Kids Are Capable of So Much

Update for Nov 17-21

There was something about this week that made me wonder “What is going on here?”.  

Let me preface this by saying that I know that there are thousands of positive moments that happen each day at school and it’s these moments we remember.  But this week, the problems we had to solve, or tried to solve, seemed to be overtaking the positive moments.  It could also be that we have Conferences coming up and Progress Reports due -- That certainly adds to the stress.  

In these moments, it seems like it’s easier to focus on what’s wrong instead of what’s going well.

Wednesday night, I saw a Tweet by George Couros that piqued my curiosity:

It is one of the most adorable videos I’ve ever seen (If this doesn’t make you cry, you are a robot.):

I needed to see that video this week because it reminded me that despite the times kids have where they don’t show us their best, each child is capable of so much good.  It’s already built into them.

It’s our responsibility to remember that. It’s also our responsibility to focus on the positive and help students learn and grow by building off of their strengths and what they are capable of doing, not by focusing on what they cannot do.

(After watching 1 minute, jump to minute 6. Again, grab some tissues. THIS is why we teach. Because we need to never give up on finding what works for kids.)

Here’s to a wonderful week!

-Herb

Videos That Inspire

“How can 1st Graders help the Earth?”:

Commercial reenacts a powerful moment in history:

Articles Worth Reading

“Talking to Learn” (EL Magazine, Nov 2014) http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov14/vol72/num03/Talking-to-Learn.aspx

“Research Shows Gains in ST Math Use” | MindShift http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/11/research-shows-some-gains-in-st-math-use/ … via @MindShiftKQED

“Making School About Connection” (Edutopia)

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/making-school-about-connection-joshua-block

“Make the Most of the Maker Movement” http://edut.to/1xBZFEH  via @edutopia

Upcoming Dates

Nov 17-20, 2014   BOOK FAIR!

Mon Nov 17, 2014

7pm - ADE/DCR Parent Meeting at Bradley HS

Tue, Nov 18, 2014

3:30 at ADE--First teacher steering committee meeting

7pm - Assessment and Accountability Summit, Weaver Middle School

Wed Nov 19, 2014     

3:45pm - 8:15pm Parent-Teacher Conference Night

Wed Nov 26-28, 2014    No School

December

Tue Dec 2, 2014        

8am - 9am Building Improvement Team mtg

Wed Dec 3, 2014         

3:35-4:20 ADE/DCR Staff Meeting at ADE

Community Mindset

Update for Nov 10-14

This year, we are investigating how Blended Learning can help us redefine the work we do with our students.  

These seven characteristics "create an environment  where students and teachers learn and teach more effectively. Blended learning can provide students with choice and voice in their learning and is dynamically customized for each student, reaching students of varying learning styles."

On Friday, we attempted our first Community Meeting of the year to celebrate our accomplishments so far and to begin the work of defining the key principles we stand for as a learning community.  We gave students a voice in this process by asking each homeroom to complete the phrase: "At Alton Darby Elementary, we are ______________."  I am excited to see what students think best completes this statement.

As I was reflecting on Friday's meeting, I thought about one of the Blended Learning characteristics called Community Mindset.  Honestly, I am still learning what these characteristics mean for the work that we do. But I am excited when I think about what we've accomplished so far this year. Consider the definition for Community Mindset:

The district culture is one in which teachers and students are empowered and inspired to teach and learn from one another. Learning is a partnership and a shared experience in a student centered classroom. Student learning is personalized and encourages critical thinking.

When I think about Friday's meeting, I believe that we are establishing a partnership with our students and providing them with a voice in their learning. Thank you so much for your support, ideas, and encouragement! Let's keep this momentum going!

-Herb

 

Upcoming Events 

 

Mon Nov 10, 2014

6:30pm - 7pm PTO Executive Mtg 

7pm - 8pm PTO General Mtg

Tue Nov 11, 2014

VETERANS' DAY! 

Picture Retake Day

5th Grade Meeting with See Kids Dream

Team Time with Herb -- Let me know if you want to meet!

