Kelly - Hi everybody! Which Wendy, Susan, and Julie do we have here?
Wendy - Green Wendy here
Wendy - The one with the very long piece of green fabric
Julie - It's Julie from Iowa. Usually I play the organ at church at this time but today I'm not scheduled.
Kelly - And Julie! Great to see you, too!
Debbie Mc - Hi everybody!
Kelly - Debbie - got my package today! Thanks SO much! I haven't really gotten to read it all yet, but it looks like it will help.
Debbie Mc - You're welcome.
Susan - I need help on how to get to 'portfolio' at EC_GEN? I had emailed this to Kelly so it may be repeat
Julie - Thanks. School starts Monday for me, and I invited the kindergartners to visit Friday at 4. They were cute as usual, can't wait to get to know them. Only 8 came , but expect more Monday.
Kelly - Susan - go to www.egroups.com. You should get a screen that lists any groups you belong to. Click on EC_GEN. Once on our homepage, click on "Files".....then on "Portfolio Help". I'm sorry, I haven't responded to many emails yet today! :)
Debbie Mc - I am exhausted. Had my first meeting with candidates yesterday after all that school work.
Kelly - Hi Annie! Debbie - how many candidates do you have?
Wendy - We met with precandidates all summer
Julie - Worked in my room long hours all week, in 95 degree heat, hi humidity. Friday we had a workshop all day on poverty,. It was held in air conditioning, and wouldn't you know it turned cold outside!
Wendy - Start mentoring meetings beginning of October
Debbie Mc - With the new legislation, I can only mentor three while teaching full time. But that's a relief to tell you the truth.
Susan - Thanks Kelly - I wasn't even sure if you were the same Kelly. I wasn't trying to rush you:)
Wendy - Our district has decided to pay the union to mentor everyone
Kelly - Julie - sounds SO typical! I love it - a workshop about poverty and you're in air conditioning, but your school isn't! :)
Wendy - 83,000 from the state and we did all the mentroing
Susan (NC) - I just found out about a seminar for NB sponsored by NCAE in Asheville, NC in October if anyone is interested.
Kelly - Susan - it's me. No rush.....my son is here and I haven't responded to emails since early this morning.
Debbie Mc - Wendy what's that about 83,000?
Julie - I thought that was ironic too-- we did get some answers to things we've observed.
Wendy - The first year Florida gave a bonus for certifying
Wendy - they gave the districts half the amount the NBCTS got
Wendy - Since we had 47 certify the district got $83,000
Wendy - but the union gave all the support
Kelly - Wendy - so now the district is going to pay you to mentor?
Debbie Mc - My asst. super asked for me to have one amount and the superintendent cut it by one third. For mentoring I mean.
Wendy - We decided not to support non members any longer
Julie - Iowa offered $10000 a year for 5 years, did that for the first group, but changed it to $5000 for 10 years for the next, and then $2500 for 10. So when I started I was thinking $10000 but banked and will get $25000 when I certify.
Wendy - so the non members raised holly@#$%with the district
Susan (NC) - We had Curriculum night last Thurs. I was so excited to explain to my K & 1st about the video taping.
Debbie Mc - So what will happen with the non members Wendy?
Wendy - Now they will pay us $500 a head for mentoring everyone
Julie - oops make that $2500.
Kelly - Wendy - so if you mentor union folks you get paid by the union.....and non-union folks you get paid by the district?
Wendy - no we get 10% bonus from the state for mentoring anyone
Julie - We just aren't hearing anything about NB in Iowa. I don't know what the politics are, except that a teacher legislator really pooh poohed it and brought the bonuses down.
Wendy - but the union will get $500 for each candidate we mentor
Kelly - Susan - they'll love it! Be sure to go ahead and just tape them - tape them acting silly, etc.....and show it to them. Let THEM talk about how they could help make it a better video. They really buy into it!
Kelly - Julie - wasn't your governor really supportive? ....or is he no longer your governor! :)
Julie - My kinders loved taping too, and were very natural, and it was a very difficult class so I was pleased.
Julie - He has been hard to get to commit== I helped with his election, so I have talked to him a number of times.
Susan - Neat idea to show taping to children!
Kelly - Hi nette - how are you?
Susan (NC) - I ordered a special omni-directional microphone last week, haven't really taped anything serious yet......just my dog at home! Is it permissable to tape my kids for practice only.....haven't got many permission slips back yet.
