Beginning this past Friday, some of our teachers spent half a day with their grade-level counterparts from across our district to engage in job-embedded professional development. What is job-embedded PD? It is teacher training that occurs within the context of the teacher workday, and connected directly to district and school improvement initiatives.
For half of the day, once a month, the teachers of a selected grade level meet with Gail Bourn, our Academic Coordinator of Teaching and Learning -- Elementary. While with Mrs. Bourn and fellow grade level classroom teachers and interventionists, our teachers work to refine their understanding of new district curriculum standards (Mathematics, Reading, or Writing 'Non-Negotiables'), best instructional practices and techniques, and common assessment practices that will bring all of our schools to a high level of performance, and assure educational equity for all of our Laconia Elementary Students.
The topic of this collaborative professional study for the month of September was refining mathematics instruction techniques (we had the benefit of a visit from our district math consultant, Professor Mahesh Sharma, during our second week of school to support this learning). For October, our teachers will focus on learning and implementing our district's new Reading Non-Negotiables (developed this past summerby teachers and administrators during a professional learning institute right here in Laconia!).
Our job-embedded professional development program is just one aspect of our educational system here in Laconia that is head and shoulders above the rest. It demonstrates a strong commitment to teaching and learning, and our ongoing quest for individual and organizational improvement. As has been said before, for teachers at Woodland Heights, the learning never stops!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Woodland Heights Welcomes PSU Interns
Every fall and spring, Woodland
Heights School
is visited by education students from Plymouth State
University Plymouth
State University
sends their teacher candidates to Woodland
Heights
WHS Enjoys a Well-Attended and Exciting Fall Open House
Did you notice the full moon on Thursday evening? It was a beautiful sky, and a beautiful
evening for our annual WHS Fall Open House.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
WHS Fall Open House: Come See the Magic of Woodland Heights!
On Thursday evening, September 19th, from 6:00-7:30, we will welcome our families and friends into our school for the annual WHS Fall Open House.
The first hour of the event will involve students showing off their new classrooms and some of the work that they have done since school began late in August. We will have some of our local organizations and agencies represented at tables in our Main Lobby throughout the evening, and a scavenger hunt for students and families that will have our guests travelling all over the school to meet staff and learn more about our work at Woodland Heights.
After the first hour, beginning promptly at 7:00pm., we will ask our visitors to join me and a new friend, Erin Klausen from the Family Resource Center of Central NH (Lakes Region Community Services) in the WHS-MPR where we'll be speaking with parents about our new initiative to partner with Woodland Heights families like never before. During each of the years that I have had the privilege of being your principal, we have made monumental strides in 21st Century Learning, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and creating a safe and focused School Climate in which all students have the opportunity to reach their personal and academic potential.
This is the year of the parent. Over the coming months we will endeavor to work with you as never before, forming a partnership that will benefit your children by more effectively supporting their academic and social growth. We are confident that, in forming our warm and mutually supportive partnership, their future aspirations and your hopes and dreams for their success can be realized. As we work to develop our 'partner' relationship (defined by open rapport, common goals, and collaborative effort), an important local resource for family education will be utilized: the Laconia area Family Resource Center. Please join us for our presentation at 7:00pm. on the 19th to learn more, and offer your feedback on our plans.
Many thanks for everything that you have done to offer our school a tremendous start this year. Let's keep working together to make the coming year one of the very best in recent history at OUR Woodland Heights School!
The first hour of the event will involve students showing off their new classrooms and some of the work that they have done since school began late in August. We will have some of our local organizations and agencies represented at tables in our Main Lobby throughout the evening, and a scavenger hunt for students and families that will have our guests travelling all over the school to meet staff and learn more about our work at Woodland Heights.
After the first hour, beginning promptly at 7:00pm., we will ask our visitors to join me and a new friend, Erin Klausen from the Family Resource Center of Central NH (Lakes Region Community Services) in the WHS-MPR where we'll be speaking with parents about our new initiative to partner with Woodland Heights families like never before. During each of the years that I have had the privilege of being your principal, we have made monumental strides in 21st Century Learning, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and creating a safe and focused School Climate in which all students have the opportunity to reach their personal and academic potential.
This is the year of the parent. Over the coming months we will endeavor to work with you as never before, forming a partnership that will benefit your children by more effectively supporting their academic and social growth. We are confident that, in forming our warm and mutually supportive partnership, their future aspirations and your hopes and dreams for their success can be realized. As we work to develop our 'partner' relationship (defined by open rapport, common goals, and collaborative effort), an important local resource for family education will be utilized: the Laconia area Family Resource Center. Please join us for our presentation at 7:00pm. on the 19th to learn more, and offer your feedback on our plans.
Many thanks for everything that you have done to offer our school a tremendous start this year. Let's keep working together to make the coming year one of the very best in recent history at OUR Woodland Heights School!
Friday, September 6, 2013
After Two Weeks: A GREAT School Opening.
It is hard to believe that we have been in school for two weeks already. Our opening days have been smooth, focused, productive, and fun. In fact, this year we have enjoyed the best school opening since I first had the honor of becoming your principal at Woodland Heights. Absolutely the best.
Why?
Our Teachers. I cannot say enough about the caliber of our teachers and staff supporting your child's learning at WHS. Our teachers and staff have attained a level of excellence and shown a level of dedication and caring for students unlike any I have had the privilege to observe over my long career in education. Woodland Heights teachers are absolutely amazing, and we all should be grateful for what they do to teach your children; affording them a first-rate academic program, and supporting the all-important development of their character and social skills. Our teachers' quality efforts and innumerable successes with students astound and inspire me every day.
