Week of October 27

Although it was only a 4-day week with students, last week sure seemed busy. Tuesday was busy with the Spelling Bee in Willows. Our students represented the Panthers very well, qualifying 6th grader, Carson, to the state bee next spring. Later that afternoon the October board meeting was held. Most of my Wednesday was a personal day, but I did make it back to school in time for the weekly teacher meeting. I love Wednesday teacher meetings. We start every meeting with a "Lake PD" in which teachers share effective strategies, ideas, and/or problems they have. It's an opportunity to learn from one another...it's always very productive time. On Thursday, Cheri and I left to travel to Sacramento to a 3-day CASBO (California Association of School Business Officials) workshop. Like Congress, I learned that education has two "houses": the instructional house and the business house. As a teacher and administrator for all of my educational career, I was unfamiliar with the "business side" of the house. It was enlightening and we both learned a lot. And quite honestly, Cheri and I had a great time walking around Old Sacramento during the evening when we weren't in workshops. 

While students had Friday off, our dedicated teaching staff traveled to the annual CUE Conference (computer using educators). Easily the best technology conference offered in the north state. I received a lot of texts on both Friday and Saturday regarding exciting things teachers were learning, along with the new strategies and websites they are going to try. A big thank you to the Lake School Board agreeing to calendar this day as a staff in-service day. The value of all the teachers attending a conference together is priceless. 

And here we go into Red Ribbon Week (try saying that three times really fast....it's hard!). Here's what the week's activities look through the lens of Mrs. Baker. 

Monday, October 27

It's Red Day. Be sure to wear red to support saying no to drugs and yes to a healthy lifestyle, including making good nutritional choices when eating. The entire school will take part in a mile walk starting at 10:00 a.m. Students and staff will assemble on the blacktop and then make their way north on Road N. 

The School Site Council meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held Monday, January 26, 2015. 

Tuesday, October 28

It's Tie-dye Day. I guess tie-dye will never go out of style as this seems to be a spirit day every year. I will be off-campus traveling with Mrs. Taylor to Sacramento to attend a Formative Assessment workshop hosted by Renaissance Learning. 

Wednesday, October 29

Red Ribbon Week continues with Pink Day. The two-day volleyball and flag football tournament will begin today on campus. Good luck to our Lake Panthers. Reminder to staff: only students in grades 6-8 can purchase items at the concession stand. 

I will be off-campus most of the morning attending SELPA and Superintendent meetings in Willows. 

Teacher meeting at 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Mason's room. Teachers: be prepared to share what you've implemented from CUE.

Thursday, October 30

Panther Blue Day. Final day of sports tournament. Let's go, Panthers!

Friday, October 31

Happy Halloween! Halloween parade will take place outside (weather permitting) at 8:45 a.m. Classroom parties. Remember this is a minimum day with dismissal at 12:50 p.m. 

For those of you emailing employment records to me, they are due today. Thanks

Have a great week!

Week of October 20

Wow, what a week it has been. Attended a field trip with K, 1, 2 to Chico State to watch the Okee Dokee Brothers perform blue grass and folk music. It was a great performance! 

Tuesday was busy with two classroom observations. And while the observations themselves are confidential between staff and me, I do want to give a big shout out to the world that Lake students are so very fortunate; we have a staff that is beyond amazing!

Wednesday was a minimum day where teachers and I met in the afternoon to continue our quest to provide the best education possible. Results from the Parent Survey were discussed. 

I ate lunch outside with the 8th graders on Thursday. Spent some time in kindergarten helping out with handwriting, keyboarding, and math. 

Friday included an earthquake and evacuation drill.

The highlight of the week for me was watching our Facebook page likes go over 100. I challenged our followers to encourage others to like our page with a goal of 200 likes by 2015. Good things happen at Lake Elementary every day and I want the world to know about it!

My week also included a tweet on Twitter regarding the fourth grade's video of cheering on the Giants. The cheer worked as our very own San Francisco Giants are headed to the World Series. 

Students in grades K-5 traveled to the Pumpkin Patch. And for the first time in several years, 8th grade buddies traveled to the Pumkpin Patch with their kindergarten buddies. Pics from these trips have been posted on the Lake Elementary Facebook page. 

