PBJHS - Monday 5/21/12

The end of the year!

A great year at PBJHS is soon coming to a close. Take time this week to share some of your favorite stories and memories with your students; take time to honor and recognize the past while looking toward the future...

Finish strong because you only get one chance to finish...

Leave it all out on the table and leave a lasting impression...

Be great PBJHS!

Still looking for your help:

As we begin our push to integrate Character Education into our Academic Lab time next year, we are in need of some passionate PBJHS teachers who are interested in helping to plan and organize a Character Education initiative. If you are interested in being on the ground floor of this program, please email Dr. Tarte expressing your interest.

**BONUS: Many PBJHS staff members are already involved in some type of extra-curricular activity, club, committee, or sport, and we are extremely thankful for that. If you have not been able to get involved with something outside of your teaching duties, next year is your chance. Ask around and see who needs help and consider how you can use your strengths and interests to continue helping move PBJHS forward! We appreciate all you do!

First image of the week: Thank you for making sure school does not feel like this for our students at PBJHS... (thank you @joe_bower)

Five great blog posts to end out the year:

1) - Swimming against the tide

2) - 14 simple strategies to be more positive

3) - The irresponsibility of grading responsibility

4) - Rules... are for the teachers...

5) - Self-worth

Tweet of the week:

"Motivated, engaged, challenged, and successful students are well-behaved, not because they’ve been threatened but because they are too busy engaged in learning to misbehave. The goal of classroom management is not quiet classrooms, it’s productive students."

Video of the week: "Response to principal who bans social media"

Second image of the week:

Bonus video courtesy of Officer Courtney:

Have a great summer!!

PBJHS - Tuesday 5/15/12

Check out this awesomeness!

Turtle races in Mrs. Russell's, Mrs. White's, and Mr. McClure's classes were pretty intense this past week. If you see Kaleb Stacy in the hall be sure to congratulate him since his turtle had a near breaking the sound barrier speed of 7.1 inches per second!


Talk to Coach Clark, Mrs. Nicolini, or Mrs. Yarbro about the "egg drop competition" currently going on in all 8th grade science classes. The kids are taking their creativity and innovation to the next level!


Calling all "Character Educators..."
Our most recent professional development survey provided us some great guidance as we look at the needs of PBJHS for the upcoming school year. Here are the results of the survey:

The lower the "rating average," the more important our staff felt that particular need was. So, Character Education and intervention strategies were the top two needs our staff has established for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year. In terms of intervention strategies, our leadership team will be reading an "intervention" book this summer and we plan to share our findings with the staff in August. For Character Education, we need YOU!

Our leadership team has made a commitment to using time during academic lab next year to help integrate Character Education into the unofficial curricula at PBJHS. We talked about having a theme for every month, and discussed a once a week lesson tied to Character Education during academic lab time. If you are interested in helping to plan this and are passionate about getting more Character Education into the lives of our students, please send Dr. Tarte an email expressing your interest.  

5 blog posts of the week:

1) - I failed

2) - 10 things I wish I had never learned about teaching

3) - Afraid of change?

4) - Points don't work. Respecting students does...

5) - A new take on kids behaving badly

Spring Fling this Friday at Bluff Falls starting at 6 p.m.


PBJHS staff, come join us for a fun night of FREE entertainment at Bluff Falls this Friday, May 18, to celebrate the 8th grade students moving on to high school.


Image of the week: Are you using self-reflection as your most powerful tool...?

Video of the week: Be great, powerful beyond measure...

Tweet of the week by Todd Whitaker (@toddwhitaker)

"The best way to make sure students do not act like the year is over is for the educators to not act like the year is over."

PBJHS - Tuesday 5/8/12

Teacher appreciation week!

May 7 through May 11 is the official week we honor and celebrate the hard work and commitment of teachers across the United States. PBJHS is extremely fortunate to have both a professional and dedicated group of teachers who are willing to go above and beyond for our students. You don't have to go far in this building to see a teacher doing something extraordinary for our students, and it's because of that we honor and celebrate your perseverance and commitment to ensuring PBJHS students reach their fullest potential. Enjoy your goodies this week, courtesy of our PTO. Thank you for all you do!

