As the first six weeks of school come to a close I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on those six weeks. I’ve been making a concerted effort to visit classrooms and talk with teachers and students. While I haven’t been able to get into all classrooms yet, it will continue to be on my priority list to do so. During my visits, and during meetings with various stakeholders, I’ve noticed many, many positive things happening. While I won’t be able to list them all I thought I’d make an attempt at some of them; here they are in no particular order.
10. - VSO Green Room Field Trip - One of the first field trip requests that I signed was for students to go on this field trip. If you’re not familiar with the Green Room Program (I wasn’t), it’s a program where students meet at the Eastside to have lunch with a composer, then attend a concert at the Haskell Opera House and a backstage tour after the concert. What a wonderful opportunity for our students!
9. – Photos from Parents - At the end of the first week of school some parents sent me photos of their children learning and playing with their classmates. This was the first opportunity these children have had to be integrated into a regular classroom and their parents were pleased with the quality of our program.
8. – Social Media - The social media plan committee has been working hard to get social media guidelines in place so that we can engage with the community using social media platforms in addition to websites and newsletters. Stay tuned for a roll-out of school and SU Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.
7. – Everybody Wins Vermont - I had the opportunity to meet with a representative from Everybody Wins Vermont and to discuss expanding that program in OCSU. Everybody Wins is a program where volunteer mentors come into a school to read with students. Currently only one of our schools participates in this program which has benefits far beyond just reading (think about students being able to make connections with caring adults).
6. – Personalized Learning - Some staff members worked together to think creatively about personalized learning in order to meet the needs of a student who was on the verge of needing to attend an alternative school. It’s so challenging to think about all the changes in education, but if we start with just one student it feels much more manageable.
10. - VSO Green Room Field Trip - One of the first field trip requests that I signed was for students to go on this field trip. If you’re not familiar with the Green Room Program (I wasn’t), it’s a program where students meet at the Eastside to have lunch with a composer, then attend a concert at the Haskell Opera House and a backstage tour after the concert. What a wonderful opportunity for our students!
9. – Photos from Parents - At the end of the first week of school some parents sent me photos of their children learning and playing with their classmates. This was the first opportunity these children have had to be integrated into a regular classroom and their parents were pleased with the quality of our program.
8. – Social Media - The social media plan committee has been working hard to get social media guidelines in place so that we can engage with the community using social media platforms in addition to websites and newsletters. Stay tuned for a roll-out of school and SU Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.
7. – Everybody Wins Vermont - I had the opportunity to meet with a representative from Everybody Wins Vermont and to discuss expanding that program in OCSU. Everybody Wins is a program where volunteer mentors come into a school to read with students. Currently only one of our schools participates in this program which has benefits far beyond just reading (think about students being able to make connections with caring adults).
6. – Personalized Learning - Some staff members worked together to think creatively about personalized learning in order to meet the needs of a student who was on the verge of needing to attend an alternative school. It’s so challenging to think about all the changes in education, but if we start with just one student it feels much more manageable.
5. – PBIS - One Friday afternoon I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and witnessed a first grade class filling the PBIS tube which meant the entire school received a reward. And what better reward then hiking Mt. Pisgah on a beautiful fall day!
4. – Hydroponics and Aquaculture - Touring the LR Ag rooms and seeing hydroponic gardening and the beginning of an aquaculture program was a real highlight of my month. Next time you’re at LR be sure to check out the ag rooms and have Tim tell you about his program.
3. – DACA - After the incidents of hate crimes in Glover, I was heartened to see teachers taking on social issues in their classrooms. As middle-schoolers debated DACA, providing evidence for their beliefs and reflecting thoughtfully (and sometimes even changing their stance) it struck me how skillful OCSU teachers are at supporting students in a way that is respectful and kind.
2. – Disney Princesses - In another middle school classroom students were learning about Disney princesses and about how long it took before Disney featured a non-white princess. All students were actively participating in their learning as was evident by the conversations they were having. If you have a lesson on social justice issues that you’d like me to see, I’d love to be invited to observe it.
2. – Disney Princesses - In another middle school classroom students were learning about Disney princesses and about how long it took before Disney featured a non-white princess. All students were actively participating in their learning as was evident by the conversations they were having. If you have a lesson on social justice issues that you’d like me to see, I’d love to be invited to observe it.
1.- Vermont Teacher of the Year - There are so many talented educators in OCSU and it’s always exciting when these people are recognized by colleagues outside of OCSU. Lake Region’s music teacher, Dr. D. (Sara Doncaster), was a finalist for the Vermont Teacher of the Year. Having an OCSU teacher as a finalist was exciting, but what was even more exciting for me was reading Sara’s speech on Removing Boundaries. Watch for her speech to be highlighted in a future blog post. Congratulations Dr. D. – well deserved!
I know there are many, many more great things happening in OCSU. If you’d like to share the amazing things happening in your classroom or in your school please drop me a line so I can come and visit!
I know there are many, many more great things happening in OCSU. If you’d like to share the amazing things happening in your classroom or in your school please drop me a line so I can come and visit!
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