January 15 - 19, 2018

Bears,

We hope everyone a great week.  Our first full week of the year featured some great activities taking place in classes, a music demonstration, and some good conversation about learning.

But before we get into this week's blog, we'd like to recognize the honorable and heroic work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  In today's world, there is no shortage of people telling us how to feel about any number of things.  Oftentimes, volume and intensity are confused with truth.  Perhaps we'd all do well to listen to Dr. King's words and reflect on what really matters.  He and others challenged us to be kind, decent, understanding, loving, forgiving, and helping humans.  Dr. King let his light and love do something.  In spite of the danger, and in the face of hate, he let his light shine and his love conquer.  May his life and example inspire us to be better people who continue to strive for a better society.  The work is never done.  I believe we honor him best by letting our own light shine and our own love conquer.  Thank you, Dr. King, for doing what was right despite the cost.  May we all have your courage.    

This week, I was able to observe a lesson that was almost exclusively done using Google Classroom.  For those who might be unfamiliar, Google Classroom is a web-based platform where teachers can assign work and check it in real time.  It's a sort of virtual classroom that is highly interactive and fun for the students.  In this lesson, the students were introduced the concept of fractions.  Particularly, they were to determine equal vs. unequal amounts, and they were to analyze parts of a whole. Using Google Classroom, the teacher was able to track their progress as they worked through the problems and offer quick, individualized help as needed.  It was a nice example of what technology can do in the classroom, and these are areas where we'll continue to develop and grow - interactive learning with focused, timely feedback.




We'd like to thank representatives from Cole's Music Service for their instrument demonstration on Friday.  For students signing up for band (and for those already playing an instrument), it was a nice demonstration on what various instruments can do.  The students enjoyed hearing their demo, and the presenters played popular songs and recognizable bits of music to keep them interested.







During this week's staff meeting, a number of us looked at walkthrough data for Bacon.  Basically, this is a snap shot of what is going in the classrooms.  We looked at trends and methodologies within our school, and we used this info to talk about learning, instruction, and how we can make sure students are demonstrating the skills they are learning.  We also reviewed discipline and absenteeism data, and we did some planning for upcoming assemblies and events.

Announcements
Attention staff members, parents, community members, local businesses, and 4th and 5th grade students!  Please join us on Tuesday, January 16th for Millville's second strategic planning session.  Come be a part of planning for the future.  Click here to sign up, but you don't need to sign up to attend.

Nurse Pruett wants to thank Bacon School’s club 21 students and staff for walking to NY with her.
They showed great team work walking and creating a New Year’s Eve themed party in Times Square to Celebrate 2018.     

That's all for now.  Everyone have a fantastic week.  

The Week Ahead

Monday (1/15): NO SCHOOL -- schools closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day 

Tuesday (1/16): E day - Millville Public Schools 2nd strategic planning meeting (6:30 - 8 pm at the Lakeside Middle School cafeteria)

Wednesday (1/17):  A day - Workout Wednesday

Thursday (1/18): B day - Staff meeting  (8 am in the library)

Friday (1/19): C day - Wear Bacon gear

Upcoming January Dates

January 22nd: Family Yoga Night sponsored by the Parents as Leaders Coalition.  6:30 - 8 in the Bacon gym.  All are welcome, but you must register by 1/19 to save a spot.  Please call Honesty at 856-265-1456 to reserve a spot.    

**The Parents as Leaders Coalition will be hosting a number of events here at Bacon.  These events will take place on Mondays throughout the winter and early spring.  Stay tuned for more info.**

January 29th: NO SCHOOL - staff professional development day

Pictures from around the School

Students in Mrs. Gandy's class working together

Mr. Coyle with the cone patrol

Mrs. Summers is back in action!

Students practicing writing their names in Mrs. Munzenmayer's class

Mr. Coyle's Bear Buddy

Mr. Coyle's other Bear Buddy

More from Cole's music

Birthday Selfies!