Mark your calendar:

Tuesday 5/8 - Insurance enrollment in the cafeteria, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (bring a pen)
Wednesday 5/9 - Early release day (schedule was emailed out on Monday), MAP Survivor Games meeting after early release schedule in the library (15-20 minutes), and Book club in Mr. Dunn's room after MAP Survivor Games meeting
Monday 5/14 - "Bully" day at PBJHS (schedule and lesson plan emailed out on Monday), Honors Banquet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..
Tuesday 5/15 - Faculty dinner from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church on Main Street
Wednesday 5/16 - MAP Survivor Games
Friday 5/18 - Spring Fling at Bluff Falls from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..

Keep it up!

Kudos to all the teachers at PBJHS who have been pushing themselves into uncharted territory by trying new things in their classrooms. Kids at PBJHS are spreading the word about the awesome things they are doing in their classrooms, and their enthusiasm toward these engaging and non-traditional activities is infectious. Keep it up, and be sure to share your experiences with your colleagues! 

Image of the week:

Video of the week:

Tweet of the week:

"Children are like wet cement, whatever falls on them makes an impression" - Haim Ginott

5 blog posts of the week:

1) - Because I don't want to...

2) - The North Star effect: improvement by degrees

3) - Technology tools for teaching & learning

4) - 10 inspiring Youtube videos for teachers

5) - Bringing students in from the "cold"


Poem of the week: "Practice what you preach by Ben L. Byer"

It's easier to preach than to practice

It's easier to say than to do.

Most sermons are heard by the many

But taken to heart by the few.

It's easier to cheer than to battle

It's easier to stay than to go.

To drift you but lay down the oars

Go go upstream you must row.

PBJHS - Tuesday 5/1/12

17 days (counting today) left of school:

Our 2011-2012 school year is fast approaching its end. We have all worked very hard to make this a successful school year. With a little more than three weeks remaining, this is your opportunity to take a risk and try something new in your classroom. Thank you for all that you do for PBJHS students and staff. Now, let's finish the year strong PBJHS!

Awesome news from last week:

Several teachers at PBJHS got their webcams set up last week. We were able to have 4 different classrooms all simultaneously communicating back and forth with one another by using a Google Hangout. We still have 5 webcams available. Please contact Dr. Tarte if you are interested.

Tweet of the week:

"When you exhibit excitement toward learning, your students will follow suit & be excited about learning as well... be the model."

Looking ahead...

Great news! We have just been informed that our entire student body and staff will have the opportunity to attend a free showing of the new, "Bully" movie on Monday, May 14 at the Poplar Bluff AMC theater. We are still finalizing the logistics, but we are tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of May, 14. While we realize this is short notice, we feel this event will be an excellent way to raise awareness about the problems of bullying. Thank you for your flexibility and patience; more details and information will be available soon.


Image of the week:

Video of the week: Animal School

5 blog posts of the week:

1) - The cone of learning

2) - The power of reflection

3) - Another reason to share...

4) - Building hope

5) - A simple phone call

Bonus image of the week: "What's the focus... getting good grades or learning? Are they the same thing?

PBJHS - Tuesday 4/24/12

Awesome news from last week:

PBJHS students: Peyton Bradley, Austin Grable, Isaiah Williams, Jacob Wethington, Jansen Gilmore & Benji Becker all took the plunge & shaved their heads last week in honor of Scott McClintock. Each student was inspired by Scott's recent speech at their youth group titled, "we are not guaranteed tomorrow." Great job guys, & way to be leaders by showing your support & commitment to helping others. You are all an inspiration!



Tech Tuesday thoughts...

We recently purchased 10 webcams for teachers to use in their classrooms. We are interested in having a couple short webcam "learning sessions" after school before the end of the school year. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Tarte.






Image of the week: Above the line thinking, or below the line thinking...

Tweet of the week:
"By your actions, not your words, you will show others what you stand for & what you strongly believe in..."

Video of the week:

PBJHS book club meeting:
We will be meeting on Wednesday 5/9/12 in Mr. Dunn's room to discuss, "Drive," by Daniel Pink. 5/9 is an early release day, and there is a short MAP Survivor Day meeting immediately following the early release day. Book club will be meeting after the MAP survivor meeting. 1:45 - 2:45 - early release schedule, 2:45 - 3:00 - MAP Survivor meeting, 3:00 - 4:00 - Book club meeting.

5 blog posts of the week:

1) - Before you assign that homework by @azjd

2) - Motivating students who don't care by @ascd

3) - You want me to do what? by @thompson_shs

4) - What do you mean? by @whatedsaid

5) - Doodlers unite!

