Howdy folks. Please take a moment to review the information I sent home today with the class regarding Monday's field trip to Ano Nuevo. It lists chaperones and necessities. I apologize for not being able to accommodate all of the parents that offered to come along, but we are limited to 44 people in total, including the students. Therefore, I took volunteers on a first come basis.
If you have sent in a permission slip, but not the $2 to cover the cost of the visit, please do so.
Have a lovely weekend, Mr. Bryant
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday & Friday
Howdy all. Tomorrow is our big, spooky and very intimidating biome quiz. The kids have the answers on their notes, so I am not sure where the levels of stress are coming from. If they are familiar with their fresh and salt water facts, they'll do gangbusters. In fact, all they need to do this evening is study those facts.
The teachers of PVUSD are organizing informational rallies across the county tomorrow to protest that massive education cuts that are looming. We'll be at the Main Plaza in Watsonville, at the District Offices on Green Valley, at Park and Soquel, as well as the Rio del Mar overpass between 3:30 and 5. Parents will be passing out information after school in the park as well. Be informed, because changes are coming.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
The teachers of PVUSD are organizing informational rallies across the county tomorrow to protest that massive education cuts that are looming. We'll be at the Main Plaza in Watsonville, at the District Offices on Green Valley, at Park and Soquel, as well as the Rio del Mar overpass between 3:30 and 5. Parents will be passing out information after school in the park as well. Be informed, because changes are coming.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday & Thursday
Howdy all. Just a quick note today, as I am off to visit Valencia and Mar Vista to address the PVUSD budget for this school year and next. If you'd like an informational flyer regarding proposed cuts to staffing and services, please stop the classroom Friday afternoon, or join us on the Rio del Mar overpass between 3 & 5 in the afternoon.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-reading log
-math 77
-reading practice book page 262
-complete the writing response from "Great Horn Spoon!" for peer editing on Thursday.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-reading log
-math 77
-reading practice book page 262
-complete the writing response from "Great Horn Spoon!" for peer editing on Thursday.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday and the week
Happy Birthday Shaniah!
Howdy all, and welcome to the flood. Wow, what rains we have had these past few days. I can tell the kids have been cooped up indoors, because they have so much energy. Hopefully we get breaks during the day where we can spend time out at recesses and lunches to burn off some of this steam.
We had a groovy visit from the Santa Cruz Symphony today. A percussionist went over some very cool instruments from around the world, and we took turns attempting to create the loudest possible cymbal clash! I think I won! I am sure our neighboring classrooms were thrilled.
I informed the class today that I would be postponing the water biome quiz until Friday. The kids should be studying their notes, or looking over the Enchanted Learning link at the bottom right of the blog. Fresh and salt water are fair game.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
- reading log (new in orange folder)
- orange folder
- math 76, all
- study for water biome quiz
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Howdy all, and welcome to the flood. Wow, what rains we have had these past few days. I can tell the kids have been cooped up indoors, because they have so much energy. Hopefully we get breaks during the day where we can spend time out at recesses and lunches to burn off some of this steam.
We had a groovy visit from the Santa Cruz Symphony today. A percussionist went over some very cool instruments from around the world, and we took turns attempting to create the loudest possible cymbal clash! I think I won! I am sure our neighboring classrooms were thrilled.
I informed the class today that I would be postponing the water biome quiz until Friday. The kids should be studying their notes, or looking over the Enchanted Learning link at the bottom right of the blog. Fresh and salt water are fair game.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
- reading log (new in orange folder)
- orange folder
- math 76, all
- study for water biome quiz
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Thursday & immediate action
Howdy all, and Happy Birthday to Eric Tallman! Thanks for the donuts!
I know that we are all very well aware of State budget issues, and many of us have directly felt the impact of the recession / depression that our nation is currently in. Our lovely school district is now having to deal with similar budget shortfalls and has been asked to cut 17 million dollars from its operating budget for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Our governing Board of Trustees has put for suggestions for cuts that will directly impact classrooms and the students who inhabit them. On the proposed block for cuts are school nurses, janitors, librarians, asst. principals, all sporting programs, students services such as counseling, transportation and classroom size. The district has posted a web survey that I have provided a link to in the upper right hand corner of the page. I would encourage every family member to take the quick survey, but to spend a greater deal of time letting the district know that cuts that affect student instruction and general well-being are UNACCEPTABLE. Just for starters, when these cuts take effect, we will lose the student to teacher ratio that we currently enjoy. Kindergarten to third grade will now have upwards of 30 students per classroom, while upper grades will have the potential for 35 students per classroom. Our school will lose all health / nursing support. Our school will close its library, as contracts preclude parents, teachers or volunteers from staffing a library. Janitors will be cut to half time, making the likelihood for sickness and waste more present on campus. Bus lines will be cut and services will be reduced all around. The district's proposal is a mess. Let them know.
