Staff News Jan. 7-11

I hope everyone is ready to have a fantastic Christmas break.  It is amazing that we are nearly half way through the year.  Thank you so much for all of your hard work this year.  I feel that we have the hardest working staff in the district.

Please take a few minutes to sign up for our texting program.  I am sending home instructions for the parents to sign up for the parent portion of the program.  I would encourage you to sign up for both the parent and teacher text notifications.

We are collecting an enormous number of coats on the stage.  If you would please remind your students to check on the stage if they are missing a coat, and remind them to be sure to have their coats at the end of the day.

I wanted to thank the Social Committee for a wonderful Christmas party.  I’m sure we all walked away with gifts that we will treasure for a lifetime. 

Enjoy your 2 weeks off.  Remember who you are and what you stand for, and please wear shirt and shoes in public.

Merry Christmas!!

Staff News Letter
12/3-12/7

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I hope you all had a wonderful week.  I wanted to express my appreciation to all those who have been so diligent in posting objectives.  As I have visited with several of you, it sounds like it has been beneficial to cover learning objectives with your students.

Reminder: We will be reviewing the 2^nd chapter of Leader in Me at our next faculty meeting on the 5^th.  I know that many of you have read beyond that, but if you would take a minute to read it if you have not, and review it if you have.

As Christmas is on the way, please e-mail me with names of students who may need assistance this year.

I wanted to express my appreciation to all those who have checked in on how my family and I are doing after sending my son, Austin, to the MTC.  As many of you who have already had the experience know, it is difficult, but wonderful experience at the same time.

As many of you know, Sherri now has a broken foot and is using a wheel chair to get around.  Speaking from experience over the past couple of days, please use caution when you come into the office, Sherri is a crazy driver and might just take you out.  You don’t want to go home with wheel chair tracks across your face.  I really don’t want to get a call from your spouse, like the call I received last night from a parent, asking about why another student was jumping on her son’s face yesterday.  In this case it would be to ask why their spouse has tire track on his/her face instead of footprints.

Thought:  A little You Tube laugh for you.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QuwgoIFgQpY

Have a fantastic weekend!

  *Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Nov. 5-9

I hope you all had a wonderful week.  A special congratulations to our 5^th grade who will undergo the highly coveted maturation training today.  I will be extremely grateful to have such highly matured 5^th graders.

If you would each take just a moment to visit with all of your students about not taking food out at lunch.  Most students are pretty good, but Jeff is still spending quit a bit of time cleaning up juice containers…that have been brought out at lunch.

As I have been in and out of many of your classes, I have found that we are exceptionally consistent at not posting or reviewing objectives.  If you could look for ways to post objective in your rooms.  I will be finding incentives for those who have them posted.  If you can find ways to review simple understandable objective with your students, I think you will find them much more meaningful than simply listing them on the board.  We will visit more about this in our next faculty meeting.  I promise that if you will begin using your objectives, your life will reach new heights of celestial and spiritual enlightenment.

I wanted to thank those of you who were able to help with the Fall Carnival last Saturday.  We had a wonderful turnout.  I know that helping meant a lot of extra time at school and I appreciate your willingness.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Thought:  Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets it gets you know where.  Glenn Turner

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Staff News Letter

I hope you all had a wonderful week.  It was nice to have a normal week after such a busy SEP week.  I will be sending out a Google Doc to collect your SEP percentage of attendance.  We have been at about 98% attendance for the past several years.  If you need to catch a family or 2, we could approach 100%.  Right now 3 Peaks has the 100% bragging right.  Of course, they could be cheating.  You just never know.  If you could just do your very best to catch your parents. 

I wanted to remind you that ESL Night will be held on Tuesday of next week.  Please remind your ESL students on Monday that we would love to have them and their families to attend. 

We also have the Data Fair on Tuesday the 23^rd at the District Office.  If you are able to drop by, it would give me goose bumps and chills.

When you have students who are sick, whenever possible, if you could be the one to call home.  There are times when a student comes to the office to call home sick and the parent has questions that only the teacher can answer.  If you are unable to come break away to call, please send a note with your student so Sherri can have a little information to share with the parent.  If you are the one who is sick, it is OK to call your parent though.

