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It's the start of a new school year
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A new look in two of our schools
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August 26, 2009 |
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Fifth grader Nora Hubby "scoots" her way to class
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School started here Thursday, Aug. 20 for grades five through 12 and Friday, Aug. 21 for the elementary students.
What's new this year at Ogden Community Schools?
Most evident are renovations at the high school. An engraved granite Bulldog incorporated into the east addition remodeling, will greet students and visitors to Ogden's indoor sporting events. Inside are the new locker rooms, restrooms and athletic offices.
The front foyer has taken on a new look as the office's entrance now opens to the north.
A summer landscaping project crowned off the already beautiful Middle School here. Inside the building, former PE instructor Dave Neubauer has been named Dean of Students and will be in charge of student guidance.
Howe Elementary has 30 new faces in the halls. Mike Moses has taken over duties as the elementary and middle school PE instructor.
The beginning of the school year is a very busy time especially for our teachers.
Diane Hunter, kindergarten teacher at Howe, shared how she prepared for the new school year:
"I began by taking three continuing education classes this summer for some new teaching ideas," said Hunter. Her classes included "Making an Impact," based on character education; "Literature in Motion," about incorporating movement into literature and reading skills; and "Best Practices in Writing for Elementary Teachers."
A week before visitation day Hunter sent out a packet to each parent containing a parent survey, a welcoming letter, and a letter to the student. Hunter explained that visitation day gives her the opportunity to do student assessments. She also collects all their school supplies that day and passes around a signup sheet soliciting parent volunteers for field trips and parties.
Hunter spent time beforehand laying out a plan for each unit within the curriculum, "mapping" of when to teach letters and math concepts.
She then joined other school personnel in preparing her classroom. This involved arranging desks, bookcases, etc., decorating the bulletin boards, hooking up computers, and as a kindergarten teacher, labeling items around the room. Hunter also prepared various charts for the new year: Beginning of the year chart to let students know her expectations and a behavioral management chart.
After taking care of a few small details such as renaming pockets on her lunch ticket chart and updating the new year's calendar, Hunter felt she was ready for her students. |
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©The Ogden Reporter 2009
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