Highcroft Herald
February 1, 2016
Quote of the Week
African American History Month
Did you know that each year the sitting president has to proclaim that February is National African American History Month? During the month of February, we will once again honor and celebrate the accomplishments of past and present African-American leaders. I am thrilled to share that this year some of our fifth grade student leaders accepted this responsibility. They have selected a person of interest on which to research and share a brief synopses over the morning announcements each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning throughout the month. The weekly Herald will again include links for resources to support any further conversation/learning you choose to pursue on each person discussed.
Please share with Aaron and me the things that you are incorporating into your curriculum to celebrate the accomplishments of African-Americans. As always, invite us in to revel in the excitement of learning, as we love to be a part of these experiences.
Click here to view a calendar detailing the leaders on which students will report, the student reporting the synopses, and the dates we will share about them. Clicking here will lead you to a History Channel site that details the origin of African American History Month. Click here to read President Obama's 2016 Proclamation of National African American History Month.
Coaches' Corner
Being a lifelong learner is the desire and expectation of educators; however, time is often a barrier. After putting in hours of teaching, planning, grading, etc., it is hard to find time for personal professional development. If you have a cell phone, you have PD right in the palm of your hands via Twitter! I have found free webinars, helpful articles, technology tips, and have collaborated with incredible educators from all over the country via Twitter chats or simply just posing a question directly. Much of this learning and collaboration is accomplished during moments in the day that really aren’t taking time away from something else. I can’t tell you how often I have benefited from Twitter resources while waiting in line. Imagine how much time we spend waiting!
Knowing who to follow and where to seek out helpful information can be overwhelming at first, so I have tried to do a little of that work for you by posting to our own Highcroft professional development hashtag. Please search #highcroftpd for articles, links, announcements, etc., and please feel free to post to this hashtag, too. (You will even find links to helpful tips on how to use Twitter as an educator and how to participate in Twitter chats attached to this hashtag.) This is a great way for us to share our learning with colleagues!
Many of you already have Twitter accounts, and it is fun to see you post updates on the learning in your classes. If you are unsure about how to go beyond the basics of posting or aren’t really sure how to even get started with an account, please let me know. It only takes a few minutes, and we could even do this over lunch someday if that works best for you. As always, it is pleasure learning along with you!
Tech Tips
Thank You….Technology
by Danielle Stilts
Thank you….digital footprint for being another thing in my life that never really goes away - like my senior picture.
Bill Bass put this article on the Parkway Innovators Network last week: http://www.teachhub.com/10-things-your-students-should-know-about-their-digital-footprints
The article outlines 10 things that students should know about their digital footprint. Since we are really busy with progress reports, I wanted to provide a little synopsis. Although, it really is a quick and interesting article if you have a minute in the future.
What students (or anyone) does online never really goes away, even if the person tries to delete a post or picture. For this reason, it is important to keep private information private. In addition, research on students’ social media presence has become commonplace for admissions officers and employers. It is possible that a mean post or inappropriate picture from a student’s younger years could potentially surface.
Another great point the article makes is for students to be mindful of the golden rule; It is important to treat people the way you would like to be treated, regardless of being “hidden” behind a computer screen. In our ever-changing technological world, there is a great deal we can’t control with our students. I guess the best we can do is try to teach good habits of digital citizenship whenever we can. Which the great teachers of Highcroft Ridge all already do!
Flexibility is the Key
Travel Back in Time
STEM Night Success
Calendar
Monday, February 1
- Candy Drive - All Week
- SSD Collaborative Sub - Marcia Kampelman - PM
Tuesday, February 2
- Arts Partners - Annette Harrison Workshop - First Grade
- Lucas Out of the Building - Character Education Action Team Meeting - AM
Wednesday, February 3
- Spirit Day - Patriotic Day
- Late Start
- Family Group - 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
- Lucas Out of the Building - SSD Partnership Meeting - PM
- Schoo - Gloria Krakauskas - PM
Thursday, February 4
- Arts Partners - Annette Harrison Workshop - First Grade
Choir Rehearsal - Music Room - 8:00 am - 8:45 am
DIA Meeting - CRB - 8:00 am - 8:45 am
Central Region Art Show - Central High School - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Crowell - Marcia Kampelman - All Day
Friday, February 5
- Tilden - Gloria Krakauskas - PM
Saturday, February 6
Upcoming Dates
Bus Driver Appreciation Week February 8-12
CPR Certification - February 8th - 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Spirit Day - Valentine's Day - February 11th
Valentine Parties February 11th - 2:35 pm - 3:25 pm
Records Day - February 12th
Highcroft Herald
Website: http://www.edline.net/pages/Highcroft_Ridge_Elementary
Location: 15380 Highcroft Drive, Chesterfield, MO, United States
Phone: (314)415-6400
Facebook: facebook.com/HighcroftRidge
Twitter: @HighcroftRidge