What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

JennRenee Posted: May 13, 2003 06:40 PM

What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

My principal is retiring in June, and the staff and PTA would like to put together something memorable and a bit unique as a gift for her.
My school is K-2, and someone had an idea to do a 'Kids Say the Funniest Things' type video.
We are going to interview 5 or so children from each class, and ask questions like ' What does the principal do?', 'What is your favorite thing about Mrs. G.?'. We'll then choose the best responses and have it professionally edited.
What do you think?? Do any of you creative geniuses (and you know who you are!! I need you!!) have anything to add?? Or have a new idea entirely??

THANX!

dandj Posted: May 13, 2003 06:51 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

I think thats an awesome idea. Especially since you never know what kids will say - I'm sure it will be funny and a nice rememberance for her.

junebride04 Posted: May 13, 2003 07:01 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

sounds like a great idea!!

HeatherandNick Posted: May 13, 2003 07:41 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

I think its a great idea!

ss2002 Posted: May 13, 2003 07:51 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Yes!! That's a great idea!! I'd just try and include a clip of every kid--is that possible??

How about video them singing a song to him? Seeing my niece perform in a sing along with her preschool class just tugs at my heartstrings

Your ideas are very sweet-he'll love it!

JennRenee Posted: May 13, 2003 08:01 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Thanks for all the input!

We'd love to include every child, but there are over 600! I think the video might get to be too long... what do you think??

anna Posted: May 13, 2003 08:11 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

That's a GREAT IDEA !!!!!I WOULD LOVEEEE that as a gift if it were me !

I didnt know that school was K-2. Are most schools out here broken down like that ? and then 3-6?

Anyway, LOVE the idea !

Stacey1403 Posted: May 13, 2003 08:11 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Love it!!!!

Diane Posted: May 13, 2003 08:19 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

I think that is a great idea. Im sure your principal will really like that

JennRenee Posted: May 13, 2003 08:31 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Thanks girls!

Anna, not all schools are broken down like that, it depends on the district. In Commack it goes ~

K-2
3-5
6-8
9-12

Sasha96 Posted: May 13, 2003 08:52 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

That sounds cute! Maybe the kids can make her something to store the video in...a kid craft video case or something. What other questions will you have them ask? I was thinking of things like:

Where does the principal live? (they always think us teachers live in the school)

Why does she wear suits?

Where does the principal go if she gets in trouble?

If the principal could go anywhere in the world, now that she is retiring, where do you think she should go?

The principal may have some free time now that she is retiring, since she won't be in school every day, what do you think she should do to keep busy?

JennRenee Posted: May 13, 2003 09:04 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Those are great questions!! THANK YOU!

anna Posted: May 13, 2003 09:10 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Great questions !

Wow, thats weird that the schools are broken down like that, I never heard of such a thing. I wonder if its a good or bad thing. Where are all these schools, LOL.

I CANT WAIT TO TEACH !!

JennRenee Posted: May 13, 2003 09:17 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Anna ~ It's a good thing AND a bad thing. We are so primary oriented ~ everything geared toward the little guys, and no one every feels intimidated by the 'BIG KIDS'. We celebrate all kinds of rarely heard of holidays (National Sandwich Day, for example) and have big loud parties for them in the hallways, without worrying about disturbing kids who have more serious work to do.
BUT, we don't get to see 'our kids' grow up for very long, and miss out on the mentoring that can take place between an older and much younger child. Plus, the children have so many more transitions to new environments, and that is sometimes scary.
Everything has it's pros and cons.

I personally CANNOT wait for you to begin teaching!!!!
I wish you were ready so you could take my leave replacement!

anna Posted: May 13, 2003 09:28 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

HHmmm, I never thought of all those pros and cons! Thats too cute, Sandwich Day !! I think I'd forget I was an adult if I was a teacher in a K-2 school, everything sounds like SO MUCH FUN !!!
(OK, lets not copy and paste that onto my resume!

(That must be somewhat easier for a principal though to manage less grade levels)...
Its true, the mentoring is important. We used to be monitors for the younger kids, when we were in 4th and 5th grades. I saw one lesson plan online where the 5th graders taught the 3rd graders to use Powerpoint. I guess the good things are pretty GOOD, so the bad things are not so bad
So do they have a graduation as they finish each school ?

JennRenee Posted: May 13, 2003 09:31 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Yep, big sentimental graduation ceremonies. Our second grade one is a real tear jerker!

Wendy Posted: May 13, 2003 09:38 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

That sounds like a great idea. When I was PTA president at my son's elementary school the principal retired. We purchased a rocking chair for him and made a scrapbook using all the class pictures for the 10 years that he had been at our school. We also made a giant retirement card and had all the children sign it. We presented all of these to him at an assembly for the entire school. It was really a special day.

anna Posted: May 13, 2003 09:43 PM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

AWEEE 2nd grade graduation !! I feel like an oddball that I never heard of this type of school-breakdown.

As far as the gifts for Mrs. G, I would definately SOMEHOW include as many students as possible, or if possible, a little recap of ALL the years shes been there (something special about each year?)
Has she been there that many years ?
Maybe find out a favorite hobby of hers, and base some of the crafts on that. Like lets say golf, have all the kids, make crafts for her on cutouts of golf clubs, golf balls. and maybe make a booklet of each student havingone page with their craft... it also sounds like shes going to be getting ALOT of 'stuff' that will need storage space. how about decorating some big keepsake box for everything?

OK Im babbling now...

JustJodi Posted: May 14, 2003 07:29 AM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Sounds like a wonderul idea...
Maybe a way that ALL the kids can be involved would be to have them ' as a class' say or sing something..
Then you could do all the individual interviews but also show them as a class..
Whatever you do.. I'm sure she is going to be overjoyed
;-)

JennRenee Posted: May 14, 2003 07:35 AM

Re: What do you think of this idea? (suggestions and criticism welcome)

Anna, those are all great ideas, especially the keepsake box ~ with all the stuff she'll be getting we better make it an extra large Rubbermaid!

Jodi, the end of the video is going to be every class in the school singing our school song in different places in the building (one class will be in the gym, one in the cafeteria, one in the principal's office (if we can pull that off without her seeing!!), one on the playground, etc). That's how we'll include everyone.
Do you think that's enough??