tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64121263000271571122024-03-13T07:31:11.220-05:00Cardinal ConnectionThis site is for Benton High School administration to offer a regular venue of communication about school issues and current learning events.The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-82240907620515577152009-06-07T19:37:00.005-05:002009-06-07T19:47:56.143-05:00Tech Cohort 2 Summer Training<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3vT1b8oN8OOQjMMiSgcdchHKxIW797ovwo8RU9XzMcQ-X-xpnj-5YBOCdknVRdcdtZ0F6nMc3rvY2rowUzv_geRCTY1L7jJECaqZ6LsksVR_tQbFt354yA-gKrz_CRpVxvyP_NAA1SpI/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3vT1b8oN8OOQjMMiSgcdchHKxIW797ovwo8RU9XzMcQ-X-xpnj-5YBOCdknVRdcdtZ0F6nMc3rvY2rowUzv_geRCTY1L7jJECaqZ6LsksVR_tQbFt354yA-gKrz_CRpVxvyP_NAA1SpI/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344749596201235442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SUMMER FUN FOR EVERYONE!<br />We hope this BLOG finds you enjoying the summer sun and time to re-energize. We wanted to send an exciting note to everyone letting you know that our laptops have arrived! Our Tech Cohort 2 is on schedule, and we are really looking forward to getting everyone on board with the new instructional tools.<br /><br />As we shared in our May meeting, we will be compensating everyone for the training time this summer. We have budgeted 8 hours for each staff member at $25 per hour. The plan is to have everyone come for the first meeting “Care and Feeding of your Mac” for four hours. Then, after that initial session, the other two training sessions will be 2 hours each. Following each session, we will be sending everyone off with assignments geared to familiarize you with use of your laptop. It promises to be fun.<br /><br />Each session will be held in the library media center and start at 9:00. We will provide pizza on each training day, so bring your own drink. The dates for the sessions are:<br />Session 1: June 22nd (4 hours)<br />Session 2: July 20th (2 hours)<br />Session 3: August 10th (2 hours)<br />A make-up session will be offered on July 30th. If you are unable to attend the first four-hour session, we will be able to provide a small group at your first attended session.<br /><br />In addition to our <a href="http://punya.educ.msu.edu/research/tpck/">TPACK</a> (technological, pedagogical, content knowledge) training, <a href="http://web.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Schools/SchoolLocation.asp?LocationID=34">Benton staff </a>will be focusing on student management and motivation next year in our School Improvement Plan (SIP). We are bringing in <a href="http://schoolimprovement.com/experts/jim-knight.html?gclid=CPyY7bW4-ZoCFRAMDQodjR6wdA">Jim Knight and company</a> to help us get to the center of what it takes to keep our kids motivated and focused in our classes. One goal is to create a school-wide management system that we can all use to build the best instructional environment for our students all while ensuring that they stay enrolled in school and make it to their graduation day. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszBnZx_zvgPPd9tYR8zVSpWEutBGrZre-ngqFGO2vsMP93LFYrL6bBOYBZ4KOh4OBOIJt5arQhr4ezW2zjUmRPiTiXlF04VZlzbvH2-VcAOgqxxu4rOYDVtz7fPY_rDJdoab2ydbxgYM7/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszBnZx_zvgPPd9tYR8zVSpWEutBGrZre-ngqFGO2vsMP93LFYrL6bBOYBZ4KOh4OBOIJt5arQhr4ezW2zjUmRPiTiXlF04VZlzbvH2-VcAOgqxxu4rOYDVtz7fPY_rDJdoab2ydbxgYM7/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344751576363711010" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We are really looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks. Dress is completely casual for this training – flip flop appropriate, as I like to say.<br /><br />Until June 22nd…<br />Jeanette, Jeff, Luke and Sean<br />(For the new folks: feel free to contact us at school at 816-671-4030 or log-in at either of the following sites:<br /><a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/">http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/</a><br />http://cardinalconnection.blogspot.com/The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-38671642400368934262009-05-10T18:18:00.029-05:002009-05-10T20:52:23.240-05:00Back in Business & Ready to Roll!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJSBfVf5ign7E7RPHhOBDgH5AtmYDT-Fs0ABIjkG2e50UIsVKe_3QM1CJyy0GS5eepo25Rxeee0Bd4z7v44oIUXHCtfltd1jgnqX2xDQ4718nQ-SzOnV2JMkxeMs86R7eL9ux4ZL4opsA/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJSBfVf5ign7E7RPHhOBDgH5AtmYDT-Fs0ABIjkG2e50UIsVKe_3QM1CJyy0GS5eepo25Rxeee0Bd4z7v44oIUXHCtfltd1jgnqX2xDQ4718nQ-SzOnV2JMkxeMs86R7eL9ux4ZL4opsA/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334339343267967874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSOC2rvFQQnl7RqX9_VBG56XS1wZd0dhdthQFhEhCndO0jKiV5czOVmu0Grc_9-R0sDOHiCs8dUthaSBFE1LiAaPU98rw6o9Xl-2TlRdDmdNWjNSyimBLy2IK6UZUAjn6MZTRD1msdBYO/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSOC2rvFQQnl7RqX9_VBG56XS1wZd0dhdthQFhEhCndO0jKiV5czOVmu0Grc_9-R0sDOHiCs8dUthaSBFE1LiAaPU98rw6o9Xl-2TlRdDmdNWjNSyimBLy2IK6UZUAjn6MZTRD1msdBYO/s320/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334344200956868706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Teachers...</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />We have so many things to celebrate, I figured we might might as well make a week of it! I hope </span><span style="font-size:100%;">you all love it. We missed National Teacher Week and Day last week with all the EOC testing and meetings, but </span><span style="font-size:100%;">we are not going to miss it entirely. Jeff, Luke, Z and I are going to help you celebrate you by hosting FOOD all week long! The menu will follow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Secretaries...</span><br />ALSO, we missed Secretaries Day the week before -- and you all know we can NOT do without </span><span style="font-size:100%;">them! I officially declare WEDNESDAY of this week to be for the secretaries. You should bring them presents or give them hugs or something. They really do make the world turn at Benton. Please celebrate with me.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Students...</span><br />We have award winners in our midst that we need to celebrate! On WEDNESDAY, we will have </span><span style="font-size:100%;">an assembly during 5th hour (unless Z overturns this decision and changes the day). During that assembly, we will honor CHOIR state winners, BAND state winners, INDUSTRIAL</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> TECHNOLOGY state winners, and JROTC will present their special routines (Stackhouse and Rivera, you decide which routine to display). If I've missed any students that should be honored -- </span><span style="font-size:100%;">email me ASAP and we'll put them on the agenda.<br /><br />On Friday, we have our Scholarship Assembly to honor our award winning seniors. Please </span><span style="font-size:100%;">thank our counselors (particularly Nancy), as they put a TON of work into this! After the assembly, our NHS seniors will be honored with their end-of-year picnic. Be prepared for those seniors to be out of class Friday afternoon.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mYlgx5f5vq1ZkBYYvdSJhu_hyphenhyphen9KNrlOCTlVuhNo4k83FVAtahCiBS5ssN4a4BoapaFuHRSCqiQJY5BDERcb2Dv5DpXu-XF5PQO7oLAFhvGW8LAa3TzEEjvh-dozashYrHmFHY1oawL-o/s1600-h/images-2.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mYlgx5f5vq1ZkBYYvdSJhu_hyphenhyphen9KNrlOCTlVuhNo4k83FVAtahCiBS5ssN4a4BoapaFuHRSCqiQJY5BDERcb2Dv5DpXu-XF5PQO7oLAFhvGW8LAa3TzEEjvh-dozashYrHmFHY1oawL-o/s200/images-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334346153229934098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSm9IXtvGcQVbYf3csX_MmbRhTl5AL5eKAAn988aEj_nzMuzFWMPXSJxxJMLg8hPv4saQMH3BJPzFOmGQqJxHAlYGNkyGEETmEwbJcmDttd8SEHi0e9BJyjm0FSKMCn3SmYMcE7malVZo/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 71px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSm9IXtvGcQVbYf3csX_MmbRhTl5AL5eKAAn988aEj_nzMuzFWMPXSJxxJMLg8hPv4saQMH3BJPzFOmGQqJxHAlYGNkyGEETmEwbJcmDttd8SEHi0e9BJyjm0FSKMCn3SmYMcE7malVZo/s320/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334344518529354226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div>It's time to share leadership. Starting on Tuesday (after school, the room next to my office), we are going to begin planning the CAMP for next year. This is a MAJOR initiative for Benton for 2009-2010. If you want a voice, leadership experience, or an opportunity to direct how BHS operates next year, you might want to be there.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYqdVinqQXfFnwMAWs0ej4OafOWrCrwp7yQD7wlMkgAabufSXFR3nURTji3jm9Iz8EFCEbiLQakpFBMUfU6JPJy4XXwImx-VBMGFhfc8UzBm3ggGt1g6I0XIMCdTY_Hq_kEmf08-zihFo/s1600-h/images-3.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYqdVinqQXfFnwMAWs0ej4OafOWrCrwp7yQD7wlMkgAabufSXFR3nURTji3jm9Iz8EFCEbiLQakpFBMUfU6JPJy4XXwImx-VBMGFhfc8UzBm3ggGt1g6I0XIMCdTY_Hq_kEmf08-zihFo/s200/images-3.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334359528917436626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Climate Control Committee:</span><br />With our new technological trend, I see this committee being analogous to upgrading to a digital thermostat. It's time to upgrade how we respond to "hot" items in our building -- from our high failure rate, to classroom discipline, from dropping attendance, to our our ever increasing alternative school referral and drop out rate. This committee provides another opportunity for leadership. If you have an opinion on any of these topics, this committee is for you. We are meeting after school on Thursday (in the office next to mine).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgUdeRFvReKNO9sG2VZz1IZ_LfoOzca8imqoLzi6sMj8JkHau-BgUXlb9IAdj9LB-vRX1hqbvngyu1GL6l25JSEHEFOcFKpfZnbY4Ql7y9IYiuJrEPSjxNqZuyLzAh0JggVuAJRHmZkVA/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgUdeRFvReKNO9sG2VZz1IZ_LfoOzca8imqoLzi6sMj8JkHau-BgUXlb9IAdj9LB-vRX1hqbvngyu1GL6l25JSEHEFOcFKpfZnbY4Ql7y9IYiuJrEPSjxNqZuyLzAh0JggVuAJRHmZkVA/s320/images-1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334377873954467634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Professional Development in 2009-2010</span><br />Your department should be talking about this pretty often by now. Our School Improvement Plan is due by June 1st. Your Department Improvement Plan is due now. Our goals remain the same, but the SIP goal committees have made a few changes in strategies and action steps. I think you'll like them. The goals remain as follows:<br /><br /><br />1. Close the achievement gap. These really lands on department best practices, changing practice in order to improve our testing data (ie. include ACT in curriculum AND begin to work on improving benchmark scores) and identifying students who are really at risk and doing something REALLY different for them.<br />2. Improve our graduation rate (we have to keep our kids in school at Benton)<br />3. Improve our attendance rate<br />4. Implement a four year technology plan (we are in year two, and as of last week -- we will be able to continue our implementation bringing on all staff with constructivist learning using Web 2.0 tools)<br /><br />The district is changing the way they do business in the way the offer PD for content areas. Next year, each department will be given time to focus even more on their best practices and will have the funding to do so. There will be additional district department PD times. Look for the dates and times from your coordinators and department chairs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Power School PD</span> -- Power school is our new student information system that will roll out on June 8th. Principals and secretaries will be trained over the summer, but expect training at the beginning of the year. This web-based system will take a little getting used to, but it will be a great asset to our improvement plan.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GcwtekubCEz-67_Ss73tQ6Z0KJptHYtxTu-POJ8klKAKiotUkqKK4c1MhoyFSCLKRY_9R89-jaJjCDRA12DXayakdV-RMynOtO_QUntCY92eV-KjCp2cghs93WzT6rRB4Ho5Xbu52XeI/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GcwtekubCEz-67_Ss73tQ6Z0KJptHYtxTu-POJ8klKAKiotUkqKK4c1MhoyFSCLKRY_9R89-jaJjCDRA12DXayakdV-RMynOtO_QUntCY92eV-KjCp2cghs93WzT6rRB4Ho5Xbu52XeI/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334373824368687154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GRADUATION</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CEREMONY:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CLASS OF 2009</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">May 31, 2009; 7:00 p.m. @ Civic Arena</span><br />This year, all three high schools will offer formal ceremonies with staff participation in the processional. It makes for an incredible memory when our students see their teachers at graduation for one last hurrah! I hope you all can carve an hour or so out of your schedule to share this time with the Class of 2009. If you plan to attend, please contact Debby Fry as soon as possible to reserve your gown. We will have a short video and directions for all staff members participating in order to make sure everyone is comfortable with the entrance. I promise, you will not be disappointed if you can celebrate this one last time with your students!The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-87382721011111380852009-04-26T09:31:00.004-05:002009-04-26T09:38:18.723-05:00April 12 & 19: Too Sad To Speak<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5B5isHovC2cC9p4tKZxWlXCaVUGfQm__5bUjeYmJ19trABFsU91suvU_VZmVpxXaN-f-nYaYv24ZfrxRBJ1zkx38b7j23YcyRp-NUCLblHk7AAhrkQ3qmzVUUYezF-FvyxgDMMfLPfP7x/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 87px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5B5isHovC2cC9p4tKZxWlXCaVUGfQm__5bUjeYmJ19trABFsU91suvU_VZmVpxXaN-f-nYaYv24ZfrxRBJ1zkx38b7j23YcyRp-NUCLblHk7AAhrkQ3qmzVUUYezF-FvyxgDMMfLPfP7x/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329009318953499602" border="0" /></a>Sorry so silent, Cardinals. It's been a tough few weeks with our levy and bond initiative failing. I've finally informed all staff who will not return of their future. The cuts are still not set. Fees will rise. I will post our future plans soon.