Tiger Tidbits
Posts from the Principal
Happy 2015!
It seemed as if 2014 was a whirlwind, and now 2015 is here! Can you believe that we are just about 1/2 way through this school year already? If the beginning of the year was any indication of our "to do list" then the end of the school year will be just as much of an adventure.
I hope that all of our families have enjoyed their winter break and Holidays. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to re-connect with my own family, and re-energize myself. I hope that you also had time to embrace the blessings that you have. I have to admit that the school is such a quiet and lonely place without the kids. I'm excited to have the halls and classes filled again. I am looking forward to all of the wonderful things that 2015 has to offer for New Haven.
I hope that all of our families have enjoyed their winter break and Holidays. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to re-connect with my own family, and re-energize myself. I hope that you also had time to embrace the blessings that you have. I have to admit that the school is such a quiet and lonely place without the kids. I'm excited to have the halls and classes filled again. I am looking forward to all of the wonderful things that 2015 has to offer for New Haven.
Focusing in...
Now that we are about 1/2 way into the school year, we (our staff & myself) have had some great opportunities to observe, reflect, and revise some of our plans. We're currently meeting weekly in Professional Learning Communities to discuss targeted topics, such as vertical alignment of curriculum, assessment, and strategies to promote more student growth. Monthly we have New Haven University meetings that focus specifically on Professional Development in specific curriculum. These opportunities to collaborate as professionals have been foundational for all of our growth, and planning.
Math... it's got to be a focus of ours! Our focus specifically is vertical alignment of math standards; making sure we are speaking a common language across grade levels and preparing "bridges" from one grade level to the next. With the state given textbook grant this year we are collaborating with the district and researching updated math programs that will address not just the math curriculum, but methods in which address all student learners. This is the MOST important piece to the puzzle. It's not just about at-risk students, but ALL students. It's about making sure we have a staff that has a strong professional training in a program, secure concept foundations, opportunities to promote excelled learning for advanced students, AND making sure that our students don't just "get the right answer" BUT "know how and WHY they got it". The "right answer" is just a small piece; making sure they understand the why prepares them for any problem.
Providing a balance of everything we are expected to teach our children is an art. It's a lot like the spinning plate performers. We will continue to engage in professional development and discussions in all of our curriculum, but we want to make sure that all of our "plates" are at the same speed. As the standards have changed, our professional needs do as well. We have already begun unpacking the Next Generation Science Standards, and discussing what that looks like in each grade levels and cross-curricularly. They are VERY deep in the expectation of student understanding. I've enclosed the link for you to look at. These will be our standards for next year. Obviously there will be an "adjustment" period, just as we have had with the other standards. We will be filling in gaps of student understanding because the standards have shifted grade levels and some students would not have had the exposure they need. It's the whole spinning plate performance, and then asking the professionals to spin the plates in the opposite direction. We can do it, it takes planning and persistence. Needless to say, after being able to observe our staff thus far, I have no doubt we will do this with finesse.
NGSS link.
I've included an attachment for "Easy Ways to find time to read". Exposure to reading at all times is the MOST effective way to improve reading, but it's not easy to find time to do these things. Even with a 12 and 14 year old, I'm looking for ways to get them to read. It's not easy! Sometimes it's down right painful, but we've managed to find ways to sneak it in.
Math... it's got to be a focus of ours! Our focus specifically is vertical alignment of math standards; making sure we are speaking a common language across grade levels and preparing "bridges" from one grade level to the next. With the state given textbook grant this year we are collaborating with the district and researching updated math programs that will address not just the math curriculum, but methods in which address all student learners. This is the MOST important piece to the puzzle. It's not just about at-risk students, but ALL students. It's about making sure we have a staff that has a strong professional training in a program, secure concept foundations, opportunities to promote excelled learning for advanced students, AND making sure that our students don't just "get the right answer" BUT "know how and WHY they got it". The "right answer" is just a small piece; making sure they understand the why prepares them for any problem.
Providing a balance of everything we are expected to teach our children is an art. It's a lot like the spinning plate performers. We will continue to engage in professional development and discussions in all of our curriculum, but we want to make sure that all of our "plates" are at the same speed. As the standards have changed, our professional needs do as well. We have already begun unpacking the Next Generation Science Standards, and discussing what that looks like in each grade levels and cross-curricularly. They are VERY deep in the expectation of student understanding. I've enclosed the link for you to look at. These will be our standards for next year. Obviously there will be an "adjustment" period, just as we have had with the other standards. We will be filling in gaps of student understanding because the standards have shifted grade levels and some students would not have had the exposure they need. It's the whole spinning plate performance, and then asking the professionals to spin the plates in the opposite direction. We can do it, it takes planning and persistence. Needless to say, after being able to observe our staff thus far, I have no doubt we will do this with finesse.