Thanks again for all of your hard work.  I appreciate all that you do.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Thought: The mind works more effectively when you’re telling it what to do rather than what not to do.  Casstevens, Mind Gym p.11.

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Staff News Letter

Thank you all so much for all of your hard work and extra time with SEPs this week.  They seemed to go exceptionally smooth this year.

If you would please make a special note that our next AR assembly will be on Wed. the 24^th this month.  This is to better accommodate Red Ribbon Week.  Please note also that the fall carnival will be on Saturday, Oct. 27^th, from 11-3:00.  I know there will be scheduling conflicts, but I would love to see you there if you can attend.  It will fun to try it outside.

Please take just a few minutes this next week and reinforce with your students that they need to keep all food and drinks in the lunchroom.  Jeff spends an extensive amount of time cleaning up juice boxes… that are taken out of the lunchroom.

I wanted to pass on a special thanks to Mary Belle for teaching the Leader in Me in to our students.  Please be sure she is able to have her scheduled time to teach your students so that it is consistent throughout the school.

Above all, have an incredible weekend!

Thanks for all that you do.

Thought: Treat a man as he is and you make him worse than he is.  Treat a man as he has the potential to become and you make him better than he is.  Geothe.
*Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Aug. 27-31

I hope you all had a wonderful first full week of school.  I cannot express enough how much I appreciate all of the hard work you put in to prepare for another year.  It felt like a very smooth beginning to the school year.

Just a reminder to please reinforce with your students acceptable lunchroom and hall behavior.  Also, if you would please train your students to say, “thank you” to those who are serving them at lunch.  It is just one of the skills we would like our students be begin developing.  

I hope you have noticed the banners hanging in our entryways, “Together we learn.  Together we lead.”  It is part of the atmosphere we have talked about with the Leader in Me program.  Thanks for your input in choosing the phrase. 

Thanks again for all you do.

 *Upcoming Schedule

Thought:  Treat a man as he is and you make him worse than he is.  Treat a man as he has the potential to become and you make him better than he is.  Geothe

Have a fantastic, well-earned, weekend!

Staff News Letter May 14-18

It has been wonderful to celebrate Teacher Appreciation this week.  Thank you so much for all you do.  I know that with testing upon us, life at East Elementary may feel a bit stressful, but I sincerely appreciate all you do.  We will have another special celebration next week called “No Emotional Breakdowns Week”.  During this week, emotional outbursts will strictly limited to times between 9:30 PM and 4:30 AM on odd days only.  Please make a log of the outbursts.  

With the Walkathon coming up next week, please take a little time and encourage your students to work hard to get pledges and to participate.

If you have students coming to school in clothes that are not in compliance with our dress code (Short shorts, spaghetti strap shirts…), please have them change.  We have a few items of clothes in the nurse’s office, or they can have a parent bring clothes.  We don’t want them to feel bad, but we do need to be consistent.

We have a wonderful school because of your hard work.  Thank you once again for all you do.

Time left in school:

Days 9.8186

Hours: 235.6433

Minutes: 14138.4167

Seconds: 848294

Thought: Lately I have been reading John Wooden’s book “They Call Me Coach”.  In his book he brought out the point that satisfaction comes as we help others reach their potential during the course of the journey, not necessarily what happens in the end.  He measured success on how close his players came to reaching their potential.  I hope your journey has been a wonderful one as you have helped your students learn their potential.

    *Upcoming Schedule

Have a fantastic weekend!

Staff News Letter May 7-11

I hope you all had a fantastic first week of CRTs and DIBELS.  I appreciate all those who have worked so hard to make the testing go so smoothly.  It looks like students are working hard to do their best.  I still have not chosen the reward movie.  Please let me know if any of you have movie suggestions.  The East Elementary’s Big Adventure reality show might be a possibility, but I believe it is rated Pg.  We could check out the edited version.

