Here at Chicago School Supply, we  believe wholeheartedly that teachers hold communities together. We have all heard the cliché about it taking a village to raise a child. The fact of the matter is it’s true!

Teachers are one of the main pillars of a sound and progressive society. They bear the weight and responsibility of teaching, and, apart from parents, are the main source of knowledge and values for children. – From The Importance of Teachers

Beginning this month, we will be highlighting an educator who truly makes a difference in their community. In the Chicago School Supply community, that person is Joy Price Lewis,  Teaching Safari Lead Instructor.

Joy comes from a family of educators. Her mother has been teaching since 1971, and has no intentions of retiring soon. Her mother inspires her to want to educate generations. Joy wants to raise the quality of the current state in education. She has committed herself to life-long learning and becoming a change agent in educational environments.

She has taught Pre-School, 2nd grade, 5th grade, 7th, and 8th grade. Her commitment to the whole child reflects in the activities she partakes in the school community such as 8th Grade Activities (Celebration, Luncheon, and Graduation), The National Junior Beta Club, Annual Award Banquet, Coordinator, School Event(s) Coordinator, Black McDonalds Owners Association (BMOA) Write to Achieve, Mayor Daley Book Club, B.B.G. Inspirational Dance, Girl’s Basketball Coach, 5th and 6th Girls Volleyball Coach, and 5th-6th Cross Country Track Coach.

She was nominee for the Golden Apple Award in 2006 and a finalist for the DRIVE (Delivering Results through Innovative and Visionary Education) in 2007.

Currently she is a doctoral candidate at Illinois State University in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction her research is focus is writing instruction. In pursuit of her PhD in education, Joy has completed research in the following areas: classroom management, data analysis, writing instruction, conformity in middle schools, the impact of social backgrounds and expectations on reading achievement, writing assessment, teacher evaluation and professional development, and the relationship between the school and the foster child. While studying abroad in the United Kingdom in 2007, Joy completed a reflective and comparative analysis of writing instruction and writing assessment in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Joy is from Chicago, and is a product of the Chicago Public School system and has committed her professional career to the students in this district. She has personified the words of Albert Einstein in her work, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken JOY and creative expression and knowledge.”

Thank you Joy for all that you do!

If you know of or feel inspired by a teacher in your school community we need to know about,  contact us and tell us their story!

Filed under: Featured Teachers, Teaching Safari on August 31st, 2010 | No Comments »

To kick off the new school year, each week we will publish a featured Lesson Plan. Be sure to check back each week for our newest post!

Impromptu Speech

Objective

Students will practice public speaking by giving short imprompt speeches.

Directions

The impromptu speech is an unprepared speech that one gives with spontaneity. It is often done when the speaker draws a topic–sometimes a silly one–and gives the speech off the top of his or her head. Each member of the class can supply one topic to put into the drawing. If preferred, the class may base their speeches on the topics suggested on page 15.
A speaker may prepare an impromptu speech by following the basic three-point speaker outline: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.

Notes on the Introduction
The introduction may be an attention-getting statement, joke, or anecdote. It is always a good idea for speakers to learn famous or well-known quotations, since these make great introductions. It is also possible to present a simple incident in a dramatic or storytelling format.
Example: A young child rummages through the garbage behind a grocery store. She pulls her thin jacket around her frail body and shivers against the cold. For her, this subject–hunger in America–is a harsh reality.
This introduction has accomplished several goals:

• gotten the attention of the listener
• personalized the subject
• created sympathy for a presented need
• provided an organizational tool to restate the need and develop a conclusion.

Notes on the Conclusion
When presenting a conclusion, refer back to the introduction.
Example: Feeding the hungry may hold little interest for the comfortable, but, to the child rummaging through garbage for provisions, it is of immediate interest today–and has an even graver impact on her tomorrows.

Resources

• copies of the activity sheets (see the link above)

Filed under: Lesson Plans- Language Arts on August 26th, 2010 | No Comments »

Parents and educators seeking the tools and resources to help their students develop a love for reading can find just that at one our favorite online education resources: Reading Rockets.  Reading Rockets is a national multimedia project designed to share information and resources on help children learn to read. This wonderful resource is a wealth of information and offers helpful tips and advice for parents, teachers, principals and librarians to promote reading.

One of our favorite programs this site offers is their Meet the Experts series  on YouTube. This podcast series provides an opportunity to learn about educational topics directly from authorities in the field. Watch exclusive interviews with prominent professionals, like Drs. Maryanne Wolf (below) and Louisa Moats. Topics include how to identify learning difficulties, develop reading skills early, and the importance of phonics.