<br /><br />I appreciate your continued efforts for our students. You are true professionals.The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-81646176578263527742009-04-05T18:49:00.008-05:002009-04-05T19:21:49.285-05:00Week 29: One Day<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >April 7th: </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://voteyestwice.ning.com/profile/VoteYesTwice">Vote Yes Twice</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWtmExH54J_Tl7LRYrSHhBc0sFAYLe1tuFlyAcJuEqVFktoXVNdyUp9uU3eDKJns-sosqZFuQh_3RRVrckdbx4YD2cieQXvMIwDdmzwyGi3CUYTHkf1P5QaiT0vuCvoqe7LHhzA91oNbz/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWtmExH54J_Tl7LRYrSHhBc0sFAYLe1tuFlyAcJuEqVFktoXVNdyUp9uU3eDKJns-sosqZFuQh_3RRVrckdbx4YD2cieQXvMIwDdmzwyGi3CUYTHkf1P5QaiT0vuCvoqe7LHhzA91oNbz/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321362977633295282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />As I sat in church this morning, <a href="http://www.graceontheweb.org/staff.asp">Darrell Jones</a>, my pastor, shared how this week was the church's week -- with a celebration of Palm Sunday to start it and Easter Sunday to complete it.<br /><br />It is not lost on me that the election for the school district levy and bond falls within this encapsulated week. It's a powerful thought. As my pastor shared passages from Luke, he made a statement that seemed to have a double message in my life:<br /><br />"It's about you and me making a difference in the Jerusalem in which we live."<br /><br />I have always felt called to make a difference in the lives of children. I work hard to make that difference matter. I have felt God's grace in my efforts. As Pastor Darrell finished up, he asked us to "recognize the significance of the day." He is, obviously, referring to Easter -- but in my life, there was a double message in that statement.<br /><br />Tuesday is also a significant day in our lives . It will, in many ways, determine the future of the city in which many of us live. It absolutely will affect the place where we all work. It's time for the Benton staff to make a difference in our community. We must get out and vote on Tuesday. This really is about you and me making a difference in the community in which we live.The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-733787769887138782009-03-29T20:25:00.003-05:002009-03-29T20:32:20.492-05:00Week 28: The Future Looks Like This!<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-size:180%;" >Great Find!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ibB9iST7HMeysb8lo6GRXOVescYoxWy9DTx-hj5yL0wlroQvOY2V1yWboScTw0xXWA-DFN7ht46FyAGMRqJEwaQVEzc0GFm1pzaa6GHV4h88ZXtFwUr79GL9XHu6CtPb0kkkOr6gNcNG/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 74px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ibB9iST7HMeysb8lo6GRXOVescYoxWy9DTx-hj5yL0wlroQvOY2V1yWboScTw0xXWA-DFN7ht46FyAGMRqJEwaQVEzc0GFm1pzaa6GHV4h88ZXtFwUr79GL9XHu6CtPb0kkkOr6gNcNG/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318786589680824674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/profile/KerryShepherd">Kerry Shepherd </a>posted this<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwM4ieFOotA"> link to a video about the Networked Student</a> on <a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/">Virtual Southside</a> today. It's worthy for all to watch -- only five minutes! This is where we are going with our kids next year. Exciting times. Thanks Kerry!The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-31969249264153460652009-03-22T16:30:00.007-05:002009-03-22T16:44:13.629-05:00Week 27: CAMPing @ BHS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWls-ix2HOd-CMuUFd80RWSZYcM3mFNaKCU4ONrBpd-c5jWuAzefJhnC-dD030yeJvO40H1OfXI3_SoUEgrMN-Jr3RbNeS5ZPwCN7kx_qREH8r5TLgqKTgwA4gkSaq00iL6a026q_Xzp6/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWls-ix2HOd-CMuUFd80RWSZYcM3mFNaKCU4ONrBpd-c5jWuAzefJhnC-dD030yeJvO40H1OfXI3_SoUEgrMN-Jr3RbNeS5ZPwCN7kx_qREH8r5TLgqKTgwA4gkSaq00iL6a026q_Xzp6/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316129870373932338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" ><br /><br />Why Are We Going CAMPing?</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Background Knowledge: Carn</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">egie Units, Advisement and School Hour Changes</span><br />The <a href="http://web.sjsd.k12.mo.us/">2009-2010 school calendar </a>will change significantly from previous years. First semester will begin August 19th and end December 22nd. This is a tremendous advantage for our high school students allowing a smart and logical break in educational units of time – for final exams as well as for transfers and transcripting purposes – with the end of the semester occurring before they leave for the winter holiday break.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Meeting Carnegie Unit Requirements</span><br />Our courses are offered on a time unit called a <a href="http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/about/sub.asp?key=17&subkey=1874">Carnegie Unit</a> which requires 120 hours of instruction to earn one unit of high school credit (or 60 hours for ½ credit) for a course. By ending the semester prior to the winter break, the semester would have been 10 days shorter in the first semester of 2009-2010 school year, so it accommodated by starting earlier than the previous year. With that in place, there was still a time shortage for each class that totals to five minutes per class. Last fall, Dr. Dial asked all the high school principals to provide a potential schedule to accommodate the additional five minutes per class. I posted an option on Virtual Southside and sent an email to all staff to read it and comment. I made the appropriate changes and submitted the following schedule which added only five minutes to our school day:<br /><br />1/2 7:40 – 9:08<br />3/4 9:12 – 10:40<br />5/6 10:44 – 1:08 (Announcements 10:45-10:50)<br />7/8 1:12 – 2:40<br /><br />Note: Several suggestions were made to just simply add 20 minutes to the school day. All high school principals stood in favor of teacher time and plan time to maintain current hours of operation, and all three high schools added less than 10 minutes to the daily schedules therefore not effecting after school activities, bus schedules and teacher after hour work times.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">New Schedule; New Challenges</span><br />So, with the new schedule comes a few challenges. As the schedule shows, we will offer only four blocks a day and with the addition of five minutes per class comes the sacrifice of the allotted time for our academic lab period. Currently, a few very good programs are in operation during that time – several innovative teachers and counselors have spent academic lab time increasing student learning in their own content area, on ACT skills, or in specialty student needs groups. FMPs spend time with the freshmen tutoring and building relationships. So what do we do with these programs? How do we continue with ideas that we know are working for our students in a day when the schedule no longer provides the minutes? I’m so glad you asked.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">SGMS Advisement Success</span><br />Last week I was talking about how well advisement had worked with the Spring Garden 8th graders who will come to us this fall. Their plan began last year with all instructional personnel at SGMS being assigned 8-10 students each to advise and mentor. Jeff, Luke and I, along with all our counselors, went to Spring Garden and saw advisement in action. It was amazing. I talked to several parents about the advisement process, and although they were not totally clear on the program, they did think it was impressive that one teacher took the time to maintain a vested interest in their child. The program will come to Benton starting next year. In order to put it into place, we must begin planning now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTosN09mUA1u1hqdJd5-_ihWfEsPxIIj2zTAtLD9Le8MdRSTWDbAtf8XYmC_WahmQ6utVqBNHaJiN3NaU1PqJ0v0kDqYkZpzA6exGXY2j-lSxCPPCghyTGVA7EXCDMzD0Wrtq0kUiqRfmE/s1600-h/images-2.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 69px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTosN09mUA1u1hqdJd5-_ihWfEsPxIIj2zTAtLD9Le8MdRSTWDbAtf8XYmC_WahmQ6utVqBNHaJiN3NaU1PqJ0v0kDqYkZpzA6exGXY2j-lSxCPPCghyTGVA7EXCDMzD0Wrtq0kUiqRfmE/s400/images-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316130599486487538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Cardinal Advisement & Mentoring Program (CAMP): Commencing 8.19.09</span><br />Yep, we’re going to CAMP! It’s going to be fun! We are going to get close to our kids. We will keep them with us until they graduate. We will present a more formalized program proposal to the Leadership Team on April 22nd during the team retreat, but I would like for you to talk with your department chairs and give them ideas or concerns to bring with them to the retreat. To do that, I need to share the basics.<br />1. We will “save” time from out 5th/6th hour to create a bubble of time to meet with our CAMP kids. We will meet two times monthly with our CAMPers<br />2. We will create a CAMP schedule which allows you to meet with our CAMP kids; the schedule will offer CAMP time during 3/4 block then in two weeks in 5/6 block in order to allow at least one meeting per month with Hillyard students.<br />3. We will allow each adult (secretaries, maintenance, and nutrition will not be assigned students) to select students – sort of in a draft style – with every adult having 2 students from each grade. Each adult will also have at least TWO ornaments on their team – you can even keep your one from this year!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Feedback Time</span><br />Feel free to pose questions. Feel free to add to the idea. Feel free to be critical. We need to look at this from every single, solitary perspective possible. Give the information to your department chair to bring the LT retreat. You can also email it to Jeff, Luke or me – but please don’t expect answers. This is up to the Leadership Team and they will decide based on what you tell them! I’m excited. I love CAMPing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4B7oZsS4_XIuCa9i_zQ1EeJtdbA3CUiwTQKJ8EHnJz9jh1CNRYN4MlpaZELfXZuYAFOzuTxEL3uGrnMlyymQje4q78IzhN4q1A7IKVX94gZbEONSgivbHMdvNMIuIvp8f3BW3LNaAha98/s1600-h/images-3.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4B7oZsS4_XIuCa9i_zQ1EeJtdbA3CUiwTQKJ8EHnJz9jh1CNRYN4MlpaZELfXZuYAFOzuTxEL3uGrnMlyymQje4q78IzhN4q1A7IKVX94gZbEONSgivbHMdvNMIuIvp8f3BW3LNaAha98/s200/images-3.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316131028973677426" border="0" /></a><br />P.S. Luke is an Eagle Scout. You know he will be good at this!The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-52048818000630842632009-03-15T22:00:00.007-05:002009-03-15T22:16:14.849-05:00Week 26: The Leading Edge: How Can Benton get There?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7ZUTL1YZhq0kktdZXmHJ2t6VeqCRsTbjtbvB44XoOlhBR2q7GbQy7ZvkLNtwDRm1WGZRKx5xYqpAIzfBVQRSRosONOuNSuasZrOjInJ6wh02iZDbmhLnPBaW9E33PHWs3_kopHEKM10G/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"> <img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7ZUTL1YZhq0kktdZXmHJ2t6VeqCRsTbjtbvB44XoOlhBR2q7GbQy7ZvkLNtwDRm1WGZRKx5xYqpAIzfBVQRSRosONOuNSuasZrOjInJ6wh02iZDbmhLnPBaW9E33PHWs3_kopHEKM10G/s200/images-1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313615985810526882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >What does it mean to be<br />leading edge in education in 2009? </span></span><br /><br />As we begin to update our plan for the 2009-2010 school year, I find myself wondering about something I perceive to be extraordinarily significant. I wonder if it’s important to my staff at Benton to be a school on the leading edge of progress?<br /><br />I guess in order for each individual staff member to make that decision, one would have to know what being a “leading edge school” entails in education in 2009. I can only offer a limited idea of what that looks like from our corner of the state, but I would enjoy constructing a list that encompasses insights from across the nation – maybe even across the oceans. Funny thing is, the only way I have to offer what it leading edge is in some instances is to offer what it isn’t.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First of all</span>, I think leading edge in 2009 is a school that is enriching instructional offerings. The offerings must be grounded in standards, and I heard that Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, is offering <a href="http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/2009/02/12/duncan-bangs-the-drum-for-national-standards/">national standards</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Secondly,</span> I think schools must rethink what constitutes a school day, semester credits, and a school year. <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/03/obama_education_plan_merit_pay.html">President Obama has been throwing around the idea </a>for a few weeks now.<br />Crazy thing is, Missouri’s current process is perpetuating the value of attendance over what the attendance gains us. Our students must sit in rooms or travel room to room to hear about it when all they desire is to practice their learning. That practice along with more realistic relativity to the information being taught is critical to student learning. We must stop the preaching and reach out to the different ways. In our school – we are calling that constructivism. In science classes in our district, it’s referred to as inquiry learning. In our social studies departments, it’s called problem-based learning (PBL). It’s coming to all four core areas with heavy implications to the electives.