PROJECT IDEA EXCHANGE "PIE" MONTHLY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 1: NO. 7 www.mcvts.net/pie http://pie:mcvts.net PROGRAM OF THE MONTH     Usually the "Program of the Month" reports about a particularly interesting educational effort being used by a PIE member. This month's topic will be a bit different. Instead, I am requesting you assistance and input, especially with data related to your geographic area. I am working on creating a plan to address the issue of "teacher retention" for the state of New Jersey, USA. My goal is to design a teacher support system that, when implemented, will provide teachers with an instrument that will afford them with better professional support. Therefore, I am asking you to please share with me programs that are conducted in your school, your area and your country that assist and support teachers, encouraging them to continue their teaching career year after year. All programs will be also be posted on the PIE MESSAGE FORUM under GENERAL TOPICS/EDUCATION AROUND THE WORLD. Postings may also be found PROFESSIONAL DEVLOPMENT/EDUCATION AROUND THE WORLD. If you have ideas concerning efforts that can and should be used to retain and support teachers, please share them with me. You can email me at erreadiii@aol.com or reade@mail.mcvts.net. Please take a few minutes to share with others with your knowledge and your positive educational experiences.     In advance, THANK YOU! MEMBER NEWS     Project Idea Exchange is proud to welcome the following new members to its steady growing worldwide membership: Rob Allen: Teacher of Commercial Foods East Brunswick Campus: MCVTHS: East Brunswick, NJ, USA John Allison: Building Trades Teacher New Brunswick Campus: MCVTHS: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Senovia Robles Cruz: Elementary Teacher/Saturday Program Director Edward J. Patten School: Perth Amboy, NJ, USA Elaine Friedman: Student Assistance Counselor Woodbridge Campus: MCVTHS: Woodbridge, NJ, USA Michael Hamill: Teacher of Computer Assisted Drafting Piscataway Campus: MCVTHS: Piscataway, NJ, USA Gina Kabak: Teacher of Hospitality Services Piscataway Campus: MCVTHS: Piscataway, NJ, USA Scott Katora: Teacher of Electrical Trades/Technology Perth Amboy Campus: MCVTHS: Perth Amboy, NJ, USA John Lee: Job Development, Apprentice Training New Brunswick Campus: MCVTHS: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Estelle Lux: Teacher of the Handicapped East Brunswick Campus: MCVTHS: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Larry Martin: Teacher of Machine Tool Technology East Brunswick Campus: MCVTHS: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Mark Mastrolia: Teacher of Automotive Technology Perth Amboy Campus: MCVTHS: Perth Amboy, NJ, USA PIE "TIP OF THE MONTH"     Know any good websites? Take a few minutes and explore the various pages of the PIE MESSAGE FORUM and try out some of the sites suggested by PIE members. Please post sites that you find helpful and interesting.  For example, if you are interested in Solar Energy, go to www.siemenssolar.com and read all about Photovoltaics, especially the section on Solar Schools. This site comes highly recommended by PIE member Scott Katora.     Also, a brief reminder. I am creating a list of the websites addresses for each school and/or organization that is a member of Project Idea Exchange. To join the list, simply email me your website (not email) address so that I can add it to the MESSAGE FORUM/SCHOOL ACTIVITIES and GENERAL TOPICS pages under SCHOOL & ORGANIZATION WEBSITE LISTINGS. Your assistance is needed and deeply appreciated. Thank you! DIRECTOR'S NOTES     Just a brief reminder for all PIE members, and, especially their students. A WRITING CONTEST has been created and posted on the PIE Website (http://pie.mcvts.net) MESSAGE FORUM under WRITTEN ARTS. This writing contest is open to all grades and ages. The contest will be conducted during the month of May 2002. All teachers will have the opportunity to post poetry and/or short stories that have been written by the students. Each entry will be read and evaluated by a panel of judges. The three top entries in each category will be honored. I am also asking for volunteers to judge the student writings. If you are interested in entering the writings of your students, serving as a contest judge, have questions or need any assistance, please contact Isabel DaSilva (bella9971@aol.com, dasilva@mail.mcvts.net) at the Perth Amboy Campus of the Middlesex County Vocational/Technical Schools. If need technical assistance with taking part in the contest, be contact the PIE Director at reade@mail.mcvts.net or erreadiii@aol.com. Please remember that the end of May is quickly approaching and please do not miss out on this opportunity. UNTIL NEXT MONTH, BE WELL, HAPPY AND SAFE! Ernie Read: PIE Director (reade@mail.mcvts.net)