2014 "Dash for Dignity" Charitable Cause Application

Here is the electronic version of the 2014 "Dash for Dignity" Charitable Cause application.  Please read and fill out if you know of an individual, family, or organization that could use a little financial support.

On May 10, 2014 the 3rd Annual "Dash for Dignity", hosted by the students and staff of Middleburg Heights Junior High School, will take place.  We have run for four worthwhile causes the last two years and experienced great success:

2012 - The Elenore Rocks Foundation (donated $3,500) and Chardon High School (donated $1,000)
2013 - The family of Stan Bugarcic (donated $5,500) and The SADS Foundation - sudden arrhythmia death syndromes (donated $1,000)

We look forward to the changes we are implementing this year as we involve our students in the planning of this charitable run.  All applications submitted will be evaluated by the 8th grade students in my Advanced Writing class and one application will be picked as our designated charitable cause at the 2014 "Dash for Dignity" 5K community run. 

Another Year in the Books

The 2012-2013 school came to a close on May 30th.  There were many changes that awaited us at the end of the year:

• Frederick Roehm Middle School closed its doors to students and staff forever
• The new teacher evaluation system (OTES) was implemented a year early as a stepping stone for its official inaugural year in 2013-2014
• The PARCC Assessments were introduced
• The Berea City School District staff and students went through the final steps in its consolidation process
• New teaching assignments awaited many staff members

Some highlights from the 2012-2013 school year were:

• 2nd Annual "Dash for Dignity" raised $6,500 for two worthwhile causes (The Family of Triathlete Stan Bugarcic and The SADS Foundation).  This brings our two year race total to $11,000 and 4 charitable causes benefiting (The Eleonore Rocks Foundation, Chardon High School, The Family of Triathlete Stan Bugarcic, and The SADS Foundation)

 

The group running in memory of Stan Bugarcic - a local triathlete that passed away while participating in The Greater Cleveland Triathlon in August of 2012.  Stan left behind his wife, Erin, and two young daughters.

The group running for The SADS Foundation (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes)

We were thankful to have the awesome group - Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio be a part of our 2013 "Dash for Dignity" they honored several children for overcoming adversity and designated them "Super Heroes"

Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio kicked off the 2nd Annual "Dash for Dignity"

And they're off

• 2 8th grade students earned the first ever "Purple Cow" Awards for "Thinking Different"

"Purple Cow" Award winner #1 ... achieved this award for doing it "Gangnam Style" in Washington D.C. with her family

"Purple Cow" Award winner #2 ... achieved this award for a brilliant piece of Thanksgiving Weekend writing

• 4 8th grade students were inducted into the English/Language Arts "Hulk" of Fame (1 Elite Inductee and 3 Varsity Inductees) for achieving very high standards, in English/Language Arts, throughout the school year.

The "Elite" Inductee ... the only student to ever achieve this prestigious award

I look forward to the challenges and new opportunities that await me in my new teaching assignment as an 8th grade writing teacher at Middleburg Heights Junior High School.  Next week my blog will focus on where to take my teaching and learning in 2013-2014.

Let the School Year Begin

I can't believe that the 2011-2012 school year went so fast, and it seems the summer of 2012 went even quicker.  Roehm's school year ended on a positive note with the school hosting a 5K run and 1 mile walk on May 5, 2012.  The 1st Annual "Dash for Dignity" brought out well over 300 runners/walkers, over 100 of them were 7th and 8th graders from Roehm.  A combination of 40+ teachers/BCSD employees, family members of Roehm's staff, and Kiwanis Club of Berea members volunteered their time to mark the course, check in runners, register new runners, set up post race refreshments, and cheer participants at the start, on the course, and at the finish line.  All proceeds from this race went to Chardon High School ($1000), and The Eleonore Rocks Foundation ($3500).  Eleonore Rocks matched Roehm's donation and will be purchasing rocking chairs for South West General Health Center.  We are very excited about being a part of the dedication ceremony, early this school year, at South West. 

I've spent a great deal of time thinking about my goals for the new school year and I've come up with the following:

1.  Use technology/social media to measure student progress and provide a transparent classroom.
2.  Provide opportunities for students to read often, write more often, and publish their writing regularly.
3.  Hold students to high standards and allow them opportunities to "achieve dreams they never imagined possible."

