Weekly Update 4.17.09
April 20th, 2009In case it wasn’t clear, MRHS has a number of exceptional educators. Most of us knew that already, but it’s nice when it’s recognized by others outside of the school.
In this case, Mr. Andy Harrison. Aside from being an astoundingly engaging teacher¹, Andy was also one of (if not the) driving force behind the Law and Public Safety Pathway, one of the “majors” offered for MRHS students with an interest in public service. Given that many of these fields are projected to grow, it’s a great way to not only grab student interest, but also prepare them for the work they will later need to do.²
So it’s not really a surprise that Mr. Harrison was nominated for NH Teacher of the Year. I don’t know if he’ll get it—my fingers are crossed—but I do know he deserves it.
The school board, and the district, is pursuing a new program (funded by a federal grant) to improve science education in the district. It could, if we invest our energy and time wisely, bring in around $50,000 for science learning in the district.
That’s some nice science labs. That’s a lot of learning.
Emerson School in Fitzwilliam and Sullivan School continued to make AYP and are “School In Need of Improvement. It doesn’t change that No Child Left Behind is a crappy piece of legislation, but it’s nice to see.
Mt. Caesar made AYP in both reading and math and could be removed from the SINI status, if the school makes AYP next year. Cutler has improved from 2008 to 2009 by 1.9 points for the entire student population in reading, 4 points for the economically disadvantaged students, and 2.5 for special education students. The improvement was also evident in math, where Cutler made AYP in this area, which is currently the reason for its SINI status.
Most of the schools and the district experienced gains from 2008 to 2009 in AYP, in addition to gains from 2007 to 2008. Even areas with some decreases in AYP had gains.
MRHS gained 16 points in reading from 2008 to 2009, increasing by 16.5 points for the entire student population, 13 points for the economically disadvantaged, and 4.2 points in special education. Even though the school didn’t make AYP in math, its improvement numbers were 15.4 points for the 11th grade population tested and 12.7 for the economically disadvantaged group of students tested.
Speaking of awards…
MC2 will be awarded a 2009 Special Recognition Award at the annual EDies—New Hampshire Excellence in Education Awards.
The Special Recognition Award “is given to a school, district, individual or a group whose extraordinary efforts result in a genuine impact on students.”
The Award will be presented at the annual New Hampshire Excellence in Education Celebration in June.
April 16 marks the 50th anniversary of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style. As an English teacher, I’m required to mention it—although in total honesty I’ve rarely referred a student to it.³
For two interesting reads, try the ones opposed, and those in favor. It’s always nice to get both sides.
Monadnock will (again) be part of an exchange program with the Lycee Lumiere in Luxeuil, France.
This is our year to host, so 28 French students and 3 French teacher chaperones will be arrived Sunday, April 19th. They will be staying with students from MRHS and KHS until the Thursday after vacation.
The 11 students staying with MRHS students will be in school attending classes with them on the Monday and Wednesday after vacation.
That’s just neat.
Friday, things were a little quieter around MRHS. A host of young men and women—many of whom have had relatively privileged lives (as nearly every American has) chose to not speak at all, in a sign of solidarity with those who have been deliberately silenced.
I like those little moments when the kids remind me that they’re capable of, and will, change the world.
I had a brief conversation about the “Musings” post. The gist of it came down to remembering that “discipline” comes from “disciple.”
“Gets you away from the notion of punishment pretty quickly.”
Yeah, it really does. Now… to share that with that folks who yell and scream and holler every time it looks like they might be forced to face consequences for their actions.
A bit of action over on the “One Angry Kid” post in the comments. Worth adding to the conversation.
1 When I wander the halls, Andy’s is one of the classes I make sure I stop in at. Not only is the door always open, but he’s always doing or talking about something interesting—whether it’s poverty in Sociology or pocket vetoes in Civics. ↺
2 The first weekend in May I’m leaving for North Carolina to be part of the graduation ceremony for one of the early graduates of the Law and Public Safety pathway. If job offers from the FBI, the US Army, and Las Vegas Police wasn’t enough evidence that the Pathway can do a great job (especially with the right student!) the constant string of phone-calls, emails, and letters referencing things we talked about in Crime and Punishment to what the student was learning in college ought to be. ↺
3 I prefer Spunk and Bite, actually. Though, in fairness, I think that any systematic teaching of writing would be a wonderful thing, and it barely matters what text is used. Give me a classroom set of either, and I’ll use them. ↺
April 20th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
There’s a reason I wrote my college essay about Harrison, took all the classes of his I could possibly take, and did Mock Trial.