MRHS Shark Sightings Post #7 10.18.16
MRHS's First Faculty Meeting "Unconference"
October 25, 2016 2:45-3:45
What is an "Unconference"
An unconference, also called an Open Space conference, is a participant-driven meeting. The term "unconference" has been applied, or self-applied, to a wide range of gatherings that try to avoid one or more aspects of a traditional conference, such as fees, sponsored presentations, and top-down organization. Wikipedia
MRHS's Focus on Professional Learning
At MRHS, we have made a collaborative decision to ensure our faculty meeting time is productive and focused on professional learning. We have made a concerted effort to avoid agendas bloated with information that can be shared in an email or on our blog. We also want to focus on tapping into the brilliance of the educators in our school, allowing OUR staff to share best practices and ideas. Finally, we believe that allowing everyone a choice of topic to attend is an important part of our learning. So, how will we accomplish this?
MRHS's 1st Unconference - Brass Tacks
Teachers, teaching assistants, and administrators volunteer to lead a topic of learning to facilitate. One week in advance, teachers and teaching assistants are given at least four staff led topics to choose from. Participants are encouraged to be actively involved with their learning and are able to attend multiple presentations if they chose.
Unconference Schedule: 2:45-3:45
1. "Beyond the Poster: Chromebook Compatible Tools for Creating Infographics" - Sarah Wheaton, Library
2. "Aspen Help" Support for Gradebook and/or Aspen pages. Also, help to link Google Classroom to Aspen Pages - Liz Hoff, room A209 ***please bring your laptop***
3. "Creating an Early Home-School Connection" - Zack Gill, room A256
4. "Strategies for Struggling Learners" - Dave Alexander, room a234 **please bring your favorite lessons and strategies for helping struggling learners**
5. Turnitin Software Support & Instruction: A212 (Upstairs Conference room) A trained Turnitin representative will be hosting an informational and support experience
5. Turnitin Software Support & Instruction: A212 (Upstairs Conference room) A trained Turnitin representative will be hosting an informational and support experience
Updated Beverages in Classroom Policy Update:
Good morning, our students, staff and administration have been discussing the role of beverages allowed in classrooms these past three years. I have arrived at a decision regarding beverages in the classroom based on collaboration from our students, staff and administration. Specifically, I have received student input via class officers, teacher input through our faculty senate, and custodial and administrative feedback through our leadership team. Additionally, my experience has been that our students have been extremely mature in following our school rules and procedures.
Effective immediately, beverages may be allowed in first block classes only, and must be discarded by the end of the period. Students are responsible for making sure the classroom environment is clean and any spills must be addressed by the student. Teacher's have full discretion in their classrooms and may ban beverages during first block if they so choose. Teachers will inform their students about their first block beverage policy. I have full confidence that our students will appreciate this privilege and ensure our school continues to be a clean place to learn.
Bill Burkhead
Bill Burkhead
Every Kid Needs A Champion
This week I thought I'd feature a TED Talk video as my article of the week. TED Talk Every Kid Needs A Champion by Rita Pierson speaks closely to our focus this year on the concept that "You Are Important." Val Cote shared this video with her department last week to make this connection. It was the first time I had the opportunity to see it and was impressed. Educators are champions and we need to take the role of educating the whole child very seriously. Ms. Pierson points out that something we "rarely discuss" in education is "relationships." I am proud of the fact that here at MRHS we consistently discuss the importance of relationships and the importance to take the time to build them one at a time. Our focus "You Are Important" continues to spread through the school (Coach Demanche's football team jersey share initiative, Math department bulletin board, Ms. Cote's department discussion & Ms. Flint's Student of the Month idea- see below).
At this week's Culture Committee meeting (open to ALL Staff- please join our next meeting) we collaborated on the idea of a Wall of Fame project. At the November faculty meeting we'd like to identify the qualities we admire in each of the 610+ students in our school. We'll work in groups, have fun using art supplies and collectively document a positive attribute for each of our kids to be displayed along the great wall on main street between the auditorium doors. Stay tuned!
You Are Important in Science!
Thank you Ms. Flint for this idea
Based on the attached "schedule" everyone will get to nominate 5 students this year for recognition as an STE Student of the Month
What I like about this is that it takes the focus off comparing one student/course to another and instead allows each teacher the opportunity to recognize a student in his/her class. Obviously, if you want to swap months or grades with someone, you can decide that among yourselves. However, I would like everyone to have an equal opportunity to nominate students. Remember, not everyone can get an award - it just gives us a chance to remind students that they are IMPORTANT.
I will take care of certificates, photos, etc. I am planning on decorating the case across from my classroom and displaying information about our students there. If you have been assigned the month of November, please send me the name of a student from your class and a quick blurb about why they were chosen by October 24th.
If you need any assistance with Aspen, Google, Hive School, or if you have basic computer questions, please contact Liz Hoff, MRHS Technology Teacher Leader, at ehoff@monomoy.edu or visit her in room A209. Her office hours are blocks A and E on days 1, 3, and 6 and after school.
Technology Tip
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