For more information about teaching kids to read and helping those who struggle, visit www.readingrockets.org. Reading Rockets is a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S.

Filed under: For Parents, Teacher Resources on August 26th, 2010 | No Comments »

Back-to-school is all the talk these days! Even Baseball is getting into the Back-to-School spirit!   The Chicago White Sox are hosting a Back to School Day at U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday, September 12th.. Students and their families can take advantage of special discounted tickets and watch the White Sox take on the Kansas City Royals.

There will be gate performances, in-game features, kids activities and specially priced tickets for all families, students, and teachers.

Additionally, the first 10,000 children 13 years of age and under to enter the ballpark will receive a free Back 2 School t-shirt presented by Beatles Rockband!

Visit www.whitesox.com/school to purchase your specially priced tickets and for more information.

GO SOX!

Filed under: Back to School, chicago on August 23rd, 2010 | No Comments »

Preparing your child for back-to-school can be one thing; preparing yourself is quite another! These helpful tips for parents will help with the sometimes rocky transition from summer to the school year.

10. Contact information. Get e-mail addresses from all of your child’s teachers. It is easy for teachers to type a quick note about issues as they arise and keep parents informed with short e-mails.

9. Organization is essential. Teach your child to use a planner. The planner can include a list of what to take home, a to-do list, and a list of what should come back to school the next day.

8. Praise and encourage. Praise your child when she does well or excels at something, and when she has trouble with something, practice with her and provide encouragement.

7. Meet the teachers. Most schools have parent-teacher conferences towards the beginning of the school year. If your school does not, be sure to schedule some time to meet with your child’s teacher at the start of the school year.

6. Set a good example. Your children model themselves after you. Be respectful and honest in front of the teacher and at home, and they will likely follow suit.

5. Find the right size. Buy boys’ pants that fit and are not five sizes too big. School staff does not need to spend time telling students to pull up their pants.

4. Take time to read. Manage your child’s television and internet time and have them read at night.

3. Accurate information. Make sure you provide your child’s teachers with accurate phone numbers and other contact information.

2. Persistence. Ask your students if they have homework, and do not believe them when they say no.

1. Get involved. If your school has a parent teacher organization (PTO) or something similar, participate. You can also ask your child’s teacher or other school staff for ways you can volunteer and help out around the school. It is important to create positive relationships with teachers and school staff.

Filed under: Back to School, For Parents on August 20th, 2010 | No Comments »

A Guide From: Reading Rockets (2008)

There are many people at your child’s school who are there to help your child learn, grow socially and emotionally, and navigate the school environment. Here’s a selected list of who’s who at your school: the teaching and administrative staff as well as organizations at the district level. You might want to keep this list handy all year long.

Classroom Teachers

Elementary Teacher In elementary school, the primary classroom teacher teaches core subjects such as mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies through books, games, music, projects, films, computers, and more. (A subject specialist typically leads other topics, such as art or physical education.)

Elementary school teachers also work with special education students, following an Individualized Education Program (IEP). When you speak with your child’s teacher, you will learn about your child’s academic achievements and any behavioral issues, and you should seek out the teacher whenever you have concerns or questions.

Subject Specialist These teachers offer special classes across the school, such as music, art, or foreign language.

Resource Teacher Resource teachers work with students for part of the day to support special learning needs. Most often these teachers do not have their own classroom. The most common of these are special-education resource teachers. You may have other resource teachers such as a reading resource, English language learner (ELL), or gifted-education teachers.

• Special Education Teacher: Special education teachers help children with special needs and their families over an entire academic career, starting with the IEP, which sets out a personalized learning program. They work closely with general education teachers to provide a supported general educational experience. When ready, the special education teacher will help students with disabilities prepare for middle school. You may use the special education teacher as a resource, too, in learning what to do at home to support what your child is learning at school. Also, you may meet with the special education teacher to follow your child’s behavioral progress.

• ELL (English language learner), ESL (English as a second language), or ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) Teacher: Fluent in another language and culture, ESL teachers specialize in helping non-native students master English language and culture as well as basic content knowledge, such as science or history facts. By providing English skills as well as content knowledge, ESL courses help students join a general education classroom appropriate for their age and abilities. Teachers may be ESL-certified in addition to their primary teaching area; for example, a teacher may be an elementary education teacher with ESL certification, or a teacher’s primary certification may be in ESL. If your child has an ESL teacher, you can meet with him or her to learn about your child’s progress with English skills and comprehension.

