As we near the end of the first trimester, I know we are all reflecting and thinking about how it went. What things we would have done differently, what we might have changed, what we liked, and what we didn't like. Please share some of your thoughts below by answering this question:
What would I have done differently in the classroom if I had to do the trimester over? cool thing is, you get a do over in two weeks!
Also, visit my chsbulldognews.blogspot.com blog for a short video highlighting some of our students talking about why they like the trimester. I used this at last night's board meeting.
One of the general themes that came up in the comment thread on the staff blog prior to our Fairview Park visit was "Won't our students be distracted?". If you did not read the recommended article by Betty Clouse, let me summarize... some colleges are banning the use of laptops in their classrooms. They find that students are not engaged in the classroom discussion -- the lecture.
Banning the laptops in a college classroom lecture is entirely understandable. They need the students engaged in a face to face LIVE discussion.
I wonder though if their problem is deeper than whether or not the students will be distracted if they have a laptop in front of them. Maybe the root of their problem is the ability to engage the students. We have to remember that students today want entertainment and engagement at their fingertips. I would venture to say that most of them are doing their homework while listening to their ipod, simultaneously texting, and all the while updating their facebook page. On their way to school, they are doing the same.
It is hard for me to believe that the laptops were the problem at any of the colleges in the Washington Post article.
Food for thought!
visit http://goo.gl/3BcFy for another opinion on 'distraction' in the classroom.
I have been spending a lot of time thinking about how students today learn and what direction our world is heading... Last Friday's visit to Fairview Park made me think even more. If you haven't yet seen the 21st Century Student Outcomes, visit p21.org.
We all know that students cannot sit through 65 minutes of the same thing... one of our goals in the transition to trimesters has been to do at least 3 DIFFERENT things in each 65 minute lesson. We have talked about several ways that we can keep the class period interesting -- one of the most obvious is with technology. There are a plethora of ideas and methods out there... but the bottom line is that we need to meet the needs of the 21st Century student. Here is a repost of part of a blog entry from the Bulldog News blog that I posted Wednesday (fog day): "The teachers and administrators that attended learned quite a bit on the trip [Fairview] and left with a few ideas. This is just the beginning of the conversation we intend to continue about integrating more21st Century Skillsinto our classrooms... these skills (in addition to the academic content) include Life & Career Skills; Learning & Innovation Skills; and Information, Media & Technology Skills. The world is changing and the job market is changing -- therefore, the way we prepare our students for their future must also change."
Watch this video about changing education paradigms... see what you think about what Sir Ken Robinson has to say. It takes 11 minutes, but it is worth the time (thanks Chuck Smith for sending me this video!).
Check out this article from the Tech & Learning magazine (and website) about using a digital video camera in the classroom. If you ever need an easy to use camera, let me know... we have one in the office!
On Friday, a group of teachers will be traveling to Fairview Park HS (a suburb of Cleveland) to learn more about their one-to-one laptop initiative. Please post potential questions in the comment section below. We will give a full report upon our return.
If you are interested, here is a link to an article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer about the Fairview Park initiative: goo.gl/9hWd
At a recent Department Chairs meeting, we were discussing instructional strategies for the longer trimester period. It was recommend that we tap into the great resources we have here in our building which led to the suggestion that we have a blog post and solicit comments from all staff members regarding one instructional strategy you use to help hold the attention of the students for 65 minutes (feel free to list more!).
For many of us, this is a dreaded event... an evening spent talking with parents about how their child has been unsuccessful or just isn't cutting it! However, in reality, this night should be one that we as educators embrace and look forward to... minus the idea of spending time away from our families!
If our goal is to help students in every capacity to be successful and we all know that parental involvement is vital to the success of students, then we need to make use of this opportunity to involve parents. As a relatively new parent myself, I know that I look forward to the first conference we will have with our son's preschool teacher. Good or bad, I want to know how he is doing... how does he interact with others, does he pay attention, is he respectful, will he be successful, etc. I know that we often think parents aren't as curious about their child's progress as a 'new parent' might be, but I think we need to assume that they are and that their involvement can and will make a difference!
Therefore, I would like us to use the comment feature of this blog post to compile a list of advice and experience that we can ALL draw on when meeting with / talking to a parent.
If you haven't noticed, there have been a great number of changes around here this year! Of course, the obvious ones are the schedule, advisory period, announcements, etc. However, one of the biggest changes has been SCHOOL SPIRIT. Maybe its the Marching Band in the hallways playing the fight song every Friday morning, or possibly the great pep assemblies, or maybe the addition of the Spirit Squad -- the bottom line is that students here are FIRED UP!!! Of course, a winning football team only adds to the excitement. All of these things help make coming to school fun and ultimately, could help academic acheivement.
I appreciate EVERYONE'S involvement in the school spirit. This is one thing that can truly bring the entire school together. That said, one of the other big changes we have seen in the last few years is an increase in what we call "Freshmen Girl Drama". As noted in Weekly Update #5, there have been several incidents in the hallways involving fights between mostly females (mostly freshmen) in the last two weeks.
On that note... if anyone has a thought about how to address this issue or what proactive measures we can take to prevent at least some of the drama, please comment below.
