the enjoyment and growth she found in this class/choir, and what an impact the events had had on her life.
This lovely young lady got married this past weekend, and I had the honor of being asked to supply some of the music for the ceremony.
I've always enjoyed watching my students move from middle school through high school, and eventually graduating. Every so often these wonderful men and women return so that our paths cross again. It always touches me to see how they continue to grow, and hopefully not sounding too full of myself, how I'm made some small impact on their lives.
I know it certainly makes the rough times seem miniscule in comparison. I will make it through tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
