Throughout this school year, the staff of WHS have committed to a continuous improvement model for our primary initiatives here at WHS (see our 'School Goals' tab on the banner to the right).
Perhaps the most critical of which, Response to Intervention (RtI), may be the least well understood. Here is a video that provides a nice overview of RtI. Although the video describes a general overview of RtI, each school community engages in a process of fashioning its RtI model to best meet the needs of their individual school context.
It is this evolving process of review and refinement of our WHS RtI model that is a major emphasis of our staff development and staff meeting time this year. In addition to a couple of well-attended trainings on RtI this year, we had a number of teachers attending a conference on the subject today (focusing on interventions related to mathematics instruction).
A very closely related concept/initiative that we also continue to work on is called 'Differentiated Instruction'. Here is a link to more information on Differentiation. In this approach to instruction and learning, teachers are mindful of student readiness, background, and interests to develop personalized instruction to meet the needs of our students as individuals. We are all different, and through Differentiation, we aim to develop academic programs, activites, and experiences that are tailored to meet each child's unique learning needs.
In both cases, RtI and Differentiation are about challenging ourselves to do our very best to meet the individual and unique learning need of each and every WHS student. Needless to say, this is no small feat. Only the best and most dedicated teachers can differentiate instruction effectively. Thankfully, that is what you have here at WHS -- an evolving learning community of excellence.
This is a very dynamic and exciting time in our school. Many thanks for your efforts to support your child's education. There is little doubt that our partnership will bring an enormously positive outcome for your child and her/his future. In fact, the proof of this is all around us at WHS every day! [The large and energetic Kindergarten parent volunteer crew who were on hand for our annual gingerbread house theme day activities this morning was absolutely amazing!!]
For more information on RtI and Differentiated Instruction at WHS, don't hesitate to call, stop by, or email Student Services Director Ryan Marsh at rmarsh@laconia.k12.nh.us or me at ddobe@laconia.k12.nh.us. As always, many thanks for your support!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
WHS Commons Computer Cluster Opens!
On Monday, December 6th, WHS will proudly open a new computer cluster for student, staff, and family use.
The new computer cluster features 24 networked, internet-accessible machines that are both fast and powerful. These will be 'state of the art' machines for our school and will be used extensively throughout the school day by whole classes, small groups, and even individual students as they work on projects related to their regular classroom program. In some cases, students will be using the new computers to shore up mastery of fundamental math or reading skills. In other cases, the cluster will be used for learning enrichment or extension activities.
The new computers have large monitors and headset/microphone units to further expand their utility. In addition, for our teachers there will be an interactive whiteboard and document camera on the premises which will offer them opportunities to use some of the most cutting-edge educational technology available.
We will be very excited to open our new cluster to our families a couple of nights a week beginning in January. The WHS Commons will be staffed by an experienced member of our faculty to help students and families use our computers to promote learning or other personal business needs. Families can also enjoy and sign out books or magazines from our school library collection during these evenings. Essentially, we want to invite you into our school to explore learning with quality books and computers, making the powerful resource of the WHS Commons available to you and your families.
Stop by sometime for a tour of our new computer cluster and see us in action as we continue to expand our capabilities as 21st Century learners at WHS!
The new computer cluster features 24 networked, internet-accessible machines that are both fast and powerful. These will be 'state of the art' machines for our school and will be used extensively throughout the school day by whole classes, small groups, and even individual students as they work on projects related to their regular classroom program. In some cases, students will be using the new computers to shore up mastery of fundamental math or reading skills. In other cases, the cluster will be used for learning enrichment or extension activities.
The new computers have large monitors and headset/microphone units to further expand their utility. In addition, for our teachers there will be an interactive whiteboard and document camera on the premises which will offer them opportunities to use some of the most cutting-edge educational technology available.
We will be very excited to open our new cluster to our families a couple of nights a week beginning in January. The WHS Commons will be staffed by an experienced member of our faculty to help students and families use our computers to promote learning or other personal business needs. Families can also enjoy and sign out books or magazines from our school library collection during these evenings. Essentially, we want to invite you into our school to explore learning with quality books and computers, making the powerful resource of the WHS Commons available to you and your families.
Stop by sometime for a tour of our new computer cluster and see us in action as we continue to expand our capabilities as 21st Century learners at WHS!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
At WHS, So Much To Be Thankful For
What am I thankful for at WHS? So very much.
