As most of you know, the PTO has been spending most of its gift money toward technology for the last few years. This year, our main focus, has been on getting itouches in the hands of our students. Colton, my first grader, had the opportunity with his class to get a set of 20 itouches last week. I cannot begin to express to you how excited he was to go to school that week. We got both kids itouches for Christmas and it was possibly the best money we have ever spent. They use them all the time. I download Disney shows for them from the tv and they watch them on trips. They both love the nook feature and are reading more because it is fun on the itouch. The apps are great (I am personally addicted to the Words with Friends app). Anyway, to hear how they were using them in class was really fun.
The teachers are still learning all of the ways that the itouches can be used, but already they have found some great applications. Colton particularly enjoyed the math and word bingo apps. We downloaded them here at home and he plays them all the time. He is getting faster and faster at his math facts everyday by playing a game. Wish we would have had that when I was 7.
Anyway, Colton thought it would be fun if he took a video using an itouch of his class using their itouches to show me what they were doing (because I had so many questions). I thought it was a great way for him to express himself, have fun and to say thank you to the PTO for purchasing them this year. So, here is Colton's video, shot entirely by him (as you will soon see). I hope you enjoy it.
You can see that during this first week the kids were most excited about the games on the touches, but it was still fun to see them so excited at school about anything. Thank you to everyone who donated a dollar or time or a gift or anything this year. Thanks to you, this was possible.....
I hope you had a wonderful Easter. I am so blessed. Thank you all.
Lisa
Every year at this time the PTO Parliamentarian has the almost impossible job of putting together a slate for the PTO Board. This year was especially difficult as only 6 nominating forms were turned in to her. Amazingly, Sheila Pensotti did a fabulous job of putting together a very exciting slate for our next year's PTO Board. If you received one of the many calls to duty this last week and you said, "yes" or we were able to talk you into a yes, THANK YOU. If you were not able to commit this year, perhaps you will consider taking on a role next year. I don't think you would be sorry. As a parent, I don't think there is anymore important role I can take on that will impact my children more than a role as PTO officer. The kids love seeing you working up at the school and it is a wonderful opportunity to meet the teachers and administrators of our campus. I have learned so many things about how public schools work and am learning more each day. Some good, some bad, but all interesting. I urge you to consider taking on an active role with the PTO next year. There are many opportunities still available and many committees forming. We have a lot of fun.
Now, the sad news.... with the end of the year rapidly approaching, I will be saying goodbye to some of my best friends and partners in the PTO. My daughter, Macy, is in 5th grade and I have been working with that group of parents now for 6 years. If I ever needed help or support, they are who I called. To imagine being President again without seeing their faces in the meeting is going to be extremely sad. My vice president is one of my very closest friends and I will miss her greatly at the meetings. To those of you who are moving onto middle school, you were loved and appreciated. All the dads and moms alike will be very much missed. Thank you for the impact you had on our kids and our school. It is a better place because you were there.
Tomorrow begins what seems like endless TAKS testing days for our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at DCE. The truth is that each testing day effects our little ones as well. On TAKS testing days, no parents are allowed into the school; no library duty, no copy room, no eating with your kiddo, nothing. Of course, the kids taking the tests are nervous and stressed. The tests are often done in 2 day time spans, for example; tomorrow, the 5th graders will be taking the math TAKS and then on Tuesday, they will be taking the reading TAKS. They can't talk (even in the lunch room) or move around for 2 days in a row! That is a lot of pressure. But it also effects all the other grades, for those 2 days, they have to be super quiet. They don't usually have recess because of the noise and have to be on their best behavior.
What does this mean for parents? Well, in my experience it means I have one kid who is super stressed out because she is convinced she has to not only pass but make a 100% on the test and one kid who is a complete spaz when he gets home because he hasn't had a chance to run or jump or play or yell at recess or lunch or gym. It tends not be a very fun time at the Johnson household on these days.
So, try to be understanding if your kindergartner seems to have more energy than usual or is grumpy. Even though they aren't taking the tests, they absolutely are feeling the stress of them.
