The SAN Script The week of May 16 – 20
On being reflective in our practice
This time of year, our focus begins to shift to planning for the next school year. Sure there are lots of tasks that need to be accomplished before the end of this year, but we do need to spend time putting plans in place for the upcoming year.
Starting next week, we will start attending sessions to help us to develop our school innovation plan for 2016-2017 (SipSaw). There will be increasing pressure on all of us to adopt new initiatives – some that are being adopted across the school board.
Before we get carried away with these new initiatives, it is important to reflect on what we are doing. I am reading Building School 2.0 by Chris Lehmann and Zac Chase. It is a really interesting read and it challenges many of the things we do in our schools. One chapter is really important right now – ‘Reflection Means Better, Not More.’
Instead of asking what more we need to be doing, the more interesting question is “How can we be more thoughtful about what we do?”
Here is a copy of your responses to our self-assessment questions you answered a few weeks ago. As you read through the responses, you will see that many have written about consolidating what we have worked on this year and improve some of the initiatives we have taken on like St. Anthony Superstars for example.
So, as we enter the planning stage of the year, we must all be careful of “What more should we be doing”
Lehmann and Chase have a great quote on this topic:
Imagine the principal who announces to the faculty at the beginning of the year, “This year, we won’t be adopting any new programs. Instead, we’ll be spending the next months getting better at what we already do.” Imagine the relief of the teachers. They would have the space and mandate not to do more, but to do better. (pg. 25)
We will also be involved in the New Pedagogies for Deeper Learning (NDPL) initiative as well as a Renewed Math Strategy that will have some impact on what we do next year. Both of these are board initiatives that we will have to find a way to incorporate into the planning process.
What is key to remember is that being reflective on what we are doing is more important than doing more. We will all be challenged to find this balance as we plan for next year.
Paul
St. Anthony This week
Monday, May 16
Paul away (AM) NPDL workshop
Tuesday, May 17
Hip Hop lessons at lunchtime
Paul away for remainder of the week
Orkidstra in learning commons
Wednesday, May 18
Elementary SIPSAW Planning Session – Meg, Nora, Shannon attending (AM) Board Office
Wastefree Wednesday Today
Big Kid Entertainment Hansel and Gretel. (AM) all students
Parent Meeting Meg/Denis/Geraldine
Weeding Wednesday at lunch with the Green Club
Orkidstra at Cambridge
Thursday, May 19
Recycle Day at St. Anthony Catholic School- PLEASE recycle today – all material to be left inside near the parking lot door
K-6 Robotics Collaboration and Networking Session (Denis and Cathy attending) T.D. McGee
Peace Festival West – St. Paul H.S. – 10am to 1:30pm Angela going with students
Orkidstra in learning commons
Friday, May 20
Rosemount library visit grade 3/4 class at 12:30
Pizza today!
What happens when an academic research lab allows pure curiosity to guide its investigations? What happens when that lab opens its doors and invites the community to come in and play? Andrew Pelling launches a bold idea to create a street-level research lab that amplifies ideas through a potent mixture of craft, serendipity and curiosity. What would happen if we provided our communities with accessibility and resources to explore audacious ideas? Can we accomplish even greater things if we all work together?