I am organizing a POSTCARD EXCHANGE for the upcoming school year 2010-2011. I would like it very much to have successful turnout of all the states (provinces and territories are welcome!). My classes and I have enjoyed this experience tremendously over the years.
This project works well when all participants hold up to their promise. I would like one participant from each of the 50 states and DC. In addition, anybody who teaches in Canada feel free to join just inquire!
This will be on a first come, first serve. I will have all info ready mid to late September and email every so often with updates.
If you are interested and willing to make the commitment, please provide the following information:
Name School and grade School's full address Email
Please do not hit reply...contact me off the list serve so it does not get overloaded!
• You must teach 3rd...See MoreWe are well on our way to a successful postcard exchange, but are missing West Virginia!!! Please consider joining our 3rd grade exchange. Here are the guidelines. If you are interested I will need your name, school name, school address, and an email address. You may post a reply here or email me at [email removed].
• You must teach 3rd grade. This allows us to be able to compare and contrast information using common ground.
• You must commit to sending one postcard to each class participating in the exchange by December 1, 2010. This gives us plenty of time to collect and send postcards.
• You will receive an emailed list of participants and addresses no later than August 31, 2010.
• Information to be included on your card:
o Students favorite school lunch o State or city sports teams o Number of boys and girls o Famous people from your state or city o Anything unique to your school, class, state, or city
It seems the lastest in Berkeley County is about the pay raises that were given to several people at the central office. How dare them tell us that there is no money and then turn around and give out raises ranging in the $18-20 thousand range. Just how many executive secretaries, directors and associate superintindants do we need?
P*****D teacherLooks like we have been taken for granted again. Why should we have to use our own money to by supplies for the classroom? Sounds like there was plenty of extra money at BOE office. It got all spent by the top brass. I wish they had to place these things in the newspaper. If so there would never be another bond or levy passed. .On 8/22/10, inside40...See MoreLooks like we have been taken for granted again. Why should we have to use our own money to by supplies for the classroom? Sounds like there was plenty of extra money at BOE office. It got all spent by the top brass. I wish they had to place these things in the newspaper. If so there would never be another bond or levy passed. .On 8/22/10, inside401 wrote: > I would be happy to get a 3 1/2% raise. There is money. > It is just not spent correctly. > On 8/22/10, Mark A wrote: >> 261 contracts are almost a joke. Employed 61 more days. >> Fifthteen are >> vacation,two are summer holidays. Why not just have >> them at 240. That is about what they are working. On >> 8/22/10, Anne wrote: >>> When are the county audits supposed to begin, or did >>> Governor Manchin toss that idea aside since he's >>> moving to Washington? >>> >>> Our top-heavy central offices and 261 contracts are >>> robbing necessary supplies and technology from the >>> classrooms. The computers in my room are 10 years old >>> and include old, heavy monitors that hard to read >>> from because of the glare. However, administrators >>> and secretaries consistently receive new computers >>> and large, flat-screen monitor displays. Once again, >>> the money doesn't make it to the classrooms.
On 8/24/10, P*****D teacher wrote: > Looks like we have been taken for granted again. Why should we > have to use our own money to by supplies for the classroom? > Sounds like there was plenty of extra money at BOE office. It > got all spent by the top brass. I wish they had to place these > things in the newspaper. If so there would never be another > bond or levy passed. > .On 8/22/10, inside401 wrote: >> I would be happy to get a 3 1/2% raise. There is money. >> It is just not spent correctly. >> On 8/22/10, Mark A wrote: >>> 261 contracts are almost a joke. Employed 61 more days. >>> Fifthteen are >>> vacation,two are summer holidays. Why not just have >>> them at 240. That is about what they are working. On >>> 8/22/10, Anne wrote: >>>> When are the county audits supposed to begin, or did >>>> Governor Manchin toss that idea aside since he's >>>> moving to Washington? >>>> >>>> Our top-heavy central offices and 261 contracts are >>>> robbing necessary supplies and technology from the >>>> classrooms. The computers in my room are 10 years old >>>> and include old, heavy monitors that hard to read >>>> from because of the glare. However, administrators >>>> and secretaries consistently receive new computers >>>> and large, flat-screen monitor displays. Once again, >>>> the money doesn't make it to the classrooms.
On 8/22/10, Doubting Thomas wrote: > In our county IEP & Re-evaluation meetings are routinely scheduled > on the special education & general education teachers' planning > period. Subs are not hired for meetings; occasionally a classroom > aide will cover for a teacher who has class or if a meeting runs > into the next period. If meetings are not scheduled for your plan > time, when are they held? As a special education teacher, I have > no additional time for paperwork or meetings. I have 45 min. per > day to do lesson plans, medicaid paperwork, teacher reports, > special education progress reports and meeting schedules...you > know how it is. We have requested subs, but were told no. We > lost a special ed. teacher and caseload numbers increased; new > legislation has raised the number to 30 per teacher according to > the people in charge. > > > >
Why isn't an IEP meeting considered "planning"? You and the team...See MoreOn 8/25/10, SPED teacher wrote: > Teachers may bill the county for lost planning periods. It's the > same as using your plan period to cover for an absent teacher when > a sub can't be located. You are entitled to your hourly rate when > you give up a plan period.
