Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Buildings and Grounds
We've had an amazing year in terms of improvements to our school buildings and grounds. Of course, the RAMS center is the most visible and the interior of this building is awesome. I may have to go back and take a science class just so I can work in the science classrooms! The former city library is now taking shape as the Regional Education Center, or alternative high school. Harlan heating and cooling is getting an update, the pool area at the Middle School is getting some needed roof and sidewall repairs, remodeling is underway to make room at the Little Husky Learning Center, and Wings Park is getting geothermal heating and cooling. Wowza! The funding for all of these projects is coming from grants, loans, and the Physical Plant and Equipment (PPEL) levy.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Vacation
I've taken a nice long vacation and I'm ready to get back to blogging. The legislature threw us a curve with the board election changes. Terms are now for 4 years instead of 3 and the District One slot will now be for one year in 2008 with a 4-year term up for grabs in 2009 for this district.
Senator Heckroth spoke to the board last week and said that most of the education priorities had been met...the state 1 cent tax and the increase in teacher salaries.
This made me start thinking about my priorities for our school district for next. Here's where I am...let me know what you are thinking about.
1. Swimming pool including data about gym use if one option is to use the pool area as a second gym at the middle school
2. Curriculum. I'd like to see the written curriculum available for the public to view.
3. Infinite Campus. I'd like for the board to see a demonstration of this product. Done. Board members can arrange for a demonstration at the Central Office.
4. School board goals - goal for 2008-09 as well as maintenance of previously selected goals
5. Curriculum process for the future, written with roles and responsibilities defined.
6. Protocols for committees such as TQ, District Curriculum, Technology, etc. (What are the roles, responsibilities, procedures for making recommendations, etc.)
7. Class size recommendations
8. Technology expenses as related to student achievement
9. Evaluation of the number of employees in the district.
10. Student Wellness/fitness data and a plan with specific, measurable goals.
11. Staff development (especially in topics where we have lost employees due to retirement)
12. Iowa Youth Survey review as a total board
13. DE Report review as a total board
Senator Heckroth spoke to the board last week and said that most of the education priorities had been met...the state 1 cent tax and the increase in teacher salaries.
This made me start thinking about my priorities for our school district for next. Here's where I am...let me know what you are thinking about.
1. Swimming pool including data about gym use if one option is to use the pool area as a second gym at the middle school
2. Curriculum. I'd like to see the written curriculum available for the public to view.
3. Infinite Campus. I'd like for the board to see a demonstration of this product. Done. Board members can arrange for a demonstration at the Central Office.
4. School board goals - goal for 2008-09 as well as maintenance of previously selected goals
5. Curriculum process for the future, written with roles and responsibilities defined.
6. Protocols for committees such as TQ, District Curriculum, Technology, etc. (What are the roles, responsibilities, procedures for making recommendations, etc.)
7. Class size recommendations
8. Technology expenses as related to student achievement
9. Evaluation of the number of employees in the district.
10. Student Wellness/fitness data and a plan with specific, measurable goals.
11. Staff development (especially in topics where we have lost employees due to retirement)
12. Iowa Youth Survey review as a total board
13. DE Report review as a total board
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Wellness
Exercise, nutrition, and learning. Three parts of an achievement package. Exercise and nutrition are key factors in whether children learn at their optimal levels, while lack of exercise and good nutrition can hold a child back. Our students are in school about 7 hours per day and it is up to the school to make sure those 7 hours include an appropriate amounts of exercise and good food.
Schools have been doing this informally all along; the difference now is that all school districts in the state are required by the Department of Education to create written wellness policies. In a nutshell, the amount and kind of exercise needed during the school day is defined in the policy as well as the kinds of foods that are permitted at school.
Sometimes schools, in the rush toward higher standards, push non-academic time (such as recess) back in order to create more learning time. The effect can be just the opposite with children spending more time in their seats but less time actually engaged in learning because (as the younger folks around us say) their brains are fried and they need a break. Written wellness policies make all of us remember that exercise is our friend!
Schools have been doing this informally all along; the difference now is that all school districts in the state are required by the Department of Education to create written wellness policies. In a nutshell, the amount and kind of exercise needed during the school day is defined in the policy as well as the kinds of foods that are permitted at school.
