The First Day of School is Almost Here!!

I just returned home from a Sunday workday at school, and there was a parking lot full of teachers' cars there, too. We have such a hard-working, dedicated staff! The Highland teachers are eager to have everything just right to greet their students tomorrow morning. Many have been there all weekend putting on all the finishing touches.

When students return to school tomorrow they will learn about some new ideas we are putting in place. They will hear about the new "You Rock!" slips, learn about "put-ups" and greeting everyone at school with handshakes and smiles, and sharing "Good things" each morning. These are some of the changes brought about by the Capturing Kids Hearts training many teachers attended this summer.

Students will also meet the new computer aide we have hired. Highland School is going to look at using technology in different ways to increase student engagement and interest in learning. Jonathan Cross, our computer aide, will be a great help along the way as we integrate more and more technology. He, like most of our students, is a "digital native," which means the technology is second nature to him. This generation has only known the world of digital technology, so they get it! "Digital immigrants," such as myself, are working really hard to learn how to use the technology in the school setting. I remember when the overhead, filmstrip projector, and tape recorder, were the "new" technology I had to learn to use in the classroom. Wow--we have come a long way since those days!!

In order to prepare students for the world of tomorrow, they need to have access to computers today. If your family does not have a computer at home, you can get one free by taking a computer class through SmartRiverside right here at Highland School. Classes start Wednesday, September 9. You attend 4 classes, one each Wednesday night, and on the last night you receive a free computer! The classes are held in our computer lab from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. To enroll, go to the SmartRiverside website at: http://www.smartriverside.com/di_locations.asp. Although Highland is not listed there yet, just call the phone number shown and tell them you want to enroll at Highland. The city of Riverside is going wireless, so you may even be able to get Internet connection--they will help you with this at the class.

We always encourage kids to read at least 20 minutes every night, and I would like to challenge parents to do the same! Be a great model for your children, and learn new things, too. Earlier this summer I recommended "Julie & Julia" to parents who were reading my blog, and my new favorite book is "Here Comes Everybody," by Clay Shirky. Fascinating reading!!

We are going to have a fabulous year at Highland, and it all begins in about 14 hours!!! See you bright and early tomorrow morning Highland families.

--Ms. Boucher