Why isn't an IEP meeting considered "planning"? You and the team are planning a course of action for a student's education. How is that not an appropriate use for a planning period and therefore why bill for it since it's not "lost"?
On 8/26/10, need a form wrote: > On 8/25/10, WV Elem Teacher wrote: >> I am a first grade teacher in a West Virginia school. I'd >> rather not name the county. I have 26 students in my class, >> and it is my understanding that 25 is the limit for first >> grade. Am I supposed to get extra pay for the 26th student? >> I have mentioned this to my principal and the school >> secretary, but I have yet to get an answer from either of >> them. Other teachers in the school have told me that I am >> supposed to get extra pay though. Will it just come in my >> paycheck automatically, or should I contact someone in >> payroll? Thanks for any advice. > > > THere is a form you have to fill out for everyday you are over > the state limit. So if you have a couple who are absent - then > you can't bill for that day. Ask for the form and who to send > it to. Nothing comes automatically in regards to pay. ;-)
On 9/11/10, vkl wrote: > First of all, I don't think that 25 is the limit for first > graders. I teach fifth grade and the limit is 25 with overage > pay for any students over that number. I would check on the > WVDE website to find out what the maximum number for students in > a first grade classroom. DO NOT let them get by with not paying > you extra. It doesn't amount to a lot, but, it is the principal > of the matter. They are too cheap to hire another teacher, > which is what should be done, and then they don't even want to > pay you a little extra. Sounds like my county. Contact your > financial person at the Board of Education office. They will > provide the forms. Good luck....have a great year with those > little ones. L > > > > On 8/26/10, need a form wrote: >> On 8/25/10, WV Elem Teacher wrote: >>> I am a first grade teacher in a West Virginia school. I'd >>> rather not name the county. I have 26 students in my class, >>> and it is my understanding that 25 is the limit for first >>> grade. Am I supposed to get extra pay for the 26th student? >>> I have mentioned this to my principal and the school >>> secretary, but I have yet to get an answer from either of >>> them. Other teachers in the school have told me that I am >>> supposed to get extra pay though. Will it just come in my >>> paycheck automatically, or should I contact someone in >>> payroll? Thanks for any advice. >> >> >> THere is a form you have to fill out for everyday you are over >> the state limit. So if you have a couple who are absent - then >> you can't bill for that day. Ask for the form and who to send >> it to. Nothing comes automatically in regards to pay. ;-)
CindyA switch went out on one of the servers at the state level. All the counties on that particular server were down. Don't know when it will be repaired. The part had to be ordered.
I hope we at least hire IT personnel with computer science degrees more recent than the 80's.
On 8/29/10, Cindy wrote: > A switch went out on one of the servers at the state level. All > the counties on that particular server were down. Don't know when > it will be repaired. The part had to be ordered.
The new IEP is absolutely ridiculous! I had 15 new eligibilities this year and it has taken me enormous amounts of time to complete these IEP. Yes, most of it was my own time! We are not finalizing the IEP's as long as you do not finalize them everything that you type stays on the Website. That is what we are doing until someone tells us something different. I have a copy, the parent has a copy, the school has a copy and the county has a copy. That is good enough as far as I am concerned! Because of this IEP in the 16 years that I have worked in the schools this has by far been the most frustrating and time consuming. If they are going to change things, don't you think it should be for the better. It is like we have taken one step foward and ten steps back!!!!
Please remember the poor treatment Manchin has dished out to us over the past years. No teacher or teachers family member should vote Manchin for Senate. Beware what the politicians in Washington are going to do to education. See the current Oprah show. Manchin will not be in our corner. Not only has Manchin been unsupportive of teachers he may end up supporting Obamas plan to push through cap and trade which would turn our entire state into a ghost state. We are already seeing more and more ghost towns in our state. If we lose more coal, chemical plants, power plants we will have less of a tax base. Vote Raese.
GrannyI'm in bind as far as the Senate race goes. Never have liked Raese as a candidate, but I can't stand Manchin. Does any one know anything about the Mountain and Constitution candidates? So far the deciding point for me is that Raese says he'll serve a maximum of one additional term, while Manchin is opting for two additional terms.
On 10/21/10, Granny wrote: > I'm in bind as far as the Senate race goes. Never have > liked Raese as a > candidate, but I can't stand Manchin. Does any one know > anything about the Mountain and Constitution > candidates? So far the deciding point for me is that > Raese says he'll serve a maximum of one additional > term, while Manchin is opting for two additional terms.
I had much much better resul...See MoreOn 10/01/10, The Eye wrote: > Oh, you mean "ALL Day Math for Elementary!" No, it's > impossible! > > On 9/30/10, boggled wrote: >> Is anyone getting through the whole lesson every day??? >> >> It doesn't seem possible.
It's absolutely nuts what is expected of us sometimes.
I had much much better results when I taught it my way. The Every Day Math way is totally strange. I've heard that, over time, we will see good results. I hope so!
On another note, I feel like a robot could do my job sometimes. I mean, it's basically all scripted now. The Art of teaching is leaving us... that makes it much less desirable for me. Thoughts anyone?