Wildcat Weekly
June 3, 2019
The Future Bus...Why?
The parking spot was strategic in that it was in close proximity to three of our schools. Staff from DHS, Whitworth and of course LaCreole were invited to come check it out and have lunch. It was great to to have about 30 staff and community members as well as about 100 kids interact with the bus and their innovation staff.
I have been asked about the purpose of the Future Bus and why perhaps did it come to Dallas. We have talked about learning from other people and extending our professional learning networks and I suppose that is part of it. I have worked with a few different folks in Beaverton and we keep in touch sharing ideas and we seem to share the same philosophy.
The work that they are doing in Beaverton is a little different than here in that innovative teaching and learning is backed by a district-wide initiative giving them the resources to implement professional learning which highlight these practices through a push in model giving teachers the ability to learn from and observe from each other, and the Future Bus is a part of this. So, where we differ is that our initiative is centered much around the work that you all do. I realize that we do not have coaches specific to delivering PD for incorporation of these ideas and strategies, but we are doing amazing work learning from each other just the same.
The bus in itself is just a bus with some OMSI like gadgets that are cool to play with which is great! These activities don’t really change much in the way that we teach, but what the bus does is bring excitement and curiosity and I suppose that is why I wanted to have the bus come to visit Dallas. Nothing more nothing less. Mission accomplished! The community members, teachers and kids were able to get excited and find some joy in learning. The bus is a rolling billboard that gets noticed, something that highlights one district’s commitment to preparing our kids with skills they will need. I hope that our community might have picked up on this and perhaps want something more for our community as well.
Our district doesn’t have a bus, but we have the work that you all do. The extra energy that you all pour into your kids is evident from the many events that we put on highlighting their work. This has created a similar excitement and is sending ripples out into our community and surrounding districts. Your work is being noticed and activities like our recent Exhibition was a great example of what one school is doing to be innovative and that is kid focused. I am thankful some of you were able to come over for a few minutes. I realize it was a crazy day.
So very proud of the work that you do and though we are tired and ready for a much needed summer, I want you to think about your role in changing our community in creating more for all of the kids in Dallas. We can make a difference and am grateful to be a part of a great group of educators here at LaCreole!
Exhibition
My hope is that we can debrief this week our thoughts and work toward improvement for next year!
Thank-you, Thank-you!
Coming Up On Our Calendar
This Week
6/4 - Licensed Staff Meeting, 8:00 AM in the Library
6/5 - 7th Grade Beach Trip
6/6 - 2nd Annual 8th Grade vs. Staff Kickball Game
Next Week:
See attached file for all of next week’s special schedules and events.
6/11 - Portland Prowl
6/12 - 8th Grade Recognition - 6:00 - 7:00 PM
6/13 - Field Day - 11:30 Release
6/14 - All Staff Meeting at Bollman - 8:00 AM
Final 2-Week Schedule
Coming Up In PLC
June PLC Schedule
June
6/3 - Content Team Supply Orders - Our New 7th Grade Teacher will be here for you all to meet.
6/10 - A Year in Review Reflection
Quick Resource of the Week
We have quite a few who have responded but wanted to give you all another chance to let me know if you are willing to pilot student portfolios with a group of us next year. Let me know through the form below.
Let me know if you would like to develop student portfolios with your students next year. I would love for us to learn together. No matter your content or class, this can be a powerful tool. Sign up below!