A brief senior prank tutorial
A senior prank is:
- humorous without being offensive
- clever and creative without being destructive
- well-thought out without being too twee
- memorable without being infamous
- inclusive without being cliquish
A senior prank is not:
- giving the already-overwhelmed janitorial staff any more work or stress
- setting out to deface and destroy school property
- causing your peers and teachers to feel ashamed to come to campus
- creating an environment where learning cannot happen
- making anyone feel unsafe or fearful as a result of your actions
Chicago School Board closes 49 schools, largest closing in US history
Chicago Tribune: After hearing from aldermen, angry parents and community members in a meeting interrupted several times by protesters, the Chicago Board of Education approved a plan to close 49 elementary schools and one high school program.
The board voted 4-2 to close Von Humboldt Elementary, then unanimously approved the rest of the closings in a single vote.
Before that, the board voted 6-0 to approve a last-minute recommendation by the district to spare four elementary schools.
After more than two hours of public comments, Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and board members defended the plan to close the highest number of schools the city has ever shut down in a single year.
The district says it needs to close schools to address a looming $1 billion deficit and declining enrollment.
More from the Tribune here.
Dear Seniors,
I know you don’t like me right now. You have an essay due at the end of the week. It’s the end of the marking period. You are SO CLOSE to graduation. And you hate me for making you actually do work. I get it. I understand what you’re going through. I was in your shoes not too long ago. However, one day, maybe six months from now, or even years down the road, you will thank me for making you work until the end. I am pushing you towards the finish line harder, rather than let you finish at a snail’s pace. Why? Because I know you can do it, and because I care about you.
Ultimately, the choice is yours over the next few weeks: finish strong or check out. Nobody can make that choice for you. Not even me. But know that I believe in you and I’m here to support and guide you.
Remember: Attitude is everything.
Love,
Your teacher
I lost it.
Yearbooks were handed out today, which as you all know, is exciting in the lives of middle schoolers. During my 5th period, which is my precious 8th graders, I was asked to sign them all (and I really mean them ALL). While signing them, all I could think about was how much they have grown from last year to this year with me… which led to me eventually breaking down in tears IN CLASS. They all stared at me and were whispering to each other “is she really crying???” Then, to break the ice, one of my handsome little smarty-pants says “Wow, we finally see she has a heart…” to which I even laughed. Those students are my babies, and I love them dearly. Thank goodness the high school is still part of the school as a whole. If they were leaving, I think I would be WAY more dramatic.
1.5 days left.
a big, beautiful grain of salt
Standardized test scores are what they are: an incomplete to misleading snapshot. I believe that. And yet, when good ones come back, my inner Lisa Simpson still feels validated. Pleased. Nearly proud.
I think, if anything, that’s evidence of a problem. But at the moment I really don’t care.
Police Raid School Teacher for Uploading History Book for Students
torrentfreak.comA teacher received a huge shock last week after uploading a copy of a book to his website that offers free educational resources for students. The Latvian publisher behind the work, a $4.00 history book, complained to the authorities which resulted in the teacher being raided by the police. During interrogation the teacher learned that his mistake could cost him dearly – two years in jail, forced labor, or a fine.
» via TorrentFreak
China Bans 7 Topics in University Classrooms
chronicle.comIn an effort to curb Western influence, China’s leaders have reportedly banned the discussion of seven subjects in university classrooms, including press freedom, universal values, and the historical mistakes of the Chinese Communist Party.
Chinese professors and political analysts said a recent directive from Beijing to universities indicated an awareness among the country’s leaders that the government is losing its ideological grip over students and younger faculty members.
» via The Chronicle of Higher Education (Subscription may be required for some content)
