Mustang Message
April 4, 2016
A Principal's Perspective
You may know this term, but it is new to me - Makerspace. I am learning more about a makerspace in a school setting. A general definition by Diana Rendina is "A makerspace is a place where students can gather to create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and materials." Three key ingredients are necessary: place, people and making something. Basically a community center with tools. Another definition of ideas about makerspaces comes from Joe Rontondi who helped create The Forge, a nonprofit makerspace in North Carolina. He defines a makerspace as "...places where people and ideas come together with tools. ...The Forge, like other makerspaces, are the expressions of a community and a dynamic force fueled by the creative collisions of people, their ideas, and ultimately their stories." I love the idea of a collision of people, ideas and stories! What a great concept to integrate STEM or STEAM activities while integrating our GP mission for students. I am still learning about makerspaces. Below are some resources to check out if interested. I wonder if a pod, library or empty classroom could transform to a makerspace. What would it look like? I welcome your ideas!
Makerspace Blog:
Blog Journey from Stewart Middle School: http://renovatedlearning.com/our-makerspace-journey/
Makerspace Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5VSLlG9jQk
Definition & Resource Sites:
Be Legendary - See the possibilities!
Donna
Morning Duties of the Week
Morning Assembly (7:30): McMurray
Gym (7:20): Littlefield
Cafeteria (7:20): Brown
Bus (7:20 - Buses/ Cafeteria after all buses arrive): Bartosh
Parent Drop Off Traffic: Lake
Parent Drop Off: Rhine & Parr
Counselor Schedule: 1st & 2nd
Librarian: PC
Week at a Glance
SATURDAY: 5th Annual Rodeo! 10:00-3:00 - Please support the efforts of PTO by attending the event at some point during the day. It will be fun on a beautiful day!
Jean Week for Rodeo Volunteers (baked, ticket sales, cupcake judges)
Monday: 3rd Grade STAAR Practice Math; Progress monitoring forms & grades due to SPED; Admin Leadership Team Meeting @ 3:00-4:00
Tuesday: 3rd Grade STAAR Practice Reading; 4th Grade STAAR Practice Math; Lunch with Principal @ 12:25
Wednesday: Sing-A-Long @ 8:30; Early Release at 12:45; Running Club 3:15-3:45; Training for new GP staff 3:30-4:30 with Simmons; Hump Day/Lounge Day - Teams eat lunch in teacher's lounge
Thursday: PTO Meeting 12:00-1:00; 4th Grade STAAR Practice Reading; 1st Grade trip to Waco Zoo - return at 4:00; SIT Group #1 rescheduled to next week (Gibbs, Owen, LeBlanc, Bingaman/Sullivan, Simmons/Hastings, Cooper/McGregor)
Friday: 4th Grade to Austin; Math Meetings K-3rd at Conference Times; 2nd & 1st Grade Switch CAMP times; End of 5th six weeks
News & Notes
The CSISD School Board is seeking community input regarding future school boundary adjustments. Community meetings will be April 6th at 6:30 in the CSISD Board Room and April 12th at noon at the CSISD Transportation Center.
Please sign up in Eduphoria for next week's early release professional development day. Link: http://eduphoria.csisd.org/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3612
Mustang Yee Haws!
- Whoop! Kara, my daughter, is getting her Aggie ring on Friday!