I am thankful for our supportive and engaged parents who have actively participated in and/or enthusiastically attended our many events so far this year (Open House, Parent Conferences, Halloween Party, Thanksgiving Dinner, and DARE Graduation, as well as our many class parties, presentations, and fairs). I am grateful for our corps of dedicated, generous, and tireless parent volunteers who organize and staff our social events, and support our school program during the school day. I am thankful for our parents who have diligently followed our ‘Rules of School’ with regards to our traffic pattern and safety procedures. I am also thankful for our parents who have shown great patience and trust as we continue to evolve as a school community into the high achieving learning community of excellence that you want, and our students deserve. WHS Parents have ‘stepped-up’ to support a quality educational experience for their children, helping at home to prepare their children for success. Thanks and keep up the great work – it is making a difference at Woodland Heights School!
I am thankful for our selfless and dedicated staff who keep the needs and interests of children at the forefront of their minds; first, last, and always. The group of educators we are fortunate to call our own at WHS is nothing short of spectacular. What a team! This group works harder than you could know, continuously makes personal sacrifices for the betterment of the school and their students beyond what you could imagine, and (yes) loves your children (in many cases) as if they were their own. You should see them in action. They are truly amazing, and we should all be thankful for the gift of themselves that they give to our kids every moment of every school day.
I am thankful for our students who work hard and bring a bright smile, positive attitude, and good nature to our school every day. I am thankful for the joy, the humor, and the smiles that they bring into the lives of the adults who work at WHS. I am thankful for the kindness they show their classmates, and the respect their show for their teachers and bus drivers. I am thankful for their curiosity, their eagerness to learn and to please, and their desire to do the right thing at school -- because it is the right thing to do!
I am thankful for the opportunity to be your principal; the proud principal of Woodland Heights School -- a school that has been so excellent for so long, and one that has achieved so much yet still has so much untapped potential. It is a great privilege to be here with you at WHS. A great many ‘thanks!’ for your warm welcome into the WHS Community. It has been a challenge at times but, more so, it has been a true joy. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as your school principal.
I am certain that, together, we will accomplish great things at Woodland Heights School in the months ahead. I am sincerely thankful for that prospect.
‘Happy Thanksgiving’ to you and your wonderful family.
Warmly and sincerely,
Dennis Dobe
I am thankful for our supportive and engaged parents who have actively participated in and/or enthusiastically attended our many events so far this year (Open House, Parent Conferences, Halloween Party, Thanksgiving Dinner, and DARE Graduation, as well as our many class parties, presentations, and fairs). I am grateful for our corps of dedicated, generous, and tireless parent volunteers who organize and staff our social events, and support our school program during the school day. I am thankful for our parents who have diligently followed our ‘Rules of School’ with regards to our traffic pattern and safety procedures. I am also thankful for our parents who have shown great patience and trust as we continue to evolve as a school community into the high achieving learning community of excellence that you want, and our students deserve. WHS Parents have ‘stepped-up’ to support a quality educational experience for their children, helping at home to prepare their children for success. Thanks and keep up the great work – it is making a difference at Woodland Heights School!
I am thankful for our selfless and dedicated staff who keep the needs and interests of children at the forefront of their minds; first, last, and always. The group of educators we are fortunate to call our own at WHS is nothing short of spectacular. What a team! This group works harder than you could know, continuously makes personal sacrifices for the betterment of the school and their students beyond what you could imagine, and (yes) loves your children (in many cases) as if they were their own. You should see them in action. They are truly amazing, and we should all be thankful for the gift of themselves that they give to our kids every moment of every school day.
I am thankful for our students who work hard and bring a bright smile, positive attitude, and good nature to our school every day. I am thankful for the joy, the humor, and the smiles that they bring into the lives of the adults who work at WHS. I am thankful for the kindness they show their classmates, and the respect their show for their teachers and bus drivers. I am thankful for their curiosity, their eagerness to learn and to please, and their desire to do the right thing at school -- because it is the right thing to do!
I am thankful for the opportunity to be your principal; the proud principal of Woodland Heights School -- a school that has been so excellent for so long, and one that has achieved so much yet still has so much untapped potential. It is a great privilege to be here with you at WHS. A great many ‘thanks!’ for your warm welcome into the WHS Community. It has been a challenge at times but, more so, it has been a true joy. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as your school principal.
I am certain that, together, we will accomplish great things at Woodland Heights School in the months ahead. I am sincerely thankful for that prospect.
‘Happy Thanksgiving’ to you and your wonderful family.
Warmly and sincerely,
Dennis Dobe
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
WHS Parents Stepping Up!!
Wow, two weeks since my last post. Bad idea, I'll try to keep updates coming more regularly moving forward. There is way too much going on at WHS all the time to keep up otherwise.
So what's been going on?? A G-R-E-A-T deal! Almost too much to list really, but I do want to spend a bit of ink telling you about how impressed I have been with the manner in which WHS Parents have been 'Stepping Up'. Huge!
