Second Update

I am preparing a letter to send to all the parents with the link to this blog...so I better keep at the updates.

The staff has been hard at work planning for the start of the school year. The Olympic games held last year were a big hit, but we have decided to take the recommendation of several students and spread them out over the week...there will be events including volleyball, 3-legged race, obstacle course, egg-relay, scrabble, and blokus...

Working on plans for our first two modules: Module 1 "What is a civilization" will focus on what it means to be part of a community. We have a book we will read and discuss called "Seedfolks." From that discussion, students will be asked to write a paper about the ideas that should also be a possible college essay. While we are at Tremont, we will look at the two civilizations of the Cades Cove area of the Smoky Mountains (the Native American and European settlers). Additionally, we will have a variety of community building activities (including the Olympics) the first month of school.

Module 2: "What does it mean to be healthy" will focus on healthy eating and exercise. We are lining up an outing to UT to see actual fitness studies in progress (the science of exercise) and maybe do a few of our own experiments. We plan to line up speakers for nutritional eating, show how to use the different exercise machines at T-Recs, and how to journal about personal fitness.

Module 3: Hasn't been finalized yet, but talks are under way to bring back "What can you learn from a bone" and perhaps a "What can you learn from a bone: Part II" for seniors

We are also planning for our open house-this will be held Oct 24, 2009 in the afternoon.

The last thing I want to mention today is that the faculty are also reviewing different online gradebook options for next year. If we decided to go with another company, rest assured one of our requirements will be that parents and students are able to access grades online-so everyone can keep track of student progress (or lack thereof)...

bye for now
Doc Hop