We are at a critical time in our school year. Conferences have been held for both fall and winter.  I encourage parents to maintain communication with classroom teachers through June, as we expect all students to keep working hard. 

Behavior Corner

This time of the year is challenging especially with student behavior.  We want to remind parents that our Behavior Expectations for students will remain in place and we will count on parents to support us in educating their children. Learning can best take place in an orderly environment, and it is all of our responsibility as administrators, staff, and students to safeguard the health and safety of everyone. The school rules and school values are the expectations for governing student behavior.

Expected Behaviors:

v     Following the 3 B’s

v     Following directions the first time they are given

v     Treating all people and property with respect

v     Making choices that warrant a safe environment for learning

Budget Corner

Museum is facing some very difficult decisions with our school budget for next year. Our bottom-line is that we have to cut $129,000 from our 2008-2009 budget. Our choices are limited.   When we account for all of our required positions and elements, we are looking at some very specific choices and changes: Behavior Coach, Behavior TA, Nurse buy back for 1 day, Media Center Educational Assistant, ELL buy back, and instructional supplies. Your input will help me make the best of the possible decisions.

Principal Brookins welcomes ideas and feedback via; phone, email, one-on one.

Reading Corner

Congratulations to Museum Magnet students and their families on a successful Read-a-Thon!  The students read for a total of 116, 434 minutes.  The events of the Read-a-Thon included the

v     School wide – Word Scavenger Hunt

v     Ready Readers

v     Door Decorating Contest

v     Classroom Minutes Read Contest

STEM Corner                                                                                                                    Science Fun for Your Kids There is no school subject quite as ripe for family fun as science. And it’s an area where children need extra enrichment now, more than ever, because the national No Child Left Behind initiative is causing schools to focus more intently on math and reading and spend less classroom time on science. That’s where you can make a big difference in your child’s learning, and have a great time doing it. Check out these terrific resources.

On Television The Discovery Kids Channel is probably the best source of science-oriented television shows for kids these days, offering both Bindi the Jungle Girl and Grossology.                                                                                                                    Books The Magic School Bus series is a classic collection of books that lets kids follow Ms. Frizzle into the bizarre and amazing world of science, from inside the body to outer space.

Looking for a great collection of activities to do at home? Get your hands on either of these: The Kids’ Science Book: Creative Experiences for Hands-On Fun or The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity—Challenge the World Around You!

Magazines Children love getting their very own magazines in the mail during the year. Depending on the age of your children, any of these will open their eyes to science and the world around them: Click Magazine, ASK, Odyssey Magazine, Ranger Rick, and National Geographic Kids.

Build bonds with your children by exploring some of these sites online. Go to the library to pick up back issues of the magazines or copies of the books, and set some time aside to help your children discover the wonders of the scientific world. Learning has never been so much fun!

Summer School Changes in 2009                                                                       Museum Magnet Summer School will take place at our site again.  We will have class for students in grades K – 5.  Teaching staff have not been finalized.  Summer school will be June 22-July 14 with no school July 3. Each day will be 6 hours in length. You can find more information at http://www.spps.org/SummerSchoolInfo.html.

Science for Youth (SCiIFY) – Gender and Event Based Program

Museum Magnet is a chosen site to participate in SCiIFY beginning this summer and will carryover to the next school year.  10 female and 10 male students in grades 4 -6 will be recommended for participation.  Please contact your child’s teacher for more information.  Below is a sketch of the program.

o       NXT Robotics

o       Rocketry

o       Science of Speed

o       Electricity and Circuitry