Eyeballs on math

I was wandering around this afternoon when I happened upon the math lesson Mrs. Bennett was doing with her Kindergarten students. Modeling numbers is a great way to develop number sense. In this class, Mrs. Bennett has added an October twist to make the lesson just a little bit more enjoyable. Sometimes it's all in the approach!

One final question...

Over the years I have interviewed dozens of people for jobs in our school. At the end of each interview, almost without fail, I add my own personal question - "What is your favorite children's book?"

The question is intended to move people out of best-behavior-interview mode to a more personal moment. The titles, and the reasons behind them, are sometimes very revealing. Candidates will often ask, "Is there a 'wrong' answer?" and I tell them yes. After the candidate answers the question, I tell them (if they ask again) that the "wrong" answer is The Giving Tree. I think the book sends a less than positive message about the expectations boys should have of their mothers. (I know, many people think I'm way out of line here, but that's where I am.)

This morning I took a break from the professional development session I was leading on web site design to check in with my teachers in a different program. While there, our new Fifth Grade teacher, Brittany Ouellette, said to me, "I have a dark secret." She then showed me the cover of her personal laptop...

Oh, how I love my job some days!

Fifth Grade Student Council Elections

Our fifth grade students have selected their Student Council representatives for the year.

Students hung posters and talked with classmates about their interest in Student Council. This morning, candidates made their speeches, and then classes held a vote. The following students were elected by their classmates for the 2016-2017 school year:

Chloe Casperson

Will Cranford

Daniel Jurdi

Genna Murphy

Henry Murphy

Vivi Murphy 

Congratulations to these students, and to all the students willing to help this year.