November 5th 2009

Wow! This week was just as nuts as last week! Sorry to be so late with the posting!

In science this week and next week, the kids will be learning about what causes the changing of the seasons and will be doing experiments with clay and flashlight models. Many of them think that they seasons are caused by the distance of the earth to the sun while the earth is on its yearly orbit around the sun. They will learn how and why this is not true and should be able to explain to you what DOES actually cause the seasons when asked.

Bear

Bear will be out of the room for reading for the next two weeks due to some minor surgery that he had this past week. Nothing major, just some below the surface fatty tumors and a couple of skin tags removed. He'll be back once he gets his stitches out.

Conferences

Parent teacher conferences are Monday or Thursday night of this upcoming week. Some of you have generously volunteered to come in for your conference before or after school and I really appreciate this! With only 24 slots available and 27 kids, it would have been impossible to fit them all into two nights. Please try to be on time for your conference. I will have a timer running during each conference so that I can stay on time myself. It is not my intention to get you in and get you out as soon as possible but with all my conferences back to back if I'm off 2 minutes for one conference, then I am off 2 minutes for each conference for the rest of the night.

If we don't get to delve into information that you need to hear more about, I would be happy to schedule an additonal conference with you later.

A.R. goals

Accelerated Reader 100% goals were supposed to have been met yesterday. Students who did not meet their goal for last quarter will have the opportunity to stay in at recess until they reach this goal. The 2nd quarter for A.R. starts this Monday. Please refer to the September posting for the dates of the 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% goals for 2nd semester.

The State Education Budget Cuts

Within the last two weeks the teachers of Vicksburg have been asked to make lists of what we feel are the most important things to keep, and what items/classes/materials/ can be cut from our district expenses. What is most important to all of us is the education of your students. Therefore, what the teachers feel is the most important thing NOT to cut is the teaching staff. We already know that many districts will be cutting and laying off teachers before Christmas break. That means that where there was once a class of 27 students, there might now be classes of 35 - 40 students. Classes of this size make quality instruction nearly impossible as teachers spend more time on classroom management and crowd control than actual instruction.

Vicksburg Community Schools has more teachers with Masters Degrees than nearly any other school in west Michigan. We know we get paid less than other teachers in other districts but lets face it... if you go into education, its not about the money... it's about the kids. The teachers in Vicksburg stay here because we believe in and support the commitment that Vicksburg has made to us to help us give your students the best instruction possible. But with the looming deficit ahead and cuts needing to be made, NOW we need YOUR help more than ever. YOU pay the taxes that fund our schools. Therefore YOUR opinion as to what to cut and what to keep should also come from you, the parents. As teachers and administrators, sometimes we get so caught up in working with the kids from day to day, what we have, what we don't have, and what we need, that we run out of ideas as to how to help ourselves. Kind of like... you can't see the forest while you're in the trees? If you have any ideas on how to generate money for the district, or if you have some strong opinions on what to cut, what not to cut and the reasons for them please call the administration building and give your suggestions. We know we can't keep asking you for money as your wallets are stretched thin as it is right now also.... But how can we USE the resources we already have here in Vicksburg to generate some extra cash flow? What activities would you be alright with being cut? What programs should be kept to make sure that the kids leaving us will still be prepared for college? Do we update our technology and computers each year or put that on hold until the economy begins to stabilize more? These are going to be tough choices for us... but with your help it is my hope that we can come out of this in better shape than the larger districts around us will. Think about it and please contact admin. and let them know what you think. Without you and your opinions, there would be no Vicksburg Community Schools.

I'll get off my soapbox now! Have a great week!