Mike's Monday Memo

Here’s what’s up for the week of March 5, 2007:

1. Spring Break - Just a reminder that Spring Break will be Monday, April 2nd  through Friday, April 6.
   
   
2. Next Board Meeting - Our next Board Work session is tonight at 4:00 p.m. at the EducationalServiceCenter. Staff is always welcome.
   
   
3. Spring Forward – On Saturday night, March 10th, please remember to move your clocks ahead one hour. Spring is on its way!
   
   
4. From the Desk of Craig Loree – As you may know, Daylight Savings Time is occurring earlier this year than in years past. This year we will set our clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on March 10. However, this presents a problem for some computer operating systems. In the event that your computer doesn’t adjust its time for Daylight Savings Time on March 10th, a manual adjustment to the time will be necessary. Attached are the instructions on how to manually adjust the time on your computer. A second adjustment may be necessary after the original date of DST passes. To view these instructions, please click here.
   
   Also included are the ongoing email record retention updates two-four. Please click on the one that you wish to review.
       Update Two
       Update Three
       Update Four
   
   
5. How to Help your Child Learn Through Play - I recycled this information as I have been asked for it on numerous occasions.
   Research has shown that children often benefit more from play than they do through more structured attempts at teaching them. For instance, many parents believe that flashcards and computer activities help their children learn more than regular playground activities. Researchers are finding that this is not true and that many parents simply don’t recognize the positive effects of play on their children, including helping the development of their intellectual capabilities.
   New and interesting environments that allow a child to become a more creative explorer encourage creativity and curiosity in the child. As most scientists and teachers know, these are the building blocks for developing a child’s confidence and knowledge about the world. Many play games also prepare children well for upcoming formal schooling. Games that include singing and reading, for instance, put some children far ahead of those who do not have exposure to these kinds of activities in their first three years.
   Why are those first three years so important? Well, it has been recognized as a window of time when the connections between a baby’s synapses are quickly formed.
   The main points to remember about your child or grandchild’s development are:
   ---Good old-fashioned play and fun really does help your child to learn.
   ---Just about any situation that presents itself can be an opportunity for creative play
       for your child, if you recognize it and take advantage of it.
   ---One of the big things that children do when they play is to recognize similarities 
       and distinctions in the world. This is the door to their intellectual development.
   ---Allowing your child to play creatively is one big way to help him prepare for
       school. 
              –Adapted from Understanding Children, by Richard Saul Wurman
   
   
6. Good Things Keep Happening - Each and every day I have the pleasure to work with wonderful people. I continue to be amazed as to all the great things everyone does for and with our students. State Superintendent, Mike Flanagan was so impressed with our programs and staff. He only saw one/tenth of what I see everyday.
   
   
7. Birthday Wishes – Happy Birthday to all of you!
   3/5   Marty Doring
           Mary Freiberg 
           Kellie Seward
   3/6   Gail Gesinski
           Larry Smith Jr.
   3/7   Dawn Roberson
   3/8   Gregory Allington
            Lisa Gilles
   3/9   Annette Bond
           Jennifer Watson
   3/10 Diane Toporski
   3/11 Amy Muempfer.