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Well, last weekend was a successful one for the Razorbacks, ASU Red Wolves, and the Heber Springs Panthers with all teams putting one in the plus column to start the season. A big congratulations goes to the Panthers for their efforts Friday night! We are starting our season of budgets and getting down to the basics. Yes, we are in full swing with the literacy, math and science subjects coming to the forefront of our daily routines
We have had 2 days off since the beginning of school due to the Hooten’s Classic games, and the Labor Day Holiday. A kindergarten student asked the teacher the first day of school, “Could I have the day off?” Normally, kindergarten children are so excited the first week of school, it is soon after the first week that many of them decide that it is not as exciting as the first day, and the awareness that school days are a permanent part of their lives is hard to fathom.
Another kindergarten child got on the bus to go home, and the bus driver asked where his destination was. The little boy told him Pizza Hut. The bus driver jumped off the bus to find the teacher to verify this information. (The child’s older brother also got on the bus soon after to help straighten out the situation.) I guess hunger was his motivation for the ride home.
I have great admiration for the kindergarten teachers of this world. These students are very needy as they try to adjust to being away from home and adjust to the rules that may or may not be familiar to their daily life. They often give us the look that seems to say, “You want me to do what, and when?”
Kindergarten children can also make you feel really, really, old. The music teacher was playing an old music album (you know—the large, black, round thing) when a student said, “That is a really big CD!” Another one told the speech teacher she had cracks around her eyes. The speech teacher’s comment to us was, “I guess my eye cream is not working.”
As we start the year with the deadline of having our ACSIP Plan (Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan) ready for the October 1 submission date, we make sure we have budget items from our categorical funds itemized. (Categorical funds are those that are not state and local funds in our budget. They include Title I, Title IIA, Title VI State, NSLA (National School Lunch Act), Professional Development and English Language Learner funds.)
Through the use of these funds, we are able to hire teachers to ensure that class sizes are smaller. These teachers have to be above the standard required in the grade level they are hired. We are able to pay for tutoring programs after school; professional development; materials and supplies for the classroom; aides to help students and teachers with the teaching of the skills; HIPPY home visitors; and technology equipment, supplies, and programs. These funds are a necessary part of our elementary program.
As we start the year, we want to ask for your support for our teachers, students and programs. The needs are great in our building, and we know that our community is such a vibrant part of our mission of educating the whole child. One community member has already demonstrated such a heartfelt gift. Mrs. Wayne Verser, after observing students last year walking to school and looking cold, made 38 sets of scarves and hats for our students.
Amidst the games, budgets and basics of education such a gift is truly appreciated!
Cheryl Orr is the assistant principal at Heber Springs Elementary School.
Well, last weekend was a successful one for the Razorbacks, ASU Red Wolves, and the Heber Springs Panthers with all teams putting one in the plus column to start the season. A big congratulations goes to the Panthers for their efforts Friday night! We are starting our season of budgets and getting down to the basics. Yes, we are in full swing with the literacy, math and science subjects coming to the forefront of our daily routines
We have had 2 days off since the beginning of school due to the Hooten’s Classic games, and the Labor Day Holiday. A kindergarten student asked the teacher the first day of school, “Could I have the day off?” Normally, kindergarten children are so excited the first week of school, it is soon after the first week that many of them decide that it is not as exciting as the first day, and the awareness that school days are a permanent part of their lives is hard to fathom.
Another kindergarten child got on the bus to go home, and the bus driver asked where his destination was. The little boy told him Pizza Hut. The bus driver jumped off the bus to find the teacher to verify this information. (The child’s older brother also got on the bus soon after to help straighten out the situation.) I guess hunger was his motivation for the ride home.
I have great admiration for the kindergarten teachers of this world. These students are very needy as they try to adjust to being away from home and adjust to the rules that may or may not be familiar to their daily life. They often give us the look that seems to say, “You want me to do what, and when?”
Kindergarten children can also make you feel really, really, old. The music teacher was playing an old music album (you know—the large, black, round thing) when a student said, “That is a really big CD!” Another one told the speech teacher she had cracks around her eyes. The speech teacher’s comment to us was, “I guess my eye cream is not working.”
As we start the year with the deadline of having our ACSIP Plan (Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan) ready for the October 1 submission date, we make sure we have budget items from our categorical funds itemized. (Categorical funds are those that are not state and local funds in our budget. They include Title I, Title IIA, Title VI State, NSLA (National School Lunch Act), Professional Development and English Language Learner funds.)
Through the use of these funds, we are able to hire teachers to ensure that class sizes are smaller. These teachers have to be above the standard required in the grade level they are hired. We are able to pay for tutoring programs after school; professional development; materials and supplies for the classroom; aides to help students and teachers with the teaching of the skills; HIPPY home visitors; and technology equipment, supplies, and programs. These funds are a necessary part of our elementary program.
As we start the year, we want to ask for your support for our teachers, students and programs. The needs are great in our building, and we know that our community is such a vibrant part of our mission of educating the whole child. One community member has already demonstrated such a heartfelt gift. Mrs. Wayne Verser, after observing students last year walking to school and looking cold, made 38 sets of scarves and hats for our students.
Amidst the games, budgets and basics of education such a gift is truly appreciated!
Cheryl Orr is the assistant principal at Heber Springs Elementary School.
