West End After School Music

(This was an entry that missed an end-of-the-year posting for 2007-08 and then got lost in the shuffle. Here it is -- just in time to make it before we turn the calendar over to 2009!)



Ms. Guerin's and Mrs. Spittal's first/second grade after school enrichment students were very creative producing their first CD. The students collaboratively wrote songs about Springtime Allergies, The Beach, Mother's Day and Jack and Jill.

To add those perfect finishing touches to the recordings there couldn't have been anything more exciting than Billy Gale, a member of the popular band, Burnt Sienna, accompanying the young artists with an acoustic guitar.

Songs were burned to a CD and given to each of the participants as a momento of their extraordinary efforts. A special thanks to Billy Gale. Thanks for helping us "ROCK OUT" it was AWESOME!

Spotlight on Ms. Rosado

Felicita Rosado

Teacher of Elementary Spanish

West End Memorial School

• Name:

Felicita Rosado

• College(s) and degrees(s):

Rowan University: Bachelor's Degree (Elementary Education K-8)

• Work experience:

Teacher's Aide in an after school program (2 years)

5th grade Bilingual Teacher at Bridgeton, New Jersey

Long-term Spanish Teacher at Woodbury Jr./Sr. High School

• Favorite books:
o fiction: A House in the Woods by Isabelle Holland
o nonfiction: Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald

• Favorite television show:

Family Matters

• Music CD that I have almost worn out from repeated playing:

Run the Show

• Person (living or not) that I’d like to have lunch with and why:

The person I would like to have lunch with today would be my grandmother because there are many things that I would like to share with her.

• Visiting this place makes me peaceful:

???

• One item on my “to do” list that I can’t seem to get to:

Set up the file folders.

• Destination of my fantasy vacation trip:

A cruise to different parts of the world.

• Details about the teacher I will never forget who inspired me to enter the profession:

The teacher who inspired me to become whom I am today is Madeleine Clark. Mrs. Clark was my 5th grade math teacher. She was always very understanding and caring toward her students. After she became ill and had to leave the classroom, she and I kept in touch through letters for a number of years. The part that I loved the most about her was that she took the time to listen and form that bond that strengthened over time.

Welcome, Winter

Hold on to your hat – winter officially begins Sunday, December 21, 2008. Also, our winter sports are off to a start this weekend. Our high school swim team is in action tonight, the boys and girls basketball teams start the season tomorrow, and the wrestling program has a tournament this Saturday.

I remind you that the easiest way to keep track of a team's schedule is through the on-line schedule on highschoolsports.net. On the district’s website, go under the tab for “Athletics,” and you will find a selection for “Schedules.” There you can be updated by the day, week, month, or season on all your favorite teams.

Grab a coat and hat – and let winter begin. Of course, as a school superintendent, I only wish that all of our snow occurs on the weekends!

Lesson Learned

Ouch – a car accident on the way in to work yesterday! Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it will cause for an early New Year’s resolution: more distance between the car in front and my car.

I am not sure why is seems like there is a need to hurry all the time. I remember riding with a former athletic director to meetings, and the pace of his driving was much slower than what I was accustomed to. After a while, I came to appreciate the more leisurely, less frantic pace of our monthly drives to a county meeting that we attended.

Unfortunately, I only partially learned that lesson. In school, we want to teach our students in such a way that they UNDERSTAND a topic and are then be able to TRANSFER the learning to new situations. I understood – that the slower, less hurried driving was a better approach in many ways. I just didn’t make the transfer of that learning to my own driving.

Well, a little more direct experience with the lesson (and some added financial impact!) should help. Maybe you can learn from my story without your own need for any “hands-on” experience!

Have a good day.

Congratulations, Kyle Parham

Kyle Parham, 11th grade student at Woodbury Jr.-Sr. High School, has been selected to be a Student Ambassador for People to People. Kyle went through a selection process that involved an interview and a requirement to submit three letters of recommendation -- two teachers and one community leader.

People to People was started by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. His dream was to bring together students from around the world to promote world peace.

Over the summer Kyle will spend a total of three weeks in France, Italy, and Greece (where he will stay with a host family). The People to People hope is that this experience will help students return to their community and school with a new outlook on the world and help to build bridges to bring us closer together through peace and understanding.

Congratulations, Kyle.

