Scot Graden's Blog

Last Friday, I has the opportunity to preview our new school store.  The store opened on Monday after months of research and re-design.  The store is located near the Commons in the High School and for years has been know as the T-N-T (This and That) – with the re-design the store has a  new name, “The Edge”.

The store is different than in the past – it reminds me of Ikea with a coffee shop feel.  It has a nice flat screen TV and Rock Band for customers to play while in the store. They have popcorn, snacks and drinks along with school apparel.

The next time you are at the High School check it out. They are open before and after school and even if they are closed you can look in the windows.  The store is operated by the South West & Washtenaw Consortium involving our Marketing students.

Our Marketing teacher, Ms. Christy Synowiec would like to “thank By Design Interiors, Freedom Designs, Ikea of Canton, Sam’s Club and my marketing class advisory committee members for their commitment to working with the students on this project since May (Representatives from Norfolk Homes, Jaust Consulting Partners, Diver’s Incorporated, By Design Interiors, Rockwell Automation, MediaEdge Advertising Agency, Eastern Michigan University, alumni students, parents and current students).”

You may have already noticed we have added a “Monthy Poll” to the front page of the website.  The first poll is an attempt to learn how often people are reading this blog. Web polls are far from scientific or valid – however, they can be fun and provide some insight on an issue or idea.

We are looking for input on future web poll questions.  If you have an idea, please let me know and we will try to work it into a poll in the coming months.

On an unrelated note, I came arcoss this article in New York Times today.  It has nothing to do with Saline Area Schools or education in general – however – I found it very exciting!  Those of you with young children understand the frustration that comes with opening presents.  I found it interesting that there is now a movement to help save us time and busted knuckles.

Our Saline Animal Science Class placed first in the 2008 Michigan FFA State Broiler Contest.  There were over 255 entries state wide.  The chickens raised right here in Saline High School! (Yes, we have a comprehensive high school)  This marks the 5th time in 9 years Saline has won state first place!

Congratulations to the students and our FFA Advisor Mr. David Mellor.

Below – Brent Clink listens while his Broilers are judged by Mr. Darren Karcher,  Michigan State University Poultry Dept. Our state winning birds are behind him.

I am trying to develop my technology skills and have now posted a podcast.  The content is from one of my previous blog posts.  I used GarageBand to make the podcast and then I used a MobileMe account to upload the file.  All in all, it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it.

Note:  I fixed it today, my MoblieMe/iWeb hosting spot became “flaky” – and Nate Bush helped me learn to post it right in my blog.  Click below to listen.

podcast_11508

Last Friday, Technology Director Ken Lupo and I had the opportunity to visit Google in downtown Ann Arbor.  We were invited to have lunch and share how Saline Area Schools is using Google Apps.  We had a nice discussion about our use of Gmail for all staff, Google Sites for several school groups, and Google Docs for a growing number of staff and student projects.

Google has targeted Higher Education with software applications and now are considering options for the K-12 market.

Following our lunch and conversation, Mr. Lupo and I received a tour of the offices.  I had heard about the environment and the style of the office space.  Well, I was not disappointed.  They have a unique set up that includes a room with an air hockey table and a pool table – along with all manner of video conferencing equipment and other mobile technologies.

I took the picture below of Michael from Google and Mr. Lupo in front of the air hockey table.  ( No, we didn’t play – I had to get back to Saline for a meeting)

Last week, 8th grade students had the opportunity to visit the Weber-Blaess Schoolhouse and actively learn about colonial traditions.  Mr. Kurt Roy-Borland coordinated the visits for each team during their Social Studies time.  Each class spent two days visiting with the first day being an introduction to education in early America and the comparision to the Weber Blaess era of late 1800’s to early 1900’s.  The students returned the following day and  made candles, used fruit ink and feathers to write, made schoolyard toys out of corn, and spun wool into yarn.  This entire experience will be continued in February 2009 when the classes return to continue their learning about the settlers of early America.

Principal Stevenson a.k.a. “The Wizard” shows the way during the costume parade on Friday morning.

Tonight’s meeting started with an impressive presentation regarding our new Young Adult Program.  The program is housed in the north wing of our Middle School, near the Saline Area Senior Center.  They currently have 30 students who are working on various life skill and work experience projects.  Ms. Carol Melcher oversess the program directed by two teachers – Ms. Chelsea Ford and Mr. Kevin Musson.

We then had a Policy Committee update from Mr. Paul Hynek.  He noted that our policy manual should be online in the next two weeks.  We also adopted an official policy regarding the CARES millage – which matches the policy in our old policy manual.  We then had a first reading of an updated Head Lice policy.

Plante Moran presented our 2007-2008 audit – it was again a clean audit.  Thank you to Mr. Thomas Wall and Ms. Janice Warner from our Business Office for their hard work during the audit process.

The Board unanimously approved contracts for our Administrative Association and our Manager Association.

Following a closed session, the Board approved a purchase agreement with the Saline District Library for 1.47 acres on the south edge of the Middle School parking lot.  More to come on this joint parking lot project.

Our Boy’s tennis team had a very successful season.  They finished 12-6 and Andrew Mushbach made the State Tournment.  However, it looks like their banquet was even better!

I received a picture today of a student from Mr. Williams class at Harvest using the Smartboard and the “virtual protractor” to measure roof angles.  They are using the Weber-Blaess Schoolhouse as a model and getting a feel for angles and how they appear around town.