Beside the survey, I would encourage you to contact our superintendent, Dorma Baker (our old principal) or Kim Turley, the Board member that represents our North Zone schools. Feel free to contact state representatives or local media. We will not be able to stop these cuts unless we speak out as a united front, both loudly and often. Do not rest and think that this shall pass. It will effect us all, and negatively at that. The kids are easy to cut from, simply because they do not have the voices that we do as adults. Use those voices soon.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-math 75
-reading log (due tomorrow)
-reading practice book page 260
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
I know that we are all very well aware of State budget issues, and many of us have directly felt the impact of the recession / depression that our nation is currently in. Our lovely school district is now having to deal with similar budget shortfalls and has been asked to cut 17 million dollars from its operating budget for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Our governing Board of Trustees has put for suggestions for cuts that will directly impact classrooms and the students who inhabit them. On the proposed block for cuts are school nurses, janitors, librarians, asst. principals, all sporting programs, students services such as counseling, transportation and classroom size. The district has posted a web survey that I have provided a link to in the upper right hand corner of the page. I would encourage every family member to take the quick survey, but to spend a greater deal of time letting the district know that cuts that affect student instruction and general well-being are UNACCEPTABLE. Just for starters, when these cuts take effect, we will lose the student to teacher ratio that we currently enjoy. Kindergarten to third grade will now have upwards of 30 students per classroom, while upper grades will have the potential for 35 students per classroom. Our school will lose all health / nursing support. Our school will close its library, as contracts preclude parents, teachers or volunteers from staffing a library. Janitors will be cut to half time, making the likelihood for sickness and waste more present on campus. Bus lines will be cut and services will be reduced all around. The district's proposal is a mess. Let them know.
Beside the survey, I would encourage you to contact our superintendent, Dorma Baker (our old principal) or Kim Turley, the Board member that represents our North Zone schools. Feel free to contact state representatives or local media. We will not be able to stop these cuts unless we speak out as a united front, both loudly and often. Do not rest and think that this shall pass. It will effect us all, and negatively at that. The kids are easy to cut from, simply because they do not have the voices that we do as adults. Use those voices soon.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-math 75
-reading log (due tomorrow)
-reading practice book page 260
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Happy Wednesday
Howdy all. Well, its official...the flu has returned in force! We have kids hacking up vital organs in class and sneezing all over each other. I am sure the class is a horrifying petri dish at this point. Thanks to those of you who have sent in tissue. It is much appreciated. I am attempting to keep healthy myself!
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-reading log (due Friday)
-reading practice book pages 251 & 252
-math 74
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-reading log (due Friday)
-reading practice book pages 251 & 252
-math 74
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
another short week...
Howdy all. Well I wish I could tell you that everything was roses while I was gone last week, but I returned to a chaotic classroom. It's funny how the kids will work well with me, but then lose it when I am gone. I hear they tried every trick in the book. They know I am disappointed, and I will leave it at that.
I did not have the opportunity to catch up with grading while away at my conference last week, so you will not find corrected work in Orange Folders today, but will find several notices from the school. Please review them and send them back to school in a timely manner.
The Ano Nuevo trip is fast approaching and we have reached our parent quota. If you name does not appear on the chaperone / driver list, we do not have space for you on the tour. I'm sorry, but as a nature preserve, they limit the number of guests and we capped at 44. I took adults on a first-come, first-serve basis. Should things change, I have a waiting list in the wings and will keep you apprised.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-reading log (due Friday)
-math 73
-reading practice book pages 255 & 256
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
I did not have the opportunity to catch up with grading while away at my conference last week, so you will not find corrected work in Orange Folders today, but will find several notices from the school. Please review them and send them back to school in a timely manner.
The Ano Nuevo trip is fast approaching and we have reached our parent quota. If you name does not appear on the chaperone / driver list, we do not have space for you on the tour. I'm sorry, but as a nature preserve, they limit the number of guests and we capped at 44. I took adults on a first-come, first-serve basis. Should things change, I have a waiting list in the wings and will keep you apprised.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-reading log (due Friday)
-math 73
-reading practice book pages 255 & 256
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
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