FB Friday

Looks like a great night for a South Fulton Rebels / Bushnell Spartans matchup at Hanson Field on the WIU campus.

Show-and-Tell

Due to the fact that we had a full day of school today, I was able to visit with the 3rd grade and thank them for a great gift I received from them last week. They gave a me book, in which, they detailed their likes and dislikes about VIT. It also included three things I should know about each of them. The book is great! Of course, 90% of the dislikes revolved around heat - to be expected after the last few weeks. To thank them, I went into their classroom and told them three things I like about VIT and one thing I disliked. I told them that I believe small classes were great places to learn. I also, mentioned how happy I was with the teachers in the elementary building. My final "like" for the day was that the kids here are great to be around. They are so polite and well behaved. My one dislike was - HEAT! I then told them them three things they should know about me. I even brought in a show-and-tell item. I brought one of my bicycles for them to look at. It is a pretty cool mountain bike with really big tires. I thought they might like - and they did. I told them that I ride my bike everyday (and they should also), I used to be a high school baseball coach, and I have two children in the VIT school district. I then listen to stories and answered questions for a while. I had a great time interacting with the students and repaying their kindness from earlier in the week.

Frustrating Morning

This picture descibes my day as I tried to decide weather(I chose that usage on purpose) or not to dismiss early. I am sure that it could also represent teachers working in the heat, students trying to stay engaged in the heat, and parents trying to plan for the dismissals. Choosing to dismiss early today was a very difficult decision. Temperatures right on the bubble, the fact we have not had a full day of school all week, the cancellation of practices, and the hope that today could be the last day of the heatwave all factored into an argument on not dismissing early. On the other hand, walking the buildings and classrooms four different times this morning led me to a couple of obvious observations: 1. Our building are heating up and doing so from 11:00AM on. All week, at 10:00AM, I said "this isn't too bad - we will be fine if it stays like this!" I knew that it was just wishful thinking. Once these buildings get in a pattern of high heat and little to no cooling overnight, they heat up quickly by mid-day. 2. Our students, especially elementary students, are worn-out. The indoor heat has a cumulative effect on them. It isn't like riding a bike or running around a shade tree. The indoor heat can be oppressive and does nothing to support learning. Finally, with the hope of temperatures staying cool fading, these two observations in mind, and the personal belief that parents and caregivers deserve at least two hours in a non emergency situation to prepare for early pick-up, I decided on 1:20 PM and 1:30 PM. As always - if you have any questions, concerns, or comments - Please call me at the school at 758-5138.

Here We Go Again :(

TODAYS' PHONE MESSAGE and additional information:

Good Morning, this is a weather related message from VIT schools - due to the revised forecast of temperatures reaching 100 degrees later in the afternoon; VIT schools will release students early today - Tuesday September 10. There will be no Afternoon Pre-K. The JSHS will dismiss at 12:50pm and the Elementary will dismiss at 1pm. Please make transportation arrangements with your respective school office. If your student cannot obtain a ride - they may stay in air conditioned areas at school. Tonight’s JH football game as been mutually postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

As a reminder, in an earlier blog post, I detailed the process and the reasoning behind early dismissals. Also, please feel free to call with any concerns or questions.  

Early Out Today Monday 9/9

Today we will get out early at 12:50 in the JSHS and 1:00 in the Elementary school. The temperature today is expected to reach a real feel of 100 by 3 pm. Varsity and JH FB will move practice to 6 pm. JV FB will play tonight at 7pm instead of 6pm. 5-6th grade Girls BB is cancelled for tonight. Hopefully the next three days will be the last of this heat wave. Today's temperature is forecast to be 20 degrees higher than last year on this date. I would encourage you to make arrangements for a possible early dismissal for tomorrow as well. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these hot days.

Sent from my iPhone