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thirdly </span>(sounds funny, but it’s legitimate), we must address what it takes for a student to <a href="http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2009/02/03/arne-duncan-the-lesson-plan-for-education.html">“graduate” from grade to grade </a>and finally from high school. Our current system is not rewarding the learning – it continues to reward the time served. The placid practice of earning a grade is, ironically, so lacking in motivation for students. Oh sure, it works in the short term, but for resistant or struggling learners, it’s deleterious. Without question, at Benton we are finding the issue of failing grades to lack of credits indelibly paralleling our alternative referral rates.<br /><br />Students are leaving us their junior and senior years to sit in front of computers to learn what they need to learn in order to pass the GRE test (as well as the national and MO constitution tests), and earn an identical diploma to one earned from our own institution. Sounds enticing, doesn’t it? According to our latest data, Benton has 118 referrals so far this year compared to Lafayette’s 25 or so. Central also has less than us. I certainly think to be leading edge – practice must change. Albert Einstein said it best; “Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finally</span>, and possibly most importantly, there is technology. We must embrace it. At this point in time, but the most appropriate way to consider integration is through <a href="http://punya.educ.msu.edu/research/tpck/">TPACK</a>.<br />I am excited to say we at Benton, we are preparing for a faculty launch. Not unlike the <a href="http://www.newsamericanow.com/2009/03/15/finally-space-shuttle-discovery-launches/">Space Shuttle</a>, we might be delayed by poor weather, but we WILL launch. I think our focus will be blogging to start – since we have piloted our start with our <a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/">Virtual Southside</a> technology cohort – but all educators interested in being leading edge must hook up with <a href="http://education.alltop.com/">Alltop</a> (Education),<br />all the top blogs on education in the nation. To learn how to blog – either as a professional, in professional development or in your classroom, you will see the best of the best modeled here.<br /><br />And so, Benton High School, with that said, I must ask you this. Are you ready to be leading edge? I realize it will take work, but more so, it will take your dedication. Dedication is to several things – our kids, each other, and change. We will never settle for good enough. We decided that years ago – remember our embracing good to great? This is where the rubber hits the road. Time to check your bus ticket. All aboard!The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-78230688984246371292009-03-08T16:19:00.003-05:002009-03-08T19:24:36.927-05:00Week 25: March 2-6, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQmHg_ed4Jzwp6k8iYsnrnu2l9rdIYktobsUeLllhmRYZPbKw0JeggXDohuMCIFokQqy35XwGjU6yqumCoEqTwzb6PRpEYjotE4T4hkS2YWhBeH5kybo7FbQn3czYrLEyYVIPrEWmwzON/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQmHg_ed4Jzwp6k8iYsnrnu2l9rdIYktobsUeLllhmRYZPbKw0JeggXDohuMCIFokQqy35XwGjU6yqumCoEqTwzb6PRpEYjotE4T4hkS2YWhBeH5kybo7FbQn3czYrLEyYVIPrEWmwzON/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310930423777202242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">TIME CHANGE</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ironically, an appropriate analogy of our school improvement.</span><br /><br />Yahoo! We did it! The district walkthrough felt great! Although each part of the year-long process was arduous – for our staff, the leadership team, the BAR team and administration -- it was worth each step along the way. Both Mrs. Patterson and Dr. Dial had huge praise for the progress Benton’s staff has made on our journey of school improvement. They both gave us kudos for specific improvements we have made on our SIP and DIPs as well as giving us some very important critical feedback on areas to focus on in our SIP next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >CELEBRATION</span><br />First and foremost, let’s celebrate what we did well. Both Mrs. Patterson and Dr. Dial reported they saw evidence of our literacy program embedded deeply in our school. In classroom after classroom they witnessed teachers and students engaged in reading – either through Eyes Past Print (EPP) or individual student reading. Tech cohort teachers were actively using technology in their classrooms – a strong testament to the continued, powerful success of our pilot program – and what Mrs. Patterson was most impressed about in the those classroom was that the lessons were based in constructivist instruction.<br /><br />The most exciting feedback, however, came in two specific areas. One was on our student work displays. Both Patterson and Dial claimed that Benton had, without question, the best exhibition of student work displays they have ever – and they both emphasized the “ever” – seen in high schools. Not only were the displays best in quantity; both viewed numerous displays with exceptional quality.<br /><br />The second area of distinction, and what we all agreed was the most powerful area of improvement, was how each department’s best practice was in some way evident in every classroom they entered or in the window into their classroom as seen in the display of student work. Patterson and Dial carried a list of best practices with them on the walkthrough, which your teams established in your department improvement plans, with intent to determine what level of department improvement was implemented. Interestingly, they both noted which departments were more successful as a team coming together in their improvement and which departments were more individualized. All in all, they were impressed at the success of our use of Department Improvement Plans to build toward our school improvement!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >CRITICAL FEEDBACK</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Here is comes, but before we share that with you, allow me one aside….</span><br /><br />Sean handed me a book a few days ago called <span style="font-style: italic;">Mindset</span> (Dweck, 2006). It’s definitely leadership team EPP material, but one excerpt about how certain people dealt with failure (which is what I am pushing to parallel with our critical feedback) was very eye opening for me. In her research about those individuals, Dweck said,<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> “What did they know? They knew that human qualities, such as intellectual skills, could be cultivated through effort. And that’s what they were doing – getting smarter. Not only weren’t they discouraged by failure, they didn’t even think they were failing. They thought they were learning.”</span><br /><br />I realized that in each walkthrough, Patterson’s and Dial’s critical feedback set us up for learning. There are people, according to Dweck, who choose a “fixed mindset” which evokes defensiveness or stubborn resolve in their approach, but the “growth mindset” allows individuals to use [critical feedback] to sharpen practice – even if it stands in greatness. It goes without question that Jeff, Luke and I would challenge you to join us in the growth mindset – to learn with us as we continue to improve not only our own practice, but education as we provide it for our students.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">GROWTH MINDSET</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As a school, we were given two major challenges: </span><br />1. Align. Align your curriculum objectives to your lessons. Align your lessons to your student work. Align your objectives to our scoring guides and rubrics. Align your scoring guides and rubrics in your common collaborative courses. [We, okay “I,” started to take a fixed mindset here and defend how we were working on this, and then I realized – they’re right; we can do much, much better at this.] This means revisiting our focus on understanding how to unpack objectives and fit that to the rest of the process.<br />2. Embed each department in their best practice so that no matter what classroom you enter there is obvious and overwhelming evidence of their best practice.<br /><br />Mrs. Patterson and Dr. Dial debriefed us by departments, which we felt was very helpful. Jeff, Luke and I met later Friday night (meetings kept us there until 4:30 which is why your walkthrough letter is so late in its posting) to finally debrief the walkthrough, and we realized that some of the feedback must be delivered to departments individually. Why? Because there is no guarantee on mindset, I suppose. There are ideas, questions, and discussion that need to be done in a more intimate setting. With that said, we will not include everything in this public forum. Here are some of the more generalized comments from Patterson and Dial:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Communication Arts:</span> Good job on attempting readers and writers workshops as noted in the DIP. No one asked you to do this, and you still went there on your own. What is guiding you? Why isn’t your entire team studying and implementing similarly? Excellent collaboration was noted as seen in the CA10 common student work display. We will separately department debrief on: reading strategies, purpose for reading, accountability, essential outcome setting, independent reading improvements, and conferencing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Special Education:</span> We must work on establishing instructional curriculum, setting prioritized essential outcomes, and understanding how to unpack them in the entire gamut of the instructional process. Continue to work with core coordinators for alignment. For further discussion: student work displays, integrating objectives with IEP objectives, courses offered by grade by curriculum.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Social Studies:</span> The parts of PBL that must now be evident are the noted professional development areas last year and this year. Those non-negotiable elements include the entry document, the comparison or need to know chart, the problem statement, and coaching. Discussion on the difference between problem and product must be ongoing. The framework is present. Topics for further discussion: work on how to thicken the PBL unit, full department implementation, missing PBL aspects.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mathematics:</span> The synergy in the work displays of common courses was positively noted. We were told not to take that for granted. Several discussions questioning current operating practices and how teachers were questioning their own practice showed true growth in the department mindset. Continued reflection on practice and how to change failures was encouraging. Patterson strongly suggested we encourage and increase the voice of those ready to look at a constructivist approach. For further discussion: purpose of student work displays, continued level of failures, moving past using basic skills issue, and classroom visits for changing practice. Research Daggett.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Science</span>: Evidence of “claim, evidence, reasoning” was noted in most rooms. Use of common terminology was strong, but avoid “cookbook approach to inquiry.” Need to see current practice tweeked to provide higher level of rigor. Labs (displays) showed huge potential. Saw some evidence of science notebooking. For further discussion: Increasing notebooks to include more than labs/vocabulary but also reflection, scoring mechanism on scoring guides, and student work displays (alignment).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Foreign Language:</span> Need ideas for different paths and purposes to learn, need to focus on new instruction coming at the start of the school year, not past semester. For further discussion: alignment, new or refocused DIP best practice.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Business:</span> Where are we in technology integration with cohort learning? Is best practice problem or project based learning? What is the difference? Can the department differentiate? Why did you select (project or problem) the one you did? Best practice is scoring guides/rubrics – did they study the difference? What is basis for displayed scoring mechanism? Where is the process shown in work displays? For further discussion: scoring points on rubrics, rigor level of problem/projects, alignment to curriculum.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Industrial Technology:</span> Same as business with addition to display of student work needs to be thicker with application of scoring/assessment. For further discussion: where is the curriculum in the process of learning? How does the curriculum align to their best practice as shown in their scoring guides/rubrics?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FACS: </span>Same as business and IT. For further discussion: analyze issue of student failures, make plan to decrease.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fine Arts:</span> Beautiful displays throughout. What a tremendous improvement over the last two years. Why not display the curriculum objective with the student name, selection title? Make display cardholder permanent. For further discussion: What is your plan for your DIP after your common scoring guide?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PE/JROTC:</span> Wow, you had displays. Good job. Are you really implementing EPP? If yes, evidence and how. If not, why not? Gradual Release was your best practice. For further discussion: what does your best practice look like? How will a supervisor know it when they see it? What is different about GR than what you are currently doing?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Counseling:</span> Thanks for the food. Is Prep HQ really a “best practice” strategy or one tool to reach a best practice? How are you measuring Prep HQ? For further discussion: Where does advisement fit into your learning? How are you using EPAS (apart from how the departments are using it)?