I just wanted to put it out in cyberspace that we at Memminger School of Global Studies are so excited that Mrs. Melissa Tranchida is our Teacher of the Year. We fully support her as she moves forward to compete for the Charleston County School District's Teacher of the Year.
We love you!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving Memminger!
I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy, safe Thanksgiving break! You all deserve the break.
Enjoy your family and friends. If you are driving out of town please be careful and drive cautiously.
See you back on Monday!
Dr. N
Enjoy your family and friends. If you are driving out of town please be careful and drive cautiously.
See you back on Monday!
Dr. N
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thank you!
Dear Staff-
On days like today I have to remember why I do what I do. Being a principal is tough. Period.
No matter how many degrees you have nor how many years of teaching and leadership experience you have under your belt this is a job like no other.
But even on the most challenging of days two things still put a smile on my face: the students here at Memminger and my wonderful staff members.
I want to thank all of you who are supportive and encouraging.
Your kind words matter.
As we approach the season of giving thanks I wanted to take the time to say thank you.
You mean so much to me and I'm proud to be your leader.
Thank you for all you do!
Dr. N
On days like today I have to remember why I do what I do. Being a principal is tough. Period.
No matter how many degrees you have nor how many years of teaching and leadership experience you have under your belt this is a job like no other.
But even on the most challenging of days two things still put a smile on my face: the students here at Memminger and my wonderful staff members.
I want to thank all of you who are supportive and encouraging.
Your kind words matter.
As we approach the season of giving thanks I wanted to take the time to say thank you.
You mean so much to me and I'm proud to be your leader.
Thank you for all you do!
Dr. N
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Positive-Point System starts now
Research has consistently shown that the amount of time that instruction is provided is highly correlated with student achievement (Brophy, 1988; Fisher, Berliner, Filby, Marliave, Cahen, Dishaw, 1980).
Students must be in class to receive instruction. When a student is sitting in an administrator's office or in the RR (or placed in another classroom with a packet of work but no access to their teacher/or a teacher who is instructing her/him) that student is not receiving instruction. No instruction, no learning. And although we want to keep all of the students in the classroom learning (and that's the reason we have to remove a disruptive student) we must remember that all students in grades 3-6 will take the PASS test (MAP tests). All students, whether they spent everyday with their classroom teacher or missed days (hours out of the room eventually add up to days) outside of the classroom, will receive a score. Scores are tied to a teacher and to our school.
Instruction matters.
So how can we get more instruction to take place?
Our first thought can no longer be to remove the students (those who look like, act like they do not want to learn). Every student matters. That's why we have to look within the classrooms and help our teachers grow the green students.
I would like to thank the team of Super Stars who planned and presented on PBIS: Mrs. Arthurs, Mrs. Holloway, Mrs. Houser and Ms. Lambert . Thank you for taking the time to work on the system and for bringing (to our meeting) the tools all teachers will need to get up and going.
We are a PBIS school.
As a PBIS school we are expected to build a strong primary (green) system before moving forward to the secondary and tertiary systems.
Now that everyone will have the same information (those who missed the meeting will have to attend a make-up session) we can move forward in getting 80% (or more) of our students green and then grow our green.
In my first year as an AP, Kathy Lewis and I revamped the PBIS system at OES.
We had one simple expectation: everyone had to do the point system with fidelity.
I know the point system is new to some of you but the concept of PBIS should definitely be familiar to most, especially those who have been at Memminger for a few years. And although the level system was truly working for some of the teachers we did see and hear about teachers not using it consistently, moving students down levels or allowing the level received in one block of time (special area) to be the only level a student could earn that day.
Having a classroom management system that aligns with points will benefit your students, and really that's why we are all here...for our students.
The moment it is no longer about the students then we have lost our way.
Yes taking points will take up time (time well spent).
Yes you may not want to carry around your clipboard.
Yes you may not want to reward students every Friday.
But the system works...
The system works if you work the system!
Many of you have commented on JSE...they use points and use the system with fidelity.
A few weeks ago our superintendent visited OES. As she walked the halls and visited classrooms she complimented the principal on the point system and how it was consistent from room to room. The principal shared that it was my work with PBIS that transformed the classroom management of the school.
