Staying Connected
Join Dr. Muri on his 2016-17 Campus Visit Tour
Connected @SpringShadows (9/27)
Be Brave
- Spring Shadows formed a Blended Learning Cadre last year. Instructors in this group include Miguel Nava, 5th grade; Enrique Navas, special education resources; Maria Luna and Michele Ali, both 3rd grade math; Katie Gentry, reading instructional specialist; and Noe Hernandez, math instructional specialist. The cadre is committed to using blended learning practices as a regular part of classroom instruction and design so that students gain both collaborative and individual learning opportunities. They have also started a Twitter PLC, used QR Codes for videos, and Camtasia for messaging.
- Involvement in Spring Shadows’ Hooves for Hope, the equestrian program hosted the by Magic Moments Stable in Spring Branch, has increased to 57 students in the campus’ after-school program. Hooves for Hope began last year with special funding by Texas Capital Bank through the Spring Branch Education Foundation. An added fundraising partner may be named soon.
Be Proud
- Indexes measuring Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps and Post-Secondary Readiness among Spring Shadows students are at the highest levels seen since the STAAR program began. Post-Secondary Readiness was most improved, increasing 12 points (20 to 32).
- In 2016, rates of Advanced Performance in 4th grade STAAR Reading and Writing ranked in the top quartile, or Q1, among 40 comparable schools.
- Spring Shadow’s writing program rank, as measured by 4th grade Advanced Performance in Writing compared to 40 similar schools, has improved steadily from the lowest quartile, Q4, in 2014, to third quartile, Q3, in 2015, and to the top quartile, Q1, in 2016.
Be a Learner
- Several faculty are working with Educational Technology to begin a student Robotics Club this fall. Teachers Maria Piralla, 5th grade, and Michele Ali, 3rd grade, and librarian Ann Parsons-Newmann are recruiting Spring Shadows students.
- In June, Principal Rachel Martinez joined several Spring Shadows teachers at the ISTE (International Society of Technical Education) gathering in Denver.
Stay Connected All Year Long
I encourage you to continue to CONNECT with me providing input about what we’re doing right and what may need improvement as we aspire to be the best we can be for EVERY CHILD. How? Ask questions during my visit. (Be brave!) Take the post-visit survey. Send me an email. Call me. Whatever it takes, share your feedback and input on what you've heard and what we can do to continue to inspire minds and shape lives at your campus and across the district.
Again, thank you to all the campuses I've visited in September. I look forward to seeing each of you as I continue my tour this school year.
#LimitlessCuriosity
#CollectiveGreatness
#CollaborativeSpirit
Spring Branch ISD