Support Within Your School

Assistant Principal Sometimes called vice principals, they help the school principal by becoming responsible for a particular administrative area of the school. For example, an assistant principal may coordinate support services, like school buses, cafeteria meals, and vending machine snacks. Your child’s school may have one or several assistant principals, depending on how many students attend. Assistant principals may also handle student discipline and attendance problems, recreational programs, and health matters. For example, if your child must miss school for an extended time, perhaps because of an illness, you may work with an assistant principal to decide how your child will keep up with schoolwork and how the absence will impact your child’s academic record.

Counselor Counselors help students with social, behavioral, and personal challenges. Elementary school counselors help teachers and parents evaluate a child’s talents, difficulties, or special needs by observing children’s playing and learning activities. They also participate in developing an IEP. If you see your child acting out towards you or other children, you may want to speak with a school counselor to learn how your child interacts at school.

Librarian The librarian administers the library, including overseeing its evolution to a media center. That means the librarian selects books, helps students research online and in texts, manages the library computers, and chooses videos for the school collection. If your child has special interests or literacy needs, you may want to speak with a librarian; he or she can help guide your child to appropriate media resources.

Library Aide, Library Technician, Library Technical Assistant, or Media Aide People with any or all of these titles assist the school’s librarian and patrons; your school’s librarian will know the exact staffing. The aides may have specific responsibilities, such as managing the library’s computers or repairing books, or general, like helping students who visit.

If your child would benefit from specific training on media resources, a library aide may be the one to help.

Literacy Coach Literacy coaches improve literacy teaching across all classes, by helping teachers of all topics include literacy skill-building work. The coaches also assess how well the school teaches literacy skills, and may develop school-wide literacy programs. If your child seems out of step with the literacy pace in his or her class, speak with a literacy coach. The coach can then evaluate the class, as well as your child, and recommend changes, such as offering help to the teacher, enrichment for your child, or both.

Occupational Therapist Occupational therapists (OT) help children improve their ability to perform tasks in living and working environments. In schools, for example, the occupational therapist assesses a child’s capabilities, recommends therapy, adapts classroom equipment, and helps the child participate in school activities. A therapist may work with children individually or work with small groups in the classroom. An OT may also consult with a teacher or serve on an administrative committee. If your child is recommended for OT services, you should contact the therapist to review why the recommendation is being made and what responses are planned.

Paraprofessional See Librarian aide and Teacher aide.

Physical Therapist Physical therapists (PT) help people restore, maintain, and promote their overall fitness and health. At a school, they may work with students on improving physical condition or recovering from an injury. They may also work with students with disabilities on establishing and maintaining physical fitness. In a school setting, a physical therapist would likely work with other professionals, such as the school nurse, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, and educators, as well as the parents. For example, if your child needs some classroom accommodations while recovering from an injury, the physical therapist can help you make sure appropriate ones are provided.

Principal Each school has one principal, who sets the academic and administrative expectations for the school. The principal is responsible for ensuring the school meets state, local, and federal goals on test results. Principals promote professional development of staff, meet with teachers, work with staff, talk with parents, report to the school board, and, if needed, discipline students. Principals are always the school’s decision maker and chief public representative. You may speak with the principal about your child, such as his or her class placement, as well as about school issues that concern you, such as after-school programs or the reading curriculum.

Reading Specialist A reading specialist provides reading services across the curriculum. For example, the specialist may work individually with a struggling student, as well as work with the literacy coach to manage the reading support services provided at the school. The specialist may also train teachers on reading strategies for the classroom. You may contact a reading specialist with questions about your child’s reading habits.

School Nurse School nurses provide preventive and acute care to the school population. The duties include administering prescription medicine, advising students about health care, and being the first medical responder to a school health situation, such as an injury. The nurse may also notice patterns of physical symptoms of stress in students. The school will contact you immediately if there is an injury; if you think your child may be responding physically to stress, you may want to contact the nurse.

School Psychologist School psychologists help to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment for all children. They collaborate with teachers, parents, and school personnel to address students’ learning and behavioral problems and growth. For example, they may oversee a school’s peer counseling program. If your child is identified with special learning needs, either disabilities or giftedness, you may meet with the school psychologist to help plan his or her education.

Secretary The school secretary manages the administrative work of the school, ranging from registering new students to scheduling appointments with the principal, from answering phone calls to monitoring attendance. Frequently, a school has a secretarial team of a few people to handle all the work. At any time, they must be prepared to answer questions from parents, such as those about immunizations or special program schedules, as well as questions from teachers, on topics like supplies and copiers. Whether you call or visit the school, a secretary will help you reach the person you need.