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leadership Team & BAR Team: </span>your work is clear and evident. The numerous commendations given to you two teams by your three administrators shows your true leadership and your impact to the improvement of Benton High School. What more can you do? What would take you to the next level? Where can you move to so that you own the process a bit more? I challenge you to find that step.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tech Cohort:</span> You have established a true pilot for the district. Your work is just beginning. Please continue to push hard to keep your practice grounded in constructivist learning. You are leading the way for high schools. Your administration tells me you will study TPACK, and without having further researched it myself, I believe it is exactly where we want to go as a district. Keep a strong push to integrate this into your classrooms.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From Jeff, Jeanette and Luke:</span> Great job you guys! Thanks for your hard work. We tremendously thank those of you who continue to take our school improvement to heart. We realize it is just too easy to make this a hoop jump or to sit back in your teacher chair and make this about you. We are here for the students. We are here to make sure they are given the very best we have. We hope you are here to be the best. We hope you know the three of us are here to try to make sure you are the best. When a school joins together – truly joins together – to improve, everyone benefits. We thank you again for joining hands with us as we learn together.<br /><br />With deep respect,<br />~JJLThe Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-76323347646283033422009-02-22T18:43:00.004-06:002009-02-22T19:11:00.628-06:00Week 24: February 23-27THE CIRCLE OF THE SIP<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG0tBLGwyysc2zpEz3ztfqgncNmOrIQt7Vd8UycJrpgnTLeJcwHHjxlgdZaVIee2fxobDzG-Inevx5yZ4eEYujKv6qgWqsuAPm5qTQqCA0pAU0tCXy_KDrBkQbJjFcT8XhDksyD5plbzf/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG0tBLGwyysc2zpEz3ztfqgncNmOrIQt7Vd8UycJrpgnTLeJcwHHjxlgdZaVIee2fxobDzG-Inevx5yZ4eEYujKv6qgWqsuAPm5qTQqCA0pAU0tCXy_KDrBkQbJjFcT8XhDksyD5plbzf/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305788800908881906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The image helps. We started the 2008-2009 SIP journey slightly less than one year ago. <br /><br />It took great thinking on the part of the Leadership Team. It took great thinking on the part of each department. That day at TMC birthed Library 2.0. Then the thinking lessened and finally settled as the plan took shape, the work became less and less. <br /><br />Then it started again -- this time with implementation. It was tough to implement our goals to gain improvement. Goal 1 -- Raise scores. We said we would read more, test better, implement best practices in each department. Goal 2 -- Increase attendance. We all wondered how. Goal 3 -- Reduce drop outs. The BAR team was created. The data was overwhelming. The implementation gave us hope. The data remained flat. Goal 4 -- well, our pilot cohort has its ups and downs. Time commitment issues. <br /><br />It was frustrating. For all of us. The math department and I own the second large dot on the second set around that circle. I learned much that collaboration day -- about myself and the frustration of implementing school improvement. Then science grapples with inquiry. Social studies would rather throw things -- mostly at me -- as we work through reading improvement. I wonder at what point we ALL own school improvement. I ponder how to truly make that happen. <br /><br />And so, we are two weeks away from sharing our school improvement with Mrs. Patterson and Dr. Dial. As we meet these last weeks with each department to review your data collection for your DIPs, I want to give you a few tips on what we are looking for:<br /><br />1. Each department should prepare a single presentation piece (probably a notebook) for your DIP data (arranging by goal seems easiest).<br />2. Each DIP needs to be walked through, goal by goal, action step by action step, and data must be collected.<br />3. Analyze your data and summarize it for your DIP (one or two bullet points with samples)<br />4. Keep notes on Next Steps for the 2009-2010 DIP. This will really help our department for next year's DIP.<br /><br />Okay everyone. Get your display of student work up. Get your data analyzed. We're on the final LARGE CIRCLE set of closing our SIP circle. Remember, it's a boat-load of work up front, but it quickly lessens. If you have questions -- don't hesitate to check with us!The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-80192873388931298572009-02-16T22:52:00.003-06:002009-02-16T23:03:05.809-06:00Week 23: Feb 17-20<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzoEXcNb9v8wSx7jLxvLr7V1VH-tErZZO1MWv7IONxzTqshGwE2YYAAiw_LeHIMA2b_8fCnvASOl9IFp1_7ojhdl9e_hWGj9QLmnsk2-PtM3wg8aeGZ50OdLFLJMFrC9yinCtuOJoCHxa/s1600-h/Odd.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzoEXcNb9v8wSx7jLxvLr7V1VH-tErZZO1MWv7IONxzTqshGwE2YYAAiw_LeHIMA2b_8fCnvASOl9IFp1_7ojhdl9e_hWGj9QLmnsk2-PtM3wg8aeGZ50OdLFLJMFrC9yinCtuOJoCHxa/s200/Odd.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303627233817796146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sewing Down the Letters of My ODD and EVEN life</span><br /><br />After a week’s hiatus, which my oldest son Matt told me not to feel guilty about, as the ability to not post constantly was the beauty of the blog, I find myself inside an analogy. You see, someone took Benton’s ODD and EVEN signs. It’s not vital to the day-in, day-out operations of our school, but it’s amazing how many people rely on those silly little signs. I’ve had the remaking of those signs on my list for almost two months now. That and about a thousand other things. Now, I try not to whine about how busy I am – no, really – and I know I am in good company (yes, I hear you say it too). I felt like I got beat up week before last and so my response was to fall back, lick my wounds, and come back stronger and smarter.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5KzuK7pZyVGk2LkOX67AL4PUSf55WrHwKeSk6ZXRXm446Jyw_h4EW63mtDAzAWkVvV3bOtl58jRkRVATWhrHPkLPpP-nS_aJXxSNNDTGVbxe0BaNG3xN6pQg0FGtisU7D7TCnvulN_e5/s1600-h/Even.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5KzuK7pZyVGk2LkOX67AL4PUSf55WrHwKeSk6ZXRXm446Jyw_h4EW63mtDAzAWkVvV3bOtl58jRkRVATWhrHPkLPpP-nS_aJXxSNNDTGVbxe0BaNG3xN6pQg0FGtisU7D7TCnvulN_e5/s200/Even.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303626771352302674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here I am. No longer at ODDs with what has got to be progress (what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger); but more on an EVEN keel. I realized that I have a gazillion things I want to talk about with everyone – the very everyone’s that I run out of time to talk to during the school day. So, with that said, I will begin my series of posting on the following idea: BUT… before I start (and that might even be as soon as tomorrow), promise you will respond. Benton High School has blogable issues that we must communicate about. We HAVE TO, and I really mean HAVE TO, hash these things out. We have two weeks before we our walk through. One week later, our BIP (building improvement plan) is due. We have six weeks before the community VOTES about our future. We have two months before we MAP. Throw in master scheduling, five more grading cycles, prom, finals and graduation – geez, we need to talk!<br /><br />Okay folks, here’s my tentative list of topics for the next few weeks:<br />1. Grading – where is it getting us?<br />2. School and Department Improvement Plans – paperwork or improvement?<br />3. To Survey or Not to Survey – what do we want to know?<br />4. Technology – Our future, kids’ future – You in or out?<br />5. Fighting the Frustration and FatigueThe Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-33162976842118161992009-02-01T14:50:00.006-06:002009-02-01T15:26:55.913-06:00Week 21: February 2-6, 2009<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />JOB EMBEDDED DEVELOPMENT</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Living Large On-Line</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUgSbRcefEYuMkE37OoO8zTlh4oWRamWJqholCBpWZfRT_vvDaJQnYmfZ57A0SUncDY93tm-kwljaytbJk4iPN5TrKpT7QT9uTCiKcw2R9c3ATLpEN82anwQhmO-Q2RMX0CutJnHBksd2/s1600-h/344832591_01289b9913.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUgSbRcefEYuMkE37OoO8zTlh4oWRamWJqholCBpWZfRT_vvDaJQnYmfZ57A0SUncDY93tm-kwljaytbJk4iPN5TrKpT7QT9uTCiKcw2R9c3ATLpEN82anwQhmO-Q2RMX0CutJnHBksd2/s320/344832591_01289b9913.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297938754757682450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It's time to get everyone started toward SIP goal #4. School year 2009-2010 brings Benton High School to <a href="http://punya.educ.msu.edu/research/tpck/">TPACK </a>-- not just a <a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/">cohort of instructors</a> -- ALL of us! To begin getting everyone in the swing, Clay Burell's link below is a MUST READ that <a href="http://twitter.com/nashworld">Sean sent by way of Twitter</a>.<br /><br />If you do NOTHING ELSE this week, read <a href="http://education.change.org/blog/view/snark_attack_ucla_research_dissing_technology_bombs">Clay Burell's blog entitled, "Snark Attack: UCLA Research Dissing Technology Bombs!"</a> COMPLETELY!<br /><br />Take the time to explore every link and YouTube inclusion. You will grow professionally this week in ways you can not imagine! This is the beginning of Benton 2.0 and you are a part of it!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Image credits: Static.flicker:<br />http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/344832591_01289b9913.jpg&imgrefurl=http://k12learning20.wikispaces.com/&usg=__S-mOiJpGFeZIGTzrYfc-O1vuN5A=&h=500&w=500&sz=75&hl=en&start=1&sig2=TbglvNytwTPs_m_lGvSr-w&tbnid=htrOE1cMznfQsM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=130&ei=PA6GSYqBNN64twfcppXRCQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlearning%2B2.0%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG</span>The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-53428722236581216042009-01-25T22:27:00.004-06:002009-01-25T22:51:30.919-06:00Week 20: January 26-30, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6DJGtjktqo22gFOjs0CQFJ310Gw5sUjQONFzdQfSwKNwKDD9yg-onoXyWXgz1XTfSyDnJmGB9PdQe4541M33rSwnkCs0TjVowzmcRFIt_oWMvvIWCiLEh4UYMwLGpvexQ614AfFlaxqB/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6DJGtjktqo22gFOjs0CQFJ310Gw5sUjQONFzdQfSwKNwKDD9yg-onoXyWXgz1XTfSyDnJmGB9PdQe4541M33rSwnkCs0TjVowzmcRFIt_oWMvvIWCiLEh4UYMwLGpvexQ614AfFlaxqB/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295455618041861090" border="0" /></a>Do you feel DISCONNECTED?<br /><br />As the data walkthrough gets closer and closer, I grow more and more concerned with the feeling that our staff is not connected to our school improvement plan. I have to ask...WHY?<br /><br />In order to tie everyone to the plan, we have department improvement plans. I see the department chairs somewhat invested in those plans. Is the rest of the department invested? Maybe it's due to the fact that our plans are to broad -- too vague. Is that true? What causes an entire staff to work toward improvement? Do we have what it takes?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.janetallen.org/">JANET ALLEN</a><br />I thought her presentation was inspiring. I have seen that several teachers are already implementing her strategies. I am so enthused when I see this occur. Then, I am afraid when I see other staff members remain aloof and uninspired. It makes me wonder why. It makes me wonder if I will ever find out. It also makes me wonder if perhaps Benton is on a path they don't agree with. What happens then?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE</span><br />It's time for the tough reflection. It's also time for the administration to set the vision for Benton's future on the table. Who are we? Where are we going? What do we see in our academic future? What do we see in our technology future? Where are we going with department accountability? Teacher accountability? Administrator accountability? What do we want for our students? Have we set the bar high enough? Have we set it too high? Are we willing to give what it takes to get there or are we going to settle?<br /><br />I think the answers must come from all three of us. We will post this by Wednesday. The deadline for requesting a transfer is February 1st. We think our staff deserves to know the future expectations in order to know where the Benton bus is going.The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-60455486219329606472009-01-18T19:43:00.008-06:002009-01-18T22:19:33.733-06:00Week 19: January 12-16, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-2_Pm095jEqg6q2F4ri0pS0-k7i1eSU8Og4x2AmmJQm-zKG0DOhqE9gZIjIbcheUyehkw22d762Sx2RCCOwxIWozoNVS_4U_YjEyZVztQ-6cKY9uwQcGxxqIRqwxZ-4_jEyPCEI39-fs/s1600-h/0000493564-45714L.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-2_Pm095jEqg6q2F4ri0pS0-k7i1eSU8Og4x2AmmJQm-zKG0DOhqE9gZIjIbcheUyehkw22d762Sx2RCCOwxIWozoNVS_4U_YjEyZVztQ-6cKY9uwQcGxxqIRqwxZ-4_jEyPCEI39-fs/s200/0000493564-45714L.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292845782485407746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >Presidential Moments</span></span><br /><br />If you're wondering what the agenda is for January 20th at Benton High School, wonder no longer. It's not like we will be as busy as <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/content/home/">President-Elect Obama and his family for his inauguration</a>!