A few days later the superintendent and I were in a meeting together and she came over to me and said how she loved the point system I put into place at OES and asked, "Are you doing the same at Memminger too?"
After many conversations about PBIS and what works and what doesn't work we are now starting the point system.
I will say this...it works when everyone uses points with fidelity. That's the key. We have to have a common language throughout our building, common expectations (for students and adults) and we have to follow-through.
One or two teachers doing their own thing will hamper the school-wide system.
At TCT we will do a follow-up (the rolling out of the points school-wide). I am expecting all teachers and staff members to support the point-system by doing the point system each and every day.
Will your students magically transform over night? Probably not. But being consistent and changing your teacher-talk so it's 5:1 (positive:negative) will change your classroom.
It's worked at other schools and it will work here.
Dr. N
Students must be in class to receive instruction. When a student is sitting in an administrator's office or in the RR (or placed in another classroom with a packet of work but no access to their teacher/or a teacher who is instructing her/him) that student is not receiving instruction. No instruction, no learning. And although we want to keep all of the students in the classroom learning (and that's the reason we have to remove a disruptive student) we must remember that all students in grades 3-6 will take the PASS test (MAP tests). All students, whether they spent everyday with their classroom teacher or missed days (hours out of the room eventually add up to days) outside of the classroom, will receive a score. Scores are tied to a teacher and to our school.
Instruction matters.
So how can we get more instruction to take place?
Our first thought can no longer be to remove the students (those who look like, act like they do not want to learn). Every student matters. That's why we have to look within the classrooms and help our teachers grow the green students.
I would like to thank the team of Super Stars who planned and presented on PBIS: Mrs. Arthurs, Mrs. Holloway, Mrs. Houser and Ms. Lambert . Thank you for taking the time to work on the system and for bringing (to our meeting) the tools all teachers will need to get up and going.
We are a PBIS school.
As a PBIS school we are expected to build a strong primary (green) system before moving forward to the secondary and tertiary systems.
Now that everyone will have the same information (those who missed the meeting will have to attend a make-up session) we can move forward in getting 80% (or more) of our students green and then grow our green.
In my first year as an AP, Kathy Lewis and I revamped the PBIS system at OES.
We had one simple expectation: everyone had to do the point system with fidelity.
I know the point system is new to some of you but the concept of PBIS should definitely be familiar to most, especially those who have been at Memminger for a few years. And although the level system was truly working for some of the teachers we did see and hear about teachers not using it consistently, moving students down levels or allowing the level received in one block of time (special area) to be the only level a student could earn that day.
Having a classroom management system that aligns with points will benefit your students, and really that's why we are all here...for our students.
The moment it is no longer about the students then we have lost our way.
Yes taking points will take up time (time well spent).
Yes you may not want to carry around your clipboard.
Yes you may not want to reward students every Friday.
But the system works...
The system works if you work the system!
Many of you have commented on JSE...they use points and use the system with fidelity.
A few weeks ago our superintendent visited OES. As she walked the halls and visited classrooms she complimented the principal on the point system and how it was consistent from room to room. The principal shared that it was my work with PBIS that transformed the classroom management of the school.
A few days later the superintendent and I were in a meeting together and she came over to me and said how she loved the point system I put into place at OES and asked, "Are you doing the same at Memminger too?"
After many conversations about PBIS and what works and what doesn't work we are now starting the point system.
I will say this...it works when everyone uses points with fidelity. That's the key. We have to have a common language throughout our building, common expectations (for students and adults) and we have to follow-through.
One or two teachers doing their own thing will hamper the school-wide system.
At TCT we will do a follow-up (the rolling out of the points school-wide). I am expecting all teachers and staff members to support the point-system by doing the point system each and every day.
Will your students magically transform over night? Probably not. But being consistent and changing your teacher-talk so it's 5:1 (positive:negative) will change your classroom.
It's worked at other schools and it will work here.
Dr. N
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Memminger has the "X" Factor
I sometimes watch The "X" Factor. It's good to see up and coming entertainers show off their talents for the world to see! Blogging is our way to show off the wonderful things we have going on at Memminger!
I would like to thank everyone who has worked on the global work we are doing at MSGS.
I have some amazing staff members who go above and beyond in so many ways.