Speech-Language Pathologist or Speech Therapist They help students with needs related to speech, language, and voice communication, such as stuttering or understanding language. The therapists can assess and diagnose problems, as well as treat existing conditions or help prevent such disorders. If your child regularly has trouble saying or responding to certain words, you may want to seek help from the school’s speech-language pathologist.

Teacher Aide, Teacher Assistant, Instructional Aide Aides help with teacher duties, extending the individual attention that can be given to students. Most aides perform both clerical and instructional duties, such as monitoring the cafeteria as well as providing supplemental help to specific students. Many teacher aides also work with children with special needs, helping them participate successfully in a general education classroom. You may want to speak with any aide who regularly works with your child, whether as a tutor or as a playground monitor, to stay informed of your child’s progress.

Support Around Your School

PTA/PTO The parent-teacher association (or organization) brings parents together on behalf of the school through activities like parent newsletters and special events. For example, PTAs may organize fundraisers to improve school playgrounds. Find out if your child’s school has a PTA and get involved — it helps you meet other parents, as well as get to know the faculty and staff beyond back-to-school night.

School Board The board is responsible for the legislative functioning of the public school district. Its members are elected, appointed, or both. The school board also oversees the budget for the district and makes district-level policy decisions. School board meetings are open to the public — check the website for a meeting schedule — and you can lobby the school board on their decisions, such as which schools will have magnet programs for intense study of a foreign language.

School District The district is the geographic region of schools that work together, typically, a city, town, or county. Two of its primary jobs are assigning students and staff to schools and managing the school properties. In general, children are assigned to schools based on where they live, but you may request your child go to another school within the district if another school offers a program not available at the school your child would ordinarily attend. For example, if another school offers the only Spanish immersion program in the area, you may ask the district to enroll your child there. Check your district’s website for full details of its geographic boundaries and student opportunities offered.

Teacher’s Union The collective presence of the teachers, the union bargains with the public school board about issues that affect a teacher’s employment, such as salaries and tenure, and establishes them in a contract. Periodically, the contracts are renewed or reassessed; as both a taxpayer and a parent, you may want to know the current or proposed contract details.

Filed under: For Parents on August 19th, 2010 | No Comments »

To kick off the new school year, each week we will publish a featured Lesson Plan.  Be sure to check back each week for our newest post!

By Jove, I Think You’ve Got It

Download Worksheet

Language Arts, Writing, Writing Process, Oral Language, Listening
Grade 5- 8

Objective

A light bulb is used creatively to highlight student writing.

Directions

1. As a class, brainstorm a list of problems involving the environment (for example, the hole in the ozone layer, deforestation of the rain forests, poaching of endangered species, etc.).
2. Hold a class vote to select the problem the students most wish to write about. Write the chosen problem on the board.
3. In small groups, allow the students to brainstorm for solutions to the problem. Each group should think of at least three solutions.
4. Individually, each student will write a problem and solution essay, using the problem the class chose and one of the three or more solutions the small group suggested.
5. After each student has written a first draft, have them return to their small groups for responses to their writing. Each report should be attached to a separate sheet of paper; and, as the report is passed to each person of the group, that person will write comments and suggestions on the attached paper. The group’s work will be finished when every report has been read and responded to by every member of the group.
6. Each student should edit and revise the report, keeping the group’s responses in mind.
7. Distribute page 89 to each student. Tell the students to use this form for the final drafts of their reports. (Each student may need more than one copy.) The students should cut around the forms.
8. Cut out the patterns on pages 90 and 91. Attach them together to make a light bulb. Display the light bulb on a bulletin board. Then stack the students reports to make the socket part of the bulb. Staple them together across the top and attach them in place to the bulb. On the light bulb, write the original problem from the board.

Resources

• one or more copies of By Jove Template (page 89) for each student
• By Jove Light Bulb Pattern (pages 90 and 91)
• scissors
• glue stick
• writing paper
• pens or pencils

Filed under: Lesson Plans- Language Arts on August 17th, 2010 | No Comments »

When I saw this piece reported by Janet Shamlian on NBC’s Today Show this morning I knew I had to address this.   Numerous school systems across the country are facing massive budget cuts; and parents are being asked to pick up the tab to pay for the most basic classroom necessities like soap, paper towels, tissue paper and much more.

Some feel that this is a lot to ask many families who are already struggling to make ends meet.  On the other hand, it is unacceptable to expect teachers to pay for their classroom supplies out of their own pockets (which many do every year without a single complaint). What does this mean about the state of our public education in this country?  Teachers/parents- are you being asked to pay more for your child’s classroom needs?  Share your thoughts on the story:

Cash-strapped schools ask parents to dig deep
As NBC’s Janet Shamlian reports, some school districts are asking parents to purchase beyond the ordinary school supplies amid severe budget cuts. But what should families on a strict budget do? Personal finance expert Carmen Wong Ulrich shares shopping tips.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Filed under: Education News, Opinion on August 17th, 2010 | No Comments »

Last week, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the award of $115.3 million to 124 school districts to improve the quality of teaching American history in our nation’s schools.