Also, feel free to comment here for notes on School Spirit, Pep Assemblies, or the assembly schedule from Wednesday.
Click on the link below to find the summary of the 3 questions we answered at the first building goals meeting. If you remember, those of us in attendance answered the three questions using post-it notes which were then categorized. The three questions were:
Something that is GREAT about CHS
Something that has improved at CHS (last 12 months)
Something I would like to change
Please read the results and then respond to this post with additional thoughts/comments. I would like EVERYONE'S input as we continue to develop our goals. Pay attention to common themes and look for things we can work toward TOGETHER as a faculty to improve student achievement.
If everyone participates in this online discussion, we will count it as our 1st faculty meeting!
If you didn't notice, summer is almost over (check out the countdown clock in the sidebar). It's almost that time again! In case you forgot, here is the brief listing of meetings and important times for Monday and Tuesday: Monday 8/23
Breakfast (HS Cafeteria) 8 - 8:30 AM
District Meeting (HS Lecture Hall) 8:30 - 9:30 AM
Building Meeting (HS Lecture Hall) 15 minutes following the conclusion of the district meeting...
Coaches Meeting (Casey Jones) 11:30 AM Staff Pictures can be taken in the media center 9 - NOON
Tuesday 8/24
Welcome & Introduction to the class of 2014 (Lecture Hall) 8:30 - 9:00 AM
Mini-schedule for Frosh Orientation 11:00 - NOON
Staff Pictures can be taken in the media center 9 - NOON
Here I sit at the Learn 360 training (is this a sign that the summer is almost over or what?)... I thought I would give this a try. I found an 'Anti-Bullying' video and decided that I wanted to see if I could post it to the blog. Supposedly it should come through as a flash video right below this post. However, on this computer, it doesn't seem to be working -- I wonder if it is a 'school computer' problem or a 'blogger' problem. If anyone can see the video or knows why I can't see it, let me know! (P.S. -- you don't have to watch the whole thing :)
If you were not able to come to the Learn 360 training, check with someone who went... I think we will be doing a training again after the school year begins. Looks like there are quite a few videos that may be very useful in the classroom. You can save all videos... some you can edit... others even have teacher resources available. TRASH YOUR VCR (or sell it)...
Justiss James Payne (yes, it follows all the rules!)
Born July 20, 2010
Weight: 8 lbs. 4 ounces
Length: 21 inches
Lots of dark hair... AGAIN! I guess I am not meant to have a redhead.
As a way to keep up with each other, consider posting your summer plans. I have created a ‘Google Doc’ that we can share... any of us can edit and update the document. Add your name and you summer travel plans or other exiting news!
Check out the latest version of the student handbook for 2010 - 2011. The layout is different and there are many changes in things like attendance policy, grade weighting (honors courses), etc. to accommodate for the trimester transition.
CHECKOUT TIMES & LOCATIONS: TUESDAY, JUNE 1st: 5:30 - 7:00 PM WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2nd: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM Front Office
Hard to believe, but once again, we are wrapping up another school year – one that will go down in the history of Celina High School as the last year on a 9-period day. At this time of year, I always find myself reflecting upon the previous school year, all the while looking toward and thinking about the future. One of the great things about our profession is that we have the opportunity to take a summer-long break from what we do on a daily basis to refresh our mind, body, and soul. We all need this break in our profession – it re-energizes us and prepares us for a fresh start next school year!
This past year brought about many changes… we added many new staff members: Phil Metz, Cricket Smith, Derek Wenning, Toma Hainline, Katie Parrish, Meta Dreyer, Annie Homan, and Megan Bornhorst. Sadly, we will also be saying good-bye to many staff members: Kathleen Everitt, Pat Franzer, Sheila Meyer, Tim O’Donnell & Harry McPheron to retirement and Amy Luebke, Katie Parrish, & Annie Homan (moving to Elementary buildings).
In reflecting upon this past year, it seems so long ago that only some of us had Smart Boards when we arrived in August! Can you remember back to that first workday when the ‘new freshmen’ arrived for the 1st ever Freshmen Orientation? Oh, they seemed so cute and innocent (if only it were true!). It also looks like we were successful again in earning an Excellent rating on our Report Card (if the initial results hold true!).
Looking toward next year, we face major challenges and changes. Beyond the most obvious (schedule change), we are faced with 2 ½ staff position cuts (1 intervention and 1 ½ special ed), the implementation of advisory, and an ever changing student that seems to be more interested in their cell phone than anything else! We all know that our job of educating students is indeed one of the most difficult jobs. HOWEVER, remember that “We choose to… do [these] things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard!” (John F. Kennedy, 1962). Watch the video of this speech and/or read the full text (look below...) and envision JFK talking about the things we do in the classroom (as opposed to landing on the moon!).
This is a noble profession and a difficult one. But never forget that no matter what, it is a profession worth our effort & time!
In regard to next year and the years to come, please consider your individual and professional goals as they relate to your position and this building. Complete the attached survey/questionnaire and return it upon checkout.
"We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon... (interrupted by applause) we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too." Get the full speech.