What a great week. Now here's what next week looks like. 

Monday, October 20

Health and Vision Screening for K, 2, 5, 8

9:00 Meeting with Jeffery Soon

Tuesday, October 21

9:00 Board of Supervisors Meeting - Willows

10:00 Spelling Bee - Willows

3:00 School Board Meeting

Wednesday, October 22

3:00 Teacher Meeting

Thursday, October 23

Cheri and I will be gone attending a conference in Sacramento

Sarah Schager's birthday

Friday, October 24

Staff In-service - no students

CUE Conference for teachers

It sounds like Ellen, Bobbi, and Christine may be on campus to do some work. For those of you not working, have a great day off. 

Week of October 13

Quick reminder, the word of the month is RESPECT. How can you and your students model respect throughout the school day?

Monday, October 13
Columbus Day - any special things happening in your class to recognize Columbus Day?

Students in grades K, 1, 2 will be traveling to CSU, Chico to attend a performance of Okee Dokee Brothers. I will be on the bus for this morning field trip.









Tuesday, October 14
Students in grades 3, 4, 5 will be traveling to the Pumpkin Patch for the annual field trip. My notes have the bus leaving around 9:30 a.m., but that might be the arrival time. No doubt Shannon and the teachers involved have this figured out.

10:15 - Observation in Mr. Rutledge's classroom
1:00 - Observation in Mrs. Wright's classroom
1:30 - Meeting with Dr. Karle to draft next week's board meeting agenda

Wednesday, October 15
Minimum Day
8:00 - 12:00 SELPA Boot Camp - Willows
1:15 - Teacher Meeting

Thursday, October 16
Great American Shakeout - We will be participating in an earthquake drill in support of raising awareness of how to effectively protect yourself during an earthquake. But because we have a lot going on this day. we'll save the drill until Friday morning. I will be forwarding details regarding the Great American Shakeout early next week...also remember to refer to your handbook as it describes what to do during an earthquake drill.

Students in grades K, 1, 2 will be traveling to the Pumpkin Patch for the annual field trip. My plans are to attend this field trip.

1:30 - Volunteer in Kinder

Friday, October 17
12:45 Football and Volleyball vs. Vina - GOOOOO Panthers!

Fall Break

A week off and still great things happening at the school. Shannon has organized the ball shed. Check out the tape outlines that provide guidance in returning things to their "home". We're hoping this is one way to keep the ball shed organized for all.

Our Lake Family made good by the Fall Break. Mr. Sonberg and Mrs. Wright ran into one another all the way in Maui! How cool is that? While not leaving the mainland, Mrs. J traveled to Texas to visit family. While most of us didn't travel to far outside of the state lines, I know it was a well-deserved week off.

I attended my first Glenn County Board of Supervisors meeting during the week. The intent was to raise awareness and support for our speed radar traffic signs. Our project will be on an upcoming board agenda...will continue to provide information to the board as to the importance of this project. My goal is to have the signs installed and working by January 1, 2015.

As a step towards traffic safety at the school, NO PARKING signs were added to the front fence (parallel to Road 9) over the break. Parking is no longer allowed in front of the school. The No Parking signs were suggested by CHP to provide better vision for vehicle traffic pulling onto Road 9 from County Road N. As always, drive safely and obey speed limit laws in and out of school zones.

See you next week!

Ice Bucket Challenge

You heard it here first...ice bucket challenge from Mr. Rutledge.

Week of October 6

The October word of the month is RESPONSIBILITY. I hope you all take responsibility for taking some well-deserved time off this week.

I will be working in the afternoons of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. With one exception: on Tuesday, I will be traveling to Willows to speak at the Board of Supervisors meeting regarding our radar signs. That meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. for those of you who may wish to join me.

It's been a great week leading up to the fall break. I took a social studies quiz during the week in which I got 4 out of 5 correct. I helped kindergarten students write the letter "B" with a "big line down, rib-it, little circle, little circle." Fourth graders taught me how to subtract 6 digit numbers.

On a personal note, Mrs. Mason gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on Wednesday, October 1. Congratulations to the Mason family. We're so very happy for all of you!

Be good to yourself and have a great week!