My heart soared this past week as I walked through the hallways of the school. Yes, it was our annual time for state testing, but it was during this time that, surprisingly, I was filled with a sense of pride. I was proud of all of our staff for the time, dedication, and passion for excellence that they display on a daily basis. In the air last week, during state testing, there was a positive energy that was almost tangible. This was iterated by a fifth grade teacher, who was between testing sessions with her students. Her words, “I am so proud of them.” I believe we both had tears well-up in our eyes as we beamed with the emotion of happiness.
During the state testing we provide several incentives for students, but the real incentive comes from the attitude of the teachers, staff, and parents. Our children succeed because we believe in them and it shows! Every morning I send a Morning Minute to the staff as a form of communication. Following is an email that I sent to our staff on the morning of state testing, thanking them for their “can do” spirit.
Morning Minute – Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Good morning, it is going to be a terrific Tuesday!
“A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every passerby leaves a mark.”
~Chinese Proverb
As we prepare to launch ISAT’s today, I would like to take a moment to thank all of you for leaving an imprint on our children.
A Heap of Gratitude…
To Our Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Teachers~
For instilling a love of learning and at the same time preparing our students for “high stakes testing” in the intermediate grades.
To Our Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Teachers~
For the endless hours creatively embedding testing concepts into the design of your lesson plans. Often, the students didn’t realize how much they were learning since they were having so much fun!
To Our Special Education Team~
For the seamless way you accept the daily challenges of your job while smoothly infusing inventive learning into your lessons with students.
To Our Paraprofessional Staff~
For supporting our staff and students in a multitude of ways. Each of you go above and beyond, lending a positive aspect to our school.
To Our Nurse, Custodians, and Cafeteria Staff~
For the thoughtful way you interact and support our students and staff. You model kindness and teamwork through your actions.
To Our Secretaries~
For your graciousness and commitment in supporting our entire school community. Your optimism and ingenuity are quite remarkable.
To All of You~
For your collective wisdom, warm smiles, tireless efforts, and enthusiasm. You inspire me on a daily basis. Together, we continue a tradition of excellence at Sleepy Hollow School.
With an abundance of gratitude,
Anastasia
Monday, March 9, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
The way we learn and what we learn is changing, and that is really the majority of the issue around twenty-first century skills. ~S. Traylor
This past weekend, my husband and I were invited to our good friends’ home for dinner. After the dishes were cleared and the kitchen was cleaned up, we retired by the fireplace in the family room for some adult conversation. Our two boys went downstairs to dual, as well as collaborate with each other, playing the latest video game craze – Rock Band II. The couple’s precious four-year-old daughter perched on my lap with her friends from “Littlest Pet Shop.” This lasted for about 30 seconds when she scotched down and asked her dad for his iPhone. She retrieved his iPhone, and came back over to sit once more. She navigated the iPhone, found her name, signed in and earnestly began to show me three games that she had learned to play. Following that, she declared that she wanted to watch her Tinker Bell movie. Since the boys were utilizing the television downstairs, and the adults were monopolizing the family room, her alternative was to go and find the portable DVD/Television combo. Within minutes, she was back, player in one hand and the movie in the other. She snuggled in once again, and within seconds was manipulating the player, pausing only for a brief moment through the previews to show me the castle where Cinderella lives.
I share this story to illustrate the fact that technology has become integrated into our children’s everyday life. Her autonomy with technology was seamless – she is a true example of a digital native. It left me wondering what she was capable of doing on a computer. It also found me reflecting about how we, as educators at Sleepy Hollow School, are meeting the needs of our new generation of digital learners. Thus, was the impetus to share with you some of the inspiring ways we are meeting our students’ needs through technology.
Did you know that Sleepy Hollow School is considered a leader of technology integration in District 300? With our PTC’s generous support, SmartBoards are used for instruction on a daily basis. All of our teaching staff have been trained and are eagerly implementing interactive lessons for our children. Complementing the SmartBoards, our laptop cart, that contains enough laptops for each child in a classroom, is employed on a regular basis for students to complete research and practice skills.
In addition to SmartBoard and laptop integration, all of our first graders go to the computer lab three times a week for a computer program called Lexia. Lexia is a computer based program, in the form of a game, that helps develop students’ phonemic awareness and reading skills. The program individualizes instruction and classroom teachers receive a printout of each child’s progress to assist in planning for instruction.
Further, our physical education teacher Mr. Scheurich recently put into practice a two-week Nintendo Wii sports unit aligned to Illinois Learning Standards. Students in kindergarten through grade two learned and practiced bowling. Students in grades three through five were schooled in the fundamentals of tennis. Lessons included terms, practice, and ways to improve. Everyday when the children were entering the gym, a resounding “yes!” could be heard. Additionally, last week Sleepy Hollow School received notification from SchoolTube.com that we won an award. We won the Fall 2008 Student Choice Award for pictures of our “Mock” Presidential Election. Pictures can be viewed at www.schooltube.com.
Our children today text, twitter, blog, and post to wikis. As educators, this causes us to reflect on instruction, challenge assumptions, and learn together with digital tools. At Sleepy Hollow School, we are committed to integrating technology to support our 21st century learners.
Logged in,
Anastasia
I share this story to illustrate the fact that technology has become integrated into our children’s everyday life. Her autonomy with technology was seamless – she is a true example of a digital native. It left me wondering what she was capable of doing on a computer. It also found me reflecting about how we, as educators at Sleepy Hollow School, are meeting the needs of our new generation of digital learners. Thus, was the impetus to share with you some of the inspiring ways we are meeting our students’ needs through technology.
Did you know that Sleepy Hollow School is considered a leader of technology integration in District 300? With our PTC’s generous support, SmartBoards are used for instruction on a daily basis. All of our teaching staff have been trained and are eagerly implementing interactive lessons for our children. Complementing the SmartBoards, our laptop cart, that contains enough laptops for each child in a classroom, is employed on a regular basis for students to complete research and practice skills.
In addition to SmartBoard and laptop integration, all of our first graders go to the computer lab three times a week for a computer program called Lexia. Lexia is a computer based program, in the form of a game, that helps develop students’ phonemic awareness and reading skills. The program individualizes instruction and classroom teachers receive a printout of each child’s progress to assist in planning for instruction.
Further, our physical education teacher Mr. Scheurich recently put into practice a two-week Nintendo Wii sports unit aligned to Illinois Learning Standards. Students in kindergarten through grade two learned and practiced bowling. Students in grades three through five were schooled in the fundamentals of tennis. Lessons included terms, practice, and ways to improve. Everyday when the children were entering the gym, a resounding “yes!” could be heard. Additionally, last week Sleepy Hollow School received notification from SchoolTube.com that we won an award. We won the Fall 2008 Student Choice Award for pictures of our “Mock” Presidential Election. Pictures can be viewed at www.schooltube.com.
Our children today text, twitter, blog, and post to wikis. As educators, this causes us to reflect on instruction, challenge assumptions, and learn together with digital tools. At Sleepy Hollow School, we are committed to integrating technology to support our 21st century learners.
Logged in,
Anastasia
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