The Teaching American History grant program aims to enhance teachers’ understanding of American history through intensive professional development, including study trips to historic sites and mentoring with professional historians and other experts.

Projects are required to partner with organizations that have broad knowledge of American history, such as libraries, museums, nonprofit historical or humanities organizations, and higher education institutions.

Teaching American History grants are funded for a three-year period. They will be awarded to school districts in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa.

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Teaching Safari study trips to historic sites: Graue Mill and the Underground Railroad; Chicago Southside – Pullman Neighborhood, Industry, and History; Chicago Money, Finance, and Government Tour; Lincoln in Chicago; Chicago Chinatown and Chinese in America

American History Grant Recipients
Following is a list of grantees by state. Included are the grant recipients, contacts and grant award amount for the first year of the grant.

•AL — HUNTSVILLE — Madison County Board of Education, Pamela Gothart, pgothart@madison.k12.al.us, $999,965.
•AS — PAGO PAGO — American Samoa Department of Education, Donna Gurr, gurrdonna@yahoo.com, $500,000.
•AZ — FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Unified School District #1, Barbara Hickman, bhickman@fusd1.org, $999,953.
•AZ — PHOENIX — Phoenix Union High School District, Gerry Petersen, jbaker@phxhs.k12.az.us, $1,000,000.
•CA — COSTA MESA — Orange County Superintendent of Schools, Deborah Granger, dgranger@ocde.us, $997,933.
•CA — FAIRFIELD — Solano County Superintendent of Schools, Stacey Greer, sbgreer@ucdavis.edu, $1,000,000.
•CA — GLENDALE — Glendale Unified School District, Joanna Junge, jjunge@gusd.net, $999,962.
•CA — HAYWARD — Alameda County Office of Education, Avi Black, ablack@acoe.org, $999,954.
•CA — LAKE ELSINORE — Lake Elsinore Unified School District, Nancy Andrzejczak, nancy.andrzejczak@leusd.k12.ca.us, $999,966.
•CA — LONG BEACH — Long Beach Unified School District, Linda Mehlbrech, lmehlbrech@lbschools.net, $980,580.
•CA — LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Unified School District, Michael Reed, michael.reed@lausd.net, $1,998,978.
•CA — MISSION VIEJO — Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Gloria Roelen, roelen@svusd.org, $998,659.
•CA — MOORPARK — Moorpark Unified School District, Larry Jones, ljones@mrpk.org, $998,946.
•CA — PICO RIVERA — El Rancho Unified School District, Susanna Smith, ssmith@erusd.k12.ca.us, $966,999.
•CA — REDDING — Shasta County Office of Education, Tom Forbes, tforbes@shastacoe.org, $985,658.
•CA — RICHMOND — West Contra Costa Unified School District, Natalie Wojinski, natalie.wojinski@gmail.com, $996,368.
•CA — SAN BERNARDINO — San Bernardino County Schools, Angela Dorough, angela_dorough@sbcss.k12.ca.us, $1,987,156.
•CA — SAN MARCOS — San Marcos Unified School District, Gina Bishop, gina.bishop@smusd.org, $822,216.
•CA — UKIAH — Mendocino County Office of Education, Nancy Rogers-Zegarra, nrogers@mcoe.us, $1,000,000.
•CO — COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Springs School District 11, Jessica Sharp, sharpjr@d11.org, $999,154.
•CO — FOUNTAIN — El Paso County School District 8, Debbie Pierre, dpierre@ffc8.org, $995,116.
•CT — NORTH HAVEN — Area Cooperative Educational Services, Leslie Abbatiello, labbatiello@aces.org, $997,208.
•DC — WASHINGTON — District of Columbia Public Schools, Ryan Montgomery, ryan.montgomery@dc.gov, $964,315.
•DE — WILMINGTON — Red Clay Consolidated School District, Rebecca Reed, rebecca.reed@redclay.k12.de.us, $997,646.
•FL — FORT LAUDERDALE — School Board of Broward County, Shellie Gory, shellie.gory@browardschools.com, $983,121.
