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
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Thursday, February 4, 2016
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
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
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
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
Friday, January 15, 2016
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
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.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
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
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
Friday, December 11, 2015
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
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
Highlights from the 3rd-5th grade music concert at Hudson.
Monday, December 7, 2015
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).
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