Well the testing season for school accountability ratings is done in the state of Texas. As principal of one of the million schools in the great state of Texas I am like everyone else trying to crunch our numbers to see how we performed as a school. This is the third year of me being principal at my campus and you always hear how it takes 3 years to really see how you are doing as a campus.
There are 4 accountability ratings handed out by the state.
1. Unacceptable
2. Acceptable
3. Recognized
4. Exemplary
Your rating as a campus is based on the lowest score of your sub population that counts. In other words if you have one sub population that is in the acceptable range but all others are in the exemplary range then you are an acceptable campus. Also it is possible for a kid to count in more than one sub population.
African American
White
Hispanic
Asian Pacific Islander
Economically Disadvantaged
At-Risk
It is possible for a kid to be white and economically disadvantaged and at-risk. If he does not pass he counts in three areas.
Well my campus is RECOGNIZED for the first time EVER this year. This is HUGE NEWS!!! Of course we get the official word from the state in October but at the moment it is looking really good.
I am so proud of my campus, the kids, and staff. WHOOHOO
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY
Wow we had a great day on Monday. Everyone slept in or stayed quiet until around 8:00 AM. We had breakfast as a family and everyone helped clean up. I got an opportunity to visit with my sister for a while and then I met Tracey and the kids over at Kirsten's house for swimming. The kids swam for about 2 and half hours then came in for a snack and we watched Veggie Tales. The kids passed out in the car on the way home and slept for about two hours. We went over to my parents for a hot dog cookout and home made ice cream.
WHAT A GREAT DAY!! I hope everyone enjoyed times with their families as we observe those who are serving our country or have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom's we enjoy.
Thank you to
My Grandfather Fincannon for his service in WWII. I miss you Grandpa.
My Great Grandfather for his service in WWI and WWII.
My Uncle Wayne for his service in Vietnam
Tracey's Uncle George for his service in Korea- Rest In Peace Uncle George.
Tracey's Uncle Jim for his service in Vietnam
I have much respect for the sacrifices these family members made for their country.
WHAT A GREAT DAY!! I hope everyone enjoyed times with their families as we observe those who are serving our country or have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom's we enjoy.
Thank you to
My Grandfather Fincannon for his service in WWII. I miss you Grandpa.
My Great Grandfather for his service in WWI and WWII.
My Uncle Wayne for his service in Vietnam
Tracey's Uncle George for his service in Korea- Rest In Peace Uncle George.
Tracey's Uncle Jim for his service in Vietnam
I have much respect for the sacrifices these family members made for their country.
Back To WORK!!
Well, I officially start back to work TODAY at a part time basis. I will get to finish off the school year. This has been my goal since the last day I was officially at work on October 1st. I will finish off my contract in June on part time status. Technically I get the month of July off but in reality it is about two weeks. Which is fine. Then in August I will be on full time status.
Thank you to my doctor's and God for helping make this happen.
Thank you to my doctor's and God for helping make this happen.
O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A
Tracey's aunt passed away last week after a brief illness. Tracey's mothers side of the family are all in Oklahoma. We have not had the opportunity to visit this side of the family over the passed couple of years because of my health. The funeral is Tuesday but we could not make the funeral. So we decided to fly up to OK on Sunday to pay our respects. We took the kids with us because many folks on that side of the family had not seen Jack since he was a baby and had never seen Caroline. Tracey's sister went with us as well.
We had the kids set. They had some electronic devices to help pass the time as well as coloring books and snacks. They did AWESOME all day. This was their second time on an airplane but the first time on an airplane with Tracey and I. On the way to Oklahoma Jack sat with me and Tracey and Caroline sat with Tracey's sister Kirsten. As is par for Caroline the questions started when she sat down and with the exception of about 7 minutes total asked questions continued through the entire 46 minute flight. Kirsten answered every single question and never batted an eye. Tracey and I usually put Caroline on some type of limit when she gets rolling like that and then we enjoy "quiet time". Jack mean while was glued to either one of the four things. First, the window. Second, his DS. Third, his peanuts. Finally, his Coke. Once we landed we got off the plane and everyone went to the restroom. This is where Jack asked the question of the day. As we were washing our hands Jack looked over at me and said, " Dad, do people in Oklahoma speak English?" My response....Yes Jack they do. We are in a different state not country.