Board of Education Meeting -- Wednesday, December 17 @ 7 p.m.

The regular, monthly meeting of the Woodbury Board of Education will be held this Wednesday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m.

The board meetings are held in the Jr.-Sr. High School auditorium. Entrance to the building can be made through the lobby doors by the auditorium, across from the Cap Paine gymnasium.

The agenda for the board meeting will be posted on the district website later today. (agenda)

During the course of the school year, each of the four schools will provide an update to the board on activities that highlight the good work occurring in each building. At this December meeting, the Jr.-Sr. High School will provide our first presentation for the 2008-09 school year. Also, following the school presentation, the board will hear from its auditor, HOLMAN & FRENIA, P.C. , on the recently completed 2007-08 audit.

Spotlight on Mr. Pentz

Timothy Pentz

Teacher of Health & Physical Education

Woodbury Jr.-Sr. High School

• Name:

Tim Pentz


• College(s) and Degrees(s):

Messiah College – BS – Business Information Systems
Rowan University – Teaching Certification Program – Health and Physical Education


• Work Experience:

YMCA of Gloucester County – Two years – Youth and Family Coordinator
Assistant Coach of Wrestling – Past three years at Kingsway


• Favorite books:

o Fiction: The Old Man and the Sea


• Favorite television show:

Prison Break, Entourage

• Last movie I liked:

We Own the Night

• Visiting this place makes me peaceful:

Fishing in the Pocono Mountains

• One item on my “to do” list that I can’t seem to get to:

Washing my Car

• Favorite animal (domestic or wild):

Dog

• Favorite sports team:

E-A-G-L-E-S!!

• Destination of my fantasy vacation trip:

Ireland

Woodbury NHS Fundraiser Tonight -- Scotto's

The National Honor Society is sponsoring a fundraising night at Scotto's Pizza today -- Thursday, December 11th.

If you are ording out tonight or heading out to eat at Scotto's, please mention the Woodbury High School National Honor Society. A portion of each order will be donated to the NHS as part of the fundraiser.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Taste of Woodbury 2008

This Friday -- December 12th, from 5-9:00pm

(Sponsored by the Woodbury Merchants and Professional Organization)

Enjoy Holiday treats from area eateries -- Hors D’Oeuvres, Desserts, and Holiday drinks.

Tickets available at participating Sponsors, City Hall, Library and Foxfire Accessories

Tickets $15.00

Restaurants can be visited in any order.

1. PNC Bank, 22 North Broad Street, ACME
2. La Piazza di Scotto Restaurante, 40 South Broad Street
3. Monogram Shoppe, 146 South Broad Street, Angelos
4.Charlie Browns, 111 North Broad Street
5. The Spot, 43 South Broad Street, featuring wine tasting from Wagonhouse Winery
6. The Nut Shop, 17 South Broad Street
7. El Mantial, 142 South Broad Street
8. Woodbury Antique Center, 66 South Broad Street, samples from J&D Liquor & Cheese to Please & Jimmies
9. Country Sweets Bakery, 31 South Broad Street
10. A Taste of Philly Hard Twisted Pretzel Bakery, 53 South Broad Street
11. Lifeway Café, 113 South Broad Street
12. Lovely Creations, 238 South Broad Street, Domino’s
13. Woodbury Variety, 159 South Broad Street
14. Treasure Depot, 160 North Broad Street, Caterers Corner
15. Edward’s Hairstyling, 145 South Broad Street, Impromptu Caterers


Call 856-845-9765 for more information

Celebrating Our Heritage, One Bite at a Time

(This entry was submitted by Ms. Cadorette, 5th grade teacher at West End.)

During our first literacy theme, the 5th grade learned about how families work together, how families discuss their heritage, and how families share their traditions. As a culminating activity, each student created a Family Shield. Students completed family history surveys and questionnaires to gather information about the importance of their name, details of their family heritage and history, a special recipe their family enjoys, and created a timeline of important family milestones. As each student presented their family shield to the class, students discussed the similarities of their family history and respected their differences.

In addition, on Tuesday, November 25th students had the chance to sample the tasty family recipes. Over 25 dishes were prepared by our amazing West End families.