I'm entering this school year with an approach to teaching that is different from past years, but hopefully the students will find a love for reading, writing, and life long learning.

Almost Halfway There

Well, the start of the school year certainly has gone by quickly.  In fact, 2011 in general has flown by.  I still don't understand why as a kid time seemed to drag, and now that I am an adult it flies by.  This by far has been the quickest year I have ever experienced. 

The first half of the school year has brought about many of the same headaches as past years.  I seem to have less and less instructional time with my students.  There are still 35 students in my room 7th period.  The paperwork, not related to my teaching, continues to pile up.  These issues are not unique to me, my school, or my classroom.  I'm sure I could talk to any teacher and my complaints would be their complaints.  This is part of education and I know I just have to "grin and bear it."

But, despite the above headaches, the best part of my day is my time with my students.  I have enjoyed getting to know this group of students.  I think the best moment this year was one of my students making the basketball team.  He was really nervous, and not so confident, so to hear he made the team and to see the excitement on his face when he told me was priceless. 

There are big things happening in the 7th and 8th grade come January 2012 when we have a kick-off assembly for the 1st Annual "Dash for Dignity."  This will hopefully be a life changing experience for our students and their families.  Stay tuned for updates as we continue to plan and implement.

One Grade - One Book Update #4

The book project was a well received by the Roehm 8th grade students and their families.  I appreciated the fact that so many families were willing to participate in the reading of Touching Spirit Bear, and work through the packet to support and check their understanding of the novel.  Below are a couple of links from one of the 8th grade families reading time.

Family Reads #1

Family Reads #2

Once the book had been read we readied as a school to welcome author of Touching Spirit Bear, Ben Mikaelsen.  Mr. Mikaelsen talked to our students about becoming the author of their lives, and how to develop characters and be descriptive in their writing, during two writing workshop presentations. His author presentation talked about how he was bullied throughout his life and as a result became a bullying himself.  However, he described in detail for us what saved him from a life of bullying and harassment, both as a bully and target, his writing and his love for animals.  Overall, 300+ students had the opportunity to listen to and meet Mr. Mikaelsen.  He ended his day with us by signing the students copies of Touching Spirit Bear.  It was most certainly an exciting day for our students and staff. 

One Grade - One Book Update #3

We're past the half way point of our family literacy component for the One Grade, One Book project.  It's been a pleasure getting to know the families through the "Check Your Understanding" comprehension questions that the students turn in every week.  For example, one student went so far in one answer to record how each family member responded.  I appreciate the fact that the entire family is a part of this project, including the student, his mother and father, and his older brother.  What a great time spent together as a family.

As we approach the end of the family piece, we are beginning the classroom one.  Our students have been introduced to several databases to use for their research paper, and will begin researching early next week.  The final pieces to our project will come after testing week and will include a visit from the author of Touching Spirit Bear, Ben Mikaelsen; the creation of anti-bullying public service announcements; participating in "Challenge Day"; sponsoring a "PINK OUT"/anti-bullying pledge signing day; and creating a new committee at Roehm to make sure the progress they started will continue into the 2011-2012 school year.

Before spring break, the students packed a souvenir bag for Ellen DeGeneres, and WKYC, education reporter, Kim Wheeler and mailed them.  We are still waiting to hear back from them. 

Here are some pictures from our project.

Packing the souvenir bags

 Packing the bags #2

 The bag sent to Ellen

One Grade, One Book... Project Update #2

The 8th grade is less than a week away from kicking off our, One Grade, One Book Family Literacy/Project Based Learning Project.  It's hard to believe something that began in August, with the writing of a grant, is about to officially launch on March 14th.

The past couple of months have been spent securing the souvenir bags and its contents through the ordering of various commemorative items.  The bags will be stuffed with a personal copy of the novel, Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen, a silicon bracelet with the project based learning project motto - "we're not gonna take it", and a packet of helpful notes and questions to guide the students and their families through the reading process.  There is an active Moodle page, devoted to this project for students and their families, and a Facebook group.  A couple of sample t-shirts for our "PINK OUT" culminating activity, have been ordered and delivered.

Finally, we present our project in its entirety to our 8th grade parents/guardians on Thursday, March 10 @ 7:00PM.  There is a sense of excitement amongst the staff as we work together to give our 8th grade students a memorable last year at Frederick Roehm Middle School.