Subject: 2009 Totally Wired Teacher Award

Our humble colleage, Mike Roberts received the following email from Bri Brewer Head of Community Development for Dell’s Education community.

I would like to personally extend my congratulations to you on being
nominated (multiple entries) and ultimately selected for the
Ypulse 2009 Totally Wired Teacher Award!!

You were selected from more than 200 nominees for your dedication to technology supporting instruction and your commitment to being an advocate for its potential in education.
http://www.ypulse.com/the-2009-totally-wired-teacher-ismike-roberts

Tech HPT

Still working on the finishing touches of the tech plan.

Did you know that as a teacher at Bigfork Schools you can become a tech mentor or mentee? You can also ask for University of Bigfork Credit, PIR time, or personal days as a result???
Ask your building rep for more info!

Elem/Middle School Rep:Scarlett Sherman, Greg Moul, Mike Roberts
High School Rep: Sue Zielanski, Matt Porrovecchio

6-8 HPT

The 6-8 team spent yesterday's HPT meeting recommending sixth and seventh grade students to next year's leadership class. We are looking to involve students that have demonstrated the ability to sway their peers, in either a positive or negative direction. The goal is to teach these natural leaders the skills they need to use their abilities to create a positive social and educational environment. The leadership course will likely be a combination of character education, and a civics curriculum.

10th Grade HPT

Tenth HPT continued to talk about next year's goals, those we hope to still accomplish no matter how the HPT system works next year. We tried to nail down a large community based project for each quarter. 1st: A motto and logo contest along with a What's Good About Bigfork English discussion. 2nd: Food Drive (With the graduation of this year's class it will be interesting to see if the kids really get behind this like they have in the past.) #rd: Empty bowl, a huge project involving the entire high school, more on that later. 4th: Community service day. A day for kids to go out into the community and do some good, picking up trash, doing yard work, going planting trees, etc.

That's where we are right now, any ideas or additions would be great.

3-5 in May

The last two early releases have either been consumed with math (Ms. Math was here. I think she has a real name, maybe Rachel?) or grade levels planning end of year trips. As a team we have not seen very much of each other but we take comfort knowing we are planning the end of the year.

It seems there has been a lot of work happening involving math with a lot more to come. Hopefully someone with some actual insight will post too! 3rd recently visited a museum (I know, I should remember the name!), 4th just returned from another successful overnight adventure to Great Falls, and 5th is about to embark on yet another two night-er to Ravenwood the first week of June!

intervention

The Intervention Team was mostly involved in other meetings, scheduling, and athletics but those who could meet did so briefly and talked more about some students who were in danger of losing credits through failing, notably the seniors.

Tech HPT on May 13

At our last tech HPT meeting we met with a revised copy of the tech plan. We our making changes to the plan to fit the needs of OPI requirements. We also asked for one full school day with sub release time to work on this large endeavor. The plan also needs to be ready with monetary figures when stimulus money becomes available.

Also, we constantly talk about the Technology Mentor/Mentee program that the plan has set up. Hey Staff!! Did you know you can further your technology education with the help of the school district as laid out in the tech plan? Ask one of your tech members for more info!!!

Pardon me, but I must....

Please accept my invitation to nominate Mr. Michael Roberts for the Ypulse 2009 Totally Wired Teacher Award. It has been my privilege to be mentored by Mr. Roberts over the last seven months . I have watched as he has played point person, driving Bigfork School District to embrace 21st Century Technology . I have observed his enthusiasm in the classroom as he shares his passion with students and they respond. We are fortunate to have this rare resource in our midst and this is a unique opportunity to acknowledge him. Please visit Ypulse and fill in the brief nomination form.

HPT 10

Well, a week and a half ago when we met, we prepared for our Sophomore field trip to Nine Pipes lodge and Beardance trail. It was a hit. the kids enjoyed themselves and learned a lot. They also had a great opportunity to work hard and do something good for the environment by planting trees and clearing away brush that could cause wildfires.

We also continued talks about the Empty Bowl program that we plan to reinstate next year, with the full blessings of the Forum and Administration, of course.

We are still pushing to be the All Things Positive group, and we will continue to look for ways to set Bigfork apart as a place that kids want to be.

11/12 team report

At the last HPT the 11/12 team discussed goals for next year. We are considering "critical thinking" curriculum, gifted and talented identification, and intervention. We also discussed concerns about next year's calendar. Senior projects were a great success and I will be posting pictures of the presentations. The interactive board was perfect for this type of assignment. Mike B.

6-8 HPT

Our HPT meeting was spent planning for a track and field day for the morning of May 27th. This day will be led by the 7th and 8th grade students and teachers and attended by third and fourth grade students. We brainstormed a series of events, so that each student will visit around eight stations during the morning. Some events will be traditional, and others have been highly adapted to accommodate our age range and number of students. It should be a fun day for all participating!

Insurance Discussion

Here are Clara's Comments. This blog is open to FRIENDLY discussion about our insurance choices. You can also click your choice on the unformal poll! Currenlty I am also leaning towards MUST b/c of the HSA option. Please keep in mind these are opinions and the blog is a great place to share!!! Scarlett


Dear All,
Last night I made the time to attend the MUST meeting. I'm glad I did.
After listening to the Blue Cross-Blue Shield presentation, I was ready
to vote in favor of switching our health insurance company. No so,
any longer! My reasoning is as follows:
MUST raised the maximum lifetime benefit from 3 million to 5 million
MUST has a basic medical plan - the Blue's don't - we do have members
on this plan
MUST has a built-in $!0,000 life insurance policy with the district
paying for another $10,000. I purchased a $50,000 policy
for about $18 per month. Great rate. I'm not real clear on
the Blue's, but I believe if we wanted that, it would raise the
premium?
MUST has a built-in long term disability insurance - the Blue's
don't. You can purchase it.
MUST deals with schools only.
MUST and Blue's dental and vision plans are comparable, however,
if you use a flex account or a health savings account, you will
not spend as much in the end. When you add up the premiums
paid and subtract you benefits, the insurance is not cost effective.
MUST also offers opportunities for us, as a district, to lower our
premiums through wellness incentive plans. One of the opportunities
mentioned was if 90% of the insured participated, we could save up to
3% on our premiums. Granted that may be only $12 - $13 per month,
and that depends on your plan and deductible, but $140 to $150
per year would but something fun?
MUST premiums may be a couple dollars more, but the benefits outweigh
the cost risks.
I know I'm not covering all the points. Perhaps those in attendance can lend
their memories and support.
Union members will be voting soon to decide which insurance company
we will be using as a district.
Thanks for listening/reading about my obvious choice.

Have a GREAT DAY!
Clara

I Team

Intervention Team met last week and went through the updated F and nearly-failing list. Christina Nadeau shared some of the interventions in place for students struggling with math. Our discussion centered on what we are doing as a high school to intervene in skill deficits among students in all areas. Elementary strategies were also discussed including the math interventions that have had success in their program. Christina informed team members how we're working on a plan for next year to take out the "negativity" associated with some intervention programs, and anticipating success with the new strategies.