Mrs. Troman’s Blog

Coming out of the holiday season, I am always reminded of how much I appreciate my children’s teachers and those that spend long hours with them, day in and day out.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, but I find, especially in this season of GIVING, that they sometimes try my patience, and I’m sure I try theirs as well.

     Tolerance, defined as the acceptance of differing views of other people, is this month’s character trait.  It fits this time of year for so many reasons.  Obviously, with the upcoming celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we can consider the progress that we have made as a nation in promoting and encouraging tolerance, though we’d probably all agree that we have a long way to go.  Personally, and in the school, we challenge ourselves and our students to learn to empathize or “put ourselves in someone else’s shoes,” in order to build tolerance and learn to create communities that promote fairness and learning opportunities for everyone.

     Holden is so special in so many ways, proudly holding the honor of hosting the most unique and diverse population in the district.  Our students get to know others from all walks of life, different socio-economic groups, cultures, religions and family structures.  We are blessed with the opportunity to help our students see, firsthand, how other families establish values, encourage their beliefs and inspire tolerance.

     As we start this new year, many of us with resolutions to lose weight, or work more efficiently or to get more sleep (hah!), let’s all resolve to renew our efforts to be tolerant.  Through tolerance comes respect and understanding.  Through respect and understanding comes peace.  May you all have a peaceful 2012!

Julie

Making change is always challenging, particularly in times and places that tradition are so deeply rooted. Public education has taken more than its fair share of criticism over the years and certainly, there will always work to be done to improve the way we do what we do. In an attempt to better serve our students and provide more equitable opportunities for all, we embark on a new pilot elementary schedule this year with all five of Kent’s elementary buildings. The schedule is built on a fundamental belief that each and every child is unique, with unique needs and unique gifts. Among other things, it allows each student the opportunity for a daily intervention and enrichment period during which every teacher and support staff member is focused on providing individualized and small group instruction to students.
How does this impact you and your child? Traditionally, our “specials” (art, music, physical education and library/ media) instruction have been scheduled on a weekly basis with students going to Physical Education on Mondays and Tuesdays and Art on Fridays for example. With our new “rotation” schedule, students will attend specials on a six-day rotation schedule. This will help eliminate “lost” days due to holidays, early release or teacher in-service. Additionally, it allows for more consistent schedules as students will have a special every day at the same time. You will be hearing more about this on our annual “Supply Night” coming up from 5:30- 7:00 pm on Tuesday, August 23rd. Please feel free to contact our office with questions or feedback regarding this change.
We hope you all had a wonderful and restful summer break. I know that the staff and faculty here at Holden are excited about the start of a new school year and eagerly await the arrival of your children! Let’s keep working together to make this the best year yet!
Julie

     It’s difficult to believe that this is the last ”blog” for the school year.  I continue to marvel at how quickly the years slip by and now, at the end of my second year here at Holden, I look at how much all of your children have grown.  I would like to recognize each and every one of them for the contributions they have made to the classroom communities in which they work and the climate of this school which, most days, feels more like a family.  I hope that it will be sufficient to deliver these messages over the next 4 days through awards, conversations and visits to classrooms.

     As we wind down the year, much time has been devoted to thinking about, and planning for, the transition to the next grade level.  This is most certainly true for our fifth graders who will depart for middle school in a few short days.  While their teachers and I can assure you that they are ready, I’m never as sure that we are as ready to let them go!  They have been a constant and consistent team of leaders, demonstrating a care and concern for their younger school-mates as they guided them through conflicts as peer mediators, across the streets as safety patrol members and in developing ideas to give back the school and community as student council officers.

     So, as we see them off (and clap them out) on the last day of school, I hope to impart a few words of wisdom that will help them navigate the sometimes rougher waters of middle school.  Perhaps they are words that we all might use to guide us…

1. Be yourself- you’ve been doing it for eleven or twelve years now.  You’re good at it.
2. Don’t let other people convince you to do things that you know are not right or are not right for you.  Let your conscience be your guide.  Remember my words when we first met, “If you wouldn’t do it in front of your grandmother, you probably shouldn’t do it at all!”
3. Learn!  Your teachers are amazing and they really know a lot!  Let them teach you.
4. Get involved.  There are tons of great things to do and great clubs to join.  Find one that interests you and give it a try.  You’ll make lasting friendships with people who have common interests.
5. Care.  It’s easy to forget how it feels to be left out when you are with friends.  Care about each other, help one another and look out for your Holden family.

     Enjoy your journey.  You will be missed here.  Do great things.  In the words of the incredible Mohandas Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Spring is one of my favorite seasons.  The transition between the bitter cold temperatures of January and the scorching heat of July and August is always refreshing and welcome.  It’s also a time when we start our end of the year assessments.  For elementary students in grades three, four and five that means Ohio Achievement Assessments.  Part of the original “No Child Left Behind” Act, these tests were a way of helping to measure the growth and development of students from grade to grade as compared to their counterparts throughout the state.  It is also a reflection of the state’s work to hold all schools accountable for providing quality education to all students, regardless of economics or geography.  Based on the state standards for Language Arts, Math and Science, these tests are used annually as ONE measure of student progress.

