Principal's Blog

A quick read which explains the lack of fairness in a ‘zero’ grade.

The Case Against Zero

This is very neat  - worth a few moments of your time.Dallas ISD Opening Speech

As per the Monday Morning Memo this week – we are going to hold our second version of Open House on Monday, October 19th from 5:30pm – 7pm.

Letters will go out to parents via mail within the next day, so nearly everyone should get the word.  

Within the letter, I reminded parents that this was an open house, and should not be confused with Parent/Teacher conferences.  I went on to say that this might be an opportunity for them to schedule a future meeting with a teacher, if necessary.

“Teaching without Learning – is not teaching – it is presenting.”

• All teachers had progress reports ready on time last week –

Great Job !

• As the weather gets colder, please remember to close all windows to the outside at the end of the day.

• NWEA testing will occur today (October 5^th) in grade 9.  During our next staff meeting, Dr. Pusey and Ms. Ruark will provide us with training on how to access and use these scores.

• I am collecting ideas for our school newsletter, which I would anticipate sending home sometime in the middle or end of October.  If you have any ideas, please let me know.  I would like to do another edition in late January.

• I have received a number of phone calls from parents who were very disappointed that they missed the Open House we held on September 8^th.  In the future, we will make sure not to hold this event as early in September as we did  – the day after Labor Day made it difficult.  In addition, this office did not get word out, so parents were notified via word of mouth and the school handbook.  To remedy this situation, I intend to schedule a 2^nd Open House later this month.  We will run it for an hour and a half, and I will take that time off the Parent/Teacher Conference time.  I will get you a date as soon as possible.

• As of Friday, I had received something back from every teacher for in-service committee preferences – and I will get the list of committee assignments to you later this week.

• I am looking at Wednesday, November 4^th (tentatively) as the Parent/Teacher Conference evening.  I say tentatively, because I am going to sit down with Mrs. Ketch, and the Guidance Office to see if there is a creative way to schedule those parents that we really need to see at this point in the year.  I fully understand that it is difficult to please everyone – but, I would really like to see if we can reach our “target audience.”  {students who are failing at least one class – as of Progress Reports}

• We have a very short list of subs available.  At this time, we will not be able to grant more than three professional leave days on a given day until the sub list improves.  If you are planning on being out for professional days – please submit your request early.

• Picture re-takes will be held on Wednesday, October 21^st – please let students in your ATS and other classes know.  We will make sure the date is announced from the Main Office as well.

• Next Staff Meeting – Tuesday, October 13^th – 2:45pm – Library

(An agenda will follow soon)

• Next In-Service Date – Tuesday, October 27^th – 2:45pm – Library

(An agenda will follow soon)

***  Have a Great Week !!!  ***

Welcome to RSU#34 Teacher Websites and Blogs.  This will be the new location of the blog for Scott Gordon, Old Town High School’s Principal.