We visited Tracey's Uncle first. They live out in the country and have many different types of animals on their land. Between the goats, Ginni's (sp?), dogs, and cats the kids thought they were at a petting zoo. They LOVED IT. We had to drag Caroline away from the goats.
We then went to visit Tracey's cousin and visited with that side of the family. The kids enjoyed their time here as well and Tracey, Kirsten, and myself enjoyed getting caught up with the family.
Overall we enjoyed visiting the whole family. It was a very nice time.
We flew back the same day. On the way home Caroline and Jack switched. Caroline did not ask near as many questions on the return flight. Jack really enjoyed seeing all of the lights. It was the first time he has ever flown at night. We got to our car and the kids passed out right as I got on the freeway.
It was a very good day. We will definitely be returning this summer to see the goats! Caroline wont let us forget this promise.
We had the kids set. They had some electronic devices to help pass the time as well as coloring books and snacks. They did AWESOME all day. This was their second time on an airplane but the first time on an airplane with Tracey and I. On the way to Oklahoma Jack sat with me and Tracey and Caroline sat with Tracey's sister Kirsten. As is par for Caroline the questions started when she sat down and with the exception of about 7 minutes total asked questions continued through the entire 46 minute flight. Kirsten answered every single question and never batted an eye. Tracey and I usually put Caroline on some type of limit when she gets rolling like that and then we enjoy "quiet time". Jack mean while was glued to either one of the four things. First, the window. Second, his DS. Third, his peanuts. Finally, his Coke. Once we landed we got off the plane and everyone went to the restroom. This is where Jack asked the question of the day. As we were washing our hands Jack looked over at me and said, " Dad, do people in Oklahoma speak English?" My response....Yes Jack they do. We are in a different state not country.
We visited Tracey's Uncle first. They live out in the country and have many different types of animals on their land. Between the goats, Ginni's (sp?), dogs, and cats the kids thought they were at a petting zoo. They LOVED IT. We had to drag Caroline away from the goats.
We then went to visit Tracey's cousin and visited with that side of the family. The kids enjoyed their time here as well and Tracey, Kirsten, and myself enjoyed getting caught up with the family.
Overall we enjoyed visiting the whole family. It was a very nice time.
We flew back the same day. On the way home Caroline and Jack switched. Caroline did not ask near as many questions on the return flight. Jack really enjoyed seeing all of the lights. It was the first time he has ever flown at night. We got to our car and the kids passed out right as I got on the freeway.
It was a very good day. We will definitely be returning this summer to see the goats! Caroline wont let us forget this promise.
Kitchen Make Over Has Started
Tracey and I have had big plans for our kitchen since we moved in three years ago. When we put pencil to paper and figured out what it was going to cost us we had a tab of around $40,000. Now in that figure was the "Pie In The Sky" dream kitchen. But we figured this was our home that we would raise our kids in plus depending on where our kids end up could very well be our last home.
So clearly to pay for this we had to do it in stages or wait for someone to give us 40K. Well I got tired of waiting for someone in my or Tracey's family to cough up the dough. HA!
So where to start? Well we have the original dish washer from when the house was built. So what we decided was to start there. Our list grew though. Our oven is also original so we put that on the list. Then our list grew some more. I was looking at over the counter microwaves because I wanted to get our microwave off the counter. I am big fan of less is MORE on the counter top. Makes the kitchen look bigger then if you have a bunch of crap on it. So I walked out of Home Depot with the following.
1. One Convection Oven- This gives you the benefit of a regular double oven in a single because of the air flow.
2. A microwave- This will be a stand alone unit but by father and I are going to build a shelf above the oven so it will get off of the cabinet.
3. One Dishwasher- Oddly this is probably the thing that Tracey and I are most excited about.
We went with stainless steel on all of the appliances. This will be a major upgrade to the kitchen. We were excited also because we saved about 400 dollars with the 10% off all appliances and TAX FREE on energy saver appliances. These savings allowed us to upgrade to a higher level on the dishwasher and pay for itself. SCORE!!!
Delivery is SATURDAY!!!