8am - Building Improvement Team Meeting, Media Center

Fri Nov 14, 2014         

End of K-5 Grading Period

Progress Report Timeline:

 

Nov 17-20, 2014   BOOK FAIR!

Mon Nov 17, 2014

7pm - ADE/DCR Parent Meeting at Bradley HS 

Tue, Nov 18, 2014
3:30 at ADE--possible date for first teacher steering committee meeting---more info to come, stay tuned
7pm - Assessment and Accountability Summit, Weaver Middle School


Wed Nov 19, 2014     
3:45pm - 8:15pm Parent-Teacher Conference Night

 
Wed Nov 26-28, 2014    No School

December
 
Tue Dec 2, 2014        
 8am - 9am Building Improvement Team mtg
 

Wed Dec 3, 2014         
3:35-4:20 ADE/DCR Staff Meeting at ADE

Articles Worth Reading

Student choice continuum by @friEdTechnology via @Silvana_Hoxha @vhill01 #stuchoice #pbl #makered  




The 5 Recent Google Drive Updates Teachers Should Know About http://zite.to/1xb7e6L


Becoming More Receptive to Feedback: 3 Muscle-Builders! http://zite.to/1GCXy82 


(Mind)-setting students up to succeed: social-psychological interventions in the classroom http://zite.to/1ALkwJu


14 Things That Are Obsolete in 21st Century Schools http://ingvihrannar.com/14-things-that-are-obsolete-in-21st-century-schools/


100 Schools Worth Visiting http://gettingsmart.com/2014/11/100-schools-worth-visiting/ 

 

Powered by The Arts

Update for November 3-7

This week brought us another reminder of how talented our Arts Team is.  The Fall Concert that Mrs. Root created with students was an absolutely amazing experience.

When we combine the Fall Concert with the Warrior Dash and Dot Day, we can begin to understand how much the Arts can impact a school’s culture.

We strive each day to create learning experiences that focus on skills such as collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity because we believe these skills are going to enable our students to be successful in discovering their passions.  The arts, and those who bring learning to life through the arts, help us create a learning culture that focuses on these important skills.

Thank you Mrs. Bowers, Mr. Burkhart, and Mrs. Root for continuing to inspire us to celebrate learning through the arts!

-Mr. H

Upcoming Events --

Mon, Nov 3 --

Tues, Nov 4 -- 

Waiver Day/No students; Hilliard University at Darby HS and Heritage MS.

• Your day can be 7:30-2:30 or 8:30-3:30.
• Our Staff PD will start at 1:00pm in the Darby HS band room and last until 2:30.

Wed, Nov 5 --

5:30pm -- Market Day pick-up

Thu, Nov 6 --

Fri, Nov 7 --

Newsletter Home

Yearbook Art Contest Ends

First School Community Meeting!

When you walk into our building, each person can see our mission that was establish on the very first day of school in 2001: Children.

This year, we are continuing the work of establishing and communicating the common expectations for all members of our community through the PBIS Framework. When we take steps to reestablish the principles of our community, it is important that we also work towards our Mission and ensure that kids have a voice in the process.

Therefore we will be having our first School Community Meeting this Friday!

After discussing how we were going to elicit feedback from students about their beliefs about what makes Alton Darby, we decided we need to start by getting everyone together to celebrate our accomplishments so far this year and to give us all a task we will work to complete.

And this is how it will happen:

• 8:50 -- Student arrive and go immediately to the gym before going to homeroom.
• Breakfast students will go to breakfast as usual. They will join us when they are finished.
• Teachers will be in the gym to help get students organized. I will have a seating chart for you SOON.
• We will be leading the students in a cheer - “We...Are...Alton...Darby!”.

• 9:05 -- Mr. H starts the meeting by welcoming everyone, explaining why we are together, and then explaining the task everyone will work to complete.
• Task - Homeroom teachers will facilitate students in completing this phrase: “At Alton Darby Elementary, WE ARE _____________!”
• You will will be given a blank Puzzle Piece to write the word you decide reflects your room.
• 9:15 -- Students are dismissed to homeroom.

A 10 minute meeting that is going to help us do something BIG!  Thanks to Jay, Angie, Karen O, Kim, Missy, Adrianna, Carla, Jane, Kris and Tiffany for your help with the planning!  And thanks to everyone for helping to make our first School Community Meeting a success!

