September 1 - 5

Bacon Bears,

Focusing on today, tomorrow and the future!

We are so unbelievably excited to start the 2014-2015 school year. With only a few days left before the first day, teachers will be busy this week making last minute preparations for the arrival of students on Thursday morning!

After celebrating the symbolic conclusion of summer on Labor Day, teachers will be learning together at Lakeside Middle School on Tuesday. Dr. Cook will be hosting a live podcast from 7:45 AM - 8:30 AM. He will be interviewing representatives from around the district on their plans for the new year. If you want to follow this podcast, please look for the link on twitter #mpswc. This show will also be archived on YouTube.

On Tuesday afternoon, the staff at RM Bacon will be testing out our new arrival and dismissal procedures. Parents are welcomed to come out and try it themselves after 2:00 PM. We will be making a video to teach everyone the procedures. This will be a major shift in procedures and we really ask for your patience!!!

The staff will be at RM Bacon all day Wednesday preparing for the new school year. We will be working on a few new projects, and making any last minute preparations for the school year.

On Thursday, we will be having a brief Welcome Back assembly (parents invited) at 9:15 AM in the gym. Then we will be ready for the new year!!!!

Pictures from around the school:

Mr. Lokey and Ms. Spiels at their reunion (They said it was their 10th?) 

Kindegarten Orientation... everyone was Happy! 

Very cool and welcoming to the new Kindergartners 

Kindegarten Orientation 

Kindergarten Orientation 

 Dr. Cook took a much needed vacation with his family

Dr. Cook and his son, Henry at the shore 

Dr. Cook can't escape twitter... even on vacation! 

The Cook family "ussie" 

Weekly Overview:
Monday - No School Labor Day
Tuesday - Staff reports to Lakeside in the morning. 1:30-2:00 PM testing out Arrival and Dismissal
Wednesday - All day staff meetings
Thursday - First day of school! 9:15 AM Welcome Back Assembly
Friday - Grades 3,4,5 PBIS Assembly, 9:30 AM; Grades K, 1, 2 PBIS Assembly, 10:00 AM

August 25 - 29

Bacon Bears,

Focusing on today, tomorrow and the future!

T'was the week before school starts and all throughout the building..... there..... is....... lots of activity! Teachers and staff have been coming into the building and setting up, and preparing for the new year! Everyone is super excited!!!!

We are very close to finishing the Arrival/Dismissal project!By the time you are reading this our room preparation will be complete!

We are welcoming the Kindergartners and their parents on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM for Orientation.

Building Updates:

Redesigned Art Room! 

Prepped and ready for new lines 

Part of the new car exit route 

Our new parking lot 

New gate installed on 3rd street for Arrival and Dismissal entrance 

3rd Grade is ready to launch into space

New mailboxes! In a new location (10a) 

Weekly Schedule
Monday - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Office Hours)
Tuesday - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Office Hours) Kindergarten Orientation 11:00 AM
Wednesday- 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Office Hours)
Thursday - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Office Hours)
Friday - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Office Hours)

August 18 - 25

Bacon Bears,

Focusing on today, tomorrow and the future!


The summer trek team met last week with other teams from the district. During the two days we worked collaboratively, we had to opportunity to take inventory of our school. We explored what we are doing well, and what we need to improve upon. As a school leader, it was refreshing to see teachers being honest, and supportive of the process.

This week we have a few important activities taking place. On Tuesday, all of Bacon staff are invited to a planning session for the 2014-15 school year. We will be meeting at 10:00 AM. On Wednesday and Thursday, our parking lot will be resealed with new lines in preparation for the new Arrival/Dismissal procedures.

Check out the trailer for Opening Day for staff:

Pictures from around the school:

Our new theme! 

Kindegarten students will enjoy new carpets 

The cafeteria floor is looking fresh! 

