What An Exciting Time of Year

There is so much going on here at Peterson-Central Elementary that I haven't had time to keep up with my monthly blog.  All of the fourth grade students are in the process of receiving their net books (mini laptops) to use in class and to take home if they have assignments to complete.  We will be having a few parent meetings to discuss the ins and outs of the net books with all parents.  This meeting must be attended by a parent and/or guardian, along with a signed laptop agreement form before the students will be allowed to take the net books home.  The county has also purchased net books for the third grade students as well.  They will be receiving their  net books after the start of the year.  I am so excited that Lewis County is so proactive with technology. Our County Administration, as well as our teachers, do their very best everyday to make sure that our students are receiving an outstanding education and utilizing every tool that is available.
We had so much fun during WV Heritage Day.  The students made apple butter and apple cider - both of which they were allowed to eat with hot biscuits at the end of the day.  They also had special visitors at the school - a Blacksmith, Storyteller, a Very Talented Musician, a Marble Expert and a Weaver that taught the children how to spin wool and make thread.
Our first grade students went to see a production of Annie in Morgantown this month and they had a wonderful time. Also, this month the Fourth grade students will be taking a trip to the movies to watch The Chronicles of Narnia.  We should also thank Mrs. Heath for putting on a wonderful Chorus Concert with our students - she is so very talented and our students did an outstanding job.  Who knows...we may have some budding stars in the make...

Fall is here!!

Wow...I cant believe it is October already!!!  It is so nice to see the changing leaf colors and smell fall in the air. I am so glad that many of our teachers have completed their first Tech Steps project.  I think the first project went very well and I believe the students learned a great deal about technology.  We have one more project to complete before the end of the nine weeks.  We have some exciting activities planned at the school this month.
We have an assembly featuring Manzini the Escape Artist, the third and fourth grade students will be taking a virtual field trip to North Cascades National Park in Washington and we will also celebrate WV Heritage Day by participating in some real neat activities.  I am looking forward to all of the exciting events and opportunities that we are able to enjoy here at Peterson-Central Elementary School.  Keep up the good work and lets keep incorporating technology everyday - the students LOVE IT!


I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.  ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann

First Month of School

With the first month of school almost completed, it makes me think of how fast time really does fly by.  We have seen the smiling faces of children who have been here in the years past, welcomed new students, and embraced the little pre-schoolers and kindergartners who are just beginning their exciting educational journey.  It is so nice to see the bright and happy classrooms that fill the halls here at Peterson-Central Elementary School.  The students here are very fortunate to be able to be part of such a proactive school in regards to technology.  All of our classrooms are utilizing the Intelli-Boards, Elmo's, Computers and the various other technology programs that we offer.  I was really excited to learn that Mrs. Marsh's class will be utilizing the digital cameras for a project very soon.  Way to go Mrs. Marsh!  We also have many classrooms that are using Digital Tumble Books for reading enjoyment for the students.  We will soon have our accelerated reading program in full force, so be sure to check with myself or Mrs. Thayer for more details.

" Dreams are nature's way of letting you know what you're capable of."

Welcome Back to School!!!

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table
discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain
the problem with education. He argued:
"What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided
his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminded the other dinner guests that it's true
what they say about teachers: "Those who can...do.
Those who can't ... teach."

To corroborate, he said to another guest: "You're a
teacher, Susan," he said. "Be honest. What do you
make?"

Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness,
replied, "You want to know what I make?"
I make kids work harder than they ever thought they
could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal
of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face if the
student did not do his or her very best."
"I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence."
"I can make parents tremble in fear when I call home"
"You want to know what I make?"
"I make kids wonder."
"I make them question."
"I make them criticize."
"I make them apologize and mean it."
"I make them write."
"I make them read, read, read."
"I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely
beautiful, and definitely beautiful over and over and
over again, until they will never misspell either one
of those words again."
"I make them show all their work in math and hide it
all on their final drafts in English."
"I make them understand that if you have the brains,
then follow your heart...and if someone ever tries to
judge you by what you make, you pay them no
attention!"
"You want to know what I make?"
"I make a difference."
"And you? What do you make?"