Thursday Thriller
October 10, 2024
Mason was giving me a detention slip😆
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Nuts-n-Bolts
1. ALL- The custodians have moved upstairs to room 209. Their office area is going to be an expansion of the Health Center. THC is working on hiring a second counselor which is great news for us!
2. CERTS- Nicole sent this FAQ form on Tuesday but here it is again. We will link it on the HUB.
3. ALL-If you are a classified employee wanting to earn clock hours, this pertains to you. Extended Staff meeting on the 16th 3:45-4:15. Certificated Staff`-this is contract time. Whether you want to earn clock hours or not, you will automatically earn .5 clock hours for being present.
Links to EVERY meeting, agenda and notes are here. This link is located on the HUB.
4. Certs who have Kim : An email was sent to give you access to my calendar to see when there are open times for pre observations, observations and post. Please email me and I will schedule for you. Here is what I need from you:
1. Pre observation is 30 mins and needs to me 1-2 days NO MORE than that before the observation
2. Observation- usually a class period
3. Post observation -Within 3 days of the observation
Let me know if you have questions. If Nicole is your evaluator, please email her with available times.
5. ALL: Unity Day is Wednesday the 16th. SEL Team (Reggie, Steve, Jen and Brian C) will be sending out information. If you can, please wear orange on this day.
6. ALL: On Monday, October 14th, the 7th graders will be going on a field trip to Cordiner Hall. Please make sure to review the emails Nicole has previously sent with detailed information. On Monday morning, take attendance as usual, then have students drop off their backpacks in Room 115 before heading directly to the buses. Social Studies teachers will inform students which chaperone they should meet once they arrive at the buses. You’ll receive a follow-up email Monday morning to review this process.
7. CERTS: Digital Citizenship lessons will take place in SST classes next week October 14-18th.
8. ALL: Students should be signing out to get a drink or go to the bathroom. Please remember to only have ONE student out of the class at a time.
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Something to Ponder
Over the years, my beliefs about education—what students need and what should be taught—have evolved with my growing knowledge. I recently listened to a podcast featuring Dr. Todd Wagner, and if you start at 31:02, he discusses his views on the purpose of education and its curriculum. The segments at 41:00 and 51:00 are particularly thought-provoking. Dr. Tony Wagner emphasizes that the challenges we face are not about the teachers themselves but about the educational system, which was designed during the industrial age. AND what leaders/admin can do to support teachers in their learning.
While I don’t completely agree with his views on PE and Health, I do think he highlights a significant gap: there is no specific curriculum to help students manage anxiety and depression. We all recognize that physical activity is one of the most effective ways to combat these issues.
This made me reflect on our master schedule, especially for our 6th graders. What changes might Garrison need to implement to better teach 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking and collaboration? We have opportunities for these teachable moments throughout the day, but it varies depending on the scenario and the teacher. What skills are essential for us to teach? How can we effectively teach them? Are these skills valued by us as a Garrison staff? What do we envision for our middle school experience?
The AMLE website, which I’ve referenced in previous discussions, outlines what successful middle school programs look like based on research.
This has me pondering on our master schedule. Would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Hopefully, you will glean a gold nugget from listening to this podcast.
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"I think things come into our lives to help us get from one place to a better one." -Ted Lasso
