Faculty F.Y.I.
August 14, 2019
It's wonderful to have teachers back in the building! I look forward to working with you over the next two and a half weeks to prepare for a successful year.
Firstly, I want to provide you with more information regarding our in-service on August 27th. The day will start with Mass at 9:00am in the Chapel. After Mass, we will enjoy two brief talks by Fr. Patrick Briscoe, O.P. (pictured). Fr. Briscoe graduated from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, where he majored in philosophy and French literature. Following his ordination to the priesthood, he worked on special assignment for the Knights of Columbus in Krakow, Poland, as an organizer at the World Youth Day Mercy Centre. After completing studies at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., he was assigned to Providence, RI where he teaches at Providence College and serves as Deputy Senior Editor for the Catholic news site Aleteia, which operates world wide in six different languages.
After enjoying this morning retreat together, we will break for lunch. Then, we will take time to address and discuss a wide range of topics for the start of the year including:
- Major Goals for the 2019-2020 School Year
- Theme for the 2019-2020 School Year
- Scheduling & Calendars
- Appraisal Process
- Student Discipline
- Etc.
Each teacher will also receive a binder with all necessary documents, schedules, etc. for the year ahead. I look forward to this time together!
Lastly, I've included an article on collaborative professionalism below. Again, no pressure to read the article. It is simply a concept that I found interesting and useful and thought I would share. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Kevin Peloquin
Back to School Preparations - Important Dates, Times, and Schedules!
Friday, August 23, 2019
5:30pm-7:30pm
- Back to School BBQ
- All teachers & staff are invited. Attendance is not mandatory.
Monday, August 26, 2019
6:00-8:00pm
- Back to School Night
- See detailed schedule attached below!
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
9:00am-3:00pm
Faculty Retreat and In-Service
- Mass: 9:00am (Chapel)
- Retreat: 9:45am-11:45m (Church Hall)
- Lunch (provided): 12:00pm-12:45pm (Church Hall)
- Teacher/Staff Back to School Information Meeting: 1:00pm-3:00pm (Church Hall)
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
- Pre-K and K Orientation: 9:00am-10:30am
- Middle School Orientation: 9:00am-1:00pm
- Blood Borne Pathogens & CPR Re-Certification: 1:30pm
- All teachers & staff should plan to attend the afternoon session to obtain their CPR re-certification.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
- First Day of School!
Collaborative Professionalism with Dr. Andy Hargreaves and Dr. Michael O'Connor
Collaboration - in the words of Edwin Starr - what is it good for?
Quite a bit, actually, when carried out effectively. Enter the work of Dr. Andy Hargreaves and Dr. Michael T. O'Connor. Hargreaves and O'Connor traveled the world studying collaboration in education from inner city schools in Japan to rural schools in Washington state. Ultimately, Hargreaves and O'Connor concluded that the most effective form of collaboration is called "collaborative professionalism" in which "teachers and other educators transform teaching and learning together in an effort to work with all students in developing fulfilling lives of meaning, purpose and success. It is evidence-informed, but not data-driven, and involves deep and sometimes demanding dialogue, candid but constructive feedback, and continuous collaborative inquiry."
Now, maybe that sounds like a bunch of hooey, but the article below explores the idea further. Admittedly, some of the article is a bit abstract, but I think it is worth the read.
Interested in learning more? Check out Dr. Hargreaves & O'Connor's book, titled Collaborative Professionalism: When Teaching Together Means Learning for All.
Summer Spotlight Series
One way in which I'd like to accomplish this is through a "Summer Spotlight Series" on our Facebook page. Please note that this is entirely optional!
What does this entail?
If you're interested in taking part, simply fill out the Summer Spotlight Survey here (you'll need to be logged in to your school Google account):
I'll use the information in the survey to create a post that details your great work at FJVD and a little more about you! The post will be shared through our school Facebook page.
Spotlight Posts will be created as survey responses come in and will run approximately every week, as participation allows. Don't worry if your post does not make it over the summer, we will continue the posts as needed to make sure everyone has an opportunity!
I look forward to learning more about you and sharing some of your great work with our community!
Summer Email
I absolutely encourage and support using the summer months for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. With that being said, it would be helpful if you can briefly check your emails once every 1-2 weeks, simply to stay up to date with any announcements, change in dates, etc.
Thank you!