WGHS Physicists Compete at Regional Event

Good morning,

I wanted to extend a special "congrats" to our high school physicists who recently performed quite well at a regional physics event coordinated by WGHS teacher, Dr. David Schuster!  Dr. Schuster reported that the AP1 team took 2^nd Place in the Mechanics Division and the AP2 team took 2^nd Place in the Comprehensive Division.  

In addition, Donovan Smith won $50 for 2^nd place and Harry Fu, Brendan Gillow, Luke Beggs, Ben Keller, Nicholas Haines, Easton Culver, and Prem Rao earned honorable mention (being in the top 20% of contestants).  If you'd like to learn more about the competition, you can read below.  

Congrats to our physicists and Dr. Schuster!

Each child, Each day...John

Want to hear from students about how to improve race relations?

WGHS Students Solving Real Crimes...

Good afternoon,

Please check out this thoughtful email to sent to Jeanette Hencken, Forensics Teacher at WGHS.

Each Child, Each Day...John

Ms. Hencken, and AFSR students of Webster Groves HS

I am Detective Doug Farmer with the Sylva Police Department in Sylva, NC. I am currently working alongside of my fellow Detective Amy Watson trying to identify the footwear that created the attached partial pattern. We have looked at multiple brands of shoes and boots but have not been able to identify this pattern.

I wanted to ask if you and your students would be interested in trying to identify this pattern and shoe brand. Your current work sounds very interesting and will provide a valuable asset for many. I had read about your work online and thought I would ask if you would assist us.

We salute you for spending your time and energy to help law enforcement solve crimes. We could not do it without the help of great people like you. We thank you in advance, and wish Webster Groves High School all the best in their endeavors.

Sincerely,

Det. Doug Farmer

Sylva Police Department

755 W. Main Street

Sylva, NC 28779

828-586-2916

Warm Your Heart

Good afternoon,

To see a touching example of the relevant and meaningful learning taking place in the WGSD, you must click below to watch the Channel 4 news story from last night!  Such amazing learners we have in this school district!

http://www.kmov.com/story/31237085/webster-groves-teacher-brews-up-out-of-the-box-education

Each child, Each day...John

Happy Counselors' Week!!

Good morning,

As most of you know, the WGSD is blessed to have some amazing counselors who support the well-being of all the district's children.  For some children and families, their love, care, and support will forever be remembered for the difference it made in their lives.

Our director of student services, John Thomas, worked with the teachers and students in Digital Art at WGHS to create an expression of "thanks" on behalf of the district community.  Check out the original, digital designs (no clip art) our talented students produced in Mrs. Thomas' and Mr. Throm's course.    

With much appreciation for our amazing counselors...John

 

 

Thoughtful Teacher + Determined Students + Passion + One Company = Relevance and Possibility

Good afternoon,

One of the many reasons I enjoy working in the Webster Groves School District is the priority that is placed on children discovering who they are and how they might uniquely contribute to this world. Kara Siebe, who teaches Marketing II at Webster Groves High School, recently shared a story with me that beautifully exemplified this commitment.

In order to create an authentic learning experience for students, Ms. Siebe worked with the CEO of a wholesale jewelry company to create a design contest for her Marketing II students, many of whom would travel to New York as members of DECA (global organization centered on business).  To help with context, this company's merchandise is found in over 23 countries and over 5000 stores.

Following the contest, the CEO stated, "Setting up a design contest seemed like the best way to get them a taste of what it’s like to truly run a business, because it required them to do market research, trend forecasting, design, and marketing—as well as to understand product viability and cost constraints. The project was a super success and we intend to do it again next year!"

In teams, students had to evaluate the company's product line of rings to determine what style was missing from its current collection.  They then head to develop 6 pieces of jewelry around a specific theme.  Each team's concept would then be critiqued by the company's president who directly heads the merchandising and design teams.  Using his feedback, teams would have to redesign as necessary and ultimately produce a 3D prototype of one select piece.  The president would then judge the prototypes to determine which team won and would possibly produce the winning piece if worthy.

