My South American trip was amazing! I have pictures to prove it! I will be showing pictures to the 8th grade geography classes 1/30. It was fun going from 85degree weather to 20 degree weather- but boy did that mean I had to pack a lot of clothes. There was only one disaster on our trip…my luggage did not arrive when I did. Therefore, I ended up shopping in Santiago, Chile, for a few necessities. I loved the challenge because NO ONE spoke English. I had to use  a lot of sign language!!

One of my favorite things about traveling is figuring out how other countries “work.” For example how do you order food in a fast food restaurant, how do you know when you have to wait in a line for help (as opposed to just jumping in…), how long is typical to wait for food or your check, etc. I love that. I love figuring out what the customs are. Did you know that in France it is considered rude if you enter a shop and do not say hello to the shop keeper (preferably in French)? Anyway, it took me a long time to realize that Americans have one way of doing things and other countries have other ways. No one way is right- it’s all a matter of what you are used to. 

One of my favorite ports was Ushuai, Argentina. We arrived after a huge storm. The mountains surrounding us were covered in snow. It was a most amazing sight. It was also 20 degrees. ohmygosh. We walked around town and looked into some specialty shops. Wool is abundant in that part of the world- so there were really warm coats, scarves, gloves, and ear muffs for sale. So is beef. Lots of grassfed cattle there. From that port we took a trip to Tierra Del Fuego National Park. That park is at the end of the continent. It was beautiful! Of course our bus did not have any airconditioning/heat, but hey- minor details. I want to post this for starters- any questions? I’ll write more later.

I was thinking about what I wanted for Christmas and it led me to wondering what YOU ALL wanted for Christmas (or Hanukkah or?).  What’s on your list? I’d also like to know what you will be doing over the holidays. Two weeks away from school is a long time for some kids. My husband and I are doing something really special this year. We are cruising down South America. I am so excited! I am hoping to learn how to attach pictures I take to my blog! I can’t wait to report back to you Have a great holiday.

Hey guys,

Did you hear my brother, Joe, do the Words of Wisdom? What did you think?

So, I was having a conversation with a few of our Office Aides about movie ratings. My question to them was, “Do you think only 13 year olds (and older) should see PG-13 rated movies?” If not, why?

There are some sharp thinkers out there! We sure have SMART kids at Escobedo M.S. I’m proud to read your passionate comments about smoking and second hand smoke. But I want you to think from another perspective…a smoker’s perspective. Here’s a challenge… Tell me:

Don’t people who smoke have rights,too? What should they be?

Who’s to say who can smoke and who can’t? Where and when? Is it really the place of our government to dictate the rules for smoking?

People have known the dangers of smoking for years, yet they still “light up.” Shouldn’t people be allowed to smoke if they want to? People do crazy things all the time (like skateboard down the middle of the street without a helmet). Is it really our place to try and stop them?

During our debates one student told me that families pay a lot of money for health insurance. So if people need to use insurance money to go to the doctor for a smoking related health issue they should be covered. Good point. What do you think about that?

How should we decide, as a society, when to let people decide “actions” for themselves  and when to decide for them?

Write the perfect smoking laws for Clark County. What do you think they should really be? Tell me what’s wrong with our current laws, if anything?

Read, write, think, discuss…getting smarter everyday

Mrs. Powers

Boy, I have been in lots of classes lately that are doing some amazing research on smoking. I even got to participate in some of the 8th grade health class debates on smoking. Here were some of the questions we debated:

1. Should smoking be allowed in casinos?

2. Should pregnant women be allowed to smoke?

3. Should parents be allowed to smoke in the car when little kids are present?

4. Should smoking be allowed in public places?

5. Should the smoking age be raised from 18 to 21?

6. If you get sick as a result of smoking, should your insurance have to pay for it or should you have to pay for it?

We had some great discussions! We have smart 8th graders here at Esco. BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK? Like I told the 8th graders- it is their job to THINK, QUESTION, FORM OPINIONS, and CHALLENGE WHAT THEY THINK IS WRONG in our school, community, and society. (Read, write, think, discuss…that’s how you get even smarter). Let me hear from you!

Mrs. Powers

I love all the responses I’m getting on my Blog. You all are really giving me your best ideas! THANK YOU. But as I sit here at my computer at dinner time- I’m hungry. So, tell me more about your Thanksgiving dinner plans. I want to hear about THEE most scrumptious dinner plans out there. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO EAT AT THANKSGIVING?