The students enjoyed Spanish Rice and Beans, Jamaican Curry Chicken, Matzo Ball Soup, Pumpkin Bread and Grandma Wanda’s Apple Sauce Spice Cake, just to name a few. The food tasting celebration was a first-hand experience for each student to discover the ethnic diversity which makes the city of Woodbury unique.

City of Woodbury Survey

The City of Woodbury, in partnership with the Gloucester County Department of Economic Development, is conducting a survey to better understand the wants and needs of the people who live, work, or shop in Woodbury. As part of their ongoing efforts to revitalize and improve the Broad Street commercial district, they want know know what will make the downtown district more appealing to you. Please take this opportunity to express your views about shopping and dining in Woodbury. The results of the survey will be used to develop a community-driven plan of action for the Broad Street corridor.

The survey is available online at www. Woodburysurvey.com. The survey is anonymous-- no personal information will be requested.

Happy Friday

Well -- I have to retool. I need to update a few of my new teacher entries so that I can get more ready for the Friday Spotlights.

For today, let me point out that the Junior High School Theatre Club will be performing Seussical The Musical tonight and tomorrow, 7 p.m., in the Jr.-Sr. High School auditorium. Come on out for some local entertainment. It is sure to be fun.

Tickets at the door. Adults -- $7; Students and Seniors -- $5.

(This is a copy of the letter that will go home with our Jr.-Sr. High School students today. I post it here as an added way to ensure that some of our parents have quick, ready access to it.)
______________________________________________________________

WOODBURY JUNIOR – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
25 North Broad Street
Woodbury, New Jersey 08096
(856) 853-0123

Denise Dunham, Principal
Jason Vivadelli, Assistant Principal
John Lukis, Assistant Principal
Grant Shivers, Director of Athletics and Student Activities



December 4, 2008


Dear Parents/Guardians:

I am writing this letter to inform you of an incident that occurred in the downtown area of the City this morning.

Just prior to the start of school, the Woodbury Police were informed that a gunshot was heard in the alley behind the Gloucester County Family Court building. This building is located across Broad Street on the south side of the main intersection.

The police recovered the firearm before school started and have a report regarding the description of the alleged shooter. As part of their search for this individual, Woodbury police were stationed around our building at the start of the school day.

A collaborative decision by the City police and the school district resulted in the determination that the matter could be handled by the police with no need for the school to take any special action. Faculty and staff were provided an update early in the morning and there was no interruption to our school day.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Denise Dunham Principal

Family Nights

In mid-November, the 2nd and 3rd graders in the Woodbury School District were invited to come out for a Reading Café Family Night. Parents, students and teachers from all three schools came together at Evergreen Avenue School to hear a story and participate in learning centers. These centers included math and literacy games and activities related to a story that was created by Woodbury elementary teachers. Students were able to work on laptop computers, assemble a thermometer craft kit, and write a comic strip as well as other fun activities. Refreshments were served and wonderful time was had by all!

For more information on 2008-09 Family Nights see our district website.

(This post was prepared by Toni Capodanno, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction)

WHS Boys Soccer

Coach Marc Cannuli was recently informed that his Boys Soccer team has again been recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America with a National Team Academic Award. Woodbury Boys Soccer has achieved this award every year since 2002. Congratulations to each of our scholar-athletes for this accomplishment!

