THE VISION FOR ROY CLOUD

THE VISION FOR ROY CLOUD (Hyena Style)

Philosophy We acknowledge and value each student’s and adult’s unique gifts and life purpose, and support the development of all toward becoming successful members of our community, society in general, and the world.

Three-part Vision • Initiate (High/Low) Grade Level Connections • Incorporate “S.E.A.L.” (Stop Everything And Learn) • Include21st Century Technology

1. Grade Level Connections This “mentor” program allows Roy Cloud to embrace its unique K-8th position. An upper grade student will be paired with a lower grade counterpart for social and academic development. • Grade 1 teams with 5th grade • Grade 2 teams with 6th grade • Grade 3 teams with 7th grade • Grade 4 teams with 8th grade (Kindergarten not assigned, but encouraged to develop) These bonds and practices are not only critical to a well-ordered society, but provide a training ground for the effective development of a humane, flourishing soul. Creates patterns of social stability and maintenance of the social order…according to Confucian philosophy.

1. Grade Level Connections Encourages responsibility and a fostering (giving back) component for upper graders, while providing guidance and support for lower grade students. Plus, we all know that to master a skill, the best thing to do is to teach it to someone else. Possible Shared Activities: • Reading buddies • Sharing their writing, or writing together • Field trips • Math – older grade teaches younger students • Social activities • PE challenges/activities/games (Connections/meetings happen once a month) This could also morph into a Teacher Aide program/elective

2. “S.E.A.L.” Team 7(Stop Everything And Learn) • Project-Based Learning • Entire School Participates • Takes several days or up to a week • Done once the first year – probably during second trimester conferences, then… • Assessed and evaluated for efficacy, revamping, increasing, or possibly eliminating

2. “S.E.A.L” Team 7(Stop Everything And Learn) • Each grade level selects a problem to be solved • Could be teacher-assigned or student-generated • Students work in heterogeneous groups • Must research and create solutions • If/when possible, project should include all subject areas: • Art, Music, Science, Language Arts (writing up what was done and research), Math, PE • Can be incorporated into TIG time • Possibility of presentations to entire school (such as the “best” projects per grade level, by vote of peers) at an assembly

3. 21st Century Technology • Each grade level has academic/tech “expectations” • These expectations will build progressively per grade level • Need to re-establish a committee to develop the expectations and possible lessons • Need to support Greg in his efforts to have entire school be wireless • *Need to upgrade equipment AND get it out into the classes in a more timely manner so it doesn’t become obsolete before we use it *Remember Moore’s Law?: "The number of transistors incorporated in a chip will approximately double every 18 to 24 months."—Gordon Moore, Intel Co-Founder

A Good School Should Teach… • Citizenship: a sense of community, non-egocentrism. (We’re all in this together – one’s actions do not only affect oneself, but society as well). • Curriculum and Standards: These should be taught in a variety of ways (multiple modalities) – Workbooks, Demonstrations, Illustrations, Debates, Moving around the room, etc.  Think P90X’s use of “Muscle Confusion” for optimum fitness

A Good School Is One That… • Communicates with parents, staff, and community, alike • Takes PRIDE (is proud) of itself – we should applaud our high scores, athletic teams’ successes…and ‘Mathletic’ (i.e. BAMO) success too! • Has fewer ‘quick’ changes – changes need time to be incorporated • i.e., student ratios/class size, math and language boards, ‘Do more with less’, Dibels, benchmark tests, etc. • Provides community outlets – embraces, incorporates, and uses human community resources to help build our school/community character • Offers opportunities like “Grandparents Day,” “Career Day,” and/or have Realtors, for example, coming in to talk about how this school’s performance affects local real estate values, etc. • Uses the resources of local, qualified retired people and professionals who want to help • Offers its staff opportunities for professional learning and team-building • Limits Kindergarten classes to 25 students • Distinguishes itself clearly from the district – we are closer to Nstar than Taft!

A Successful Student is Able to… • Perform at grade level • Express himself/herself verbally and in written form • Feels confident about himself/herself – can speak up and talk in front of class • Be an independent learner as well as to work cooperatively

In an Effective Classroom/Instructional Program… • Students are learning / making progress at their own appropriate rate • Students are offered opportunities to be independent learners and to work cooperatively • Students are encouraged to be independent problem solvers • Students WANT to be there – make it fun and interesting, but challenging and engaging

A Good Teacher (Staff)… • Communicates with all others in a friendly manner (students watch how we interact – our behavior is a model for others) • (We don’t have to be friends, but we need to be friendly to each other) • Keeps lines of communication open with each other, parents, and community • Spreads the word that THIS is the place to be!! • (“Whatever, Northstar!” We need to combat this mass 3rd grade exodus, promoting the value of staying at Roy Cloud for ALL involved) • Can give AND receive constructive criticism • Participates in school activities and talks them up to others • Administrators support Teachers by doing frequent, but less formal (no clipboard checklists) classroom visitations and feedback

A Classroom Teacher ShouldUse the 3 C’s: • Comparisons: (Analogies) that help students relate to new concepts in ways they can understand. (“It’s like how…”) • Competition: Competition breeds success and often brings out the best in people, in terms of effort/output. (Alexander Hamilton’s Capitalism, the Olympics, etc.). Make it a game or contest! • Collegial: Working together in teams, sharing ideas, learning from one another, understanding concepts via kids’ own terminologies and methods

Parents/Community Members Should… • Be willing to attend/lead an orientation/expectations meeting that describes the guidelines to be most effective in the school community • i.e., be on time; get a sub if you can’t be there; no toddlers, etc., so they will have a clear understanding about expectations • Be involved in the school – tutoring, reading, speaking, supporting teachers in and out of the classroom • Create/promote possible ‘Career Days’ • (we have esteemed professionals in our school community) • Speak positively about the school

Best Slide of the Deck… • The End

THE VISION FOR ROY CLOUD