Julie - Our union is at the state level-- the president's husband was one of the first group to certify.
Wendy - I'm going to use videotaping this year to assess growth in my children
Wendy - and help them set personal goals
Susan - I'd like to hear what some of you submitted for Entry 1 and 4
Julie - My kids aren't photographed or videod at home much, so they love it. I take lots of photos and laminate them on construction paper each month. PPur the months together at the end of the year, and I have a nice book to keep. Doubles of photos are put in books the kids make for mother's day.
Susan (NC) - That is a good idea about assessing your students by taping - would you show the tape at parent conferences?
Kelly M - Wendy - I really want to work on goal setting for my kids this year.
Debbie Mc - I did the neighborhood for entry 1. Is four science? If so, I did rocks, sand, and soil.
Kelly M - Hi mb - how are you?
Wendy - Social Studies I did community workers
Julie - I did rocks sands and pebbles--used FOSS kit some.
Julie - for social studies I did "Me" and scored well.
Wendy - Kelly start with a mission statement that they write
Kelly M - Wendy - individually?
Wendy - I did motion through PVC pipes for science
Susan (NC) - I've heard a lot of good things about FOSS but haven't seen an actual kit yet-
Wendy - Class mission and then they need to write personal or group goals
Julie - My kids were so cute visiting-- they don't have much at home, and I have a huge well equipped room. It was like Christmas.
Wendy - Share with them what they need to be ready to do for the next grade
Julie - Our district bought FOSS for 1st and 2nd grade. I checked out the one I used from a curriculum lab. They are expensive. What is valuable is the info that comes with them.
Susan - Thanks for all the suggestions on 1 and 4. I hate to go but am going to a birthday party for one of my students. Bye
Kelly M - GEMS units are great, too - and they're not expensive. I paid about $16 for Sifting Through Science - it was a great unit - with sink and float, magnets, sorting, recycling.......tons of stuff. The kids loved it.
Julie - Would going to a birthday party for a student work for Documented Accomplishments 6?
Sally - Kelly M, where would I buy GEMS units?
Debbie Mc - If it impacted student learning.
Julie - Hi Kelly! Are you the Missouri one? We are going to see Gore come down the river!
Kelly M - Sally - they are available through http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GEMS/. I think you have to end up phoning them to order, but you can see all that's available there.
Susan (NC) - Has anyone heard what the status of our "pins" ? I think it is a great idea for letting others know about our group!
Rose (GA) - Hello! I just got my box yesterday. This is the first week of school. I'm not sure I can begin to open it yet!
Kelly M - Julie - yep - I'm in St. Louis. I'm not sure when he's hitting St. Louis, but you better believe I'm going to work for him! :)
Debbie Mc - Rose, I'm not saying you have to open it this week. But, the sooner you do the sooner you start studying and laying out your units.
Julie - Two of my teens are playing in the band to greet him. I'm excited.
Kelly M - Susan - the pins are on hold right now until we get permission to use the "EC-GEN" and/or the "onelist" wording. Both are copyrighted....EC-GEN copyrighted by nbpts....onelist by it's own company. We're working on it, though! :)
Susan (NC) - Kelly, glad to hear you are a Gore fan; I loved watching the convention last week.
Sally - Rose, opening the box is the easy part. Putting it all together is fun, reading the standards is great. Reading the questions gets tricky!
Rose (GA) - Should I start with 5 & 6? I have reproduced the permission slips to use at Curriculum Night on Tuesday.
Julie - I am getting the cutest little boy that just moved from St. Louis. He has brown skin and blonde hair-- beautiful child.
Debbie Mc - You can start by listing your accomplishments for 5 and 6.
Sally - Rose, everyone said start w/5&6, however, I wish I would have waited to do them when I knew more about how to write the papers.
Susan (NC) - Thanks Kelly for all your hard work, the pins must be just a headache right now....when do you have time for yourself?
Julie - Good place to start Rose. I also read over each section, so if ideas came to me on them, I knew what they were looking for.
Debbie Mc - I did the actual writing of 5 and 6 last. I thought they were the least difficult to write. I wanted to get those four doozies over with first.
Sally - Rose, do like Debbie said, list your ideas, but write later.