•FL — FORT MYERS — School District of Lee County, Cindy Mcclung, jimwb@leeschools.net, $989,753.
•FL — JACKSONVILLE — Duval County Public Schools, Michele Green, greenm2@duvalschools.org, $999,998.
•FL — KEY WEST — Monroe County School District, Jeanne Sanford, jeanne.sanford@keysschools.com, $500,000.
•FL — KISSIMMEE — School District of Osceola County, Scott Fritz, fritzs@osceola.k12.fl.us, $999,364.
•FL — OCALA — Marion County Public Schools, Christine Sandy, christine.sandy@marion.k12.fl.us, $949,248.
•FL — WEST PALM BEACH — School District of Palm Beach County, Ana Dowling, tarafaa@palmbeach.k12.fl.us, $951,782.
•GA — DALLAS — Paulding County School District, Vince Fulghum, vfulghum@paulding.k12.ga.us, $984,536.
•GA — MARIETTA — Cobb County School District, Martha Battle, martha.battle@cobbk12.org, $999,425.
•GA — SAVANNAH — Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Leah Colby, leah.colby@sccpss.com, $1,000,000.
•GA — SUWANNE — Gwinnett County Public Schools, Deborah Daniell, debbie_daniell@gwinnett.k12.ga.us, $927,763.
•ID — GRANGEVILLE — Mountain View School District #244, Wayne Carroll, wcarroll@lcsc.edu, $998,769.
•ID — LEWISTON — Independent School District No. 1, Ellen Perconti, ellenp@lewiston.k12.id.us, $494,457.
•IN — FORT WAYNE — Fort Wayne Community Schools, Nancy Stansberry, nancy.stansberry@fwcs.k12.in.us, $999,998.
•IN — GOSHEN — Goshen Community School Corporation, Rashella Wilfong, swilfong@goshenschools.org, $499,608.
•IN — MUNCIE — Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities, David Williams, dwilliam@bsu.edu, $999,990.
•IN — RICHMOND — Richmond Community Schools, Susan Hively, shively@rcs.k12.in.us, $489,884.
•KS — HUTCHINSON — ESSDACK, Terry Fehrenbach, terryf@essdack.org, $943,418.
•KS — OLATHE — Olathe District Schools #233, Maureen Donegan, mdoneganirc@olatheschools.com, $814,862.
•KY — ASHLAND — Kentucky Educational Development Cooperative, Belinda Bowling, belinda.bowling@kedc.org, $999,978.
•KY — COVINGTON — Covington Independent School District, Rick Ross, rick.ross@covington.kyschools.us, $499,974.
•KY — HINDMAN — Knott County Board of Education, Dustin Combs, dustin.combs@knott.kyschools.us, $475,366.
•KY — MURRAY — West Kentucky Educational Cooperative, John Settle, john.settle@wkec.org, $997,072.
•KY — SHELBYVILLE — Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, Karla Gibbs, kgibbs@ovec.org, $998,739.
•LA — NEW ORLEANS — Algiers Charter Schools Association, Karl Asher, stuart.gay@theacsa.org, $999,750.
•LA — SHREVEPORT — Caddo Parish School Board, Michael Sartisky, sartisky@leh.org, $996,587.
•MA — ARLINGTON — Arlington Public Schools, Kerry Dunne, kdunne@arlington.k12.ma.us, $999,990.
•MA — DEDHAM — The Education Cooperative, Gail Ross-Mcbride, gail@tec-coop.org, $997,660.
•MA — HUNTINGTON — Gateway Regional School District, Patricia Gardner, pgardner@wsc.ma.edu, $958,247.
•MD — CHESTERTOWN — Kent County Public Schools, Christopher Cerino, ccerino@sultanaprojects.org, $954,822.
•MD — ELLICOTT CITY — Howard County Public School System, Mark Stout, mstout@hcpss.org, $999,445.
•MD — ROCKVILLE — Montgomery County Public Schools, Maria Tarasuk, maria_l_tarasuk@mcpsmd.org, $999,918.
•MI — ALPENA — Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District, Gary Goren, goreng@amaesd.k12.mi.us, $498,252.
•MI — STANTON — Montcalm Area Intermediate School District, Rebecca Bush, rjbush@ioniaisd.org, $999,991.
•MO — AURORA — Aurora School District R8, Anne Shadwick, anne@southwestcenter.org, $998,901.
•MO — CHESTERFIELD — Parkway C-2 School District, Elizabeth Morrison, emorrison@pkwy.k12.mo.us, $735,017.
•MS — CORINTH — Corinth School District, Kimberly Jobe, kjobe@corinth.k12.ms.us, $999,990.
•MS — MCCOMB — McComb School District, Lia Landrum, lia.landrum@hotmail.com, $1,000,000.
