How long has the followers button been down again?? I noticed it's even gone from the top this time. What the heck? You would think they would get this fixed already!

I do believe summer is here at last!! The AC is officially on at the Lutton house! We had a wonderful day playing in the sun with great friends. I could soooo get used to this! Thirteen more days of school and we will set sail for our first camping voyage! A four day stay at Cedar Point.  This pic is a few years old but the two boys up close and the little lady sitting down low up front are my babies!  We are ready to make more of these memories!

My friend and co-worker has recently started up her own blog called Technology, Teaching, and Talking. 
She is one of the few upper elem. blogs to be found on blogger. 

I posted a couple months ago about her classroom blog which is wayyy cool! I reposted so you could check out some of the cool stuff she is doing in her room. 

Click on over and leave her a comment, grab her button, or follow!! I know she would love it if you did!

On Friday we had a wonderful surprise!! We all walked out to the track, sat in the bleachers and waited to see..... well we didn't know what we were waiting to see. To our surprise, in celebration of our fundraising success for Pennies For Patients, it had been arranged for our principals to....... kiss a horse!!

The kids went wild!!
It was hilarious!! The "horse" was adorable and the principals were very good sports. They even went so far as to put on chap stick! Too funny!!


Such dedication! Ha!
I have to say it was a great time. It is so nice that as a school we can do good deeds, celebrate good deeds, and then have fun while doing it! We want kids to remember everything we teach them but being a good citizen that contributes in a positive way to their community has to be one of the most important.

I don't think these little ones will ever forget this day! The day their idols kissed a horse!

I'm soooo ready for summer but I'm really going to miss these cuties!!

Skip over the shopping list if your thinking -

I stumbled upon a cool site today. I was over looking at The Krazy Coupon Lady deals when I stumbled upon a site that you can order coupons from. Ordering coupons might seem wierd but I'm really getting tired of stumbling upon a deal and seeing it was in an insert from three months ago. Well, this is no longer a problem. Head on over to Coupons & Things by Dede!! Here you will find the coupons you need for mere cents. I thought it was worth sharing for all my couponing buddies out there!!

This one has wheels so you could move around the room easily. We have black in the garage which would be more stylish especially if you made some curtains for it. Something fun and stylish. I would anchor them somehow if you have tiny climbers. So this is my storage tip for anyone looking for fitting lots of stuff in small spaces!

If nothing else he figured we could take off the doors and make it a shoe holder for the garage.

I just kicked some coupon butt!! Fern I think you will be very proud of today's purchases!!

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

On Fri. we had ACES day. (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) The whole school was out on the track getting our walking groove on when yours truly walks into the kid in front of me (my daughter) and stubs her toe on their shoe. 
Yep, I have one purple toe!!! OUCH!! It turned purple right away and I toughed it out. I pointed out that I should have been wearing the right shoes and I DIDN"T need ICE!! :)  My kids ask for ice for EVERYTHING! I was wearing flip flops. I know, not a good example. But I was only walking for goodness sakes.  

The countdown is on and summer breakitis is really setting in! I hope everyone had a good week!!

If you didn't get a chance read the message post I put on before this and tell me what you think!

Superintendent's Call to Action: Part I of a Four Part Series

May 8, 2011

Fellow Citizens of Michigan:

I did everything that was requested of me, and so did you. The majority of our elected officials did not hear our voices and instead chose to unnecessarily reduce K-12 educational funding, which will negatively affect our schools (the ones in our neighborhoods), our children (the ones with the first, middle, and last names who attend our neighborhood schools), and their teachers (the ones who teach our children in our neighborhood schools). I'm angry with and disappointed in those elected officials who chose to vote this way. It's left me wondering about the long-term agenda of these elected officials (first emergency financial managers, now cuts in funding, what's next?). Is this the beginning of the end of public education as we know it (neighborhood schools, children, and teachers)?
No! Not on my watch.

As the superintendent of the Clarkston Community Schools, I am not just the supervisor of employees, I am the "lead teacher and lead learner," a steward of the learning process as a whole, and an advocate for children and their learning. It is my responsibility--to the community, teachers, district employees, administrators, parents, and students--to ensure an excellent education for  every child. Further, I serve all children in Michigan, regardless of the district in which they reside. I fully intend to fulfill my responsibility, especially now when many of our elected officials have seemingly abandoned us.

In response, I simply choose to say, "No. I will not idly accept this devaluing of public education. I'm going to act instead in accordance with my values." And, I believe that we must act collectively. Instead of 500+ school districts individually cutting budgets and multiple agencies (e.g., PTA, MASA, MASB, MASSP, MEMSPA, MASCD, Learning Forward Michigan, MEA, MAISA, and even non-educational entities) singularly developing and acting upon agendas, let's act as one voice for our children. Should you choose to join me, perhaps we could brand our collective cause,  EducatioNO!: We're Not Going to Take It.

Here are my values:

Locally controlled schools; excellent teachers; engaged, globally connected students; and collaborative communities & parents.

What do you value?

