Trying some Old Things as New Things

As some of you know, Bronco Bits is my second shot at a Blog.  I will say that both have been a lot of fun, and I have learned plenty.  Unfortunately in my desire to change the name of my blog - that is a story in itself - I should have moved some of the previous posts.  They were good and had some excellent conversation in them.  Not knowing how this is going, I'll try to do that over time.  If you see some "outdated" information appearing in the next little bit, that may help explain my step back in time.  Again, I dont' know how it will appear here (remember that we are all continually learning), so let's give it a try and see what happe...

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Post-P/T Conference Reflection

Parent/Teacher Conferences can be a source for stress for teachers, parents, and students.  Many look upon these days with at least some level of concern.  Each group has their own type of worry and question: Parent:  "What will the teacher say about my student that I don't want to hear?" Teacher:  "Is the parent upset by the grade his/her student is receiving and believes it to be something I need to do differently?" Student:  "Will my parent be upset when they see my grades?" These are normal and predictable feelings that each of us likely have in some manner.  If that is the case, why do we do this?  Why DO we go to hear about our children?  Why DO teachers prepare information to share?  Why DO we use hours of potential instruction...

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Negotiations Wrap-up

As a Superintendent, one thing you know is going to happen is the process of negotiating with local education associations.  It's not something that most people, on either side of the table, really look forward to starting.  As we near the last phases of the process here, however, I must say that it was a good process.  We laid the table effectively to start, planned our process, focused on "right" as opposed to "us vs. them" concepts, listened intently to each other, agreed/disagreed respectfully across the table, agreed/disagreed respectfully on the same side of the table, and generally communicated well.  Not that I am eager to start the process again, but if that is how we continue to approach a necessary step in the school year, you can count me in.  Much of this...

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Impressive View

Oh how I wish this image inspired such musical memories as, "Our house...in the middle of our street...our house..." or maybe "she's a Brick...House...she's mighty mighty..." or "Doo doo doo, lookin' out my back door."  But alas, it does not, dear friend.  It inspires me, however, to vacuum the house...the ENTIRE house in less than a day!...

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