<br /><br />Here is the schedule for our day:<br />7:30 - 8:45 Department Meetings (breakfast on your own)<br />8:45 - 8:55 Transition to Auditorium (informal greeting with Dr. Allen)<br />9:00 - 11:00 Dr. Janet Allen; Session 1<br />11:00 - 11:30 Dr. Allen informal meet & greet; Cohort 1 reflection writing time<br />11:30 - 12:30 Lunch & View Inauguration Ceremony (served by Hy-Vee in the cafeteria)<br />12:30 - 2:30 Dr. Janet Allen; Session 2<br />2:30 - 3:00 Dr. Allen informal meet & greet; Dept & cohort reflect/implement plan writing<br /><br />Each department must determine a plan for implementation after our training from Dr. Allen. I expect each department to submit the plan no later than Friday, January 23rd. Your plan should include a focus on how you will implement reading strategies, the timeline for implementation, and how you will measure improvement. (May I suggest <a href="http://www.lasw.org/">examining student work</a>?)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Also, don't forget our big events this upcoming week:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Leadership Team meeting is </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Wednesday at 7:00</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">. Ask your department chair about the new scheduling process we are going to try this year!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Friday, Jan 23rd,</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> is our 2nd Academic Pep Assembly. Mr. McCoy has a few more great treats to share with everyone! We will set by 5th hour classes, so make sure you go over your seating chart with your class!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Explaining a BEST PRACTICE</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">-- for your sake, for parents' sake, for students' sake, for our sake, for goodness sake!</span><br />Year long classes are year-long. Semester classes are semester-long. The concept seems pretty simple. Funny how complicated this has become. In an attempt to return to a life of simplicity, it's time to return to a few very obvious assertions:<br /><br />1. A student will not drop a year long class. Any exceptions to this rule will be by admin.<br />2. A teacher can not remove a student from a year long class. Any exceptions...see #1.<br /><br />If you are wondering why, you would be in the majority. Here's at stab at it:<br /><ul><li>We are not staffed to accommodate students dropping year long classes to take semester classes.<br /></li><li>The curriculum, and therefore end-of-course exams, are based on length of class. All students are required to take and end of course exam in the classes they take starting this year.</li><li>Students (and convinced parents) want to drop classes based on: 1) whether or not they like you, 2) whether or not they like their grade first semester, 3) depending on whether or not they have a big project due next semester they want to avoid, 4) they want to join their friends in something more "fun", or 5) a myriad of other reasons I am currently unable to offer at this time.<br /></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >ONE FINAL CHALLENGE<br /></span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >We need to examine the need to change our block classes from 83 minutes each to 88 minutes each without making you work longer days. Interested in solving the puzzle? <a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/profiles/blogs/88-minutes">Click here.</a> Enjoy!<br /><br />Oh yeah! Did you know that there are only two guidelines in the constitution concerning the Presidential Inauguration? The date and the time: 3rd Tuesday at noon. I learned that on my <a href="http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/04/5-things-you-can-do-to-begin-developing.html">PLN!</a> :)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span>The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-28725349150712154942009-01-11T22:32:00.007-06:002009-01-11T23:15:01.156-06:00Week 18: January 12-16<table style="width: 567px; height: 196px;" border="0"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-weight: bold;">CHANGING HOW WE TEST</span>...no more finals (unless...)<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <img style="width: 420px; height: 156px;" src="http://comics.dp.cx/2005.09.24/Calvin%20and%20Hobbes-2005.09.24.gif" alt="Calvin and Hobbes" /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-style: italic;">Giving a Semester Final:</span><br />This is, or was, what we used to call finals week. It is no longer. Well sort of, but not really. If that confuses you, you're in good company. This is the last week of the first semester of the 2008-2009 school year. We are no longer changing the hours we teach and test to offer students with two or less absences the opportunity to be exempt from testing. <br /><br />If you teach a class that is only a semester long, you ARE giving a comprehensive final exam; however, it's now called the <a href="http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/assess/eoc/">End-of-Course (EOC) exam</a>. This test is not to be confused with the <a href="http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/assess/eoc/documents/EOCReleasedItems.html">MAP EOC</a> (also End-of-Course Exam, but still <a href="http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/assess/eoc/documents/EOCOn-LinePracticeTests.html">MAP</a>). If you are teaching Algebra 1, Biology, or Communication Arts 10 (and you know who you are), then you are not only MAP testing this year, but you are doing so on-line with our students. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">MAP Practice Test (that really tests the SERVER):</span><br />The first week of February, our freshmen and sophomores will practice the on-line test. We are really trying to take a first run at the testing to see what gives and what doesn't at our technology end as well as at the state's. There really is no telling. The impact to most of the district is that TMC may close YouTube for a small time to conserve bandwidth (or they might not to see what happens). Either way, if the server crashes, you'll know. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Formative Testings of our Literacy Initiative:</span><br />January 20th brings <a href="http://education.byu.edu/cites/conferences/janet_session1.html">Janet Allen </a>to Benton. It's really almost like a formative assessment of sorts. Are we really bringing about change when it comes to advancing literacy in our school. Is our plan -- our school improvement objective that keeps us knee deep in <a href="http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/mm/oise2005/bestpractice/wordwall.htm">Word Walls</a> and <a href="http://naesp.typepad.com/blog/">Eyes Past Print</a> -- really working? I think she will give us feedback that will redirect or buttress. Not unlike the kids, it would really help if everyone would give an extra effort right before the test. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Early Outs (2 Hours) on Thursday and Friday:</span><br />These are for you! <a href="http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Schools/Lafayette/main/NewLHSmain2.html">Dr. Sumy</a>, Mrs. Godfrey and I asked the Superintendent's Council for time for teachers to put in their grades at the end of the semester. You got it, so make good use of the time! And with that, the semester is over. Enjoy <a href="http://www.mlkday.gov/">Monday's holiday</a>!The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-22242882940848829192009-01-04T22:25:00.005-06:002009-01-11T22:31:58.483-06:00Week 17: January 5-9, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj179mbjCtaCIRWDjs7HLGGfGkJ0HSoxhnA6KahW27axjAxbzs7VvDPr5Var-W_tg-GODfO6nfXyH33JMriYDEorsMZdSHqtRhwvcB3SXcfNizKMaIWyX7wWeyEV04f-ZFrHRI6C1Ek7vsM/s1600-h/IMG_0152.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj179mbjCtaCIRWDjs7HLGGfGkJ0HSoxhnA6KahW27axjAxbzs7VvDPr5Var-W_tg-GODfO6nfXyH33JMriYDEorsMZdSHqtRhwvcB3SXcfNizKMaIWyX7wWeyEV04f-ZFrHRI6C1Ek7vsM/s320/IMG_0152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287661691185637714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's Your Resolution?</span><br />Yep, it's 2009, and school starts up again tomorrow after a wonderfully rejuvenating two week break.<br /><br />As we start into this new year, what is your resolution? Just to break it down for you, mac says that's your intention, resolve or decision (just to name a few). <a href="http://web.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Templates/SJSDVision.asp">Dr. Smith</a> has often shared with me that education is a journey, not a destination. I agree, but we have to have specific places to visit along the way otherwise, we get tired of our travels. After two weeks of missing seeing each of you and the kids, it's time to start down the road again. (music enters into my head after that last ditty)<br /><br />Here's my resolutions for work for me...<br />1. Joy -- bring it, enjoy it, find it, share it, be it. Get it?<br />2. I want to celebrate what we do more often. Join me.<br />3. Bring more staff members with me on the journey. Can I ask you?<br />4. Enjoy change -- it will happen! (refer back to resolution #2)<br />5. Increase my techno-savvy. You know we have to do it!<br /><br />Okay everyone, your turn. What are your resolutions to better Benton?The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-45625013274891212422008-12-14T17:46:00.004-06:002008-12-14T18:33:47.640-06:00Week 16: December 8-12, 2008<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Enjoying the Gifts of the Season</span><br />The sound of children's laughter resounded down the hallway. I couldn't help but pause and enjoy it. I peek around the corner and see the teacher laughing with the kids. They are relaxed; they are all engaged in the conversation -- whatever it might be. For the moment at least, they are happy to be in school. I realized this scenario is happening more and more each day...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >The Gift of Laughter</span><br />Our staff has made an enormous effort to bring the joy of the season of Christmas to the halls and classrooms of Benton High School. With the humorous Eyes Past Print, the attempt at asking (and remembering) the "Three Whys, Man!" as well as the Christmas decorating contest, I have heard comment after comment from the students about how fun our teachers are lately. I couldn't help but feel a thrill each time I saw the kids smile when they said this.<br /><br />This is a tough time for all of us. As we gain ground on providing an excellent academic environment for our students, we are forced to confront some of the traditions of our past that were not necessarily student-centered. We are forced to reflect, sometimes together and sometimes alone, on what we do and why we do what we do in every aspect of our practice.<br />As we quickly approach the half way point of this school year (can you believe it?), I offer you all back a gift I realize you have so abundantly offered Jeff, Luke and me -- the JOY of working with each one of you.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Administrating Gifts</span><br />I know I have shared with many of you how strange it is for me to be considered, "the administrator." When a person enters the teaching profession with a love of teaching and enthusiasm of sharing your life with children, becoming an administrator does not look the same as when a teacher enters the profession to become the principal (or any other leadership position). It just doesn't.<br /><br />So...you walk into a room and people become nervous. You share out loud a concern you have, and everyone around you thinks you are talking about them. You lose your cool over something relatively superficial, and it becomes a law of momentous proportions within the hour. Oh, I know. That's why you get paid the big bucks. People toss that line to me several times a week. Here's the funny thing -- money is NOT why teacher turned administrators do what they do. Nope. For me personally, I do what I do because I want to make the professional lives of all the teachers I have the honor to work with just a little bit better than they were before I entered them. I know, from too many perspectives, that probably doesn't seem possible. I guess I would ask you to consider this...what other reason is there?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >The True Gift of Leadership</span><br />I don't think anyone will argue that gifts are more fun when they are wrapped in beautiful packages with great ribbons and bows adorning them. In leadership, those beautiful gifts are the relationships a leader gets to make with each teacher in the building. For me, relationships are the only thing I have to rely on at the end of the day. When I was teaching, those relationships were just there, sort of like a good pair of pajamas. I guess I just knew they would be. I still have a special bond with many of those teachers, but that bond is nothing compared to what I feel, and what I need, from the teachers (and admin boys) I work with now.<br /><br />And so, I thank each one of you for the gift you bring to my life everyday as we work together. The work we do is hard, thankless, and abundant. We embrace change now like old pros. We march to the beat of the drummer even when it's not to celebrate the little drummer boy. We hold each other to high standards even when we are only treading water ourselves. We laugh, and we hug, and we eat M&m's with the best of them. The gift of our relationship is precious. Thank you for not giving up on each other or us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Calendar Events for December 8-12, 2008</span><br />10 Dec -- BAR Meeting; 7:00, Room 103<br />10 Dec -- Open 4th Progress Reporting<br />11 Dec -- 8:00 to 11:30; Admin out of building<br />12 Dec -- 4th Progress Closed; verify by end of day<br />13 Dec -- ACT testing (encourage our testing students)The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-10939454903543779632008-11-22T20:54:00.005-06:002008-12-12T06:26:44.289-06:00Week 15: December 1-5, 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NciqI_xKReMymOndAt2hseSeL0K7ROgmiBlSC9WQ_9cZX58BkbuFGKjnLOpBNSWtKPrkHaq-aOsSWy3dD-fgfpjby773KGvDH8XVL1girTkq86i0Q2SJJwGHlOadeoO8oy2GOBw8U8k6/s1600-h/abhsBronze.