In The Know
Hobbs' Hotline -- GSC Education Department: December, 2014
Christmas Expectations
I want to begin this month's newsletter by wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
This past Sabbath, my Pastor, Samuel Riemersma, shared this thought about Christmas: "This time of the year is one of great expectation: children are expecting gifts, parents (and teachers I might add) are expecting some time off from work, most people expect to spend some time with family, and stores are expecting record sales!...What are you expecting this Advent season?"
Good question. What are you expecting this Christmas? My favorite text comes to mind as I reflect: "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life." (1 John 5:11,12) Thanks be to God who gave us his Son, Jesus. And thanks be to Jesus for in Him we find life, joy and peace that surpasses anything we might have expected being the lost sinners that we were. Indeed, living with an eternal perspective changes everything including our expectations!
This past Sabbath, my Pastor, Samuel Riemersma, shared this thought about Christmas: "This time of the year is one of great expectation: children are expecting gifts, parents (and teachers I might add) are expecting some time off from work, most people expect to spend some time with family, and stores are expecting record sales!...What are you expecting this Advent season?"
Good question. What are you expecting this Christmas? My favorite text comes to mind as I reflect: "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life." (1 John 5:11,12) Thanks be to God who gave us his Son, Jesus. And thanks be to Jesus for in Him we find life, joy and peace that surpasses anything we might have expected being the lost sinners that we were. Indeed, living with an eternal perspective changes everything including our expectations!
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GSC headquarters Grand Opening took place December 15, 2014 in Montgomery. Our education ministry was promoted, and I was happy to be able to represent our education team!
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Impacting Student Achievement
"Mounds of research show that teacher quality is the most important factor in growing student acheivement. " -- Katy Haycock, President of The Education Trust
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How to Conquer Your To-Do List
Sarah McKibben, the managing editor of the ASCD Education Update, shares that to-do lists have been around for centuries but an "overwhelming workload can lead to an equally overwhelming to do list." This is especially true for teachers. "To do lists give teachers a road map" to accomplish their work and to avoid the stress that makes one wonder if whether we will ever get it all done.
McKibben suggests M. Nora Mazzone's 3+ List, a technique she advocates in the book Stress-Busting Strategies for Teachers: How to Manage the Pressures of Teaching (2014). The 3+ List is explained in this excerpt: "Start each morning with a 3+ List. The three tasks are your nonnegotiable tasks that will make the day feel productive and successful. Rank them. Then add two "plus" tasks. Your plus tasks are not urgent and can be considered bonuses if you actually get them done. When you get to work, post the 3+ List where you will see it often and cross off each item as you get it done. Stay attentive to your three tasks during the school day and don't add to them. After crossing off those tasks, you can consider working on the plus tasks. Plus tasks eventually make their way to the top of the list unless they are achieved as pluses."
I like this too. "See your to do list as a to-don't list: a catalog of things that you don't have to worry about once you write them down."
McKibben suggests M. Nora Mazzone's 3+ List, a technique she advocates in the book Stress-Busting Strategies for Teachers: How to Manage the Pressures of Teaching (2014). The 3+ List is explained in this excerpt: "Start each morning with a 3+ List. The three tasks are your nonnegotiable tasks that will make the day feel productive and successful. Rank them. Then add two "plus" tasks. Your plus tasks are not urgent and can be considered bonuses if you actually get them done. When you get to work, post the 3+ List where you will see it often and cross off each item as you get it done. Stay attentive to your three tasks during the school day and don't add to them. After crossing off those tasks, you can consider working on the plus tasks. Plus tasks eventually make their way to the top of the list unless they are achieved as pluses."
I like this too. "See your to do list as a to-don't list: a catalog of things that you don't have to worry about once you write them down."
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Conflict Resolution
The Gulf States Conference Board of Education has endorsed a slightly revised and updated Matthew 18 based procedure for local conflict resolution issues. The Office of Education will make this revision available to you soon. In the meantime, remember that the first step is a face to face meeting between the two parties for the purpose of dealing with the concern or grievance. Further involvement of principal, board chairs, boards and superintendents takes place only if resolution is not achieved in the original discussion. The order of the process is important, but if there is anything that I can do to help facilitate this process, please let me know.
