Happy and Safe Holiday Season

We wish all our families a happy and safe holiday season. GKMS students are contributing to their community in many ways for the holidays.

Community Impact Club is sponsoring our Toys for Tots drive. Over 300 toys have been donated to help brighten the season for area kids.

Student Council continues its Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Glove Drive. Hundreds of items have been collected for local families.

Student council is also helping GK families through food and gift cards.

Our students continue to show respect, positive behaviors, and contribute to their community.

GKMS Parent Survey - Until December 4

I have posted a parent survey on Survey Monkey that will be open until December 4th. Please take a few minutes to answer the 9 questions and leave any comments you would like.

All responses can be kept confidential and will be shared with staff and our parent council to help shape school procedures and practices. Thank you for you time.

"Click Here to take survey"



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Contributing to our Community

GKMS is always seeking ways for students to contribute to our community.

Our annual food drive raised hundreds of food items for the Genoa Food Bank that will help our families through the Thanksgiving holiday.

Community Impact Club is beginning their Toys for Tots gift drive. Information can be found in our office. The are also ample ways for students to help if their families are not in a position to donate a gift.

Of course, we are continuing our annual Student Council Hat, Scarf, and Mitten drive this year. All donations help GK families.

Whether it is donations or time, our students and families continue to contribute to our community through giving. Please contact me for any information or opportunity. We have a wonderful community here through good times and more difficult ones.

It is a priveledge working with these great kids and families. Thank you.

Learning and Grades

I have been a "professional educator" for 18 years. The 16 years prior, I was on the student side of things. Besides showing that I'm just plain old, those years have caused me to view many staples of the "educational process" differently than I used to.

I have had many discussions with parents, neighbors, and kids about grades over the years. While I still don't feel I have the "right" answer, I know my views on this subject have changed. My sons are now 15, 13, and 9 years old. As they travel through the education system, I continue to change my views on grades.

As an example:
A doctor, carpenter, and teacher all work hard and rightfully expect to be compensated for their time in pay. They need it to survive, and their families count on it. But, do I want my surgeon to be in it just for the check? Or do I want someone whose life mission is to save lives and improve quality of life? Do I want the carpenter building my house to only be interested in a check or to also take pride in doing a quality, long lasting job? Do I want my son's teacher to focus solely on fulfilling requirements, or to get to know and care about my child?

Are grades necessary? They certainly do give a running record of students meeting the requirements of school. In later years, they will allow our students options for which colleges they can attend and which fields they can study -- choices.

What we need to do, though, is continue to look for ways that grades can also measure student learning besides quizzes and tests. Sure the paycheck... er grade matters, but I want my kids to also learn, understand the processes for learning, and to be participants in their education. I am confident almost all parents want the same.

At GKMS we will continue to strive towards improvement in engaging students in the learning process and measure their "grades" by using additional methods that will reflect more than simply mastering the "process" of school. Not a small task, but we are getting better. Below are the honor roll numbers for the first quarter. Many students are taking a part in their education, and it is beginning to show that we are measuring more than the simple, basic requirements of school.

Whole School High and Regular Honors - 76%
Whole School High Honors - 29%

6th Grade High and Regular Honors - 74%
6th Grade High Honors - 24%

7th Grade High and Regular Honors - 80%
7th Grade High Honors - 34%

8th Grade High and Regular Honors - 73%
8th Grade High Honors - 29%

H1N1 News

Parents and community members have asked several questions about our district's plan for coping with H1N1 concerns.

The following link is to a letter from Superintendent Wakeley addressing the concerns and our district's procedures to help foster a safe environment for all students and staff.

The link for the letter is under "Health Announcement" on our district's home page.

GK Webpage



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Temporary Volunteer Crossing Guards Needed

G-K PTO walk safe program is seeking volunteer crossing guards to help provide safe passage for all GK kids. Please contact gkpto@yahoo.com with your name and phone number if you can help with the program.

CHANGE IT! Standing Up to Bullying

"CHANGE IT! Standing Up to Bullying" is an assembly presentation the Boom Troupe will be performing at GKMS on Monday, October 26th. 6th and 7th grades will be participating at 9:00 while the 8th grade presentation is at 10:00. The performance helps students recognize bullying, explains the 4 roles of bullying, empowers victims, and, most importantly, emphasizes the strength and power of the bystander in ending the cycle.

Parents are welcome to sign in at the office and join us. As usual, things like this would not be possible without the help and support of our PTO.

For more information, check out the Boom Troupe Webpage.


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GKMS School Improvement and the "Blog"

The School Improvement Plan (SIP) is a yearly plan filed with the Illinois State Board of Education. However, as everyone knows, improvement is not something you "do" once year when complying with state mandated paperwork. Improvement is something we all do as educators and parents doing our best to help guide students through the fun, happiness, confusion, and just about every other possible emotion known as middle school. It also a lot about learning!

In filling out questions about communication with families, I listed many things. Our GKMS Newsletter mailed to every home, Assignment Connection, Powerschool grade book, and Connect Ed (those phone messages) all made the list.

