Mr.T’s Digital Class Newsletter

Welcome to a brand new year unlike any you will likely see!

You are stepping into an award winning class and one your children will directly benefit from!  With nearly $10,000 of new equipment either here or coming from a statewide grant strictly for technology, along with the recent bond that Spokane voters passed, going directly to kids in the classroom, our year will be vastly different than any other!  Expect the unexpected!

We will be doing some things truly differently!

Our theme this year will be: Let’s learn by doing! 

Our approach will be hands-on and when you walk into our classroom you’ll see why.  With one of the largest classroom libraries stocked with more than 2500 books ranging from grades 1-6 and more than double the number of computers from last year at 12, with an interactive whiteboard and student voting modules and the school’s first digital video kiosk for student created broadcasts, we’ll certainly be busy!

Cooper continues to lead the way in innovation, top notch teaching and keeping learning down right fun.

Stay tuned for more information right here and also in our no-tech paper newsletter version once school starts!

Mr.T!

PS:  And yes, you do have to be 9-10 years old to be in our class!  The top comment heard is, “Gee, I wish I was in your class!” often by both parents and grandparents or by other older students.

Sorry for the long hiatus! 

I’ve just begun retesting students in reading and have found some pleasant surprises!  Keep up the reading homework on the homefront!  It’s making a difference!  Tammy found she jumped ONE and a HALF YEARS in only 4 months time!  While there are many gauges to discern what a “good reader” is, one thing is fore sure: practice sure helps!  Great job Tammy!

Bryce was recently nominated as our Classroom Hero!  As he was cleaning some of our cursive levels, rather than take off and enjoy his recess, Bryce continued organizing and cleaning.  I encouraged Bryce to take some time to let off some energy, but Bryce replied, “This class is more important than my recess.” And kept on working to put things in order and make things right.  To be honest, I was taken aback by Bryce’s response, and later as I shared it with the class, they unanimously applauded.  Bryce clearly showed the character trait of compassion or CARING and stands in our hallway as our next Classroom Hero!

Have you heard?  In Math, we’re launching into a simulation that creates an actual store front and students must design and create a store, stocked with their product!  That’s right a store!  Keeping the workers working pumped with coffee is just one small part of their problem!  Renting out the optimal storefront space to maximize profit, budgeting to insure income, checking their stock, scheduling for UPS/FedEX pickups, it’s all part of business in the 21st century!  Yes, all in 4th grade!  Welcome to Mr.T’s class!  Oh and I haven’t told them about the occassional flood, fire or catastrophe that tends to occur and hamper businesses now and then!  But that’s all why it’s called a “simulation…”

I’m working on midterm reports but we have a few assessments still to go.  Namely SASL (for math) and a district Writing Assessment yet, which may help give you a better idea how things are going.  Look for it soon!  Arena Conferences are at the end of March.

That’s all for now!

Congratulations to everyone for helping me make conferences and report cards a smooth-as-butter affair!  I met with 100% of the scheduled parents and despite my 3 am bed times (due to the new crying baby!) seemed like I spoke fairly clearly (or at least everyone just kept smiling when I made no sense at all)…

In addition, I’d like to take time out to mention the Honor Roll students from our class!

Lindsey

Max

Isabella

Rebecca

Mayme

Kali

Also, I decided that since I was gone for a majority of November, the students submitted secret ballots electing the new Kid of Character, providing actual first-hand evidence and stating why they feel that student (who may even be themselves!) should gain the title.  Kids of Character, as elected and also approved by myself for November are:

Lindsey

Toan

Rebecca

In a survey, very few students in our class knew the true origins of Thanksgiving.  During the past few days that I’ve been back, we’ve had a crash course, using our Reading WASL skills.  Unfortunately, what normally takes 2 weeks, simply cannot be sledge hammered into 3 half days, however, hopefully kids now know a bit more than before.

Enjoy Thanksgiving! 

Mr.T

Classroom News!

Mr.T adopts a baby…

You’re Going Where?  For How Long?

The big news (even for me) is that after a long three year wait and over five years since deciding, my international adoption plans are finally pushing ahead.  The downside is that they have absolutely no consideration for school schedules! 

I had hoped to travel sometime during the summer or at least during the winter, but our daughter currently sits waiting in a foster home in a province of China and we are required to travel there in person to process paperwork and citizenship requirements.    It seems the Olympics slowed everything down to a crawl, throwing the timing off, with our travel dates landing  on October 24th through November 15th or so. 