We are well on our way to clearly defining what global will look in every classroom in our school. Global belongs to us all.
One thing I love about the growing number of teachers blogging is that it's a great way to share the awesome things you are doing in your classrooms. I remember being a teacher and year after year I would work in my room and do some pretty cool projects that no one else in the building (besides an administrator doing an observation) even knew about. Now that many of you are sharing your classroom strategies and activities online it's as if you've opened your classroom door to the teachers on your hall and throughout the building.
It makes us all feel more connected.
I encourage everyone to visit each other's blogs and to encourage each other along the way.
Globally,
Dr. N
I would like to thank everyone who has worked on the global work we are doing at MSGS.
I have some amazing staff members who go above and beyond in so many ways.
We are well on our way to clearly defining what global will look in every classroom in our school. Global belongs to us all.
One thing I love about the growing number of teachers blogging is that it's a great way to share the awesome things you are doing in your classrooms. I remember being a teacher and year after year I would work in my room and do some pretty cool projects that no one else in the building (besides an administrator doing an observation) even knew about. Now that many of you are sharing your classroom strategies and activities online it's as if you've opened your classroom door to the teachers on your hall and throughout the building.
It makes us all feel more connected.
I encourage everyone to visit each other's blogs and to encourage each other along the way.
Globally,
Dr. N
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
'Rock the Block' Party
One idea (Mr. James and Ms. Garner) had on our PD day was to go out into the neighborhoods, where our students live, and have a basketball game or do some fun activity with kids and parents. I was thinking that another idea we could do (and thinking about it's getting cooler) in the coming weeks is a 'Rock the Block' Party. It could be a spin off of going caroling but instead we could rent out (one of our parents offered to reserved one of the community centers) a center and have music and serve food. We could send fliers home (and include it in the classroom and school newsletter) and let parents know that we are going to be out in their neighborhood.
What do you think?
We could make it simple and serve hot chocolate and something light to eat. We could also decorate a Christmas Tree with the children.
I'm open for suggestions.
Thinking globally, acting locally,
Dr. N
What do you think?
We could make it simple and serve hot chocolate and something light to eat. We could also decorate a Christmas Tree with the children.
I'm open for suggestions.
Thinking globally, acting locally,
Dr. N
Global Studies Tours-next week
I'm excited to open our school to potential parents interested in joining Memminger School of Global Studies.
WHAT: Open House
WHEN: Tuesday, November 15th
TIME: 9 am-2 pm
No appointment needed.
WHAT: Open House
WHEN: Tuesday, November 15th
TIME: 9 am-2 pm
No appointment needed.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tone and Emails
I'm very happy to work side-by-side with all of my staff members. I feel that we work very hard! I particularly enjoy helping teachers find solutions to problems.
I don't mind helping you find these solutions. However as your supervisor what I appreciate is respectful and professional communication.
Tone is a difficult thing to explain. Remember when your parents would say "don't use that tone of voice with me, young lady (or young man)?"
Your feelings come across by the way you say something. It is easy to change your tone when you're speaking. When you are writing (emails) it's very hard to do it. A good piece of advice is to read your message over several times before you hit send. That way you will come across as respectful and professional.
Sounding curt or demanding in your communication isn't a good thing.
Sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it.
Leading courageously,
Dr. Nowlin
I don't mind helping you find these solutions. However as your supervisor what I appreciate is respectful and professional communication.
Tone is a difficult thing to explain. Remember when your parents would say "don't use that tone of voice with me, young lady (or young man)?"
Your feelings come across by the way you say something. It is easy to change your tone when you're speaking. When you are writing (emails) it's very hard to do it. A good piece of advice is to read your message over several times before you hit send. That way you will come across as respectful and professional.
Sounding curt or demanding in your communication isn't a good thing.
Sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it.
Leading courageously,
Dr. Nowlin
Monday, November 7, 2011
MSGS is blogging away...
Not only is Ms. Gibson blogging but Mrs. Tranchida has decided to start a blog as well.
It's exciting to see this take off.
I can't wait to see who will be next.
What a wonderful way to share the great things happening in your classroom.
If you post pictures please get parental permission first (smile).
Globally yours,
Dr. N
It's exciting to see this take off.
I can't wait to see who will be next.
