Resurrection Weekly Update #8
The Way to Stay in Touch with All Things Res: 10/10 - 10/13
The Principal's Corner
What an intense week! There is so much positive and exciting activity happening that the days seem to merge into one! This week, we will have an abbreviated weekly newsletter.
As I sit in Starbucks, I am grateful for the four day weekend for a variety of reasons. I think we all need some rest and time away. This break, though, will also let me reflect on what matters. I know, from experience, that it is easy to create a grand plan of activity but real skill comes when we have to adjust, to modify our course. Similar to having a great lesson plan in order only to realize you need to change course part way in the process, I need to step back and consider all that is happening and make certain it works. Know of how much I appreciate our collective efforts and how excited I am to see where we go!
What I am (still) working on....
This week, we are continuing STREAM integration framework conversations, as well as meeting with Dr. Pena to receive information on Datawise (which is a teacher development process). Additionally, we are looking at creative ways to intergrate the UbD framework with non-UbD professional development. More to come on these exciting topics...I am working on gathering a collection of excellent UBD units to serve as guides for our work. My hope is to get these compiled this week.
Lets keep our students and their adult leaders in our prayers this week as our first Kairos takes place.
THINK big....START small...GO FOR the early win!
Amen,
Mr. P
Daily Breakdown
Monday Oct. 9th - Columbus Day: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday Oct. 10th - Red Day
- Freshmen/Sophomores Scrubs Club members will meet during Seminar A
- Kairos #1 departs @ 3:30 pm
Wednesday Oct. 11th - White Day
- All School Shadow Day
- PSAT in the Library: 7:45 am - 12:00 pm
Thursday Oct. 12th - Red Day
- Lunch & Learn #1 - Introduction to Blended Learning: Separate session during Seminar A & B
Friday Oct. 13th - White Day
Shoutouts!
Outstanding happenings around the building:
Ms. Montanile, Deacon John, Ms. Bernardin, Ms. Kancler and Mr. Longo for their work on the Junior Ring Mass!
Sr. Mary Ann, Ms. Pridgen, Ms. Groszek and Ms. O'Donnell for their very interesting department update blogs/newsletters.
Mr. Wiechert for his efforts with the possible development of agriculture courses.
Ms. Blondin for the continual recycling efforts!
Instruction & Technology Updates
Blended Learning and Student Voice
Following up on last week's post on Blended Learning, one must realize that any attempt at successful blended learning requires a shift towards a more student-centered learning environment. This requires us to allow the students to begin to claim some agency over their own learning. As this shift begins to occur, it means that we must re-evaluate our instructional methods and assessments. In a successful student-centered, blended learning environment, PBL (Project, or Problem Based Learning) and Inquiry Based Learning methods can be extremely successful for student learning. Well-designed project-based learning (PBL) has been shown to result in deeper learning and engaged, self-directed learners.The challenge for a blended learning, PBL environment is to ensure that academic rigor is maintained throughout the learning process. If you utilize PBL or are interested in integrating more PBL into your classroom, take six minutes to watch this TED-ED talk on the "Five Keys to Rigorous Project-Based Learning"
We will also be hosting our first Lunch & Learn session this Thursday, October 12th during Seminar A & B. This will be the first in a six part series to introduce faculty to successful integration of blended learning through the use of Schoology. If you plan on attending, please CLICK HERE to signup . SO...bring your lunch, relax and collaborative with other great Resurrection teachers! Have a great week!
Educational Video of the Week
What will this look like in my classroom? Will my students really produce great products and how will I ensure that they have learned the core standards?
Watch this video and see if you Buy In to PBL?
Curriculum Updates
Faculty Professional Development
Objectives for 1011/2017:
1. explore the different types of questions
2. identify the elements of essential questions
3. begin to draft essential questions and consider their relationship to understandings.
Remember, please send any questions that need clarification to your Curriculum Coordinator by Tuesday evening. The Coordinator will review any questions and send Mr. P a few that are representative of the group.
Spiritual Reflections
Consider the words of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) on the Annunciation:
Reminders for the Week
2. We will begin data collection on classroom use and activity NEXT week, more to come.
3. Please be aware of dress code, nose rings, and cell phone usage.
4. Curriculum Coordinators: There will be an email coming to you to schedule our one-on-ones from Ms. Marte.
5. Make certain to congratulate our Juniors on receiving their Class Rings when you see them.
Student Services
With the help of Joe Lascon, Sheri and Mary have created a weekly tracking system to log the areas where they are spending the most time. The goal of this is to understand the highest needs in our department as well as have data to use next year when planning supports/interventions/presentation.
The two generalist counselors are also starting the Sophomore individual intakes. Since we are working towards being more data driven, we have generated a google form survey for the student to rate their satisfaction with the counseling department as well as get their feedback on their well being.
All individual senior college meetings are completed; thanks to everyone's help they were very successful and ran really smoothly
All seniors should have 1 application completed by October 13
Happy Birthday!
Josephine Montanile - October 4th
About Us
Mission
Resurrection College Prep High School is a Catholic Christian community dedicated to the education of young women, and to the development of their God–given talents. Convinced of God’s unconditional love and nourished by the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, we are committed to the spiritual, ethical, intellectual, physical and social growth of our students.
Email: Resurrection@reshs.org
Website: www.reshs.org
Location: 7500 W Talcott Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
Phone: 773-775-6616
Facebook: www.facebook.com/reshs.chicago/
Twitter: @ResurrectionHS