ENHS Staff Notes
November 15, 2015
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome
Once again, I am thoroughly impressed with our kids as they show their appreciation and gratitude for our veterans. Mr. Rickey has got things down to a science, and every year a new batch of kids get the opportunity to pull it off. Our talented kids were on display and we were able to showcase our technology. Overall, I'd say it was a great day.
Mr. Bartlett talked about the slogan, "Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome". They use that in the military to empower folks to do what they need to do when things go wrong. I think that's a slogan that has merit in our world too.
There's a sense of comfort that comes from strong leadership. We enjoy being part of team focused on a common goal, and knowing what the plan is helps us move forward. What happens when things go wrong, when communication lines are damaged, or things just don't work? To have a unit or organization that is solely dependent upon one person or one plan makes it hard to move forward if something happens to that one person or one plan. Therefore, there needs to be an expectation that when that happens, that it'll be okay to adjust the plan. Together, the team will rely on one another to survive...but only if you are able to Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
As we've been getting ready to move forward with our NWEA testing, we certainly have had moments of uncertainty. We are venturing into new territory and we don't necessarily have all of the intel we need. It's new, it's complex, and there are a lot of questions. I absolutely admire how we've been able to Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. Lindy, Terri, Nicolette, and Cory spent hours locked in the War Room building rosters one student at a time. Collectively, we've relied on the strength and wisdom of each other to get us ready to move forward. And, we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the advanced scouting report from the MS as they ventured into new territory before us. This clearly demonstrates our commitment and resolve as professionals.
Moving forward with NWEA, (and yes I'm saying Nah-We-Uh as I type this), I think everyone will soon agree there is merit in this instrument. I believe it will help us help kids, and after a session or two of testing under our belts, we'll be pros at it.
Grammar Practice
Several teachers in the English department employ a practice developed from information in Edgar Shuster’s Breaking the Rules of Grammar Instruction and The Center for Inspired Teaching that involves using student’s own work rather than worksheets for grammar practice and incorporating much-needed movement into instruction. Students leave all belongings packed away save a piece of paper and writing utensil. Sitting at their own seat they are instructed to write a specific kind of clause, sentence or phrase. They are then given a set amount of time to find a new seat (leaving their paper behind). At this new seat, they are instructed to complete the phrase or clause to make a complete sentence or combine the sentence to practice with sentence fluency. After several rotations of this exercise, students return to their seats to fix errors within those sentences (punctuation, spelling, incomplete sentences etc.). This way students are not only the creators of their own “worksheets,” they are given authentic practice in editing and revising for conventions and sentence fluency. This exercise can be modified to focus on any facet of writing traits.
Thank you for a great start!
Thank you so much for a great start to the new trimester! I know how hectic it can be ending one trimester on a Friday and beginning another one on Monday. I hope this weekend consists of more relaxing and less grading for you.
Lunchroom Passes
If you need to see a student during lunch, please write that student a pass. Otherwise, we will not allow students to leave the lunchroom without one.
“When you truly believe…”
If you have 2:28 minutes, this is a good watch! I love this kid, he makes me smile!
Weekly Duty
East Noble Theatre
East Noble Theatre is celebrating it’s 50th theatre season and season tickets go on sale Monday, November 16, at 4:00 PM at the Cole Auditorium box Office. The theatre season opens with the Broadway Musical Mary Poppins. Tickets for Mary Poppins go on sale on Monday , November 23 at 4:00 PM.
The Advanced Acting Class will be competing at the Indiana Thespian Regional Competition next Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Bethel College with their original production, Legacy. The class will present a free public performance on Thursday evening, November 19 at 7:00 PM in Cole auditorium/Munk Stage. Sthe public is invited.
ESL Support
New trimester, new students! Have an ESL student? Need help deciphering the ILP? Want to talk about accommodations/modifying assignments, quizzes, tests, etc.? Alison Schlotfeldt will be in room 101 from 3-4pm on Monday, November 16th to help with any of your ESL needs!
Round Table Cafe Menu - Friday November 20
Beef & Noodles
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Key Lime & S'More Shooters
For reservations: suwhite@eastnoble.net
Upcoming Events
11/16 Mon - Staff Collaboration: Room 612
S: CELL - Early College: Indianapolis - All Day
11/17 Tue - K: School Safety Specialist Training - All Day
11/18 Wed - Department Chair Meeting: War Room - 3:15pm
K: School Safety Specialist Training - All Day
S: Noble County EDC Meeting: Albion - 11:30am
11/19 Thu - Fire Drill: 5th Period
New Teacher/Mentor Training: 3:30pm
East Noble High School
Email: speterson@eastnoble.net
Website: eastnoble.net
Location: 901 Garden Street, Kendallville, IN, United States
Phone: (260) 347-2032
Twitter: @ENHighSchool