Since my last letter to parents: WHAVE has sponsored a Halloween Party which was very well attended and a great time for all (parent and student volunteers made enormous contributions, without such, the event never could have happened), and WHAVE organized a number of activities and fundraisers in conjunction with our Fall Parent Conference Day on November 1oth. Speaking of Parent Conference Day, the event was fantastically well-attended with excited students and proud parents filling our hallways and classrooms until after 8pm. The highlight of Parent Conference Day for the kids had to be the WHS Scholastic Book Fair evening hours which allowed many kids a chance to stock up on some great reads at reasonable prices -- thanks for supporting your child's desire to read and learn! WHS parent volunteers came up huge for us in both of these events -- we are SO fortunate for the contributions of our parent volunteers!
What's coming up for WHS parents and families? On Thursday, WHS will host its annual Thanksgiving Dinner. This huge event offers families an opportunity to come togther here at WHS to enjoy a fabulous Thanksgiving meal with family, friends, classmates and teachers. Like the tone and feel of our Parent Conference evening, the Thanksgiving Dinner will provide a lot of 'good vibes' and positive energy for those in attendance as we continue to build our sense of 'Community' here at WHS.
O.K., what's next? WHAVE will sponsor another major event on the evening of Friday, December 3rd beginning at 6pm: WHS Polar Express Night! You can find more information about this WHAVE event on our school website and the fabulous WHAVE newsletter that just went out to you.
As with the events outlined above, the many field trips that WHS parents chaperoned this fall, all of the encouragement and support they offer their children, and the manner in which they communicate and partner with our teachers; we at WHS are extremely grateful for the support and collaboration of our school's parents. Where would we be without you??
WHS parents, many thanks for all that you do for all of us.
Dennis
So what's been going on?? A G-R-E-A-T deal! Almost too much to list really, but I do want to spend a bit of ink telling you about how impressed I have been with the manner in which WHS Parents have been 'Stepping Up'. Huge!
Since my last letter to parents: WHAVE has sponsored a Halloween Party which was very well attended and a great time for all (parent and student volunteers made enormous contributions, without such, the event never could have happened), and WHAVE organized a number of activities and fundraisers in conjunction with our Fall Parent Conference Day on November 1oth. Speaking of Parent Conference Day, the event was fantastically well-attended with excited students and proud parents filling our hallways and classrooms until after 8pm. The highlight of Parent Conference Day for the kids had to be the WHS Scholastic Book Fair evening hours which allowed many kids a chance to stock up on some great reads at reasonable prices -- thanks for supporting your child's desire to read and learn! WHS parent volunteers came up huge for us in both of these events -- we are SO fortunate for the contributions of our parent volunteers!
What's coming up for WHS parents and families? On Thursday, WHS will host its annual Thanksgiving Dinner. This huge event offers families an opportunity to come togther here at WHS to enjoy a fabulous Thanksgiving meal with family, friends, classmates and teachers. Like the tone and feel of our Parent Conference evening, the Thanksgiving Dinner will provide a lot of 'good vibes' and positive energy for those in attendance as we continue to build our sense of 'Community' here at WHS.
O.K., what's next? WHAVE will sponsor another major event on the evening of Friday, December 3rd beginning at 6pm: WHS Polar Express Night! You can find more information about this WHAVE event on our school website and the fabulous WHAVE newsletter that just went out to you.
As with the events outlined above, the many field trips that WHS parents chaperoned this fall, all of the encouragement and support they offer their children, and the manner in which they communicate and partner with our teachers; we at WHS are extremely grateful for the support and collaboration of our school's parents. Where would we be without you??
WHS parents, many thanks for all that you do for all of us.
Dennis
Monday, October 25, 2010
WHS Bus Safety Week, October 25-29
The quality of a student's experience on their way to school or home can have a large effect on her or his day at school, as well as the child's general comfort with his or her overall schooling experience.
The experience of the child's morning at home and trip to school sets the tone for the new school day. The experience of the child's return trip to home in the afternoon has much to do with how the student perceives the school day. If a student's ride to school is poor, s/he arrives to school agitated and off balance. The rest of the day can be an uphill climb. If the ride home is poor, it can eclipse all the good work the that student and teachers had done that day. This is why it is so important that we assure a quality experience for our bus riders every day at Woodland Heights.