     As we move into the two week testing window (detailed schedule is enclosed), we encourage you to share with your children the purpose of these tests (what we expect the tests to show us as well as the many great things that they may not be able to measure).  We want the students to do their best work to show what they have learned, but we don’t want them to feel stressed out or nervous.  Of course, we urge parents to be sure that kids are getting plenty of rest, eating right and getting exercise as we would encourage them to do every day of the year!  As always if you have specific questions or concerns about these tests and what they look like, you can visit the Ohio Department of Education website at http://portal.success-ode-state-oh-us.info/, or contact us here at school.

     Test questions in all subjects come in three forms.  One point responses are represented by multiple choice questions, 2 point short answer questions are designed to be answered in a sentence or two and four point extended response questions typically require a short paragraph or multiple part answer.  All students will have had a chance to see what these types of questions look like prior to the test, and we work on skills for interpreting questions, such as using key words like “compare and contrast” or “describe.”  We hope that these opportunities allow our kids to have the best chance of demonstrating the many wonderful things they are learning and that the information you, as parents, receive after the test gives some insights into your child’s individual strengths in school.  Because of the nature of the test responses, scoring these tests is an individual endeavor, therefore, we do not expect results until late in the summer.  You will receive a detailed copy of results in August.

     Meanwhile, we hope that students are reminded daily, here at school as well as at home, about the importance of being active participants in their education.  We hope that everyone works hard, perseveres and doesn’t forget to stop and smell the roses!

Julie

You may be surprised to know that the origins of April Fools’ Day date back to the writing of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in 1392, in which a common confusion of dates sets the story of a vain rooster being tricked by a fox on April 1^st.  Whatever the circumstances may have been, this “holiday” is now celebrated in some fashion in many countries throughout the world.  For us, it is a day generally regarded as “fun,” as we tolerate harmless practical jokes and general silliness.  It may be a good time for us to reflect on the importance of humor and the lighter side of life.

     As we grapple with so many serious concerns ranging from the state of today’s economy, high crime rates, the price of gas and the upcoming Ohio Achievement Assessments, it might not be so foolish after all to take a moment to share a joke or a laugh with one another.

     Research shows that brain activity increases significantly following a good laugh.   Laughter is also known to increase oxygen flow and inspires the production and release of a number of healthy hormones, however, as adults, we rarely engage in this brain boosting activity.  Children laugh over 300 times a day whereas adults laugh only 15 times.  Some people speculate that it is because children don’t feel like they need a reason to laugh, but laughter is often considered a sign of “slacking off” or immaturity in older children and adults.

     “Just for fun”, I looked up a few of the most notable April Fools’ jokes to share.  A full page New York Times add in 1996 claimed that Taco Bell, in an effort to help reduce the National debt, had purchased the Liberty Bell and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell.  In 2005 NASA’s website produced a picture that showed the discovery of water on Mars.  Once opened, the photo showed a glass of water on top of a Mars candy bar.  In 1965 the BBC conducted a “trial” of a new technology called “Smell-o-vision,” which would allow the transmission of odors through the airwaves.  Many viewers reportedly contacted the station to report the trial’s success.  And… on April 1, 1970, AMC introduced its next new car, the Gremlin.

     Seriously though, I hope that you all were able to take some time over the recent break to rest, relax and laugh a little with friends and family.  Maybe it’s time we took a page out of the first grade handbook and laugh; laugh hard, laugh long and laugh often.  After all, it’s good for you!

Julie

     It is now the time of year when we begin to plan for our outdoor garden.  We are so excited to consider all of the possible new vegetables and flowers to plant.  We may have some carrots, some tomatoes and we may even try to grow some peanuts!  Our garden project was such a success last year that we even expanded this fall, adding two more raised beds. 

     This summer our garden group will be meeting to discuss plans (and dare I say, dreams!) for the future expansion to an outdoor classroom area with tables, learning stations and plenty of opportunities to learn about nature, plants, and, of course, dirt!  You are encouraged to join us as we look for ways to create an outdoor learning space that will best support student learning.  Check out the Garden link on our website to see the latest updates (thanks to Ms. Louis and her class for keeping us informed!).

     While on hold during the extreme cold of January, we are continuing our composting project to produce new and rich soil to add to the garden as well as encouraging students to reduce waste in the lunchroom.  We are excited to be able to have these projects going on right here on the school property.

     What does this have to do with kids?  Each child in the Holden community is like those seeds.  They are just beginning to sprout, full of potential and eager to grow bigger and stronger.  As the “gardeners” here, we hope to provide them with the best possible conditions for reaching that potential, pushing them to grow stronger and to produce things they didn’t know they were capable of doing.  Just like our garden, we tend to their needs, weed out the things that detract from their development and fuel them up with the knowledge and skills we hope will help them develop into contributing members of this community.  We celebrate their individuality, applaud their blossoming ideas and encourage them to seek the sunlight as they grow.

