Tuesday, September 4th, 2007


Hi Story Parents, 

It’s not uncommon for elementary schools to have very active parent associations, lots of involvement with parents helping with room parties and reading partners, etc.  But in high school … ??    

I’m relatively new to KFHS and so I’m still learning all the great places that parents are already serving and helping out.   Now, I’m hoping to add Rm B118 to that growing list.  There are so many ways that you, as parents, could contribute to help broaden the learning experiences for students in my biology and/or ecology classes.  You are a valuable resource and I’d like to offer a short list of possible opportunites for you to help me out.

1.  Your job … how is it related to any biology or  environmental issue?  Come into the classroom and sharing your personal knowledge of a select field of science or how your job intersects with a particular issue related to either of these fields.  Kids ask all the time how learning particular concepts ”will ever help them in life!” (Ever hear such a comment?  :-)

2.  Your life experiences … how have these been influenced by biological or environmental issues? I welcome you to share a story.  If you’re a little shy about speaking in front of the class … how about submitting a post for the blog?

 3.  Would you have the time to volunteer as an assistant during a lab exercise?  (Going to the lab is akin to ‘taking a fieldtrip!’  :-)  The more adults per student, the more likely that all the students will stay on task, stay interested, remain focused and really learn some info through the lab experience.  

5.  Rm118 is registered at “Adopt-A-Classroom”.com.  There is a great need for laboratory supplies and equipment for our lab between Rm 117 and 118.  This might be a means for you personally or for your business to influence kids this year and for years to come by donating funds to fully equip this lab … all with the benefits of a tax deduction.  :-)  Right now, the drawers and cupboards are basically empty. That’s one of the reasons that the lab was barely used last year.  My goal is to see that changed! Students must have lab experience … biology and ecology are laboratory classes.   

 So … let me know if you are interested in connecting through any of these avenues of opportunity.  Ms. S.

I had a great time talking with all of you (students) today about the importance of following  current biology and ecology developments that are being reported in news sources around the world.  As one student put it, “STUFF” is happening every day.  Our textbook offers us a history of what’s taken place, but news sources keep us current.  It was fun talking about Sunday’s VA Pilot article on a new environmentally friendly way to recycle ‘bird poop!’  Gotta love science!   

 Remember — a news article summary is due every MONDAY!  (7th block “odd” Mondays)  Please follow the rubric and example I handed out to you.  Happy News Hunting!

I enjoyed meeting my students today…the other half tomorrow.  We had a great start.  This is a reminder to purchase quickly:  a 3-ring binder (2in.,) a graph paper spiral journal ($3 in the KFHS bookstore!), and post-it-note tabs.  This is for all my students, biology and ecology. 

Check out the quote of the week …