Learning Together
Office of Instruction Newsletter - November 2022
Celebrating ARTS Partners
The Arts Reaching and Teaching in Schools (ARTS) Partnership is back at Gates Chili! As many of you know, the program adapts themes from traveling Broadway shows into classroom and group lessons. These learning opportunities connect to the existing curriculum and seamlessly integrate arts education into everyday experiences that are consistent across the entire district. The students then have the opportunity to attend the show at the Auditorium Theatre.
This year, we are excited to provide students, staff and families with opportunities to engage in learning that is connected to four Broadway shows. These shows include Hamilton, Come From Away, Aladdin and Six. This November, more than 650 middle and high school students and staff will experience Hamilton, then in December our sixth-grade students will experience Come From Away, in April, our students in grades 2-4 will experience Aladdin, and finally this May, students in high school English classes will attend a performance of Six.
It is clear from the smiling faces of students, staff and families at Hamilton that the powerful classroom learning experiences leading up to the show make the experience meaningful for all. Thank you to all the staff that supported this learning opportunity for our students. This award-winning program is undoubtedly a bright spot for so many.
Have a great November!
All smiles!
Informed theatre-goers
Curtains up!
Rigor in Action
Here's a glimpse of what has been shared so far:
- Content areas collaborating with library staff to offer more student choice in inquiry-based research projects
- Answering the essential question, "Does where you live matter?" by connecting with pen pals in different states
- Student-led assessment reflection and goal setting as a next step
- Integration of art and counseling standards to explore and research careers while answering the questions, "How can my interests and abilities align with my future career path," and "How does our career influence our fashion and clothing choices?"
- Utilizing different question types in Schoology to provide insight into students' thought processes and misconceptions
- Community-based field trips, local guest speakers and artists
- Hamilton - integration of ELA, SS, music and art
- Anti-racist curriculum project
If we haven't been to your building yet, we will be soon! We're looking forward to our next sessions, beginning in January, where you'll have a chance to bring pictures, lessons, or activity descriptions of rigorous instruction in action.
Fall Family Fest
It’s almost time for the Fall Family Fest: Harvesting Health and Wellness in our Community! Please join us at the event on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 5-7 p.m. in the Gates Chili Field House at 1 Spartan Way. There will be fun games, live performances, a passport fair, our annual coat drive and great opportunities to connect with community businesses and live performances! Flu vaccinations will also be available from 5-8 p.m. for individuals ages 4 and older. Walk-ins are welcome, but you are encouraged to make an appointment. Call (716) 805-1020 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to make an appointment. Staff are encouraged to stop in to this outstanding community event!
Professional Learning Updates
It is hard to believe that we are already beginning the month of November! I was reminded last night that there is so much educational jargon that can be confusing, so I want to take an opportunity to share some of the great things happening, but also provide some clarity on a few acronyms! Please read the following updates on PL, PLP and MTSS and let Joanna Salandy or Teri Marsh know if you have questions!
Professional Learning (PL), formerly known as professional development, was a shift from the state several years ago, so we are working to be aligned, but also appreciate how this term better embraces the focus on learning for ALL – not just our students!
We are just getting our Professional Learning Plan Team (PLP Team) restarted for the 22-23 school year. The focus of this team is adjusted to not only work on our districts plan for submission to NYS, but to collaboratively develop a vision for PL in Gates Chili and act in alignment of our vision and the district goals. The PLP Team will collaboratively recommend what proposals and collegial circles are approved, determine ways to expand our in-district offerings, and identify PL processes and communication avenues that can be streamlined.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is an umbrella term for a structured system of supports that includes proactive and universal programs and structures in each of our buildings that supports core instruction meeting the needs of 100% of students, social-emotional wellness, attendance, behavior, enrichment, and more! Our district MTSS Team had our first meeting last week and has started to work collaboratively toward a common understanding of MTSS and discovering the current realities within each of our buildings to build the foundation for our work.
Riddle me this...
What has a mouth, but cannot eat; moves, but has no legs;
and has a bank, but cannot put money in it?
The first three (3) staff members to submit the correct answer by clicking the button below will receive a prize!