Over the length of the project, the president provided students with some pretty critical feedback which allowed them to experience and feel what input can often look like in competitive business. Ms. Siebe stated, "(they)learned how to handle criticism without falling apart or taking it personally." Definitely different than marks or grades on a paper!

When they arrived in New York and came face to face with the president with whom they'd been interacting, he introduced a manufactured replica of the "winning ring" and provided the winning team with a cash prize.  In addition, he announced that the ring in front of them would be sold in stores across the country!

According to Ms. Siebe, soon after the annoucement of the cash prize, the boys in the group (below) gave their earnings to Nicole (middle below).  Because of her dedication and commitment to the project, they felt she was most deserving of the money.  Our students are such good people!!

Due to her commitment to the project, quality of the work, and interest in graphic design, Nicole was offered an internship in graphic design with this company and will be heading to New York soon after graduation.  Way to go, Nicole!!!

"Thank you" to all who contributed to making this an amazing, and possibly life-changing experience, for all!

Each child, Each day...John

  

All Stars in Action!

Good afternoon,

This week I had the pleasure of spending some time with the learners at Avery Elementary.  With each space and learning opportunity, the faculty demonstrated a genuine care for the children. Evidence of this care included joyful laughter, intentional creation of spaces, and students interacting with one another to solve challenging problems.

Thank you to the community of learners at Avery for making my day!

Each child, Each day...John

Spaces dedicated to photos of children's families.

A special section of space designed to invite children to read.

Children physically constructing letters.

Tyra, an amazing 3rd grader, creating a Google Slides presentation regarding being a wonderful sibling.  Hearing her speak of her siblings, I can state with confidence they are blessed to have her as a big sister!

Collaborating on a challenging problem and generating multiple paths to the same solution.  

Some very creative art work that demonstrates both creativity and a deep understanding with a variety of math concepts.

January 4, 2016: Adult Learning in the WGSD

Good afternoon,

This past Monday, as district families were enjoying their last precious day with one another and 7-12th grade staff were putting the final touches on report cards, preschool through 6th grade staff had a day of professional development.  While the afternoon was dedicated to building level learning, during the morning all staff came together at Hixson in order to learn in community with one another.  There were a range of topics shared and discussed including use of Google tools, democratic learning, and methods for collecting and utilizing student data.  With the exception of two, each of the presenters was either a teacher or principal working in the WGSD!  "Thank you" to our presenters!

One of the many topics which generated quite a bit of buzz that morning and in the days that followed was Novel Engineering, a session led by Kristy Daniels-Jackson (district gifted coordinator), Santana Barns (Street Geeks Consulting), and Jared Arms (CEO of Klyar.IO, an Android App Development Company).  Inspired by children, Novel Engineering is a new approach to integrating literacy and engineering.  Children use stories and novels to create design questions and then engineer solutions. While the hands-on session was designed to help educators support learning for all students, the facilitators placed a particular influence on providing strategies for engaging male students of color in STEM-related activities.  See the pictures that follow:





Each child, Each day...John

WGSD in the News for Learning

Good afternoon,

I hope each of you is doing well and enjoying the milder weather we're having.

As you may have heard, yesterday President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which reauthorized the Elementary Secondary Education Act created approximately 50 years ago in support of equal opportunities for the country's students.  The passage of the ESSA signifies the end of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) that was approved in 2002.  Once the "dust settles," I will provide some information regarding ESSA and it's impact and influence on all that we do in the Webster Groves School District.

In the meantime, here are two powerful videos which serve as samples of the amazing learning that happens across our great district!

Each child, Each day...John

Click here to view the Channel 4 News Story regarding a learning community at Hudson working to create an educational experience and space for students grounded in the concepts from the district's School for Today Report.

Highlights from the 3rd-5th grade music concert at Hudson.

Democratic Learning in the WGSD

Good afternoon,

As we continue to move toward the district's vision of creating opportunities for learners to "discover and pursue our (their) passions," it's important that autonomy be encouraged and present in the learning of both the children and adults in the WGSD.  Please enjoy the videos below that provide rich examples of what happens when teachers and administrators put trust in the students to guide their own learning and experiences.

