The buzz about the events of the next few weeks is really beginning to build. The other evening I had the opportunity to swing by a Cabaret rehearsal. The energy is absolutely breathtaking. The vast majority of 7th and 8th graders, as well as dozens of parent volunteers, are contributing to what will be an incredible series of performances.
The 7-8 boys have made the basketball playoffs and will meet OES this week in first round action.
Continuing in a line of great programming directed at Riverdale parents, the PTC is hosting Diane Gans this Thursday evening to speak about helping girls develop healthy relationships (Thursday night @ 7:00 in the Commons.) Each of the events has been successively better attended. I really urge our families to take advantage of this opportunity!
And, of course, Hit Explosion is just around the corner.
_____
A note about dogs on the field -- it is critically important that we maintain a high level of security for our children. When children are present, especially just as they arrive and are leaving campus, dogs must be on a leash. We have a great group of dog owners who are responsible for their pets and clean up after them, and I appreciate all they have done to keep our kids safe.
____
Bus #83 has been arriving at school just late enough in the mornings that I asked the bus company to adjust upwards by about five minutes. An adjustment like this can be difficult to calibrate exactly, so I'm hopeful that this notice will allow families to plan accordingly.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Principal's Newsletter -- February 13, 2011
This last week was a busy one, and one that gave plenty of opportunity for me to show off the wonderful things that are happening at our school.
At our Open House on Wednesday night I spoke with parents of prospective students about the things I believe make this a special place for learning.
Relationships
The third graders in Ms. G's room shared their progress in their Egyptian unit of study with the kinders. They proudly displayed cat mummies and personal artifacts, relating the curricular learning to the younger students.
Purpose
Two assemblies on Friday focused on teaching students strategies for identifying, reporting, and avoiding bullying. The actors were from a troupe called "The Power of One," but the most effective actors were our students.
Arts Integration
Second grade parents volunteered to help Ms. Helmsworth with fitting and applying facial masks, which students will use to further their Native American study in the coming weeks.
Here's what's on tap for the coming week.
At our Open House on Wednesday night I spoke with parents of prospective students about the things I believe make this a special place for learning.
- Relationships -- the capacity of relationship-building here is as strong as at any school I've ever seen. Teacher-parent-student relationships are at the core of everything that makes us successful.
- Purpose -- Injecting socially-relevant purpose into the curricula (both explicit and implicit) helps us extend the dialogue past content and into the wider world.
- Arts Integration -- The arts are connected, not just available. As innovation and concept-development become even more important than they are today, this approach is hugely beneficial.
Relationships
The third graders in Ms. G's room shared their progress in their Egyptian unit of study with the kinders. They proudly displayed cat mummies and personal artifacts, relating the curricular learning to the younger students.
Purpose
Two assemblies on Friday focused on teaching students strategies for identifying, reporting, and avoiding bullying. The actors were from a troupe called "The Power of One," but the most effective actors were our students.
Arts Integration
Second grade parents volunteered to help Ms. Helmsworth with fitting and applying facial masks, which students will use to further their Native American study in the coming weeks.
Here's what's on tap for the coming week.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Principal's Newsletter 2/6/11 (Super Bowl Edition)
A Principal "Breakthrough"
We are now halfway through the academic year -- hard as it may be to believe. This time of year can be seemingly magical in a student's development of both skills and confidence, especially those in the primary years. For me, it's a thrilling time of year to be spending time in classrooms. I know I've spoken to many parents about the new leaf I've over-turned, but I'd like to share it with you all in this format as well. After attending a seminar (the Breakthrough Coach) for school leaders and administrative assistants, Betsy and I determined to make a few changes to the way we do business. The primary purpose of these changes is to make me a more effective advocate for students, teachers, and families. A few have come more easily than others. But, for me, I've not noticed another strategy that comes close to making the kind of difference we've seen thus far. The change is simple, really:
Adopt-a-Cause Efforts
Early in the year I wrote about the "Adopt-a-Cause" efforts I asked teachers to undertake with their classes. As we are halfway through the year, I thought it wise to update you on the decisions the grade levels have come to. Some of the projects are already underway, and others will be coming up soon as Spring emerges. In the meantime I am beginning to plan a "Sustainability Fair" to be held in conjunction with Earth Day on the half day April 22nd. many of the Adopt-a-cause projects will be on display at the fair, along with a number of additional student projects and professional displays. Here are details of the K-4 efforts; I will share the 5-8 projects next week.
