We had another good week here at Woodlawn! We passed the halfway point of February and saw a sea of red yesterday, along with a bunch of lot of candy being exchanged. We are celebrating President’s Day on Monday, February 18th, so there is NO SCHOOL. Just a few items for the blog this week.
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President’s Day
Again, No School this Monday, February 18th. Woo hoo.
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Parent Communication about Spring Conferences
Spring Conferences are coming on Thursday, March 7th from 5pm-8:30pm and Friday, March 8th from 10am-1:30pm .
Spring Conferences are Collaborative Conferences!
Collaborative conferences means that your child will be leading the conference. The purpose of collaborative conferences is for educators, students and families to discuss, reflect and celebrate student work, and for families to experience school through their child's eyes. Students have been working hard to prepare for the conference, and we are excited for you to learn about your child’s progress directly from your child!
Teachers will be available in the room as guides and will be available to answer student questions or elaborate on a point a student is making, but we ask that all participants respect that this is the student’s opportunity to lead the conference by sharing progress and reflections about their own learning.
Please read below to learn specific information about how collaborative conferences will be structured for each grade-level.
Grades 6-8
Families will sign-up for a 20 minute conference. Grades 6-8 collaborative conferences will be structured with up to 6 students in the classroom at a time. Student/Family partnerships will sit in a private space to engage in the conference. The grade-level team of teachers will be in the classroom to guide the process, but students will lead the conference. Exploratory teachers, PE, Health, Spanish and Band and Orchestra teachers will host an exposition of their courses. More information coming soon. Students should plan to bring their iPad to the conference.
What is the Role of Families during Collaborative Conferences?
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Provide reinforcement, encouragement and praise
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Listen and ask questions
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Help students look realistically at quality of work
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Facilitate student’s self-reflection and goal setting
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Be a partner in learning
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See school through their student’s eyes
Questions Families Can Ask During the Collaborative Conference
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What is your favorite piece of work? Why?
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Describe your favorite activities or subjects.
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What experiences at school do you find the most exciting?
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Are there experiences that frustrate you, if so why?
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What goals have you set for yourself for this spring?
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How can I help you at home?
Click here to access the link to sign up for your Spring Conference. I will also be sending this information out via SchoolMessenger.
Please visit the Band & Orchestra Blog
RESCHEDULED: Simplifying Stevenson for Parents of Current 8th Graders – Feb. 21, 7–8:30 p.m.
Parents of current 8th graders whose students will attend Stevenson High School are invited to this popular Q&A featuring panelists who are current Stevenson High School seniors and freshmen. This is an evening for parents to ask questions and hear from SHS students (District 96 alumni) how they made the transition to high school, manage their time, choose extracurriculars, balance their workload, and more. Principal Troy Gobble will also share info and answer questions.
Questions about this parent program?
Contact KCSD96 Community Parent Liaison Lubna Andrabi, 847.459.4260, ext. 8136
Black History Month
As I researched different websites, looking for interesting stories related to Black History Month, I came across this website. I found myself researching these individuals and finding out so much about them that I never knew. Check out this website which highlights 54 African Americans through U.S. history. You will find yourself digging deep into their biographical information.
Finally, as great as Woodlawn and our students behave on a daily basis, they are exhausting. I will try to have something more interesting for next week. I need a nap.