Sometimes schools, in the rush toward higher standards, push non-academic time (such as recess) back in order to create more learning time. The effect can be just the opposite with children spending more time in their seats but less time actually engaged in learning because (as the younger folks around us say) their brains are fried and they need a break. Written wellness policies make all of us remember that exercise is our friend!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
STEM
Last week, I watched a video of Governor Culver speaking last fall to a group of students at the Iowa Science and Math Consortium at UNI. He quoted Eleanor Roosevelt who said, The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." The purpose of the conference was to talk about STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Iowa will need 150,000 skilled workers in the next 5 years...that's 150,000 good jobs in the green power workforce. Iowa has the potential for exciting new careers for our youth, helping to keep Iowans in Iowa through exciting job opportunities. One person who is leading the way through the Iowa Consortium for Science and Math is Oelwein's Joan Duea, who has been a UNI Lab School faculty member for many years. This consortium is focusing on effective programs that will prepare high school students for entering the STEM disciplines. Our RAMS center is in line with the times and has the potential to be a leader in northeast Iowa STEM education.
Camp Creamery
Kids ages 7 - 14 will have a chance to perform at the Williams Performing Arts Center this August. The Old Creamery Theater will come to Oelwein to conduct a week-long summer theater camp August 11 - 15 with a performance by our young people on August 15. The cost will be $40 per student and students must be registered by May 23. If you would like to sponsor a student or be involved with the project, let Barb and Terri Zuck know. Call them at Wings Park. 283-1982.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Muffin, Doughnuts, and Tea
Thanks to Barb Schmidt for making this happen...
Elementary moms and dads are periodically invited to school for a Muffins for Moms or Doughnuts for Dads. This gives parents, children, and teachers a chance to chat and get to know each other better.
Elementary moms and dads are periodically invited to school for a Muffins for Moms or Doughnuts for Dads. This gives parents, children, and teachers a chance to chat and get to know each other better.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
RAMS
Notes from the Regional Academy for Math and Science
- Curriculum planning for fall is nearly complete with 8 science classes, 2 pre-engineering, 8 math, and 12 classes in other areas typically offered by NICC ready for the RAMS facility.
- Curriculum planning for the future is beginning.
- Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology are the cornerstones of the curriculum plan.
- The science labs are incredible!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Board Goals and the School Calendar
The school board is taking the first step toward selecting one major and measurable goal for the school district based on what data tells us about student achievement.
Past Goal Setting
In the past, community input was sought for school board goals. That input served us well and continues to do that. Then we moved to taking direction for goals from the Department of Education and the initiatives they identified for schools: technology, standards/benchmarks, at risk, early childhood, etc. This plan enabled us to win many grant awards to implement staff development and programs in these areas.
Change
In 2008-09 the school board will select one major student achievement goal based on student data. While the specific goal for improvement is still under review, the board took a major step forward by approving 8 additional early dismissal days with the caveat that this time be used to develop and implement plans to increase student achievement. Teachers rarely have time to work together and approach student achievement as a building-wide effort to improve. The teachers will return to the board in the fall with specific, measureable goals for their building that are linked to the school district student improvement goal. Their progress will be reported during the year.
Twelve hours to make big, building-wide changes in the delivery of instruction doesn't seem like much, but it is a big step forward and our teachers are very capable of making the most of that time. Stay tuned because 2008-09 promises to be an exciting year for students and staff.
Past Goal Setting
In the past, community input was sought for school board goals. That input served us well and continues to do that. Then we moved to taking direction for goals from the Department of Education and the initiatives they identified for schools: technology, standards/benchmarks, at risk, early childhood, etc. This plan enabled us to win many grant awards to implement staff development and programs in these areas.
Change
In 2008-09 the school board will select one major student achievement goal based on student data. While the specific goal for improvement is still under review, the board took a major step forward by approving 8 additional early dismissal days with the caveat that this time be used to develop and implement plans to increase student achievement. Teachers rarely have time to work together and approach student achievement as a building-wide effort to improve. The teachers will return to the board in the fall with specific, measureable goals for their building that are linked to the school district student improvement goal. Their progress will be reported during the year.
Twelve hours to make big, building-wide changes in the delivery of instruction doesn't seem like much, but it is a big step forward and our teachers are very capable of making the most of that time. Stay tuned because 2008-09 promises to be an exciting year for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
4th Grade Reading
Teachers Terry Rex, Tammy Stasi, Elaine Hansen, and Carrie Hillman gave the school board a complete picture of all of the activities the teachers use to instruct students in reading.