I also included this blog. I hope that GKMS families do find value in these posts as at least one more source of information. I hope everyone feels their voice can be heard through this communication tool as I try to post almost every comment.

I look forward to comments to this post addressing value you have found in past postings or suggestions for future ones that can make this a better tool for communicating with GKMS families.

As always, it is a pleasure working with you and your student.

GKMS Open House Format

Thank you to all the parents who came to our open house. As discussed in a previous Blog Post, our goal is to create an open house environment more conducive to meeting teachers, discussing curriculum, and gaining a better understanding of your student's day.

We are open to continuing to improve tonight's format or seek other opportunities. As this all began with input from our Parent Council, parent input is what will continue to make us a better place for families. I look forward to your thoughts and comments.

GKMS Remembers

GKMS staff remembers the events of 9/11/2001. Our students were very young when these events occurred - but some do recall the day. We all came to the flagpole for comments and the Pledge of Allegiance. Students participated in curriculum based activities throughout the day. At sunset, our annual candle lighting and storytelling included students, families and community members. Above is a picture from last year's ceremony. GKMS and America remembers.

President Obama's Address to U.S. Students

Parents and Students,

There has been much discussion in the media and around dinner tables about the president's address to students. I am fortunate to have received an email from the U.S. Department of Education that perhaps many others have not seen.

The portion regarding his address reads: "... During this special address, the president will speak directly to the nation’s children and youth about persisting and succeeding in school. The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning."

I assure you that no part of the correspondence alludes to any political topics. If you would like the full text, please email me at: alekkas@gkschools.org, and I will be happy to forward the press release to you.

While all students will be given the opportunity to view the address in the gym and cafeteria, we understand some families may choose to not participate. If you would like your child to attend an alternative activity, please have your student bring a note expressing your request or feel free to call me at 784-5222. The Media Center will serve as an alternative room where students will be welcome to read their AR books or work in a positive environment.

We look forward to an excellent opportunity for our GKMS students.

Literacy and GKMS

After a successful pilot of the Making Meaning reading program in 6th grade last year, 7th and 8th grade will also be using the program this year. Making Meaning is a reading program that successfully combines best practice literacy strategies while allowing differentiation for all students. Support programs such as Read 180, AMP, and Reader's Workshop enable our great teachers to use data addressing each student's needs and specifically targeting areas for growth.

What that means in plain English is that we are in a better position that ever to analyze each student's reading ability and help everyone improve.

As each strategy is introduced in Reading class, it will be reinforced in the same way in all content area classes such as Social Studies, Science, Math, and Encore. This coordination will offer students the opportunity to continue to excel. These are very exciting times.

Welcome ...

Welcome 6th graders and welcome back 7th and 8th grade students! We are looking forward to having a great year.

Our goals for this year are outlined in our School Improvement Plan. As always, we are seeking to continue to find better means by which to help students excel in Math and Reading. Another goal is to fully implement PBIS so that student behavioral expectations are consistent from grade to grade and class to class. Effective RtI (Response to Intervention) is our final goal so that we may better meet EACH student's individual needs.

In the end, GKMS is a great place with energetic students, caring staff, and ample parent and community support. GKMS is a great place for a young adult to learn, mature, and have fun. It's a great place to be.

Preparing students to excel and contribute to their community...

Happy and Safe Summer

Enjoy the next two months with family and friends. We all will. We will also be analyzing data to help engage our students in an exceptional curriculum using best practices in instruction.

We look forward to meeting with everyone again this fall and having a great 09-10 school year.

Anyone wanting to share summer plans is welcome to do so in the comment section.

"It's all Mental from Here"

The Chicago Marathon is actually run in the exact opposite direction it
should be... for the runners. It is this way because the North side
neighborhoods have more clout and want the runners out earlier to get
their roads back.

So, middling pack runners find themselves beginning the run through
beautiful streets shaded by trees in the morning. As the day grows hotter
they are on the South side of the course. Much of it is wide flat HOT pavement with no shade and industrial areas which translate to little spectator support.

Taking the turn up from Comiskey Park (around mile 23) is where my wife
was on the verge of quitting her first marathon 8 years ago. She easily
noticed a Rastafarian man on the side amongst the sparse spectators
snapping his fingers. As she got closer she heard him repeating, "It's
all mental from here. It's all mental from here." Of course, she knew he was right and finished strong revitalized from his simple encouragement and accurate observation.

It is the same with us now. Kids, teachers, parents are all counting down the last week of school. As we do, it is important to continue working together to keep GKMS a great place. As we wrap up this year, we begin looking at data for next year finding ways to be more effective and help students achieve. It is a time to reflect, evaluate, and plan. Great opportunities for improvement lay at our feet. For all of us and our students, it's all mental from here.

Mason

Mason's wonderful humor and incredible smile is part of all who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McPherson family.
Mason's Caring Bridge Site

Open House Night Format

One of the goals for our SIP Parent Council is to examine current open house practices and determine if another format would be more beneficial to GKMS families. We will be seriously discussing this issue and making decisions over the next few weeks, so now is certainly the time to make opinions known.

