PINKED Out!

Our school is small and there is a strong sense of 'community' among our staff, our students, and our families. That was more than evident today as we came together to show our love and support to a beloved staff member who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and who will undergo radical surgery to remove the malignancy. Students and faculty were encouraged to wear something pink! Some came in pink from head to toe and others were creative with pink accessories. We even had a mom come to school with pink ribbons for those who didn't have something pink. And she helped create the beautiful poster pictured below.

Thanks to all who participated in any way! The gesture spoke volumes!

And first grade will be treated to doughnuts for 100% participation!

Paper Creations and a Good Story

Junior High Guest Speaker

Our junior high students were privileged to hear Heather Alexander, PhD. speak today. Dr. Alexander is an assistant professor of biology at the University of Texas in Brownsville and is a well-known and respected plant ecologist. She spent some time with our students today talking about and showing photos of her research trips to the interior of Alaska and Siberia. She researches the effects of fire on boreal ecosystems as well as other really cool things! We were delighted to have her take time from her busy schedule to visit FBS.  I have known Heather since the day she was born. Her late mother was one of my dearest childhood friends. I'm very proud of the woman she is and her great achievements in the field of science. It's my hope that perhaps she inspired one of my students to aspire to something similar.

Reading is REWARDING!

Each of my students met their AR reading goal for the 4th six weeks grading period. Because I believe in rewarding them for great accomplishments, I treated them to a milkshake from McDonald's. Congratulations first grade. I'm very proud of you.

Flying by the Seat of Our Pants

Oh, what a morning this has been!! The freezing rain, sleet, and snow started too late for us to actually call off school but it came down so quickly that the streets, highways, and bridges became dangerous in short order. I arrived at school to find one other staff member here and a message saying we would delay until 10 a.m. to start. The two of us quickly made some decisions on 'what to do'. Fortunately, Mrs. Pipes made it in to town and we cheerfully relinquished our positions as ad hoc administrators.

And you ask--what are we doing? Well, we ARE NOT having classes, that's for sure. We have only a few students here and there's no point in trying to have school--as in reading and writing and arithmetic. We ARE doing our best to care for the ones that are here. And we are doing the best we can. Our students have risen to the occasion and are staying busy, cooperating with us and each other and all is well at FBS. It's cold outside but we are warm and dry inside.

It's on days like this that I am really thankful for the people I work with! When things are challenging we all pull together and do what needs to be done to keep things going as smoothly as possible. I'm thankful for really great students who are flexible enough to adjust to big changes on short notice. I'm thankful for parents who entrust us with their most precious children. And, most of all, I'm thankful to God for getting us here safely.

Reading is FUN-damental

My first graders like to read! And sometimes they like to read with each other. What's awesome about that is that they help each other and I get to watch their interaction. My students truly love each other. They are friends. And I'm proud of them!

And the band played on..................

First grade were honored guests of Mr. Foster, Mr. Campbell, and the CHS band today. Our field trip was a part of our study of sound. Thanks to the musicians for being such great hosts and thanks to Mrs. Alford for being my co-sponsor. Mrs. Alford and I enjoyed getting to see a couple of our favorite former students! My students enjoyed seeing and hearing the many instruments that make up a band and Callie was chosen to conduct!!