http://nscaa.com/articles/20081118090750381.php

2008 NSCAA High School Team Academic Award Winners Announced

A total of 402 soccer teams (148 boys, 254 girls) from throughout the United States have earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for exemplary performance in the classroom as a team during the 2007-08 academic year. Among these programs are 56 schools receiving honors for both their boys and girls teams. To qualify for the award, the team must have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for the entire academic year. The team GPA is determined by adding every player's GPA, then dividing by the number of players. 2007-08 NSCAA/adidas Boys Team Academic Award School, City, State, Coach, GPA Academic Magnet High School, North Charleston, S.C., Troy Bennage, 4.08 Alamo Heights High School, San Antonio, Texas, Bruce Fink, 3.73 Arapahoe High School, Centennial, Colo., Mark Hampshire, 3.53 Arrowhead Christian Academy, Redlands, Calif., Greg Treur, 3.32 Augusta Preparatory Day School, Martinez, Ga., Forrest Wimberly, 3.50 Avon High School, Avon, Ind., Philip Schmitt, 3.66 Bath-Haverling High School, Bath, N.Y., Matt Hill, 3.68 Bay High School, Bay Village, Ohio, Robert Dougherty, 3.39 Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn., Curtis Blair, 3.54 Beachwood High School, Beachwood, Ohio, Brian R. Greene, 3.62 Bellbrook High School, Bellbrook, Ohio, Charles Luse, 3.33 Berkeley Preparatory School, Tampa, Fla., Tim Cooper, 3.40 Blackman High School, Murfreesboro, Tenn., Bill Vice, 3.30 Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg, Va., Travis Bishop, 3.48 Blue Valley High School, Stilwell, Kan., K. Dean Snell, 3.48 Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park, Kan., Tom E. Holland, 3.50 Brenham High School, Brenham, Texas, Erik Lane, 3.28 Broadneck High School, Annapolis, Md., Sean Tettemer, 3.65 Brookland-Cayce High School, Cayce, S.C., Kevin Heise, 3.85 Broomfield High School, Broomfield, Colo., Jim Davidson, 3.60 Brophy College Preparatory , Phoenix, Ariz., Marc A. Kelly, 3.56 James F. Byrnes High School, Duncan, S.C., Matt Brophy, 3.35 Cabell Midland High School, Ona, W. Va., Jack DeFazio, 3.84 Cambridge Christian School, Tampa, Fla., Kevin Hickinbotham, 3.75 Campbellsport High School, Campbellsport, Wis., Jim Schwindt, 3.41 Canfield High School, Canfield, Ohio, Phil Simone, 3.29 Canterbury High School, Fort Wayne, Ind., Greg Mauch, 3.49 Cardinal Newman School, Columbia, S.C., Will Eudy, 3.71 Catonsville High School, Catonsville, Md., Victor Vega, 3.51 Chapin High School, Chapin, S.C., Dick Hiller, 3.40 Charles F. Brush High School, Lyndhurst , Ohio, John Scramling, 3.55 Charlotte Latin School, Charlotte, N.C., Lee Horton, 3.51 Chestatee High School, Gainesville, Ga., Michael Herrin, 3.33 Chickasha High School, Chickasha, Okla., Steve Scott, 3.25 Christ Church Episcopal School, Greenville, S.C., David A. Wilcox, 3.84 Christian Life School, Kenosha, Wis., Alan Kross, 3.47 Circle Christian School, Orlando, Fla., John Lauretta, 3.76 Cocalico High School, Denver, Pa., Bob Dungan, 3.39 Cosby High School, Midlothian, Va., Mike Anderson, 3.87 Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, Pa., David Hartlaub, 3.59 Frank W. Cox High School, Virginia Beach, Va., Richard Mead, 3.29 Crespi Carmelite High School, Encino, Calif., Rob Kodama, 3.25 Danville High School, Danville, Ky., Brent Beauman, 3.67 Danville Area High School, Danville, Pa., Christopher Johns, 3.70 Deep Run High School, Glen Allen, Va., Steven Chapman, 3.76 Dorman High School, Roebuck, S.C., Carlos Osorio, 3.45 Durham School of the Arts, Durham , N.C., Amy Green, 3.88 East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, N.C., Joe Burger, 3.60 East Hampton High School, East Hampton, Conn., Bob Boscarino, 3.67 East Limestone High School, Athens, Ala., Tim Kay, 3.80 Eastern Mennonite High School, Harrisonburg, Va., Kendal Bauman, 3.35 ELCO High School, Myerstown, Pa., Mike Seigfried, 3.58 Elyria Catholic High School, Elyria, Ohio, Michael Wisnor, 3.33 Emmaus High School, Emmaus, Pa., John Cari, 3.44 Falmouth High School, Falmouth, Maine, David Halligan Jr., 3.42 First Presbyterian Day School, Macon, Ga., Joshua Trieste, 3.42 Forest Lake Christian High School, Auburn, Calif., Thad Kopec, 3.58 Franklinton High School, Franklinton, N.C., Deran Coe, 3.65 Free State High School, Lawrence, Kan., Jason Pendleton, 3.36 Freedom, Morgantown, N.C., David Fletcher, 3.72 Friendswood High School, Friendswood, Texas, Stephen Peter, 3.49 Gaffney High School, Gaffney , S.C., Frank Ridlehoover, 3.26 Gahanna Lincoln High School, Gahanna, Ohio, Dwayne Marshall, 3.35 Gaston Day School, Gastonia, N.C., Kevin Sims, 3.82 Grants High School, Grants, N.M., Mike Hatfield, 3.61 Great Bridge High School, Chesapeake, Va., Paul Duval, 3.41 John Handley High School, Winchester, Va., Cosmo Bailo, 3.80 Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pa., Michael Pascarella, 3.47 Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, N.Y., Robert Oddo, 3.39 Hickory High School, Hickory, N.C., Brian Jillings, 3.77 Highland High