Guided Reading class for 10 minutes every other day for reading skills.
Literature Circles for 20 - 30 minutes for reading library books every day in small groups.
Shared Reading where the whole class reads for 10 - 15 minutes daily in the basal reading text.
Read Alouds are used for 20 minutes daily.
Teachers also use Reading Counts to select library books at their reading level. Comprehension is checked using the Scholastic Reading Inventory. The A-Z fiction and non-fiction reading books can be downloaded from the Internet and give even more reading options to the students. As an RSVP volunteer, I have used Reading Counts and the SRI, but A-Z was new to me so I googled it and found it to be great site for locating reading materials for kids.
Our 4th graders do well when tested in reading thanks to the work of these enthusiastic teachers who continually look for new ways to motivate and instruct their students. Well done!
Guided Reading class for 10 minutes every other day for reading skills.
Literature Circles for 20 - 30 minutes for reading library books every day in small groups.
Shared Reading where the whole class reads for 10 - 15 minutes daily in the basal reading text.
Read Alouds are used for 20 minutes daily.
Teachers also use Reading Counts to select library books at their reading level. Comprehension is checked using the Scholastic Reading Inventory. The A-Z fiction and non-fiction reading books can be downloaded from the Internet and give even more reading options to the students. As an RSVP volunteer, I have used Reading Counts and the SRI, but A-Z was new to me so I googled it and found it to be great site for locating reading materials for kids.
Our 4th graders do well when tested in reading thanks to the work of these enthusiastic teachers who continually look for new ways to motivate and instruct their students. Well done!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Snow days
What a year this has been. Nine days of school lost and 25 days of either late starts or early dismissals. This year, for the first time I can remember, the Department of Education said schools could add time to each school day and use that time to count for missed days during the year...and made the decision a local one for boards of education. Sigh. There was no research to guide the decision for 30-minute longer days or 5 full days at the end of the year, just opinion.
I voted for the compromise position of making up the 9 lost days with 4 full days of school and 30-minute extensions to each day to make up the remaining 5 days. The board vote was mixed as were the opinions of people who had to live with the decision of the board.
There were good arguments on both sides of the issue. Middle School teachers spoke for the 30-minute extended day in part because they wanted the extra instruction time now before the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills are given. Senior high students felt full days at the end of the year would be best in part because of the impact of the schedule on jobs and extra-curricular activities. Some teachers felt full days at the end of the year would be better for student learning. Other teachers felt the extra 30 minutes at the end of the day would let them catch up on the classes they had to miss due to late starts and early dismissals.
Thanks to all who called, emailed, or just stopped to talk. Thanks also to those who came to the meeting and presented opinions of groups or individuals, Steve Bunn, OCEA president, Middle School teachers, Twyla Scherbring, Karen Farmer, Ruth Lau, Roger Beane, Gary and Sara Goeller, Jeanne Danielson, Wings teacher Terry Rex, and student Brian Murphy.
Everyone wanted to do what was best for the students and the discussion about what is best is always a winning one. I have no doubt the teachers will make the best use of the make-up time whether the full day or the 30 minute extension.
I voted for the compromise position of making up the 9 lost days with 4 full days of school and 30-minute extensions to each day to make up the remaining 5 days. The board vote was mixed as were the opinions of people who had to live with the decision of the board.
There were good arguments on both sides of the issue. Middle School teachers spoke for the 30-minute extended day in part because they wanted the extra instruction time now before the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills are given. Senior high students felt full days at the end of the year would be best in part because of the impact of the schedule on jobs and extra-curricular activities. Some teachers felt full days at the end of the year would be better for student learning. Other teachers felt the extra 30 minutes at the end of the day would let them catch up on the classes they had to miss due to late starts and early dismissals.
Thanks to all who called, emailed, or just stopped to talk. Thanks also to those who came to the meeting and presented opinions of groups or individuals, Steve Bunn, OCEA president, Middle School teachers, Twyla Scherbring, Karen Farmer, Ruth Lau, Roger Beane, Gary and Sara Goeller, Jeanne Danielson, Wings teacher Terry Rex, and student Brian Murphy.
Everyone wanted to do what was best for the students and the discussion about what is best is always a winning one. I have no doubt the teachers will make the best use of the make-up time whether the full day or the 30 minute extension.
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