A very long post...
I always wait too long to create a new blog post and then find I have so many things I want to share which results in a really long post! (Sorry about that...) So many things going on this time of year. Here's what I want to share with you in this post:
* Changes for some of our teachers
* 2013 Tell Survey results (Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning)
* Expeditionary Learning in our district
* Celebrate the success of Life Is Art fundraiser
* Requesting teachers
* Upcoming Third and Sixth grade Portfolio Showcases
* All School Meeting/Drum Circle
Change happens...
We have been incredibly fortunate as a school to have very little teacher turn over. So, when we do, it feels very strange. This year, Mr. Bill, Ms. MarySue, Ms. Rebecca and Ms. Sarah have some exciting changes in their lives which has brought about changes for them and they won't be with us next year. Of course, we are thrilled for them but sad we won't have them here in our community.
When we hear news of people leaving it is human nature to wonder if there is something wrong. There is also talk in the greater community about the strains that teachers are under in Douglas County School District (and the nation!) and you might be wondering how that has impacted Renaissance. The Colorado TELL survey helps illustrate our story. Every two years the Colorado Department of Education administers the TELL survey which asks questions on topics ranging from school safety to teaching conditions. I've included the link here so that you can see how the teachers at Renaissance are feeling and to reassure you that while we are impacted by changes, we have a stable, strong and happy school. Our teacher leadership team will also be looking at the survey to make decisions for improvement for next year.
http://www.tellcolorado.org/resultsLikely, different things will stand out to each of you as you look at the survey, but one thing I want you to notice is the amount of time teachers at Renaissance spend planning for instruction outside of their work day and on the weekends. I believe it is a testimony to the level of dedication the teachers at Renaissance have to create an authentic and meaningful learning experience for our students.
Expeditionary Learning
Renaissance is an Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound School.
Expeditionary Learning is a national organization and network. Outward Bound is also a national organization, though it doesn't formally have elementary school programming. Outward Bound has supported our work and allowed us to use their organization's guiding principles to design our Adventure Education curriculum.
We had hoped to rejoin the Expeditionary Learning network, however it comes with a hefty price tag. I made a proposal to our school district for funds to rejoin the network and am waiting for a final decision, though it does not look promising that we'll receive that funding. It would have been great to be part of the network, however, we'll continue to grow and expand our programming by accessing the professional development and resources of the EL organization.
In the near future you're likely to hear that Fox Creek Elementary in Highlands Ranch is going to become an Expeditionary Learning school. I haven't heard formally whether that decision is final, but my hunch is that they will join the EL network. Fox Creek Elementary will not have an Adventure Education component as Expeditionary Learning has undergone some changes within their organization and is no longer formally connected to Outward Bound. I'm now also hearing that Cresthill Middle School in Highlands Ranch is exploring EL as a possible pathway for moving forward as a school.
Renaissance will continue to be the only Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound (ELOB) school in Douglas County.
There is growing interest in Expeditionary Learning at both our local level and at a national level. It looks like Expeditionary Learning is in vogue! The New York City school district has adopted Expeditionary Learning for their city wide curriculum. Exciting times!
We also have a group of parents who have organized and are exploring the opportunity to have Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound programming expand from Renaissance into a K-12 program. If you want to know more about the efforts and progress of this group:http://elobk12.org/
Want to know more about Expeditionary Learning and/or Outward Bound? http://elschools.org/
As an educator myself, I can hardly keep up with the growing number of school choices available to families, let alone, understand them deeply. How do parents educate themselves on school choice? Never before has it been so important that parents take the time to develop deep understandings about the kind of education offered to your family. I look forward to providing you with opportunities to tap into resources and share about components of ELOB in the next school year. My goal - when a friend asks you, "So what is ELOB?" - it will be easy for you to answer and they might be sorry they asked!
Here
we don't just think outside the box.
We think outside, period.
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| Field work in 3rd grade - Working like Scientists through an inquiry study Field work is part of Expeditionary Learning |
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| Adventure Education - Outward Bound Pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone so that we can empower ourselves and transfer that learning into other areas of our life. |
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| Mr. Cody 'tucking in' students who opted to sleep outside 9,200 feet in sub zero weather. |
Life Is Art -
A Huge Celebration
Wow! Incredible! Did you know that our community raised over $34,000. for our kids? Wow!Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our kids and school. Through the efforts of a great many dedicated and talented parents in our community we raised money to increase our technology opportunities - next year we will be operating at about a two students to one "device" ratio! Those folks who attended had a great time! Please take a minute to see the photos of this event!
http://animoto.com/play/HhXnZf5PfvyJdJHJdonFIg#
Thank you to Amy Stephens and Tiffany Reckseen for chairing this spectacular event!
Requesting Teachers
We start the year off at Renaissance with Listening Conferences because we know you know your child best. We want to learn from you to maximize our ability to create those important relationships. You can have a voice in sharing what you know about your child as a learner and what the conditions are for learning that would best meet the needs of your child. Please put your thoughts into an email or letter and send that along to me or your child's teacher. I'll take your information into consideration as we make decisions about configuring classroom assignments. In addition, I know the strengths of the teachers and know how to pair those strengths with student needs. There is so much to consider, and we do this collaboratively, considering the academic, social and emotional needs of each student. Classroom assignments will be noted on report cards the last day of school.
Portfolio Showcases
While most schools are winding down to the end of the school year, not so at Renaissance! Our Portfolio Showcase--demonstrations of learning by our third and sixth grade students through the sharing of their portfolios--is coming up.
It's an expectation that at one time or another, all of our parents participate on a Portfolio panel. It's impossible to describe to you how powerful this learning/leadership opportunity is for your student - you need to experience this first hand. Portfolio Showcase presentations are one important ritual here at Renaissance that distinguishes us from other elementary programming. Please find the time to participate this year or next and increase your clarity of understanding of the learning experiences we provide. As parents, you aren't able to participate during the years your child is presenting, so be sure to participate prior to the year(s) your child presents so that you have a deep understanding of this learning experience.
Please contact me (dglemmer@dcsdk12.org) or Krista Zizzo (kzizzo
Here are the dates:
Wednesday, May 15th @ 1:30 - 4:00 for third grade portfolio presentations
Wednesday, May 22nd @ 1:30 - 4:00 to review sixth grade portfolio's
Wednesday, May 29th @ 1:30 - 4:00 for sixth grade portfolio presentations (if you are unable to do both of the dates for sixth grade - which would be ideal - please consider coming to the May to be on the panel).
Last All School Meeting: School Wide Drum Circle
If you could only attend one All School Meeting all year, I would urge you to attend our last meeting on Wednesday, June 5th. It is a true demonstration of who we are as a school - what it looks and feels like to see a group of learners who have created belonging, independence, mastery and generosity. Drumming is a ritual at Renaissance and if you have not had the opportunity to see the power in this ritual, make it a priority to attend. There isn't anything like it. We are Crew.
Warmly,
Deborah
