Staff News 3-10-10
The March 10th issue of Staff News Weekly is now available online. You can now find the publication here:
http://www.psd150.org/employees/docs/staffnews/Staff_News_03-10-10.pdf
Articles include:
-Events Planned at Four Locations on Institute Day (Schedule Included)
-Mind Over Muscle
-PFT and BOE to Recognize "Peoria's Finest Teacher"
-Cell Phone Policy for Students
-U.S. Census: A Lesson on the Luck of the Irish
-Don't Forget to Spring Forward!
-Try This! Assistive Technology Ideas
If you have an idea for Staff News or would like to share information for possible release to District 150 employees, please email . This weekly Staff News/announcement email is an attempt to keep District-wide mass email announcements to a minimum! The Marketing/Public Relations Department (pr.psd150.org) has the right to deny requests based on department policies.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Here are the announcements for this week:
QUICKREADS
* As you may be aware, the City of Peoria is working hard to have Google select our community as a test market for their Google fiber upgrade.
In addition to submitting an application, Google wants to see the community is behind this effort. One opportunity for student involvement is to participate in "Doodle 4 Google." This competition is open to all students in the U.S. from K-12. The theme is "If I could do anything I would..." Winners will have their doodle drawing as a header on Google's website, win a college scholarship, earn computers for his or her school and the design will be exhibited in the Smithsonian Museum. Schools must register their school by March 17 and all entries are due by March 31. More information is available at www.google.com/doodle4google
* Congratulations to Manual High School! The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announces the winners of its first ever Engineering Academies Statewide Competition, held recently in Springfield during National Engineers Week. Peoria Manual High School won the ‘Fastest Thinking in the Land of Lincoln’ award in this statewide competition which was the culmination of the inaugural IDOT Engineering Academies.
Students sharpened their teamwork and creative problem-solving skills by tackling 7-10 minute ‘Instant Challenges’ sponsored by the Motorola Foundation. Students then spent 65 minutes creating a way to move balls around detours and obstacles as they faced ‘The Long Way Home Challenge.’ The event combined the technical skills students gained in the IDOT Engineering Academies with teamwork and creative problem-solving skills required in all career fields. More than 70 students in teams from Upward Bound East St. Louis, Springfield School District 186, Peoria Manual High School, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago NSBE Jr. Chapter, and the college-bound program YMCA Black and Hispanic Achievers were present at the tournament-style event.
* In support of Money Smart Week 2010 -- taking place April 17-24 in Peoria -- the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and its partner organizations are presenting the Money Smart Kid Essay Contest, sponsored by CEFCU. Students in grades 5-8 are encouraged to answer the Money Smart Question with an essay of 300 words or less. Deadline for essays is March 13th (THIS SATURDAY)! Finalists will be invited to attend the Money Smart Kick-Off Luncheon on April 15, and one student will be named this year’s Money Smart Kid. The winner will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship sponsored by the Illinois State Treasurer and a $2,000 cash gift to invest in their education provided by CEFCU. The 2010 question is: What is a career you think you may be interested in pursuing? How would you prepare financially and educationally now, in order to achieve your career goal(s) later?
For more information, visit http://www.chicagofed.org/webpages/education/msw/il/index.cfm and click on "Peoria."
TEACHER GRANTS AND COURSES
* Visit teaching.psd150.org to register for Teacher Academy courses and other Professional Development!
* Cohorts are now forming for August 2010 at St. Xavior, including a Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership with Teacher Leader Endorsement. The program provides teachers with new research-solid solutions and instructional strategies immediately applicable to your classroom. The 32 credit hour program is completed in 21 months and includes practical, hands-on courses from K-12 experienced instructors, collaboration and support from both a university and school-based facilitator. Information sessions are scheduled for Peoria at P.A.R.C. on Tuesday, March 19th and Monday, March 22nd in room 123 from 4-5 p.m. For more information, call 847-483-9886 or email rsw@iriinc.us.
STAFF/STUDENT/SCHOOL RELATED EVENTS
* Teachers and Counselors: Please remind any high school seniors that now is the time to apply for many college scholarships. For instance, Tuesday, March 23 is the deadline for most scholarships offered by the Peoria Public School District 150 Foundation. Both merit-based and need-based scholarships are available. Examples:
- John Gift Scholarship, with preference for a student studying business or a business-related field.
- Tyng Scholarship, for those who have attended Tyng School.
- Urban Forestry Scholarship, for those majoring in urban forestry or a related field like horticulture, landscape design.
- Twelve other Foundation scholarships open to graduates of a specific high school.
High school counselors have complete lists of scholarship opportunities or contact the D150 Foundation for those listed above: foundation@psd150.org.
* The Knight in Shining Armor has arrived at Richwoods High School!
SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) has devised a way to raise funds by selling a resin, 7-1/2-inch high silver armored knight, with the school's green and white shield. This is a one of a kind item, self designed by the group! Contact the office at RHS (693-4400) or Ruth Lewis, to purchase one for a mere $15.00. They may be picked up from the front office. These make wonderful graduation gifts, for students or alumni! To see a picture, visit http://www.rhsknights.com/
* Peoria Public Schools Logowear is now available for order. Download an order form under the community page on the District website to browse what is available or to place an order.
Have a great rest of the week!
News Posted on:
2/24/2010
|