May 1, 2007

ParentInfo, May 1, 2007

Last Updated on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 10:02 PM

In this issue:

*Kentucky Education Commissioner News

*Taking Time to Say Thanks

*Building Wealth through Loose Change

*Summer Learning Opportunity

Kentucky Education Commissioner News

The Kentucky Board of Education has identified Barbara Erwin, Ed,D., superintendent of Community Unit District 303 in St. Charles, Illinois, as the leading candidate for the position of Kentucky Commissioner of Education

“The board is very pleased to identify Barbara Erwin as its top candidate,” said Keith Travis, chair of the board. “The three finalists all brought excellent qualities to the table, and we believe that Erwin will carry forth the board’s vision and mission to benefit all of Kentucky’s public school students, parents, teachers and administrators.”

The board will consider a motion to ratify a contract with Erwin during its retreat May 9 and 10 in Bowling Green. If Erwin is named commissioner of education, she likely will begin her duties on July 1.

Since 2004, Erwin has served as superintendent of schools for the 15,000-student Community Unit District 303 in St. Charles, Illinois. During her tenure, she created a data warehouse and related training; increased student achievement through a comprehensive, continuous school improvement model using the SMART goals; and managed moderate growth in the district.

Erwin and her husband, David, currently reside in St. Charles, Illinois, and have two grown sons, Will and Jon.

Taking Time to Say Thanks

As the school year winds down, take the time to say thanks to all the dedicated professionals who have contributed to your child’s education and success this year.

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-11. It is a time set aside to honor the dedicated men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children throughout the school year.

Here are a few ideas from the National PTA on how you can express your appreciation during this special week:

E-mail your child’s teachers messages of gratitude.
Contribute classroom materials, such as poster board, stickers, high-quality chalk, stamps and ink pads, books and other supplies, to your child’s teachers.
Present teachers with small tokens of appreciation, such as bookmarks, key rings and video rental certificates.
Take time to write a personal note to your child’s teachers, thanking them for the special time and effort they have provided.
Work with your student to develop a list of five nice things to do for their teacher. Be sure to help them identify realistic activities that they can do during the week.
Donate money to a teacher scholarship fund or another education-oriented charity in honor of the teachers at your child’s school.

Of course, many schools and parent organizations organize activities to recognize teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Ask what your school is doing and offer to help in what ever way you can.

On National Teacher Day May 8, thousands of communities will take time out to honor their local educators and acknowledge the contributions they make to our lives. This year’s theme, "Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools," draws attention to the crucial role teachers play in making sure every child receives a high-quality public education and conveys the hard work they do each day to make public schools great for every child.

Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week

Not to be forgotten are the dedicated staff of your child’s school cafeteria. During Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week (May 7-11), let them know how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication.

National School Nurse Day

“Healthy Children Learn Better.” That’s the theme for National School Nurse Day, May 9. National School Nurse Day was established in 1972 to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting.

Schools and communities are encouraged to join with their school nurses in celebrating what they do on a daily basis to keep kids healthy and ready to learn.

Building Wealth through Loose Change

Did you know more than $10 billion in loose change is scattered in homes across America? That equals $99 per family!

Now you can teach your kids how to make their loose change work for them with Kentucky Council on Economic Education’s (KCEE) “Wrap and Roll” family saving activity. Have your kids find their loose change, “wrap and roll” and deposit it in a savings account at their local bank. That’s all there is to it!! Then take the opportunity to talk with your child about money, spending wisely, savings, family budgeting and goal setting. KCEE offers a variety of other money management activities online to help teach your children about these concepts.

Summer Learning Opportunity

The Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington will once again offer Grand Discovery Camps, for children 4-6 years old and their favorite grandparent or adult. In addition, the museum will be offering Senior Grand Camp for children 7-10 years old. All the camps allow young children the opportunity to spend several hours at the museum completing crafts, playing games, singing songs and eating snacks with a familiar adult. To register, please call Education Director Arden Steffen at (859) 491-4003.

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Web links appearing in this edition:

Kentucky Education Commissioner News

http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/HomePageRepository/News+

Room/Current+Press+Releases+and+Advisories/07-027.htm

Taking Time to Say Thanks

http://www.pta.org/archive_article_details_1121183059437.html