Sometimes Smaller is Better
It started out big, very big. After the huge Homecoming Dance success, our students planned,
executed meetings, and pleaded to have the Winter Ball. Against our better judgement, we
again, opened our minds to the possibility that this time the students would make it happen.
Meetings every other Wednesday or sometimes an extra in the week between. A large executive
board with two very capable leaders running the meetings. Big ideas of what would be
completed over vacation.
Fast forward, the holiday break behind us and nothing done on the long list of “To dos”. No problem,
pare back, begin selling tickets. Crickets...If you see Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Sweeney, Mrs. Martone
or Ms. Baierlein, thank them for the multiple days and hours in the booth. Do we cancel? No way,
there was this small group of students--Larry Dion, who bought the first two tickets on the first
day, Ashley Williams designed the tickets and recruited her mother to work the photo booth station,
Joelye Land with amazing ideas, created the decorations all while participating after school in the
again, opened our minds to the possibility that this time the students would make it happen.
Meetings every other Wednesday or sometimes an extra in the week between. A large executive
board with two very capable leaders running the meetings. Big ideas of what would be
completed over vacation.
Fast forward, the holiday break behind us and nothing done on the long list of “To dos”. No problem,
pare back, begin selling tickets. Crickets...If you see Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Sweeney, Mrs. Martone
or Ms. Baierlein, thank them for the multiple days and hours in the booth. Do we cancel? No way,
there was this small group of students--Larry Dion, who bought the first two tickets on the first
day, Ashley Williams designed the tickets and recruited her mother to work the photo booth station,
Joelye Land with amazing ideas, created the decorations all while participating after school in the
musical practices--this dance was going to be great. And it was.
A small team of students came together to set-up, we had table tennis on one side, who knew
Mr. Bucklin was a ringer? Thank you to the other chaperones, too, who made it a night to
remember...Susan Eriksen, Courtney Greer, Christina Lawrence, Amelia Garris, Jason Silvestri,
Malaree Shields, Brittney White, Rich Garland, Jordan Albernaz, Julie Maguire, Lisa Garcia,
Mr. Bucklin was a ringer? Thank you to the other chaperones, too, who made it a night to
remember...Susan Eriksen, Courtney Greer, Christina Lawrence, Amelia Garris, Jason Silvestri,
Malaree Shields, Brittney White, Rich Garland, Jordan Albernaz, Julie Maguire, Lisa Garcia,
Ken Morse, Steven Clarke, Brian McDonald, Barbara Morse, and Donna Sweet.
and many told Ms. Garcia it was the best dance because they had so much fun dancing all night.
My take-away, look for the greatness in the small committed group, versus the mirage of a very large, yet unfocused group.
Health & Wellness.
From Jonathan Quinn-PE
Focus on the Process, Not the Results
NOT DONE....
Still have change on the mind? These 10 Super Foods from Nutrition Action Healthletter may just fit
into your weekly meal plans:
into your weekly meal plans:
- Sweet Potatoes, Mangoes, Plain Greek Yogurt, Broccoli, Wild Salmon, Crispbreads, Garbanzo Beans, Watermelon, Butternut Squash, Leafy Greens.
- Little by little, over and over is the process!
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
January--Reboot
29 Winter Star Testing beings
February--Wellness
2 Skipper Block, AP information assembly, RISS survey in advisory grades 9-11
5 Last day to change a class
5 PSAT/SAT parent meeting, auditorium
6 Booster Club Meeting, Media Center, 6 pm
6 Science Fair, judging 3-5 pm, 6-8 pm parents/community
6 School Committee Meeting, 7 pm, Administration Bldg
7 American Math Competition, AMC, 7:15 - 8:45 am, cafeteria
8 Blood Drive all day, gym 2
8 Mr. NK, fundraiser, 7-9 pm
8 PTSO Meeting, 7 pm, Media Center
Social Emotional Learning
From Kathy Yeager, Coalition Coordinator, NK Prevention Coalition
Pictured with AM Finlay, our Student Assistance Counselor, is Madison Lavoie, URI Intern.
The North Kingstown Prevention Coalition, NKHS Student Assistance Counselor and the Media
Center have worked together on a unique prevention activity.
