There is nothing like going to a state conference and getting the chance to meet and talk with other principals across the state to really put in perspective the magnitude of the work that we are doing on a daily basis in Poynette. Getting back in the building on Friday afternoon was energizing. Working with a staff that has a continued focus on "getting better" in anything that we do, and the drive and commitment to get those things done is a lot of fun. I appreciate the role that each of our staff members plays in the lives of our students. A few notes below...
Conference Takeaways
Conference Takeaways
I was able to attend multiple sessions on topics like: scheduling, Badger Exam, Grading for Learning, ELA Common Core look-fors, and Intervention/Enrichment Period time usage...but the biggest learning that I took away came from the keynote speaker, Dr. Anthony Muhammad. He was a leader in a major turnaround of success in a Detroit area school district. He talked about many things, but the thing that stands out for us to keep at the forefront of our words and actions is having high expectations for all students. Kids tend to rise to the expectations that we set for them. This comes through in both our body language and our words.
We have talked a lot about the culture of our building. I think that we have a vision for what type of culture we want in our building...respectful, kind interactions,and learning focused...Getting to this vision is not something that can happen overnight, and it comes through in every word and interaction between every staff member and student. I thought the quote below captures the effect of high expectations for all pretty well.
We have talked a lot about the culture of our building. I think that we have a vision for what type of culture we want in our building...respectful, kind interactions,and learning focused...Getting to this vision is not something that can happen overnight, and it comes through in every word and interaction between every staff member and student. I thought the quote below captures the effect of high expectations for all pretty well.
We will continue to work to foster and build this culture everywhere in our building.
Student of the Month Breakfast
The next student of the month breakfast will be on Thursday, March 12. Please collaborate and get the names to me by Wednesday, February 25.
Budget Time
This is a reminder that we are in the midst of budget creation for next year. Some groups are ready to meet with me already. Please let me know when you are ready to sit down and look at the budget numbers for next year.
Mid-Year SLO/PPG
Another reminder to let me know when you are ready to sit down and review student data and progress towards both the SLO and PPG's.
Puma Pride Team
If you are interested in participating on a Puma Pride team, you are welcome to join the team. We will have a meeting on Thursday (2/19) at 3:00pm in Mrs. Hendrickson's room. Thanks to Mrs. Hendrickson and Mrs. Graeve for volunteering to be a part of this group already. We will focus on: analyzing Puma Pride rubric language, our behavior data, best practices in managing student behavior, and planning for overall school culture cultivation. We will use the book, School Culture Rewired by Steve Gruenert and Todd Whitaker, to frame our focus.
Growth Mind-Set Reminder
I wanted to include a reminder about the strong research done by Carol Dweck in the area of growth mindset...and its implications in a student's motivation. HERE is a link to the short video we watched earlier in the year.
Generating Student Discussion
Check out this tip from a teacher that has had success generating student discussion in his classroom...from the Marshall Memo 573
Silent 15-Minute Online Dialogues in a Middle-School Classroom
“In a normal classroom discussion, power often rests with the quickest minds,” says Jason Hilton (Slippery Rock University, PA) in this AMLE Magazine article. “The ability to quickly respond with a well-constructed verbal retort dominates conversation from debate halls to playground walls.” That’s why, when he was teaching the Bill of Rights and related Supreme Court decisions to eighth graders, he had students spend the first 15 minutes of each class in complete silence “conversing” with each other in an online discussion forum. “All discussion had to be online,” says Hilton, “even if they were engaged in a discussion with someone sitting right next to them.” When Hilton called time-out and closed the discussion forum so students could return to their wiki projects, the silence was broken by moans and complaints, and he had to promise to open the forum again at the end of class.
Reflecting on the experience, Hilton sees several advantages. First, the discussion board and wiki projects, which were student-centered, problem-based learning, “place every step, from content knowledge to argument synthesis, in the hands of the students.” Second, “Even though the students were sitting in the same classroom, the digital medium through which the students were asked to participate presented an opportunity for students to overcome traditional barriers to classroom conversation. It no longer mattered what students looked like, who their friends were, or where they might be sitting. Instead, the more thoughtful students who may have been shut out of a traditional classroom dialogue by its rapid pace were able to take their time to craft a more powerful commentary.” Finally, the online discussion seemed to energize students who were normally passive and silent.
Hilton realized that without several key elements, this discussion would not have been as successful:
- A meaty and intriguing topic that would engage students at a high level;
- A laptop cart that put a computer in front of every student;
- Requiring that all contributions and dialogue take place through silent keyboarding;
- Careful monitoring by the teacher during class and after hours to ensure appropriate, respectful exchanges;
- Knowing when to bring closure.
Educational Politics
Since the Governor's proposed budget release, there has been lots to say about the impact of K-12 education funding and policies. One thing seems certain is that there will be debate and discussion in the legislature about the specifics, and this will take time. In the meantime, as people discuss the proposals, I think it's important for people in education to be informed and talk accurately to other people about the issues. I have linked a couple of articles about the education portion of the issue HERE and HERE. Take a look at the issues around the state testing proposal (common core ban) and school accountability (schools receiving letter grades).
I am confident that we have a solid plan in Poynette for whatever budget is approved and signed into law.
I am confident that we have a solid plan in Poynette for whatever budget is approved and signed into law.
Twitter Find of the Week
#satchat @GreatestQuotes: "A goal should scare you a little, and excite you a lot." - Dr. Joe Vitale
A3 Be upbeat and positive every single day. This is the minimum and yet it would be an improvement in many situations. #satchat
Duty This Week
Morning - Lendobeja, O'Connor
Bus - Hendrickson
Data
Attendance Rate
13-14 - 95.45%
14-15 - 95.54%
Tardy Data
14-15
# of students with at least 1 tardy - 138
# of students with 5 or more tardies - 55
13-14
# of students with at least 1 tardy - 126
# of students with 5 or more tardies - 56
12-13
# of students with at least 1 tardy - 147
# of students with 5 or more tardies - 43
Attendance Rate
13-14 - 95.45%
14-15 - 95.54%
Tardy Data
14-15
# of students with at least 1 tardy - 138
# of students with 5 or more tardies - 55
13-14
# of students with at least 1 tardy - 126
# of students with 5 or more tardies - 56
12-13
# of students with at least 1 tardy - 147
# of students with 5 or more tardies - 43
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