•MT — GREAT FALLS — Great Falls Public Schools, Robert Rydell, rwrydell@montana.edu, $982,962.
•NC — WASHINGTON — Beaufort County Schools, Michele Oros, moros@beaufort.k12.nc.us, $442,636.
•NE — FREMONT — Educational Service Unit #2, Diane Wolfe, dmwolfe@esu2.org, $985,101.
•NE — OMAHA — Omaha Public Schools, Harris Payne, harris.payne@ops.org, $999,602.
•NJ — ALLAMUCHY — Allamuchy Township School District, Bradford Wilson, bpwilson@princeton.edu, $946,425.
•NJ — BRIDGETON — Bridgeton Public Schools, James Coyne, mcoyne@bridgeton.k12.nj.us, $498,780.
•NJ — CAMDEN — Camden City Schools, Loretta Gronau, lgronau@camden.k12.nj.us, $497,994.
•NJ — EWING — Ewing Public Schools, Bradford Wilson, bpwilson@princeton.edu, $946,425.
•NJ — LINDEN — Linden Public Schools, Bradford Wilson, bpwilson@princeton.edu, $951,675.
•NJ — RIDGEWOOD — Ridgewood Public Schools, Hank Bitten, hbitten@optonline.net, $999,479.
•NJ — WEST ORANGE — West Orange High School District, Bradford Wilson, bpwilson@princeton.edu, $946,425.
•NM — RIO RANCHO — Rio Rancho Public Schools, Martha Fenstermacher, mafenstermacherabq@yahoo.com, $999,182.
•NV — RENO — Washoe County School District, Kristen Mcneill, kmcneill@washoe.k12.nv.us, $999,459.
•NY — BRONX — New York City Department of Education CSD 8, Philip Panaritis, ppanari@schools.nyc.gov, $999,410.
•NY — BRONX — Community School District 12, Emily Sintz, esintz@schools.nyc.gov, $988,506.
•NY — BROOKLYN — Community School District 32, Deborah Nasta, dnasta@schools.nyc.gov, $966,723.
•NY — FALLSBURG — Fallsburg Central School District, Ivan Katz, ikatz@fallsburgcsd.net, $999,990.
•NY — FLUSHING — New York City Community School District 23, Gus Hatzidimitriou, ghatzid@schools.nyc.gov, $997,919.
•NY — FLUSHING — NYC Dept of Education Community School District 29, Constantine Hatzidimitriou, ghatzid@schools.nyc.gov, $960,290.
•NY — FLUSHING — NYC Dept of Education Community School District 18, Constantine Hatzidimitriou, ghatzid@schools.nyc.gov, $958,693.
•NY — NEW PALTZ — Ulster County Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Danielle Yeomans, dyeomans@ulsterboces.org, $999,982.
•NY — NEW YORK — New York City Department of Education, District 75, Carmen Amador, camador@school.nyc.gov, $821,282.
•NY — NEW YORK — Amber Charter School, Vasthi Reyes-Acosta, vacosta@ambercharter.org, $499,998.
•NY — NEW YORK — Harlem Day Charter School, Curtis Palmore, cpalmore@hdcsny.org, $490,666.
•NY — ROCHESTER — Rochester City School District, Jennifer Gkourlias, jennifer.gkourlias@rcsdk12.org, $1,000,000.
•NY — SYRACUSE — Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES, Daryll Wheeler, dwheeler@ocmboces.org, $989,497.
•NY — UTICA — Utica City School District, Jamie Hanretty, jahanretty@uticacsd.org, $963,574.
•NY — WARSAW — Warsaw School District, Jessica Derwin, jderwin@warsaw.k12.ny.us, $491,400.
•NY — WEST NYACK — Rockland Bureau Of Cooperative Educational Services, Charlene Jordan, cjordan@rboces.org, $999,886.
•OH — CANTON — Stark County Educational Service Center, Sharon Hays, sbhays@uakron.edu, $990,006.
•OH — CINCINNATI — Cincinnati City School District, Carolyn Pedapati, pedapac@cpsboe.k12.oh.us, $508,663.
•OH — EATON — Preble County Educational Service Center, Joanele Hoce, joanele_hoce@preblenet.preble.k12.oh.us, $999,239.
•OH — HAMILTON — Hamilton City School District, Everett Mann, hasa_em@swoca.net, $1,000,000.
•OH — YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Educational Service Center, Sandra Williams, se.williams@mahoningesc.org, $997,098.
•OK — ARKOMA — Arkoma Public School District, Bill Corbett, corbett@nsuok.edu, $991,439.
•OR — MEDFORD — Southern Oregon Education Service District, Joe Peterson, joe_peterson@soesd.k12.or.us, $983,906.
•PA — PHILADELPHIA — School District of Philadelphia, Melvin Garrison, mgarrison@philasd.org, $966,706.