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Air Is Not Oxygen
Click here to learn more about this interesting science resource, subtitled "Essential Science You Should Have Learned But Probably Didn't" by Bill Moreland, Ph.D.
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Bloodborne Pathogens -- Part II
It appears that the last conference wide training was 2012. We should make a refresher course a priority for the August teacher convention. In the meantime, become familiar with the policy (see November "In the Know" newsletter and/or your notebook that was provided to your school in 2012) and make sure your classroom/school has a kit(s) available. These can be purchased for a reasonable price locally or online at www.amazon.com. Search "bloodborne pathogen kit"
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Digital technology is ushering in a new age of learning
Look at the graphic below. We can't deny the impact of technology on our lives. Click here to find out more about how digital technology is ushering in a new age of learning.
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Walk Fit
Participation in this program requires a classroom to walk at least 5 minutes each day at school for 12 weeks during the winter/spring 2015.
Classrooms that successfully participate are given a classroom award and each student is given a medal with ribbon.
For classrooms that don't want to walk, alternate activities are accepted as long as everyone is active simultaneously for at least 5 minutes.
Teacher's must enroll by January 31. Contact:
Classrooms that successfully participate are given a classroom award and each student is given a medal with ribbon.
For classrooms that don't want to walk, alternate activities are accepted as long as everyone is active simultaneously for at least 5 minutes.
Teacher's must enroll by January 31. Contact:
Bob Benge Ph.D
Southern Adventist University
School of Physical Education, Health and Wellness
rcbenge@southern.edu
Phone 423.236.2855
Fax 423.236.1850
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I-Serve
Don't forget the I-Serve Conference for Junior Academies!
Orlando, Florida: February 26-28. It is similar to a "Bible Conference" but with a twist: The goal is to have each student participate in disaster relief training, provide church services for four churches and participate in four community-wide block parties at the four churches. The Southern Union Office of Education is planning the event and they will be sending out more information in the weeks to come.
Orlando, Florida: February 26-28. It is similar to a "Bible Conference" but with a twist: The goal is to have each student participate in disaster relief training, provide church services for four churches and participate in four community-wide block parties at the four churches. The Southern Union Office of Education is planning the event and they will be sending out more information in the weeks to come.
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Learning A-Z
Explore Learning A-Z’s award-winning education resource websites Reading A-Z, Raz-Kids, Science A-Z, Headsprout, Writing A-Z, Vocabulary A-Z, and ReadyTest A-Z today.
Special pricing available through NAD negotiated contracts, with discounts of 30 to 37 percent depending on which service(s) you purchase.
Contact:
Special pricing available through NAD negotiated contracts, with discounts of 30 to 37 percent depending on which service(s) you purchase.
Contact:
Elise L. Orter
Regional Director, South and Central Florida
direct 954.360.0257
toll free 866.889.3731 ext 5030
mobile 954.999.8758
fax 520.618.3444
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Event Information
GSC Education Fair at Bass Memorial Academy
Students can showcase the excellent work they have completed at school and demonstrate what they can do on the spot.
Students, teachers and parents can feel part of the larger GREAT SDA education system: God centered, Result oriented, Environment that nurtures, Aligned with Adventist and national standards, Team effort.
Students and parents get a look at Bass -- sometimes for the first time!
Students, teachers and parents can feel part of the larger GREAT SDA education system: God centered, Result oriented, Environment that nurtures, Aligned with Adventist and national standards, Team effort.
Students and parents get a look at Bass -- sometimes for the first time!
When?
Sunday, Jan 25, 2015, 12:00 PM
Where?
Bass Memorial Academy, U.S. 11, Lumberton, MS, United States
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Educator Birthdays -- January
Happy January Birthday to Meggan (12th, Hoover), Kathleen (13th), Wesley (23rd, Mobile), Sandra (24th, Panama City), Melissa (29th, Panama City).
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Stan Hobbs, Superintendent of Schools: Gulf States Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Email: shobbs@gscsda.org
Website: www.gscsda.org
Location: 10633 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117
Phone: (334) 272-7493
Twitter: @GSC_Education