Happy New Year Disney Dragons! To read or listen to my latest Principal's message, click here. I tried something new this month by creating and posting a podcast of my message.
It has been a while since I have last posted on the Disney Diaries, as I have been considering the role of the Diaries within our school community. This year, we have the Disney Digest email blast that PTA has been managing that pushes out announcements that pertain to PTA, DESEF, and focuses on important events and opportunities within our school and district community. You have probably also noticed that I am using a format called "Principals' Post-it" for announcements that come from my office. Of course, we still have our Dragon's Den newsletter that comes out every other month with a comprehensive look at everything happening at Walt Disney Elementary. So, where does that leave the Diary, a blog that I started last year to really push out information? Do I take the Diary offline?
After some thought, I have decided to take a little bit of a risk and design the Disney Diary to be a true blog that will provide the community the opportunity to post comments in response to my postings. I will turn on the "comments" feature which will allow viewers to post comments, suggestions, ideas, etc. to the school and/or to each other. I will not post messages every week, but as needed. I may include in postings an opportunity to hear input from the community about our programs, opportunities, vision, etc. Many parents have the opportunity to attend PTA, DESEF, Site Council meetings to give input, but we recognize that most of our parents can or do not make it out to these meetings. While we encourage maximum parent involvement, perhaps the "new"Disney Diaries blog will provide a channel for your thoughts and comments.
I believe that you will begin seeing more Disney students participating in blogging as a part of their curriculum in the coming years, so let's start modeling this skill among the adults. I invite you to become a regular follower of the Disney Diaries and participate in the blog. To get us started, I'd like to establish norms for what "good bloggers" do in their posts:
It has been a while since I have last posted on the Disney Diaries, as I have been considering the role of the Diaries within our school community. This year, we have the Disney Digest email blast that PTA has been managing that pushes out announcements that pertain to PTA, DESEF, and focuses on important events and opportunities within our school and district community. You have probably also noticed that I am using a format called "Principals' Post-it" for announcements that come from my office. Of course, we still have our Dragon's Den newsletter that comes out every other month with a comprehensive look at everything happening at Walt Disney Elementary. So, where does that leave the Diary, a blog that I started last year to really push out information? Do I take the Diary offline?
After some thought, I have decided to take a little bit of a risk and design the Disney Diary to be a true blog that will provide the community the opportunity to post comments in response to my postings. I will turn on the "comments" feature which will allow viewers to post comments, suggestions, ideas, etc. to the school and/or to each other. I will not post messages every week, but as needed. I may include in postings an opportunity to hear input from the community about our programs, opportunities, vision, etc. Many parents have the opportunity to attend PTA, DESEF, Site Council meetings to give input, but we recognize that most of our parents can or do not make it out to these meetings. While we encourage maximum parent involvement, perhaps the "new"Disney Diaries blog will provide a channel for your thoughts and comments.
I believe that you will begin seeing more Disney students participating in blogging as a part of their curriculum in the coming years, so let's start modeling this skill among the adults. I invite you to become a regular follower of the Disney Diaries and participate in the blog. To get us started, I'd like to establish norms for what "good bloggers" do in their posts:
- This blog is not a substitute for communicating directly with your child's teacher, Principal, WDPTA, DESEF, or School Site Council.
- Assume that all contributors have good intentions
- Be respectful at all times in your communications
It's Time!
Once again the Walt Disney Elementary Education Fund is now selling tickets for it's Annual Live Auction on March 12th at the Canyon View Dining hall and you are invited. All profits will be benefiting the Children at Walt Disney Elementary school. The proceeds will be used to help pay for many of the programs and items the state no longer funds. Such as Paraprofessionals (teachers aides), Librarian, Computer Lab educator, student reading and math skills intervention programs, such as the Dragon Academy. New technology like the Apple Mac books bought last year from the Auction proceeds and classroom Audio aids. Your support will help keep those programs going and help continue funding the need for future programs at Walt Disney.
