December is a very busy month, filled with special programs to attend, shopping, rehearsals, concerts, shopping, basketball practice, shopping, indoor soccer, shopping.......you get the picture! For me, there are also teacher instructional observations to complete, numerous state and local meetings to attend, professional development plans to develop, and the beginnings of our budget development for the next school year. Yes, part of what I must do is certainly best described as "multi-tasking." We have only just completed the wrap up of the 2009-2010 school year and will really only complete it at our December board meeting when Mrs. Goodman reviews our test scores and instructional plan. We are now, of course, in the midst of this school year, working hard with all of our young learners. I must continue to plan for the future, much of that planning is yet to come of course with information from the state, but instructional plans and staffing with corresponding budget figures are all being contemplated within the newly mandated 2% cap.
So during this festive holiday season, among the field trips, concerts and celebrations, know that quality instruction continues to be carried out every day here at BES. I wish you all a peacefilled and enjoyable holiday break, and wish you a happy and safe new year!
Mark Saalfield
Superintendent
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A Time for Giving Thanks
November is always a difficult month with many interruptions for teacher's convention and thanksgiving. So before you know it, that wonderful holiday will be here, filled with friends, relatives and way too much food! That started me thinking about the things I am thankful for instead of all the challenges we face. With that in mind, I decided for this month's post to list my top ten things I am thankful for, sort of Letterman style. So without further ado, here are is my top ten list.
MR SAALFIELD'S TOP TEN THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR
10. Our many wonderful Posse volunteers
9. Our dedicated para-professional staff
8. Our enthusiastic PTG
7. The overwhelming support for our budget from the school and community
6. A teaching staff that has embraced new ideas and changes, and tolerated the speed at
which I try to implement them.
5. An outstanding administrative staff; Principal, Supervisor of Special Services and Business
Administrator; who work more hours than can be counted and always put children first.
4. Wonderful cherished friends
3. Our hard-working support staff (secretaries and custodians) who strive for perfection
2. Our committed and well informed Board of Education
And the number one thing to be thankful for is:
1. We filled our two huge oil tanks last spring, saving thousands of dollars for the tax payers
(18,000 gals)
We should all take a look at our glass, and try to be sure it is always viewed as half-full. If we keep a positive outlook on life, as we navigate life's challenges, the outcomes we receive are most often what we desire. I hope you have a peace-filled month with many things to be thankful for.
MR SAALFIELD'S TOP TEN THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR
10. Our many wonderful Posse volunteers
9. Our dedicated para-professional staff
8. Our enthusiastic PTG
7. The overwhelming support for our budget from the school and community
6. A teaching staff that has embraced new ideas and changes, and tolerated the speed at
which I try to implement them.
5. An outstanding administrative staff; Principal, Supervisor of Special Services and Business
Administrator; who work more hours than can be counted and always put children first.
4. Wonderful cherished friends
3. Our hard-working support staff (secretaries and custodians) who strive for perfection
2. Our committed and well informed Board of Education
And the number one thing to be thankful for is:
1. We filled our two huge oil tanks last spring, saving thousands of dollars for the tax payers
(18,000 gals)
We should all take a look at our glass, and try to be sure it is always viewed as half-full. If we keep a positive outlook on life, as we navigate life's challenges, the outcomes we receive are most often what we desire. I hope you have a peace-filled month with many things to be thankful for.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Technology @ BES
I know many of you were excited to view the technology used by many of your children, in all grade levels. We are proud that every instructional space in Blairstown Elementary School now has a Mimio/Smart board. As you saw demonstrated at our back to school nights, teachers are enthusiastically utilizing their new instructional equipment and will be receiving additional training as the year progresses. It is important to note that not a single taxpayer dollar was used to purchase this equipment as all of the funding came from the federal ARRA monies. Blairstown Elementary School has also added a 30 unit, portable, wireless laptop cart which is housed in a separate section of the Media Center, enabling teachers to take their class to the library and have every child using a laptop computer. It's like adding an extra classroom space, again with no cost to the taxpayer. Currently, Mrs. Truelove is teaching computer skills to 3rd and 4th grade students, but as teachers are trained, all grade levels will be able to schedule time for their students to use the new computer lab.
