Memorial Day Week

CURRICULUM PRELIMINARILY APPROVED

I had the chance to go to the curriculum committee last week to present the high school, middle school, and elementary school curriculum. The board was very happy with the direction we have gone. Most of the discussion stayed on the high school electives. The expressed that they appreciated students having choices after the two required courses. They asked that we look to bringing back the athletic training class some time down the line. All in all, it was super positive.

On a personal note, I would like to publicly thank our curriculum writing teams: Doug Blacksmith, Donna Rupp, Jamie Croft, Cecelia Clippinger, Eric Richardson, Colleen Staton, and Brian Rupp. Your hard work and countless extra hours helped to shape the vision for the future of department and the district. While the board thanked me, you truly deserve the credit. THANK YOU!

Also thanks to our administrators who walked us through the tough times and a few frustrations: Brian Robinson, Rob Martin, Judy Baumgardner, Gary Quigley, Michele Virtue, and Matt Treese. Your support and ability to bring calm helped this happen.

Now the work begins… let’s invest and make these courses great.

SECONDARY UNIFORM UPDATE

In the name of not doing too much too soon, we are going to continue with the current uniform policy at the secondary level. I will be doing PO’s for the uniforms in the coming weeks. Please make sure your order is in the sheet.

FIELD DAY UPDATE:

Thank you to all of you for running great field days. I get to hear feedback from district admin and it is always positive. You truly make a difference with kids.

The use of the Google docs and sheets have been well received with our high school attendance secretaries. It truly made their jobs easier. Any feedback on your end of thing?

GREAT VIDEO: 2 Myths of education with Seth Godin

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

May 26: Activity logs due as directed by your principal

June 2: Half Day for students

June 5: AM – Schoology Training in building

PM – High School New Curriculum planning

Middle School PBL Training in HS IMC

Elementary new curriculum discussion at HS

June 12: Full day New Curriculum Training (register on 48 carats)

May Department Blog

Curriculum goes to board!

Friday, May 12, 2017, the education committee will (hopefully) approve the curriculum maps from the new curriculum that was written. When approved it goes to pilot for next school year where we use it and provide feedback for adjustments. Full implementation will happen the following year.

Atomic Learning to Replace EDUPlanet next year!

The school district is moving to a new online PD platform that will streamline and make things much easier to complete. It’s called atomic learning and it is available now if you would like to use it. Just click the link and use your novell login. Most of the sessions are trade time eligible with approved RPL.

Technology Update

Laptop carts are going to be updated and collected at the end of the school year. Devices will be collected at the direction of the technology department at the end of the school year.

Professional Development

June 5, 2017: Schoology Training in the morning. The afternoon is still being discussed. I am hoping we can get together as a group. Stay tuned…

Monday, June 12, 2017, from 8-4, we will be doing new curriculum planning for next year. You can register on 48 carats now. Hope to see everyone! There will be a brief group session, and then we will break out by level.

On Thursday, June 15, 2017, from 8-4, I will be running a Health & Wellness Innovation Workshop at PATTAN in Harrisburg. The cost is $45 and you can register at psahperd.org. Mr. Kirkpatrick has said that there is money available if you would like to attend. Please complete an RPL. It is going to be awesome!

Things for Next Year:

With the change in curriculum, I have been considering (and asked by D.O. admin) to look at the secondary uniform policy. I know where most of you stand on the policy and realize whatever is decided will not make everyone happy. I am going to vet this with admin, but before I do, this DRAFT policy is open for comment by you. Please do so by next Friday, May 19.

As you wrap up this year and think of needs that you have for next year, please begin to enter budget items for next year. Keep in mind that we want to keep a five year plan for budget items so that we can plan for bigger expenses.

• GOOD HOPE
• EAGLE VIEW
• HIGH SCHOOL
• elementary will likely be added, but I don’t meet with Patty til next week.

 

IT’S NOT GOODBYE, IT’S “UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN”: