This is BUDGET season- written in capital letters because it is such an all-consuming time for school districts. We are in the process of creating a budget for things that will happen over a year and a half from now: the 2016-2017 school year. This budget needs to take into consideration what will happen to the economy and in our town, not just next fall (2016), but also a year from this winter and spring and summer (until June 2017). Who would have guessed last year that gas prices would be this low? or two years ago, who would have guessed oil would be so high in cost? These "guesses" are so important to our budget process.
We start with all those expenses that we have no control over: health insurance, contractual obligations (such as salaries), leases on equipment, dental insurance, special education costs, social security, workman's compensation and so on. After that, the actual budget for each department is fairly small (compared to the overall budget). We calculate how much we will need for supplies, books, substitutes, paper, and things like musical instruments or football helmets. Each department presents their budget to the School Board individually so that the Board members have a picture of our needs for the following year. This is followed by "guesses" about commodities that change regularly: food prices, gas, oil, propane, electricity. Just like in your own home budget, we weigh the necessities against any new items we might request.
All of this, of course, is for the purpose of our most important asset: our students. We commit to providing all of our students with a rigorous and relevant educational experience. And we must keep up with the needs of society- the reason we update our technology, our books and our practices.
This is an important time in the District: the budget meetings are televised on Channel 22 and will be followed by presentations to the Raymond Budget Committee. The programming schedule for Raymond Community Television can be found at http://www.raymondtv.org/
As always, please call me if you have any questions about the budget process or any other school related issues at 895-4299 ext. 1103.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Thursday, October 22, 2015
From Polliwogs to Frogs- Our Lamprey River Elementary School
We all know that our elementary school has serious issues: portable classrooms,overcrowding, not enough room for special education needs, too small a library, portables, no walls in the media center, portables, lack of a gym for physical education and on and on. Yes, I mentioned the portables several times- our students should not have to be in these "temporary" rooms. Some of these rooms have actually been added on to the building (they are "attached") while others are out in the parking lot- obvious in their existence. These temporary rooms have been at LRES for over 29 years (the attached ones that we own) and 13 years for the detached portables ($36,000 in rent each year for the opportunity to use these buildings)! I don't, however, want to dwell on what needs to be fixed at the elementary school, but want instead to tell you about all the wonderful things that happen every day at this school in spite of any shortcomings. So here are some of the many fabulous sights at LRES:
- Caring, compassionate, dedicated teachers who work with their students as though they are in a palace!
- Happy students
- Snowshoeing
- Fruits and vegetable program- a chance to try new foods
- Administrators who keep our students first
- A great playground
- A well maintained building- in spite of all its flaws
- A robust 21st Century After School Program
- Small class sizes
- Mentors for new staff
- 2 computer labs, Smartboards in the classrooms, computers on carts to sign out for a class
- Literacy Committee
- Opportunities for students to help younger peers
- End 68 Hours of Hunger Program
- School Resource Officer
- Title 1
- Wonderful displays of student work
- Dedicated times for math and reading
- Pre-school and Kindergarten offerings
- Lego teams
- Lessons and units relevant to our culture and history
- Many opportunities to take part in music
- Keyboarding lessons
- On-line programs for students to use at home
- "Bring Your Own Device" for 4th grade students
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Celebration Time
It is getting close to that time of year where it can appear that it is one school party or celebration after another! First, for the little ones (and sometimes bigger ones, too), there is Halloween. Then comes Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, assorted birthdays dances, and other celebrations. One of our missions is to keep our kids safe- and to me that means more than physical safety- we want them to be happy and healthy, too. The expectations for fun and celebrating can become overwhelming and even a little overpowering. I remember one year walking into a classroom where each student had a pile of candy on his/her desk that was at least 8 inches high- there was an additional pile of candy that completely covered a desk top- this pile was to be used for prizes!
Of course, there are federal guidelines about nutrition and what kinds of foods should be served in schools- and this includes classroom parties and celebrations. I was so proud as the principal of the middle school when I saw our teachers embrace this more healthy option for our students. Instead of cupcakes and candy being the sole form of refreshments available, popcorn, fruit salad, vegetable sticks with dip, and juice were available. I noticed that the vegetable sticks and fruit were some of the most popular choices and that the kids weren't really filling up on the available cupcakes.
Its been 10 years since the School Board Policy JLCG was written and it is based on some of those federal guidelines. A section of that policy follows:
The School District shall use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the USDA School Meal Program requirements and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs when deciding what foods and beverages will be available to students. These nutrition guidelines apply to the school lunch and breakfast program, foods and beverages sold in vending machines, snack bars, concession stands, school dance/parties/celebrations/meetings, fundraising activities or any school sponsored activities on school grounds.
Foods available during school and at school sponsored activities will meet or exceed the district’s nutrition standard. A recommended list of healthy foods will be available to assist with planning fundraisers and celebrations.
•Schools may sell water throughout the entire school day.
•Items in the vending machines will follow recommended nutritional standards.
•Parents and teachers will be encouraged to model healthy eating habits while on school property.
•All foods and/or physical activity will not be used as a reward or punishment.
Does this mean that all sweets are banned from our schools? No, of course not: it is just a reminder that we are all responsible for ensuring a healthy environment for our students that allows and helps our children succeed academically.
For more information on this topic, the John C. Stalker Institute in Framingham has a very informative web site at http://johnstalkerinstitute.org.
This organization lists foods that are considered to have nutritional value and have a tab for analyzing recipes and ingredients, as well as, compiling an "A-List" of foods that meet nutritional guidelines. Monique Gauthier recently shared some common items from the list that includes general items along with some brand-name foods (pared down from 68 pages):
A-List: "A-cceptable" Items (It was so large, I cut it down even more!)
