The Belltower

Well here we are!  Smack dab in the middle of another school year.  There are so many wonderful things going on here in Bulldog Land.  Our fall sports teams are kicking butt (wait... maybe I should say "competing at a high level of success").  Our School Improvement Team is crafting a new plan based on the data results of the climate survey and the Teacher Working Conditions survey.  Speaking of the TWC survey, thanks again to all who filled it out.  I'll share an overview of Eppes' results with you soon.Contrary to what Ms. Graham would have you believe, I've been busier than a dentist at the county fair!  We've completed 20% of our "Building Student Literacy" professional development already, and I've received some highly useful feedback from teachers regarding the implementation of these strategies.  I've also been assessing some eighth grade students via reading inventories (and only have five more to do).  I've already had the pleasure of working with several teachers and their students, and I'm looking forward to "casting a wider net" than last year by working with more sixth and seventh grade students as well as with elective classes.Okay... here's the kinesthetic part.  Reach both hands in to the sky. (Go ahead... no one's looking.)  Touch the palms of your hands to your shoulder blades.  (Are you DOING this?  Take a quick peek around... no one's looking.)  THERE... a PAT ON THE BACK from ME to YOU!  Thanks for all of your help and kind words and support!

Well, what a year it has been!  EOGs are upon us, and spring break seems like 2 months ago.  Oh wait... it WAS!  We're ALL a bit crispy around the edges, but the end is near.

I DO have a couple of "good news" items to share, and NO, don't worry.  I'm not gonna say that I saved 15% on my car insurance by switching to GEICO.  Our school has TWO teams that have been accepted to attend Teacher Academy residential sessions.  A motley crew of seven teachers including Bowers, Ratcliffe, Carter, Newell, Bellis, Fuller and T. Hunt will be "bringin' da noise" to the otherwise sleepy hamlet of Murfreesboro for the "Classroom Strategies That Work" session at Chowan.  Mr. Hunt is more than capable of providing mental, emotional and spiritual guidance to this all-star collection of miscreants.  (Good luck with THAT!)

The other team- the dynamic duo of Sauls and McClellan- will be making the trek to Elon for the new "Building Teacher Leadership" module.  "Sauls and McClellan"... I don't know if that sounds like more like a pair of pioneers from the 19th century, a folk combo from the '60s, or a store that sells really expensive pants. 

In fact, help me make up my mind by leaving a comment here with your vote.  You may vote for any of the 3 choices provided or add an additional choice for my consideration.  Just remember to darken the circle of the BEST answer.  Make a dark mark that completely fills the circle... best of luck on those EOGs!!

Welcome one and all!  What's going on this week at C.M. Eppes?  Well I can tell you- ALL the cool people are visiting The Belltower.  Additionally, the Teacher Working Conditions survey is still open until April 21st.  We are stuck on 54% response rate as a school (33 out of 61), but this is not all our fault.  I only see 44 names on our "Master Schedule" so where are we hiding the 17 extra teachers?  The first person to explain this to my satisfaction will receive 3 post-it notes...

I faxed in our applications to Teacher Academy yesterday (after running the gauntlet of fax-induced lunacy).  By the way, you press "8" and then the number for long-distance calls (NOT "9"!).   This fact would be obvious to anyone who takes the time to read the fax instructions posted just above the machine.  Nevertheless, the fifth time was a charm, and I hope that all 3 groups get accepted.

Isn't this blog format much better than receiving several e-mails a day from me?  Well I must be off.  I have to e-mail everyone to remind them to visit this site...