So what does this mean for you and your child and how will things be handled while I am away?

Rest assured.  I’ve asked myself this question for the last several years and have thought very carefully about how to transition to a guest teacher.  Since travel dates are set by the Chinese consulate, I will have no control over when I will need to travel.  In fact, I’m throwing things in a large suitcase as I write this, as my last day is October 23rd, with an expected return sometime around report cards, roughly November 19th or so. 

From the time I leave, I will be gone a minimum of three weeks, as required to adopt and process paperwork in several provinces, the US consulate and then make the tiring 20 hour flight home.  Too bad they can’t ship via UPS like they can everything else these days!

Mrs. Williams (principal), Mrs. Snider (counselor) and every teacher in our school is aware and has volunteered to insure that the transition is both smooth and seamless.  So if you see Mr. T with a few extra dark circles under his eyes in a few weeks, you will know why!  Baby girl Jasmin has been keeping ole Pappy awake at night!

Classroom Hero

Taking a cue from last years’ Hometown Hero award that 5th graders won, be sure to stop by outside our hall and check out our Classroom Hero display!  You will see the 6 pillars of what it takes to be a Kid of Character and our very first Classroom Heroes, Peyton and Breanna!  A brief blurb highlights why they’ve been nominated along with their photos! 

Congratulations!  In the coming months and weeks ahead, your child may also become Classroom Hero for noteworthy acts of kindness, generosity or for simply being responsible and honest!

I think you’ll agree, the world can certainly use more heroes.  Who knew we had some right in our own class!   

Fall Harvest

Mrs. Budano (Max’s mom) will be contacting people to arrange treats, games and activities and coordinate with Mrs. Kochel, our guest teacher who will be filling in during Mr. T’s absence.  Please contact her if you’d be willing to help out!  Thanks!

A fantastic congratulations to the 2007-2008 5th graders for their momumental work of heart that has moved so many people with our movie project, “The Difference” and their American Red Cross Award for being chosen as “Hometown Heroes!”

This award is generally given to adults who have saved lives or made a serious difference in lives in our community and been given to firefighters, law enforcement and other life saving heroes in the past.  Never has it ever been given out to students, let alone 5th graders! 

On top of that, the Hometown Hero award is a Nationally Recognized Award that KREM2 and numerous other businesses, associations and societies support both locally and nationwide.

If you missed it, our class was recognized at the Cooper Open House and introduced by our principal Mrs. Williams.  However, the actual award presentation is still coming!  I believe that includes interviews with KREM2 for the 5th graders, a school presentation, and a business luncheon and more stardom!

Our movie was most recently used at Roosevelt Elementary to help staff better understand the tremendous diversity amongst their students – at one bus stop, there were kids from over 40 different countries!  I received another note mentioning how our video was used this summer at Whitworth University as part of a college level curriculum development class for future teachers. 

So to answer your question, Stevee Jo, yes.  One class CAN make a difference!

School is well under way…

Here’s a quick update!

Homework

You should be seeing yellow homework sheets coming home daily now, with 20 minutes of reading nightly (or more!) and a sign off or initial section once that has been done.  Also any assignments, projects or work not finished in class, will often be pushed onto homework and we always take time as a class to fill it out at the end of the day.  Kids always know where more sheets can be found or you can always print another one from this website.  Homework sheets are checked every morning and sheets are collected every Monday, with new weekly sheets going out that same Monday.

Request

Water bottles?  It’s still rather warm for September and sometimes a quick drink at the fountain just doesn’t do it.  If you have a non-disposable water bottle, feel free to send it with your child.  Better yet, if you’d like to donate some disposable water bottles (or EVEN better, a class set of 27) we’d love you for it!

Snacks

Feel free to send snacks for just your child whenever you would like.  I generally let them eat whenever they feel they need to.  We have the last lunch at 12:20 so it can be a long wait.  It can also be pretty intimidating (not to mention costly) bringing in snacks for 27, so just send them for your kiddo!  The ants, bugs and occasional rodent only ask that you avoid candy, sugary treats and drinks with sugar.  Our backdoor has provided a fieldday for pests so help us out!  Our last “infestation” was a scene out of Aliens… all located in a students’ desk…

Open House

Coming to Cooper on September 16th at 6:30pm-8pm.  There will be an informal gathering in the gym from the principal, Mrs. Williams, to greet everyone and introduce the staff (including many of the new members of Cooper) and then make your way to classrooms, where you can then find out just how much learning goes on here at Cooper.  Come one, come all!