What a wonderful way to share the great things happening in your classroom.
If you post pictures please get parental permission first (smile).
Globally yours,
Dr. N
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Celebrating a new year
I would like to thanks everyone for being so thoughtful on my Birthday (weekend)! I am very humbled by the thoughtfulness of everyone at Memminger. I am so happy to share my birthday with Mrs. Breaker as well. I hope you too had a blessed birthday!
Boris spoiled me the entire weekend. I'm very blessed!
Here I am on the evening of my birthday thinking about how to make this year my best one yet.
As we look ahead at the upcoming holiday season and the New Year let's pull together to get our global studies magnet program going full-speed (across the grade levels).
This Tuesday (for those who want to have a say in the global direction of our program) we will meet after school to look at Mission Statements and the Global connections (standards, projects, performances, etc) you worked on the last two weeks (and at TCT). Hopefully we can meet in the media center and work there. We are moving ahead with creating some sub-committees on Tuesday as well.
If you joined the Courageous Leadership Committee we will meet next Thursday.
I'll meet with all Teaching Assistants next Tuesday (more information to come) November 15th. That's also the day for our monthly, mandatory Staff Meeting. All staff members are welcome to attend and all teachers are expected to attend. Do not plan anything during our monthly staff meetings. This is the one day (a month) we get together as an entire team. Plan to be there.
We have so much to do and this year is flying by so quickly.
Thank you for all that you do!
Dr. N
Boris spoiled me the entire weekend. I'm very blessed!
Here I am on the evening of my birthday thinking about how to make this year my best one yet.
As we look ahead at the upcoming holiday season and the New Year let's pull together to get our global studies magnet program going full-speed (across the grade levels).
This Tuesday (for those who want to have a say in the global direction of our program) we will meet after school to look at Mission Statements and the Global connections (standards, projects, performances, etc) you worked on the last two weeks (and at TCT). Hopefully we can meet in the media center and work there. We are moving ahead with creating some sub-committees on Tuesday as well.
If you joined the Courageous Leadership Committee we will meet next Thursday.
I'll meet with all Teaching Assistants next Tuesday (more information to come) November 15th. That's also the day for our monthly, mandatory Staff Meeting. All staff members are welcome to attend and all teachers are expected to attend. Do not plan anything during our monthly staff meetings. This is the one day (a month) we get together as an entire team. Plan to be there.
We have so much to do and this year is flying by so quickly.
Thank you for all that you do!
Dr. N
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Ms. Gibson's gone global too!
I'm truly inspired this evening. It's almost time for me to turn in and I check my work email (which I do often) again before calling it a night. I see that I have an email from Ms. Gibson and she shares with me that she's been blogging about her class.
"A Smile Means Friendship:Growing up to be Global Thinkers"
WOW...I'm so impressed.
If we are global educators at a global school this is one way to take our work out into the world and to invite the world into our school. Ms. Gibson has gotten permission from parents to post the pictures (which are too cute) and reading her blog makes me want to see her "campsite" up close tomorrow.
The other week Ms. Smith shared that she's blogged with her class and I know some of you may want to start blogging too!
This is awesome...awesome-ness in the making.
Who's next?
My only request...blog responsibly (smile)
Globally yours,
Dr. N
"A Smile Means Friendship:Growing up to be Global Thinkers"
WOW...I'm so impressed.
If we are global educators at a global school this is one way to take our work out into the world and to invite the world into our school. Ms. Gibson has gotten permission from parents to post the pictures (which are too cute) and reading her blog makes me want to see her "campsite" up close tomorrow.
The other week Ms. Smith shared that she's blogged with her class and I know some of you may want to start blogging too!
This is awesome...awesome-ness in the making.
Who's next?
My only request...blog responsibly (smile)
Globally yours,
Dr. N
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
I'm Back
I am truly glad to be back in the building. I enjoyed my Principal Induction Program (year-long state mandated program for all first year principals) but like anything...home is where the heart is (smile).
Please read your emails to see the changes we made with the RR.
We'll update everyone when the RR is back open.
I look forward to seeing you all!
Dr. N
Please read your emails to see the changes we made with the RR.
We'll update everyone when the RR is back open.
I look forward to seeing you all!
Dr. N
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)