The WGSD Solving Crimes!

Good morning,

Students in the Webster Groves School District are helping solve crimes across the country through their learning.  Check it out!

Each child, Each day...John

http://www.wsmv.com/story/28973269/news-4-schools-forensic-science-class-at-webster-groves-high-school

Equity in Education - Minutes and BBQ

Good evening,

Please take a moment to review the April minutes from the district's Equity in Education Team.  As a learning community that values learning, individuality, and community, this group actively learns and works to support equity in learning for all children and adults.  

Also, if you're available on May 2 to attend the End of School BBQ, we'd encourage you to do so.  It's a wonderful event for all ages!

Each child, Each day...John

Collaborative Learning Experience with SLPS

Good morning,

Last week, WGSD 3rd grade students in Project Plus participated in a "Creative Convention Day" at Hudson Elementary along with 3rd grade students from Kennard Classical Junior Academy (St. Louis Public Schools).  As part of the experience, Ed Grooms, our district fine arts coordinator, invited Mick Fumo to share how he uses creativity in his daily life as a chef at Cielo in the Four Seasons Hotel.  Students learned about new vegetables like carnival cauliflower and were encouraged to play with their food (see picture below)!

Each child, Each day...John

"HixsonHub"

Good afternoon,

Jason Heisel, Building Technology Specialist and Webmaster at Hixson Middle School, has dedicated much time and effort in supporting students in producing a student-created, student-maintained web site.  The site is very inviting and showcases some rich and meaningful learning on behalf of the children!

Here is what Jason shared: 

"TechYes students launched their student site http://hixsonhub.com a site designed, built and maintained by students, an 8th grade TechYes member mentored some 7th grade students on coding as part of their 20% project (pictured), and our art Teacher Jenny Hannel had her students check out the Google Cultural institute and virtually tour some art museums where students picked a piece of art work to discuss and share in her Google Classroom."

Please check out the wonderful work of our middle school children...: http://hixsonhub.com

Each child, Each day....John

One Thoughtful Teacher...

Good afternoon (again),

Last year, Lauren Forsythe, wonderful teacher at the WAFC, participated in Thought Session, one of the long term learning opportunities offered through iDEA (our district's professional development committee).  During that year-long experience, she engaged in some really powerful action research regarding the role a child’s peers might play in his/her successful transition from one space to another.  Hearing Lauren speak about the child, who was the impetus for her research, was and still is quite moving.  Since the conclusion of her research, Lauren has shared her work with DESE and others around the state.  Just recently, Lauren’s research was published in Voices of Practitioners, the teacher research of journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

I would encourage you to read Lauren's research article below!

Each child, Each day...John

http://issuu.com/naeyc/docs/vop_winter_2015?e=0/11273191

CCC Minutes

Good afternoon,

Here are the minutes from this week's Curriculum Coordinating Council comprised of staff, parents, and community members.  Topics on this month's agenda included state testing, the work of The Collaborative, the Student Success Report, and an update from the Equity in Education Team.

Each Child, Each Day....John

Is this how you learned about rocks?

Good morning, 

As you know, we are blessed to have some amazing learners in the Webster Groves School District!  Please take a moment to check out the creative production below that Jim Hake and his class at Edgar Road produced to share their learning of the rock cycle!

Jim shared, "The kids really enjoyed the process of writing, recording, and shooting the music video. In addition, the hard work paid off. The evidence of this is that there were kids mouthing the words to the song and writing lyrics on their end of unit assessment while explaining the rock cycle. Also, they are super excited to see how many views they have on YouTube!"


Wish learning about rocks would have been this engaging and memorable for me back in the day.  "Thanks" to Jim and his students for sharing their learning!

Each child, Each day...John