Eye of the Dragon
John Dewey Academy of Learning, October 2023
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the John Dewey Academy of Learning is to provide students
with a rigorous project-based curriculum and a safe, caring community in which to learn.
By developing the whole person - academically, professionally and personally -
JDAL will assist students in reaching their full potential.
Fireside Chat: Cell Phones Distract Students From Learning
This first month of school has been a whirlwind of wonderful activity! Students meet in Advisories every day to participate in various lessons like Leader in Me, Current Events, and Social Emotional Learning. Students are also rotating through various interdisciplinary content seminars where staff lead them through the project based process. Add in Personal Finance Literacy guest speakers and lunch clubs and we have full days of exciting learning!
We have welcomed 65 new students this year, so as you can imagine, we have also spent time teaching the expectations of our school and helping students understand what being a student at a project based learning school is all about.
One major focus for staff at JDAL is to hold high expecations for ALL students. Project based learning is challenging. It requires sustained curiosity, problem solving, perseverance, and vulnerability. Staff at JDAL have designed our schedule to include various levels of support to help every student excel in our school.
One major barrier to student learning at JDAL is the distraction due to cell phone use. Simply put, students cannot focus on new learning if their brains are distracted by what is going on with their cell phones.
Student cellphones should be "Away for the Day." Ideally, students will lock their cell phones in their lockers until lunch and/or the end of the day. We understand that some students feel more comfortable having their phone more accessible to them for emergencies, so we currently allow students to keep them in their backpacks. JDAL Staff have shared the expectation with students that cell phones are only allowed during breakfast and lunch in the cafe. Students should not have cell phones out during passing time.
Unfortunately, many students are struggling with this expectation, saying they were "just checking the time" or "just texting my mom (or dad)". Our response to students is consistent - cell phones are only allowed at breakfast and lunch. That means staff should not see cell phones at any other time for any reason.
Of course we recognize that students may have emergency situations that require communicating with a parent or guardian. For these instances, we have told students to ask for a pass to the office so they can contact their parent/guardian in the designated space.
Bottom Line: Cell phones distract your student from learning.
I hope you take a couple minutes to watch the video below. It shows how students are unable to focus on learning when they are preoccupied with what is going on with their cell phones.
Our hope at JDAL is that our staff can work together with parents and guardians to help students understand the importance of our policy. Together, we can help students meet those high expectations and be proud of their learning at our school.
With gratitude,
Ms. Jen + the JDAL Staff
Parent University: The JDAL Philosophy
Thursday, Oct 12, 2023, 05:00 PM
701 Cherry Street, Green Bay, WI, USA
Community Events to Celebrate Hispanic/LatinX Heritage Month!
https://www.uwgb.edu/student-engagement/events/hispanic-latinx-heritage-month/
Upcoming Dates to Remember in October
October 3: Student SEL Survey, 12:45pm
October 6: Virtual Learning Day (Attendance is Taken!)
October 10: STAR Math, 12:45pm
October 10: Indigenous People's Day
October 12: Student Townhall Meeting, 8:30am
October 12: Parent/Guardian University, 5-6:30pm
October 17: STAR Reading, 12:45pm
October 27: NO SCHOOL- RECESS DAY (No Attendance Taken)
Communication with Families
TALKING POINTS: This is a great platform that delivers messages to your phone via text or to the Talking Points App (if you download it). Please click the button below for instructions.
EMAIL: Staff will often use email to send important information about your student. Please double check the email you have on file in Infinite Campus to ensure you receive school emails.
ZOOM PHONE/TEXT: All staff have a zoom phone number they can use to call you or send you a zoom text. Caller ID may not show our school number when they call or text. If you call school to speak with a staff member, you will be directed to their zoom phone voice mail during instructional time.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Staff at JDAL will use facebook and instagram to post images of student learning as well as event updates. If you don't already follow us on "the socials", please click the links at the bottom of this newsletter to find our pages.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Parent Education Gateway - https://www.gbaps.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=484795&pageId=43812421
School Calendar- http://jdal.gbaps.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=571101
Infinite Campus Parent Portal- https://campus.gbaps.org/campus/portal/greenbay.jsp
Lunch Menu and Prices- http://gbaps.nutrislice.com/
Make sure to like or follow us on social media so you don't miss any updates!
facebook- www.facebook.com/gbapsjohndewey
instagram- www.instagram.com/gbapsjohndewey
Jen Agamaite, Principal
Email: jmagamaite@gbaps.org
Website: jdal.gbaps.org
Location: 701 Cherry Street, Green Bay, WI, USA
Phone: 920.272.7074
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gbapsJohnDewey
Twitter: @gbapsJohnDewey