Exciting news just in!

For our small, but important act in helping our community and those around us, we have obviously touched the lives and hearts of people who have seen our movie.  As a result, our class has been nominated by the American Red Cross for an award entitled, “Hometown Hero!”

That’s right!  Of the 14 categories, this nationwide award by our local chapter highlights people in our community, including people who have saved the lives of others while performing their job (ie: firefighters rescuing someone from a fire), super volunteers (who spend an exorbantant amount of time giving) and even an award to an animal or pet that has saved a life!  Our class falls under the category of teaming with a community organization (World Relief) to help change or save lives!

Apparently we not only had one nomination but several – so, to my special 5th grade students of 2007-08, you can now clearly see that yes, indeed, you CAN make a difference.  Overall, it’s quite an honor.

Oh and I’m sure you want more details!

Since we’re nominated, once the committee meets and decides, the winner will then be awarded – but they’ve never awarded an entire class before (or kids either, for that matter).  And did I mention it also means being on KREM2?  Oh yes, there is that… ALOT of TV footage… then I heard something about a big sign thing at Northtown mall… and something big at school…

Maybe that’s a bit vague without much details… bahahahhh!

More exciting that way.  Stay tuned! 

And even if we don’t win, we already have won.  And you and I both know that.

I’ve finally compiled and edited all of the feedback I’ve received from far and wide and wanted to remind you (my dear 5th graders of 07-08!) just how helping one another in small ways can make a big difference in people’s minds and in their hearts. 

Phil Koestner, English Language Department, Spokane Schools
“I think this is GREAT what you’re doing with your class…The video was great and I’m so glad to see kids learning and taking part in such meaningful projects.”

Kristy Mylroie, Public Relations, Spokane Schools
“WOW! This is awesome! This is a FANTASTIC story!!! Amazing! Stupendous! Fabulous! I just watched “The Difference” on our intranet. It made me cry. I am so impressed by your students and their dedication, patience and compassion. This is truly, truly outstanding. Congratulations! I LOVE it!!”

Susan W. – Educator, Spokane Schools
“Everyone is talking about how (this is) powerful and insightful and a dynamic reminder of the best we are all called to be. Thank you for your courage, leadership, example and compassionate heart.”

Gailen
“Kudos to Cooper! I read the article in the Spokesman Review and watched the video. I thought it was fantastic. I shared the video link with some of the office staff and they were impressed also.”

Karen K. – Seattle
“WOW!!! Don’t know what to say other than it was soooo amazing. You guys did a spectacular job. Congratulations! btw, love the Brother IZ song at the 15 minute mark;) I shared it with a few friends and my mom, who was a teacher her entire life too.”

Esther Louie – Assistant Dean at Whitworth University
“Congratulations to Mr.Tanaka, his students and all those involved. I read the Spokesman Review article yesterday and it’s great that they wrote about the project. I’m glad that I got to see the video on Sunday with you. I hope all sorts of good things happen for the students because of their involvement – what a change in their young lives such a project can create for them. Congratulations to Mr.T and I hope he knows they will always remember Studio 137!   Mr.T’s students and their video project gives me hope.”

Ivan Bush – Equity Department, Spokane Schools
“(A) must see! Your kids learned a great lesson of concern & connectedness that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Jon K. – Seattle
“WOW! What a mighty impressive undertaking! And darn enriching for your students!”

Linda Unseth, Northwest Director, World Relief Spokane
“I sincerely appreciate your leadership and the great job accomplished by your class. From start to finish they are to be commended… This is truly a special group of kids.”

Diana M. – new teacher
“Wow! That is what I am talking about. Show the love yo! Mr.T sounds like such an awesome teacher. I would love to watch him organize this project.”

Jerred G. – Educator, Spokane Schools
“Wow, what a wonderful project! I don’t even think I can put into words how profound it is. All I can say is that what I watched is the heart of teaching which poured out of your wonderful hearts to allow kids to pour out theirs. My breath is still taken away…”

Lisa S. – principal, Seattle
“Tell Mr.T that I am so proud of him and his class. It is so very inspiring…….”

