Gamma Eta Chapter Newsletter
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Epsilon State || Southeast District
Volume 24 Number 3, November 7, 2017
DELTA KAPPA GAMMA promotes professional and personal growth
of women educators and excellence in education.
Barbara Verdin || Editor || barbaraverdin@att.com
From the President: F. Margret Atkinson
Reasons for us to celebrate:
We are continuing to lead, both in DKG and in our professional endeavors.
-Laura organized the 5th grade field trip to Poverty Point.
-Gina is the 4H sponsor and has taken students on a field trip.
-Debbie U. is co-organizing the school's Veteran's Day Program.
-Aimee' is a Flipgrid Ambassador and has won many new grants.
-Sarah took her students on a field trip to Baton Rouge to experience the French culture.
-Mary Jane led at the SE District Meeting, as she took my spot as the SE Communications and Publicity Committee.
-Debbie U. led at the SE District Meeting by acting as president.
-Margret has filmed several webinars and her students created a video for the Digital Citizenship Institute's Summit.
-Mary Jane and Renee are working hard on Epsilon's state meeting.
Continued two-pronged vision:
1. Shifting our technological paradigm:
Please ensure you can log into International's website. It is a fantastic website and offers so many resources. Don't forget that your member number is a six digit number that can be found on your membership card. Your temporary password is dkg2014society, and you can change it once you log-in. If you need your membership number, you can ask Laura.
There are several opportunities to continue to develop your knowledge about technology. The Learn OneNote Conference is November 7-November 13, and it is free and completely online. I am co-hosting a presentation about Flipgrid and OneNote on November 13th. You can register for the conference at the link: https://learnonconference.com/.
For the Louisiana Book Festival, I piloted using Flipgrid to connect the community. I wanted to showcase what Louisiana was doing for literature, and I wanted to start a larger dialogue. Mary Jane and Debbie U. graciously attended the SE District Meeting in my place (as committee member and president, respectively), and I spent the day at the book festival, trying to start a dialogue with the public. All said, I had ten community members record (3 authors, one teacher, one retired Marine, one reader, one family from Lafayette, one senior in high school who is an aspiring writer, two librarians, and the director of the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice program). You can join the conversation at flipgrid.com/labookfest. As far as I know, we are the only state to do this, and I look forward to next year's iteration.
We can continue to participate in Twitter chats to learn more about our world and how we can connect with others.
2. Building membership by working towards a balance of commitment to engaging community building:
Braveheart needs volunteers to wrap presents, so if you can volunteer your time, let me know and maybe we can make a trip over Thanksgiving.
Thank you for going on this journey with me as we continue to grow and seek excellence in education.
As always, I appreciate dialogue and welcome a conversation, so don't hesitate to email me at fmatkinson@gmail.com.
With much love,
Margret
STATE AND INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
DELTA KAPPA GAMMA-OUR PURPOSES
One of our chapter's goals this year is to continue to have professional, informative, and interesting programs with special emphasis on the DKG Seven Purposes.
Please read them prior to each meeting and be prepared for a fun time studying our purposes. And don't forget, they can also be found on our website!
To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship.
To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education.
To advance the professional interest and position of women in education.
To initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators.
To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators.
To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action.
To inform the members of current economic, social, political, and education issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.
2017-2019 EPSILON OFFICERS
Epsilon State Officers
Kathye Blackburn-President || Sandra Pruitt-1st Vice President
Gwen Traylor-2nd Vice President || Mitzi Quinn-Recording Secretary
Susan Crooks-Parliamentary Advisor || Linda Ruth Jackson-Treasurer
Wanda Lemoine-Deltion Editor || Lori Myers-Executive Secretary
Kudos to Joyce Landry, Southeast District Director. She was so professional in her leadership role at the District Meeting in Mandeville. We are fortunate to have her as our leader.
First Vice President: Debbie Usie
Greetings, Gamma Eta Sisters! As I sit here writing this letter, I am
reflecting on the Southeast District Meeting hosted by Rho
Chapter and wishing you could have all been there with us. While
the fellowship and food were enough to make the drive to Mandeville
worthwhile, the committee reports stole the show as a testament to
the fabulous (and often times hard!) work that is being done by
dedicated DKG sisters and also proof that DKG is alive and well. I’ll
be looking for YOU to join us next year in Gonzales!
In the meantime, we have business of our own chapter to conduct.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 14. Note the
date. We moved to the second Tuesday of the month due to
Thanksgiving. Catherine Chenevert will join us to share her work
with Manners of the Heart. Founded by Jill Rigsby Garner, the focus
of MOH is to “educate the hearts of children so they can achieve
academic success.” Garner’s elementary heart education curriculum
has been adopted nationwide by over 900 schools with studies
showing a decline in behavior referrals at those schools that have
implemented the program.
Plan to join us at Café Americain, 7521
Jefferson Highway, as we gather to learn more about this fabulous
program. As always, we will arrive at 5:30 to order our meals and be
in place to start the meeting promptly at 6:00, ready to wrap-up
business by 8:00. A big thank you to Laura Grubb and Sarah Gallion
who will serve as hostesses.
December, of course, brings thoughts of holiday fun as we come
together to celebrate the Christmas season with other members of
the Baton Rouge Coordinating Council. Seafood and other delights
will be on the menu Tuesday, December 5 as we dine at Drusilla
Seafood, 3482 Drusilla Lane, with a meeting time of 6:30. This
annual event has become one of my favorites, and I hope it is on your
list as well.