As I have been in and out of a lot of classes over the past several months, I have been impressed with how well the Big 8 Engagement strategies are being implemented.  So many of you are experts at what you do.  Thanks for working so hard and doing such a wonderful job. 

Time left in school:

Days 14.9969

Hours: 359.9228

Minutes: 21595.0050

Seconds: 1295667

Thought: Don’t be afraid your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.  Anonymous

     *Upcoming Schedule

Enjoy a fantastic weekend!

Staff News Letter 4/30/12-5/4/12

I wanted to express appreciation to our Kindergarten for doing such a wonderful job with their Kindergarten program.  The turnout was fantastic.  I also wanted to thank the 1^st grade for doing the AR program Wednesday.  The program taught me to be a mean lean recycle machine.  Just in case you are wondering, you cannot recycle children.

With testing upon us, I would like to remind everyone to please limit noise in the hall near the computer labs.  To go along with the testing, I will have the reward tickets in your boxes.  Good luck on all of the tests.  Your students will do great.

Time left in school:

19.8232 Days

475.7500 Hours

28544.8167 Minutes

1712616 Seconds

It looks like the weather will be fantastic this weekend.  I hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy it.

Thought: How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself.  So always think positively.  Norman Vincent Peale

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Staff News Letter Apr. 23-27

Just in case you were wondering, we have; 24.99994 days, 599.9833 hours, 35,998.766 minutes, and 2,159,917 seconds left in the school year.   It is amazing how fast each school year passes.  Not that I am counting.

I wanted to express appreciation to all of you for your hard work in preparing your students for the myriad of tests coming up.  I know it takes a tremendous amount of work to have students prepared.

Just a reminder that all home cleaners need to be removed from classes, as well as, classroom microwaves.  Rumor has it that Mr. Coates may have one, but that has not yet been verified by an official investigation.  We are expecting the Fire Marshall to do an inspection any time now.

It looks like it will be a beautiful weekend.  I hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy it.

Thanks for all you do!     

Thought: “It's Friday, it’s payday, and the sun is shining.  That’s as good as it gets.”  Sherri Isom

 

   *Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Apr. 16-20

I hope you all had a fantastic week.

In place of our collaboration next week, we will have a second iPad training.  Please plan on brining your iPad and any questions you may have.  Because time will be limited, please plan on arriving early enough that we can start promptly at 8:00.

I have included a note that I would like you to copy and paste into your next newsletter regarding students who arrive at school too early.  There are times when we see students arrive up to 1½ hours early.  There aren’t a huge number of students arriving early, but enough to make it a challenge to be prepared for the day.  We would like students to arrive no earlier than 8:30.  Students who are in the building earlier than 8:15, we need to send them out to play, or, have them wait on the stage.  The exception would be if you would like to have them working in your classroom.

A note from the Principal

Dear Parents,

I would like to ask for your support in helping us address the issue of students arriving at school too early.  We ask that students not arrive earlier than 8:30 AM.  This allows for appropriate supervision for the students and ample time for teachers and staff to prepare for the day.  I would like to express my appreciation to you for your willingness to support us with this issue. 

Sincerely,

Steve Burton

Principal, East Elementary

Thought: The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions.  ~Ellen Glasgow

Have an incredible weekend!

  *Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Apr. 2-6

I hope you are enjoying the books you are reading for your calendar.  I have enjoyed reading your positive comments for each day.  I would like to continue to encourage you to look for the good things that are happening, especially in your classrooms.  With the end of school coming, if you would please put in your newsletters that parents who would like to submit class requests for next year, they are due by Apr. 16^th.  I need to have the class lists on the system earlier this year.

You may be interested to know that our school will be receiving an award at UVU on Monday.  We were nominated through SUU’s Service Learning Committee for our work with volunteers and after school programs.  I appreciate all of you who have been so effective with volunteers in your class rooms.  We also have volunteers with after school programs that have been supported by many of you as well.  The committee recognized Kim Sauceda for her work and leadership in working with volunteers, as well as, East Elementary.  Kim and I will be gone Monday to accept the award.  It represents just a portion of the wonderful things you all do, and an appreciation for SUU and its volunteers who are so willing to spend time in our school. 