Scholastic Art Award Winners!
Art teacher Nancy Helmsworth helps middle school students develop pieces for submission into the Scholastic Art Awards, and this year we have three winners:
PJ H. - plumber gnome - HONORABLE MENTION
Adele E.- Bee salt + pepper - HONORABLE MENTION
Ingrid M.- puppy- SILVER KEY
Science Bowl!
Congratulations to our middle school science bowl teams. Our A team was 3-1 in
the morning and was one of 16 teams that went on to compete in the afternoon double-
elimination rounds. After winning their first game, they lost the next two and were
eliminated. Team B was 2-2 in the morning and did not make it to the double-elimination
rounds in the afternoon. Team A consisted of Dagan B, Brendan E, David H, PJ H, and
Alec N. The B Team included Arthur J, Nate K, Brian L, Quinn M and Erica N. What a
fantastic accomplishment for our 7th and 8th grade students!
The Regional Science Bowl is sponsored by Bonnevile Power Administration
each year and had 57 middle school teams competing for a chance to go to the National
Science Bowl. The competition is a fast-paced question/answer format of science and
math questions, which get more difficult as the day progresses. Its goal is to encourage
interest and career options in science and math by secondary students.
Coming Events (link here to calendar)
We are now halfway through the academic year -- hard as it may be to believe. This time of year can be seemingly magical in a student's development of both skills and confidence, especially those in the primary years. For me, it's a thrilling time of year to be spending time in classrooms. I know I've spoken to many parents about the new leaf I've over-turned, but I'd like to share it with you all in this format as well. After attending a seminar (the Breakthrough Coach) for school leaders and administrative assistants, Betsy and I determined to make a few changes to the way we do business. The primary purpose of these changes is to make me a more effective advocate for students, teachers, and families. A few have come more easily than others. But, for me, I've not noticed another strategy that comes close to making the kind of difference we've seen thus far. The change is simple, really:
- I spend at least two full days in a given week in classrooms, hallways, and the playground. I call them my "lock-out" days. This simple change makes all the difference in the world for me -- it allows me to be present rather than distracted when I'm doing the real work of a principal -- that is, interacting with children and teachers around learning. The other three days are reserved for the clerical, budgetary, and promotional sides of this work.
- I no longer have a voice-mail. Or, rather, I do. Karen and Betsy are incredibly gracious and helpful in arranging calls and setting the calendar so that I can be more effective.
- Paper does not pile up in my office. Again, because Betsy is so incredibly organized I am able to make sure the office is relatively immaculate before I head home for the evening.
Adopt-a-Cause Efforts
Early in the year I wrote about the "Adopt-a-Cause" efforts I asked teachers to undertake with their classes. As we are halfway through the year, I thought it wise to update you on the decisions the grade levels have come to. Some of the projects are already underway, and others will be coming up soon as Spring emerges. In the meantime I am beginning to plan a "Sustainability Fair" to be held in conjunction with Earth Day on the half day April 22nd. many of the Adopt-a-cause projects will be on display at the fair, along with a number of additional student projects and professional displays. Here are details of the K-4 efforts; I will share the 5-8 projects next week.
- Kindergarten Kompost demonstrations (Students will study the science of composting, and promote its use in the school and at home.)
- 1st Grade Paper Towel Project (Students will divert all paper towel waste from the landfill-bound garbage receptacles toward our existing hot compost efforts.)
- 2nd Grade Beach Clean-Up (As part of the existing Oceans Study in the science curriculum, students will participate in a beach clean-up project.)
- 3rd Grade Zimbabwean Art Project (Last year was the first time our third graders took part in this great project, which was one of the inspirations for this effort school-wide. This year, the collaboration will continue.)
- 4th Grade Native Plants vs. Invasive Species (Fourth graders have developed a wonderful project that has immediate impact on our ecosystem. They are removing English Ivy from the hillside, and replacing it with native plants they are grafting from cuttings taken in Tryon Creek State Park.)
