Meetings
Class of 2018
Parent Meeting #1: August 28, 2017
6:30 to 7:00 Overview of me and the year
-intensives, non-intensive topics (Hist, Sci, ELA), weekly routines (current events, vocab, sci-book, curiosity slides)
-four overnights (Walkabout, Angel Island, San Francisco, Rafting)
-your role: homework list, PS checks, and newsletters
-website: hot spot, daily schedule, assignments page
7:00 to 7:30 Class work-shifts
1. daily task team: one person each day 12 to 1 (with lunch duty)
2. book clubs: five or six people, one day per week, 11 to 12 (with recess duty)
3. writing coaches: anytime the kids have my class (non-math, non-selectives, non-intensives)
4. Assignment boards & spreadsheets (with PM duty)
7:30 to 7:50 Walkabout Overview and Chaperones
-6 people, November 27, 28, 29
7:50 to 8:00: Other Things
-please text "@DCSrm25" to 81010 to join my text distribution list (FT arrival info, help requests, etc)
For Thought:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
Class of 2017
Parent Meeting #1: September 10, 2016
6:30 to 6:45 All 8th grade classes by the stage
-Dan, Bonnie, Chris introductions & intensives taught
-8th workshift differences (OFT, intensive assistant)
6:45 to 7:15 Overview of me and the year
-intensives, non-intensive topics, weekly routines
-four overnights (Walkabout, Angel Island, San Francisco, Rafting)
-your role: homework list, PS checks, and newsletter
-website: hot spot, daily schedule, assignments page
7:15 to 7:45 Class work-shifts
1. daily task team: one person each day 12 to 1 (plus lunch duty)
2. book clubs: five or six people, one day per week, 11 to 12
3. writing coaches: anytime the kids have my class (non-math, non-selectives, non-intensives)
7:45 to 7:59 Walkabout chaperones
-6 people, October 10, 11, 12
7:59 to 8:00: Other THings
-please text "@DCSrm25" to 81010 to join my text distribution list (FT arrival info, help requests, etc)
-please fill in and sign the Mount Hermon Adventures (ropes course) permission form
Parent Meeting #2: May 12, 2016
Proposed Agenda
1. Food anytime
2. Remaining Trips: Maker Faire (need a few more drivers & chaps still), Pool, Rafting.
3. HGD structure, scope, and atmosphere
4. Getting our kids to do for themselves, that which has been done for them.
Levels of "release of responsibility"
1. They're not ready and we all know it
2. They've taken on a little, but I often/always have to remind, prod, assess, re-task, motivate, incentivize, etc.
3. They usually do it, but I sometimes have to remind, consult, question, assess
4. They do it all on their own.
5. They took it on, and it works, and the benefits/growth are extending beyond the task itself.
5. Can you offer suggestions for improvement for next year?
provide book sets for book clubs (plan ahead!)
grading is a double-edged sword (influences morale)
level of the work is appropriate
6. Scott Fried
Parent Meeting #1: September 10, 2015
6:30 to 6:45 Class Coordinator (Marcy) and Fall Festival (Mae & Paige)
6:45 to 7:10 Overview of me and the year (Chris)
-intensives, non-intensive topics, weekly routines
-three overnights (Walkabout, San Francisco, Rafting)
-your role: homework list, PS checks, and newsletter
7:10 to 7:30 Class work-shifts and Walkabout chaperones (Chris)
7:30 to 7:45 Bonnie Malouf and her intensives (room 26)
7:45 to 8:00 Dan Dowling and his intensives (room 29)
Class of 2015:
Parent Meeting #4. May 18, 2015
1. First, thank you for all you have provided:
Workshift help, errands, class management
Field trip chaperoning, financing, and appreciation
Personal connections, your support, and all those many gifts
Patience and trust in my odd way of doing things
Classroom supplies and maintenance
Student accountability and support
2. Graduation information (Karen)
tickets, dress, ceremony, after-party
3. Rafting trip
when: June 3, 4, 5
where: South Fork American River, Chili-bar to Folsom (overnight at Camp Lotus in Coloma)
why: adventure, autonomy, outdoors, and friendship
details and updates will be on the rafting page of my site
4. Beach Trip
date
drivers
5. Improvements for Next Year
Parent Meeting #3. December 8, 2014
1. Please sign in with Michelle & join my text-message list (text @rm25parent to 81010)
2. Any pressing issues not on my agenda?
3. Age of Sail field trip
-forms and payment
-video, letter from parent and kids, and my impressions
-more drivers/chaperones needed
-have them pack for wet/cold weather
-crews & mates
4. San Francisco trip
-trip overview and budget
-student planning dilema
-need one van and driver and maybe a second parent
5. Discussion Topics
-my concern about "spontaneous spectrum sliding"
(curriculum, atmosphere, accountability, interactions)
-I need an organizer/decorator/purger to help me make the room better
-Chromebook issues?
