CSHS Weekly Bulletin
January 29-February 3, 2018
Cultural Capital & Why it Matters
Dear Cougar Family,
Last week, CSISD launched its work in curriculum development in the 4 core subjects through a 3-day Curriculum Management Training. I attended, along with other CSISD campus principals, on the first day to make sure there is a common understanding as to the "why" behind the curriculum work. It was a great day on the whole (my inner-nerd was quite happy)--but one concept stood out: cultural capital.
We have focused on culturally responsive teaching during professional learning this year, and the concept of cultural capital takes the same concept but adds a different lense. Cultural capital is a term developed and popularized by late-twentieth century French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. Cultural capital is the accumulation of knowledge, behaviors and skills that one can tap into to demonstrate one's cultural competence, and thus one's social status or standing in society. Therefore, cultural capital is a source of social inequality. The more capital, the more rewards. As educators, we must work to balance the scales to make sure that students who graduate from CSHS are not limited by their cultural capital.
Please take a moment to watch the video below and think about how this concept is applicable to the work we do. Consider the following questions:
- What ways does public schooling reward and punish students based on their having or lacking cultural capital?
- How do students in your classes see themselves reflected in your curriculum and classroom environment?
- What cultural capital helps students to reap the rewards of understanding your curriculum? How do you design learning experiences in your classes that places value on all types of cultural capital?
- What biases are in your curriculum? How can you overcome them to help create equity and access in your classes?
May you all have a wonderful week taking care of our Cougars!
As always, COUGAR PRIDE!
Tiffany
Sharing the CSHS Story
If you are posting on your official page as a CSHS educator, please include the hashtags #CSHScougarpride #SuccessCSISD.
In addition, to celebrate the Education Foundations fundraiser this week, please share pictures of students using grant-funded projects if you have received a grant.
Advocate Videos
50 Men Who Can Cook--This Friday!
Buy your tickets from our very own CSHS Celebrity Chefs--Chris Southard & Trae Davis!
Duty Schedule
THIS IS THE FIRST WEEK OF THE SPRING ONLY DUTY SCHEDULE--MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHEN/WHERE YOU HAVE DUTY IF YOU HAVE NOT YET HAD IT THIS YEAR.
If you have not had duty in the fall, you have duty this spring. Check the full schedule here and mark the dates in your calendar.
Please be sure to see the full duty schedule on the Teacher Resource Guide. Direct any questions regarding duty to Mr. Davis.
Morning Duty
Afternoon Duty
Upcoming Events
2/6 Lady Cougar Soccer vs. Bryan
2/9 Gospel Choir Concert
2/9 Cougar Basketball vs. Bryan
2/9 Cougar Soccer vs. Rudder
2/13 Softball vs. Caldwell
2/13 Lady Cougar Soccer vs. Waco
2/14-2/17 Choir All State
2/16 Lady Cougar Soccer vs. Temple
2/19 Staff Development
2/20 School Board Meeting
2/20 Cougar Soccer vs. Consol
2/20 Lady Cougar Soccer @Consol
2/20 Choir Solo & Ensemble Contest
2/23 Lady Cougar Soccer vs. University
3/2 Cougar Soccer vs. Bryan
3/6 Softball @Bryan
3/8 Lady Cougar Soccer vs. Rudder
3/9 Softball vs. University