This article was generously shared by the Messenger Newspaper
2Ist CENTURY CLASSROOM
2Ist CENTURY CLASSROOM
SACS prepares for a new school year
By JOAN CAVALLO
Special to the Messenger
ST. ALBANS — Next week we will begin the 2017-2018 school year with the children and families of St. Albans City School. Getting ready, this week the staff had several opportunities for collaboration and some new learning.
One big learning opportunity started this Monday and Tuesday and will last throughout the year. 25 of our teachers who specialize in math or in supporting learners that struggle, gathered for the kickoff to an investigation of effective math intervention strategies.
This St. Michael’s College Graduate course is being facilitated by Sandi Stanhope and Dr. John Tapper. The course is designed as a collaborative process, where we are examining current research on the development of mathematical understandings and building the understanding of why students struggle.
Many of the teachers in this course have worked with these concepts before, yet this time we are all looking at it together. Many strategies such as math menus and flexible interviews are being explored. This course was designed by the teachers last year as a way to continue to improve our math practice.
Wednesday all staff returned. Our day was packed with welcoming new staff, reconnecting, learning and sharing.
The team of teachers and administrators that attended the Conscious Discipline training at the start of summer were the leaders for another learning process.
We shared the experiences we had in this training and how that helped us better understand the skills and powers of Conscious Discipline. We also modeled the activities that teachers can use with their students. We were up, moving and connected. This learning was done throughout the three days together and will continue throughout the year.
We worked throughout these days in a whole group, smaller groups and teams. There were nuts and bolts details that we needed to cover, and there was time to
explore and consider the possibilities. Our staff had time to understand the expectations for this year, and to work together to decide how they will meet those expectations. We also looked at the changes for this year around the school schedule, buses and breakfast after the bell, and decided how to make these run smooth.
The start of a new year is always an exciting time. Everything is possible, energy is high, and there is wonderful anticipation of the first day and having our students back.
Joan Cavallo is the principal at St. Albans City School
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Above, Chris Morgillo and Meg Jarvis are finalists in the Rock Paper Scissors match at St. Albans City School to kick-off the teacher in-service days. Right, Sandi Stanhope facilitates a math course at St. Albans City School with 25 teachers.
Photos courtesy of Joan Cavallo
