Archive for October, 2009

Say Boo to the Flu

Posted on Oct 4, 2009 12:53:14 PM

As you all know, this flu season started early and hasn’t let up and we technically aren’t in the flu season yet.  So, you combine the time of the year, (Fall, Halloween, etc.) with a campaign to help keep our children (and adults) healthy and what do you get?

I think that’s just a darn cute little logo.  And, if you ever leave home or anyone in your house does (and let’s hope someone does), then you are susceptible to the flu.  So, take a pledge this year and be prepared to say “Boo to the Flu”

You can get Flu Prevention Tips or be part of an intervention program in your area.  To find one near you, use this Get Involved Link

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Flu Prevention Steps

Vaccination is the first step in flu prevention.  However, even after receiving both flu vaccinations, people should take simple steps to help prevent the spread of the seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses in their homes:

· Wash Hands Frequently: Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).

· Disinfect Germ Hot Spots: Disinfect the surfaces kids touch most frequently – like doorknobs, faucets or plastic toys.

· Do the Elbow Cough: Cough and sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands to help prevent the spread of germs from touch.

· Follow Good Health Guidelines:  Eat right, exercise and get plenty of sleep to help boost your body’s ability to fight the effects of colds and the flu.

You can read a Multi-Media Release by using this Say Boo to the Flu link

By learning to keep you and your family safe, you in turn, learn to keep me and my family safe and I have made a pledge to do just that. 

In my son’s school, one of the hot topics of conversation is “perfect attention”.  I say bah to that on many levels.  Number one being that sick kids have no reason to come to school simply to earn a piece of paper that says, “Hey, I came to school sick and that’s why you now have the flu”.  Not cool, so very not cool!

The full OfficeMax Story

Posted on Oct 1, 2009 03:39:46 AM

Our party included the PTO providing teacher snacks since it was already on the schedule for the PTO to have their Teacher Appreciation Snack for September the 30th.  Since the PTO was so gracious with the food, we took the opportunity to announce the winner of the $100 Gift Certificate to OfficeMax  and we used the $75 Visa Card that would have paid for yet another eating function that we simply couldn’t get scheduled and we gave that to another teacher. 

When I first informed the teachers to sign-up on the Adopt-a-Classroom site, I had one teacher who signed up immediately.  She has been teaching 31 years and I was a student in the first 5th grade class she ever taught.  She has taught many other grades since then but she is now back in the fifth grade.  I discussed it with the PTO and Administrators and we were all in agreement that since she was the first to sign up on the Adopt-a-Classroom site, she should get the Visa Card.

She brought the entire fifth grade, 3 classes of them, into the Library where we were stationed with gifts and food and lined them up.  She then crawled inside the OfficeMax box and proceeded to entertain her children as she always does.  The Principal requested that the box remain at the front of the building along with the donation cards that we provided so that we may get continued help from the community.

So, we were content to eat, drink, have our photos made, get inside the big box and the extra gifts were distributed evenly among the other teachers. Every teacher receiving at least one rubber band ball and some even got 2 and then the other items were drawn for out of a hat.  At the close of the day, I took the Head Start Teachers a rubber band ball each and the Lunchroom Administrator received one as well.  I then gave the two office personal a rubber band ball each.  We did a quick photo with one of the first grade teachers since they will receive the gift certificate.  It was their request that it be split between them.  They coordinate all lessons and wanted to make sure that OfficeMax and others knew that they felt it was a gift to the entire grade, not just one teacher. 

To end the day, I slipped in the office and tossed the Principal the very last rubber band ball and said, "Thanks for having me, let’s stay on our toes and make more good things happen for our teachers".

I started my Whrrl story last night, I finished it tonight and I"ve blogged, made a PowerPoint presentation and turned it into a pdf and I"ve loaded it on slide share.  I am trying to guarantee everyone can see it in one form or another.  I’ve tweeted it, I’ve put it on facebook, we’ve emailed it to the entire email listing of parents, teachers and administrators.

Due to some urgent news, our media coverage did not make it to the school today.   They did however request that I email them the Media Release and photos and that has already been completed as well.  I finished my evening off by writing a thank you note to the PTO for providing the food and explaining a bit more about how Office Max, A Day Made Better, Adopt-a-Classroom and Help Erase Teaching Funding Works.  I encouraged them to sign up on the Adopt-a-Classroom site again as well.

I explained in my letter that I admired them and I appreciate what they do and although I am not very domestic and can’t provide snacks very well, I can type, create, design, grade papers, re-type, make copies, etc and if they need me to call me any time.  I explained that my goal was to encourage parents to relieve the teachers of any duties that prevents them from spending the maximum amount of time with the students.  As parents we can make copies, do bulletin boards, etc and let the teachers do what they are there to do and that is to teach. 

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I LOVE THIS WOMAN

And, this one too!