Tuesday, May 31

Today's Content:

• Authentic Learning:  Ekphrasis Night at Barnes and Noble

• Professional Learning Communities:  PLC Feedback

• Shifting Culture: Falcon Way Summer Planning

Falcon Focus: The Ekphrasis Project

by Gina Bergman  A cross-curricular collaboration between Falcon artists and 7th grade Pre-AP writers, the Ekphrasis Project highlights exemplary written responses across genres based on selected award winning artwork.  On Thursday evening, May 26^th at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at the North East Mall the 7^th grade Pre-AP writers read their works in conjunction with a display of artwork before a crowd of bookstore patrons, parents, faculty, and fellow students. The evening was highlighted with an opening poem/song acapella performance by Isabel Beasley based on Owen Stubblefield’s artwork Still Life with Boots and Skull. The evenings final piece was a once in a lifetime performance of burgeoning playwright Kyle Dickman’s response to Beverly Ontiveros’ artwork Majestic.  Sandwiched in between the song and the play were many great poems and short stories birthed through analysis and imagination. The evening was put together by ELAR Department Chair, Sarah Kelly and Rebekah McKnight, art teacher extraordinaire. 

Falcon Focus: PLC Feedback


To end the year, each department used the last data meeting to reflect on the effectiveness of our PLCs.  Through the discussion, teachers identified both PLC strengths and suggestions for improvement.  Repeated positives for this year included 1) having the opportunity to work with other grade levels, 2) being inspired by other grade levels to try different strategies, 3) collaborating with others to utilize individual expertise, and 4) having lots of time for planning.  Common ideas for change included 1) adding some structure to the PLC process to expand productivity (not just lesson planning), 2) allowing grade levels to sometimes work as a team independently from the department PLC, 3) finding a way to reach out to other departments to allow for more cross-curricular learning, and 4) changing data reflection to happen in real-time.

As we move forward and work on plans for 2016-17, all this valuable information will help determine how we can best utilize our PLCs to enhance student learning.  If you'd like to read the plus/deltas in their entirety, click on the images below for each department.

Click on the image go to the Writing PLC Notes in Padlet

Click on the image go to the Reading PLC Notes in Padlet

Click on the image go to the Social Studies PLC Notes in Padlet

Click on the image go to the Science PLC Notes in Padlet

Falcon Focus: Falcon Way Summer Groups

As the school year wraps up, work is just getting started on some of the different pieces that will make up our Falcon Way for next year.  Whether you've contributed your ideas thus far or not, everyone is invited to help grow the culture that we want for our school.  Changing our culture truly will take a village, so we would love to hear from you.

Summer Planning Groups include:

• Advisory - Appreciation activities
• Advisory - Community service
• Advisory - Family activities
• Advisory - Responsibility
• Advisory - Hall/announcements/campus challenges
• Faculty/staff - getting to know you
• Pep rallies & showcase pieces
• Student orientation

Today during dessert, be on the lookout for an orange handout for signing up.  We will have quick "orientation" meetings tomorrow after dismissal.

If have any questions or would like some help implementing these or other strategies, please let me know.  And remember...

It's a great day to be a Falcon!