Kelly M - Susan - the list keeps me out of trouble! :)
Rose (GA) - I wish I had been able to get a handle on this over the summer. But, this is where I am. I guess I'm a little scared to begin but this group has really helped. I've been reading and collecting good ideas over the last month.
Debbie Mc - You may do things in the other entries that you can use for connections with parents and community.
Julie - In the summer I started and ended the day with the list. Now that school started, it will end my day only! I wish I had gotten on it before my portfolio was turned in. So you are already ahead Rose! It helped me in the assessment.
Julie - Kelly, I finally got to the picture file! How fun! Next I need to put mine on.
Debbie Mc - Rose, for instance, I did Neighborhood for entry 1, so that helped with community connections.
Sally - Rose, there was an e-mail from Vicki about question 6. Did you read it? If not, try to find it. She assessed 6 and gave lots of help
Rose (GA) - Thanks for the encouragement. I guess I'll attempt to go through the box tomorrow and sort out sections? I realize that I need to read, read, read.
Rose (GA) - Did the email from Vicki come in the last few days? If so I did copy it.
Kelly M - Julie - yes! do put up a picture of you!
Debbie Mc - Rose, there's a timeline (or suggestion for one) included in your portfolio. It will help you get an idea of how to pace yourself.
Susan (NC) - I need some help- -- - I just started collecting all the accomplishments but it looks like I mostly attended workshops, conferences, seminars - guess I'm a good "Indian" but not a CHIEF !".....what should be looking for?
Debbie Mc - Susan, you don't have to be a chief. Show how these things impacted your students.
Sally - Kelly M, are you THE Kelly? I don't recognize the M. My brain is sluggish!
Kelly M - Susan - things you did that have had an impact on your teaching - so you can show the impact that it had on your students.
Kelly M - Sally - LOL......well, I am Kelly.....don't know about the "THE" part! :)
Debbie Mc - Yes, Sally. THE KELLY is here!
Rose (GA) - Are the things we do from the last 3 or 5 years? How far do we go back?
Julie - Keep thinking about accomplishments, Susan, I overlooked many when I started writing on it, and when I was at school, I thought of more. Or you can think of things to do this year. I got my aunt's BPW club to donate mittens and hats for my kids, and in turn spoke to them about early childhood.
Sally - Why don't I recognize KellyM? Do you always list your name like that?
Rose (GA) - THE Kelly! Wow! I've read about you sooo much!
Debbie Mc - My portfolio was five years. I'm not sure what this year's is.
Rose (GA) - Thanks for all you do.
Debbie Mc - Rose, the portfolio entry will tell you how many years you can go back.
Kelly M - Rose - you're very welcome. Just remember that I learn from all these great teachers, too.....so it is NOT a one way street at all! :) Sally - I usually sign Kelly M - just in case there are other Kellys......
Julie - aren't you lkelly on your e-mails?
Sally - Sorry Kelly, guess I haven't "chatted" for awhile!
Susan (NC) - I guess my biggest problem is it will sort of sound like bragging - if I write about the way my kids are is impact, I guess I will have to write that. It doesn't sound like me though....how do I come across without sounding like a "Know It All ( yep, I'm scared but I have to do it)
Kelly M - my email is lkelly46@cs.com. That comes from the fact that my GIVEN name is Linda - maiden name Kelly - but everyone has always called me Kelly. But the "L" stands for Linda.....Kelly by itself was already taken when I started using compuserve!
Debbie Mc - Kelly's as great "in person" as she is on the ring.
Sally - susan, go ahead and brag. It won't sound that way in your writing.
Kelly M - Susan - most of us are uncomfortable about bragging - but bragging is exactly what you need to do for those two entries! (and really, for ALL of the entries) You're saying "Hey - look at me and what I've done that has impacted my students".
Rose (GA) - I am the only one I know about in Early Childhood going for the NBC this time from my county. I do know that Jay is not too far from me but a different county. Do you know of any one else from Gwinnett Co. in GA?
Sally - Susan, you won't use "bragging" type words. It will be very cut and dry. I did this with this result.
Kelly M - Debbie - you make me blush.....Debbie is the pro here, folks - she's already certified!
Debbie Mc - Susan, the assessors really don't care what you've done if it doesn't show student impact. Write from that view.
ajf - We're going to study Kenya, and learn about the history of African Arts. I'm trying to find the Nations Standards for Social studies. Do I need those to do a good job on the item?
