Sunday, May 22, 2011
Coupons Anyone??
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!!
Storage
OK Kelly here you go! Only for you would I broadcast my clutter. :)
My hubby recently got tired of our lack of storage space in the bedroom. It could be my clothes taking up our entire closet. hehe! I came home on Fri. with this storage rack in our bedroom corner. It tucks right behind the door which is usually open. So you can only see it from the angle I took the picture when the door is open. Not California Closet by any means but it will do the trick. I haven't really organized it yet so don't judge me to harshly. :)
D5 Book Bag Organization
I've noticed a lot of Daily 5 posts here lately. I thought I would repost this. I originally posted this way back in my blog beginning (Jan. :) and so many more have blogged up since then that I figured it would be useful.
If you scrolled down and checked out my Daily Five posters you may have noticed that I say, "Grab your bags." Daily Five calls for the use of "book boxes". I didn't like the table clutter that caused. I decided to run out to Staples and buy some hooks to put on the sides of my desks to hang book bags. The bags contain the necessary supplies to smoothly transition into Daily Five. The kids stock their bags in the morning as a part of their morning routine. They need four books in the bag, one non-fiction magazine/book, one picture book, a just right AR book and a just right AR back up book. When I say that it is time for Daily Five the kids grab their bags and find their comfy spots. Here are some pics of my set up.
Let me know if you do something similar or if you have any suggestions!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
What Would You Suggest?
My thoughtful hubby found this piece at a U of M auction in Ann Arbor. He thought I might be able to use it in my room. It has 24 doors/cubbyholes for whatever our imaginations can come up with. I could keep center activities in it. It would be like everyone who uses rubber maid storage but I would have this. Is it too cumbersome? The holes are 11x15. It's sitting on the tailgate of our truck and that is my little cutie Ty who is five standing by it.
What do you think?? What could I use it for??
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Woot Woot!!
I just kicked some coupon butt!! Fern I think you will be very proud of today's purchases!!
I worked up some coupon magic!!
Tape - I got 34 rolls Correction - it was 51 rolls of Scotch Magic tape for $2.03!! That is total not a piece!
Mind you it is $5.49 a roll at Staples!!
I realize I'm using a lot of exclamation marks, but so would you!! :)
Running in second place for super cool was my body wash purchase.
4 bottles of Sweet Honeysuckle Softsoap body wash for $12.00 and recieved $8.00 in register rewards!!
Keep in mind it is $5.79 reg. I plan to go back in a few days when they restock and get two more which will be free with my register rewards plus they will give me $4.00 more in register rewards!!
I'm so stinking excited!!
Yesterday I bought 22 boxes of cereal for around 1.20 cents a piece. Good cereal!! Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheat, Fiber One Honey Clusters, Cheerios, etc.The little old lady at the check out was all worried. She kept saying - Ohhh how will you ever eat all this?!?! I said don't worry mam my family of five will have it gone in no time. In the end she was going -- Ohhhh what a great deal you got!!
Thanks so much Fern for getting me into the couponing!! I owe you big time!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
My Little Family!
My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com
Head on over to Widdly Tinks
and create your very own stick family!!
Cute huh???
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Fern Has A Giveaway Going On!!
Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas is having a giveaway!
So....get clicking on over there and check it out!!
It will end on 5/15 at 5:00!!
Cool huh?!
That Was Torture!!
I don't know about the rest of you but our little Blogger downage was painful!! I can't stand that I lost so many of your comments and a couple posts!
I'm glad we are back in the swing!
Catch up -
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!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Powerful Message I Received Today
I received this today and it moved me. I know it's long but give it a start and I bet you finish it.
I have to clarify that this was not sent from my actual superintendent. My building principal forwarded this to us. I felt his passion to reach teachers and I felt compelled to post it.
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.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Pottery Barn Giveaway!!
I love Pottery Barn and I love Mrs. Randall's Learning Library! I have been a follower of Mrs. Randall's Learning Library since my blogging beginning. She has wonderful ideas and great resources to offer.
If you haven't been over yet to sign up for her Pottery Barn giveaway then get clicking!!
Congrats on 200 followers Mrs. Randall!!
Hook a third grade teacher up and follow along here before you leave!!
A comment would rock too!! hehe
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