NGSS link.
I've included an attachment for "Easy Ways to find time to read". Exposure to reading at all times is the MOST effective way to improve reading, but it's not easy to find time to do these things. Even with a 12 and 14 year old, I'm looking for ways to get them to read. It's not easy! Sometimes it's down right painful, but we've managed to find ways to sneak it in.
Grading
It's a HOT TOPIC! We are currently looking at our grading practices across every grade level. Let's be honest grades ARE something that we understand as parents, but the practices vary. It's frustrating, and if you are a parent of a primary student it can be even more frustrating. What does PH (progressing with help) really mean? Does it mean the same in 1st grade as it does in 2nd? These are questions that I had as a parent, and after discussing this with our primary teams we want to provide you with not just answers to these questions, but a consistent practice for all of our students. We have created a "KEY" to the levels of assessment that are given for each standard. Each teacher at every grade level (k-3rd) will use the same key to assess students mastery level of the standards. If you have questions regarding the assessment I encourage you to speak with your child's teacher. Communication is key in making sure that our students have transference of skills.
Technology
It's one of the first conversations I had with taking the position as Principal. It's a fundamental piece with everything that we want to do with our students. Our community has been an instrumental piece in making sure it happens, and we are making HUGE strides. Within the next few weeks ALL of our classes with be fully equipped and running with interactive boards for student and teacher use. All teachers currently have IPADS being used within their classrooms. Our Science Lab has IPADS to investigate and create virtual projects for each table grouping, and has some AWESOME new technology to investigate weather, environment, etc.
BYOT- Bring Your Own Technology! It's happening- Our SBDM Technology Committee has brought the policy to the last SBDM meeting and there will be a 2nd reading to adopt in January. We will roll out the final policy to our staff and print out the Digital Driver's Licenses of those 3rd- 5th graders who have completed the on-line training (students have worked on this at school with Mr. Richards). Once that is in place we will have a parent forum to explain the procedures and expectations, introduce to the students, and then it's a go. I'm hopeful that we can have intermediate students (3rd- 5th grade) bring their devices to engage in digital learning by February. More information regarding the parent forum will be sent out. We are hoping to offer 2 different sessions for convenience.
BYOT- Bring Your Own Technology! It's happening- Our SBDM Technology Committee has brought the policy to the last SBDM meeting and there will be a 2nd reading to adopt in January. We will roll out the final policy to our staff and print out the Digital Driver's Licenses of those 3rd- 5th graders who have completed the on-line training (students have worked on this at school with Mr. Richards). Once that is in place we will have a parent forum to explain the procedures and expectations, introduce to the students, and then it's a go. I'm hopeful that we can have intermediate students (3rd- 5th grade) bring their devices to engage in digital learning by February. More information regarding the parent forum will be sent out. We are hoping to offer 2 different sessions for convenience.
Tiger Dad's Polo
Get your Tiger Dad's shirt to sport at school!
We are excited to announce that we now have Tiger Dad apparel available! Let's rock New Haven by wearing Tiger Dad t-shirts and polos. Use the attached order form and send with payment in your child's backpack in an envelope marked "Tiger Dad Shirts".
Thanks and let us know if you have any questions!
-The Tiger Dads Committee
(Bryan, Michael, Jay, Dan, George, Mark, Scott, Ken & Paul)
We are excited to announce that we now have Tiger Dad apparel available! Let's rock New Haven by wearing Tiger Dad t-shirts and polos. Use the attached order form and send with payment in your child's backpack in an envelope marked "Tiger Dad Shirts".
Thanks and let us know if you have any questions!
-The Tiger Dads Committee
(Bryan, Michael, Jay, Dan, George, Mark, Scott, Ken & Paul)
Event Information
Winter Carnival
The date has CHANGED! Mark your calendars! With the District Governor's Cup being assigned to the school, the Winter Carnival date had to be moved! PLEASE mark your calendars and plan on coming out for some winter fun and shenanigans with us!
When?
Friday, Feb 20, 2015, 05:30 PM
Where?
New Haven Elementary School, U.S. 42, Union, KY, United States
Event Information
District Governor's Cup
Yes... we are hosting again! We tried to play the "new principal card" but they weren't having it. We were assigned as the host school and there is no getting out of it. That being said... We will embrace it in the New Haven Way! Looks like we are going to have a "STAR WARS" theme!
When?
Saturday, Feb 28, 2015, 07:30 AM
Where?
New Haven Elementary School, U.S. 42, Union, KY, United States
Want to know what's going on? Check out the calendar link below!
New Haven Elementray
Email: mary.goble@boone.kyschools.us
Website: www.newhaven.boone.kyschools.us
Location: 10854 U.S. 42, Union, KY, United States
Phone: 859 384 5325
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newhavenelementary
Twitter: @NewHavenES