After meeting with bus company managers last week to begin our cooperative work toward improving our busing situation for both students and drivers, this week we will be celebrating 'WHS Bus Safety Week'. During the week I'll be hosting a meeting for our school's bus drivers to discuss and 'tweak' our school's busing system, and support the further development of their student management skills. I'll also be visiting classes at WHS to make presentations that remind students of bus safety and behavior guidelines, and the importance of their following the guidelines without exception. We will likely begin an assigned seating system on our buses whereby students will be seated with their grade level and school peers (i.e., WHS kids with WHS kids, 1st Graders with 1st Graders).
In addition, we are investigating the possibility of implementing the common practice of installing video cameras on our buses to assist in maintaining a safe and appropriate riding climate for our students and drivers. In other school districts that I have been fortunate to serve, a video camera system has done much to encourage better conduct by everyone on the bus, has been helpful in the accurate and efficient investigation of bus disciplinary infractions, and has actually exonerated students wrongly accused of bus infractions. Placing video cameras on our buses would be an enormous benefit to everyone involved in the bus riding experience at WHS.
Stay turned for more details! As always, don't hesitate to contact me at school, or by email (ddobe@laconia.k12.nh.us) if I can answer any of your questions of be of service to you in any way.
Have a great week!
The experience of the child's morning at home and trip to school sets the tone for the new school day. The experience of the child's return trip to home in the afternoon has much to do with how the student perceives the school day. If a student's ride to school is poor, s/he arrives to school agitated and off balance. The rest of the day can be an uphill climb. If the ride home is poor, it can eclipse all the good work the that student and teachers had done that day. This is why it is so important that we assure a quality experience for our bus riders every day at Woodland Heights.
After meeting with bus company managers last week to begin our cooperative work toward improving our busing situation for both students and drivers, this week we will be celebrating 'WHS Bus Safety Week'. During the week I'll be hosting a meeting for our school's bus drivers to discuss and 'tweak' our school's busing system, and support the further development of their student management skills. I'll also be visiting classes at WHS to make presentations that remind students of bus safety and behavior guidelines, and the importance of their following the guidelines without exception. We will likely begin an assigned seating system on our buses whereby students will be seated with their grade level and school peers (i.e., WHS kids with WHS kids, 1st Graders with 1st Graders).
In addition, we are investigating the possibility of implementing the common practice of installing video cameras on our buses to assist in maintaining a safe and appropriate riding climate for our students and drivers. In other school districts that I have been fortunate to serve, a video camera system has done much to encourage better conduct by everyone on the bus, has been helpful in the accurate and efficient investigation of bus disciplinary infractions, and has actually exonerated students wrongly accused of bus infractions. Placing video cameras on our buses would be an enormous benefit to everyone involved in the bus riding experience at WHS.
Stay turned for more details! As always, don't hesitate to contact me at school, or by email (ddobe@laconia.k12.nh.us) if I can answer any of your questions of be of service to you in any way.
Have a great week!
Friday, October 15, 2010
WHS Parent Forum on School Improvement Announced
Wow, another great week at WHS! Despite a soggy Friday, we enjoyed a lot of outstanding fall weather while at recesses earlier in the week. A highlight at the end of last week was the opportunity for some of our 1st Graders to plant two new apple trees on our campus (thank you Mrs. Levesque, Mr. Caruso, and Petal Pushers Farm!). Our students and staff worked hard in their classrooms this week, and our 3rd & 4th Graders took their NECAP assessment this week -- we were busy!
Speaking of NECAP, there have been some questions raised by parents about the tests and what the results tell us about our school. I would like to invite all WHS parents into the school on Thursday evening, October 21st, from 7-8pm. in our school library to discuss our most recent NECAP school results and our School in Need of Improvement (SINI) designation. Coffee and light refreshments will be served!
The WHS Staff is continually involved in personal professional development, and are actively and productively engaged in many school improvement initiatives as well. On the 19th, I'd like to share: an overview of the NECAP assessment program at WHS, our school's performance on that assessment over recent years, our SINI status and what that means, our school goals for this year, and an update on our school improvement intitiatives.
The night should be both informative and highly interactive. During the meeting, we hope to address your concerns and answer your questions about our school and our course for ongoing school improvement. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Speaking of NECAP, there have been some questions raised by parents about the tests and what the results tell us about our school. I would like to invite all WHS parents into the school on Thursday evening, October 21st, from 7-8pm. in our school library to discuss our most recent NECAP school results and our School in Need of Improvement (SINI) designation. Coffee and light refreshments will be served!
The WHS Staff is continually involved in personal professional development, and are actively and productively engaged in many school improvement initiatives as well. On the 19th, I'd like to share: an overview of the NECAP assessment program at WHS, our school's performance on that assessment over recent years, our SINI status and what that means, our school goals for this year, and an update on our school improvement intitiatives.