Parent Meeting #2. October 22, 2014
At Anderson's cafeteria. Susan & Sarah on learning differences
Parent Meeting #1, September 16, 2014 6:30 to 8:00
Three topics for tonight: curriculum, jobs, trips.
A Bit About Me
-where I've been, why I'm here, and what I bring.
-my defaults: organization, student autonomy, candor, humor
Overview of the Curriculum (ppt)
-Science: physical science units and the guided tour vs deep investigation
-English and the KSA triangle & reading, writing, speaking, listening
-Social Studies: current events & social issues, US history & government
Class & Website Organization
-the wall and the website...
-daily schedule, assignments, all sorts of other stuff
-request for a nightly site-check and weekly PowerSchool checks
Parent Meeting #2, February 10, 2014 7:45 to 8:30
How Are Things Going?
For you?
For kids?
Walkabout Details (the SF-Marin planning document)
March 18-20, 2014.
Walkabout 1 used up $65 of the $150, and the SF addition (train, overnight, meals) will add another $50 donation request.
Need 2-3 parent chaps, 1-2 support-van drivers, and 5-6 pick-up drivers
Day 1: CalTrain to SF then walk to Yerba Buena Gardens, Union Square, Grace Cathedral, Cable Car Museum, Chanatown, North Beach, Coit Tower, Embarcadero, Wharf, and overnight at Fort Mason Hostel
Day 2: Walk Marina, Crissy Field, Palace of Fine Arts, Presidio, Ft. Baker, Bridge, then trail to Headlands (overnight)
Day 3: Rodeo Lagoon and Beach, Bluffs and Batteries, Marine Mammal Center, then Miwok & Springs Trails to Tennessee Valley (pick up)
Sharing Strategies:
Getting our kids to do for themselves, that which has been done for them.
Levels of "release of responsibility"
1. They're not ready and we all know it.
2. They've taken on a little, but I often/always have to remind, prod, assess, re-task, motivate, incentivize, etc.
3. They usually do it, but I sometimes have to remind, consult, question, assess
4. They do it all on their own.
5. They took it on, and it works, and the benefits/growth are extending beyond the task itself.
Transfer of responsibility, control, and consequences to students
A gradual process that takes practice, for them and for us.
Facilitate it. Start small and soon. Allow (or set up) situations where their actions yield consequences (+ & -).
Verbalize it before, (maybe) during, and after. Multiple examples make for better big-picture learning
When and how to rise above egos, expectations, quality control, and history?
Write a plan... what can you let go of now, soon, and sometime (before HS), and how will you do it?
Parent Meeting #1 (BTSN), September 9, 2013 7:00 to 8:00
Classroom Coordinator (Roseanne)
Three topics for tonight: curriculum, jobs, trips.
A Bit About Me
-where I've been, why I'm here, and what I bring.
-my defaults: organization, student autonomy, candor, accountability, and humor
Overview of the Curriculum (ppt)
-Science: life science units and the guided tour vs deep investigation
-English and the KSA triangle & reading, writing, speaking, listening
-Social Studies: current events & social issues, medieval history, geography
Class & Website Organization
-the wall and the website...
-daily schedule, assignments, all sorts of other stuff
-request for a nightly site-check and weekly PowerSchool checks
Three Videos as Curriculum & Climate Overview
Commentary on the Over-casualization of English
Reasons to Learn History
Parent Potluck (and Curriculum Recap)
May 14th, 6:30 to 7:30, Room 25
Please get some food, chat a lot, and write your thoughts to each of the white papers
Be as specific and brutally honest as possible.
Thank you for investing in improving my teaching,
and the experiences that my future classes will have.
-Chris' quick discussion topics
1. The breadth-depth debate (scheduled vs. flexible pacing)
2. Grades and packets (constant stream of point-earning papers and cumulative packets)
3. Textbook issues (value and/or pitfalls of the reading-notes-test-QAR cycle)
4. The communication conundrum (inbox flooding & emails unread)
5. Other comments or issues
February 6th, 7:00 to 8:00
Meet in our homeroom at 7:00!
Planned agenda:
- 20 min teacher overview/plans
- 10 mins classroom updates
- 10 min review of field trips
- 5 min overview of graduation
- 15 min Q &A - meeting over at 8:00
Getting our kids to do for themselves, that which has been done for them.