Julie - Don't worry about bragging, you should be proud of what you do, and "tell your story" Our mentors told us to speak very positively. I had a ball deleting all my "I thinks" and making them positive facts. Saved needed space too!
Susan (NC) - Thanks for all the tips guys.......I'm going to attempt my first writing tonight! You'all have given me the confidence to do it!
Debbie Mc - No, you don't have to have national standards. Use the Early Childhood standards. It doesn't matter what the unit is. Just use those standards, follow the portfolio directions, and using the scoring guide.
Sally - Just wondering, is Jay male or female? How about Ryan?
Kelly M - ajf - I think they're listed in the Files section under "Portfolio Help" on our homepage at www.egroups.com
Kelly M - I believe Jay is female........
Julie - Female. I got e-mail from her.
Kelly M - ajf - are you a member of our list?
Debbie Mc - ajf, you need to know why you're teaching this unit. Why are you teaching this particular unit to this class? What needs does it meet for them? What input do they have?
ajf - Thanks! Is the egroup up and running? I joined but haven't received any mail from it yet.
Kelly M - ajf - what group did you join?
Debbie Mc - ajf, you don't have to answer me, just think about it for your writing.
Rose (GA) - Wow! Is it ever running! So much information that I'm afraid to skip any one post in case I might miss something important.
Kelly M - If you're on ours, you should have gotten mail immediately - egroups should send you one long message from me, actually - as soon as you join our list.
Susan (NC) - Just curious - do most of you receive "regular emails" from e-groups (EC/GEN) or "digest form"?
Julie - regular e-mails
Debbie Mc - I get regular e-mails, but I'm pondering what to do when the "busy" season starts.
Kelly M - Susan - I get regular emails - I can't keep up with them otherwise. I respond to a lot of them personally (off-list). So for me it's just easier.
ajf - I thought I joined the early childhood generalist. Can you give me the site so that I can test it? I am doing the Kenya unit because 1/2 of my class is African American.
Sally - Rose, in case you haven't yet, make folders for each question in your e-mail. Then, when you come across good info you can save it to a folder and pull it back up when you are working on that question.
Julie - I keep a separate e-mail folder for it thought so I know when my family are writing me. We communicate a lot.
Debbie Mc - Sounds great ajf. Just make sure that you write up why you chose the goals that you did and let the children guide the direction of the unit some too.
Kelly M - afj - email me at lkelly46@cs.com - I can directly subscribe you.
Rose (GA) - Do I make folders in my mail center or on my documents section of the computer? If so HOW?
Sally - Rose, that way you don't have to absorb all the info when you read the e-mails.
Susan (NC) - I get my list in the digest form; I read it everynight after dinner and the kitchen is all done....what a wonderful way to end the day!
Sally - Rose, what e-mail service do you have?
Julie - I s that Virginia in her picture, or her daughter. It is titled "my family."
Debbie Mc - Rose, you may want to print out the info to have in front of you when you write.
Debbie Mc - Virginia and her daughter are both on her page.
Kelly - Julie - there are pictures of both Virginia and her daughter (and her hubby and son!).
Julie - Rose, some suggest writing the questions out the first time you write, to keep on task. Following directions is really important, answering their questions.
Sally - I set up a separate e-mail account for this ring, that way I don't get private e-mails mixed up.
Debbie Mc - We are trained in college to write one way. Just remember Rose, that NB wants you to answer the questions. Don't give unnecessary information. It takes up too much space.
Kelly - Whoever asked - I keep a word document for each entry - but I initially save them in separate email files. Every weekend I transfer them over to the word documents. That's where I got all the messages you'll find posted in the "files" sections. They are all messages from last year.
Sally - Rose, your e-mail account should allow you to set up folders.
Sally - Kelly, I haven't been in the files since your e-mail said you made them text files. Are they still on there in not text files? I find text files very, very difficult to read.
Rose(GA) - Anyway, I am on compuserve. I have been trying to read at least every other day and copy and paste into word and then print and file in a file box.
Kelly - Sally - I have most of them still BOTH ways in my word program. If you email me I can send them to you as attachments. Just let me know what you want!
Kelly - Sally - but to answer your question - yes, the ones in the files section ARE all text only
Sally - Kelly, will you always have them in your word program? I won't need them until Nov. if I don't pass.
Debbie Mc - Any more questions?
Kelly - Sally - until I crash this computer! Hi Kate, can we help you?
