Engagement

   "The real problem with schools is not low academic achievement, but disengagement of students" - Sarah Fine

This quote has been running through my mind all week!  Sarah Fine was one of the authors of "In Search of Deeper Learning" and part of some reading many of our teachers read during our Design Thinking Training this week.  Even though the quote is hard to hear as an educator, I do believe it to be ture!  The quote isn't only talking about the students that get into trouble and don't do their homework, it is also talking about students that learn how to "play school" and are great kids and students but not truly engaged.

As I reflect on this past week, I am excited about the possibilities of change.  This change isn't only about Perry Central, but a change that is needed in every public high school across the country.  To start creating change, educators need all of the skills we have learned to be teachers to provide academic rigor, literacy, critical thinking, etc. AND create opportunities for purpose and authenticity for our students.  

 This week, 12 teachers participated in a very high level Design Thinking training for key aspects of designing engaging lessons for our students.  Key parts of this process, that we learned from High Tech High, include bringing in community partners, having students design or build or do something that is real and authentic as part of our lessons - and to find ways to create big shared experiences for students!  We also learned we need to create systems as a school for our teachers to be able to plan and design together.  The triangle to the left shows the heirarchy of engaging audiences.  When we can get our students in projects that can get people in the field providing feed back or projects that effect the world or others, we are truly creating purpose and a love for learning for our students.  

  Friday, I attended the Governor's Workforce Cabinet meeting in Noblesville.  We met at Gaylor Electric, a large company that does work across the nation.  They were sharing how education and apprenticeships have long been a part of their company history and now they have partnered with local high schools to provide training on their company floor!  Students 16 and older come there to earn industry certifications, build products for them, get paid and eventually have the opportunity to work for their company - making a very healthy wage.  They also host over 50 interns throughout the year.  I also love how they are focusing on employability skills even in their company!  

These opportunities are not new concepts to us, but the fact that they promote this flexibility and work across the state is exciting - along with bringing education and business together.  We know that strong academic skills plus technical skills equals success for our students (really all of us).  Education truly changes the world and creating these models of learning can truly help all students succeed.   Our world is changing quickly and the skills our students need are changing.  It is time to rethink how we assess students, create opportunities for authentic and purposeful learning and truly engage students in this work.  It is exciting and overwhelming at the same time, but I know our team will find a way!

(You will see these post-its on the old nurse's office wall this week.  This is our brainstorming protocol that Design Thinking takes us through to really brainstorm about what our students can think, build or do.  We then spoke about engagement and community partners that could help us bring these ideas to life.  

Part of the Design Process is also making our learning visible - both student and teacher learning.  Visibility of learning helps create more creativity, accountability, excitement among our learning community and a way to show outsiders the expectations of our work!  That is why we are posting this portion of our learning, today!)

Important Information: 

COLLABORATE: 

Faculty Meeting - Due to a conflict with RECN training and SAT Training for teachers, we are going to move our faculty meeting to this coming Friday, February 24 at 7:30 a.m.  We are going to have some special guests (students) help us learn more about ChatGPT along with some educational protocols.  I know it is Friday - so we will try to have a great breakfast!

Book Study - We are looking for people interested in studying the book, "In Search of Deeper Learning" together and start thinking about systems, mindsets and beliefs need to be present to provide our students deeper, engagning learning experiences.  Anyone that has a passion for this work, I would highly recommend you to sign up!  The book is really deep itself, but I think we can jig-saw it and make it more palatable for everyone's time.   Once we see who is interested, we will figure our our times to meet that work for everyone's schedule.  I can't wait!!  Book Study Sign Up

RECN Training - Tuesday, Dana, Laura, Ty and myself will be out of the building to attend our RECN meeting with our mentor schools.  Our training will be at Paoli High School this week!

PLC Trainining -  Phil and I wll be attending the following PLCs during the following dates to share an important TED Talk about race.  It is important that everyone attend these meetings.  If you cannot attend during your normal PLC meeting, please jump into another time!  

          February 27th - Math & Island Teams   11:54 - 12:24  Jason Barnett's Room

          March 2nd - English & Special Education Teams   11:54 - 12:24   Alyssa Howe's Room

          March 3rd - Science & Social Studies Teams   11:54 - 12:24   Vanessa Johnson's Room 

Scheduling Meetings - As we move closer to creating the master schedule, I would like to meet with all teachers to talk about your likes/dislikes and goals for next school year.  This is very helpful as we create schedules!    I think the easiest way is for me to send emails to you and try to schedule a time with each of you individually.  Be on the look out for an email and be thinking about what you would like to share!   

Grades:  We are two weeks away from the end of the third quarter!  Feedback is very important for learning, so ensuring your gradebook is up to date is important.  Please make sure your grades are entered and students get the information they need for learning.  March 3rd is the last day of the quater and report cards will come out on March 10.  

Testing:  March 1st will be SAT testing for all juniors.  This is the state test that students will take.  It will take the entire morning.  Dana is working hard to train teachers on how to take the assessment and we will be asking some of you to help cover classes or proctor.  Please talk to your juniors about the importance of this day and their attendance.  They do have to take it to graduate.  

WIN Group Locaiton Change - Due to a shortage of coverage for WIN groups, we are going to move all of the juniors to one location.  The new WIN location will be the high school library.  Pam Wright and Kacey Dyer will be covering this group.  This started on Friday, but will be in full force starting Monday!

FFA Week:  FFA Dress Up days next week are: Monday: Dress like a cowboy; Tuesday: Dress Patriotic (Red, White, and Blue); Wednesday: Dress up as your favorite career; Thursday: Blue & Gold (FFA Shirt); Friday: Dress up as a Farmer (wear your Carhartt).    (Jeans week for everyone!  Dont' forget about the FFA teacher breakfast!)  

CREATE: 

* Mrs. Schwoeppe's Business Classes will be meeting with Domonic Poggi from the Indiana Small Business Development corporation.  Domonic is going to share with business their role in the local economy and how to create a business plan.  Mrs. Schwoeppe's classes are creating a business plan to present back to the ISBDC as they begin to start their own t-shirt business!

* Josh Craney is taking a mini-bus of students to the Conexus Indiana Enterprise Gathering in Indianapolis on Thursday.  Students and Mr. Craney will connect with other students and teachers from across the state!