New Hampshire Reads

Many libraries throughout the state are participating in "The Big Read: New Hampshire Reads To Kill a Mockingbird" a state program organized by the Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library. many events will be scheduled throughout the state and can be reviewed at www.bigreadnh.org. If interested, I would also recommend that you check at the local library in Fremont to see if they are participating.
Yours,
Bill Lander

School District Meeting

I would like to thank all of you who supported the school district last Saturday. It certainly seemed that there was a great deal of positive support in the room. Approving the School Board's budget provides for us the financial support necessary to move the Ellis School forward. As I did Saturday, I remind you that school improvement is a process not an event! I look forward to working hard to assure our "process" yields positive results!
Yours,
Bill Lander

School District Meeting

I would like to remind everyone that the Fremont School District meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 13, 2010 beginning at 9:00 AM in the Laurence Pettengill Hall at the Ellis School. I encourage you to attend and take part in the decision making process for funding for the school district for the 2010-2011 school year. In the upcoming days, information regarding the warrant article will be mailed to the voters in Fremont. I encourage anyone who has questions to contact me at 895-6903.

I look forward to seeing you on the 13th!

Snow days
So were you among the many, including myself, wondering why there was no school Tuesday? It certainly seemed like a wasted day off. However, at 5:00 AM I was in front of WMUR, listening for the forecast, anticipating what might take place. When I heard that the "storm" would start late morning and intensify throughout the afternoon, I felt that that would be putting the children on the buses at an unsafe time, even if we dismissed at noon.

I don't know that you can truly appreciate the thinking and the stress that goes into making a no-school decision. I will always err on the side of caution for our young people. And the decision becomes even more difficult when you need to think about sending the students home mid-day. While our ALERT NOW systems make the communication of this better, I am always afraid that we not get out message across to some folks, leaving a young child locked out of his or her home.

Now let's cast some blame! Who is it that really owns the responsibility for all of us superintendents calling off school? Why it is those weather people!! If they were correct, we would have looked like heroes in this decision rather standing around with egg on our faces!

As winter break approaches, I wish for you all to have a safe and restful time away from school.

GLOBAL LEARNING

Vivien Stewart writes in a chapter called "A Classroom as Wide as the World" in Heidi Hayes Jacobs' book Curriculum 21: Essential Education for a Changing World, three elements for global literacy or competence. They are:
1. Knowledge of other world regions, cultures, economics and global issues

2. Skills to communicate in languages other than English, to work in cross-cultural teams, and to assess information from different sources around the world

3. Values of respect for other cultures and the disposition to engage responsibility as an actor in the global context.

As the world becomes "smaller" as a result technology, we need to assure that our citizens of tomorrow are prepared to work cooperatively with the diverse cultures of the world.

It has been a while since I have posted anything and will try to be more diligent in getting information out.
The Fremont School Board and administration reviewed the 2010-2011 budget with the Fremont Budget committee last Saturday. I have had posted on our web site talking points for the budget and encourage you to go there to review the overview.
More generally, the budget supports the district goals. It is an increase of $358,192 representing a 3.41% increase. It does not include collective bargaining (except step increases for teachers) increases that will be identified in separate warrant articles. The administration is requesting 2 additional teachers next year; one at grade one and one at grade two.
This is an abbreviated overview and more detail can be obtained on the web site. Additionally, I would be glad to sit down and discuss the budget with anyone who is interested.
Bill Lander

Cyber safety

Last week I attended a workshop where one of the sessions focused on Internet safety. Based on this work session, I offer the following safety tips:
1. Be cautious in putting addresses and phone numbers on the Internet.
2. Avoid naming the child's school and school logo.
3. Be careful not to identify sports teams and involvement.
4. Talk with your provider to determine whether or not you can block images from coming and limiting what you child might have access too.
5. When possible, allow the use of the computer only in areas where use can be monitored.
6. Caution should be used when posting things on "Facebook" or other websites of the like as colleges and perspective employers can check these websites.

It is a shame that we need to take these precautions but I always feel that we need to err on the side of caution.

I would be interested in hearing from you about what topics in the future you would like me to post in my blog!

Best wishes!

Bill Lander