Each child, Each day...John

The first WGHS LipDub!

Desmond Reichold, first year music teacher at Hudson, provides 3-5th grade students with the opportunity to design their performance.

Patrick Bommarito, Spanish teacher at WGHS, provides his Spanish V students with the opportunity to creatively express their feelings regarding a Spanish song (another example below).

I'm thankful for...

Good afternoon,

In the spirit of the season, I wanted to express my thankfulness for all the members of the WGSD learning community.  Each and every day, the district community puts children and their learning at the forefront of all that we do.  Staff members work tirelessly with families and community members to provide students with the space and opportunities to discover who they are and what they are uniquely suited to do in this world.  For our amazing students, staff, and district community, I'm thankful!

Each child, Each day...John

"Student Success" in the WGSD

Good evening,

Last week, I had the privilege to share a few district celebrations related to learning and achievement with our board of education.  Here is just a small sampling of those celebrations from the 14-15 school year:

• The district's Annual Performance Report (APR - state "report card") score is among the highest in the state.
• Our 11th grade students performed very well on the first ever ACT given to almost every 11th grader across the state during the school day.
• More students took an AP exam than at any time, and the average score earned (3.69) was also the highest in history.
• In 2009, 0 students took an AP science exam and in 2015 94 exams were taken.
• The percent of African-Americans taking a weighted class (ie: an advanced class such as AP) increased by 30% and was the highest in the school's history.
• The percent of students suspended decreased to approximately 3.5%.
• More science fair projects were completed by elementary students in 2015 than at any other time in recent history.

Here are some other celebrations from 14-15, most of which were highlighted at the board meeting:

A number of district staff members interested in experimenting with and/or currently implementing innovative practices are now gathering on a regular basis to collaborate and share.

 The WGHS Coffee Shop provides select high school students with the opportunity to learn vocational skills in a "real world" setting.

Children at the WAFC explore the concept of sound in their outdoor playscape.

 Mick Fumo shared with 3rd grade students how he uses creativity in his daily life as a chef at Cielo in the Four Seasons Hotel.  

WGHS band students were recently treated to a master class with the Kevin Eubanks Group (ie: The Tonight Show).  The band played, took questions, and asked a student drummer to join them in a session.

Each child, Each day...John

The WGSD....A Great Place to Learn!

Good afternoon,

In my role in the WGSD, I get to see students and staff engage in really powerful learning opportunities that are relevant, challenging, and rewarding.  Below is a "sampler" of some of what I've witnessed over the past two weeks.  All I can say is, "I wish my personal memories of school looked something like this!

Each child, Each day...John

3rd graders from Hudson collaborate with WGHS students to draft and create simple machines.

Hixson 8th grade students test water filters they made to determine if they are capable of filtering at least 200 ml of water in 30 minutes or less.

A Vietnam Veteran shares his story with high school students about being a Sentry Dog Handler during the War.

Check out this rhythm two 2nd grade students at Bristol created using Garage Band and then their own voices.

This Steger student is in the process of writing an excellent story about "a special place."

This 2nd grade student from Clark worked very hard to create a unique instrument as the children learned about sound.

Amazing Leaders at Avery Elementary

Good afternoon,

About a week ago, I had the opportunity to spend a few hours observing the wonderful learners at Avery in action!  Here are a few examples of what I witnessed:

• Children engaged in an exploration of colors and patterns on a SMARTboard.
• Adults in numerous classrooms and learning spaces intentionally placing themselves at eye level with children (many on the floor!) as they played a game, collaborated on a piece of writing, etc.
• A teacher facilitating a beautiful discussion with her children in which they contributed ideas for how they might redesign or contribute to their classroom in a way that supports their development as readers and writers.
• Children laughing and having fun as they played a game in physical education which supported their development with gross motor skills and elevated their heart rates at the same time.
• Children playing a game on an iPad that required them to demonstrate their understanding of angles.
• Children working in learning spaces designed just for them!