Snackables (summary)
This is just a short list of food items (again, 68 pages of items on the John Stalker Institute web site!) that have enough nutritional value to be used in schools for after school activities, dances, concerts, academic event nights, etc. I think there is something for everyone: whether you prefer salty snacks or sweet, something on this list will appeal to your sense of taste. Celebrations are fun and can still be fun with some alternative food choices.
Of course, there are federal guidelines about nutrition and what kinds of foods should be served in schools- and this includes classroom parties and celebrations. I was so proud as the principal of the middle school when I saw our teachers embrace this more healthy option for our students. Instead of cupcakes and candy being the sole form of refreshments available, popcorn, fruit salad, vegetable sticks with dip, and juice were available. I noticed that the vegetable sticks and fruit were some of the most popular choices and that the kids weren't really filling up on the available cupcakes.
Its been 10 years since the School Board Policy JLCG was written and it is based on some of those federal guidelines. A section of that policy follows:
The School District shall use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the USDA School Meal Program requirements and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs when deciding what foods and beverages will be available to students. These nutrition guidelines apply to the school lunch and breakfast program, foods and beverages sold in vending machines, snack bars, concession stands, school dance/parties/celebrations/meetings, fundraising activities or any school sponsored activities on school grounds.
Foods available during school and at school sponsored activities will meet or exceed the district’s nutrition standard. A recommended list of healthy foods will be available to assist with planning fundraisers and celebrations.
•Schools may sell water throughout the entire school day.
•Items in the vending machines will follow recommended nutritional standards.
•Parents and teachers will be encouraged to model healthy eating habits while on school property.
•All foods and/or physical activity will not be used as a reward or punishment.
Does this mean that all sweets are banned from our schools? No, of course not: it is just a reminder that we are all responsible for ensuring a healthy environment for our students that allows and helps our children succeed academically.
For more information on this topic, the John C. Stalker Institute in Framingham has a very informative web site at http://johnstalkerinstitute.org.
This organization lists foods that are considered to have nutritional value and have a tab for analyzing recipes and ingredients, as well as, compiling an "A-List" of foods that meet nutritional guidelines. Monique Gauthier recently shared some common items from the list that includes general items along with some brand-name foods (pared down from 68 pages):
A-List: "A-cceptable" Items (It was so large, I cut it down even more!)
Snackables (summary)
- Whole Grain Pretzel Sticklets, Rods, Twist
- Nuts and seeds without added fat
- Trail or cereal mix (whole grain, low-sugar cereals)
- Low-fat granola bars
- Low-fat tortilla chips with or without salsa
- Low fat pudding
- Low fat yogurt (squeezables, smoothies, parfaits)
- Low fat Sundays or banana splits (low fat yogurt and fruit topped with whole grain cereal, granola, or crushed graham crackers)
- Pizza with low fat toppings (vegetables and lean ham)
- Pizza dippers with marinara sauce
- Angel food cake, plain or topped with fruit
- Pretzels, low fat popcorn, rice cakes, bread sticks, graham crackers, animal crackers
- Vegetable trays with low fat dip, celery, and carrots
- Dried fruit without added sugars or sweeteners
- Fresh fruit assortments
- Fruit and cheese kabobs
- Fruit salad
- Sliced fruit with low fat yogurt dip
- 100% juices
- Bottled water
- Low fat or non fat milk
- Flavored water / sparkling water (without added sugars or sweeteners)
- Frito-Lay/PepsiCo
- Cheetos Fantastix!
- Doritos Reduced Fat
- Oven Baked Ruffles
- Cool Ranch Flavored Tortilla chips
- Nacho Chips
- Lay's BBQ Potato Crisps
- Lay's Original Potato Crisps
- Tostitos Scoops
- Tortilla Chips
- Quaker Kid's Mix Snack Mix
- Rold Gold Heartzels Pretzels
- Smartfood Delight White Cheddar Popcorn
- Sunchips Snack Mix
- Chex Mix Brand Snack (Hot 'n Spicy)
- Baked Multigrain Crisps
- Baked Vegetable Crisps (original)
- Baked Potato Crisps (Original)
- Baked Ripple Cut Potato Crisps
- Whole Grain Soft Pretzels
- Kellogg's Special K Cracker Chips
- Kettle Brand Real Sliced Potatoes Baked Potato chips
- Cheddar Goldfish Crackers made with Whole Grain
- Baked Animal Crackers
- Cinnamon Mini Animal Grahams
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Bar
- Cocoa Puffs Cereal Bar
- Fruity Cheerios Cereal Bar
- Golden Grahams Cereal Bar
- Nature Valley Chewy Granola Bar
- Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bar
- Trix Cereal Bar
- Keebler Animal Crackers
- Kellogg's Cocoa Krispies Chewy Cereal Bar
- NutriGrain Cereal Bar
- Sunshine Cheez It ---Whole Grain
- Honey Maid Teddy Grahams - Cinnamon
- Graham Crackers---plain
- Frozen Nonfat Yogurt
- Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
- Stonyfield Farm 1.6 oz
- Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezable Fruit Tube 2.2-3.2oz
- Dole Raisins
- Mandarin Oranges in 100% Fruit Juice
- Reduced Fat Cheese Cubes
- String Cheese
- Welch's Fruit Snacks
- Minute Maid 100% Frozen Juice Bars
- Ocean Spray C’raisins Dried Cranberries
- GoGo squeeZ Applesauce on the Go
This is just a short list of food items (again, 68 pages of items on the John Stalker Institute web site!) that have enough nutritional value to be used in schools for after school activities, dances, concerts, academic event nights, etc. I think there is something for everyone: whether you prefer salty snacks or sweet, something on this list will appeal to your sense of taste. Celebrations are fun and can still be fun with some alternative food choices.