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NciqI_xKReMymOndAt2hseSeL0K7ROgmiBlSC9WQ_9cZX58BkbuFGKjnLOpBNSWtKPrkHaq-aOsSWy3dD-fgfpjby773KGvDH8XVL1girTkq86i0Q2SJJwGHlOadeoO8oy2GOBw8U8k6/s320/abhsBronze.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278879008649260242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >“And what to my wondering eyes do appear...”</span><br /><br />In the midst of a crazy economy, it was obvious last Wednesday during our building professional development that the joy of the season abounds at <a href="http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Schools/Benton/index%283%29.htm">Benton High School</a>. The joy and merriment of our staff was contagious. In this review of the week, I want to share with you what my wondering eyes noticed…<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ornaments that Decorate our Hearts</span><br />Our staff embraced helping our most at-risk children by committing to two months of special attention to those who really need it the most. The reasons are not complex; most kids need an extra bit of attention from an adult who is instrumental in his or her life. Our staff just made a promise to be that person to one specific child and work harder at our other children. I wish you could have seen the enthusiasm and excitement that was overwhelmingly pervasive in the room at that moment. It was a wonderment…<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">National Ornaments</span><br />Friday afternoon, <a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/profile/KerryShepherd">Kerry Shepherd</a> brought me a copy of an article from US News & World Reports that stated Benton was on the list of <a href="http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/high-schools/index.html">America’s Best High Schools for 2009</a>! I was a little hesitant when she showed it to me, honestly. I wondered if they meant “our” Benton High School or if they had us mixed up with someone else (been there before with another local high school). Nope, it was definitely our data. It was us! We had made a national list that said what we were doing was worth noting. Yahoo!<br /><br />On Monday, the official letter from the editor of US News & World Reports landed on my desk. <a href="http://www.schoolmatters.com/">THAT was truly official!</a> Within one day, the local media was all over the story. How wonderful it was to share with our community that our staff was committed to working with the students in our school who are the least advantaged. Our websites will proudly display our badge of honor. The ornament is ours to hang. Wear it proudly…we know what ornaments it really represents. The wonders never cease to amaze…<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Ornaments Among Us</span><br />We have so many treasures we hang on our educational tree. Each one represents a special moment, award or student. Each one is precious. As your department embraces the decorating contest that will soon transform our halls, I want you each to remember that your light shines brightly at Benton. Our tide is turning. Your hard work is paying off. The children have noticed the change in you. The light that you offer into their lives as their teacher in not just ornamental; it’s foundational. Like a string of lights on a Christmas tree, you are the underlying ornament that makes all the others shine brightly. Sometimes we blink, sometimes we need a new bulb, but we are always the light. Lights transform. Lights are my favorite. It’s the wonderment of Christmas that makes my heart soar…<br /><br /><br />Upcoming Events:<br />3 Dec -- Leadership Team Meeting; 7:30 a.m. Room 103<br />3 Dec -- Early Out; 12:40 dismissal<br />3 Dec -- Building Professional Development, Room A115/A116 (Apple Dumpling Day!)<br />4 Dec -- Rotary Meeting in Library; library closed during 7th hour<br />4 Dec - FAST (Faculty Addressing Stressful Times) Event: 3:00 p.m.<br /> Candle Exchange hosted by Tracy Johnson in conference room<br />5 Dec -- Staff Lunch from FACS; Room 103 (odd day)The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-48421580153114190332008-11-22T20:52:00.010-06:002008-12-11T06:08:31.122-06:00Week 14: November 24-26, 2008WEEK IN REVIEW:<br />Without question, the highlight of last week in our professional world was the FAST event at Barbosa's! Laughter was limitless. Friendships were fostered. The purity of the joy felt in that room last Tuesday night reminded me of how good it feels when you hear a child enjoy a really good belly laugh. It's just good.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks.</span><br />To Bobby and Tori for taking a chance on getting the game going. I will set out the vote to all those who participated. Expect to vote on how fun the FAST event was to you. It means a day out of school on us! You gotta love that! The game lasts until the end of the semester. You too can join the contest!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Celebrate.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS8cEoazwMoUFjnzyG57hNTjhxAsJVTytB5g7Jizo60hrkK0EDyug_EX_pNqWOluxWxPMYvfY2VFpHLjFzfXP6xfi0m9JDdGBqC4oVHZ5CuJlvt3e5cFowcbB42v9fevERfJUcZdQCpMl/s1600-h/PB210038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS8cEoazwMoUFjnzyG57hNTjhxAsJVTytB5g7Jizo60hrkK0EDyug_EX_pNqWOluxWxPMYvfY2VFpHLjFzfXP6xfi0m9JDdGBqC4oVHZ5CuJlvt3e5cFowcbB42v9fevERfJUcZdQCpMl/s200/PB210038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274670933135160674" border="0" /></a>With Tammy Talbot on her achievement of National Board Certification! She would never be so bold as to run screaming down the hall with glee (although Tim probably would have)! Touch base with Tammy also about great things going on with Luke. You'll be glad you asked.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dasta Celebration!</span><br />Celebrate with Frank and all our students for their scores on the last ACT test! Frank Dasta made the cut! Congratulate him when you see him in the hallway for earning National Merit Finalist status. I'd say we could give a big pat on the back to his mentor Mark Blakely for nurturing that young man in the pre-engineering track. Way to go Frank! Way to go Frank's teachers!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">15 Days...</span><br />Until Christmas break. It's truly time to get down and dirty reaching and teaching our curriculum -- essential outcomes -- to our students. That totals eight ODD days and seven EVEN days. Add four more class periods to each one of those, and you've got a semester comprehensive final exam in your lap. Are you ready for this semester to be over? How far are you on those second quarter essential outcomes? You can do this because, laced with chocolate, this month is going to be fun, fun, fun! :)<br /><br />Calendar Events:<br />25 Nov -- PBTE Meeting for New Teachers to SJSD<br />25 Nov -- FAST (Faculty Addressing Stressful Times) Event; 4:00 p.m. @ Barbosa's<br /> Hosted by Bob Nash and Tori Grable: Turkey Trot<br />26 Nov -- BAR Meeting cancelled<br />26 Nov -- Early Out; 12:40 dismissalThe Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-59582342844650339512008-11-17T18:27:00.003-06:002008-11-23T23:26:39.409-06:00Week 13: November 17 - 21, 2008Upcoming Events:<br />17 Nov -- Fellowship of Christian Athletes Assembly; 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.<br />18 Nov -- Progress Reports Verified<br />19 Nov -- Leadership Team Meeting; 7:30 a.m., Room 103 (see agenda below)<br />19 Nov -- Pass out student progress reports during 5th hour<br />20 Nov -- Annette Lanham; Open Enrollment Insurance, Conference Room; All Day<br />20 Nov -- Technology Cohort 1 Meeting; 3:00 in Room 305 (yep, all the way up there)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">LT Meeting Agenda:</span><br />EPP -- Align the Design; pg. 88 (by Nancy Mooney & An Mausbach)<br />Discussion on SIP; team meetings; yearly progress<br />Dance Assignment Rescheduling<br />PBTE -- Admin Assignments<br /><br /><br /><br />WEEK IN REVIEW:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Change is a double-edged sword. Its relentless pace these days runs us off our feet. Yet when things are unsettled, we can find new ways to move ahead and to create breakthroughs not possible in stagnant societies" (Fullen, 2001).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCx_0pU1ORJPmuwiISrDgc2AH4W-7xbIX8eAl8QxCLLTzfpqBPX9Xjm6wLyofkwJtkDT3oC7tY81s946UYipSQNR8kafzi7OZM3gZ2d7SnfJiI9qpkKJPWmd9TNu-J0hVSS0_ZrgSm-LD/s1600-h/raise_storm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCx_0pU1ORJPmuwiISrDgc2AH4W-7xbIX8eAl8QxCLLTzfpqBPX9Xjm6wLyofkwJtkDT3oC7tY81s946UYipSQNR8kafzi7OZM3gZ2d7SnfJiI9qpkKJPWmd9TNu-J0hVSS0_ZrgSm-LD/s200/raise_storm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272073236190013522" border="0" /></a>The impending storm became more and more obvious...<br /></span>I think I became mildly cognizant of the weariness and stress on the staff somewhere near the election of our 44th President. I suppose the excitement of the event distracted us for the moment, but the reality of our daily pressures returned with a vengeance. <a href="http://web.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Schools/SchoolLocation.asp?LocationID=34">Benton High School</a> is deep in the throes of dynamic change. We didn't start our journey this fall; no, we started it more than 16 months ago. As a matter of fact, as hard as it is to believe, we planned it.<br /><br />In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leading-Culture-Change-Michael-Fullan/dp/0787953954">Michael Fullen's <span style="font-style: italic;">Leading in a Culture of Change</span></a>, he reminded me that we are in the stage of "coherence making." He states, "You don't have to become <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxrWz9XVvls">Dr. Strangelove</a> to realize that living on the edge means simultaneously letting go and reining in" (p. 107). Making our plan coherent often pushes us to the edge of chaos -- the tipping point -- and then we change and the dynamic is reclaimed only to be followed by an implementation dip. So, what is our plan? It's our SIP -- School Improvement Plan - with our FOUR specific and focused goals to achieve:<br />1. Close the achievement gap in our students improving our highest performing students while also increasing the performance in our students determined to be "at risk."<br />2. Increase the number of students who graduate (ie. reduce the number of dropouts)<br />3. Improve students' attendance to school/classes<br />4. Integrate technology as a system of technological, pedagogical and content knowledge into our classrooms using constructivism.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How Do We Re-establish our Moral Purpose? </span><br />Fullen goes on to explain that once we created our plan, we have to have the moral purpose -- commitment to betterment -- to accomplish it. We spent last year working through establishing our moral purpose. I guess I might confess that I presumed that once our moral purpose was set it stayed. I was wrong. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Relationships, Relationships, Relationships</span><br />Fullen says that creating and building relationships in an institution in change are second after moral purpose only because you can't have two firsts, and he states, "...it is actually the relationships that make the difference" (p. 51). I sort of thought we were doing well in the relationships department at Benton, but according to our "Mood Ring Survey" last week, we are not faring well. I tried to find team-building activities that would combine our teachers across departments -- allow us all to meet each other. Despite the complaints about time wasted on "stupid activities," I must say in hindsight, it probably worked. Now I am left to wonder what has changed? What are we missing that does not allow us to grow together in our common pursuit to become a cohesive team? I need more input than what you gave me on the survey in order to make it better. Feel free to help me out on this one. I am lost.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knowledge Building</span><br />The next step in leading change is building, sharing, creating, and managing knowledge. This is a TOUGH, tough, tough step, and I really think we are excellent at it. I think it's this step that causes our stress. Think about it. Think about how much DYNAMIC change we are leading. It's collaboration. It's department meetings. It's our departmental professional development. It's creating, sharing, building and managing essential outcomes. It's our benchmarking. It's our ACT push. It's our BAR team. It's Core Lab. It's the word wall and the math passes. It's the technology cohort. It's tightening up the discipline without losing too many kids. It's the tardy policy. It's the cell phone policy. It's all TOUGH, tough stuff. And it carries with it a master than none of us like very much. Its name is "Accountability," and we all serve it. Accountability has middle name; it's Data.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In a Moment of Lucidity...