Early Release Wednesday

Early Release Wednesday is tomorrow.  We will begin our time in the library for work on technology.  My understanding is that this will be a brief discussion.  I would like us then to focus our attention on the topic of assessment.  We need to continue our conversation on how best to implement something meaningful and realistic.  Our goal continues to be piloting something of this nature at the semester exam time.

Additionally, I have posted on Google Docs the completed version of our ensemble curriculum maps.  At this time, the band side of things is complete on mapping.  Jesse, we will not be able to have one ensemble be part of two maps.  So, we need to pick and choose the pieces/parts of the maps that you want to go into each ensemble.  We can do this one of two ways - you print everything out and circle what you want to be in each ensemble.  Or, you create a new document and cut and paste what needs to go where and send that back to me. Either way is fine, I would just like to get this done ASAP so we can move on from here.  I will be meeting with Anne on Friday to go over all of this with her and I would like to be able to giver her some firm details on our timeline.  I also believe that this will help to keep us on track with all that is going on.

Department Chair Update

Here is an update from the Department Chair meeting on Thursday, December 13.

• All departments continue to work on curriculum map, assessments and rubrics.  Each area is in a different place in this process, so Anne is meeting one on one with each department chair to see where they are at.  I will meet with her on Friday, December 21 during 5th period.  At that time, I will share with her our maps and the specific courses that we are considering for OTES.  She continues to be concerned that we may be required to track data in all of our courses and wants an update on our progress.  I will of course update you on the meeting.
• By now you are aware that the dates for the seniors have changed.  There will be no exemptions for senior exams, so all seniors will be required to take their exams May 28-29.  The thinking right now is that a specific schedule will be followed on these dates in order to accommodate courses that have multiple grade levels.  (I will keep you updated on this as well.) 
• There was recently an incident that involved a teacher and technology being used inappropriately.  Please, please, please be sure that you are always keeping student information confidential.  Remarks like "that kid in third period is driving me over the edge" can be viewed as sharing information about a student.  
• The principals continue to work on the mid-term exam schedule.  The hope is to distribute that before we leave for break.
• Next Wednesday, we should be meeting to work on technology issues during Early Release.  Anne was unsure what the topic was going to be and if we were meeting all together in the library.  Be on the lookout for more information on this.

As always, please let me know if you have nay questions or concerns.

Happy Friday!!! :-)