Our theme this year is "Disney in the Caribbean", so wear your island dresses and best tropical shirts. We will be serving up Mai Tai’s, Hurricanes, Margaritas and plenty of wine at our full bar. Enjoy listening to Derek Smith's Steel Drum Trio while dining on the Buffet Dinner and dessert. Invite your friends and family, there will be casino style gaming, raffles, games, prizes, silent auction and of course the main event, the Live Auction.
This year there will be wonderful items to bid on such as a Hawaiian vacation, Mexico getaway, San Diego retreat, great buy in parties and who wouldn't want their child to be principal for a day, or a veterinarian for a day, or Mayor for a day? All of those will be available.
Tickets are now selling for $55 dollars per person until February 18th, which is when the price goes up to $65 per person, so purchase your tickets soon. When you are ready to purchase your tickets, follow this link, http://auctions.readysetauction.com/disneyelementaryscho/home or drop your check made out to DESEF off at the Walt Disney office.
February 4th, our online Auction will begin with over 300 items!! There is something for everyone. Tell a friend or Facebook it, and help spread the word. We need your support.
Once again the Walt Disney Elementary Education Fund is now selling tickets for it's Annual Live Auction on March 12th at the Canyon View Dining hall and you are invited. All profits will be benefiting the Children at Walt Disney Elementary school. The proceeds will be used to help pay for many of the programs and items the state no longer funds. Such as Paraprofessionals (teachers aides), Librarian, Computer Lab educator, student reading and math skills intervention programs, such as the Dragon Academy. New technology like the Apple Mac books bought last year from the Auction proceeds and classroom Audio aids. Your support will help keep those programs going and help continue funding the need for future programs at Walt Disney.
Our theme this year is "Disney in the Caribbean", so wear your island dresses and best tropical shirts. We will be serving up Mai Tai’s, Hurricanes, Margaritas and plenty of wine at our full bar. Enjoy listening to Derek Smith's Steel Drum Trio while dining on the Buffet Dinner and dessert. Invite your friends and family, there will be casino style gaming, raffles, games, prizes, silent auction and of course the main event, the Live Auction.
This year there will be wonderful items to bid on such as a Hawaiian vacation, Mexico getaway, San Diego retreat, great buy in parties and who wouldn't want their child to be principal for a day, or a veterinarian for a day, or Mayor for a day? All of those will be available.
Tickets are now selling for $55 dollars per person until February 18th, which is when the price goes up to $65 per person, so purchase your tickets soon. When you are ready to purchase your tickets, follow this link, http://auctions.readysetauction.com/disneyelementaryscho/home or drop your check made out to DESEF off at the Walt Disney office.
February 4th, our online Auction will begin with over 300 items!! There is something for everyone. Tell a friend or Facebook it, and help spread the word. We need your support.
Mr. Nyguyen,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post and thanks for the hyperlink to your Principal's Message Podcast, great way to incorporate additional information. Having norms is a great move also, maybe each class can come up with blogging norms as well and then mesh them together with the norms you've created. Thanks again and happy blogging!
I think this is a great tool for everyone to use. Our class blog is getting up and running also. Student's are very excited about using it. We talked about our norms and they're quite similar to yours.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to see how the students and teachers will adapt to using blogs at Disney. I am sure blogging will further help enhance communication within our Disney community. I enjoyed reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI like this. So many parents cannot come to the evening PTA or daytime DESEF meetings in person, and this blog gives everyone opportunities to make a difference. Do we have to have a URL in order to post?
ReplyDeleteLiterarywanderings: Thanks for your post. I'm not sure if parents can post a new topic. I will look into that. Right now, you can post a comment, question, etc. within an established post.
ReplyDeleteSorry, actually, that's what I meant - comment, not post a new topic. When I tried to comment, it seemed I was required to pick from a small menu of Google Account, Word Press, etc., and not just post anonymously.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the Live Auction, every year my wife and I look forward to going. It's a great night for the value.
ReplyDeleteLiterarywanderings: You cannot leave an anonymous comment.
ReplyDelete