Veteran's Day

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day and I am excited. This will be the first time in my teaching career where I won't have school off for Veteran's Day, and I'm excited. When I asked a class of fifth graders today if they knew tomorrow was Veteran's Day, they excitedly yelled "YES!!!"; they were excited. For the first time I am excited that tomorrow is Veteran's Day not because I have a day off, but because I am going to school. Our school meets to put on a Veteran's day parade and program with a lunch for veterans. I am really excited to see the kids in the parade and if I understand correctly, most of the high school students (those not involved in the parade) will be dismissed from classes to watch the parade and attend the program before returning to class. I have no idea who started this program and how long it has been going on, but I am really excited to see this. I'll bet they have a better understanding of what Veteran's Day is than those staying home and sleeping in. I don't know, I will report back.

National Young Readers Week

I am very excited about a program I have next week in the elementary school. In celebration for National Young Readers Week, I have invited guest readers to read their favorite stories and tell their story about how reading impacts their lives. I am really excited about the guests I have lined up. They are: Illinois State Senator, Dave Koehler; Illini Bluffs Elementary Principal, Mrs. Huene; U.S. Congressional Candidate and Lakeview Museum curator, Sheldon Schaefer; Illini Bluffs Middle School Principal, Mrs. Peterson; Illini Bluffs Technology Coordinator, Mr. Barclay; Illini Bluffs High School Principal, Mr. Stoner; Illini Bluffs Superintendent, Dr. Light; Peoria Chiefs radio play-by-play announcer, Nathan Baliva; Peoria Journal Star reporter and columnist, Steve Tarter; and Peoria County Board Member, Tom O'Neill.
Several teachers have been willing to change their schedules so all of the students will get to visit with a guest reader. I am really looking forward to seeing the students interact with visitors and I am looking forward to hearing what the guest readers have to say about reading. Hopefully this time next week I will have some great pictures and stories to share.