</span><br />I have always felt like information I need is delivered to me when I need it. I pray for wisdom and grace every day as I learn to lead our school to be the best that it can be. I am never disappointed on either front. My heart and mind was opened to the clarity of the moment this morning sitting in the 8:15 a.m. service, and it was solidified at the Jazz Express Concert I attended with Kurt tonight at the Missouri Theater. It comes by realizing how thankful I am for what I have in my life -- and the problems are really just the bottom half of a glass of opportunities. I am thankful that I start each day of my life full of joy and enthusiasm for the work I get to do with you all every Monday through Friday (and then some). In this day of economic distress -- I have a great, albeit extraordinarily difficult, job. I work with great, albiet sometimes arduous, allies. I deal with great, albeit troubled, children who deserve much more than I can ever offer them. I am thankful for my own family who allows me to spend colossal amounts of time on my Benton family. I am thankful for your tolerance of my learning. And I want you to know that I hear you. If you only knew how much I want to make things easier for you all -- to make everything work right. I guess you do now. And for that I am thankful.The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-4993038876346149562008-11-09T22:34:00.005-06:002008-11-17T22:59:22.995-06:00Week 12: November 10 - 14, 2008Upcoming Events:<br />10 Nov -- HS Principals' Meeting; 8-10 a.m., PBL Tour<br />10 Nov -- Board Meeting; 5:30 p.m. Benton School Profile<br />11 Nov -- Early Out (2 hours) for Veteran's Day<br />12 Nov -- BAR Meeting; 7:00 a.m., Room 103<br />12 Nov -- Nov Birthday Lunch<br />12 Nov -- Coach of Year Round Up, 7:30p.m., Holiday Inn<br />13 Nov -- Full Moon<br />14 Nov -- Fall Play "Sweeney Todd" (final weekend)<br /><br />WEEK TWELVE IN REVIEW:<br />I guess I hadn't realized how much I was looking forward to taking the trip. I mean, really. Most adults would consider a 3 hour drive and a weekend surrounded by high school <a href="http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Schools/Benton/indexsportscheer.htm">cheerleaders going to state competition </a>to be one akin to the scraping of fingernails on a chalkboard -- unless, of course, you're a cheer mom or a hormonal male (and not that those two groups have much more else in common, actually). Honestly, I was so ready to relax -- yes, relax -- with the fourteen most high strung teens from Benton High School (unless you count Jordan Bolton and his cronies). It made me think seriously about what it was that I enjoyed so much about the trip. It didn't take me long to start constructing the blog for this week. And boy did it tie the last week together better than any other event could have...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Problem? Based [on...] Learning!</span><br />Monday, November 10th we started the day with all the high school principals from across the district visiting Benton for our monthly high school business meeting. There's nothing like having guests to make you look in the mirror (metaphorically speaking for those who are tired while reading this) a million times. The admin crew was coming to Benton to observe <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem-based_learning">PBL</a> from <a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/profile/BobNash">Bobby Nash</a> and <a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/profile/JeffCarter">Jeff Carter</a>. Now, for one, you know how we administrators are -- competitive states it politely. Secondly, we are protective of our own. Momma tiger images are now racing through my mind (Go <a href="http://tigers.missouri.edu/">MU</a>!). And finally, we are careful but critical instructional leaders. The future of our city lands at our feet daily -- if kids don't learn, St. Joseph is in trouble. It's a mighty cross to carry. Bobby and Jeff were great. The feedback was careful (due to reasons #1 & #2) and intense (#3). The other principals did not share where their teachers were in the process. Collaboration was stilled. No one was truly honest with ways to be the best for our kids. We were all very careful.<br /><br />Monday NIGHT at the school board meeting was a BLAST! Jeff, Luke and I were able to share a profile with the school board about Benton. We pushed our technology way out there for all to see. We flaunted it. We taunted with it. The entire board meeting was about technology. The school board dipped its collective toe into the technology pond. They liked the feeling. They took a sip of the Kool-Aid; they liked the taste. I even sensed they wanted to ask for more to drink, but they were not sure what to ask for. I saw MR School Board with a twinkle in his eye. He has been sippin' on that Kool-Aid, and he knows where to get more. But he didn't ask either. No one risked plunging in or asking for more. I know I must levy my expectations for the future implication. Patience is a virtue. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ancora Imparo.</span><br /><br />Tuesday, Luke and I went to the Legal Academy for Principals. What we learned was grounding, scary, and heavily suggested more work to stay legal than we decided to share with everyone. There's enough stress at Benton. Wednesday proved it. The EVEN day department professional development for the first quarter took on much of the same tone as the ODD day did. Sadly, the frustration came out. The work load was stated and noted. The reflection was -- well, filled with angst. But in all the time that was spent -- it seemed very careful. The power of trust that leads to <a href="http://www.tablegroup.com/books/dysfunctions/">collaborative conflict</a> was absent. I was reminded exactly three times that Rome wasn't built in a day. Three times. I know about <a href="http://threes.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1186&Itemid=48">things in threes</a>. I read the book too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">JOY, JOY, JOY!</span><br />Jump forward (or in the <a href="http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Schools/Benton/indexsportsmain1.htm">cheerleader world</a>, a round off to a back handspring ) to Friday. I looked forward to this trip, and I figured out why. On this trip, I was with honesty. I mean they're cheerleaders. They live to be happy. They don't mean harm. And you know the saying, "From the mouths of babes..." In the case of our cheerleaders, it is three solid hours locked in a car giving me the closest thing to pure honest feedback about our school. Oh how I long for it! These kids don't really have an agenda -- well, beyond making others happy and cheerful! These kids shared their joy for learning with me for three straight hours. They told me what we do right at Benton (and boy is it a LOT of stuff!). They told me what they think we could do better. Here's what I know; they're right. They're honest, and as much as it's hard for anyone to believe -- that honesty is the vitamin that makes administrators STRONG!!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is There Such a Thing as a PERFECT STAFF MEMBER?</span><br />The other thing I noticed on this trip was the adult participation. The troupe that traveled with the cheerleaders is a mixed bunch. The coach Tracy Allen (teacher; FACS), her loyal hubby Ron, (teacher, IT), the assistant coach Tammy Davis (para-clerk; SpEd), the frosh coach Bryan Allen (para, SpEd -- and former MU cheerleader), Deb Sherard (she arrived later due to professional obligations; teacher; SocStud) and me. There were also a variety of stakeholders present (parents, significant others, besties) who showed up in varying stages during the weekend. These people share the good and the bad with me. Maybe it's because we are away from school that they think they can be honest. Maybe, like the cheerleaders they are just happy people (yes, even you Ron!). Or maybe, maybe they represent what I think might encapsulate the perfect staff member. They tell me the truth about what is happening. They have an agenda, but they make it crystal clear. They put it out there where I can deal with it. They don't mind the honest responses I give. They also know that agree with them or not; I want the best for our school and our kids.<br /><br />These are people who are honest with me; if for no other reason than so well stated in the <a href="http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/sept08/vol66/num01/Joy_in_School.aspx">Educational Leadership article by Steven Wolk</a>:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Schools need to find ways for students, teachers, and administrators to take a break from the sometimes emotional, tense, and serious school day and have some fun together. Sporting events, outdoor field days, movie nights, school sleep-ins, potluck meals, visits to restaurants, schoolwide T-shirt days, and talent shows can help everyone get to know one another better, tear down the personal walls that often get built inside schools, form more caring relationships, and simply have a wonderful time together.<br /></span></blockquote>I wondered...is this possible for our staff? Is there a way to build such a trust that when we come together every day, five days a week, for eight hours, that we trust each other enough to be honest? Can we be that honest? I think we can. But I also think it starts with two MAJOR things...1) Can you be a part of a team of people and form true caring relationships with each other and simply has a wonderful time together, and 2) Can you be honest with yourself first so that you can be honest with each other? I think we have to do this. I think we can do this. I think we do this for the children of Benton. Years of graduates will reap the results if this challenge is won! And so I set forth a challenge to the Benton Staff: Can we become the perfect staff members for the success of our students? It's time to come together!The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-67848747214041339782008-11-02T17:40:00.004-06:002008-11-09T23:30:20.581-06:00Week 11: November 3 - 7, 2008Upcoming Events:<br />Nov. 4 -- Election Day!<br />Nov. 5 -- Leadership Team Meeting; 7:30; Room 103<br />Nov. 6 -- Job Fair, 5th Hour, Modis Gym<br />Nov. 7 -- FACS Staff Lunch, Room 103<br />Nov. 7 -- Fall Play "Sweeney Todd", 7:00p.m., Auditorium<br /><br />WEEK ELEVEN IN REVIEW:<br />Invigoration is easy to notice once it happens, but to notice the actual moment of inception requires a very sensitive palate. I think my revitalization started on Sunday with the end of Daylight Savings Time. That extra hour of sleep just does a super-psycho number on my brain, and I feel empowered to accomplish great things after stealing an extra hour of snooze time.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">An Historical, Invigorating Moment</span><br />And as <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/election.president/index.html">CNN</a>, <a href="http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/04/wrap-polls-start-close-frenied-day-voting/">Fox</a>, and the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?page=1&id=6182036">networks</a> each <a href="http://cagle.com/news/ObamaWins08/main.asp">celebrated Obama's</a> status as President-Elect, I sat alone in a hotel room in Omaha, Nebraska. I started my day with a meeting with the superintendent and significant others discussing the Benton School Profile to be delivered at the <a href="http://www.boarddocs.com/mo/sjsd/Board.nsf/Public">School Board Meeting on November 11th</a>. The energy of the meeting was contagious as our supreme instructional leader listened to our thoughts and ideas patiently and with deep, rigorous questions and reflection. The excitement of the future of Benton 2.0 was given a powershot that only an approving nod from the head honcho can award.<br /><br />I left that meeting full of joy and drove two hours north to meet <a href="http://nashworld.edublogs.org/">Nash</a> and <a href="http://virtualsouthside.ning.com/profile/RustySchneeflock">Rusty Schneeflock</a>. They were already one hour into experiencing a most invigorating Apple 1 to 1 professional development event at <a href="http://www.westside66.org/westsidehs/site/default.asp">Westside High School</a> in Omaha. The learning I gained from that institute galvanized me even further in my quest to revitalize pedagogy and learning at Benton -- it's just NOT about the stuff (laptops) -- the change (and our hope for change) is about what you DO WITH THE STUFF!<br /><br />And so, after spending an hour or more on iChat (I am still amazed that we live in the day and age when one can talk and see the person we are talking to "in the live") with Kurt <a href="http://twitter.com/F16Pilot">(F16Pilot)</a>, we logged off as the networks called the victory for the man who brings so much invigorating energy to our country. It was not all that hard to reflect about what this means to our future; the power of hope is beyond measure. I tweeted to my followers as my soul was touched by the moment and power of the moment. Sean would say it was my true blue self coming through. Orange-ya glad I didn't know better! Exhilaration in <a href="http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=bA0c4aYTD6gC&dq=collective+wisdom&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=MJaOkGX4th&sig=aqUqh96w5yLHrBVoaN53hhvLd1U&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result">collective wisdom </a>-- that's what history is all about.The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-43227510845329989482008-10-26T22:50:00.007-05:002008-11-03T22:22:15.167-06:00Week 10: October 27 - 31, 2008Upcoming Events:<br />Oct. 27 -- Grades due NLT 10:00<br /> Collect BAR data; due to team member today<br /> Book Fair continues all week in Library<br />Oct. 28 -- Benton At Risk (BAR) Team Retreat @ 7:45 @ TMC<br />Oct. 29 -- Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 a.m. in Room 103<br /> Parent/Teacher Conferences in Classrooms 3-6 p.m.<br />Oct. 30 -- ASVAB Test 8:00 - 12:00<br /> Personal Finance Field Trip (see student attend list)<br /> Academic Pep Assembly 5th Hour (MAP, Attendance & FB/Soccer)<br />Oct. 31 -- EARLY OUT (11:30 a.m.) (candy day!)<br /><br />WEEK TEN IN REVIEW:<br />It was the best of times. It always is when powerful learning is accomplished! I must say that this was one totally powerful week. This is one week I have to call it day by day...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday</span> -- Building Bridges to ACT on our Future!</span><br />The six leadership team members attended this incredibly informative ACT conference at the Empower Plant. The speaker was a nationally renowned researcher on ACT. He shared how we must continue to encourage all our students to approach rigor in education vigorously. He shared astounding statistics -- my favorite being that over 90% of 8th graders surveyed stated they intended on going to college. Shazaam! We need to prepare them for that possibility. It comes from integrated curriculum of college readiness standards. I think we are moving toward that very scenario at Benton. It takes time and commitment from our staff, but I know we will get there. One thing I truly believe is that we all want our students to succeed at the highest level possible.