     My favorite seeds are the “mystery seeds.”  They somehow got separated from their packaging, they have no labels and their exterior coats hold no clues as to what lies inside.  These are the most interesting seeds, the ones that often produce the most beautiful plants.  Working together, we can unlock the promise that they all hold.  Enjoy the sun of these early spring days!

Julie

     Well, it’s certainly been a wild winter here in Northeast Ohio!  Whether the groundhog saw his shadow, or not, I think we’re in for more!  While we always do our best to provide the students with plenty of opportunities to play outside, we do follow certain guidelines when determining indoor and outdoor recess periods.  It seemed like an appropriate time to review those with you!

     First, and foremost, we look at temperatures.  If the temperature is below 20 degrees (we give a little leeway with “wind chill”), we stay inside.  If it is hovering right at 20, we may choose an indoor/ outdoor option in which we take the students out for an abbreviated time, to allow some fresh air, but less exposure to the cold. 

     We also consider the conditions of the playground, paying particular attention to the amount of ice and/ or snow on the surfaces.  If the playground and play equipment are not accessible, we may stay inside to avoid clothing that becomes wet and cold when students return to class, or falls on the ice.  Please continue to send your children with boots, snow pants, heavy coats, hats and gloves or mittens.  Students are not permitted to play in the snow if they do not have boots and some type of outer layer of pants to keep them dry.  It is also a good idea to send a spare set of clothes in case they become wet on the playground.

     Finally, we want to let you know that we are still responsible for monthly fire evacuation drills during these cold months.  If you pick your child up after school, you may have experienced one of our “rapid dismissal” fire drills.  These drills are scheduled for the end of the school day and are held right at dismissal time for several reasons.  The first, of course, is that we do not want students outside in this weather without the appropriate clothing.  Because of this, we must allow time for students to get coats, hats, etc.  In order to preserve the instructional time during the school day, it makes the most sense to have them get their coats at a time when they would be getting them anyway!  It is our hope that they can still experience the routine of the evacuation procedure without having to endure cold temperatures unprepared. 

     As always, if you have concerns or questions about these policies, please feel free to contact us.  We hope that you are staying warm and enjoying the amazing views as the sun makes its brief appearances over the beautifully snowy landscape!

Julie

According to Wikipedia, a New Years Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a personal goal, project, or the reforming of a habit. This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous. A New Years Resolution is generally a goal someone sets out to accomplish in the coming year. Some examples include resolutions to be more generous, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible.   Some have linked this tradition to religious practices, like the Christian practice of giving something up for lent, but, whatever the origin, it is generally a time to reflect on one’s actions and make a concerted effort to improve oneself.

Just for fun, I checked out a few sights to see what the most common resolutions were this year.  Not surprisingly, many related to fitness, weight loss and improved health.  Number eight on one list, however, was a resolution to learn something new.  While many of us leave the new learning to the young, I was inspired to think about some things that I’d like to learn this year and to find others who’d like to learn with me. 

Whether your passion is Math or History or Country Line Dancing, I hope you have the time, the opportunity and the support of friends and family to get out and learn something new this year.  In a world of competition, “high stakes” testing and globalization, I hope that your children see you learning for the sake of learning and loving every minute of it!  A picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words.  A picture of your principal snowboarding, might be worth a thousand and one!

Enjoy the wonderful things the season has to offer and resolve to learn something new this year!

Julie

Holden’s winter music program has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 16 at 7:00 pm.  The concert will be held at Roosevelt High School.  Hope to see you all there!

Earlier this year, my blog focused on ways that you can support Holden School without breaking the bank.  I wanted to take an opportunity as we approach the holiday season to report back some of the progress that we have made so far this year!    

     Our first blood drive, held in October, helped earn grant money to support teachers and classrooms at Holden as we had 17 donors (you know who you are… thank you!).  Our goal is to double that number with our spring blood drive (to be held on March 9, 2011).  Not only are we able to support Holden, but we can also feel good about providing much needed blood for area blood banks.  Special thanks and a shout out to those of you who donated “double red.”  You have doubly blessed us!

     We had a wonderful canned food drive that yielded more than 400 items for families in our local community.  Our student council helped sort, organize and count these items before sending them to Roosevelt High School for organization and distribution.

     We are continuing to collect Acme receipts as well as Campbell’s Soup labels and are accumulating a large number of each.

     The big news comes from our box tops drive!  We have collected and earned almost $500.00 for Holden through the box tops program (that is almost 5,000 box tops so far!).  Please continue to collect and send these in.  They can be found on many products, including cake mixes, cereal and hamburger helper boxes.  You can also shop through the website at http://www.boxtops4education.com/.  Our goal is to collect $1,000.00 worth of box tops this year.  I think we can do it!

     Finally, I want to recognize the Holden teaching and support staff who have raised over $1,000.00 in “Friday dress down” money to help many of our own Holden families through some difficult times this holiday season. 

     I hope that you all find this season restful, relaxing and full of good cheer.  We thank you for your continued support at home and appreciate the wonderful community here.  We know that it truly takes a team to help all children achieve their greatest potential.  We are honored and proud to be a part of it!

Julie