Unfortunately, due to a winter storm on Friday, January 21st, a much anticipated 'staff inservice training day' at WHS was cancelled. Like any school closure, this cancellation was a huge disappointment for our staff. We had been planning our staff training program for many weeks and the prospect of losing the day was a tough one for all of us. Nonetheless, we will have other opportunities to learn and grow together and get better and better at what we do. The reality is, as a teacher you can never stop learning.
In the field of education, there are always new methods, strategies, programs and systems to learn. Furthermore, with the advent of computer and other information technologies all over the world and in its in schools, there has been a resulting exponential increase in the breadth of human knowledge and a corresponding increase in a teacher's required skill base. For our teachers, it can sometimes feel as if they are running endlessly on a hamster wheel (without ever quite reaching the cheese!). Add to all of that the ever-increasing demands, challenges, and expecations for our public school system, and you see that it is more complicated and more difficult to become(or remain)a successful teacher with each passing year.
What does this mean for teachers? Continuous learning and continuous improvement. WHS teachers are afforded four 'inservice training days' (i.e., you are 'on the clock' learning and working for the school district on those days). Beyond those inservice days, our teachers spend countless hours reading books, journals and magazines, and taking graduate level college courses. The attend weekly committee and team meetings expanding their depth of understanding, and sharing that professional growth with fellow staff members. In addition, they are continuously researching promising new opportunities for learning on the internet, and spend large blocks of time over the summer immersed in curriculum or program development work with their colleagues. It is also over the summer months that teachers receive the bulk of of their training on new district or school-based initiaitives.
LEARNING is the name of our game, and as career educators, we've grown pretty good at working either side of the desk. It's just part of what we do as 21st Century teachers at Woodland Heights School. Lifelong learning is definitely in the future for our students as well, and we love to model the workplace of the future for them at WHS!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Snow Days, Early Dismissals, and Delayed Openings, Oh My!!
Living in New Hampshire offers so many rewards and so many charms. As those of us who have called the 'Granite State' our home for any length of time know well, there is much truth in the old addage: "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute."
This truism creates real headaches for school superintendents during the wintertime. Our long, difficult winters and their associated storms can be very hard to forecast accurately. If the storm appears severe enough, superintendents need to make very important decisions regarding school closures, delays or early dismissals. Oftentimes, those decision must be made with limited or unreliable weather information. When the possibility of inclement weather presents itself, they often need to make their 'call' well in advance of achieving any real certainty about what the weather will actually hold. This is because the school district needs to give significant notice to families and school staff about school closure plans when when poor weather is imminent. Our superintendents need to make certain that families have ample time to make necessary arrangements for the care of their children when school is closed.
The uncertainties of the weather and the consequences of making the 'wrong call' make the superintendents uneasy, and the rest of us,too. What we need to remember when these decisions are made is that the underlying reason for the closure decision is to assure the safety of the students; first, last, and always. If a superintendent cannot be certain that the buses will be able to safely make their routes and that students walking are sufficiently visable to motorists (over high snowbanks, etc.), then s/he needs to make the school closure call. Although content in his or her heart that the call was made in the best safety interests of children, they also know how 'the call' can inconvenience families who need to make arrangements to miss work or have a trusted party care for their children so that they can go to work (sometimes incurring a considerable babysitting expense).
Living in New Hampshire is not easy, and long, uncertain winters are the norm. There is excitement in that uncertainty, and prospect of a 'snow day' for the children always seems like a gift -- at least to them!
As the coming weeks of winter unfold and new storms head our way, please remember that school delay, cancellation, or early dismissal decisions are not made lightly, but always with the right thing as the first priority: the safety and well-being of your children.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!
This truism creates real headaches for school superintendents during the wintertime. Our long, difficult winters and their associated storms can be very hard to forecast accurately. If the storm appears severe enough, superintendents need to make very important decisions regarding school closures, delays or early dismissals. Oftentimes, those decision must be made with limited or unreliable weather information. When the possibility of inclement weather presents itself, they often need to make their 'call' well in advance of achieving any real certainty about what the weather will actually hold. This is because the school district needs to give significant notice to families and school staff about school closure plans when when poor weather is imminent. Our superintendents need to make certain that families have ample time to make necessary arrangements for the care of their children when school is closed.
The uncertainties of the weather and the consequences of making the 'wrong call' make the superintendents uneasy, and the rest of us,too. What we need to remember when these decisions are made is that the underlying reason for the closure decision is to assure the safety of the students; first, last, and always. If a superintendent cannot be certain that the buses will be able to safely make their routes and that students walking are sufficiently visable to motorists (over high snowbanks, etc.), then s/he needs to make the school closure call. Although content in his or her heart that the call was made in the best safety interests of children, they also know how 'the call' can inconvenience families who need to make arrangements to miss work or have a trusted party care for their children so that they can go to work (sometimes incurring a considerable babysitting expense).
