Happy Catholic Schools Week!

 Let the fun begin!   Thank you to our CSW team for putting this week together.  Please be sure to reinforce rules, as days like these can create excitement.  Please refer to the committee's schedule to keep up with all the happenings.  Also, remind students to bring in food for SVDP.  There were some specific items (which I listed in Tidbits) that they are asking for.  All donations are welcome, but it is worth mentioning their specific asks.  

Finally, for everyone working on the Year 2 CIPA, our meeting on Friday is to finalize everything.  Each committee chair should be prepared to present their ratings and evidence.  Everything should be uploaded to the website by then for the benchmarks.  For the action plans, those should be completed but not uploaded.  Mary will load those once approved.  This will give Mary and me a week to complete the ARCA form based on everything you present and get it all uploaded before the due date.  Mary may have more details to share.  

Have an awesome week!  

Work Hard, Play Hard

 That is what is happening this weekend in Orlando.  I attended my first workshop this morning, and I am on fire!  I am looking forward to dinner to share experiences with the others who are here with me at FETC.  The workshop I attended this morning was titled Authentic Assessment in the Age of AI, and I immediately saw the future I want (and so will you) for our students.  In that future, tests do not exist (or are used minimally).  Students will show their understanding through authentic assessment.  Does that happen overnight?  No, and there is much to learn.  The one point that truly struck me was the statement a presenter said.  Students should be excited to show you what they learned in their summative.  When I reflected on how I incorporated PBL in social studies, do I think that was the case for all the projects?  No.  However, I do remember those few projects where students were so proud of what they produced, held onto it for years, and still talk about it today.  That is what you want.  The other important takeaway was the statement that no longer is the product important; it is the process.  Is the correct answer at the end of a long mathematical problem important?  Yes, but not really.  What is important is how the student got there.  What is their mathematical thinking?  

Here is another example that the presenters gave.  This is a typical unit on the Civil War, one I would have followed too. 

This unit begins with a look at the major economic, social, geographic and political differences between the Southern and Northern states. Next, students look at the most prominent tensions/ disagreements/differences, the extension of slavery, and state vs federal rights. Students will then analyze various actions and reactions to these regional disagreements. Then, students will take a look at the Civil War, and its effects and major changes the country went through after the South surrendered. The unit culminates with a performance assessment which has students creating a proposal for a display case concerning the unresolved political, social and geographic issues between the Northern and Southern states.

This unit was created by asking AI, what is the critical reason we study the Civil War in 8th grade?

Studying the Civil War in 8th grade is essential for understanding American history, developing critical thinking skills, and fostering civic awareness. This pivotal event shaped the nation's trajectory by addressing fundamental issues such as slavery, states' rights, and federal authority, providing a foundation for comprehending subsequent historical developments and modern societal issues. Additionally, it helps students grasp the origins and implications of major constitutional amendments, promoting informed and engaged citizenship.

While they may seem similar, they are not.  The second brings history to life.  We need to shift how we look at assessment.  I also saw how, by looking at it differently, we can provide equity and accessibility for all learners.  On a final note, not only was I on fire, but the convention center had the fire alarms go off.  Yesenia was sending me videos of how no one moved.  Finally, they evacuated everyone and then sent them back.  Fortunately, it was a false alarm.  Funny how students know what to do when the fire alarm goes off, but educators sit there and say, "Yeah, whatever." :) 

I am looking forward to learning more over the next two days.  So, what's happening back at school?  This week is i-Ready math testing, Focus 11 on Monday for 6th grade, and Kennedy Space Center for 6th grade on Thursday and Friday.  

Have a wonderful week and see you all on Wednesday!

This unit begins with a look at the major economic, social, geographic and
political differences between the Southern and Northern states. Next, students
look at the most prominent tensions/disagreements/differences, the extension
of slavery, and state vs federal rights. Students will then analyze various actions
and reactions to these regional disagreements. Then, students will take a look at
the Civil War, and its effects and major changes the country went through after
the South surrendered. The unit culminates with a performance assessment
which has students creating a proposal for a display case concerning the
unresolved political, social and geographic issues between the Northern and
Southern states.

Welcome to 2026

 As I listened to Fr. Dermot this morning talk about looking back on last year and the possibilities that await us in the new year, all I could think in my head was.... Don't let the door hit you in.....  and, Hello 2026!  I've been expecting you.  The new year is like the first day of school.  It's an opportunity to say, let's try this again and do it better.  My goal in 2026 is to have fewer people angry with me and have a positive second half of the school year.  I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas and is feeling refreshed and ready to tackle Monday morning, and I pray that God will bless you all abundantly this year.  

It's a pretty quiet week.  I recommend taking some time on Monday to remind students of rules and procedures.  I will be out on Friday at a principal's meeting.  

Before I end, I have two requests:

#1 - Please check your mailboxes daily.  I did suggest that you check them before the break, and today I found some mold growing on something that was meant to be eaten two weeks ago.  Enjoy!  There is also a bag of student lanyards in a mailbox.  You need those for evacuations.  

#2 - Please turn off lights.  On the day of the Christmas concert, I stayed at school and walked over to the church at about 6:10 pm.  No one was in either building, and yet when I walked through, I found 90% of the classroom lights on and doors open.  The AW hallway lights were on, too.  Since it was a Friday night, there was a good chance the cleaning people would not be in until Saturday morning.  I turned them all off.  The electric bill (and usage) has greatly increased in the main building since last year, and both bills are ridiculously high.  I recently had an audit of the facility completed by TECO, and after I read the report I will share any insights and suggestions. We can all help by just turning off the lights.  When you take your class to lunch, turn off the lights, etc.  Most important is to turn them off when you leave at the end of the day and close your door.  The last person in AW, should also turn off all the hall lights before they leave.  Thank you!

Have a wonderful week!