TOAST Weekly Newsletter
Week of: Nov. 17th-Nov. 21st, 2014
Meeting the needs of our scholars?
One thing I must make clear is that I am for an extended day for schools. As 1 of 6 children, from a single parent, my mother depended on the school and community to help support the needs of my family. There were no excuses, no comments about the type of parent my mother was. Just the overall need to do the right thing to support my family. Those are the memories that I have as a young scholar in an urban school setting. After all, we often say that the schools should be a focal point of the community, but we have limited hours of operation that support real learning. Time that is needed if we are to truly provide access to all and meet the needs of EVERY scholar.
As we move forward and plan for the 2015-2016 school year, I am looking for risk takers who will share ideas of what an extended day for TOAST would/could look like. Do we bring in experts for the real world to support the learning that is happening in the classrooms? How could we staff the extended day? Do we look at flexible scheduling or offer incentives for staff? Do we make connections with service providers so our scholars and families can be supported in all capacities? I have ideas of my own, but would like to hear what you have to offer. Feel free to email me or leave me some thoughts in my mailbox!
BLT Meeting Update:
Crisis Debriefings Needed:
Mrs. Laddin and I will connect with any staff that need to be present.
PTA Meeting
Monday, Nov 17, 2014, 06:30 PM
Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science & Technology, Albany, NY, United States
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Friday, Nov 21, 2014, 07:30 AM
Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science & Technology, Albany, NY, United States
TLQP Members (Current and New)
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2014, 03:00 PM
Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science & Technology, Albany, NY, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Transformational Power in Education Technology
The video link below is a quick view on how the use of technology and how it can support education has transformed, but the tool only enhancing the individual experts. It is not a replacement. It is an enhancement.
PBIS Mini Lesson Reviews 11/18/14
If we buy it, the gap will close! Are we sure about that?
I guess I am asking if we are asking the right questions? Are these needs or wants? How will TOAST define the need vs. the want? In order to move forward, we must ask ourselves to tough questions and listen to each other's responses.
I believe the gap WILL close if we choose tools responsibly and with a clear plan, goals in mind that are shared with all and we have common expectations. No excuses, just high expectations.
The video below is a quick visual that I shared last year, but relevant to the topic.