Tag: SBE
Principal Interviews on Wednesday at 5:15pm
by Jenny Chissus
Here’s a reminder that the principal interviews are going to be held Wednesday at 5:15pm after the 8th grade and Head Start Graduation ceremony. Please mark your calendar to join us for the Graduation ceremony at Susan B English School at 4:00pm and then participate in the interview process with the three candidates afterwards! Mark says – bring cookies!
Principal Interview Time:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
5:15pm at SBE
#yoloswaG to Perform on the Last Day of School
by Ruth Sensenig
Aidan, the alert drummer, leads the group with his reliable rhythms. No song is too tough for him; he studies it and works it out, then plays so confidently he makes it look easy.
The community is invited to come to the school to hear this year’s band class, performing as #yoloswaG, play on the last day of school, Wednesday, May 22.
For the most part, #yoloswaG performs covers of popular songs. Last semester they got the idea to play Bon Jovi’s “Wanted: Dead or Alive.” When they approached me with the idea in class, I enthusiastically broke into a bit of the chorus. They said, “You know this song, Ms. Sensenig?!” I responded with, “Sure, I’ve known this song since before you were born! Where did YOU learn it?” The answer was, of course, Guitar Hero.
Darrel is a versatile member of the team. He plays keyboards for the band, but he has recently taken up guitar and is teaching himself all kinds of riffs. It’s not unusual to hear echoes of Nirvana coming from his guitar.
When they’re learning a new song, the band typically spends some time listening to the song on Youtube and looking up tabs or chord sheets. The kids get out their phones and put on headphones to listen to tutorials of their part of the song. As they work, little by little the strains of the melody or the rhythm start echoing around the room. Eventually they get to the point where they are ready to start playing the song together; the first few times through, they play along with the original version. The first time through on their own is usually pretty rough, but a few more times through and the song starts to sound like the real thing! Continue Reading
Dr. Atwater Returns for 2nd Round of Principal Interviews
UPDATE 5/15/2013: We are only going to have 3 candidates, as the fourth candidate already accepted another position!Gazette: How do you avoid the situation we just had – where 2 of the 4 candidates pulled out before they even had the chance to be offered the position?
Dr. Atwater: We can’t fully – it’s a matter of folks disclosing that they are pursuing other options.
Gazette: Isn’t it essential to be in a position to offer the “right” candidate the job as soon as possible, so they don’t get snatched up for another position? Can that time frame (from interview to job offer) be minimized to secure the right applicant?
Dr. Atwater: Perhaps, we could tighten the audience input to the same day. It is difficult for me do all the interviews- limitations of my schedule prevents faster pace of hiring- this is difficult, because I like and want to be at the interviews. We have decided that all audience input will be due on Monday the 20th, to facilitate the process.
Dr. Atwater: A school of 40 students can present serious challenges- there is a certain level of expertise/experience needed. It would be wrong however, to compare it to Homer High School. Thus, it is a lot easier to not have pervious administrative experience and do well at SBE than it is at HHS.
Gazette: Will any of the previous (2) candidates be in the top 4 this time around?
Dr. Atwater: No
SBE Still Looking for a Principal
by Jenny Chissus
This past Tuesday, we had interviews in Seldovia for our principal position. With over 50 applicants, we were looking forward to meeting the four finalists, and weighing in. The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has been following this hiring process for over five years, but since Sherry Hingley has been our principal since 2007, we have never had this opportunity to participate in the interview process in Seldovia.
I believe this is a great method, as not only did we have the chance to relay our desires for the type of administrator and the concerns we have for our school and community, but we had the chance to participate in the actual interview process! Many Seldovians submitted questions for the interview, as 8 of the 20 questions are normally taken directly from the community. This is so important, as every location has concerns and issues that are specific to that school and community. Dr. Atwater confirmed that this process is only used when hiring for administrative positions.
Unfortunately, after all the effort, from the initial meeting in Seldovia, the review of over 50 applicants, to the interview itself – we are back at square one! After the Continue Reading
Seldovia Time
