This Book's Gonna Be a Good Book...

Taken from Oprah's birthday celebration performed by the Black Eyed Peas, the Ocoee Middle School contacted the band and asked for permission to alter the words in order to get their students excited about reading. Watch this short video to find out what it turned out like.

What's Going on in SLCSD?

Two middle schools in the Salt Lake City School District have been identified as needing improvement by NCLB. They've both received a large amount of money to incentivize teachers to stay and new teachers to join. They have extended the school day and year by nine days. The hope is to create a new academic climate. Northwest also received money to increase the amount of technology in the school. Every teacher will be expected to attend professional development for two years to attain a technology endorsement. This is a very exciting time for both schools. It will be interesting to see how they fair over the next few years. I've attached a few facts about Northwest.










Northwest Middle School is a partnership of students, parents, educators and community members, committed to excellence by educating our youth to be life-long learners in a safe, inviting, innovative and academically challenging environment which celebrates diversity, unity with the world, personal best and a vision for a productive and satisfying future.

Facts About Northwest:

• Multi-culturally diverse school where 29 different languages are spoken representing 31 countries throughout the world.
• A professional development school working in collaboration with the University of Utah as a teacher-in-training facility.
• The largest of the 5 Middle schools in the Salt Lake City School District.
• Offers instruction to 7th and 8th graders while embracing the middle school philosophy of teaming throughout the curriculum.

Northwest Highlights:

• Northwest is one of 11 schools throughout the nation identified as a First Amendment School. Northwest serves as a laboratory of democratic freedom where all voices connected to the Northwest community are heard.
• The Alternative Language Department is a vital part of Northwest. This growing community of Northwest offers a rich opportunity for the students, faculty, staff, and patrons to learn from one another about the diverse cultures that enter the school on a daily basis.
• We are proud that the Salt Lake City School District Volunteer Coordinator of the Year, Ms. Ellie Brady, is the Chair of the Alternative Language Department at Northwest. Her creative efforts to infuse volunteers into the school benefits all members of the Northwest Community.
• Northwest is supported by a dynamic School Community Council and an equally dynamic PTSA. These organizations help the Northwest community make the school a highly efficient and effective institution of learning.

If you are interested in reading the specifics of the program, here is the website:

http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/depts/hr/jobs/licensed/middleschool.php

New Job...

I have been hired as a literacy coach for the Salt Lake City School District for next year. I am leaving the classroom! I will be assigned to two different schools and will spend half time in each. My goal will be to help teachers implement technology into their literacy curriculum. I am very excited about this next phase in my career. Although I love teaching, I am ready to challenge my brain to something new. I will work with principals, teachers and students to improve the quality of their education and hopefully improve their technological skills at the same time!

Ms. Laurie's Top Biography

After my students had written a biography, they published them using Movie Maker. It was an absolutely amazing project. They were so proud of their work and did a fabulous job. Most of my students speak English as a second language, so for them to be able to narrate their own video was very exciting for them. Push the play button to start the video and let me know what you think.

Language and Culture Newsletter

The Salt Lake City School District has developed an equity team in order to ensure all students are receiving the best education possible. We, as a team, have looked at disseminated information that clearly shows an achievement gap within minority sub-groups, specifically black children. This team is comprised of several school teacher, administrators, counselors, and district personel. We have met monthly for the past two years to discuss ways to close this gap. Take a look at one of our newletters.

Let me know what you think..

Copy and paste this address into your browser:

http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/depts/equity/langculture/pdf/LanguageAndCulture_06-10.pdf

Welcome to Ms. Laurie's Blog...

Welcome students, parents, teachers. I'd like to keep you updated on what we do while in room 204. You should be very pleased with what your students have accomplished this year. Please feel free to leave comments about what you read and see.

Ms. Laurie