The night should be both informative and highly interactive. During the meeting, we hope to address your concerns and answer your questions about our school and our course for ongoing school improvement. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Lots of Hard Work and Testing Lead Up to Long Weekend
For the weeks prior to our fist long weekend since Labor Day, students and staff have been very busily attending to their program of study and participating in two important assessments: the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress and the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP). All of ur Grade 3-5 students have completed their fall NWEA testing (results due back shortly), and Grade 5 students have completed their NECAP testing (Grade 3 & 4 will take their NECAP tests this coming week).
Also recently, a number of classes have enjoyed their annual fall field trips that have been extremely educational and enjoyable for all in attendance. Our intrepid third graders even braved cool, blustery, and wet weather for their annual City of Laconia walking field trip.
Back to academics and testing. A couple of weeks ago, you received a letter authored by our school superintendent, Mr. Robert Champlin, notifying you of our 'School in Need of Improvement' status for the coming year. This is nothing new for our school district or for most school districts across our state. In fact, with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) 'passing' bar raised significantly over the past year, many schools who have long enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence have now found themselves on the 'School in Need of Improvement' list -- in fact very few schools in the state have escaped the designation to this point. With the cut-off for a shool's passing grade at above 90% of their entire student population (and every subgroup as well -- i.e., special education, socioeconomic status, students with limited english proficiency, etc.) needing to achieve a score of 'Proficient' (a rigorous mark to meet for any student), many great schools are now being informed that they are a school in need of improvement.
A number of WHS parents have expressed an interest in learning more about the 'No Child Left Behind' law, the NECAP testing process (the results of this test determine our school's NCLB status), and our school's plan to adress our School in Need of Improvement designation. Fabulous! Even better: a few parents have offered to become part of the solution at WHS and join our School in Need of Improvement (SINI) Team!
I am looking to set a date in the next week or two to meet with parents to discuss these matters. Hopefully, we'll be able to conduct a webinar for those who can't attend our meeting, or at least record the meeting for a podcast to post on this blog. If you are interested in attending, please email me (ddobe@laconia.k12.nh.us) and share what upcoming days would be best for a 7:00-8:00pm. meeting (or which days should be avoided), and we will publicize the meeting as soon as the date is set.
In the interim, you can begin to review our school's recent NECAP results at : http://reporting.measuredprogress.org/nhprofile/reports.aspx. Results for this year's NECAP test administration will not be available until mid-winter.
Many thanks for your interest and involvement, everyone. At WHS, we are a very good school with a determination to become a GREAT school!! With your support, we are sure to get there.
Have a great week!!
Dennis
Also recently, a number of classes have enjoyed their annual fall field trips that have been extremely educational and enjoyable for all in attendance. Our intrepid third graders even braved cool, blustery, and wet weather for their annual City of Laconia walking field trip.
Back to academics and testing. A couple of weeks ago, you received a letter authored by our school superintendent, Mr. Robert Champlin, notifying you of our 'School in Need of Improvement' status for the coming year. This is nothing new for our school district or for most school districts across our state. In fact, with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) 'passing' bar raised significantly over the past year, many schools who have long enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence have now found themselves on the 'School in Need of Improvement' list -- in fact very few schools in the state have escaped the designation to this point. With the cut-off for a shool's passing grade at above 90% of their entire student population (and every subgroup as well -- i.e., special education, socioeconomic status, students with limited english proficiency, etc.) needing to achieve a score of 'Proficient' (a rigorous mark to meet for any student), many great schools are now being informed that they are a school in need of improvement.
A number of WHS parents have expressed an interest in learning more about the 'No Child Left Behind' law, the NECAP testing process (the results of this test determine our school's NCLB status), and our school's plan to adress our School in Need of Improvement designation. Fabulous! Even better: a few parents have offered to become part of the solution at WHS and join our School in Need of Improvement (SINI) Team!
I am looking to set a date in the next week or two to meet with parents to discuss these matters. Hopefully, we'll be able to conduct a webinar for those who can't attend our meeting, or at least record the meeting for a podcast to post on this blog. If you are interested in attending, please email me (ddobe@laconia.k12.nh.us) and share what upcoming days would be best for a 7:00-8:00pm. meeting (or which days should be avoided), and we will publicize the meeting as soon as the date is set.
In the interim, you can begin to review our school's recent NECAP results at : http://reporting.measuredprogress.org/nhprofile/reports.aspx. Results for this year's NECAP test administration will not be available until mid-winter.
Many thanks for your interest and involvement, everyone. At WHS, we are a very good school with a determination to become a GREAT school!! With your support, we are sure to get there.
Have a great week!!
Dennis
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