Rose(GA) - What is the difference in text files and word program? Is it the way the print looks?
Sally - Not from me Debbie. Thanks for your help
Susan (NC) - Sometimes I print out specific "tips" and other times. I just write out suggestions and put them in a specific section of a spiral notebook, I find writing it in has a way of making it "real", of course, printing out stuff and putting it in files help too.
Kelly - Rose - yes. In the regular word documents there are line breaks, etc. But some computer programs won't "read" them - so some members couldn't access them. That's why I transfered them all to text only.
Debbie Mc - Sally, I don't feel like I've been much help today. I've been up since 4 a.m.
Rose(GA) - changing the subject. During the first week of school, I've tried several activities that ya'll have suggested. I tried the wrinkled heart and the
Kelly - Rose - yes. In the regular word documents there are line breaks, etc. But some computer programs won't "read" them - so some members couldn't access them. That's why I transfered them all to text only. Hi Jodi - can we help you?
Kelly - Oh Debbie - you need to get some rest! :)
Kelly - Rose - isn't wrinkled heart GREAT?! I love it!
ajf - what is the wrinkled heart?
Debbie Mc - Another great idea that Kelly gave us.
Rose(GA) - toothpaste activity. We also started with making our class mission statement. My kindergarteners were great at this!
Kelly - Susan - YES. ajf - I can send it to you when you email me! Please remember to ask me for it, though.....I have a TERRIBLE memory! (part of growing old UNgracefully!)
ajf - Debbie, I know how you feel, we moved our freshman daughter into her dorm today. Just got home.
Susan (NC) - I want to do wrinkled heart & toothpaste activity with K, would this be good to videotape?
Rose(GA) - Check the postings for those two activities. They are especially good.
Sally - Alright, what is the toothpaste activity?
Debbie Mc - Oh, ajf. I boo hooed the day my son left to go. Felt like my heart was being ripped out. But now, it's kind of like ahhhhh.
Kelly - Susan - SURE! Several people used wrinkled heart for a community video last year!
ajf - I don't think it has hit me that she won't be home tonight.
Kelly - Debbie - LOL - I know! "Empty Nest" is the BEST kept secret in the world! :)
Debbie Mc - Susan, I didn't promise to send you anything that I haven't sent have I? I feel like I've promised something to somebody and I haven't done it.
Rose(GA) - Both the w. heart and the toothpaste talk about saying and acting appropriately so not as to "crush" someone else's heart. Also that you can't take your words back completly although we can forgive.
Kelly - ajf - I'm always lonesome the first night - but then I get back into the swing of things and guess what? I'm happy as a lark! I DO miss my kids, but it sure is nice to have the house to myself! :)
Rose(GA) - I think the empty nest is a really tough time on Moms especially.
Susan Nebrick - No Debbie, you sent me several things which I have printed out and filed. Everyone.......Debbie knows her stuff and has been a great help to me!
Debbie Mc - Yea, enjoy it ajf. My son is back home. Taking the year off to work because he doesn't have a clue what to major in.
Sally - Where can I find the activities? I don't remember if I saved the wrinkled heart one.
Kelly - and Susan N. - hello to you, too!
Rose(GA) - I guess we all have to grow up sometime, not just the kids, right? I am an empty nester too.
Sally - Kelly, I was lucky enough to get a week w/o my three kids and I too liked having the house to myself!
ajf - The nest is not completely empty, but the one left is no trouble. It will give me more time to work on certification. What sorts of documentation will be best for the literacy item?
Debbie Mc - Susan, you're too kind. I just steal everybody else's ideas.
Kelly - I have the wrinkled heart right on my email......send me a message at lkelly46@cs.com and I can send it to you.
Kelly - Debbie is WONDERFUL - y'all better listen up when she talks!
Sally - Kelly, would you believe I have your email address memorized!!
Debbie Mc - ajf, it must be student generated if the portfolio hasn't changed.
Susan (NC) - I'm changing my color to CHOCOLATE ( my favorite food group) maybe this will help me stay on this chat for a while.
Debbie Mc - Kelly, we all know you're an expert.
Kelly - Sally - LOL - feel free to write to me ANYTIME!
Debbie Mc - We're a mutual admiration society.