Weekly Schedule

Monday - Office Hours 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM-  Dr. Cook attending TeachMeet at Stockton 

Tuesday - Office Hours 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Planning session 10:00 AM 

Wednesday - Office Hours 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM Parking lot closed

Thursday - Office Hours 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM Parking lot closed 

Friday - School closed

August 11 - 15

Bacon Bears,

Focusing on today, tomorrow, and the future!

We made a lot of progress this week at the school! The custodians are just about complete with the Office Level Floor. In the beginning part of the week, the following rooms will not be accessible (5, 6, 7, 8) due to the floor waxing. The Front Office, as well as rooms 1,2,3,4 will be open.

The custodians will be working on the Bottom Level floor this week. They will be preparing the Library, Cafeteria, and Teachers Lunch Room. We should be getting the new tile for the Art Room and parts of room 22 this week. Very Exciting!!!!!!

The Arrival/Dismissal redesign has made a great deal of progress. We have new fencing, new gates, and our new driveway is ready! All parents will be receiving these new procedures in our summer mailing. We will also be posting this information on the blog with videos and pictures.

Weekly Schedule
Monday - Office Hours 7:30 - 4:30
Tuesday - Office Hours 7:30 - 4:30
Wednesday - Office Hours 7:30 - 4:30 Summer Trek 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Lakeside)
Thursday- Office Hours 7:30 - 4:30 Summer Trek 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Lakeside)
Friday - Closed

Vacation Pictures from the RM Bacon Family 

Mrs. Muhlbaier and her family at the Hoover Dam

The Horseshoe Bend 

The Muhlbaier Family at the Las Vegas sign 

Pictures from around the school 

The back of the school where the drop off/pick up will be for our new Arrival/Dismissal 

Room 8 has new carpeting! 

Dr. Cook met up with some other connected educators in Philadelphia for Edcamp Leadership

300 educators from around the country participated in Edcamp Leadership 

Dr. Cook presented on a panel with other authors of the Connected Educator Series by Corwin Press 

Dr. Cook with fellow NJ Assistant Principal, Brad Currie and Delaware Principal Jenny Nauman 

Dr. Cook hanging with Brad Gustafson, Minnesota Principal and Rob Pennington, Tech Coach from CT

Dr. Cook met Douglas Timm, principal from Delaware 

Dr. Cook took Minnesota Principal, Brad Gustafson, to Geno's for a Philly Cheesteak  

Dr. Cook met up with Dr. Sanfelippo (who visited RM Bacon this year)  in Philadelphia 

August 4 - 8

New Letterhead for 2014! 

 Bacon Bears,

FRONT OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY! 

Focusing on today, tomorrow and the future!

We had an amazing week here at RM Bacon. There was so much progress made this week on the building, and I am starting to see everything come together for the fall. I can't say it enough about our custodial staff!!!!They are doing a phenomenal job preparing the school!

This week I will  be attending two "un-conferences." Basically, an "un-conference" is an organic professional development opportunity where educators convene to improve. There are no titles, and generally (until the day of the un-conference) no presenters, or schedule. This type of learning is similar to our "Tech Fridays."

On Monday, I will be attending EdCamp Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania, and on Thursday, I will be attending Padcamp at Galloway Township Middle School, in Galloway, NJ. I am so excited to learn with members of my PLN (Professional Learning Network). As always, the best part about learning at conferences or "un-conferences" is the ability to improve RM Bacon. Also, as if it couldn't get better, both conferences are FREE and do not cost the district any money!

Weekly Schedule
Monday - 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Dr. Cook out of the office)
Tuesday - 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday - 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday - Office Closed 
Friday - Closed

RM Bacon Family Vacation Pictures

Mrs. Sinone and her family traveled to West Virginia! 

Mrs. Sinone came across this on one of her hikes 

Beautiful West Virginia waterfall 

The Sinone girls :) 

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor went White Water Rafting in the Poconos! 

Pictures from the school

Ms. Anton's new Smart Board! 

Mrs. Lore's new Smart Board

New fencing and new gates for our Arrival/Dismissal redesign 

New fence in front of school where cars and buses will be entering

On Friday, August 1, 2014 our Playground tree was removed