Levels of "release of responsibility"
1. They're not ready and we all know it
2. They've taken on a little, but I often/always have to remind, prod, assess, re-task, motivate, incentivize, etc.
3. They usually do it, but I sometimes have to remind, consult, question, assess
4. They do it all on their own.
5. They took it on, and it works, and the benefits/growth are extending beyond the task itself.
Parent Meeting (PA 102) September 25, 2012 6:30 to 8:00
Class Coordinator(s) Announcements (6:30 - 7:00)
1. Unfilled positions
2. Field trip overview
3. Fall Festival?
4. Age of Sail & Exploratorium
Science Assistance Positions (7:00 - 8:00)
1. The greater purpose of learning science (video)
2. Experiencing a sample activity (measuring rice) & reading scales
3. Learning the "hmmm" technique
4. Managing the desk space, the wall, and my online stuff (for parents)
-the daily schedule
-the projects page
-the correcting page
Back to School Night
September 12, 2012
7:15-8:15 starting at homeroom and then rotating at 15 minute intervals through your child's schedule
Agenda for Science Sessions:
A Bit About Me (4 min)
-where I've been, why I'm here, and what I bring
-my defaults: organization, student autonomy, passion, candor, and humor
-my talents, tendencies, and limitations
Overview of the Curriculum (4 min)
-physical science course outline and the road-trip analogy
-book process... reading & doing reviews on their own (mostly)
-class process... experiments, applications, and extensions
-packet process... assembling work, comment/review path, purpose
Class & Website Organization (4 min)
-the wall and the website...
-daily schedule, assignments, unit outline, and sample online items
BTSN, 2011
5:20 to 6:30: Math classes in various rooms (see signs on doors)
6:30 to 7:00: Classroom and Field Trip Coordinators (Roseanne, Maria, and Stephanie @ 10 min/ea)
6:50 to 7:35: Introducing myself, and orientation to the class content/operations/atmosphere
A Bit About Me
-where I've been, why I'm here, and what I bring.
-my defaults: environmental organization, student autonomy, candor, accountability, and humor
-my talents, tendencies, and limitations
Overview of the Curriculum
-physical science course outline
-book process... reading & doing reviews on your own
-class process... experiments, applications, and extensions
-packet process... assembling work, comment/review path, purpose
-English and the KSA triangle
-reading, writing, speaking, listening
-routines and levels of rigor
Class & Website Organization
-the wall and the website...
-address, daily schedule, assignments
-curriculum pages and sample online items
7:35 to 8:00: Mr. Heumann to 26 (ELA), Ms Stuart to 22 (Sci), and Ms Leftwich to 25 (History)
Parent Meeting, February 15, 2012
This meeting will start, for all 8th grade parents, in room 25 for general announcements/tasks, then move to homerooms.
Room-Level Things to Discuss:
Class "basket" for FAD (Family Dance and Auction)
Are there any general (concern everyone) pressing issues?
Student-organized trip to downtown San Jose
Possible trip to Salinas Valley (Steinbeck Museum, and other activity). Your thoughts?
Spring Overnight... Mt. Hermon again, Friday afternoon to Saturday mid-day. Your thoughts?
Transfer of responsibility, control, and consequences to students
A gradual process that takes practice, for them and for us.
Facilitate it. Start small and soon. Allow (or set up) situations where their actions yield consequences (+ & -)
Verbalize it before, (maybe) during, and after. Multiple examples make for better big-picture learning
When and how to rise above egos, expectations, quality control, and history?
Write a plan... what can you let go of now, soon, and sometime (before HS), and how will you do it?
What would you like the Spring conferences to be like and result in?
Parent Meeting, October 18, 2011. 6:30 - 8:00
6:30 Arrivals and Sign-in
6:35 Status Report -- group discussion of how things are going so far...
for me, for them and for you
6:55 Classroom support positions: Book group, writing coach, office support, and short-notice
7:10 Conference schedule, agendas, the unrealistic sweet-spot, and the strength of the triad
7:20 Goal setting and strategy lists (yours)
7:45 Nature of the Teenage Brain article as springboard for discussion (ppt)
8:20 Planning for the next meeting
8:25 Closing Quote:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Back to School Night 2011
5:20 to 6:30: Math classes in various rooms (see signs on doors)
6:30 to 7:00: Classroom and Field Trip Coordinators (Roseanne, Maria, and Stephanie @ 10 min/ea)
6:50 to 7:35: Introducing myself, and orientation to the class content/operations/atmosphere
A Bit About Me
-where I've been, why I'm here, and what I bring.
-my defaults: environmental organization, student autonomy, candor, accountability, and humor
-my talents, tendencies, and limitations
Overview of the Curriculum
-physical science course outline
-book process... reading & doing reviews on your own
-class process... experiments, applications, and extensions
-packet process... assembling work, comment/review path, purpose
-English and the KSA triangle
-reading, writing, speaking, listening
-routines and levels of rigor
Class & Website Organization
-the wall and the website...
-address, daily schedule, assignments
-curriculum pages and sample online items
7:35 to 8:00: Mr. Heumann to 26 (ELA), Ms Stuart to 22 (Sci), and Ms Leftwich to 25 (History)