PBJHS - Tuesday 4/17/12

Shout out to PBJHS students...

On Friday, PBJHS hosted the annual Special Olympics. PBJHS students represented our school quite well: 

9 gold medals
5 silver medals
8 bronze medals
and 3 in 4th place!!!!!

Kudos to all of our awesome students who participated; way to go!



Video of the week... Jon Gordon (@jongordon11) - "Feed the positive dog"

Tweet of the week...
"Whoever thinks learning is contained to four walls & a neatly set of arranged desks is really missing out on when & where learning can occur..."

Image of the week...

5 blog posts of the week...

1) - Uphill both ways in a snowstorm by @birklearns

2) - Are you boring your students into misbehavior?

3) - Fighting engagement deficit disorder

4) - Don't tell anybody by @jmclean77

5) - Showing up...

Book club information:
- Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 5/2/12 immediately after school in Mr. Dunn's room. We will be reading, "Drive," by Daniel Pink. There are still a few copies in Dr. Tarte's office for those who are interested or those who have not picked up their copy yet.

**We recently purchased a few copies of Ruby Payne's, "A framework for understanding poverty." For those who are interested, see Mrs. Jackson or Mrs. Duckett to get a copy of the book.

PBJHS - Thursday 4/12/12

PBJHS staff,

Giving thanks:
- We appreciate everyone's effort and hard work in ensuring our students have the best opportunity to show their abilities on the MAP test. Additionally, we would like to thank Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Duckett for helping to orchestrate this complex and important event. Thank you again to all!

Hoping to make you smile...
Here is a picture of our family dog. Her name is Maddy and she got a cheeseburger from McDonald's to celebrate Easter this year. She was really excited!

Think about these 10 following questions and when you are done thinking, take a moment to stop by the attendance office some time today & mention Maddy to get a FREE SURPRISE!!

A Teacher's Spring Time Reflection: 10 Questions 

Dr. Troy Roddy

As most of us are entering the last part of the school year, here are 10 questions to think about.

1. What has been the most effective lesson of the year?
2. What topic generated the most interest from the students?
3. Who has been your greatest success story in class?
4. Who is in the most need of your help during this final part of the year?
5. What are you looking forward to the most from this point forward?
6. What new technique will you try again before the end of the year?
7. What is your progress on your goals at this point?
8. Have your students had a chance to explore a topic of self-interest?
9. Do your students know how proud you are of them?
10. How can you begin, today, to explore the greater potential you have to make 

          an impact on the lives of your students?

- Go Little Mules!

PBJHS - Tuesday 4/10/12

Giving thanks:
PBJHS teachers & staff, great job of being present in the halls in between classes. Whether you realize it or not, we are preventing a lot of situations from ever happening just by being present. Keep up the great work!

Tweet of the week: "If a student can type 2 words into Google on his/her cell phone and find the answer, you probably should ask a different question."

Perhaps it's time to give Twitter a try... check out this for reasons why: "Tweeting about Twitter"

Video of the week: - Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids

Image of the week: - After two weeks, we tend to remember...

5 blog posts of the week:

1) - Exercise and physical activity must be part of 21st century learning by @21stprincipal

2) - Continuous learning by @KTVee

3) - Troublemakers by @joe_bower

4) - Shake-up by @tomwhitby

5) - You are empowered to determine how well your school year goes by @drtroyroddy

Book club information:
- Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 5/2/12 immediately after school in Mr. Dunn's room. We will be reading, "Drive," by Daniel Pink. There are still a few copies in Dr. Tarte's office for those who are interested or those who have not picked up their copy yet.

**We recently purchased a few copies of Ruby Payne's, "A framework for understanding poverty." For those who are interested, see Mrs. Jackson or Mrs. Duckett to get a copy of the book.

Blog post Tuesday 4/3/12

1) - Where are you going? by @KTVee

2) - Systems thinking by @gcouros

3) - Re-engaging the disengaged: 5 strategies by @azjd

4) - The fallacy of due dates by @baldy7

5) - Making mountains into molehills by @KTVee

Blog post Tuesday 3/27/12

1) - Developing learners by @lookforsun

2) - Chasing homework by @azjd

3) - How to not sweat the small stuff by @klhellerman

4) - Rhetoric of rigor by @joe_bower

5) - They need teaching... not punishment by @mrwejr