From the Desk of…
Diana Bourisaw, Superintendent
Shout About SLPS College Day!
Wednesday, November 28 marks our first annual “Shout About It! college day. I encourage all of our teachers, faculty and staff to promote the importance of college by wearing their college colors and sharing personal college experiences with students. One positive conversation may make the difference in a child making the commitment to go to college.
Assistant Principal of the Year
Congratulations to Dr. Alice Manus, assistant principal at Soldan International Studies High School! She has been selected as the 2007 Missouri Assistant Principal of the Year. The award is bestowed by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), Virco Inc., and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. She will be honored at the MASSP Spring Conference on March 31, 2008, at the Lodge of Four Seasons. SLPS will recognize her accomplishment at the December 13th board meeting.
School Vouchers
School vouchers can have a tremendous negative impact on public education. Read about the effects on Milwaukee’s public school system at www.jsonline.com.
Great news from Fanning Middle School
Three Fanning Teach for America teachers submitted and received grants from DonorsChoose.org. Collectively, the teachers received a total of approximately two thousand dollars worth of items for their classrooms.
Fanning has also been chosen to participate in the prestigious O Ambassadors Program, which is part of Oprah’s Angel Network and Free the Children. Mr. Richerson, another Teach for America teacher, submitted the proposal and will lead the school’s club. O Ambassadors inspires young people to become active, compassionate and knowledgeable global citizens to create lasting change in the world. Selected educators in the United States and Canada lead their student clubs towards achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. Clubs raise funds for development projects overseas and increase awareness of global issues at their school. Participating educators receive free curriculum resources as well as one-on-one support from a team of youth coordinators.
Big Picture Schools: A Closer Look
Big Picture Schools offer a rigorous, highly-personalized curriculum that combines academics with real-world experiences and project-based learning. Students learn through their interests and also learn to be accountable for their own education.
Teachers take on the added responsibility to act as advisors. In this capacity, the advisors teach, and also become mentors to students. Advisors design a challenging course of study, and school-based learning that is combined with real-world work. At the high school level, two full days a week are spent in community organizations, agencies and businesses.
Advisors also connect the school with parents. Parents are trained to become familiar with the Big Picture concept and to assume a leading role in the education of their child.
How is a Big Picture School Different?
• An individualized learning plan is tailored around rigorous standards while incorporating each student’s unique interests.
• The academics are integrated into real life experiences. All learn about the community and high school students participate in internships. This concept takes students out into the community to perform real work based on their learning plans, in closely accountable relationships with professional mentors.
• There is a two-year advisory (looping) of a group of no more than 15 students (class size) that stays with the same advisor while in school. This prevents anonymity and pushes the students consistently toward higher standards of achievement.
• Students learn through individual projects. Portfolio assessment and quarterly exhibitions-dissertation-style defenses before a panel of teachers, parents, and peers. This takes the place of traditional classroom tests. Students are still required to take all assessments required by No Child Left Behind (MAP).
• Strong partnerships with community organizations and businesses elevate individual and collective achievement.
• A strong emphasis is placed on family involvement. Advisors (teachers) regularly visit with families in their home. Parents are expected to attend regular meetings at the school. These meetings focus on training about the Big Picture School concept and how to take an active role in the education of their children.
• While students are allowed to explore their interests in their studies and internships, students are also prepared for college. Completing a college application is one requirement of the school.
December Safety Tips
Have a safe and joyful holiday season! Follow these safety tips:
Home Safety
• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave home, even if you will only be gone for a short time.
• Do not put large displays of holiday gifts in view of your windows or doors.
• When leaving home or going on trips, use automatic timers to turn indoor lights on and off to make it appear that someone is home.
• Do not advertise what you received for Christmas by putting boxes out on trash day. Break the boxes down or take them to the dump yourself. This is good information to remember for purchases year round.
Shopping Safety
• Lock packages in the trunk.
• Do not overload yourself with packages. Keep one hand free if possible.
• If you shop at night or at a mall, bring a friend or family member with you.
• Park in well lit locations near entrances. Be particularly aware of persons in the parking lot, especially near your car.
• Lock your car and make sure the windows are closed.
• Carry only the credit cards and the amount of cash you will need. Do not flash large amounts of cash.
• Carry your purse next to your body, under your coat, with the flap against you. Men should carry their wallets in front or inside pockets.
• Never put your purse or personal items in shopping carts.
• Teach your children to go to a store clerk or security officer and ask for help, if you become separated in a store or shopping mall.
• Do not hesitate to notify store security if you see suspicious activity.
• If you have to wait for a ride or use public transportation, wait in a busy, well lit place, bus stop or station.
• If you are a victim of a crime, report it to the police immediately.
The monthly safety tip is provided by Colonel Eugene E. Reece, Sr., Executive Director of the St. Louis Public Schools Department of Safety and Security.
There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
-- Albert Einstein
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