Scholastic Art Award Winners!
Art teacher Nancy Helmsworth helps middle school students develop pieces for submission into the Scholastic Art Awards, and this year we have three winners:
PJ H. - plumber gnome - HONORABLE MENTION
Adele E.- Bee salt + pepper - HONORABLE MENTION
Ingrid M.- puppy- SILVER KEY
Science Bowl!
Congratulations to our middle school science bowl teams. Our A team was 3-1 in
the morning and was one of 16 teams that went on to compete in the afternoon double-
elimination rounds. After winning their first game, they lost the next two and were
eliminated. Team B was 2-2 in the morning and did not make it to the double-elimination
rounds in the afternoon. Team A consisted of Dagan B, Brendan E, David H, PJ H, and
Alec N. The B Team included Arthur J, Nate K, Brian L, Quinn M and Erica N. What a
fantastic accomplishment for our 7th and 8th grade students!
The Regional Science Bowl is sponsored by Bonnevile Power Administration
each year and had 57 middle school teams competing for a chance to go to the National
Science Bowl. The competition is a fast-paced question/answer format of science and
math questions, which get more difficult as the day progresses. Its goal is to encourage
interest and career options in science and math by secondary students.
Coming Events (link here to calendar)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Principal Newsletter -- January 24, 2011
PTC Events!!!!
At the outset of this school year, the PTC board and I talked about wanting to make this a special year in terms of gathering students and families together as often as possible to hear from dynamic speakers, experts, and just to have a great time. I must admit, what the PTC has managed to arrange has even exceeded my expectations. In particular, Diane MacDonald and Meghan Pence have really made this series of events come to life!
The school is focused primarily on two areas this year -- improving writing instruction and building school culture. In the spirit of maximizing our efforts, each of the events falls under these two categories.
From Nick Hershman, regarding the upcoming Mathcounts competition:
Events this week include 4th grade game day, hoops games, and a first grade field trip.
At the outset of this school year, the PTC board and I talked about wanting to make this a special year in terms of gathering students and families together as often as possible to hear from dynamic speakers, experts, and just to have a great time. I must admit, what the PTC has managed to arrange has even exceeded my expectations. In particular, Diane MacDonald and Meghan Pence have really made this series of events come to life!
The school is focused primarily on two areas this year -- improving writing instruction and building school culture. In the spirit of maximizing our efforts, each of the events falls under these two categories.
- Today, as I write, author Mark Pomeroy is in the building, working intensively with 5th and 6th grade student writers.
- Angela Allen will be working with 7th and 8th graders on developing compelling characters.
- Yesterday, with the support of the PTC and some inspiration (and no small amount of hard work) from Ron and Lynn Penner-Ash and Diane MacDonald, we enjoyed a wonderfully fun -- and competitive -- ping pong tourney. Results here, by the way!
- Last week we had a great turnout to hear from Howard Hiton on boys' advocacy issues.
- Thursday February 24th, Diane Gans will be in the commons at 7:00 speaking about "Empowering Middle School Girls to Develop Healthy Relationships."
- And, of course, Hit Explosion is just around the corner, on 2/26. Buy your tickets now!
From Nick Hershman, regarding the upcoming Mathcounts competition:
Hi All,
I wanted to let you know that Mathcounts has just announced the date for its Portland Regional Contest. The contest will be held on Saturday, February 19th, 2011 from 9am to 1:30pm (probably more like 2:30pm). The contest will be held at the Mentor Graphics Corporation in Wilsonville, here's the address.
8005 SW Boeckman; Wilsonville, OR, 97070If your student would like to compete we will have 10 spots. Any student in the 6th through 8th grade may participate. And I will hold tryouts this week during each of my classes. For most classes this will be on Wednesday/Thursday. Students not in class with me can arrange the contest during an elective period. The top four students will compete as our school team, and six runners up will be registered as individuals in the contest.
Mathcounts is always a fun day filled with bright students, math, and pizza!
Let me know if you have any questions,
Nick
Events this week include 4th grade game day, hoops games, and a first grade field trip.
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