{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"36552212","dateCreated":"1301071795","smartDate":"Mar 25, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"McDowellJames","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/McDowellJames","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36552212"},"dateDigested":1531983990,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Sponsorships","description":"The Booster clubs do a great job of generating sponsors for their various programs and calendars each year. I notice some area schools take advantage of visibility of their athletic facilities through sponsorship signage. PNG comes to mind as a district that has relied heavily on corporate sponsors at their athletic facilities. I know that our scoreboards have sponsors attached to them. Is it possible to take greater advantage of this opportunity? I know many of these facilities draw large crowds to the events. Many businesses may be interested in having their logos visible at the events.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"36541644","dateCreated":"1301065461","smartDate":"Mar 25, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"McDowellJames","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/McDowellJames","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36541644"},"dateDigested":1531983990,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Corporate Partnerships","description":"Here is a link to an article dealing with the rising trend of Corporate partnerships with public schools: http:\/\/eric.uoregon.edu\/publications\/policy_reports\/corporate_involvement\/index.html<\/a>
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\nThe talk at the national, state, and to some degree the local level in recent years has revolved around school reform. Corporate America has made a strong push to join in the reform movement. At the local level, ExxonMobil is a good example of this type of involvement. Recently, they entered into a partnership with Beaumont ISD. This type of partnership is designed to benefit the schools by increasing student exposure to "real world" technology and training while keeping expenses down for the district. ExxonMobil benefits by having a direct pipeline of training for their future workers and leaders.
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\nCorporate partnerships do not come without some controversy. The article highlights the pros and cons of corporate involvement in our schools.
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\nAs long as the integrity of schools and their mission to provide social and academic growth in our children is not compromised, corporate partnerships are worth exploration and consideration.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"36545014","body":"Here is a link to Joyce Epstein's Framework of Six Types of Involvement in Schools. Type Six centers on community involvement. http:\/\/www.cpirc.org\/vertical\/Sites\/%7B95025A21-DD4C-45C2-AE37-D35CA63B7AD9%7D\/uploads\/%7B1310DD65-F94A-457D-A680-9EE824084458%7D.PDF<\/a>
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\nThe goal of Type 6 is to "Identify and integrate resources and services from the community to strengthen school programs, family practices, and student learning and development." In Vidor, we have a number of business and community leaders directly involved with our schools. They enrich our schools and provide tremendous benefits to our children. We may only be scratching the surface of what is available to us in our community and region.","dateCreated":"1301067254","smartDate":"Mar 25, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"McDowellJames","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/McDowellJames","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"36142030","dateCreated":"1300479705","smartDate":"Mar 18, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lledoux","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lledoux","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36142030"},"dateDigested":1531983991,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Cooling and Heating","description":"I have not done any study on this lately, but I was once told by GSU\/Entergy that when I left my house that I could lower or raise temperature to save on my bill. Do not turn system completely off. They informed me that it takes more energy to reheat or cool down. Just by changing the temp by a few degrees saved more energy. I know not all buildings are the same, but some wings it takes forever with the unit running to either warm up or cool off, especially in the winter.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"36102604","dateCreated":"1300422508","smartDate":"Mar 17, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lam025","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lam025","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1331580140\/lam025-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36102604"},"dateDigested":1531983991,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"VMS staffing","description":"The 5th and 6th grade GT teams run with 4 teachers per team. Each teacher teaches two subjects - one academic plus an English class. The other four teams have five teachers. If they could model GT, that would save 4 teacher positions.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"36102032","dateCreated":"1300421654","smartDate":"Mar 17, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lam025","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lam025","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1331580140\/lam025-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36102032"},"dateDigested":1531983991,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"VMS Stage \/ Cafeterial Rental","description":"What about offering the VMS stage and cafeteria area to the public for events? There are few reception rental facilities in the community and this service has been needed. Maybe a package deal could be offered for reception services and some of the cafeteria workers would be willing to be included in the package as "caterers." A special food menu of a few good quality food selections could be offered. Some teachers in the district decorate cakes, and there are other people in the area that don't necessarily have a huge business setup, but do decorate on a per call basis. Maybe they would be willing to offer decorating services in with a package. A bride or other customer could come in to rent the facility and get meals and cake included if desired? There could be a book of package choices with pictures of standard meals and cake choices. The bigger the package, the more choices. The costs would need to pay for the employees and food providers, but maybe it could be minimal in comparison to other local service providers.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"36101628","dateCreated":"1300420826","smartDate":"Mar 17, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lam025","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lam025","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1331580140\/lam025-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36101628"},"dateDigested":1531983991,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Staggering school start times","description":"I'm not sure of how the buses run now so this may or may not be a cost saving measure here. What if elementary schools were started two hours later and the ace program was switched to mornings instead of afternoons? Less buses would be needed because they would run two complete routes, one after the other. I'm assuming ACE funding covers buses for that program? Those students not attending ACE could come early if parents needed to bring them and could go to the library where an aide (or high school student or library intern) could be trained to check out books, or the students could go to the gym for a morning movie or other activites, or possibly be met in the cafeteria by parents or aides willing to help with homework or read a story. Maybe some daycares would offer a morning program with school dropoff? Benefits include fewer buses needing daily maintenance and possibly fewer bus drivers. Of course, with gas prices rising, the benefits saved would need to be carefully considered.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"36141382","body":"Have you ever been at High School and tried to entertain these students during down time?