Also, a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to watch Evelyn Linck, Mia Willis, and Sam Miller, along with Dr. Arnold, share about Avery's Leader in Me program with superintendents and school board members from around the state.  The children rightfully received numerous comments for not just their speaking skills, but their poise and courteous demeanors.  They truly were the highlight of the conference for many attending including myself!

Enjoy the clips and photos below, as they serve as a small but powerful sampling of the wonderful learners at Avery!

Each child, Each day...John

Exploring Different Cultures at Hixson

Good afternoon,

I recently visited Hixson Middle School in order to take in Team Journey's Culture Fair.  Dr. Rachal and her teammates did an excellent job providing children with the time and space to share their learning with others!  Among many other reflections, the children commented on the skills they used to complete the project and what aspect of their learning most challenged them.  Below is a picture of Gianni who partnered with another student to study Kenya.  In addition to learning that Gianni knows quite a bit about Kenya, I also discovered that she possesses the skills to one day become a chef!  The Kenyan dessert she made was fantastic!

Each Child, Each Day...John

WAFC: Children Transforming Their World

Good afternoon,

One of the most joyful aspects of my job is spending time in schools with our children and staff.  Actually, it's THE most joyful aspect of my job!  This morning, I spent 2 1/2 hours at our nationally recognized preschool, the Walter Ambrose Family Center.  Please enjoy the video that follows which highlights the amazing learning taking place there!

Each child, Each day...John

Learning in the WGSD!

Good Afternoon,

There are many reasons why the Webster Groves School District is such a special place, and one main reason is the priority that we place on learners and their learning.  No matter your size, age, or role within our district community, you are seen and valued as a learner.  Here are a few pictures that highlight our learners in action, constructing knowledge from their experiences.

At the WAFC, this child uses her hands to determine the size of the marbles, and experiments with the different sounds created when they collide.

Three WGHS students collaborate on a paper within a space in the library that high school students designed for such collaboration.

Third grade teachers from across the district engaged in reflective dialogue centered on the concepts from the "Collaborative Report."

A number of staff including myself participated in our district's weekly twitter chat initiated by some of our wonderful staff at Hixson Middle School.

While I don't have photos of the experience, I also wanted to share that building and several district administrators (including Dr. Riss, Supt. of Schools) spent a Thursday morning visiting several classrooms across the district to observe our wonderful teachers in action and to continue to work on implementing our teacher evaluation with fidelity.

While learning is certainly ubiquitous, the adults in the WGSD work hard to design relevant, challenging, and rewarding learning opportunities (and spaces for) for both the children they serve and themselves!

Each child, Each day....John

First Weeks of School!

Good afternoon,

As you know, the school year is off and rolling!  Each year, learners enter our buildings filled with hope and possibility.  As my colleagues and I visit schools, programs, and events, we're reminded of how special our learning community really is.  Many of us in central office, including myself, spent quite a few years in other school districts.  While they were each excellent districts, we can each speak to the intentional and tangible care, that is given to children as learners and as people (if they could really be separated) in the Webster Groves School District.  I promise - it is unique and special!

I wanted to update you on a few items that relate to the office of curriculum and instruction.

Back to School Event
This year, families and community members were invited to welcome our staff back to school at our annual district kickoff event!  On behalf of all my district colleagues, I want to say "thank you" to each of you who came to cheer, hug, and ring cow bells for all our dedicated staff!  I hope that next year our crowd grows even larger!

MAP Results

Please click here to read a letter regarding the 2014-15 state assessments and future related information.

Phil Wojak - Peabody Award

Last night, WGHS physics teacher, Phil Wojak, was recognized with a Peabody Leader in Education Award.  Congratulations, Mr. Wojak!

Committee Sign-Up
If you are interested in participating on a district committee, please click here by September 2 in order to express interest!

Each child, Each day....John

Back to School BBQ - This Saturday!

News 4 Story on WGHS Future Leaders Program

Good morning,

Check out this video and article related to Webster Groves High School's Future Leaders Program that took place last week!

Each child, Each day...John

http://www.kmov.com/story/29557873/news-4-schools-incoming-webster-groves-freshmen-learn-to-navigate-high-school-from-upperclassmen-teachers