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Hi kids!
Well, here I am at another Ubuntu Developers Summit (UDS) where folks from all over the world come and work together to prepare and develop specs/features for the next release of Ubuntu/Edubuntu (version 8.04). You may recall from previous posts on my own blog "Ramblings of a Digital Educator" that I have been lucky to have been able to attend past UDS's in exotic locales such as Montreal, Google headquarters in California, and Seville Spain. Where am I now? The wonderful exotic locale of BOSTON. Ok, for me it's hardly exotic. In fact, I get down here several times a year for business, pleasure, and most of all...Red Sox games! Don't get me wrong, I'm honored to be here and excited about the work to be done. I'm here representing all of you as an educator, making sure that features we need such as user management, classroom applications, easy configuration...etc. are discussed and included. I'm not a programmer, but I understand "geek-speak" so I'm able to bridge the gap and help out in that manner. I'm happy to report that Ubuntu/Edubuntu has matured to the point where now it's time to focus on creating and implementing tools to make the lives of teachers much easier. Tools to manage classrooms, manage users, manage lessons, and much more are in the pipeline and slated for discussion and development. It's an exciting time. Access to technology will become much more commonplace worldwide...for very little investment. Yes, we've done amazing things at VCS, but looking at the bigger picture...there are so many schools and children all over the world who have nothing. Many have NEVER even seen a computer before. Soon, that will all change. Imagine...kids...showing the world what they can do...regardless of where they are and what their circumstances may be. Very cool. Stay tuned to my blog "Ramblings of a Digital Educator" for more on what's happening here in Boston! (pics and news)
Hey...check out this laptop designed by Intel...for kids! Best of all...it runs Edubuntu!
This year's Halloween Dance was AWESOME! The kids looked great in their costumes and everyone was having a blast! Thanks to Mr. E and his crew for putting on another great party. Check out the "spooktacular" pictures we have by clicking a link below...
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VCS only images
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There are exciting developments afoot at VCS, beginning with Maine Farms Week from October 9-17 and including our Maine Harvest Luncheon on October 17. Read on to learn about these exciting events and what they mean for VCS students.
These activities are part of a larger Farm to School project that was started this fall at VCS through an Oak Grove Foundation Grant. Farm to School programs create connections between schools and local farms. They aim to increase schools’ purchase and consumption of locally grown foods in order to improve children’s health and support local farming communities. F2S programs also create educational links between students and farms, by facilitating classroom visits by farmers and field trips to farms. Along the way, farms and schools develop a deeper sense of community.
To kickoff our F2S program at VCS, we are planning a week of educational activities followed by a “Grown in Maine” Harvest Luncheon. Many local farmers are coming to the school to share their stories, ranging from Grange members who will talk about life on a Vassalboro farm in the early 1900s to a recent VCS grad who now runs a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm in China. Maine’s First Lady, Karen Baldacci, will also be visiting with the children, sharing her experiences gardening at the Blaine House. Meanwhile, our Food Service Staff are busy preparing for another exceptional meal, this time using ingredients from local farms, many within 10 miles of the school, and all from Maine! If this is a success, we hope to add more local foods to the menu throughout the year. Please show your support and have your child eat our Maine Harvest Lunch on October 17! This is a great way to teach kids about the resources and opportunities within their local community.
If you would like to learn more about this project or would like to be involved, feel free to contact us: Also, we may need a few volunteers to help serve lunch on October 17: Deb Soifer (soifer@vcsvikings.org)(445-4250) or Kelly Payson-Roopchand (549-3096).
Grandparents breakfast, NWEA testing, and a hallway full of books. It can only mean one thing...it's fall in Maine and the VCS Book Fair is in town. Each day there were lots of kids browsing the books and buying books for their own enjoyment. Grandmothers and grandfathers shared the joy of reading with their grandchildren and treated many of them to a special book or two (not to mention a whole bunch of Tom Brady posters). Mr. Rau reports that the book fair was a success and that numbers are up over last year...thanks for supporting the VCS Library!
Hey kids (and staff) have a great Columbus Day weekend! No school Monday! Have lots of fun with your family and enjoy the fall weather. We've had a great start to the school year and we're looking forward to even more fun and learning as the year progresses. See you all next week...Powered by ScribeFire.