School, Gilbert, Ariz., Timothy Barmettler, 3.29 Hinsdale High School, Hinsdale, Ill., Michael Wiggins, 3.38 Irmo High School, Columbia, S.C., Phil Savitz, 3.72 John F. Kennedy High School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Steven Robertson, 3.40 John F. Kennedy High School, Warren, Ohio, Stelios L. Bournias, 3.52 Kennesaw Mountain High School, Kennesaw, Ga., Daniel DePlanche, 3.25 Koehler High School, Koehler, Wis., Scott Feltner, 3.25 Lake Highland Preparatory School, Orlando, Fla., George Sasvari, 3.82 Mirabeau B. Lamar High School, Houston, Texas, Bryan Hayman, 3.26 Liberty High School, Colorado Springs, Colo., Mike Goyden, 3.30 Lima Central Catholic High School, Lima, Ohio, Bryan Burkholder, 3.94 Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, Neb., Jeff Hoham, 3.50 Loch Raven High School, Towson, Md., Joe Fiedler, 3.97 Lynbrook Senior High School, Lynbrook, N.Y., Joshua Berlin, 3.66 Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, Pa., Leighton Walters, 3.54 Manheim Central High School, Manheim, Pa., Matt Schwartz, 3.98 Mauldin High School, Mauldin, S.C., Joe Siatkowski, 3.68 McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tenn., Tony Meyers, 3.60 Bishop McGuinness High School, Oklahoma City, Okla., Andrew Worthington, 3.66 McIntosh High School, Peachtree City, Ga., Bunky Colvin, 3.41 McKinney High School, McKinney, Texas, Alan Pocock, 3.88 McKinney Boyd High School, McKinney, Texas, Daniel R. Lowe, 4.17 McQuaid Jesuit High School, Rochester, N.Y., Ken Wilkin, 3.39 Metuchen High School, Metuchen, N.J., Ken Graf, 3.46 Middletown High School, Middletown, Md., Bob Sheffler, 3.40 Morgan High School, McConnelsville, Ohio, Barry Ross, 3.39 Montclair High School, Montclair, N.J., Jack Weber, 3.67 Mount de Sales Academy, Macon, Ga., Iain Jones, 3.48 Newman Catholic High School, Wausau, Wis., Michael Switalski, 3.31 Newton-Conover High School, Newton, N.C., Angelo Palozzi, 3.57 Norcross High School, Norcross, Ga., Chris Bess, 3.17 Norwalk High School, Norwalk, Iowa, Dustin Kralik, 3.35 Northwestern High School, Rock Hill, S.C., Dominic Wren, 3.30 Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Brad Wittenborn, 3.31 Ouachita Christian School, Monroe, La., Bruce Deaton, 3.65 Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach, Va., Don Hart, 3.45 Orange High School, Pepper Pike, Ohio, Jake Cooper, 3.52 Owen County High School, Owenton, Ky., Jerry Doolin, 3.30 Owensboro High School, Owensboro, Ky., L. Dale Poole, 3.40 Parkview High School, Lilburn, Ga., Michael Tolmich, 3.33 Pewaukee High School, Pewaukee, Wis., Randy Staus, 3.37 Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, Pittsburgh, Pa., Edward R. Powers, 3.27 Pittsford Mendon High School, Pittsford, N.Y., Mark Hurley, 3.57 Pittsford Sutherland High School, Pittsford, N.Y., Stephen Schreib, 3.28 Princeton High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, Jeff Hemphill, 3.40 Randolph-Macon Academy, Front Royal, Va., Frank Shreve, 3.46 Regina High School, Iowa City, Iowa, Rick Larew, 3.51 Rice Memorial High School, South Burlington, Vt., Ed DeMulder, 3.50 Roncalli High School, Indianapolis, Ind., Bryce M. Cooper, 3.56 St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland, Ohio, Mike McLaughlin, 3.60 St. Louis Catholic High School, Lake Charles, La., Jason Oertling, 3.33 St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Dover, N.H., Scott Suleski, 3.28 St. Vincent St. Mary High School, Akron, Ohio, John Stavros, 3.35 St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Ky., Andy Schulten, 3.94 Shady Side Academy, Pittsburgh, Pa., Harry Fleishman, 3.44 Shawnee Heights High School, Tecumseh, Kan., Michael Balint, 3.38 Siegel High School, Murfreesboro, Tenn., Eric Shelton, 3.37 Smyrna High School, Smyrna, Ga., Bill McCloskey, 3.56 Sparta High School, Sparta, N.J., Andrew Lowery, 3.60 Staples High School, Westport, Conn., Dan Woog, 3.31 Starr's Mill High School, Fayetteville, Ga., Mike Hanie, 3.44 State College Area High School, State College, Pa., John Marsden, 3.43 The Summit Country Day School, Cincinnati, Ohio, Barnard Baker, 3.68 Taylor High School, North Bend, Ohio, Jim Mercer, 3.63 Trinity High School, Louisville, Ky., Gregory Moss-Brown, 3.46 Tullahoma High School, Tullahoma, Tenn., Richie Chadwick, 3.49 Twinsburg High School, Twinsburg, Ohio, Michael Lally, 3.36 Wadsworth High School, Wadsworth, Ohio, John Johnson, 3.34 Wahlert Catholic High School, Dubuque, Iowa, Will Spencer, 3.42 Wakefield High School, Raleigh, N.C., Scott C. Sloan, 3.64 Walkersville High School, Walkersville, Md., Kevin Conley, 3.54 Wasatch High School, Heber City, Utah, Dawain M. Wheatley, 3.40 George Washington High School, Charleston, W. Va., Tom Hopper, 4.15 West Ashley High School, Charleston, S.C., Stephen Jackson, 3.36 West Babylon High School, West Babylon, N.Y., Jeff Cronk, 3.98 West Morris Central High School, Chester, N.J., Matt Ferreri, 3.33 Whitewater High School, Fayetteville, Ga., Shane Pulliam, 3.57 Woodbury Junior Senior High School, Woodbury, N.J., Marc Cannulli, 3.30 Worthington Kilbourne High School, Columbus, Ohio, Jon Sprunger, 3.51

