Christmas morning in August?

The first days of school are a little bit like Christmas morning. All the little (and not so little) kids running every which way, looking excited, full of wonder and awe. Each child is a gift sent by his or her parents for us to carefully care for, nurture, and return in better condition than we received it. Not a perfect analogy but apt enough. I’d like to share with all of you some of the exciting new developments coming to Taylor this year.

Rachel’s Challenge is coming on October 11. Funded by the generous contributions of Taylor parents and PTO members, Rachel’s Challenge is a bully-prevention program inspired by Rachel Scott, the first victim killed in the Columbine HS massacre. Rachel’s Challenge was begun by her parents in response to their daughter’s murder to “inspire, equip, and empower students to create a permanent positive cultural shift in their schools.” On October 11 we will have two student assemblies followed by a training session for up to 100 Taylor students in how to implement Rachel’s Challenge. The day’s events will culminate in an assembly for parents, students, and community members on how we can all help reduce bullying behavior and create a “pay it forward” school. If you would like to contribute financially to help underwrite this powerful program.

AVID is a new district-funded program to help our “in the middle” kids achieve their college dreams. We are extremely fortunate to have been selected by Superintendent Brooks for this nationally recognized program. I had a chance to listen to the testimonies of AVID alums and they brought tears to my eyes. This is a program which empowers kids to advance via individual determination. I am thrilled Taylor has the chance to help prepare more kids for college.

Professional Learning Communities or PLCs have arrived at Taylor and all APS middle schools this year. PLCs are a research-based process in which teams of teachers collaborate during their prep period on improve student learning. Our focus in our learning communities will be on shifting our fundamental paradigm from what was taught (inputs) to what was learned (outputs).

Promethean Boards were installed in two classrooms (Montoya and Muxworthy) and the library. These state of the art interactive white boards are part of a much larger district effort to upgrade learning technology for all students. More boards arrive later.

Increased parent involvement is one of our goals this year. Meet the Teacher night is an integral part of this goal attainment. I hope all parents will accept our invitation to meet our teachers on the 26th. The breakout sessions promise to be extremely valuable and well worth attending on their own merit.

There are lots more great things happening and I will share more about them in the weeks ahead. Have a great weekend!

A request about cell phones at school

I was speaking with a colleague this week about phones. She told me that her son asked to use the phone while at a relative’s house. The boy disappeared to use the phone but appeared moments later with a puzzled look on his fact. “What’s wrong?” the mom asked. “I don’t know how to use the phone,” he replied. Turns out it was a rotary dial phone. Many of our students have never used a phone that plugs into the wall. Nearly half (47%) of US teens say their social life would end or be worsened without their cell phone, and nearly six in 10 (57%) credit their mobile device with improving their life, according to a national survey from CTIA and Harris Interactive. 47% can text with their eyes closed.

The APS Board of Education adopted strict new penalties for unauthorized use of cell phones in middle schools which we follow. Taylor students may use their cell phones outside of the school building only before and after school and during lunch. Students using cell phones and other portable electronic devices when they are prohibited will have the device confiscated that day. A parent may get the phone that day after school. A 2nd offense results in a 7-day phone confiscation. The 3rd offense results in confiscation until the end of the semester. I have had several tearful girls in my office explaining to their moms why the principal now had their cell phone locked up in the office. Please reinforce for your child that phones and I-Pods are to be turned off in school.  Parents can help by not texting your child during the school day. Thank you for your support..