Matt's Monday Memo
September 16, 2019
Good morning, Staff,
Jazz as PLC
I had the pleasure to join jazz students, Kevin Cole, Jamie Burchett, and two communal jazz enthusiasts/practitioners Friday after school in the band room. It was enlightening as it caused me to reflect on the art of jazz and our efforts in PLCs. A disclaimer that I am very much learning about Jazz, and after several more years of it, would begrudgingly acknowledge myself a novice!
The room was already in full swing when I entered while moving about the building late Friday. I observed the relationship between musicians around an agreed song and its elemental harmony, in this case a Duke Ellington number, which provided a spine for the network of notes. Those “moved by the spirit” rose and began their turn to lead tempo and rhythm for the group. During their opportunity to marshal the shared work, they communicated with movements and gestures to their attentive colleagues, linking the room through the listening and observation while providing a new gravitational pull.
I saw many parallels in that work and our work this year. It is challenging to be sure and requires us to stretch our talents and refreshed thinking on collaboration, assessment architecture, and interventions for learners. I am not conversant in the language of jazz, yet I can still note the syncopated maneuvering around a tune that is serving as home base is similar to agreement around the path for learners in each course. When one musician is through, the next picks up the previous idea and as Kevin noted, can “take you in an unsuspecting place.” Uncertainty can be challenging, but to be sure we can do more collectively than we do unilaterally, making the road unknown but worthwhile. On Friday, more experienced faces oscillated more boldly in note and movement than some more reserved, greener colleagues who advanced the music through their own styles. The two community members joined our typical line-up, played and shared comments to direct traffic periodically, “give him some room” and “say that.” Similarly, we need our familiar experiences and the novelty of our declared intention in our Portrait of a Graduate work, newer faculty, and agility in response to student assessment to blend in our CLT settings.
Familiar harmonies WGHS has played in the past are justifiably revered, and we are blending them with fresh practices to make our best music for each other and our students. Consider taking in the real thing each Late Start AM or at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday on Allen Avenue stage at the Old Webster Jazz and Blues Festival.
Best,
Matt
Peek at the Week
- September 16: Late Start 3/4
- September 18: WGHS Collaborative College Fair at Lindbergh HS, 6 p.m.
- September 20: End of Progress Period
- September 21: WGHS Band Aides Family Picnic, 11:30 a.m.; Old Webster Jazz and Blues Fest, 2 p.m.
- September 23: Late Start 2/3
Did You Know?
Click here to download the phone list. Save it to your desktop for easy access!
Need a contact for Central Office? Here is the Central Office phone list.
Congratulations to our 2020 National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalist: Claire Morris!
Celebrations
- Thanks to perm subs, counselors, teachers, and administrators for distributing the Renaissance Awards last Friday.
- Thanks to Kristin Moore and Jessica Haskins for leading the PD Discussion last week.
Reminders/Announcements
- Our staff meeting is on Thursday, September 19 at 2:50 p.m. or on Friday at 7:15 a.m. Dr. Simpson will join us.
- Reminder that the end of the progress period for the first six weeks is Friday, September 20. Please make sure you complete a course grade and their citizenship grade for every student. Grades are due by Wednesday, September 25 at 8 a.m.
- Reminder that all teachers are expected to put assignments in the portal or Google Classroom, as well as keep grades current. Keeping parents informed is one way to partner with them for student success.
- Teachers—please take extra steps in ensuring that equipment (laptop, camera, etc.) is locked up.
- Don’t forget to keep up-to-date on scores, schedules and rosters at www.statesmensports.com.
Upcoming Professional Development
- September 19: Staff Meeting, 2:50 p.m. (Morning meeting on September 20 at 7:15 a.m. for head coaches)
Staff Yoga
9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16
2:45-3:45
Chelsea Center (Room 200)
Please bring a yoga mat.