Post date: May 22, 2016 3:28:10 AM
In This Issue:
Maker Faire
Parent Appreciation
Rafting Trip
Letters to Self
Rob Keller
Science & History Topics
Graduation overview
1. Planning Friday's all-school excursion to the Maker Faire in San Mateo was not without complications and frustrations, I'm sure -- although none of them were mine, I simply enjoyed a great day with/watching our awesome class. Thanks to the hard work of the office staff, trip coordinators, parent chaperones, and our amazing Jane and Susan, it worked out very well. April wrote to me after the trip, telling me just how great our kids did as they toured the exhibits, tinkered with things, and engaged with others who mix creativity, technology, and ingenuity.
2. This was parent appreciation week and there are some beautiful letters awaiting many of you in my room. But the appreciation that I/we feel should not be limited to a timeframe or card -- you are the life-blood of DCS and the big reason why the school works. Parenting well asks the most of us and gives only occasional and subtle indicators of success, so it really is an endeavor of faith and trusting one's instincts. Today is Hannah's 19th birthday and so it has been a great for our family to look back on all the instances that make up a life. Thank you for doing such amazing works daily, weekly, and throughout life so that the world can be made better by the amazing kids that you help to create.
3. There are only 5 school days until we head up to the foothills to raft the south fork of the American River. There isn't much (comparatively) for the kids and I to plan for this trip, but it is really important that they cover their 3 areas of responsibility: tent groups, packing well, and helping with lunch pre/clean-up on the river. As of tonight, there are 14 kids who aren't on the tent-groups spreadsheet yet, so please take care of that.
4. The most important assignment of the week (to me, at least) was the students writing of private letters to themselves that I will send to them after their high school graduation. My 8th grade teacher had us write such letters, and when I received it during the summer before college it was a wonderful surprise. Reading my letter to the kids last week provided laughs and a little (private) lump in my throat even after all the years.
5. I've been hired by the education department at the University of Hawaii to be a part of a Google Apps Training workshop for their k-12 public school teachers, so I'll be on leave from June 6 to 10. Rob Keller will be working with the class to continue our usual pace of learning and enjoyable class atmosphere. He and I met last week and discussed some possible projects and lessons. He'll probably be implementing a "Zombie" neuroscience project that Mr. Dowling has done with his class many times with good results, as well as some lessons on World War 1 that he (Rob) will put together. If Stella can get time off of work, she'll come in to teach a lesson on botany.
6. In science we worked more on the properties of waves, including using Slinkys to create and control various wave forms. Next week will be all about sound waves and hearing, then for the last days of the year we'll get into light, optics, and electromagnetic spectrum. A few of the kids told me, by the way, that they knew most/all of the material on the science parts of the State testing. Yay.
In social studies there wasn't much worth reporting, except one good morning of independent learning about the industrial revolution and (mostly) child labor. Hopefully you and your kid had a good current events discussion at some point last week.
7. Graduation details came, via a letter forwarded by Marcy this evening, and plans are coming along well. I'm looking forward, with mixed feelings actually, to this very significant milestone. The future is in good hands with this crew dispersing into the great world, and I never cease to appreciate the short but valuable time that I've been able to spend observing and facilitating some of their growth.
May 27 (Friday): Staff Development Day
June 1 (Wednesday): Talent Show (before rafting departure)
June 1, 2, 3 (Wed-Fri) Rafting South Fork American
June 6-10: Chris doing Google training for Hawaii public school teachers
June 8: Science Fair (design challenges)
June 13: 8th Grade Pool Party
June 16: Last Day of School
Lastly: I try hard to be transparent and approachable so I'm bothered by knowing that some concerns that one/some of you have about things are going to Dale or Debby before me (kid's sex ed questions document and scooters storage in ceiling to be specific). Please, if you have a suggestion or comment about anything, please let me know first so that I can explain or change it, without the added layer that arises in me when I hear it from my boss, rather than straight from the person themselves. If my response or actions (or lack thereof) aren't sufficient, then it is appropriate to elevate the issue, but please give me a chance first.
Thanks, and reply if possible.
Chris