Mari C. – Educator, Spokane Schools
“Oh my gosh Mr.T. Just finished watching the program. I cried and cried…and I have sooooooo many questions. all my love…..”

Andrea Kaufmann, World Relief Central Office, Baltimore, Maryland
“What a great story! I’m very impressed with your class, and I really appreciate the fact that you ended by showing that both the family and your class benefited from the experience. I think it’s a powerful testimony to the fact that interacting with many of these refugee families leaves one blessed beyond belief! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for your willingness to share in the work of World Relief in Spokane!”

Tania Dall, KXLY News Channel 4
“You and your class did such a fantastic job and your students were such great hosts this morning!”

Joanne E, former principal, Spokane Schools
“I couldn’t hold back my tears and wanted you to know that this is what teaching is really all about…My thanks and admiration for inspiring kids to see that each person can make a real difference!”

 Many have asked, “So have you met with the refugee families?”  “How are they doing?”  “Are they adjusting to American life?”

The answer is that they are all doing incredibly well!  June 20th was World Refugee Day and World Relief Spokane had their first ever picnic to celebrate, with games, songs and displaced people joining in from countries all around the world!  The potluck was an adventure for the eyes as well as for the taste buds and if you missed it, I can honestly say, I ate enough for your share too!

Pictured above is the second Karen refugee family that was only briefly shown in our movie, “The Difference.”  They also arrived on the same delayed flight and our class also gathered materials and supplies to assist in setting up their apartment as well, although we were not able to physically prepare it as you saw in our movie.

I talked briefly, using hand motions, lots of smiling and simple English with the mom, since she spent over 10 years in refugee camps on the Thai border (and spent much of that time studying English) and she said that they are doing well, although adjustment has been difficult. 

Many of my students will remember Hsay, the Karen cultural informant, who visited our class and answered a variety of questions we had as we learned all we could early in our research.  Hsay explained how he has been really busy trying to help each of the new families learn about stores, how to get food, getting them used to houses and everything they need to know about work and school.  I think I heard that 80-90% of refugees quickly find jobs, but as Moonlight, one of the very first refugees to Spokane explained to me said, “I didn’t get treated very well at my job.  They would yell at me.  And instead of saying, please or thank you, just yell.” 

For people who have come from a place that has attempted to strip them of not only their lives but their dignity as well, I can easily see why Moonlight made the tough decision to leave his job, despite having small kids.  Moonlight stuck it out for a long time, but it’s a matter of principle.

On a different matter but same topic, several people continued to recommend that I see Rambo.  Thinking it was some remake of the original movie, “Rambo: First Blood” I thought, “Why?”  However, I soon learned, Sylvester Stallone’s movie, while completely not appropriate content-wise for elementary school, is based on the horrific events happening in Burma right now. 

I’ve since seen it and it was far more graphic than anything I’d seen so far on the subject.  Yet I can’t help but think that events like it must be happening.  Very disturbing.

Our video is now currently being hosted at Spokane Public Schools at:

www.spokaneschools.org

(Under ONGOING-> Cooper Class Project)

For those wondering about the family you DID see in our movie, they are doing VERY well!  I saw each of the children playing, the teenage girls could easily be mistaken for American teens and the parents looked relaxed and happy.  I smiled at the elderly aunt (with purple hair) and she very clearly remembered me and smiled, though I know we both realized we couldn’t say anything – sometimes a smile is more than enough. 

Dear Mr T. and students
I have just watched the film The Difference thanks to The SpokesmanReview online. I am absolutely moved and amazed. I am so very proud of the wonderful work you did and the difference you are making in our world.

For fifteen years I taught in District 81 (mostly at Browne) and for some of those years I taught fifth grade. I have since moved to Texas and I now teach adults who are becoming teachers. I have the opportunity to share with my students just how special and wonderful fifth and sixth graders are. It is my goal to inspire and challenge each of my students to be outstanding teachers who really CARE about their students. I can hardly wait to go into class this afternoon at 2 and show the film you made. I am in awe of you and of your magnificent Mr. T. You have learned incredibly important life lessons in this school year and these lessons will always be with you.

Thank you for being the kind of people who are already making a difference in our world and who will continue to make a difference for many many years!

With great admiration, Leeann Moore