Birthday Week?????

We are approaching the beginning of school and this always feels like a birthday week for me. On Monday we will have our staff retreat and all the teachers will return for the year and we will welcome our new teachers.  That is a present for me.  On Thursday the 25th, we will have our Meet the Teacher from 6:00-8:00 and that will be a present for our teachers as they get to meet all of the WONDERFUL Lake Myra Otters!  Then on Monday, July 29th, we receive our cake with the first day of school and I am so excited.  Schools are meant for children to fill the halls with learning and laughter.  Our buiding is just a shell during July (even though we are busy!!!!).  I personally ca't wait to unveil what is in store for all of our students this year.  Of course - that is the student's birthday present.  We will unveil the formal implementation of Leader in Me - which we have discussed in previous blogs. However, we will also introduce a more concentrated effort on technology and 21st Century integration this year with the introduction of our collaboration room - The Synergy Suite - and our Teacher Leader Corp. members.  Four of our teachers are receiving intense training (today is day 1) on how to use technology in a more collaborative and integrated method.  This will result in more rigorous and engaging lessons for all of our students as they come back and train the staff.  The teachers will be able to use our Synergy Suite for real world problem solving and learning.  The Synergy Suite will have moveable furniture for collaborative projects. It will also house 10 ipads, 12 laptops, 2 digital microscopes, an interactive Smart Projector, and a digital video editing area.  This room will allow our students to work the way businesses and universities expect thier employees and students to work!  It is truly exciting and I can't wait for everyone to see it and learn in it!  Of course, just like any kid with thier birthday approaching - there are alot of things I am excited about and can't wait until!  See everyone next week during our birthday week!!!!!