This is a portion of the e-mail I received explaining the award:

In case you're wondering about this award, we are recognizing an individual or organization that:

• Strengthens community involvement at our institution
• Provides meaningful service and learning opportunities for our students
• Enhances their agency's mission/programs/goals by partnering with us

You all deserve a fantastic weekend!

Thought: How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself.  So always think positively. Norman Vincent Peale

 *Upcoming Schedule

 

Staff News Letter Mar. 26-30

I would like to thank Jennifer, Shelby, and Jeff for the wonderful job on the Science Fair.  A special thanks to Jeff S. and Kathy for the setup.  It seemed to flow exceptionally well.  We had 190 projects!  Thank you so much for all of your support with the Science Fair.  Please congratulate all of your students who participated.  I would also like to thank all of you for the artwork you posted and those of you who were able to attend last night.  We had a wonderful turnout. 

In working with the Kindergarten teachers to find a way to minimize the disruptions during CRTs in the computer lab and still have Kindergarten program practices, they set their K program to Apr. 24^th at 6:30 PM.  This will be prior to CRTs.  I appreciate our Kindergarten teachers for helping.

I’m excited to see what each of you list on your calendars for good things that are happening each day.  They will be due to me on Thursday.  No late work will be accepted, and if you cheat, the result will be eternal damnation.

Thought: You are today where your thoughts brought you;  you will be tomorrow where your thought take you.  James L. Allen
 

 *Upcoming Schedule

Have a fantastic weekend!

Staff News Letter Mar. 19-23

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

I wanted to thank Mrs. Smith for putting together our staff reading calendars.  Just a reminder that you will need to add a positive experience, or, something good that happened each day to your calendar in order to receive a highly coveted Levi pass.  I feel that this time of year can be so busy that we often forget to take time to see great things that are happening around us.  Sometimes it seems that we just need to see things through the right lens. 

I look forward to seeing our upcoming Science Fair.  Thank you so much to all of you who have encouraged your students to participate, and a special thanks to Mrs. Smith and her crew for organizing the fair.  I would love to see all of you at our Science Fair/Spring PTA /Art Fair… Thursday night if you are available.

Thought: The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions.  ~Ellen Glasgow

Have a fantastic week!   

 *Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Mar. 12-16

Thank you so much for all of your hard work during SEP week.  I know that it takes an enormous amount of preparation and time.  In conjunction with SEP week, if you would please be sure that your classes (3^rd-5^th) take the student survey.  I will need to turn in the results soon.  I will put together a Google Doc to put your parent survey data into.

Please include Kindergarten registration again in your newsletter this week.  It will be held March 15^th from 11:30-3:00 in the gym.

Thank you for taking time to take the survey for a phase to put in our entrances.  “Together we learn together we lead” was the phrase that received the most votes.

Thank you again for all of your hard work this week.  You all deserve a fantastic weekend.

Thought:  It is not necessary to change.  Survival is not mandatory.  ~W. Edwards Deming 

*Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Mar. 6-10

I hope everyone is ready for the upcoming week of SEPs.  I know how busy it can be, but thank you so much for taking time to meet with your parents.  Please let me know if you need a translator so I can schedule you in.  Also, just a reminder that we have Grandparents Lunch on T and W, so lunch will begin a little earlier with the younger grades.  Mrs. Millet has asked that you wait for your class to be picked up on those days. 

If you will please note that I changed faculty meeting to the following week so it wouldn’t interfere with SEPs.

March would be a wonderful time to revisit the Big 8 engagement strategies as we look to prepare students for CRTs.

Thought:  He who rejects change is the architect of decay.  The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.  ~Harold Wilson

 

Thank you so much for all you do.  

*Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Feb. 27-Mar. 2

A few of us had the wonderful opportunity of participating in the “Leader In Me” training earlier this week at North Elementary.  I am looking forward to beginning the process of implementing parts of this program.  The main focus will be teaching students responsibility through leadership skills.  The environment is a key part of this process.  Many parts of this program require quit a bit of staff collaboration, but building up the physical environment can begin right away.  I will be sending out a survey soon to have you choose a phrase that we would like to have posted at each of our entrances.  The phase will represent what we expect our students to become.  This part of the program will have three parts in the physical environment.  We will post a common phrase at each entrance, have banners… with leadership quotes throughout the school, and have our school behavior motto posted throughout our school as well.  If you would please take just a few minutes to take the survey when you receive it.  If you have quotes that would be good to have in the school, please forward them to me and I will build a list.

Dual Immersion – A group of us will be going to SLC next week to observe several Dual Immersion schools.  I hope we return with a good feel of how everything will fit together.  By way of keeping everyone up to date, we were able to fill our two classes without having to advertise to the rest of the district.  I will be sending out notices to the parents early next week.

*SEPs – Just a reminder that everyone will need to send SEPs notices out next week to schedule parents.

Thought: Individually, we are one drop.  Together, we are an ocean.  Ryunsuke Satoro

Have a fabulous weekend!

*Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Feb. 20-24

As I have gone through several trainings and meetings this week, I have thought about the tremendous amount of trust our parents have put in us that we will do what is best for their children.  Thank you so much for taking that to heart.  I think one of the things that sets our school apart is that each of you take such good care of your students on such a personal level.  I have found that Mr. Greenhalgh even wants to adopt all of his students each year.  Adopting students might be a little extreme however.  

Just a reminder that we all need to work to keep the hallways clear.  Please put desks and chairs back in the room anytime that they are not being used.  We have done very well with this for a long, but we are starting to slip back a just a little.  I know that it might be a bit of a pain, but it will help the halls look less cluttered and allow us to be in compliance with fire code.  This would also include students, please be sure to bring students back in the classroom when you are done with them as well.

Please notice that our Flag Ceremony will be next week, which is a little different than normal.

Thought: All life is an experiment.  The more experiments you make the better.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a fabulous LONG weekend.  

*Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Feb. 13-17

Thank you so much for reinforcing our school behavioral motto of: be respectful, be responsible, and, be safe.  As I have dealt with students, they have all been able to name each of them and how they should apply to why they were in trouble.   So thank you so much for reinforcing  the motto with your students.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Thought:  There are times when a man should be content with what he has but never with what he is.  William George Jordan 

*Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Feb. 6-10

Thank you so much for your participation with Curriculum Night.  I know that it is one more thing to have to prepare for when things are already so busy.  So thank you so much for all of your hard work and preparation.

Would you please put in your next newsletter that the Dual Immersion enrollment is now available for next years 1^st graders?  They can find information about the program and registration material on our school website at http://east.ironk12.org/.   Also,  please let your parents know that there will be a Dual Immersion parent meeting Wed. Feb. 8th at 5:30 in the gym.

Sorry to be gone so much this week.  Thanks for all you do.

Thought:  This life is worth living, we say, since it is what we make it.  William James

Have a fantastic weekend!

*Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Jan.30-Feb.3

I need to apologize.  I was so tied up with things today that I almost forgot my newsletter and didn’t get it sent out to you this morning.  I know that so many of you were anxiously awaiting, with great anticipation, the incredibly exhilarating experience of my weekly newsletter.  I’m so sorry to create so much disappointment, especially if it gives you goose bumps. 

Just a few things:

• If you are interested in attending the Math Core Academy, please send me your name by Tuesday PM so I can get your names in.  It would be extremely helpful to have at least 1 per grade level attending.  It will be held July 16-19.    
• Jeff has provided the codes for the District Common Math Assessment.  If you would please take a little time and have your students take the assessment.  Grade Level Chairs, if you would please let me know when you have taken it.
• Also, a reminder that Jeff is setting up math intervention groups.  He is basing it on the Math DIBELS.  If you haven’t already set up intervention with Jeff, please make contact with him.

Thought: Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.  Albert Einstein

Have a fantastic weekend.

*Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Jan. 23-27

I hope you all had a chance to read the Superintendent’s message.   I have always appreciated his positive uplifting attitude.  Just in case you didn’t read it, I have pasted it below.  Even if you have read it, it would be worth a reread.  We all have days when things are challenging and difficult, however, our approach to them can make all the difference in the world as it relates to how happy we are, and how we affect those around us.  Life passes by too quickly to not take hold and enjoy each day.  Each day is irreplaceable, and I hope we all take a little time to have a positive impact our students and those who are around us.  I love being here and love what you do for your students and for each other, even with the occasional mischief that happens at East Elementary.           

Superintendents Message

Dare to be Happy

In his book, DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF, Richard Carlson points out that many people don't allow themselves the luxury of being enthusiastic, light-hearted, inspired, relaxed, or happy -- especially at work.  They assume that individuals must be miserable if they are going to be productive.  In teaching, as well as other professions, the opposite it true.  Students are enthusiastic and excited to learn if their teacher is enthusiastic and excited to teach.

We should love what we do...  People who love what they do are highly motivated by their own enthusiasm to continually better themselves and their performance.  They are good listeners and have a sharp learning curve. in addition, happy teachers are highly creative, charismatic, easy to be around, and good team players.  Unhappy teachers, on the other hand, are often held back by their own misery or stress, which distracts them from success.  Rigid, stressed-out people are a drag to be around and difficult to work with.  They are the ones who lack motivation because they are so consumed with their own problems, lack of time, and stress.

We all have our days...  Believe me, I understand that everyone has a bad day or two...  But....  having gone through some very difficult times myself,  I know from my own experience that attitude is everything...  Our outlook on life can get us through the tough times and create lights at the end of the tunnel.  Sometimes we have to FAKE IT UNTIL WE MAKE IT, but we will make it...  And making it with enthusiasm and a zest for life is the best way to go! (Jim Johnson)

Have an incredible weekend!

*Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Jan. 16-20

Special congratulations to Mrs. Stoke for her Teacher of the Year award which she received last night at the Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet at SUU.  It was a very nice banquet, and it was wonderful to see the tribute that was paid to her and to the teaching profession.  Great job Sonja!

With our Dual Immersion program coming online for next year I will begin sending out registration forms next week to our Kindergarten parents.  I have fielded several very good questions regarding the program from many of you.  Anytime something new comes around, it can cause a little anxiety.  I know I feel a little anxious as well because this is something new and unfamiliar to me.  I am absolutely committed to making sure this program works and am very excited to see students have this opportunity.  I hope parents will see the value in having their students involved.  Because we have made the commitment to do the Dual Immersion, I feel it is important that we all embrace it in a positive uplifting way and find ways for it to fit well within our current culture without drastically changing the way we do things.  There will be things that we will need to work through, but please be sure to support our teachers who have been good enough to accept this assignment.  It will be a lot of work for them.  For those who would like to pick up a little Spanish, Steve Greenhalgh will teach you all the quality words you need to know.

Ipads- Good news, we know how to get the AR App to work on your Ipads now.  If you will catch me when you get a little time, I will help set it up.  It takes few steps and then the IP Address needs to be put into the AR settings to allow the Ipads on the system. 

Thought: When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.  ~Victor Frankl

Have a fantastic LONG weekend!
  *Upcoming Schedule

Staff News Letter Jan. 9-13

I hope you all had a wonderful first week of the year back to school.  Thank you for attending the Ipad training.  Hopefully it was helpful to you.  Please let me know if any of you still have issues setting your settings….  The more familiar you are with your Ipad, the more useful you will find it.  The use of it extends beyond the apps with the audio and video capabilities as well.  Thank you so much for digging in so well on exploring what you can use it for.

I attended a meeting on the Dual Immersion program yesterday and received a lot of wonderful information and had many of my questions answered.  This program will be a great thing for our students.  I will be setting up a date with the Dual Immersion Rep from the state to come down and meet with us.

Thank you for all of your help with the new energy savings program.  Please let me know if there are things I can help with in making the transition to the program.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Thought: A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.  David Brinkley 

  *Upcoming Schedule