Currently, open house begins in the gym with a very brief introduction of staff. Immediately following, students and parents tour the building meeting with staff, talking curriculum, and "checking out" lockers and hallway art. There are no structured presentations.

Technology in the Classroom

I appreciate all the input given by students, staff, and parents in the discussion on PED's in our school. A recent activity I led with our staff included using a Wiki - the first time for many.

Obviously, this made me think about our classrooms and our students. We certainly do use technology on a daily basis at GKMS.

What are some uses of technology that you enjoy using in your classes? What are some activities that you think should incorporate technology but currently do not? What are some tools we don't have, that you think would benefit students? So many questions...

GKMS Moments

The school year is not over! There is plenty of valuable instruction and social time for all students to continue to learn and grow. However, now is a good time to reflect on the things we’ve learned so far and what GKMS means to us all.

Personally, I value being principal at this great school. I enjoy working with our students and staff each day to help create a positive environment where kids learn, mature, and have fun. I also enjoy working with parents to help kids succeed, problem solve, or just talk for a few minutes.

I know students, parents, and staff members also have many positive experiences to share about life at GKMS, and I am interested in hearing some of them. As we enter the final quarter of the year, let us know some of the things you value at GKMS. And, as our 8th graders near promotion to the high school, what are some of your favorite GKMS memories?

Please, take a few minutes and share a GKMS moment with us, and remember not to use any student last names. Thanks.

ISAT – High Stakes Testing

It is clear that accountability through standardized testing is here to stay in one form or another. It is also clear that there are valid arguments to both sides of the debate as to whether or not it should be.

The APA states, “It is important to remember, however, that no test is valid for all purposes. Indeed, tests vary in their intended uses and in their ability to provide meaningful assessments of student learning. Therefore, while the goal of using large-scale testing to measure and improve student and school system performance is laudable, it is also critical that such tests are sound, are scored properly, and are used appropriately.”

However, in conjunction with No Child Left Behind, all initial steps of meeting standards begin and end with ISAT.

The idea of accountability through testing is a positive for kids in that it requires schools to research needs in curriculum, instruction, and climate. Although there are many drawbacks, never has curriculum been so standards based amongst schools for ALL kids.

As students, do you value the importance of ISAT testing to your school and do your best? As a parent, do you recognize the shift in your student’s curriculum to Illinois Standards? As education professionals, do find standards based curriculum to benefit kids?

There are many opinions to be expressed, and I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Should we allow Personal Electronic Devices (PED's) at GKMS?

Mr. McPherson and I joined all GK administrators at a technology workshop recently. One of the topics was students using Personal Electronic Devices (PED’s) in schools. The example was a school in a suburban district using iPod Touches. Knowing the advanced technological ability of our students and staff, I started thinking about several things.

While it initially sounds expensive, the scientific calculator function alone offsets some of the cost of an iPod Touch. Also to consider is the value of additional apps such as graphing calculator, Wi-Fi, dictionary, Webpage design, spreadsheet, and countless more that can be found at: http://www.apple.com/webapps/index.html

G-K schools will NOT be selling PED’s such as iPod Touch, Palm Pilots, and smart phones any time in the near future. However, many of our students do have such items already.

I have several questions. Can the educational process be better served by allowing students to use such devices in school? What benefits would students gain if our school was had accessible Wi-Fi for their PED’s? Would that aid in research projects? Would too many students be texting and calling others to a degree that it would interfere with their education?

I am looking forward to input from all members of our community. Opening up some of these opportunities seems within reach – but only worthwhile if students will benefit educationally. Let me know what you think.

Homework

Many times each year I discuss the topic of homework with students, parents, staff, and other administrators. Most people recognize homework as a necessary element of education. It is a way for students to gain additional practice towards mastery than possible during our limited school day. Homework can also help reinforce classroom learning and foster the development of higher level thinking skills. However, what types of assignments help students learn?

Here is a link to a ten minute interview with Alfie Kohn, author of The Homework Myth, discussing his unconventional views on homework and its place in our schools:

http://www.alfiekohn.org/hmaudio.htm

Fortunately, GKMS teachers have been working to create more meaningful assignments for students that encourage higher level thinking, independent learning, and student selected products.

Students, please leave comments telling me some of the most useful and beneficial assignments you have completed at GKMS (remember to use only your first name). By you telling us what types of assignments have helped you the most, teachers will be able to continue and increase those opportunities. We also welcome input from parents and guests.

PBIS

PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is our model for effective school wide behavioral intervention. We are very fortunate to have Mr. McPherson leading our students and staff in supporting or four key expectations:
Respect Yourself
Respect Others
Respect Property
Respect Learning

This week, students participated in a few "cool tool" exercises. Staff and students practiced and modeled appropriated hallway and bathroom behavior. Parents, please talk to your students about these activities and see if they found them useful.

I look forward to comments from students and families on these cool tools.