Here are some points, representing a possible platform for  EducatioNO!:

1. Every child deserves and shall receive an exceptional education with an excellent teacher, every minute of every day of every year.
2. Improving schools is not the function of government. Governments do not improve schools.
3. The governor, state representatives, state senators, and the Michigan Department of Education are not knowledge authorities on education.
4. Education is not political. Education is fundamental.
5. Local communities must control their school systems.
6. The government needs to get out of the education business. Instead, the government needs to act to make an excellent education a fundamental right of every child.
7. Excellent schools require consistent funding. Local schools require options for raising revenues.
8. Research and practice have informed us, and will continue to do so, as to the elements of an excellent education. Technology is one of the quintessential tools in this pursuit. We must use research and practice to inform our work, constantly.
9. Local school districts must work together, with other (e.g., collective bargaining, governmental, not-for-profit, higher education, early childhood education) entities to increase efficiency, decrease redundancy, and improve effectiveness.
10. One size does not fit all--children, families, teachers, schools, communities, people, alligators, onions, fruit trees, fingernails, political parties, transmissions. Schools require different options, depending on their needs.


As I travel across our school district observing kids, listening to teachers and other district employees, and conversing with parents and community members, I feel as though I have let them down. I asked them to remain hopeful. I promised that we would figure things out, no matter how bad they get. Our people work very hard; doing whatever they have to in service of each child (A substitute custodian came by just to introduce himself. He told me he's studying to become a teacher. He then went outside and directed traffic as parents dropped off their children--and he wished each one of them a great day--my state representative wasn't there to see it, but I was, and I won't forget it). Our educators, parents, and citizens were hopeful that their elected officials would notice and support them. When I told the teachers of the House's vote to cut funding, I could see the hurt in their eyes. Not one of them said, "What about me? I need more money. I need my retirement. I need my health care." Just as I would expect of people who love kids, they said, "What about my kids? What about our colleagues?"

You see, schooling is local. It's people. It's relationships. It's first, middle, and last names. It's personalities. It's laughter. It's school spirit. It's hope. It's service. It's collective and collaborative (come to one of our football games, attend a concert or a play, visit a talent show or school fair, or travel with our robotics team to a national competition--you'll need to squeeze yourself in because the seats are full of people who love their children, neighbors, and friends). It's fundamental.

So, I'm standing up. Who is with me? Please send me a note to let me know what you think. I will have more to say next week.


Sincerely,


Rod Rock, Ed.D.

Superintendent, Committed Servant of Children, American, Michigander, Teacher, Voter, Citizen, and Fervent Advocate of Local Education
Clarkston Community Schools

rdrock@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Claimer: I make no apologies for standing up for the people I serve. The stakes are high, the challenges great, and the possibilities profound.

Hook a third grade teacher up and follow along here before you leave!! 
A comment would rock too!! hehe

I had promised I would give out a copy of this. This is how I track behaviors. I keep this sheet on a clipboard and at my desk. I can carry it with me to bathroom breaks and to specials if needed. I call them up in the morning and check off homework on the right side and I keep track of checks (behavior reprimands) on the left of their name. It looks very formal but it does the trick. If a parent calls I have the info. by name at my fingertips. 

Classroom Management Graph 00-11
Anyone out there have something similar they use that is cute??

Is there anyone out there that visits ProTeacher on a regular basis?? I have been over there for several months and I don't know how to move up in membership and every time I put my blog address under my name the site ###### my blog name. I thought it was a blogspot thing but others work fine. Have I been blacked out or something? How do I contact them to complain/ask for help?? I've been finding this very frustrating and I thought I would throw it out there for help!

How are all of you doing as we pull towards the end of the school year? Any tricks, complaints, favorite ideas, grade level changes or wild stories going on??

Click on over to What the Teacher Wants and eighteen25! They both have some super cute downloads that would make great gifts or classroom decorations!








I don't know about you guys but I spent wayyyyy too much money over at TpT today!! I gave most of it too the girls over at Lesson Plan SOS and 
One Extra Degree!! 

1. Did you watch the royal wedding?

I woke up early all set to workout. I clicked on the tv and that was it! I proceeded to almost run late for work watching the royal wedding. I woke up my seven year old daughter to tell her a prince and princess were getting married. She rolled over and said, oh mom your just trying to get me out of bed. We could hardly get her in the shower. She kept yelling to my hubby - Dad did they kiss yet??? Too cute!

2. Tea and crumpets or coffee and a scone?

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a green tea junkie!!  So, tea and crumpets please! (better yet donuts)

3 Who's cuter..prince william or prince harry?
Neither one does it for me. I guess I'm so old they remind me of my sons! Ha, I'm not that old yet!! I guess they remind me of what my sons will become!!  (they are 4 and 5 but my oldest is a redhead)

4. Can you speak in a english accent?
Heck Yea!! I love to switch into accents when teaching. It cracks my kids up and holds their attention.

5. Do you own a fancy hat?
No way!! I hate hats! I'm an 80's girl that never lost the bangs!

6. Would you rather live in a castle or an english cottage?
I would go cottage. Ahhhhh, I can see it now all quaint and surrounded in flowers!! 

7. How old were you when prince charles and princess diana got married? Were you even born? 
I was seven years old! Wow! I'm old! hehe

 
8. Have you found your prince? 
I'm married to my high school sweetheart and yes he is my prince!! 

I stumbled upon the coolest blog today!! If you haven't been to see Guided Math a blog run by Mary then you better get clicking on over there!!
She featured a way cool math site called  XtraMath!

This site is dedicated to helping children master math facts. I'm psyched and I can't wait to try it out!

Thanks Mary!! 

Under Construction in Room 519

BK Construction