As we move into the new calendar year, DKG business will be on the
menu as the Executive Board meets at the home of Linda Landry,
5715 Harelson Drive in St. Gabriel on Tuesday, January 23 from 5:30-
8:00. Thank you, Linda, for hosting us in your home!
Finally, get ready for the 2018 Epsilon State Convention to be held in Baton Rouge
March 16-18! Save the date, and put it on your calendar ASAP. If you have not already done so. But first, come Hear Mary Jane Clark and Renee Siccone at our February meeting as this year's convention Co-Chair bring us all up-to-speed on the plans they have been working on for months. We are so proud of their efforts and kn ow they will need our help to serve as their "worker bees" to ensure that all runs smoothly. Add Tuesday, February 20 (that's 2018!) to your calendars as well when we meet at Walk-On's Bistreaux in Towne Center from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Renee will also bring legislative updates to keep us well-informed on the latest education news from the capitol.
See you soon!
Debbie
If you have any questions, you can contact me at usiedebbie@gmail.com.
Debbie Usie, acting president, at the SE District Meeting in Mandeville
Second Vice President: Linda Landry
New members bring new ideas and excitement. Just as important is current members being active members. We are a Gold Key Chapter because of the hard work and dedication of many of our members. In order to remain on top it is imperative that all members play a role to help us continue being a successful chapter.
Contact me at trpll@yahoo.com.
Treasurer: Laura Grubb
I enjoy serving you as treasurer, and I can always be reached at lmgrubb14@gmail.comI
Now is the time I have to submit the paperwork to the State Treasurer, and start collecting monies for our annual Christmas Dinner. Please consider attending this fun and festive event.
Please also make sure you send me the form with your order (AND PAYMENT) for the Christmas dinner by Tuesday, November 14.
Laura Grubb
(225) 978-2312
Secretary: Katie Ferguson
Upcoming November birthdays we will be celebrating our Amy/Aimee's! Aimee Perrodin is a November 9th birthday followed by Amy Allen's birthday on November 14th. The 14th will also be our next Chapter meeting set for 5:30 p.m. at Cafe' Americain.
Continuing congratulations are extended to Carol Peltier for marking her 80th decade of life on October 21, 2017. May she continue to be well-blessed in life.
A "Thinking of You" card was sent to Ann Mills and her husband after his recent open heart surgery.
Cards of Condolence were also sent to the Beta Tau Chapter via their President, Ms. Lynnette Wise, on the recent passing of Ms. Carol Francis, a long time member of Beta Tau. A Condolence card was also sent to her family via her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Francis of Gonzales.
Thank you to the members who emailed me with recent health and well-being updates on members. It is a great help to me.
Peace & Blessings,
Katie Ferguson, Secretary
Editor's Edicts: Barbara Verdin
I have started reading the book New Ways to Engage Parents by Patricia Edwards I must confess it is slow reading, and her writing style is different. The review will be forthcoming in a future newsletter.
I just have to reminisce about the September Meeting where we each brought a wrapped item that represented one or more of the Purposes of DKG. Members brought items that so aptly represented our purposes; unique, fun, diversified, and a real learning process. What an enjoyable meeting! Thanks everyone!
The other thing I wanted to mention was how much we enjoyed the Southeast District Meeting. Rho Chapter did a fabulous job hosting the meeting. They were so welcoming, provided some great "goodies," and fed us like royalty. The State and District Officers and Chairpersons gave great presentations. Please consider attending next year. The meeting will be in Gonzales at The Clarion.
Please keep sharing your ideas and thoughts. Putting them in action also contributes to our success as a chapter.
I can always be reached at barbaraverdin@att.com.
You need to be an active member. Apply now.
Parliamentary Possibilities-Barbara
Parliamentary Definitions:
1. Putting the question-Putting a motion to a vote.
2. Ad Hoc-Latin meaning "for this purpose only." Usually associated with committees.
3. Refer-To send a motion to a committee.
4. Viva Voce-Latin which means "with the living voice. Refers to a vote taken by voice.
!
AND THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON?????
Born in a small community eight decades ago, our Spotlight member is next to the youngest of nine children. If her siblings were questioned, they would probably say she was destined to portray a leadership role from early childhood until the present time.
(She also most likely bossed them some, maybe a lot.) But her most defining role would be the innate ability to organize! Given a task, she performs it at a superior level. Our valuable member also served as an outstanding classroom teacher, a prominent Elementary Supervisor with a specialty in reading in a large school district, a mentor to many, friend to numerous persons, terrific advice giver, and most of all, a wonderful, caring person.
From the onset, education has played a dominant role for our recipient. She received her undergraduate degree from LSU and went on to pursue advanced degrees from well-known universities, studying under the tutelage of some of the best professors in the nation with emphasis on language experiences. She is not limited to educational topics in her quest for knowledge. A life-long learner, this outstanding individual is well-versed in many topics. She continues to diligently study areas of interest to this day.
She plays an active leadership role in her church, Baton Rouge Retired Teacher's Association, and several professional organizations. Delta Kappa Gamma Society has certainly benefited from her leadership skills. She has served on every level. She was Epsilon Second Vice President, and due to medical concerns was unable to pursue a higher role. She held many offices, including President of Gamma Chapter, from which Gamma Eta was born. As president, our honoree led a chapter of over 100 members. She is a charter member of Gamma Eta.
On a personal note, her interests are varied and many. Until recently, she traveled extensively, maintains a large home, a five acre piece of land, and has a miniature nursery consisting of many flowers, fruit trees, plants, and grass. She tires regular people with all she has going on.
So, it is with great pleasure and honor that we spotlight, a great person and superwoman,
CAROL PELTIER!