MacGyver or 007? How about both?
This past week at the quarterly RI Association of Secondary Principals’ meeting RIDE was there to inform the principals, really an update from last year, on what may be included in the new accountability scores. Some things are standard: participation rate in assessments, academic achievement on assessments, and graduation rate. There are also some new categories under review: secondary readiness (graduating with AP courses, industry credentials, dual/concurrent credits), Chronic absenteeism, and Suspension.
For those schools scoring closer to the bottom of the list, the rub is the amount of growth they have achieved with their student population in one of these categories does not show in this formula (for example, a graduation rate that has moved from 73 to 84 percent will be given points for an 84% grad rate). Nowhere in the accountability formula will they be given any credit for that impressive growth. It may be included descriptively in the more qualitative report card that is never highlighted in the news.
On any given list of schools in RI, depending on the indicators, NKHS falls somewhere in the top 5 to top 10. I do, and we should, appreciate our efforts. However, socio-economically, that is where we should be. In reading the Huffington Post’s Blog, “Its Deeper Than You Think”, I am reminded that the work we are doing at NK with personalization including: dual and concurrent enrollment, EEP classes through RIC, options for students to take the Advanced Coursework Network, internships, multiple electives including career and tech, and looking at our current schedule for possible new options to allow for engagement is great stuff to support students.
Evaluating 28 teachers this year has allowed me to observe the engagement among students. What I am witnessing in the classrooms gives me pause...the students of NK are so fortunate, they have many choices and teachers who care. It is a fine line however, to say none of our students are disengaged, that would be keeping our heads in the sand.
We educators are always looking to learn. The articles below are on deeper learning and I highly recommend watching the video, too. It concisely illuminates what we can do to help our students transfer knowledge using their MacGyver or 007 skills to prepare them for those future jobs that have not yet been named; all while keeping them engaged.
Health and Wellness
From Karen D’Abrosca:
A hearty, warm soup is a great way to “Restore & Reboot” in the middle of winter. This recipe for “TOMATO RICE BEAN SOUP” uses leafy greens (spinach) and garbanzo beans (chic peas) … 2 ingredients from our 10 Superfoods list of last week! Make a double batch and freeze some for a quick meal on school nights. Enjoy!!
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
February
7 PTSO Meeting 7 pm
School Committee Budget Meeting, 7 pm
8 Blood Drive 7:30 am - students will have a pass
SIT 2pm
14 School Committee Business Meeting 7pm
17 No School - PD Day
20 No School - Presidents Day
21 School Committee Budget Meeting 7pm
22 Survey Works! (Date change)
23 8th Grade Open House 6:30pm
24 Course request worksheets due to student’s history teacher
Good News!
And the winner is....Ben Green! Our NKHS 2011 graduate, will be on the lighting direction team for the Oscars and the Emmy’s.
The Ugly Holiday Sweater day that the Interact Club promoted raised $175 in one day for The Tomorrow Fund.
The Leadership Academy sponsored a "Souperbowl". They collected cans of soup to be donated to the NK Food Pantry and Blessings in a Backpack. Blessings in a Backpack provides food to children in need during school breaks and on weekends. Children in NK benefit from this program.
Leadership Academy students visited advisories on Tuesday, January 31st to advertise the program. Students were entered into a drawing for each can of soup they brought into advisory. The advisory with the most donations will be provided breakfast. Stay tuned.
When entering the drawing, students needed to choose either the Patriots or Falcons. If their team wins and their name is drawn, they could win one of the following prizes:
Amazon gift card
Jitter's gift card
Shayna's gift card
Dunkin Donuts gift card
Ali Hornung (gr 11) was nominated for the Metta
Ali's advisory, and the advisories of the 5 girls who are on her Leukemia/Lymphoma campaign team, as well as her family were all present to see her receive this award.
Student Services
From Donna Sweet:
A program note: We had to change the date of the Survey Works! Originally scheduled for February 8th, it has now been moved to February 22nd. We will have no advisory on that date. At 8:40am, students and teachers will be prompted to end instruction for that period and to assist students with taking the Survey Works via their chromebook in class. We need everyone's help to remind students to have a charged chromebook on that day. Teachers are invited to take the survey as well, possibly while your students are taking it.
Additionally, the RI Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be administered during advisory on March 7th.
This month's theme is Wellness, the Google site has been updated and the Wordle will be coming out soon! Please visit the page and feel free to send me links you think should be featured.
The Skipper Award for Excellence goes to Carole Taylor.
From the last recipient, Bob Shaffer:
Dear Carole,
I believe in my soul that you are the heart that drives the colossal machine we know, love and call North Kingstown High School.
Since my arrival here as a teacher you have been my lifeline. Helping me and everyone to navigate through the maze of this complex institution with ease and grace.
You are the first person at school and you make sure all operations are ready to go. Every morning, I make it a point to visit you to wish you a good day and ask, “How are you?” You always reply, “ Peachy keen and hunky dory.” I’m not sure I know what that means but my guess is...You are well!
I think you are great and our school could not run so flawlessly without your tremendous focus and impeccable attention to detail.
If anyone is deserving of the Skipper Award for Excellence it is surely you, Carole Taylor
Sincerely,
Your peachy keen and hunky dory admirer
Teaching and Learning
From Eric Dukat:
 |
| Jack Manning receiving his first place prize from VFW Member Eric Dukat for his Voices in Democracy submission |
Dr Auger, it was great to see you again and I remain impressed with that so unique and so vital Dialogues in Democracy program at NKHS.
We are soliciting Teacher of the Year nominations from the public, but remain hopeful for nominations from your district school leaders, teaching peers and students.
This website link (http://vfw152.org/programs.asp?id=1007) will take you to the forms and criteria that I would ask to be shared with your Principals, but the basic criteria and procedures:
------------------------------------------------
WHO SHOULD YOU NOMINATE? Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism are prime candidates for the award. If you know a teacher who plans field trips to city hall, organizes community volunteer projects or invites local veterans to speak in class, anything to help students develop a better understanding of democratic values and beliefs, this award is for them.
HOW DO I SUBMIT A NOMINATION?
Step 1: In 350 words or less, describe why you feel your nominee is deserving of the award. Be sure to describe the teacher's innovative teaching and resource development methods, as well as his or her dedication to education.
Step 2: Download and complete the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award nomination form.
Step 3: Submit the nomination form along with your explanation to your local VFW Post by February 15.
Note: Nominations can be submitted by fellow teachers, supervisors or other interested individuals. Nominations submitted by relatives or self are not eligible.
------------------------------------------------
Thanks again for your continued support of these programs at your schools and know that we are committed to be community partners in all of that we do for our teachers who sacrifice so much for our children.
The Shadow a Student Challenge is upon us. It began on February 2 and ends February 17. Donna, Barbara and I will all be participating in this challenge. If you see us come into your room with a student please know we are not there in an evaluative nature. We are there to learn, we make no assumptions, rather we will be immersing ourselves in our students’ experiences. We will not have our radios and will be working alongside your students.
Articles Worth Reading
Videos Worth Watching
Diving into Deeper Learning--From the Hewlitt Foundation
Food for Thought
“If first you don't succeed, try, try, again"
Until next time, Think, Create, Innovate...Denise
No comments:
Post a Comment