Now what is next??? Get rid of wall paper and paint? Shudder's for the kitchen to finish off the house? Flooring? or the biggy....granite countertops???? So much to do...so little money!!
So clearly to pay for this we had to do it in stages or wait for someone to give us 40K. Well I got tired of waiting for someone in my or Tracey's family to cough up the dough. HA!
So where to start? Well we have the original dish washer from when the house was built. So what we decided was to start there. Our list grew though. Our oven is also original so we put that on the list. Then our list grew some more. I was looking at over the counter microwaves because I wanted to get our microwave off the counter. I am big fan of less is MORE on the counter top. Makes the kitchen look bigger then if you have a bunch of crap on it. So I walked out of Home Depot with the following.
1. One Convection Oven- This gives you the benefit of a regular double oven in a single because of the air flow.
2. A microwave- This will be a stand alone unit but by father and I are going to build a shelf above the oven so it will get off of the cabinet.
3. One Dishwasher- Oddly this is probably the thing that Tracey and I are most excited about.
We went with stainless steel on all of the appliances. This will be a major upgrade to the kitchen. We were excited also because we saved about 400 dollars with the 10% off all appliances and TAX FREE on energy saver appliances. These savings allowed us to upgrade to a higher level on the dishwasher and pay for itself. SCORE!!!
Delivery is SATURDAY!!!
Now what is next??? Get rid of wall paper and paint? Shudder's for the kitchen to finish off the house? Flooring? or the biggy....granite countertops???? So much to do...so little money!!
Friday, May 23, 2008
I am STUNNED by this teacher
Okay, I had my parent teacher conference with Jack's teacher. It did not go well. The teacher conference time is 45 minutes. I knew I was up against it because she only gave me 30 minutes of her time.
I come in and thank her for her time and her body language is horrible. I tell she is mad because she won't even look at me. I fight through that and ask my questions regarding Jack's grades. She is very helpful but again won't look at me. She then tells me she just has to get this off her chest but that she found my email questioning her integrity.
DING- ROUND 1- Taken back by this I listened to her and I apologized if I came across this way. She smiled and thanked me. What she found questioning her "integrity" if I shared with you you would find was just asking a question trying to understand what Jack was doing to get out of work in her class so that I could nip it.
ROUND 2- I ask her a question trying to understand her classroom process so I can see how Jack is getting around her system. I shut up and let her talk for about 7 minutes while she explains her "wonderful" teaching technique. When I ask her a follow up question that when she answers shows a GLARING hole in how she holds the kids accountable {and best of all she realized it as soon as she said it,) I asked the following question: So what can we do to make sure Jack has completed the assignment other than looking up and seeing he is in centers and assuming he has done his work when we have already established that he has had a history of putting the "boring" worksheet away and going to the fun centers.
Her answer? Well I could have him show me his work. My answer? SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN....(duh) I thought.
Well her answer to that was that she has been doing this a long time and that is how she will continue to run the classroom as best she see's fit.
My answer to that? Mrs........ I have been doing this for a while myself and one thing I pride myself on is that I continue to improve and "GROW" each year and never assume that just because I have always done something one way does not mean that it is the best way.
You could see her just shake.
She then told me that I needed to be careful because I did not want Jack to become the child that nobody wanted.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!
I could not believe she said that to a parent. If I were her principal and I found out a teacher said that to a parent.....oh my GOD!!!
She was pissed so I did not say anything. I thanked her for her time and left.
I did however call the Principal and let her know what she said. I told the whole story to the principal and was honest in that there was fault all around. I was at fault for "offending" the teacher in an email. I should have called so that she could hear my voice and tone. I apologized multiple times for this during the meeting and told the principal that. I also said that I found her comment to me about Jack totally unacceptable and that while I felt an apology was in order I did not expect from Mrs....... because she cannot see that she is at fault for anything. (After all she has been doing this for more than 15 years. AND EVERYONE KNOWS THAT AFTER YOU ARE IN A JOB FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS YOU DON'T MAKE MISTAKES.)
The principal totally agreed with me obviously and apologized and ensured me she would talk to Mrs..........
Well are you ready for this??
