Parents,
By now you have probably heard of the BYOT activities that a few of my
classrooms have been using. BYOt stands for "bring your own technology".
As usual, the students stay head of us adults most of the time in the
technology world. Since funding for Madison County Schools does not allow
giving every student a computer like neighboring systems did last year, I have
been researching and collaborating with other school systems that use the BYOT approach to student technology. I really think it will be better than a 1:1
program in the long run. So with that said, we have being giving it ago here at
Hazel Green. In addition, we have given the students an opportunity to
use their cellphone during lunch just so they do it appropriately. I defined
"appropriately" for the students the first week of school. They have
done outstanding showing responsibility in maintaining appropriate use.
Due to our success, we have been able to getting funding with the help of
Legislator Phil Williams. We have maintained a wireless network for several
years but it was designed mostly for staff. This new funding will give us the
capabilities for the entire school to be online wirelessly. They just officially got everything complete so our wireless capacity will be around 6000 users if needed. So we should have plenty if every student and adult happen to be on the network at the same time.
The next phase will be how it will effect the teaching and learning
environment. Do not get visions in your head of a student sitting with their
cellphone or device all day from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Nothing ever will take
the place of an effective teacher. These devices will be simply a powerful tool
that the teacher can use within a lesson if they choose to do so. This could be
10 minutes or 90 minutes depending on the lesson and objective. This tool would
be used to aid instruction just like a pen, calculator, compass, dictionary,
encyclopedia, etc..
My goal is to improve instruction by providing the students a more meaningful experience.
We are trying to get students ready for jobs that don't even exist yet. We have
many challenges ahead of us as educators to bring a more relevant experience to
the students. I know this BYOT program will do just that.
We decided to baby step the process from now until school is out to gain
confidence in what we are doing. So your child could possibly be doing some of
these types of activities in the last few months of school. We are planning
professional development for the staff to better prepare out teachers for BYOT.
Many staff members have expressed interest in using the summer months to gain
confidence and develop ideas.
Less than 5% of our students do not have some type of device that they can
bring to school. That fact is part of the planning and management for the
staff. No student will get a lesser grade or not be able to participate in an
activity if they don't have a device. We currently deal with students that do
not have necessary school supplies for success everyday. The staff makes it
happen so all of our students have a chance to be successful. BYOT will be the
same.
The middle school will be starting some form of this in the near future so I
expect BYOT to be a viable part of everyday learning in the near future.
I am sure Mr. Highfield will getting something out soon when they are
ready.
I have found that "rule breaker" cellphone users will break the rules
whether we use BYOT or not. I want to reward the students that are doing
the right things. We deal with this small percentage of students who break the
rules now and we will continue to do so during BYOT. Things like taking
pictures, video, and phone calls will not be allowed. Using the device to
disrupt the school day of course will be a discipline issue. Our school board
policy states that I can search any electronic device if I have a reason to do
so. This has been a good motivator for the kids because they don't want the
principal in their most cherished item which is their phone. We have had no
incidents since August at lunch as I implemented the use policy. I have been
very proud of them.
We are just starting. I want to give the students a meaningful education
experience. We have added career tech programs to compliment instruction and
now the students will be able to use technology to help the learning process.
I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.We discussed this a few weeks ago at our rising 9th grade registration orientation night. I had lots of good feedback from the information shared.
Positive and Productive Days
Friday, March 21, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS KEY TO OUR SUCCESS
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
IS KEY TO OUR SUCCESS
Research tells us that parental involvement is one of the
most important factors in the success of a child at school. I firmly believe that parental involvement is
also the key to any significant success of the school as well. There are many reasons to develop school and
family partners and I have found that this is the tipping point where both
students and the school thrive.
Most students at all levels whether it’s elementary, middle
or high school want parents to be involved.
When a parent gets involved and comes to school regularly or takes part
in a school activity it reinforces to that student that he or she is important
to the parent and that school is important as well. Decades of research support this by
establishing that the students of involved parents have higher grades, test
scores, graduation rates, better school attendance and are more motivated.
I am so encouraged by the parent involvement here at Hazel
Green. It really makes the difference. Our students individually benefit from it and
so does the school as a whole. I am so
proud of our school when I attend any event or when there is some activity or
event scheduled that is successful because our parents here at Hazel Green
understand that and are willing to get involved in school activities on an
ongoing and sustained basis. If you are
a parent of one of our students, thank you so much for all that you do. You are not only positively impacting your
child and setting expectations for him or her but you are also making a
positive impact on the school and ultimately our community as a whole when you
do. I can see your investment paying off
every day. The investment may be small
and may be incremental but the effect on our student body is significant.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
How I Start Most Monday Mornings.
I like this audio by Dr. Kevin Elko because it is short and to the point. It gives me a few "nuggets" to take with me each day. About 4 min. 30 sec. of your time. I usually start my Monday mornings with this audio before I get up and going.
Friday, December 6, 2013
It is a happy Friday today at Hazel Green High School. I just walked out of one of our English classes and they were doing a BYOD project. Students love using the technology. It makes learning fun and relevant. Our attendance is good today which always correlates to higher achievement. Make-up work, missed work, and trying to play catch up with students that are absent always slows the entire school down. It is good to have the school full today. We started the day with a little rainy day accident in front of the school. It delayed a few students but most importantly everyone was ok. It is nice to have SRO Brian Smith on campus who was just a few minutes away to assist.
I receive word that our theatre students are doing great at the state competition at Troy University. Mr. Merritt's leadership is great with our students.
The superintendent notified me this week that we are going to get to add two additional BYOD classrooms this year with funding secured from our legislators. Because of HGHS pilot program, each Madison County High School with get funding for two classrooms. This was good news!! I am glad we could lead the way!!
We host Bob Jones tonight in basketball. I hope everyone will come out and support our teams. I view our athletic events as more than just a game. They are a great community events. Even if you don't like sports, it is fun just to come be a part of the crowd and school.
I have observed random acts of kindness this week by the staff and students. This always makes my week. Respect and helping others is the way to go!!
I receive word that our theatre students are doing great at the state competition at Troy University. Mr. Merritt's leadership is great with our students.
The superintendent notified me this week that we are going to get to add two additional BYOD classrooms this year with funding secured from our legislators. Because of HGHS pilot program, each Madison County High School with get funding for two classrooms. This was good news!! I am glad we could lead the way!!
We host Bob Jones tonight in basketball. I hope everyone will come out and support our teams. I view our athletic events as more than just a game. They are a great community events. Even if you don't like sports, it is fun just to come be a part of the crowd and school.
I have observed random acts of kindness this week by the staff and students. This always makes my week. Respect and helping others is the way to go!!
Monday, November 25, 2013
10 Things I am Thankful for at HGHS
1. A community where the school is important.
2. Students that are respectful.
3. Staff that does the "extra" things that makes a school great.
4. Parents and students that are willing to invest in themselves by working physically, financially, and supporting the vision of the school.
5. A community member setting up a scholarship to give more kids a chance to go to college.
6. Community churches that are always a phone call away when the school has a need.
7. Parents I see picking up trash after ball games to keep our campus and facilities looking first class.
8. Our student attendance this year being important to our community, parents, and students.
9. The parents that follow the traffic and pick-up/drop-off routine because they understand it keeps our students safe.
10. The students that are happy when they come to school.
I could name many more, but here are just a few.
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