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday</span> -- Setting the BAR Lower!</span><br />The Benton At-Risk Team met at TMC to find out who our at-risk students were and what we are going to do for them. It was an amazing day! I was proud of the work the team accomplished -- it wasn't easy setting the criteria for at risk. Tough conversations and determination framed the day. By 3:30 p.m. with our brains totally fried, we succeeded in creating the system interventions in three critical areas (discipline, attendance and academics) for our students. We also were able to drill down to the lists of students who met the criteria for most at risk. The team's homework assignment was to narrow the lists even further in order for us to create individual plans for our most critical students. Check with your team member for more details! A huge thanks to LaVell for heading up this powerful team!<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday </span>-- Leaders and Teachers and Parents, Oh My!</span><br />The morning started with a Leadership Team meeting. As we perused the PD calendar for the 1st semester, I think we were all surprised to see the rigorous and continual professional development that we participate in. Really, if you look at the calendar -- you will be amazed with how often we come together as professionals to learn. It's impressive! From our learning on LT and BAR, to continual focused common course collaboration, to job-embedded department/building learning, to our tech cohort, the teachers at Benton are dedicated learners. It was fun to share that learning with our parents during the Parent/Teacher conferences. We heard great reports from our parents! We received overwhelming praise for our use of technology -- from AlertNow connections to emails to our new web interactive classrooms! Our parents had great things to say about all of you! Good work staff!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday</span> -- Celebrate Good Times, Come On!</span><br />What a day! We had an exciting ACADEMIC PEP ASSEMBLY that was out of this world ! High fives to Mrs. Rucker and Mrs. Zillner for their work on the Character Points, and a double high five to Mr. McCoy for all the awards and incentives he found for our students. The greatest hurrah goes to our students -- for their work and dedication to their learning, testing and attendance! And when the good times inside were not enough -- we headed to Sparks Field and Lafayette's Alumni Stadium to mix it up with the Irish in futbol and football. Outcomes aside -- our kids worked hard and delivered the goods. We celebrate our kids for all their efforts! Come On!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFD8I13PfDDaR9F05XhRKSsn5koV778Ezdpjl1MIHRZmYRov1i67wYzRQJIT1s7ZOfXUov3OfFXUoTfrw4rHbp6gfe_bfPbIxl5XwU_oxa5GDRgctyk7b0dY74P6s3Ppcxzgzex-MnG0w/s1600-h/2910699692_4e235e97da.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFD8I13PfDDaR9F05XhRKSsn5koV778Ezdpjl1MIHRZmYRov1i67wYzRQJIT1s7ZOfXUov3OfFXUoTfrw4rHbp6gfe_bfPbIxl5XwU_oxa5GDRgctyk7b0dY74P6s3Ppcxzgzex-MnG0w/s200/2910699692_4e235e97da.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264652330252290434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday</span> -- The Seasons They Are A-Changin'</span><br />The weather could not have been more beautiful. The cool autumn morning yawned into a warming midday sun kept perfect by the cool breezes flowing over the school yard. The students were on best behavior. An early release from school is like the best chocolate dessert you've ever eaten -- sweet beyond imagination and ever so tasty! It was the Boo! day, costumes and candies awaited the young at heart, but a gentle nap in the warm sun was the true treat of the day! (photo thanks to Flickr An Autumn hedgerow.EXPLORE #407 - 3rd October 2008)<br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6166019-1");<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script><br /><br /><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6166019-1");<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script>The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-82277221800638463382008-10-19T22:01:00.006-05:002008-11-02T11:04:21.290-06:00Week 9: October 20-24, 2008Upcoming Events:<br />Oct 20 -- Staff Pizza Party 7th hour in room 103<br />Oct 22 -- BAR Team meets @ 7:00 in room 103<br />Oct 22 -- FMP trash clean-up during 5th hour<br />Oct 23 -- 1st Quarter Grades Open<br /> Staff meeting with Superintendent @ 2:45 in Room A115/116<br />Oct 24 -- ALL STAFF BAR data collection starts (continued to 10/27 only)<br /><br />WEEK NINE IN REVIEW:<br />I am not sure I have ever started a week thinking it will be a good week to get a lot accomplished, and ended a week knowing what it felt like to get run over by a steam roller! This was one of those weeks!<br /><br />It started so nicely with a pizza order. Lunch for the staff for an excellent data walkthrough. Carbs for the team to get them prepared for the long run ahead. Junk food for my friends for holding hands with us during the tough times. And then...it happened. Ironically, it all started with a cell phone call from Jake Kelly. He called with problems in his classroom. I was perplexed that he called my cell phone from his cell phone. As a former English teacher, if I was teaching this "novel" event, it would reek of <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/foreshadowing&">foreshadowing.</a><br /><br />Funny thing about text messages, unlike a cell phone call, you can't really refuse one. Hence the problems that occurred this week in Mr. Kelly's class. Cyberthreats heavily slipped through Benton's cyberspace. Students and parents alike feared for school safety. Late nights with parents resulted in validating our school security yet meting out heavy consequences to the students involved. In a day and age where we measure a school's success by the students who make it to school and through school, we lost that battle even as we carried home a banner of victory for safe schools.<br /><br />All while this drama played out, another storyline and character emerged. Phone usage at Benton was more and more often being seen by students as an entitlement. Refusal to turn over a cell phone and subsequent disorderly conduct in the refusal has more than once ended a student's school day with handcuffs. I cry every time a student leaves our building that way. Students in various venues were abusing our very forward thinking policy which allowed cell phone use at any time instructional programs were not being offered at Benton. After too much instructional time was lost to students refusing to comply with the policy, a new approach was taken -- inform the students clearly as to the continued policy and established steps to resolve the conflict. The process was simple. Create a plan. Run it past the instructional staff. Run it past a student group. Inform parents. Wait and see.<br /><br />The plan starts tomorrow (Monday). We lost at least five students and numerous instructional days last week to cell phones. I pray we do not lose any next week. I've heard rumors the students will resist. I wonder if they realize we are trying to be advanced; their resistance could possibly send us flying backwards.<br /><br />After talking with Mikey tonight, I began to reflect on cell phone usage. Mike told me that text messages drop the walls of a classroom (isn't that what we hope to do with School 2.0?). If a student was talking in class, he would be told to stop. Text messaging should be the same. If a student doesn't stop, then he gets in trouble. Text messaging should be the same. You could move the student away from his conversation partner. You could remove the phone away from the student.<br /><br />He also brought up another interesting point. If a student got out a book after instruction (and homework completed), no teacher would complain. Why is reading a phone so much worse? (I gave several reasons, but we weren't really talking about that). If a student got out a computer and did the same thing Mike would do on his cell phone, the student would not get into trouble. I am not sure I fully agree with Mike, but he did make me think. Does it make you think?<br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6166019-1");<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script>The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-2427966604766799542008-10-12T22:49:00.005-05:002008-11-02T11:04:08.149-06:00Week 8: October 13-17, 2008October is NATIONAL BOOK MONTH! How will you celebrate???<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(click on "Week 8" for a book ideas link!)</span><br /><br />Upcoming Events:<br />Oct. 13 -- Search & Rescue Training (specific staff)<br />Oct. 14 -- Wellness Clinic & Flu Shots<br /> AlertNow Training (specific staff)<br /> Search & Rescue Training (specific staff)<br />Oct. 15 -- Leadership Team Meeting @ 7:00 a.m. in Room 103<br /> 2 Hour Early Out -- Content Prof Dev (information from coordinators)<br /> Admin Business Meeting 8-11:30 @ TMC<br />Oct. 16 -- JROTC Review @ Lafayette; 5:00 p.m.<br />Oct. 17 -- Data Walkthrough @ 8:00 a.m.<br />Oct. 18 -- PSAT<br /><br />WEEK EIGHT IN REVIEW:<br />This week brought me through the most diverse range of feelings I think I have lived with in some time. From my fear that I had pushed our staff too hard in my expectations for the data walkthrough to my meltdown for not being able to open a door in the building. I have never been one to feel overwhelmed -- it just doesn't happen to me that often -- but emotionally, I was extraordinarily fragile this week.<br /><br />It started on Monday with a push for every "i" to be dotted and every "t" crossed. I will never forget my first walkthrough at Benton which set my schema for each event and it made me very nervous. It was ugly. I have been on pins and needles about walkthroughs every since. It had never been about what we had done well; it was always about what was wrong or must be better. I never felt justified, only defensive. All week all I prayed for was that our walkthrough showed the work I knew we were doing. Oh, I don't profess that we're perfect or that every staff member is on board with our school improvement. But I really felt like we have a very strong, vocal majority that believes. Teachers can go a long way on a little taste of hope. I am and will always be, no matter what my title states, a teacher. I had hope.<br /><br />I experienced great trepidation on Tuesday and Wednesday pitching our School 2.0 Initiative and Library 2.0 work. I just want someone to believe in the power. Oh gosh, I know you believe Cohort 1 (and our newest converted members), but I mean I wish the power people believed in the power of TPACK. To really invest in this process, you have to know it. That takes time. Their time is as precious as ours; so it's hard to get them to give it to us.<br /><br />Thursday brought an incredibly exciting breakthrough with our new ALERTNOW! system that we have accessed. Danielle Silvey is now the QUEEN of AlertNow. The system is a calling system that reaches students at home with auto-calling. It's such a powerful tool. On the first day, we had so many absent students contact us or send students to school. It was pretty impressive. Next week we will use it to invite our parents to our parent-teacher conferences. We can use it for so many wonderful things that are great for our students!<br /><br />And then there was Friday. We were able to make it into so many great classes. Our debrief was fantastic. Mrs. Patterson and Dr. Dial were incredibly pleased with what they saw in their walkthrough. It felt more like a collaboration for Benton improvement. We had so many things we had done well, that all we worked on was how to refine or find ways to make that process more efficient or see greater gains. It was an amazing feeling, and I was so excited to tell the staff.<br /><br />And with that, my week of extreme highs and lows closed. I can't imagine what is next...<br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6166019-1");<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br /></script>The Cardinal Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399208640773786398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412126300027157112.post-83783189448019171982008-10-05T22:31:00.006-05:002008-11-02T11:03:51.931-06:00Week 7: October 6-10, 2008Upcoming Events:<br />Oct. 6 -- Benton At Risk (BAR) begins pilot data collection<br />Oct. 7 -- Passing out 2nd Progress Reports<br /> Medicaid Meetings (You already know if you need to go)<br />Oct. 8 -- BAR Meeting @ 7:00 in Room 103<br /> Sophomores to MY SUCCESS EVENT at Civic Arena<br />Oct. 10 -- 5th Hour Be Smart Assembly (5th hour seating)<br /> 9th Hour Pep Assembly @ 2:10 (Intro the rest of the Fall sports)<br /><br />WEEK SEVEN IN REVIEW:<br />After meeting with the core department chairs, it was comforting to find them asking for responsibility for our school improvement. That move was one of the most significant moves in showing everyone's responsibility in our journey to making Benton a better place for the students we serve every day. I can honestly tell you, I was blown away by the request.<br /><br />We had an exciting, if conjectural, meeting with district personnel about our move toward embracing constructivism in our classrooms in a technological, pedagogical content knowledge approach. To make a long story short, people are asking questions. Good ones. And that means they are primed for an answer. It's time to learn. I am excited to think about what this looks like in 12 months from now when our entire staff is in the GINORMOUS learning curve. Wow. I can't imagine.<br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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