Hey Boxers! What a fantastic year I am having with YOU ALL at Escobedo M.S. I really didn’t think this year could be better than last, BUT IT IS! I am enjoying the task of learning new names, remembering old ones, and seeking out kids I never got to meet last year. What a job! Who would think that after you’re grown up you could read with kids, play with kids, learn with kids and get paid for it? It’s crazy! What a great profession education is.

The Blog that I have all but ignored from last year gave me some very insightful information. Thanks to all of you who sent me messages on how to make this school the BEST school in the valley. You told me that we have friendly teachers, helpful staff, lots of after school acitivities, and challenging work. Several of you also told me how much you enjoyed hearing my Words of Wisdom in the morning. I was so happy to hear that. I enjoy reading them and thinking about them myself.

Well, believe it or not, the first quarter is GONE. Isn’t that amazing? So, once again I need your insights. As usual, I have several questions I need you to answer for me:

*Does our school still feel friendly?

*Have you made a few new friends this year?

* Are your classes challenging enough?

*Do you feel like your teachers acknowledge good, hard work?

* Have you ever noticed a student who doesn’t have any friends? If so, have you done anything to assist him/her?

*Tell me what you love best about our library? AND….what colors do you think Mrs. Baca should paint around our windows in the library?

*If you could nominate a Teacher of the Year, who would it be and why?

*If you could give me some advice, what would it be?

*What will be on your table for Thanksgiving? (Mine will have turkey, smashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, creamed onions, green beans with fried onions on top, cranberry relish, and gravy. Dessert is usually pumpkin cheesecake and pecan pie. We will have 12-14 people at the table. I invite that many so I will have lots of people to help with dishes after our meal (just kidding).

*What tradiditions does your family have around Thanksgiving? (My family loves to take turkey sandwiches up to Red Rock and hike over the weekend).

*What makes Thanksgiving special to you? (I love the holiday because my sisters, brother, in-laws, father and his wife all come to my house. It is truly a special time for me. These are my very favorite people to be with. They tease me, laugh with me, talk about good books, and PIG OUT). 

Thanks for answering so many questions. I REALLY want to know what you think and how YOUR family celebrates this time of year. Looking forward to hearing from you.

So, we’ve opened a BRAND NEW SCHOOL!  Hey Boxers, Mrs. Powers wants to know what you think!

Since you live in Las Vegas seeing a brand new school open is no big deal. But did you know that in most states this is a rarity? Why? Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. We build schools faster than most cities build Albertson’s.  What I have loved about being the principal of a new school is getting to meet new kids, parents, and staff, as well as having the opportunity to decide how it’s going to be right off the bat. I have thoroughly enjoyed the 850 great kids who joke, laugh, learn, and “high 5” me throughout the day. I’m hoping that through this Blog you will continue to interact with me, keep me up to date on your life, and help me learn how to be an even better principal.

A few details….did you know that opening a school is a huge job? Mr.  Welsh and I have been responsible for receiving millions of dollars of inventory, hiring people from the custodians to the teachers, choosing books from which you will learn, deciding which exploration classes to offer you, to block classes or not to block classes, how to keep you safe, your motto, your logo, your mascot, your school colors, etc.  There is so much to think about (no wonder administrators can’t sleep)! Have you ever stopped to think about who makes up the rules about  grading, homework, behavior expectations, lunchroom procedures, hallway passing , how teachers will talk to kids, how we want kids to talk to teachers, what we will ask teachers to offer you in the classroom every period of every day, etc.? THAT’S A LOT OF THINKING!

So, here we are in May, and I am wondering:

1.       How was your first year at Escobedo M.S.?

2.       Did you like coming to Escobedo M.S.?

3.       Did you feel safe?

4.       If you didn’t feel safe, what do we need to do differently next year?

5.       If you could give me some advice for next year, what would it be?

6.        Is there anything else I could do differently to help students enjoy school?

7.       Will you remember your experience at Escobedo M.S. in a positive way? Why or why not?

8.       Will you invite me to your high school graduation?!

To all 8^th graders, I will miss you very much. You have been a very special part of this school’s opening. I am very proud of the accomplishments you have made this year and I hope you continue on your successful path. I will ask the principals at Centennial H.S. and Arbor View H.S. to check up on you! Whenever I see you out in the community, I will ask you if you remember the rest of “Be kind, be responsible, be the best you can be…”  You are a wonderful group of teenagers.  Remember always, “if the future seems overwhelming, remember that it comes one moment at a time.”

So, what do you think? Let me know about YOUR experience at Escobedo M.S.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Powers