Thursday Thoughts on Learning
CIA & PD Newsletter for Meramec Valley R-III School District
January 28, 2016 Edition
February is all about Relationships
The "Relationship" R supports the other Rs in Learning
Rigor
Relevance
Responsibility
National Updates
Every Student Succeeds Act---Free Webinar
Sign up for this free webinar from ASCD, Thursday, February, 4, 2:00pm, Central Time. If you can't watch it because you are teaching class you can always watch it later in the archived webinars section.
Missouri Learning Standard updates
DESE Timeline for Standards, District Curriculum Work, and New Assessments
February 18, 2016: Make all comments from Academic Researchers public
February 2016: State Board update on standards work at State Board Meeting
March 2016: State Board takes action on Standards at March State Board Meeting
March - May 15, 2016: Format and finalize Missouri Learning Standards if Board approves changes
May 15, 2016: Distribute final Standards to Missouri School Districts
School Year 2016-17: Schools develop curriculum for four content areas; Schools provide professional development for four content areas; Schools implement Standards in four content areas; Schools provide professional development in grades and areas state assessed in the four content areas. DESE, Missouri teachers, and others begin the process of developing MAP assessments to be given in the Spring of 2018 in ELA, Math, Science and Social
Studies.
Spring 2018: New MAP assessments given to assess the new Missouri Learning Standards
District Updates
Need something to read this month? PDC knows just the text....
EL Dec. 2015/Jan. 2016
Questioning for Classroom Discussion
UnCommon Learning
PDC February 2016 Newsletter
SLO Follow-up for 3rd year + Teachers
METC Conference February 8-10, 2016
Eight district staff members are attending this event.
More to follow in the Thursday Thoughts on Learning Newsletter on February 18, 2016
Tech 4 Learning Tidbits
MVR-III 1:1 Initiative Moves Closer to Reality
The Meramec Valley R-III school district is working towards implementing a 1:1 initiative in the near future. During the first half of January, both the Admin Council and the Technology Committee were presented a proposed rollout plan for placing Chromebooks in the hands of students. This action will allow staff to better engage, support, and challenge those students.
Under the proposed rollout, Chromebooks would be assigned to individual students for use both at school and at home. Year 1 would see Chromebooks assigned to every MVR-III student in grades 6-8. Year 2 calls for the addition of all PHS students into the process. By Year 3, new devices will be purchased for 6th and 9th graders each year from then forward, with existing devices helping to cover grades 5 through 12.
While elementary students will not be taking devices home in the foreseeable future, the elementary buildings will benefit each year of the plan. Existing devices at 1:1 buildings will likely be repurposed for use in grades 5 and below. As part of the rotation, devices from promoted 8th graders and graduating seniors will also filter back into the elementary grade levels.
This development was not a last-minute undertaking. The district CSIP plan has long included an entry to explore a 1:1 implementation for the 2016-2017 school year. Offering BYOD opportunities was a move to test district infrastructure for the stress of additional devices. For a complete timeline, click HERE.
For more details, see the full District Technology Update HERE.
Coming soon.....2nd Annual Writing on the Walls Event
Week of February 29-March 4, 2016
Lighter side of Learning
Assessment Capable Learners at PHS!
Student Engagement in 8th grade!
Dawn Bristow, 8th grade ELA and Odyssey Teacher, uses Classcraft in her daily lessons to motivate and immerse students into learning. Classcraft helps teachers manage, motivate and engage their students by transforming their classroom into a role-playing game. www.classcraft.com
Choice motivates learning in 4th grade!
PLC Conference---14 Learners from MVR-III attend
CE---Tina Hampton, Counselor
RB---Jessie Karl, Special Education; Sarah Schultz, Math; Randy Meyers, ELA; Sarah Manno, Science; Dan Miller, SS; & Ketina Armstrong, Principal
TE---Marian Meinhardt, Principal
ZE---Jerring Anding, Kind: Sandra Thurston, 1st Grade; Ginny Brunjes, 2nd Grade; Niki Short, 3rd Grade; Megan Trower, 3rd Grade; Linda Pahl, Principal.
Chromecamp Champs!
On Saturday, January 16, 2016, nine MVR-III staff members attended the Chromecamp event hosted by Fox School District.
Attendees:
Scott Kovis, IT Facilitator
Heather Frey, 7th grade Science
Meredith Menley, ZE 5th grade
Todd Dempsey, PHS Art
Chris Noce, PHS PLTW & Math
Chrissy Meininger, TE 4th grade
Christina Oskins, TE 4th grade
Cathy Tate, ZE 5th grade
Stephanie Titter, ZE 4th grade
Leader Learners
Monthly the MVR-III Administrative Council gets together to discuss district goals and the action step results towards meeting these goals. The Data Carousel process is used frequently at these meetings to analyze data and programs across the district from many vantage points.
Curriculum News
In the Middle: STEM courses
MVMS & Riverbend both offer exploratory courses for all students who are interested in pursuing a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pathway at PHS. The chart highlights the courses and grade levels. 2016-2017 expects to add another computer STEM course at 8th grade that may guide students to the PLTW Computer Science Course I.
Current middle level Instructors:
Michael Effan-6th & 7th; Carmen Carter & Chelsea Merz-8th
Vertical Teams Meet in February
MVR-III School District
Email: DistrictCO@mvr3.k12.mo.us
Website: www.mvr3.k12.mo.us
Location: 126 N Payne St, Pacific, MO, United States
Phone: 636-271-1400
Twitter: @DistrictMVR3