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.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"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.
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.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
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
Mason's Caring Bridge Site
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
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...
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...
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, February 23, 2009
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.
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.
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