FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Even though we lost Friday night, nothing beats Friday night football (except maybe baseball in October...more on that later)! I enjoyed seeing many of you at the game, on and off the field. Our new scoreboard looks great doesn't it? The sunset view from our stadium always mesmerizes me! As always, the band had a great pre-game show and the cheerleaders looked good pumping up our fans, who were looking full of 'PORT PRIDE....who says our school spirit isn't alive and well? As for the football team...KEEP TRYING GUYS! You can't let one game get you down...and remember to hold your heads high and play with integrity :-) A few photos from the game:

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!

Hey everyone! I hope your summer was tons of fun and that you're ready for a good school year. I'VE MISSED YOU!!!

ANTIOCH PICNIC
I did see some of you at Antioch Church's annual block party a few weeks ago. A group of CTE teachers decided to get together and help out. What a super event to get neighbors outside & mingling! I hope to make it every year. Here are a few pictures of the event:



IT'S A BOY!!!
I welcomed a new nephew into the world on Aug. 9! HOW EXCITING! Patrick William seems happy & healthy, as is his "big" sister, Maddy. I'm enjoying spoiling both of them :) Check out their first meeting in the hospital...IT IS TOO CUTE:


ROCKY TOP
I spent a great deal of time visiting my cousin and her family/friends in Knoxville, TN throughout the summer. In fact, I was there so much that I've still got my "southern" slang Y'ALL :) I really feel that city is my "second home" and thank all of my new friends there for their hospitality (and as always, I valued my time with my family there)! I got to see my god-daughter in her new classroom...YES...they started school already, on Aug. 11th to be exact! Here's Heather walking in to school & at her second grade seat in Mrs. Tipton's class (A.L. Lotts Elementary, Knoxville, TN):


LITTLE LEAGUE, METS, SMOKIES
I arrived back in Williamsport Monday night and was able to catch a Little League game on Tuesday (Japan vs. Latin America...GREAT GAME). It is always such a great event for our community and the world...teaching us that you can have many differences and not even speak the same language, yet appreciate each other and a game that teaches so much more than just baseball! I LOVE BASEBALL!

Speaking of baseball....have you seen my Mets??? I hate to say it and jinx us, but they're looking PRETTY GOOD! While I've not seen them play (except on TV) since the end of May, Heather and I took in a minor league game of the Tennessee Smokies in July...it was her first baseball game, she loved it, and even knows "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" already! Check out these all-star players we saw there:



HURRY BACK...
Well, today was your teachers' official first day back at school! While summer vacation is great and appreciated, it's always cool to come back and see everyone. We're working hard to make this year a good one....all we need is you :) So get back here & tell me all your summer stories. STOP IN & SEE ME....STILL IN G202! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACES NEXT WEDNESDAY (FRESHMEN ONLY TUESDAY).

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!!

What a quick year huh? I can't believe it's over! Today was the first day of summer vacation for us...what did you do? Please keep in touch over the summer and let me know what you're doing!

I plan on getting things done around my place that I put off during the school year, visiting family & friends, soaking up the sun, and of course....RELAXING!

Hoping all of you have a great summer...check back in...I may post every once in a while to let you know what I'm up to!

Here are a few pics from our end-of-the-year fun:

KEYBOARDING TRIVIA








HANGING OUT



CONGRATS & GOOD LUCK JORDAN & ALL OF OUR GRADUATES!!!

CTE Expo @ The Center

Our CTE (Career & Technical Education) teachers were at the Center downtown last night from 5:00-7:00. We held a career expo to expose the community to all of the great things we teach at our high school in Career and Technical Education. Guests had the opportunity to eat dinner and participate in a raffle for fabulous prizes. There was a great turnout and I think people were enlightened by all that we teach. YOU ARE LUCKY TO BE A MILLIONAIRE & HAVE THESE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AT YOUR SCHOOL...TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM AND SCHEDULE A CTE CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR!

Every Wednesday (April 30-May 28) we will hold mini-workshops from 5:00-7:00 at the Center for anyone to come and learn a skill. THESE WORKSHOPS ARE FREE TO ANYONE LIVING IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT...NO NEED TO SIGN UP IN ADVANCE! Workshops include: Printing/Graphics & Construction Trades (April 30), Computer Skills & Welding/Manufacturing (May 7), Foods & Child Care (May 14), Auto Care & Horticulture (May 21), Health Care (May 28).

Here are a few pictures from the event:

SCHOOL RALLY...

Were you at the school rally last Friday? It was not only intended to pump up our juniors, but to also tell ALL of our students that we believe in you!

Many times we get busy teaching and are so focused on getting you to learn that we forget to tell you we believe in you. Plus, students often mistake their teachers' "demands" and "pushiness" as us being upset with you or not liking you...when in fact, we're just trying to get our students to realize the potential we see in them.

The most frustrating part of being a teacher for me is to see students waste the potential they have to do great things and "settle" for less than the best just because they don't want to push themselves to be all they can be. Hopefully, over the last couple of weeks we have reached you in some way to let you know that we are here for you, our students, and that we want you to be the very best you can be at everything....classwork, tests, sports, competitions, and yes PSSA tests! After all, you know what my friend Chad Foster says...."never let anyone tell you that your best isn't good enough"....but you also know my follow-up "BE SURE TO BE YOUR VERY BEST & THEN THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH!"

WAHS TEACHERS ROCK IT FOR THEIR STUDENTS:

check out our Rally dance on YouTube (YIKES....luckily, you only see my "moves" for a split second!):

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

I visited New York City over the weekend. I just LOVE that place...and not just because of my beloved Mets! I don't know why I don't go more often...it's only a little over 3 hours from here.

SPRING FEVER...

I thought I died and went to heaven in the Mets Clubhouse shop! The others left me behind as I just couldn't tear myself away :)


SHOP, SHOP, SHOP...

'Til we drop, drop, drop...and that's what we did :)


SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY...

Nothing beats seeing the Statue of Liberty to remind us how lucky we are to live in the U.S.A.!


EMPIRE STATE BUILDING...

Speaking of the red, white, and blue...the view from here is amazing...especially at night!


CENTRAL PARK...

Have to do a carriage ride thru it!


SUBWAY OR CAB...

Heather prefers hailing a cab!


BRRRR...

I'd prefer visiting in warmer weather...but wouldn't trade this past weekend for anything! Seeing things with my god-daughter, Heather, who visited the city for her first time was priceless. I think she fell in love with the city and just may become a Mets fan too :)

Congrats Giants' Fans!

Congratulations go out to the 2008 Superbowl champs, The New York Giants, and their fans. My cousin Timmy is a huge Giants fan and won 2 bets we made on Eagles/Giants games this season. I am happy for him but am officially done cheering for them, as my sights are now set big for next season...when my Eagles will reign :) (I hope!)