What is School For?
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| AP Physics |
Working on the schedule for the last 18 months, the above question has come up over and over.
Our students are fortunate to live in a time of open source and personalization. At the high school, our students are at an age where they could assist us in a major shift. They are restless and constantly ask, “Why?”
Our history teachers, and most likely many others, could tell anyone who asks about the classroom set up for the industrial age. Desks lined up in a row, students learning obedience, to read, write and mathematics. I know I am simplifying the process but my question is, if we no longer live in that era and we are now in a connected/knowledge economy, where the Internet is available 24 hours a day providing any resource necessary, should we really be wondering why the students are interested in learning in new ways?
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| AP Physics |
Whenever I ask the students how or from whom they learn best, I usually get a similar description, they cannot put their finger on it necessarily but they love learning a topic/subject because the person in front of them has excited them about the possibilities to make them want to learn more and to push themselves to do better.
With so much talent in our building, I could picture this is in every room. I’ll provide the support, you provide the passion.
Health and Wellness
From Karen D’Abrosca:
FEB 24, 2017
New England in February …. one of the snowiest months in recent history in parts of New England; but wait a minute (or a day) and warm temperatures and sunshine have us thinking of April! We all know how important exercise, fresh air and new experience is for the body and mind, so how about taking in an event during the last weekend of the Newport Winter Festival. Walking Tours, Save the Bay Seal Watch Tours and even “Beach Polo” are just a sampling of the choices happening now through Sunday February 26th.
Visit this calendar link for a full list!
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
February
27 This week counselors will be scheduling juniors during history classes
March - Creativity
3 Musical - Oklahoma 7pm
4 Musical - Oklahoma 2pm and 7pm
5 Musical - Oklahoma 2pm
8 The College and Career Fair 6pm
9 Suicide Prevention Strategies for Parents 6:30 pm in the auditorium (The last event of the socio-emotional series)
Good News!
The latest Skipper Pride winner is Deb Hammersley who was chosen from the last winner, Amy Messerlian.
From Amy:
Dear Deb,
You are this week's Skipper Pride Award winner. I want to thank you for all you do for all of the students at NKHS, but particularly for our more needy population of students. You make differentiation look easy and I very much appreciate the work you do to include all students at their particular level. In regards to working with students in our Life Skill program, you have a knack for that and the students very much enjoy being in your classroom. I can't thank you enough for always being so willing to take on the most challenging student and for doing so with a smile on your face.
Sincerely,
Amy
Tech Tip
Thursday night we had a great turnout at the 8th Grade Open House. Mark DeLucia and Julie Maguire took the lead on a 21st Century tour using a QR Reader and QR Codes. Many of you supplied content. Kevin Gormley created the maps and off the parents went. As I was talking to Mike Waterman about opening up the “guest” wifi for the parents he told me about what some of his teachers at WMS did with the QR Codes and I thought I would share with you. Its another option to provide resources to support students who are absent or who need follow up to the textbook and notes. If you try it let me know how it goes.
From Jane Lyczynski, math teacher at WMS:
First, you need to get a free QR code generator. You can get one from the App Store through Google Chrome. Then, you find a website that you want to use and copy the URL. When you open the generator it will ask you to type in the website (I just copy and paste the URL) and then you generate the code. I then copy the code onto assignments for the students. The students do need to have a QR Code reader on their phone, ipad or ipod. They point it at the code and it takes them to the website. I have attached a sample for you. (Pictured at left)
Teaching and Learning
Scheduling Update:
Scheduling will begin this week with juniors. I have met with the freshmen and juniors this past week (sophomores on Monday) and they will take a small survey in their history class before filling in their sced codes/classes with the counselors. The counselors will direct the students to go their Google Mail and the Form will be there. The results of the survey will give us data to begin the next round of scheduling work on the 8 period draft schedule. It will give us the first indication of how many students would like to take an eighth class and how many would like to opt for a learning lab. Finally, for our current juniors it will also ask their interest in coming in late or leaving early.
Student Services
School Culture Themes
February--Wellness
Students in Deb Hammersley advisory definitely know how to showcase wellness. Here they are featured in a poster outside of her room. These students have been modeling the theme each month in a high traffic area on the first floor.
Articles Worth Reading
Rethinking School-Harvard Business Review
Food for Thought
Until next time, Think, Create, Innovate...Denise
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