Mon Nov 10, 2014

6:30pm - 7pm PTO Executive Mtg

7pm - 8pm PTO General Mtg

Tue Nov 11, 2014

Picture Retake Day

Fri Nov 14, 2014

End of K-5 Grading Period

Mon Nov 17-20, 2014

Book Fair Week

Wed Nov 19, 2014

3:45pm - 8:15pm Conference Night

Wed Nov 26-28, 2014 No School

Articles Worth Reading

"What Are The Habits Of Mind?" http://feedly.com/k/XMkm24 

"How Relearning Old Concepts Alongside New Ones Makes It All Stick | MindShift" http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/10/how-relearning-old-concepts-alongside-new-ones-makes-it-all-stick/ …

"9 Essential Lessons For Changing the World" http://www.angelamaiers.com/2014/10/9-essential-lessons-for-changing-the-world.html …

The "goal" that helped me focus on what really matters.

Update for Oct 27-31

By Jrcla2 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I didn't quite understand the whole soccer scene until this year. Before I would hear about parents spending "so much time" at soccer practices, games and tournaments. I didn't understand just how much time it really took to have one of you kids participate on a traveling team.

Here is what I have discovered since my older daughter joined a traveling soccer club:

• If there is a practice, game or tournament, there's a good chance it's going to rain and be cold.
• Soccer gear costs a small fortune.
• Tournaments 1 hour away don't sound bad at first, but then the reality of another weekend gone sinks in during the drive.

The last point happened to me this weekend. Sunday was day 2 of my daughter's last tournament of the season. And when I thought about everything that I wasn't getting to -- those evaluations I needed to finish up, those emails I had put off too long, the mountain of laundry, the lawn, grocery shopping -- the idea of staying home while my wife took my daughter back to the tournament was very tempting.

But I resisted the temptation and went. And I'm glad I did.

Ava made her first goal of the season, something she had wanted to do all season long. In that moment after she scored, everything that was on my mind vanished. I reached such a point of clarity that when I thought about all of that stuff again, it seemed insignificant and not so impossible anymore. I kept thinking to myself, “What if I had decided to stay home?”.  I am sure I would have felt miserable.

Today I had a reminder to keep what's important at the center of my life because it helps me do the other stuff with clarity.

I hope as we move into the time of the school year when the little details begin adding up that each of us are able to stay focused on what's truly important so that the details don't seemed so daunting.

Upcoming Dates

Mon Oct 27, 2014

Yearbook Art Contest Begins (Ends Nov 7)

Tue Oct 28, 2014

Fall Concert at Bradley High School

Thu Oct 30, 2014

8am-9am Community Assembly Planning Meeting

5:30pm - 6:30pm Market Day

6pm-8pm Trick or Treat, Hilliard/Columbus

Fri Oct 31, 2014

Halloween

November

Tue Nov 4, 2014

Waiver Day - More info to come soon!

Fri Nov 7, 2014

Newsletter Home

Yearbook Art Contest Ends

Mon Nov 10, 2014

6:30pm - 7pm PTO Executive Mtg

7pm - 8pm PTO General Mtg

Tue Nov 11, 2014

Picture Retake Day

5:30 - 7pm Market Day Pick-up

Fri Nov 14, 2014

End of K-5 Grading Period

Mon Nov 17, 2014

Book Fair Week thru Nov 20

Wed Nov 19, 2014

3:45pm - 8:15pm Conference Night

Wed Nov 26, 2014

No School

Thu Nov 27, 2014

No School

Fri Nov 28, 2014

No School

Articles Worth Reading

"Are we doing what matters?" - Teacher at Heart http://teacheratheart.weebly.com/1/post/2014/10/are-we-doing-what-matters.html


“Visibility Creates Accountability” | The Principal of Change http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/4860 …


"5 Behaviors That Can Sink Leaders" http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2014/10/5_behaviors_that_can_sink_leaders.html … via @educationweek


A Principal's Reflections: The Story of Greatguy7: http://esheninger.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-story-of-greatguy7.html