Beasley Weekly Bulletin
Week of September 19, 2016
5 Things Geese Can Teach Us About Teamwork - Should the Birds Know Better than a Beasley Bee?
When geese fly together, each goose provides additional lift and reduces air resistance for the goose flying behind it. Consequently, by flying together in a v-formation, scientists estimate that the whole flock can fly about 70% farther with the same amount of energy than if each goose flew alone. Geese have discovered that they can reach their destination more quickly and with less energy expended when they fly together in formation. When people work together harmoniously on teams, sharing common values and a common destination, they all arrive at the destination quicker and easier, because they are lifted up by the energy and enthusiasm of one another.
2. When a goose drops out of the v-formation it quickly discovers that it requires a great deal more effort and energy to fly. Consequently, that goose will quickly return to the formation to take advantage of the lifting power that comes from flying together. Sometimes people playing on teams will drop out of the group and try to accomplish goals on their own. However, like the geese, they usually discover that they miss the synergy and energy that comes when they are an active part of a cohesive team moving toward their destination, and want to return to the group.
3. Geese rotate leadership. When the goose flying in the front of the formation has to expend the most energy because it is the first to break up the flow of air that provides the additional lift for all of the geese who follow behind the leader. Consequently, when the lead goose gets tired, it drops out of the front position and moves to the rear of the formation, where the resistance is lightest, and another goose moves to the leadership position. This rotation of position happens many times in the course of the long journey to warmer climates. When a team is functioning well, various members of the team may take the leadership role for a while because of a particular expertise or experience. Consequently, on good teams, everyone has the opportunity to serve as a leader as well as a follower.
4. Geese honk at each other. They also frequently make loud honking sounds as they fly together. Scientists speculate that this honking is their way of communicating with each other during their long flight. Similarly, when working on teams, it is exceedingly important for each team member to communicate regularly with all the other team members. Teams frequently fall apart because of the lack of adequate communication among the various members of the team. Perhaps human teams can learn from flying flocks of geese that constant communication among members is exceedingly important in moving effectively towards a common destination.
5. Geese help each other. Scientists also discovered that when one goose becomes ill, is shot or injured, and drops out of the formation, two other geese will fall out of formation and remain with the weakened goose. They will stay with and protect the injured goose from predators until it is able to fly again. Likewise, human teams work best when they do more than just work together, but care for the well being of each other.
Paraphrasing this article:
1. Work together harmoniously.
2. Mindfulness of being a team player.
3. Effective leadership support.
4. Communicate
5. We look out for each other's success.
Effective Leadership
2. Expanding the 8th Grade Teacher Team for equity in the teacher/student ratio e. Ms. Michele Smith (7th) has graciously agreed to serve as the fifth 8th grade teacher to reduce the class sizes. She will remain in Room 273. This will not take effect until after the 5th Grade Progress Report have been distributed.
3. Approved the Boy Scouts to conduct a survey of interest through (sign-up) for a possible troupe as an added extra-curricular activity for our male students. We currently have Girl Scouts as a school partner
4. Met with Alison Rootberg with the Chicago Ballet on 9/19 (Community partner) to arrange 2nd and 3rd grades students to have yoga and hip hop classes (creative arts) beginning on September 26 and will run until April 6. These classes are one day a week and 2nd grade will meet in the Fitness Room from 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m and 3rd grade classes are in the same location from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The teacher must be present in the classroom.
5. Grade Level NWEA Data Goals. According to our data FY 2015-2016 growth and attainment goals, every grade level will not have the same goals. Therefore, I will be sharing with you at your next Teacher Team Meeting my Leadership Development Plan (LDP) that includes: celebrations/accomplishments, challenges and metrics for academic achievement success. Ms. Rendleman, is testing all new students for BOY NWEA test data today.
Ambitious Instruction
2. Second Step Tuesdays (required).
3. K-5 Balanced Literacy Blocks posted along with Small Grouping and Center Schedules (daily).
4. Content Scope and Sequence are due now. K-5 are to submit a reading and math. The gifted teachers are to provide a different template that teachers will be trained on. Arranged for Elizabeth McLaughlin, CPS Office of Teaching and Learning to provide professional development training to 7th and 8th grade teachers at this time. More training will be provided.
5. Historically Black College/Universities (HBCU) Study - Our HBCU Night will be held on Thursday, September 22 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and we are asking that you infuse this initiative into your curriculum and instruction. Please have students to research a Greek Sorority (girls) or Fraternity (boys). Then have students to wear the colors of the organization on Thursday, September 22 and have them to argue and defend why they selected the organization.
6. Formative Assessments are needed on your Unit Plans (every 5 weeks). One recommendation is obtaining one from IMPACT CIM. Teachers should be prepared to discuss which forms of formative assessments will be used to determine mastery on your Scope and Sequence Maps.
Collaborative Teachers
2. BHT met on Friday, September 16.
3. All Grade Level Teacher Teams meet the week of Tuesday, September 12.
4. Instructional Leadership Team Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, September 21 at 7:45 a.m. in the Library.
5. Met with Creative Arts Team on Monday, September 12 to organize the Beasley Renaissance.
Supportive Environment - Trust Culture
2. 8th Grade Parent/Teacher Potluck is scheduled on September 22 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
3. Mr. Dads Club first meeting was held on Thursday, September 15 and there were about 15 Beasley fathers in attendance.
4. With CPS Ethics Committee approval, I would like to propose to provide coffee for staff on Wednesdays to be served in our Main Office. The program will be called "Liquid Joy Day."
5. Been in Your Shoes Challenge begins this week. You will have a copy of a form that students may fill out to guess staff members from the bulletin boards.
Parental/Community Involvement
2. HBCU Night, Thursday, September 22
3. Mr. Dads Club, Thursday, September 15
4. PAC Meeting Tuesday, September 13
5. LSC Meeting Tuesday, September 13