May 10, 2010 - Summer is coming upon us quickly. Students are anxious to get the 2009-2010 school year completed and have some much needed time off. Teachers and school staff are looking forward to some days off this summer too, but contrary to the old belief teachers/school staff do not take the entire summer off. During the months of June and July the campus and central office will work 4 day weeks but extended hours during those four days. Generally, principals and central office folks can be found working on the Friday, even though the offices are officially closed. As well, the maintenance crews and transportation department continue to work 5 days a week during the summer months in preparation for the start of school. The summer months do not give us a great deal of time to get things painted, waxed and in good shape for the next school year.

Teachers too are working and planning for the next school year. Teachers will be in professional development training just as school has lets out for the summer. Teachers will receive CSCOPE technology integration training on June 1 and 2. The District purchased a great deal of technology and teachers will learn even more how to use these wonderful new tools with the District’s curriculum.

Additionally, Middle School and High School teachers will be provided training July 13, 14 and 15 that will center around the Apple Mac book laptop of which they have all received. These teachers will be preparing for the coming school year when high school students all receive a laptop for their academic use at school and home. As well, middle school received carts with laptops and additional laptops placed in the classroom for student use. The Mac books are different from what has traditionally been used. The District will be using both PC’s and Mac books on the high school and middle school campus while PC’s will be used at elementary. The three days of training for high school teachers will also provide staff with time to determine the implementation of the students laptops and to make certain rules are in place and proper use of the laptops is determined. The middle school teachers will be in training with teachers from Mason, Ballinger and Brownwood. This campus is a member of a consortium which will be providing Apple trainers and teachers experienced with technology integration using the Mac book.

All teachers will attend various types of training throughout the summer. Some will go to Coaching school, some will go to school to determine best practices in the food service department, some will attend training on student health issues. The most important thing to keep in mind is that our teachers work throughout the summer to prepare and be ready for the school year to come and to provide the best possible instructional practices.

So, when someone tells you, I think I’ll be a teacher because they get their summers off, you might think about that a little differently now. During the last week, the campuses observed Teacher Appreciation Week! Staff…keep up the good work now and throughout the summer!

Please visit www.san-saba.net to view events and find information you need to know about SSISD. If you have any question about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3144 or email me at lglaze@san-saba.net . We are San Saba! We are together!