Our new student information system is up and running and it includes modules for food service, teachers, and Special Education. These modules make our staff more efficient and provide for better service for children and parents alike. Soon we will be reviewing web-based lesson planners as well as parent-portals so parents can support their children and keep up-to-date with homework assignments, projects and special upcoming events on a school-wide basis. Several teachers provide a class web page for parents and students already with timely information for immediate and long-term use.
As Blairstown Elementary moves forward with our continuing efforts to bring your children the best possible educational experience, we must plan for the future. As far as technology goes, I will be holding a Technology Advisory Panel meeting during the latter part of October for all school and/or community members who may be interested in attending. The purpose of this meeting will be two-fold; first, to inform those members of the public attending what technology assets we have in place, and what our current plans for the future are; and secondly, to discuss future priorities as they relate to new equipment, infrastructure and training. In other words, where do we want to go and how do we get there! So please check the school website and weekly newsletter for more information regarding the date and time for this evening discussion.
Our new student information system is up and running and it includes modules for food service, teachers, and Special Education. These modules make our staff more efficient and provide for better service for children and parents alike. Soon we will be reviewing web-based lesson planners as well as parent-portals so parents can support their children and keep up-to-date with homework assignments, projects and special upcoming events on a school-wide basis. Several teachers provide a class web page for parents and students already with timely information for immediate and long-term use.
As Blairstown Elementary moves forward with our continuing efforts to bring your children the best possible educational experience, we must plan for the future. As far as technology goes, I will be holding a Technology Advisory Panel meeting during the latter part of October for all school and/or community members who may be interested in attending. The purpose of this meeting will be two-fold; first, to inform those members of the public attending what technology assets we have in place, and what our current plans for the future are; and secondly, to discuss future priorities as they relate to new equipment, infrastructure and training. In other words, where do we want to go and how do we get there! So please check the school website and weekly newsletter for more information regarding the date and time for this evening discussion.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Opening Day, 2010 at Blairstown Elementary School
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
- Benjamin Franklin
Welcome to my first blog post! It has been a very busy summer as we worked to prepare the district for the first day of school; visioning, planning, coordinating and delegating all of the many items that go into opening one of the largest and most important organizations in our town. I have coordinated the efforts of many individuals so that we will have a safe and healthful school environment, filled with the tools and equipment our fine teaching staff needs to provide the superior educational experience you have all come to expect and deserve. Our vacancies in teaching staff are filled, materials have arrived and been distributed, and schedules and transportation plans completed.
I have the responsibility to be sure that the school, parents and community work together for the good of all our students, and to provide the kind of positive communication which makes the continued educational progress possible. I look forward to seeing you all throughout the school year and I invite and encourage you to attend the various programs and events here at Blairstown Elementary School and see first hand the joy of learning taking place each and every day. Please feel free to contact me through the main office whenever you have a question or a concern. Let's all have a fantastic school year!
- Benjamin Franklin
Welcome to my first blog post! It has been a very busy summer as we worked to prepare the district for the first day of school; visioning, planning, coordinating and delegating all of the many items that go into opening one of the largest and most important organizations in our town. I have coordinated the efforts of many individuals so that we will have a safe and healthful school environment, filled with the tools and equipment our fine teaching staff needs to provide the superior educational experience you have all come to expect and deserve. Our vacancies in teaching staff are filled, materials have arrived and been distributed, and schedules and transportation plans completed.
I have the responsibility to be sure that the school, parents and community work together for the good of all our students, and to provide the kind of positive communication which makes the continued educational progress possible. I look forward to seeing you all throughout the school year and I invite and encourage you to attend the various programs and events here at Blairstown Elementary School and see first hand the joy of learning taking place each and every day. Please feel free to contact me through the main office whenever you have a question or a concern. Let's all have a fantastic school year!
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