Rose(GA) - I am still waiting for The Morning Meeting to come. I ordered it from Amazon.com and they just said that it would be another 2 to 3 weeks! I ordered it from the teacher's resource last night. I had a $5 coupon so I tried to stick it out with Amazon. Not a good idea I guess.
Kelly - Debbie and I are going to start our own school! ONLY EC_GEN teachers need apply! :)
Rose(GA) - I'll apply!
Debbie Mc - ajf, the student can dictate to you if he/she can't write but it must be the student's work. If you're talking about artifacts. Or were you speaking of assessment instruments?
Kelly - Rose - you'll love the morning meeting book. It is VERY practical....easy reading.....lots you can use.
Sally - Hey, if George W gets in the White House you just may beable to start your own school!
ajf - I was talking about both.
Susan (NC) - I will join you guys in your school! Has anyone else wanted a "1 room schoolhouse"?
Rose(GA) - Does Morning Meeting have more ideas for our community concept? Or is it more theory?
Debbie Mc - When we get independently wealthy!
Kelly - Rose - it's chock full of practical ideas you can use!
Kelly - If George W. gets elected I'm moving out of the country!
Sally - Rose, with theory to back them up.
Debbie Mc - I would love a one room schoolhouse. Then I'd be left alone to teach. But Kelly could teach with me because we're very similiar in teaching styles.
Rose(GA) - I'm sorry but I don't think we'll ever get wealthy in this job but happy and fullfilled, , yes!
Debbie Mc - Rose, it deals mainly with your classroom community and how to build that.
Susan (NC) - I just started Morning Meeting; a lot of good ideas I want to try!
Sally - Debbie, how do you know Kelly? How have you met her? You don't live by each other, right?
Debbie Mc - Thanks to Kelly, the first grade teachers (me and my colleagues) are using four blocks this year. We love it and Morning Meeting time.
Debbie Mc - From the ring. We're just very compatible(sp.?) in deeds and thoughts.
Sally - If I were to do morning meeting strictly by the book, I think I would have to have two meetings. I usually read books, do big book lessons etc. in my meeting. My "k's" can't sit still for all of that.
Rose(GA) - Speaking of $. I'm still working on funding for the $2000 by Jan. I paid the $300 but all the $ is gone from PAGE and my state and I've applied to State Farm. Does anyone know of any other sources? I might have to pass the hat at my school if I can't find some extra. I have to start paying on my student loan in a few months! YUCK
Debbie Mc - It's amazing how you become friends with some people right off the bat. Kelly's one of those for me.
Debbie Mc - I taught summer school for my other 1000 bucks. The state paid the first thousand.
Rose(GA) - Kelly seems to be one of those people everyone wants to know and be friends with! I've felt like that from the beginning!
Susan (NC) - I just learned about 4 Blocks, I want to approach my principal about it - do you have suggested reading that I can give him. He is a real "researched based" person
ajf - Susan, read Classrooms that Work as the first reading.
Debbie Mc - Kelly, is there more available then what's in the back of the teacher's guide?
Sally - Rose, does your teachers union have grants or anything? How about groups in the community?
Rose(GA) - What kind of groups in the community? Can I seek them out?
Debbie Mc - Rose, I think NEA has a low or no interest loan for NBC.
Susan (NC) - I am so lucky that my state paid the whole thing.....guess that is why I'm going through a guilt trip if I don't pass but I should remember this is a 3 year process!
Sally - Rose, Kiwanas(sp), Lions Club, Knights of Cols., Masons, Rotary Club
Rose(GA) - I have contacted NEA. Do you know how long it would take to get a loan from them? Can I wait until later in the year, if others might not pan out?
Debbie Mc - Not in my community!
ajf - My state finances us too. We were told not to say pass, but instead either certified of seeking certification.
Kelly - Debbie - I wasn't sure of your question about info in the back of a teachers guide......what did you mean?
Debbie Mc - Kelly, you missed me singing your praises and how you've affected my colleagues and myself!
Debbie Mc - Susan wanted more info on the research behind four blocks.
Kelly - Rose - try your district for use of part of their prof. dev. funds. NEA should be able to tell you how long it will take to get a loan from them.
Kelly - There's a lot right here on teachers.net about Four Blocks - go to the homepage of teachers.net and check out the options on the left. Four Blocks columns can all be found there - by Cheryl Sigmon - she's great....presents nationally for four blocks and has now helped with more recent publications of theirs....http://teachers.net/4blocks/
Susan (NC) - Yes, NEA does offer a loan for NBC; I just got my newspaper from NCAE.
