Educational Services Weekly Update
2/2/20
Relevant Research & Resources
Creativity Wonderings
We know that creativity is an important 21.5 Century Skill. Have we defined what it is and is not in a classroom setting? Do our teachers feel free to be creative in their approaches to teaching and learning? Are we providing space for our students to show us their creativity? Do our 6th graders ask as many amazing questions as our Kindergarten students?
These are just some wonderings I am currently having about creativity. Recently I have seen students express their creativity in the following ways:
- Students at ECC created Science Fair projects based on their own personal questions (such as does singing a higher or lower pitch note impact your pulse?)
- Students at ME built tin foil boats to determine if they would float, and if they would float with pennies in them
- Students at ME designing missions in Minecraft
- Students at OK expressing how they want to feel in class, and how they can create their own class culture
- Students at PDL participating in a mock trial (where Rachel Blatt's son was "accused" of stealing stickers!)
- Students at CA taking an imaginary trip to NYC using a passport as a learning experience
- Students in many schools exploring and explaining their own problem-solving skills as they work on CGI and Exemplar problems
Where have you seen creativity in action lately?
CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE!
KUDOS
ALL OF YOU - Thank you for your support of last week's First Friday. Thank you for making the math support site specific to your teachers' needs and focused on what is working in your school.
* Leslie - Thank you for organizing an incredible Enrichment Showcase week! Our SET's and DET's planned thoughtful lessons that could engage parents, and students had so much fun learning alongside their parents throughout the week! There is a lot of planning that goes into this event, so thank you to Leslie for her vision, for communicating with the sites, and for supporting our programs.
* Maria - Thank you for facilitating the planning of a great TRAC Parent Meeting last week! We had over 35 parents in the room, learning about how to support their children at home with SEL. Our TRAC teachers did a great job presenting from their strengths, with Maria's support.
Updates & Calendar items of interest
Please see below
Key dates for you:
- 2/4 - Management (8:00) and ILC (9:30) - Please bring to ILC your i-Ready Leadership Success Guide, Leadership Learner's Notebook, and Educator's Digital Guide (these are paper workbooks we received during the fall PD's and are pictured below as a reference)
TEAM TOSA this week: The TOSAs will join ILC on Tuesday.
James - ECC
Robyn- PDL Wednesday (CGI PD and off other days)
Ashley - Monday- PEC, TRI work Wednesday-Friday
Sanjana - OK
Know My Story/ Know Our Story -- 5 Facts about Us
Christe Kay, Principal at LCH
- I am one of 11 kids – but only sort of. There are four of us kids (biological), four step siblings on dad’s side and three step siblings on mom’s side. As you can imagine, it’s a bit looney and never dull! (Pic of one part of one side of the family from the holidays is included)
- Growing up, I got my first job at 11 years old, working at my parent’s pharmacy in Ramona. I worked there until I went away to college at 17 years old. I loved every minute of working there and briefly considered a career as a pharmacist. I also considered a career in psychology, acting, business, politics, and journalism.
- My husband, Dave and I have been married for 16 years. Our daughter, Madeline, is 10 years old. We love our little family and truly spend time together because we like to! Sometimes I feel a bit abnormal because I don’t look forward to time away from my family like some of my mom-friends. I would rather be with my daughter and hubby…and I’m lucky because they feel the same way!
- We love to travel and started doing so more after my husband’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease six years ago. We go to Mexico regularly and have a very long bucket list of places to visit. During spring break we are heading back east to Boston – which is probably my favorite city. I went to college out there – it’s been way too long since we’ve been back. Madeline decided a few years ago that she wants to go to Harvard for college so she’s excited to go see it! #itsgoodtohavegoals
- Growing up in Ramona was small town living. My parents owned the pharmacy, my aunt was the dance teacher, my grandmother was on the school board, my uncle worked at the high school, my grandfather and dad were deeply involved in the chamber of commerce and planning group politics of the town….needless to say, I didn’t have any anonymity as a teenager:) I was eager to get out of Ramona after high school and learned very quickly I’m much more city than I am country!
Educational Services
Email: amy.illingworth@eusd.net
Website: www.eusd.net
Phone: 760-944-4300
Twitter: @AmyLIllingworth