Heading Up STREAM

 No, this blog is not about salmons heading upstream in the fall.  It's about education -- where it is and where it's headed.  Dr. Mark used to say he's driving the bus and everyone needs to jump on.  Education is no longer a bus chugging along, its the bullet train and we don't want to be left in its dust.  I know we are all aware of changes in education and at times it's hard to keep up, but it is possible.  Listening to some of the presenters at the FCC Convention gave me some perspective of how we need to change our mindsets and those of parents and students in order to be the school of excellence we strive to be.  When the mindsets change, the results can be amazing.  SSCS truly can become a Lighthouse if we are All In to Make it Happen!  Areas that need attention are communication, scheduling, STREAM and technology integration, assessment, PLCs, motivation, creativity, and student initiation.  Wow...  that seems like a lot!  But it's not.  I've seen how changing a few things like scheduling, how the curriculum is delivered, and empowering students can address most of those needs.  It' will not happen overnight, but the first step is to recognize the importance of change and how we will go about it.  

I don't even know where to begin to share some of the great ideas we heard.  What was clear is that we have the tools available to us, but they are not being utilized to their fullest.  We have technology, a makerspace, an ESE and enrichment teacher, instructional coaches, project-based learning, rubrics, PLCs, electives, etc.  It's how all these things are put together and used that can make the difference.  At the end of this school year, we will review our CIPA in preparation for our third-year review in the Fall.  This is the perfect time to conclude the action plans that have been met and add new ones that address our vision for the future. 

One of the areas I mentioned is communication, something we have been talking a lot about recently.  Today I read an article that addresses communication and had some valuable tips in communicating with parents.  It also explains the shift in parent needs for communication.  Below is an excerpt from the article.  One of the ideas relates to Instagram.  Gina and I were just talking about having a presence on Instagram.  Our young parents are not on Facebook, but they are on Instagram.  Read the info below and think about how well you communicate to parents. 

Have a great short week.  I will be out on Friday at an Administrator's meeting and both Gina and I will be out Monday morning, March 25.  We will be at school briefly before school and should be back by noon. 

Tips to Utilize Parents in the Classroom (FACTS March Newsletter)

The importance of parental involvement is at an all-time high in private schools. This is often due to the financial and personal stake parents have in their child’s education and security.  As a colleague in a “Marketing to Millennial Parents” learning session remarked, “Helicopter parents of the past are now drone parents of the present.”  The question is not how to prevent parental involvement in the classroom, but how to utilize parents to our advantage.

Communicate Effectively

Parents want to be involved at every level, so communication is key. Keeping parents up-to-date on activities, goals, progress, projects, homework, and assessments is vital to building trust.  When parents are able to hang an overview of their child’s next few weeks, they’re thankful. Likewise, when the students know the teacher is well-organized, they generally rise to meet higher expectations in the classroom.

Utilize Social Media

Utilize Instagram to show what’s coming up for the week. Snap a photo of classroom updates and communicate with families via direct messaging. If you want to utilize photos to show class projects or students studying, be sure to get written parental permission when starting the school year. Remember, you don’t have to follow parents who follow you on Instagram and you can turn off commenting on classroom posts as well.  Consistent communication between teachers, students, and parents is crucial. When it’s present, students are highly engaged and teachers often have more positive relationships with parents.

Set Expectations — And Stick to Them

Having concise rules, expectations, and procedures — from the beginning of the year — is one of the most important traits of a successful teacher. Parents are eager to support the teacher at home if they know the procedures and expectations. Partnering with parents provides the best environment for students to be truly successful.  Parents are not the classroom’s enemy. In fact, their unique connection with your students makes them some of your strongest allies.