As we all know, most of our students carry a cell phone every day. While many follow our rules and keep them in their lockers, there are still many that insist on carrying them to class. Often, it feels as though we are fighting a losing battle. I have recently come across many articles that speak to the advantages of technology (including cell phones) in the classroom. We have held many discussions in the office about possible changes to the policy. Given these things, we would like to do a trial run next week of a possible change to the policy for next year.
Starting next week, students will be allowed to carry their phone with them throughout the day. They should be TURNED OFF during class. However, students will be allowed to use them in between classes and at lunch. With this responsibility given to the students comes stricter punishments. We will automatically keep their phone for a week (even after school is out) and they will automatically receive at least one day of in-school suspension for their first offense.
This policy should not change what happens in the classroom. Students should still not be using their phones in the classroom (unless you have a specific activity for them in which they need their cell phone...). We still ask that you report any misuse of phones during school.
The purpose of this policy change is to TEACH THE STUDENTS THE PROPER USE OF CELL PHONES DURING SCHOOL.
PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS THIS WITH STUDENTS, WE WILL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO ROLL IT OUT TO STUDENTS VERY SOON.
Please feel free to comment (click the comment button below).
Thursday, May 13th: Intent Letters Due for Supplemental Positions -- send to Jason
Friday, May 14th: Senior Awards Assembly... see schedule
May 24 & 25: Senior Exams -- normal schedule, test students during class time
Tuesday, May 25: Last day for Seniors
Friday, May 28: Graduation Practice
Saturday, May 29: Graduation @ 10:30 AM
May 27 - June 1: Underclassmen Exams
I have heard many questions over the last several weeks regarding the Master Schedule and when teachers will know what their individual schedules will look like. In addition, many teachers have asked about filling the vacancies that will be left by retirees. While I don't have all the answers yet, I can give a little insight.
First of all -- in regard to filling vacancies -- I know very little here. I will continue to be in contact with individual department chairs regarding these positions and whether or not we will fill them. I should know more very soon. A great deal depends on the financial state of our district. I will tell you that we are not losing student population next year. Currently, we have 806 students at CHS. We will graduate approximately 171. Next year's freshmen class is about 233... in other words, we grow next year. In addition, because of the new schedule, there are actually fewer sections available... meaning losing teachers will be difficult.
In regard to the Master Schedule: We have made a great deal of progress. What began months ago with registration has now turned into something that sort of looks like a master schedule! Our process works like this:
register students
determine number of sections needed / offered
develop a master schedule, starting with singletons (classes only offered once like AP courses, band, choir, etc.) and then working on individual departments
put the rough draft master schedule into DASL
run the student scheduler
make adjustments based on conflicts
Currently we are at step 6... making MANY adjustments. When we do step #5, the computer tells us what percentage of students got a full schedule. We will typically finalize with somewhere around 75%. Last year, we hit 80%. The rest of the schedules have to be done by hand. This is the point at which we will release the schedule to the staff -- very few changes occur after this point.
Our first run this year was 34% :( With a great deal of tweaking, lots of scrutinizing, and much deliberation (mostly by Wendy & Lynne), we now have the number all the way up to 70%!!!
This is the most difficult schedule I have worked on and I know Wendy and Lynne concur! Please be patient... we will put the schedule out VERY soon. I know you are all anxious and need to begin planning for next year. My best guess would be a beta version release sometime next week!!!!
At the Art Show on Sunday, many students were honored for their art work. Many thanks to the students, Mrs. Place, Mrs. Sutter, and Mercer Savings Bank. Pictured at right is Kate Imwalle, winner of the Principal's Award. Kate's painting will be mounted in the office.
On Saturday May 1, the Celina High School Concert Band earned an overall rating of "Excellent" at the OMEA Concert Band State Finals in Findlay. The adjudicators had many positive things to say, and our students represented their school and community in an outstanding manner. Congratulations to all for a fine job! [FYI -- this bullet came from Chuck's band blog... check it out at: http://celinabands.blogspot.com/]
The Academic Awards went very well last night. We had a VERY large crowd and it was a lot of fun to see so many of our students recognized in so many ways. Here are some interesting facts:
83 students received Academic Awards
155different awards were given
45 different families and organizations gave scholarships
$67,409 in scholarships were given to seniors in the class of 2010
$3,500 -- The amount of the largest scholarship of the evening given to Jessica Ahrns
MANY THANKS TO ALL STAFF WHO PARTICIPATED LAST NIGHT. Of all the events and activities that our school sponsors, this one is truly my favorite!
Feel free to post comments and your thoughts/feedback to this post!! Simply click on the word 'comment' below.
Promenade begins tonight @ 5:30 in the fieldhouse. Prom begins @ 6:30 PM @ Romer's. All of you are invited to join us at the fieldhouse to see the students get all dressed up. There are some impressive decorations as well!
The Band performs tomorrow @ 10 AM in Findlay for the State Contest.
Academic Awards & Scholarship Ceremony is Monday night @ 6:30 PM in the lecture hall. ALL STAFF ARE INVITED TO ATTEND and sit on the stage if you would like. Please let me know if you would like to sit on the stage.