Living in New Hampshire is not easy, and long, uncertain winters are the norm. There is excitement in that uncertainty, and prospect of a 'snow day' for the children always seems like a gift -- at least to them!
As the coming weeks of winter unfold and new storms head our way, please remember that school delay, cancellation, or early dismissal decisions are not made lightly, but always with the right thing as the first priority: the safety and well-being of your children.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
WHS Begins the Year with Assessments and Technology
The main themes of our school since returning from the Holiday Break are Assessment, and Technology (sometimes both).
In the area of assessment .....
Mrs. Bergman and our team of 'Interventionists' (Title I Tutors and Special Educators) began the new year administering the DIBELS reading assessment to all of our students in Grades K-5. This test is quick and easy to administer, and gives students an opportunity to work one-on-one with a teacher who administers the test and analyzes student performance. These test results are then used by our interventionists and classroom teachers to measure student progress, effectiveness of programs, and organizing students for new instructional groups.
The F&P Benchmark Assessment is administered by our Grade 3-5 classroom teachers and measures student reading levels. This helps teachers chart student progress, connect students with 'just right' books, and form reading groups (Literature Circles).
A computer-based test of reading and math proficiency, the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress, was administered by Mrs. Bergmann and Grade 3-5 classroom teachers during the weeks of January 10th and 17th.
There are formal mid-year tests specific to our district-wide reading program, Houghton-Mifflin, that teacher teams in Grades 1-5 administer to students that help us track their performance relative to the literacy program adopted by the school district four years ago.
Meanwhile, our Kindergarten teachers have been administering a comprehensive mid-year assessments of their own. The PALS tests measure student progress in key academic areas. This assessment is administered by our Kindergarten teachers.
In the area of technology ...
The new WHS Commons has been buzzing with activity during the school day, after school, and in the evenings.
Both small and large groups of students have been visiting the Commons on a daily basis now, and the area is already becoming a powerful new component of our overall school program for students. The access that this cluster has offered our students and staff has been remarkable. It is such a joy to see an under-utilized part of our school come to life with such vitality and energy.
The Commons has also been used by Project Extra! for some closely supervised academic enrichment opportunities during the after school hours. Additionally, it has been wonderful to open the area to families during our 'Family Night in the Commons' series which is really starting to catch some steam and is growing into an important opportunity for students and their families to access some great technology and receive computer training and support in the process!
Did you notice that we have a new look? That's right, WHS now has a brand new website. As part of a district-wide initiative to clean-up, upgrade,and update our school websites, we had the district's team of 'webmasters' (we are pleased to be represented by Mrs. Plourde in this group)meet this past Monday to begin the transitional process of moving to the new website format. We still have a lot of work to do, and are hopeful that you will be pleased with the final result. Please do not hesitate to share any feedback that you have to offer about our new website -- you can email Mrs. Plourde at mplourde@laconia.k12.nh.us with compliments or suggestions.
Lastly, our school's new 'Pathways to Learning' computer cluster was networked and made available to students just today. Some of Mr. Beyer's students were the very first to use the new computers. This cluster was established through a grant for reading and math interventions (to afford students extra support for their learning).
That should do it for now. Many thanks for your ongoing support of our school, its staff, and (most of all) its students!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Even January is a Busy Month at WHS!
Hello!
All of your friends here at WHS wish that you and your loved ones enjoyed a happy and safe holiday season. With the onset of a new year, we often reflect on the year that was, and begin to dream about the year that will be. Welcome to 2011!!
At WHS, we'll be starting our new year in much the same fashion as we ended 2010 -- with a high degree of activity during the school day for our students and staff, and in the evenings with our WHS parents and families.
Here is a podcast that provides an overview of our activities here at WHS during the month of January. (Unfortunately, it will sometimes take a little while for podcasts to load, so please be patient -- and thanks for listening!)
When the kids come back to school beginning on January 3rd, don't forget that they should bring all of their 'winter gear' (coat, snowpants, boots, hat, gloves/mittens) every day, regardless of the weather forecast. We want to keep the kids happy and healthy over the winter months, and a big part of that is getting them outside for vigorous physical exercise during recess time. If students don't bring appropriate winter clothing, they cannot go outside, and this is disappointing for everyone involved. Thanks for your help with this!
Until next time,
Dennis
All of your friends here at WHS wish that you and your loved ones enjoyed a happy and safe holiday season. With the onset of a new year, we often reflect on the year that was, and begin to dream about the year that will be. Welcome to 2011!!