Our Program. Working with our Superintendents, our Academic Coordinator of Teaching and Learning (ACTL), and with one another, our teachers are developing an academic program that is consistent with the rigorous academic goals of the Common Core State Standards. They work collaboratively to research and implement the best instructional practices in our field today. They make the magic of learning happen for our students every day at WHS. Further, our teachers are developing systems of assessment and the analysis of student testing data that inform them about what is working in our program, and where they can focus improvement efforts to further increase student achievement at WHS. Overlaying their efforts to develop and skillfully implement a rigorous academic program at Woodland Heights, our staff uses the Responsive Classroom Approach, our very own Project Wildcat, and their sincere commitment to support every student to high levels of academic and personal growth. Altogether, these efforts help each child attain her/his potential for success and happiness every day. It is not perfect (yet), but at Woodland Heights School, it is very, very good.
Our Students. You have given us tremendous young people to work with at Woodland Heights. I can hardly describe my sense of pride when I visit our classrooms and common areas and see the many ways that our students show that they are true WHS Wildcats! Their kindness and caring for one another is truly amazing. In so many ways, throughout their day, their goodness shows through. Usually without reward or recognition, they do the things that they do, instinctively and for the right reasons. As proud as I am about our school's academic growth and improving test scores, what our students show us everyday about the strength of their character is so much more powerful -- and will have so much more to do with their success and happiness in school, at work, and at home for the balance of their lives. Working with you, we are developing students who are smart, and good, at Woodland Heights.
Our Parents. I am continuously impressed by examples of what Woodland Heights parents will do to support their children and their education. They know and understand that education is the key that will unlock their child's potential and present many opportunities for success and happiness in life beyond WHS. Working together, we can make amazing things happen for your child at Woodland Heights School. Your love, care, and dedication to your family will make the greatest difference in the life of your child. For all that we can do at school to support your child, our effectiveness is limited without your support. Sending the right messages about school, education, and themselves, as well as maintaining a stable, safe, and nurturing environment at home, are by far the most powerful influences in your child's life and future success. The growth that we have made at Woodland Heights this year is in large part due to what you have done to prepare your child for school. At WHS, we are off to a fantastic start this year, and we thank you very, very much for that!
If you ever have questions about our school and what we are doing for your children, please contact your child's teacher or me at your convenience. If you would like to visit our school, take a tour, and see your teachers and students in action, please let us know. We are proud of the school and the community of learners that we have built at Woodland Heights -- and are always pleased to show them off! Thank you for partnering with us to make this year the greatest in recent memory. We are off to a tremendous start, and with your support and partnership, we will definitely keep it rolling.
Why?
Our Teachers. I cannot say enough about the caliber of our teachers and staff supporting your child's learning at WHS. Our teachers and staff have attained a level of excellence and shown a level of dedication and caring for students unlike any I have had the privilege to observe over my long career in education. Woodland Heights teachers are absolutely amazing, and we all should be grateful for what they do to teach your children; affording them a first-rate academic program, and supporting the all-important development of their character and social skills. Our teachers' quality efforts and innumerable successes with students astound and inspire me every day.
Our Program. Working with our Superintendents, our Academic Coordinator of Teaching and Learning (ACTL), and with one another, our teachers are developing an academic program that is consistent with the rigorous academic goals of the Common Core State Standards. They work collaboratively to research and implement the best instructional practices in our field today. They make the magic of learning happen for our students every day at WHS. Further, our teachers are developing systems of assessment and the analysis of student testing data that inform them about what is working in our program, and where they can focus improvement efforts to further increase student achievement at WHS. Overlaying their efforts to develop and skillfully implement a rigorous academic program at Woodland Heights, our staff uses the Responsive Classroom Approach, our very own Project Wildcat, and their sincere commitment to support every student to high levels of academic and personal growth. Altogether, these efforts help each child attain her/his potential for success and happiness every day. It is not perfect (yet), but at Woodland Heights School, it is very, very good.
Our Students. You have given us tremendous young people to work with at Woodland Heights. I can hardly describe my sense of pride when I visit our classrooms and common areas and see the many ways that our students show that they are true WHS Wildcats! Their kindness and caring for one another is truly amazing. In so many ways, throughout their day, their goodness shows through. Usually without reward or recognition, they do the things that they do, instinctively and for the right reasons. As proud as I am about our school's academic growth and improving test scores, what our students show us everyday about the strength of their character is so much more powerful -- and will have so much more to do with their success and happiness in school, at work, and at home for the balance of their lives. Working with you, we are developing students who are smart, and good, at Woodland Heights.
Our Parents. I am continuously impressed by examples of what Woodland Heights parents will do to support their children and their education. They know and understand that education is the key that will unlock their child's potential and present many opportunities for success and happiness in life beyond WHS. Working together, we can make amazing things happen for your child at Woodland Heights School. Your love, care, and dedication to your family will make the greatest difference in the life of your child. For all that we can do at school to support your child, our effectiveness is limited without your support. Sending the right messages about school, education, and themselves, as well as maintaining a stable, safe, and nurturing environment at home, are by far the most powerful influences in your child's life and future success. The growth that we have made at Woodland Heights this year is in large part due to what you have done to prepare your child for school. At WHS, we are off to a fantastic start this year, and we thank you very, very much for that!
If you ever have questions about our school and what we are doing for your children, please contact your child's teacher or me at your convenience. If you would like to visit our school, take a tour, and see your teachers and students in action, please let us know. We are proud of the school and the community of learners that we have built at Woodland Heights -- and are always pleased to show them off! Thank you for partnering with us to make this year the greatest in recent memory. We are off to a tremendous start, and with your support and partnership, we will definitely keep it rolling.
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