Mrs. ..... called me this afternoon and TOTALLY FREAKING DENIED SHE EVER SAID THAT!! I WAS FREAKING STUNNED!! I told her um...yeah Mrs...... you did. I know this because I was so STUNNED you would say that to a parent. She again said...no I never said anything like that.
I cannot believe this woman cannot freaking APOLOGIZE for ANYTHING!!!!
I just paused and said....Amazing Mrs..... Well, we are going to agree to disagree and move on. I thanked her for her time and hung up.
I spoke with the principal and told what she did. WHY WOULD I MAKE WHAT SHE SAID UP???? I told her principal she got her Ox caught in a ditch and she is embarrassed and scared and she is trying to cover her tracks.
Unbelievable.....two more ....just two more weeks.
I come in and thank her for her time and her body language is horrible. I tell she is mad because she won't even look at me. I fight through that and ask my questions regarding Jack's grades. She is very helpful but again won't look at me. She then tells me she just has to get this off her chest but that she found my email questioning her integrity.
DING- ROUND 1- Taken back by this I listened to her and I apologized if I came across this way. She smiled and thanked me. What she found questioning her "integrity" if I shared with you you would find was just asking a question trying to understand what Jack was doing to get out of work in her class so that I could nip it.
ROUND 2- I ask her a question trying to understand her classroom process so I can see how Jack is getting around her system. I shut up and let her talk for about 7 minutes while she explains her "wonderful" teaching technique. When I ask her a follow up question that when she answers shows a GLARING hole in how she holds the kids accountable {and best of all she realized it as soon as she said it,) I asked the following question: So what can we do to make sure Jack has completed the assignment other than looking up and seeing he is in centers and assuming he has done his work when we have already established that he has had a history of putting the "boring" worksheet away and going to the fun centers.
Her answer? Well I could have him show me his work. My answer? SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN....(duh) I thought.
Well her answer to that was that she has been doing this a long time and that is how she will continue to run the classroom as best she see's fit.
My answer to that? Mrs........ I have been doing this for a while myself and one thing I pride myself on is that I continue to improve and "GROW" each year and never assume that just because I have always done something one way does not mean that it is the best way.
You could see her just shake.
She then told me that I needed to be careful because I did not want Jack to become the child that nobody wanted.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!
I could not believe she said that to a parent. If I were her principal and I found out a teacher said that to a parent.....oh my GOD!!!
She was pissed so I did not say anything. I thanked her for her time and left.
I did however call the Principal and let her know what she said. I told the whole story to the principal and was honest in that there was fault all around. I was at fault for "offending" the teacher in an email. I should have called so that she could hear my voice and tone. I apologized multiple times for this during the meeting and told the principal that. I also said that I found her comment to me about Jack totally unacceptable and that while I felt an apology was in order I did not expect from Mrs....... because she cannot see that she is at fault for anything. (After all she has been doing this for more than 15 years. AND EVERYONE KNOWS THAT AFTER YOU ARE IN A JOB FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS YOU DON'T MAKE MISTAKES.)
The principal totally agreed with me obviously and apologized and ensured me she would talk to Mrs..........
Well are you ready for this??
Mrs. ..... called me this afternoon and TOTALLY FREAKING DENIED SHE EVER SAID THAT!! I WAS FREAKING STUNNED!! I told her um...yeah Mrs...... you did. I know this because I was so STUNNED you would say that to a parent. She again said...no I never said anything like that.
I cannot believe this woman cannot freaking APOLOGIZE for ANYTHING!!!!
I just paused and said....Amazing Mrs..... Well, we are going to agree to disagree and move on. I thanked her for her time and hung up.
I spoke with the principal and told what she did. WHY WOULD I MAKE WHAT SHE SAID UP???? I told her principal she got her Ox caught in a ditch and she is embarrassed and scared and she is trying to cover her tracks.
Unbelievable.....two more ....just two more weeks.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Teacher is Scared !
Well here we go. We had the teacher conference scheduled and I was ready to go. Then Mrs. I Got My Ox In A Ditch went to talk to her principal. The principal called in the counselor. And now my parent conference has been moved so that the counselor can be present at our meeting. I swear this lady can't do anything by herself.
I will let you know how this goes.
I will let you know how this goes.
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