This Blog Was edited and co-written by Mr. Newhouse of Sligh Middle Magnet School and the Friends of Bucified Bert

This week, My Fanatical Friends, was the Great American Teach-in Week, and I had a great time visiting with all of my little Bucified Dream Seeker Students. I have been visiting a lot of schools.

Lately I have been getting my weekly blogs edited by an educator that I enjoy working with by the name of Mr. Newhouse and the Friends of Bucified Bert at Sligh Middle Magnet School. This is a new school for him and now I want to help him with what he is doing to impact the students. I want him and his students to explain. Take over Mr. Newhouse …

***

Thank you, Mr. Bucified! I have been a school librarian and reading advocate for seven years, and it was during my time at Dowdell that I first encountered the man with the acronym! When I told him of our Race to $5,000 to revitalize the sad collection of books at my new media center at Sligh, he immediately volunteered this space for us. That is the man, Albert Owens, under the character of Bucified Bert. You might say he is a “Character with Character.”

I have quotes from friends old and new to share about the man, but first a little about this project. We have so many wonderful students here at Sligh who are desperately searching for the right book or other materials to read, but unfortunately our collection is old, and there are not many books to really quench that thirst. I have already spent my entire collection budget for the year and it bought us around 300-350 books. Meanwhile, we have 750 students fighting over these books!

Follett, one of the vendors librarians use to purchase books, has worked with us to setup a donation website where anyone, individual or business, can donate any amount of money from $10 to $10000 (dare I be a dreamseeker). All donations are tax-deductible and 100% of the money goes directly to buy books and related materials for the media center. As we enter the season of giving, and the end of the tax season for businesses, I implore you to help our students achieve their dreams. The Race to $5,000 is only the first step in our quest to connect every student to the perfect read and ignite their passion for reading.

The link http://www.titlewish.com/100794 will be active through December 30th, 2011, and we hope to bring it back in the new year! Please consider sharing this link with friends, families, businesses, acquaintances or anyone who would like to touch the lives of students.

As Sligh’s Principal Ms. Barbara Fillhart states, “Reading can open doors to the future.” Perhaps put another way by student Casey M., a two-time attendee of the Bucified Scholarship Bash (and potential future recipient?), “I feel when I read any book in general, I can be in a whole other world and explore different places that I have never been before.” Taylar J., another former Bash Attendee adds, “Books have helped me in so many ways. I read quite a lot so I learn and become smarter than other people who don’t read.” Mrs. Yolanda Reeves of Dowdell points out, “Reading helps me choose topics for discussion that will help my students make connections with the real world in terms of emotions, goal settings or self-reliance.” Finally, current Sligh student Sherri S. points out, “Reading lets me expand my vocabulary while I enjoy a vivid picture in a movie like sequence.”

As Hanim A. from Sligh points out, “Bucified’s message is one of accomplishing your dreams by recognizing and seeking out positive not negative role models.” He certainly is a positive role-model. Darrian M. from Dowdell points out, “Knowing Bucified Bert has changed my perspective on college by showing me that college can be fun while you learn.” Casey M. adds, “Now I feel like I want to work harder and make a difference in this world by going to college.” Kemi D. of Sligh points out, “He [Bucified] wanted to let kids know that you don’t have to be one of those people who just gives up because an obstacle comes up.”

The accolades on the man himself could fill a book, but I’ll close this segment with one from Coach Stacia Tatum of Sligh, “Bucified Bert offered fantastic energy, a heartfelt back story and gave students attainable goals for the future.” It is clear that Bucified and Sligh are at, in the words of Humphrey Bogart, “the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” We are all very happy to be there to see it grow into a very positive relationship. For more on the man himself click here for an article written by students at Dowdell a couple years ago. Please help us reach our dreams here at Sligh in the Race for $5000, and remember Bucified’s story is not just another Turkey Tale, but the story of a man, Albert Owens, Dream Maker for all the Tampa Dream Seekers! And now back to your regularly scheduled blog …

***

Hello again, My Fanatical Friends! That game against the Houston Texans this past Sunday really hurt, mainly because it was at home. I don’t want you to think that I am looking for a way to sugarcoat a horrible loss but I have to give you my sincere take. Thank you for allowing me the chance to explain.

Now we played a great team, I have to get that out first, but when you have a young team, you really need more time to develop the players. Keep that thought, because what you saw was our Buccaneers developing right before your eyes, and I know it hurt, but it will get better.

The referees blow a lot of calls against our Bucs, and at the game we saw a lot of missed calls against the Texans. This to me is very frustrating to a young player.

Look for a rebound Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Green Bay Packers, because we are mad, and we are going to have a very hard practice this week!

My prediction Bucs 31, Green Bay 28.

The picture above was provided by the Mr. Newhouse
at Sligh Middle School