“.docx” Issues

The school district switched over to Windows 2007 this past summer. I like the new layout for the Microsoft programs in the 2007 format and have not found much difficulty with the transition.

I am sure, as with all of the new technology today, I am only using a small fraction of all that is available to the user. That is frustrating if you think about it – so I simply try not to think about that.

The one problem with the Windows 2007 package that I am struggling with always seems to hit me first thing in the morning. Now that this blog is in its third year, I have teachers, administrators, board members, and people in the community who will send me ideas for postings. Some even go as far as to send me draft copy of the text to use (and that is great!).

The problem I have encountered is that I will now have a potential post saved -- waiting to be published -- but it sits in the new Windows 2007 format (with that “.docx” suffix). And, I sit here at home with the older version of Windows on an Apple machine.

I think there is a “patch” . . . but I am not sure one exists for the Apple version. It probably would take less time to find the patch than write this entry . . . but it seems that this is how we sometimes go about our struggles with the new technologies.

So – I still need to overcome this hurdle. Anyone find that patch yet? I know that I tried a Google search once – to no avail. I am sure it is only a matter of time before I get this right . . . but this can be when technology gets frustrating.

Oh well – off to my good, old-fashioned hard copy of the newspaper that is sitting at end of my driveway. I know that I will have no trouble opening that.

It's December!

I hope that you all had a safe, enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.

At my house, we even started decorating for the next holiday already. I almost feel like the stores, but they still had a big head start on that front. My youngest wanted to “do it up big” this year with the decorations. I guess we could not figure out what that would mean other than getting started earlier.

At school, we have a full plate during the next three and a half weeks, and the winter concerts fill the evening agendas:

Tuesday, December 9: Elementary Winter Concert
Tuesday, December 16: Junior High School Choir Concert
Thursday, December 18: High School Band Concert
Monday, December 22: High School Choir Concert

Enjoy!