At WHS, we'll be starting our new year in much the same fashion as we ended 2010 -- with a high degree of activity during the school day for our students and staff, and in the evenings with our WHS parents and families.
Here is a podcast that provides an overview of our activities here at WHS during the month of January. (Unfortunately, it will sometimes take a little while for podcasts to load, so please be patient -- and thanks for listening!)
When the kids come back to school beginning on January 3rd, don't forget that they should bring all of their 'winter gear' (coat, snowpants, boots, hat, gloves/mittens) every day, regardless of the weather forecast. We want to keep the kids happy and healthy over the winter months, and a big part of that is getting them outside for vigorous physical exercise during recess time. If students don't bring appropriate winter clothing, they cannot go outside, and this is disappointing for everyone involved. Thanks for your help with this!
Until next time,
Dennis
Saturday, December 18, 2010
'WHS Family Night in the Commons' Series Soon to Begin!
Now that the new WHS Commons Computer Cluster is up and running, and we've worked out a few bugs, we are ready to open it to our families in the evenings for child and adult learning, as well as for personal and business use. We are very proud of our 'Commons' and are eager to share it with you and your family. Click on this link for a video tour of our fantastic new learning facility, the WHS Commons. You might want to go to 'full screen' image (button found to the lower right of the main viewing frame) while you view the video to avoid the list of video 'suggestions' to the right of the main frame -- though many of them are pretty interesting and worth your perusal at some point.
The first installment of 'WHS Family Night in the Commons' will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-8pm. throughout the months of January and February, 2011. If these events are well-attended, there is a possibility that we'll be able to offer a second session during the months of March and April, 2011.
In addition to high-speed internet access, our WHSCCC machines boast fast and powerful processing, headset/microphone units, DVD players/burners, and multiple USB ports. We have a quality printer available for a 'reasonable' amount of participant document/image printing. Also, we have an interactive whiteboard and a document camera for use in making presentations or performing instruction -- bring a group, hold a meeting, develop and practice a presentation, etc.
Perhaps best of all, the WHS Family Technology Nights will be staffed by WHS personnel qualified to offer you not only technology support while you visit, but also some valuable training on programs and skills so important for student and adult learning, business, and 21st Century electronic communications, as well as electronic media creation, use, and storage. We'll provide more information shortly on the schedule of training programs that we plan offer over the course of the program. Learn, grow, and have fun with your family in the process -- a winning formula for sure! If that isn't enought for you, we will be able to share our school's entire library print collection (books & magazines) during our 'Family Night in the Commons' Series -- you'll even be able to sign-out and borrow our print materials for use and enjoyment at home with your families!
The 21st Century is here, and your Woodland Heights School is poised to support the development of your family's skills and abilities in accessing and making productive use of the power and potential of the internet and 21st Century tools for learning and communication.
At WHS we are excited to be your public learning community and invite you to join us we continue our growth toward true excellence in learning experiences for both our students, our families, and our community. Join us, partner with us, and help us to be all that we can for you and your entire family.
The first installment of 'WHS Family Night in the Commons' will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-8pm. throughout the months of January and February, 2011. If these events are well-attended, there is a possibility that we'll be able to offer a second session during the months of March and April, 2011.
In addition to high-speed internet access, our WHSCCC machines boast fast and powerful processing, headset/microphone units, DVD players/burners, and multiple USB ports. We have a quality printer available for a 'reasonable' amount of participant document/image printing. Also, we have an interactive whiteboard and a document camera for use in making presentations or performing instruction -- bring a group, hold a meeting, develop and practice a presentation, etc.
Perhaps best of all, the WHS Family Technology Nights will be staffed by WHS personnel qualified to offer you not only technology support while you visit, but also some valuable training on programs and skills so important for student and adult learning, business, and 21st Century electronic communications, as well as electronic media creation, use, and storage. We'll provide more information shortly on the schedule of training programs that we plan offer over the course of the program. Learn, grow, and have fun with your family in the process -- a winning formula for sure! If that isn't enought for you, we will be able to share our school's entire library print collection (books & magazines) during our 'Family Night in the Commons' Series -- you'll even be able to sign-out and borrow our print materials for use and enjoyment at home with your families!
The 21st Century is here, and your Woodland Heights School is poised to support the development of your family's skills and abilities in accessing and making productive use of the power and potential of the internet and 21st Century tools for learning and communication.
At WHS we are excited to be your public learning community and invite you to join us we continue our growth toward true excellence in learning experiences for both our students, our families, and our community. Join us, partner with us, and help us to be all that we can for you and your entire family.
Friday, December 10, 2010
RtI and Differentiated Instruction are Major Focal Areas at WHS!
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!
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 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!
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