The holidays are here!

There is nothing like the winter holidays to bring to mind friends, family and fun. I picture remembrances from growing up in the Midwest - snowfalls, building snow forts, drinking hot cocoa after peeling off frozen stiff mittens, and sled riding down the state park hills or down my best friend's driveway!

Although the snow is not the same, the time together with friends and family IS! I wish for you all the happiness of the season. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Other Great Blogs

Blogging is not a new way of communicating, but it sure feels like one to me. There are many people out there who have blogged regularly for years. My favorite one that I read regularly is Frank Buck's blog. Frank is a (recently) retired educator who has written a book on Time Management and organization. His blog highlights some of his tried and true methodologies.

Check out Frank Buck's Blog here: http://frankbuck.blogspot.com/

A few of my friends have also started blogs. Check these out, as well:

http://birminghamgifted.blogspot.com/

http://nelvasworld.blogspot.com/

http://myhelp-boykin.blogspot.com/

http://fromthedeskofiehunter.blogspot.com/

http://patsblog2010.blogspot.com/

Each blog is uniquely personal and relates to that person's interests and focus.

Birmingham City Schools Board Policy Book

I realized that this link might be helpful to staff. Just like we use the Mastering the Maze and the Alabama Code to answer our questions in special education, the policy book can be useful to answer questions regarding local policies.



Click here for the link to the Policy Handbook.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is so hard to believe that we are already to Thanksgiving break. I hope everyone has a very blessed Thanksgiving, and that you get to spend it with someone you love.

Did you know that US Presidents issue an annual Thanksgiving Proclamation declaring the 4th Thursday of November as Thanksgiving? While President George Washington was the first US President to issue a Thanksgiving Proclamation, not all following Presidents followed the custom. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be celebrated on the final Thursday of November. In 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that Thanksgiving would be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November and in 1941 the US Congress passed a law officially establishing the celebration of Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November.

Technology Focus: AUP

What is an AUP? It stands for Acceptable Use Policy. There are several websites that have discussion forums on what an AUP should include, as well as sample AUPs posted. The issue has expanded exponentially over the past few years, as additional social networking and applications arise. Our students keep up with these (including texting, instant messaging, twittering, etc.) but adults often don't. In order to provide appropriate parameters of use within the public school setting, it is imperative that we understand how the applications are being used and how to limit abuses while protecting the advantages of acceptable use.

Check out this website for some sample policies and articles.

Open Your Parachute Professional Development

Click below to hear a podcast regarding our recent professional development

Podcast

New News!

I am currently working on the Birmingham City Schools Special Education webpage. The address is:

Special Education Department

Click on the link above, and you will be transported to the Special Education Department information page.

Let me know what you think should be included!

Welcome to the new school year!

Welcome everyone!

I am currently working with the following schools: Robinson Elementary, S. Hampton Elementary, Avondale Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Green Acres Middle, D. Payne Middle, Putnam Middle, and Woodlawn High School. In addition, I work with the teachers of the Vision Impaired.

As a Program Specialist for Special Education, I visit schools to provide mentoring, professional development, and serve as a liaison between schools and parents, parents and administration, schools and administration, and teachers and schools. Every day is a new adventure!