\nThat would be way too many students. If they are on campus they need to be enrolled in a class with a certified teacher.
\nI don't think the ACE program uses as many buses as needed for regular routes.","dateCreated":"1300478808","smartDate":"Mar 18, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lledoux","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lledoux","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"36148776","body":"I understand! That's why I suggested this for elementary schools.","dateCreated":"1300493093","smartDate":"Mar 18, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lam025","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lam025","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1331580140\/lam025-lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"36101256","dateCreated":"1300420286","smartDate":"Mar 17, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lam025","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lam025","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1331580140\/lam025-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36101256"},"dateDigested":1531983991,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Grant Writer","description":"I noticed Pt. Arthur ISD has a job opening for a Grant Writer. Could someone in-house be provided good training in applying for grants and then allotted the time to do it? After searching online, I saw several online certifications that offer training in this area. A good grant writer could generate a lot of funding.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"36335130","body":"we have a grant writer but that is not his full time job---Mr.Ross He has written grants for us in the past.","dateCreated":"1300824730","smartDate":"Mar 22, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"dkbunt","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/dkbunt","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1310564201\/dkbunt-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"36489886","body":"Currently Vidor ISD contracts for grant writing services to the tune of about $2500.00 per grant. This amounts to about $10,000 - $15,000 per year.","dateCreated":"1300995695","smartDate":"Mar 24, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"VISDcommunity","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/VISDcommunity","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1300225699\/VISDcommunity-lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"36101080","dateCreated":"1300420034","smartDate":"Mar 17, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lam025","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lam025","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1331580140\/lam025-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36101080"},"dateDigested":1531983991,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Career Tech Prep Students","description":"Has anyone considered offering the technology and career students in the career tech prep program the opportunity to work within the district in the cafeteria, nurses offices, front offices, maintenance, and as teacher's aides? If I understand correctly, they get college credit through an articulation agreement with Lamar. This seems like an inexpensive way to have additional free help, and maybe some of these students could even be hired part-time for custodial or food services at a base rate while in high school to offset more expensive full-timers with benefits? I'm not sure how the classes run, but maybe the program could be altered to provide more time in the real world. Supervisors could be provided a list of what skills are supposed to be learned, and then trained to incorporate them in the students job in order to meet the curriculum needs of the program.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"36100574","dateCreated":"1300419377","smartDate":"Mar 17, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lam025","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lam025","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1331580140\/lam025-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36100574"},"dateDigested":1531983992,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Length of School Year","description":"I'm not sure of legislation allows for counting hours instead of days in TX, but if so - how about adding 25 minutes to the school day. This could shorten the number of school days open by a couple of weeks, thereby saving some funding on bus transportation, food personnel, custodial services, electricity, etc. This option is good, but would not have the same savings as simply making instructional days longer and creating a 4 day work week Monday through Friday. These days probably work best due to so many after-school activities on these days, as well as pep-rallies and football on Friday. Monday would need to be a no activity day for schools to ensure savings.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"36490184","body":"Currently the Legislature does not allow for TEA to permit schools to count hours instead of days. A few districts in recent days have approached TEA about shortened work weeks without success. However, this Legislature may change the rules.","dateCreated":"1300995977","smartDate":"Mar 24, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"VISDcommunity","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/VISDcommunity","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1300225699\/VISDcommunity-lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"36099980","dateCreated":"1300418281","smartDate":"Mar 17, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lam025","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lam025","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1331580140\/lam025-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/visdcommunity.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/36099980"},"dateDigested":1531983992,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Custodial Services","description":"Would it be less expensive to privatize custodial services rather than pay for employees and benefits? If so, there was a custodial supervisor at VMS previously that owns her own janitorial company. She did that while managing the campus too, and she is well aware of school needs. The campus was very clean under her direction. Maybe she could bid it out and provide those services competitively? The concern here is, of course, employee job loss. Possibly the chosen company would need more employees and could hire the ones from VISD? Maybe a deal for that could be worked out by great minds!","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]}],"more":true},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}