Thank you to everyone who got personalized learning off the ground–it’s an insane mission, and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of a team insane enough to do it.
As crazy as it seems to do this, it’s even more crazy not to do it. Intervention is about stepping up to deter the inevitable harm to a child if we had looked the other way. And to even look the other way once is once too many.
It’s a miracle just for anyone to exist (the probability is similar to 2.5 million people getting together, each to play a game of dice with trillion-sided dice and getting the same number), and the chances of us existing in someone else’s life and to be in a position to help them is even more improbable. But here we are.
We should probably make it count.
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
From Mr. Borelli: Ms. Cohen challenged her students to skip count by saying, “I want to start at 9 and count by tens. I don’t think I can do that.” A chorus of students rang out, “You can!” One after another, the students counted, “9, 19, 29, 39…” Mrs. Giampapathrew a curveball at 109 naming it “10-9” and writing it out as “1009.” The students were quick to name the error, correct it, name the pattern, and continue.
From Ms. Weinstein: Ms. Ranzie’s 6th grade science class was learning about potential and kinetic energy. Ms. Ranzie gave the students very basic rules about how to bounce the three balls – tennis, ping pong and golf – and then allowed them to discover the results on their own. This type of independent learning helped drive student conversations in her Science room.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Support Staff Schedule Review: All non-classroom based support staff should submit their schedule to my mailbox to later than Friday. As we ramp up personalized learning, schedules need to be student-centered, sensible, and followed. Lunch and preps may only be taken during the scheduled time.
The admin team will then schedule meetings with individuals to learn more about how to support you in making sure all of your caseloads are serviced.
Khan Academy Pizza Incentive is Live: Ms. Weinstein and Ms. Sheerin have received pizza coupons that are ready to be distributed to students. These coupons can be redeemed at Pronto Pizza for a free slice of pizza. STEM/ Math teachers may set their own criteria for award, and the the most any student can win is 4 for the year (1 per marking period). Please email your AP the recipients and they will bring the coupons to you.
PL Monday: APs will speak reach out to individuals for specialized workshops/ meetings. All other staff will engage in self-directed learning as TG workshops are now a core inquiry project next month. More information to follow.
Writing Task Force will begin meeting in two weeks. Interested teachers should email Ms. Mills before this Friday.
Halloween: Extended day has been moved to November 1st. Should this be in conflict with your personal schedule, email me to discuss.
Halloween Costume Contest: We’re making it bigger this year. Prizes include a $100 gift-card as well as being the first to receive a grade-team shared printing workstation. A memo will go out once we get confirmation from our judges.
mrkobot.com 