Sharon - Some banks will offer an interest free loan. It doesn't hurt to ask.
Kelly - Debbie - are you still working on getting funding to go to Orlando?
Kelly - and Sharon - are you still presenting there?
Debbie Mc - My local ed will meet in a week or so. I should know then. Keep you're fingers crossed.
Kelly - Debbie - I WILL! I'm hoping SO much that you can come!
Debbie Mc - I am too Kelly. I really want to be there.
Sharon - Kelly, I only submitted a proposal for a presentation. I haven't heard anything from them so I'm not getting my hopes up. I am attending though. There are 2 of us at my school and we both have been approved to go.
Kelly - Hi viben - can we help you?
Debbie Mc - I want to go to the NBCTs as entrepreneurs workshop. Maybe I can get independently wealthy that way. :)
Kelly - Debbie - that sounds like a GREAT one! :)
Susan (NC) - I have my fingers crossed for you too! Maybe we can pass the hat on the ring! ha.....I'll be the first to send you $ for your help!
Kelly - Sharon - that's great! It turns out that I DO get to go - so we'll finally get to meet!
Kelly - I'll kick in for Debbie! :)
Debbie Mc - Susan, you'd better hold off on the money. I may not be as much help as you think!
Debbie Mc - My asst. super said that the board of ed. would pick up if the local ed didn't pay all.
Kelly - Debbie - you're GOING to be there! We're all going to have a great time!
Sharon - Great Kelly! I am really excited! The week before Orlando my son and I are flying to Atlantic City. A friend's daughter is Miss Mississippi. Watch for her!!
Kelly - Sharon - when are they supposed to let you know about presenting? You should bug them about it!
Susan (NC) - That's great, you were doing something for NB anyway, right?
Debbie Mc. - Susan, do you mean me?
Susan (NC) - Yes, Debbie, I need to remember to add peoples names......guess I type like I talk! ha
Debbie Mc. - Writing the proposal to participate in the Kentucky Teachers' Certification Incentive Trust Fund. That should be worth a trip to Orlando.
Sharon - Kelly, I think it said that you would be notified by the Aug. 28 at the latest... so I still have a few more days. But really, I'll be just happy to attend even if the other doesn't work out!
Debbie Mc. - Sharon, I'd love to hear you present!
Debbie Mc. - Susan, you know that you can go don't you?
Kelly - Sharon - I know what you mean! It'll be great just to be there!
Susan (NC) - Suppose I'd better think about dinner and there is laundry to finish.....but I really don't want to leave. I feel like I will miss something! Is this an addiction or what?
Kelly - Susan - that's right - you can go! I'm not certified....and this will be my second conference!
Debbie Mc. - Yes, Susan it is an addiction.
Sharon - It is an addiction of sorts, Susan. For me it is so neat to talk with others who understand what NB is all about. The majority at my school don't want to do it but they don't want anybody else to either!
Susan (NC) - Maybe I'll think about going next year- does anyone know where it will be held? Orlando again?
Debbie Mc. - Sharon, some of my colleagues are that way too.
Kelly - Susan - I'm not sure, but somewhere I heard that it will go back to Washington, D. C. next year......that could be wrong, though!
Susan (NC) - I am the only one at my school doing this.....I thought there would be 3 of us but they dropped out. At least, if I certify, I will be the only one at my school.....that is special!
Sharon - I hope you're right Kelly. By the way, where is Dana? She hasn't been here for several Saturdays that I know of.
Kelly - Dana started school and is really tired! She's okay, though.....
Susan (NC) - Is Dana "Carbag" that sort of jogs my memory?
Debbie Mc. - I e-mailed her this week because I was worried about her and missed her.
Kelly - Susan - yes, Dana is carbag! :)
Susan (NC) - Yeah, I remembered something! ha
Kelly - She has not been feeling really well, either - between that and the beginning of the school year.....she's just beat! :)
Kelly - Well, I'd better get going......
Kelly - Bye all! :)
Debbie Mc. - Susan, if you need me this week, just yell!
Susan (NC) - Bye everybody, I'm going too! Thanks Debbie & Kelly
Debbie Mc. - Try signing on right now and I'll instant message you. Okay?
Susan (NC) - Okay I will!
Debbie Mc. - Bye!
