Fourth Graders Measure Range

On Tuesday, we visited LHS campus and saw many wonderful classes.  Most noted was the use of technology.  Pictured here is Mrs. Bowen’s class who were using customary units of length to measure their height.  In turn, these fourth graders were to measure first graders' height and compare the range of data.

HHS Alabama History Projects

Shown here are HHS Alabama history projects.  Great Job!

Crimson Cool-Aid

In case you did not know, the Crimson Tide demolished the LSU Who Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game this Monday night.  In reference to my memo regarding the fact I don’t drink the Crimson Cool-Aid, but if Bama won you could wear your t-shirts, I have attached a photo demonstrating that I can drink the cool-aid.  Might I add, ‘tis better than eating crow.  Pictured are Mrs. Debra Pippin, the jug and Yours Truly.

Feeling Like A Bear Or Just a Little Bullish

Kudos to Mr. Bob Williams!  He is the recipient of a grant to fund the Stock Market Game. Five of his classes are participating in the Stock Market Game Program through a scholarship provided by Alabama Council on Economic Education.

The purpose of the Stock Market Game is to improve the student’s learning experience as they learn core skills as well as to teach them important investment concepts. Specifically, the program teaches/reinforces skills and concepts in the following areas:

•   Math, language arts, and social studies

•   Critical thinking

•   Decision-making and its consequences

•   Cooperation and communication

•   Independent research

•   Saving, investing, and economics

Each team costs $15.  Ten teams (40 total students) will participate. The game will begin January 30th and will run through April 6^th.  We will be competing with each other as well as other schools across the state. The winner will manage the portfolio that makes the most money by games end.  

The Stock Market Game is sanctioned by the New York Stock Exchange and simulates trading on Wall Street.

Good Teachers equal Lasting Gains

Due to recent reduction in benefits, decrease in job availability and the uncertain future of the Education Trust Fund, we should all be concerned about the quality of our future teachers.  The link below references a study conducted in regards to effective teaching and its outcome on student livelihoods as they become working adults.

Good Teachers = Lasting Gains

Catrett to Attend Washington Symposium

Congratulations to Mrs. Ashley Catrett.  She has been invited by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development to attend and all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C.  This Leader-to-Leader Conference will focus on the legislative process as it pertains to the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB).  Mrs. Catrett is a member of the Alabama ASCD Board.   It is great to have this representation at such a level.

Perfect Attendance Moratorium Lifted

During the Regular Board Meeting of December 19, 2011, the Board unanimously approved lifting the moratorium on the Employee Perfect Attendance Incentive.  This action is retroactive and includes the periods of second semester 2010-11 and first semester 2011-2012.   To the teacher who kindly reminded me of this already-in-place means of improving employee attendance, I say thank you.