Promoting Teaching & Learning @ NHS
Resources to Increase Capacity for Teaching & Learning
May 2016
This newsletter provides additional information and resources on the areas of focus that drive Needham High School's goals and professional development for the year. We believe attention to each of the following five areas provides the best learning environment for all of our students. Comments and feedback are welcome!
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Cultural Proficiency
American Denial
The Privilege of Blood Donation
Resources from Your Colleagues
Professional Development Opportunities
Signing Up for Courses
All of the courses should be listed on My Learning Plan soon. To register yourself for the course, you need to do two things: (1) Sign up on MLP and (2) email Ingrid Eppelsheimer <ieppelsheimer@edcollab.org> at EDCO.
IDEAS Book Group
Our district's membership in the IDEAS program also means you are entitled to attend the IDEAS Book Group, which next meets at NHS on May 18th to discuss The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende.
From Amazon.com: "Named one of the most anticipated novels of the year by New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Publishers Weekly, The Huffington Post, and more. From New York Times and internationally bestselling author Isabel Allende, an exquisitely crafted love story and multigenerational epic that sweeps from San Francisco in the present-day to Poland and the United States during the Second World War."
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Technology & Innovation
Moving Toward 1:1
- Assessment of 2015-2016 1:1 pilot programs in the Greater Boston Project and Sophomore Academy, as well as discussion of supporting these pilots in the 2016-2017 school year
- Additional 1:1 pilot programs beginning in September of 2016
- Continued "Tech Teasers" at faculty meetings and follow-up CPT
- Expanded Tech Camp opportunities for staff with priority given to those involved in current and upcoming pilots
- Development of documents to ease the transition from a traditional classroom to one that enhances digital learning
As always, if you have questions, comments, or feedback about any of this ongoing tech work, please see your department representative or speak to either of the committee chairs (Sam Bookston and Johnny Cole).
Technology Committee Meeting Minutes
- April Meeting (joint meeting with the ILT)
- March Meeting
- February Meeting
- January Meeting
- December Meeting
Additional Resources
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Interdisciplinary Learning
Interdisciplinary Learning Team News
For the April committee meeting session, the ILT joined forces with the Tech and Innovation and committee. During the meeting each team shared their mission and vision and then broke up into small heterogeneous groups. The groups discussed how the work of the two committees overlaps and identified action steps for the remainder of this year and next year. The following are some highlights and ideas that came out of the meeting:
Creating a website or digital file to share innovative and interdisciplinary resources (toolkit for teachers)
Consider developing interdisciplinary team SMART Goals
Continue and expand interdepartmental rounds - create a model for observing and analyzing teaching and learning
Define innovation as a school
Observe and collaborate with middle school around 1-to-1 and PBL model
Plan PD for staff
Check out the agenda and minutes from the joint meeting here.
ILT Mini-Grant Update
Friday, April 29, was the deadline to submit NEF Interdisciplinary Learning Mini-grant Proposals. We are thrilled that we received five proposals including the work of 15 NHS teachers. The ILT will review the proposals at our next meeting and a subcommittee, including an NEF representative, will make final funding decisions.
Most Likely To Succeed
Please see the message below from superintendent, Dan Gutekanst and consider attending the event:
“The entire faculty and staff is invited to view the acclaimed documentary, Most Likely to Succeed next Thursday afternoon, May 5th at 3:30 p.m. in the Newman auditorium.
I think it's a provocative film that affirms many of our values and practices and will also challenge us to think critically about our work with Needham's students. You may view a film trailer here. After the 75-80 minute screening, we will hold a brief conversation/discussion about the film. Snacks and refreshments will be available for all.”
Committee Minutes
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Social Emotional Learning
SEL Resources
SEL Committee Work
The SEL group has been meeting as a district-wide committee to work to achieve K-12 vertical alignment of our district goals. The group's next step will be to align these goals with the forthcoming DESE SEL curriculum and review the state SEL standards report. If you have any questions or feedback for this group, please see our building representative Brad Walker.
Needham High School
Email: johnny_cole@needham.k12.ma.us
Website: http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/
Location: 609 Webster Street, Needham, MA, United States
Phone: (781) 455-0800