I am just beginning to learn how this blog site works…hopefully we are always learning. Eventually I should be able to add content at any time using either my computer or my IPad. It is amazing how excited students become when they see new technology, now we need to learn how to harness that excitement and turn it into learning. That is what I hope to Highlight here, the exciting use of technology and how it is impacting learning at Rosy Mound.

Here is a little sample of how that technology is being used.

Rosy Mound Elementary, it’s staff, parents and students have made a special effort this year to focus on community connections.  Beginning with the addition of our wonderful playground pavillion, which can be used both by our teachers during the school year and our community during the summer, and continuing with a partnership with Grand Pines residential facitility, Feed America, Love Inc and Kids Hope, Rosy Mound has both touched and been touched by our local community.

As part of the MiBLSi program, Rosy Mound has developed effective intervention systems, resulting dramatic gains for our students; school wide positive behavior programs, which include clear guidelines to students as well as positive recognition through our compliment program, and an overall atmosphere of cooperation and growth.  One Hundred percent of our staff voted to initiate this program and have given it their full support over the last two years of it’s implementation.  Our current fourth grade group of students has demonstrated outstanding gains in achievement in the area of reading due to this effective intervention and support program.

All curricular areas have been updated in the past 5 years here at Rosy Mound and throughout the district.  This year brought the implementation of Good Habits Great Readers, which seeks to meet the changing needs of our students.  Lessons are designed to be short and impactful, followed by an opportunity to implement some of the strategies learned.  Choice and student ownership of learning are key elements that make this a standout program.  As a staff we have worked together to build a shared reading room which allows teachers to access material to support readers at all levels.  Students may excell as far as they are able in the area of reading, removing limits and differentiating instruction, allows for this progress.

In the area of Math, our second year of implementation with Math Expressions, teachers and students all actively participate in the lesson through the use of flip chart lessons developed on site for the interactive whiteboard.  Math is such a visual subject, and our new technology is perfect for this purpose.  Interactive websites enhance an already solid curriculum.

Our technology is state of the art, with not only the afore mentioned interactive whiteboards, but laptop lab carts for students, and Smartcarts for our teaching staff.  This technology is being used in all curricular areas and has recently been enhanced with the addition of activote response system, which allows students to give immediate feedback to teachers during lessons. 

Our highlights would not be complete however, without mentioning the outstanding support we receive throughout the year from our PTA.  This year, a book drive added more than 3000 books to our school library. 

Highlights like these are what make Rosy Mound an outstanding place to learn.  If learning is your passion, you will want to join us here.