This week marked the Autumnal Equinox. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. It’s a season of Thanksgiving, harvest, fiery colors and crisp air. These crisp, sunny days occur more frequently in memory than in actual life. It is with this harmonious mindset that I hope all of NK finishes out the month of September.
Teachers as Learners
Monday’s faculty meeting was a great opportunity to better understand with whom we work or at least from what lens they are looking as they approach a new group, a class, a problem or any task that they are to do. I know when Lisa Garcia explained to the North, South, and East that when the West asks a question or multiple questions it is to clarify for themselves, not to question the motive or action of those with whom they are working. That was definitely important to me to consider as I work with people who identify with the West.
This was an opening activity I have been considering for quite some time. We are on the two year anniversary of our NEASC visit. As I read through all of the recommendations from our own self-study that the visiting committee agreed were important and now with which we are tasked to complete it seems as though to get there we must have focus and initiative, and the trust of one another. I would like to think there is nothing we cannot do if we put our minds to it.
Students as Learners
AP Art Students behind the scenes assisting Mr. Shaffer and his theater department in preparing on The Blue Bird, a fairytale in 5 acts written over 100 years ago, by Maurice Materlinck. The show includes live actors as well as puppetry and masked characters. Anyone who would like a closer look, please feel free to stop in room 132 and see first hand what Mr. Shaffer and his theater and art students are up to. Many of the art students I spoke to were excited about the intricate work necessary to get the puppets and masked characters built. Some even want to specialize in this work at the college level. You can show your support in November by attending the show.
This past Tuesday, The Save a Life Tour came to NKHS. Officer Greenhaugh hosted the day and students were able to try out both the distracted driving simulator and the texting and driving simulator. While the students enjoyed the engagement they had sobering messages once they finished. I asked a couple of students to talk a little more about how they felt after the simulator.
“It was a little scary because you had zero control of anything you were doing.” ~Nick Sisson
“Really, really hard to do. Hard to concentrate on the gas and hard to multitask.” ~Nash Dale
Health and Wellness
Fall Transition:
Arriving at 4:22 AM EDT this past Wednesday, fall is officially here!!
With equal amounts of daylight and darkness, the Autumnal Equinox reminds us to stay balanced. September’s new schedules & responsibilities pull us in so many directions. Ask yourself how can I balance my day or my week? Allowing moments of time for you each day keeps stress from getting out of control. Just asking this question plants the seeds for change in your daily habits.
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Teaching and Learning
Teachers –
Did you know you can access lesson plans and other instructional materials on
your RIDEMAP account? Log into RIDEmap,
look under the log-in boxes and there will be a list of choices. If you choose Instructional Support System, a
page will upload that has tabs across the top. Choose the resources tab and you will be able to search all types of
curriculum materials that have been uploaded by your colleagues across the
state. This bank of materials is
searchable by content, grade level, and even type of lesson you are seeking. In the future, the NECAP data for students
on your roster should be uploaded, but for now the resources alone are worth a
look.
Mark your
calendars for the October 14th PSAT test. This will take from 7:15 to 11:00 am. Most 9th and 12th
grade classes will be unaffected, other than having advisory in their first
period class. We are asking that
students be reminded that traffic on the third floor will be restricted,
including trips to lockers, during the testing.
Compass
Points Activity
If anyone is thinking about using
the Compass Point Activity in your class, here are some resources. The second link is for a great power point
that you could adapt for your use.
Compass
Point Power Point
Articles Worth Reading
Its All About Relationships
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
Mon, Sept 28th - First Aspen Update, due 8 am sharp
Tues, Sept 29th - Open House, 6 pm, Auditorium (5:30 pm clubs fair--cafeteria)
Sat, Oct 3rd -- SATs, 7:30 am - 1pm.
Mon, Oct 12th - no school, Columbus Day
Tues, Oct 13th - School Committee Meeting, 7 pm, Auditorium
Wed, Oct 14th - PSATs (in-school)Its All About Relationships
Food for Thought
“Man’s mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.”
~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Until next time, Think Create, Innovate...Denise
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