Center have worked together on a unique prevention activity.
In conversations with the high school librarian, Pamela Rowland, the team identified books that
help raise awareness about the struggles young people face and that resonate with teens.
Titles include “Glass”, “That Was Then, This is Now”, “The Homecoming”, “Ballads of Suburbia”
and Lush”.
help raise awareness about the struggles young people face and that resonate with teens.
Titles include “Glass”, “That Was Then, This is Now”, “The Homecoming”, “Ballads of Suburbia”
and Lush”.
By donating new copies of the books and having a resource display during Children of Alcoholics
week, the group hopes the topics spark conversation, in hopes it will help them make healthy
choices in their lives.
week, the group hopes the topics spark conversation, in hopes it will help them make healthy
choices in their lives.
“We read to know we're not alone.” William Nicholson
Student Services
RISS will be given during grade 9-11 advisories this Thursday. Stay tuned for more information.
Teaching and Learning
Scheduling will be underway for our 9-11th graders soon. Documents have been given to all
department chairs. Guidance will be heading into the social studies classrooms to meet with
students.
department chairs. Guidance will be heading into the social studies classrooms to meet with
students.
Tech Tip
From Mark DeLucia, World Language
Did you know?
You can print Google Forms. Click the three dots in the upper right and print. In the preview, you
can clearly see that it creates a perfectly usable print version of your Form, complete with circles
for students to fill-in and instructions. This is useful in any number of scenarios:
can clearly see that it creates a perfectly usable print version of your Form, complete with circles
for students to fill-in and instructions. This is useful in any number of scenarios:
- For those of you giving online quizzes, but have students who, for whatever reason, cannot have too much screen time, or just need the pen and paper version, this will allow you to maintain a blended classroom but still accommodate these needs.
- For those of you trying the November 3rd post about putting rubrics on Forms, you can fill out the form for each student, and simply print the results to easily hand back their results.
- Lastly, if you’re creating a common assessment for the course, but one or two teachers are still not yet comfortable with the technology, this will enable teachers to easily give the same assessment, but in different formats.
50 Favorite Classroom Apps
As I always say during Professional Developments and other trainings, the most difficult part of
integrating Blended Learning for teachers is finding the time to research apps and methods. I also
usually advise teachers to always start with the learning goal and then search for apps to help
you achieve it. If you begin searching for apps and wondering, “how can I use this?”, you will
become overwhelmed very quickly, as there are many apps that can help you accomplish the
same goal. Here is something to help get you started. It is a list of 50 favorite classroom apps,
and all of the apps that made the list have been repeatedly recommended over a period of time.
For me, this indicates that these are also sustainable apps rather than simply a passing fad.
Additionally, they’re also organized by learning goal: “apps to acquire information”, and so on.
Have a look, and give one of them a try in your class this week!
NEASC Five-Year Report
Brian sent out the groups and question each group will be researching. Thank you all for taking a
small piece of what will be a very large document when completed. Including many voices will
give us the truest picture of where NKHS is five years into our NEASC process. We will be spending
the month of February completing our Five-Year Follow up Report for NEASC. The ILT will also work
together to support the completion of the Report. In the coming week, you will receive information
if you need assistance uploading your evidence and responses to the Google Form
2011 Standards for Accreditation.
small piece of what will be a very large document when completed. Including many voices will
give us the truest picture of where NKHS is five years into our NEASC process. We will be spending
the month of February completing our Five-Year Follow up Report for NEASC. The ILT will also work
together to support the completion of the Report. In the coming week, you will receive information
if you need assistance uploading your evidence and responses to the Google Form
2011 Standards for Accreditation.
Videos Worth Watching
Paula Schiavone--Golden Apple segment on channel 10 on Thursday, here is the link.
Newer teachers, this student respect is something to strive for and older teachers can appreciate
what it must take to earn this video. Congratulations Paula!
Newer teachers, this student respect is something to strive for and older teachers can appreciate
what it must take to earn this video. Congratulations Paula!
Food for Thought
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” ~Vincent VanGogh
Until next time, Think, Create, Innovate...Denise
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