Pruett's AIG Blog for IBJ

Ms. Page tells me there's FREE ice cream for Jones students who can recite/read a poem at The Hop this Thursday between 6:00 and 7:30. Wait, ice cream FOR FREE! How could you NOT go read/recite a poem! Let me know if you need help with poetic ideas!

Here is another "Top 10 List for Proper Jones Behavior." This one's from one of the gentlemen from our 4th grade ESG. Take all fistfights to the principal's office.               Don't bring bombs, firearms, knives or matches to school. Don’t take other peoples things including the teachers stuff. Use CUBS rules: C hoose to be responsible U se kind words and actions Be respectful                       T op 10 Tips for First Rate Jones Behavior S tay safe 5. Don’t take the teachers car for a “test” drive. 6. Do what the teacher tells you to do the first time he/she tells you to 7. Dont ruin school property. 8. Don’t call 911 if it isn't an emergency. 9. Don’t be a bully. 10. Be respectful during an assembly.

You may remember some time back our 4th grade ESG completed (and won!) a simulation wherein they saved space probes. Well, they decided their reward for such hard work would be to spend some time at Jones park - which happened today. I'm happy to say that all had a good time, and there were no injuries! For the record, we did have some organized activity and a healthy snack available. The exercise was really unnecessary as running and screaming was the preferred way to spend their time. Good kids and a good time! Thanks to the Jones office for their support!

Our fourth grade readers have been writing reflections on our last novel study. We read Each Little Bird that Sings  by Deborah Wiley. Students had multiple writing assignments from which to choose. One of these choices was a 'Top 10' list for proper Jones behaviors. Here's a sample: Top Ten Tips For First Rate Jones Behavior        (Name with-held) 1. Report bullying to an adult 2. Be nice to all students, new or otherwise 3. Use CUBS rules 4. Pay attention in class 5. Do your work, and do it quietly 6. Follow classroom rules 7. Be quiet during announcements 8. Raise your hand instead of blurting out 9. Don’t brag about grades and/or test scores 10.Obey all the evil overlords teachers Words to live by! We'll be publishing student writing in other ways as well. More to come!

Our fourth grade ESG students recently completed a solar system-based simulation. As a culmination, today we had a visit from a UNCA astronomy student to discuss the moons of our solar system. Students were interested and had thoughtful questions not only about moons, but also college in general. Dr. Lyubov Nichols of the physics department coordinates these students, and we're ALWAYS happy to have them aboard!

Today we had races to solve the daily SET puzzle at setgame.com. The three fastest solvers (for today, anyway) are pictured below. Check out the game some time! For the record their times were  4:48.475 5:12.475 12:32.735

Here's some snaps of ESG students working on a decoding activity. I'll be making up a missed group from this morning on Friday. Everyone will have hard-copy letters and some art work (see blog from 3/26). I'll post others hard at work on Friday!

As part of Asheville's Amadeus Mozart Festival, third, fourth, and fifth graders got to hear a brass ensemble's performance. It was quite beautiful!

Strategic Planning Sessions The public is invited to attend one of two strategic planning sessions that will be hosted in the ACS Board room at 85 Mountain Street on Thursday, April 9th and on Thursday, April 16th. Each of these interactive events will last from 6 until 7 PM. We will provide a 15-minute update on our plans and progress to date as we create a new strategic plan to guide our district over the next couple of years. We will then divide into small working groups to help facilitate the capture of your input and ideas.  Your feedback is valued! Please join us on either April 9th or April 16th and donate an hour of your time to share your hopes and dreams for Asheville City Schools and the 4,300+ children we serve.