•PA — WILLIAMSPORT — BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, Cori Cotner, ccotner@iu17.org, $993,039.
•RI — LINCOLN — Lincoln Public School Department, Morgan Grefe, mgrefe@rihs.org, $934,587.
•SC — ANDERSON — Anderson County School District Five, Jeff Wilson, jeffwilson@anderson5.net, $999,741.
•SC — CHARLESTON — Charleston County School District, Nancy Mcginley, superintendent@charleston.k12.sc.us, $993,578.
•SC — GREENWOOD — Greenwood School District 50, Domer Ridings, dridings@lander.edu, $991,668.
•SD — PLATTE — Mid Central Educational Cooperative, Joseph Graves, joseph.graves@k12.sd.us, $964,871.
•TN — CHATTANOOGA — Hamilton County Schools, Janis Kyser, jkyser@clevelandschools.org, $999,156.
•TN — CLINTON — Anderson County Board of Education, Lisa Oakley, oakley@east-tennessee-history.org, $968,809.
•TN — DUNLAP — Sequatchie County School District, Henry Camp, camph@k12tn.net, $499,956.
•TN — PIKEVILLE — Bledsoe County Schools, Janis Kyser, jkyser@clevelandschools.org, $998,667.
•TN — SHELBYVILLE — Bedford County Schools, Betsy Norris, norrisb@bedfordk12tn.net, $999,981.
•TX — FORT WORTH — Fort Worth Independent School District, Tracy Marshall, tracy.marshall@fwisd.org, $1,000,000.
•UT — SALT LAKE CITY — Granite School District, Debra Cline, dscline@graniteschools.org, $978,813.
•UT — TOOELE — Tooele County School District, Heidi Ross, hross@tooeleschools.org, $499,989.
•UT — WEST JORDAN — Jordan School District, Pam S’Ua, pamela.sua@jordan.k12.ut.us, $999,550.
•VA — ASHBURN — Loudoun County Public Schools, William Brazier, william.brazier@loudoun.k12.va.us, $999,910.
•VA — CHESTERFIELD — Chesterfield County Public Schools, William Obrochta, wpbrpchta@vahistorical.org, $960,655.
•VA — WINCHESTER — Frederick County Public Schools, Robert Jacobs, jacobsr@verizon.net, $999,547.
•VA — WYTHEVILLE — Wythe County Public Schools, Barbara Willis, bmw7c@uvawise.edu, $1,000,000.
•VT — BRATTLEBORO — Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, Sarah Rooker, sarah.rooker@gmail.com, $958,512.
•VT — SOUTH BURLINGTON — South Burlington School District, John Everitt, jeveritt@sbschools.net, $999,993.
•WA — LYNNWOOD — Edmonds School District No. 15, Sarah Schumacher, schumachers@edmonds.wednet.edu, $999,845.
•WA — WASHOUGAL — Washougal School District 112-6, Carol Boyden, carol.boyden@washougal.k12.wa.us, $996,999.
•WV — CLARKSBURG — RESA 7, Gabriel Devono, gjdevono@access.k12.wv.us, $999,992.
•WY — CHEYENNE — Laramie County School District #1, Marc Lahiff, lahiffm@laramie1.org, $995,227.

Filed under: AARA Questions, Education News on August 15th, 2010 | No Comments »

This week, Schoodoodle’s Facebook page hit a milestone!  We have now exceeded over 1000 Facebook fans. To celebrate, we awarded one of our Facebook fans with one of our classic Winther Tricycles.

Over the past few months, our Facebook page has grown into an interactive community of educators who respond to the news and opinion. My goal is to make our page an more interactive and become a more valuable resource to our teachers and parents.

If you have not already done so, please join our growing Facebook community and tell us what is on your mind. Send us your suggestions and  ideas so we can get to know each other! Schoodoodle strives to connect to each of our customers- so we gladly embrace the evolution of social networking (especially for teachers!).

To extend our appreciation to all of our Facebook fans we are offering a coupon good for $25 off any online order of $50 or more placed by 09/13/2010. Go to our Facebook page to get the Coupon code. This code can be used on both http://www.SchooDoodle.com/ and http://www.OfficeSupplySanity.com/.

On to 2000 Fans!  Wonder what we can come up with to celebrate 2000 fans?

Filed under: Company News and Highlights, Technology on August 14th, 2010 | No Comments »