To help encourage conversations and dialogue about the ways we are inspired, this week's topic/question for the dinner table is: What helps you 'step back', 'unplug', and reflect? Please see link to Google Form to share your responses: Stepping Back (5/15/16) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
I hope that this past weekend provided some nice down time for all as we look towards the midpoint of the month of May. We headed to the Berkshires Friday afternoon for a 'family work weekend' with nuclear and extended family - it was lovely to unplug a bit, spend time with family, and just get outside in the fresh air. Sunday afternoon was full of sports for the kids, catching up on some housekeeping items, and gearing up for the week ahead. I want to thank and recognize the staff who chaperoned the dance (Katie Adams, Kerrie Krah, Deb Manning, Jen Dondero, Tracy Allen, Matt Marenghi, Travis Taliaferro, and Kayla Armstrong) on Friday evening - as always, I so appreciate the cross-section of volunteers who helped to provide a safe and positive experience for our students.
After a lovely luncheon co-sponsored by the Blake and High School PTOs for both the Blake and high school staff (thank you!) last Friday, we were so fortunate to host Colby Swettberg for her presentation, 'Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ Students and Families'. Her words resonated with me on many levels and I admire and commend our staff for the desire to improve our practices at Blake. We will certainly be following up and I look forward to many conversations as to how we can work to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all of our students. Although I could certainly write and share many of the thoughts and ideas that have been percolating in my head and already discussed with staff as a result of Colby's workshop, I am going to try and take a step back and allow the ideas to continue to flow. I have shared many times that one of my ongoing goals is to strive towards a better balance of work and home - this is real challenge for me. In the spirit of modeling and 'stepping back', coming off of a relatively 'detached' couple of days in the Berkshires, I am sharing one post that speaks to the importance of our role in engaging in discussions with both students and adults. I have shared this with some colleagues, staff, and members of MCPE as we are looking forward to showing and viewing the documentary, Screenagers, with the community and our students in the coming weeks...
Technology Addiction, It's Not Just For Kids
by Patrick Larkin (@patrickmlarkin) in Education Week
Larkin, Assistant Superintendent of Burlington Public Schools, is an avid proponent of thoughtful integration of technology and shares the important perspective that we must all engage in the conversations about 'screen time' and 'technology addiction'. His post is responding to recent headlines from Common Sense Media's recent report on technology addiction and teenagers.
...schools also need to step forward and be part of the movement to let families know that all screen time is not created equal. As school leaders strive to add more instructional technology resources to their classrooms, they also must ensure that parents are kept in the loop about what their students are doing with digital devices to support their learning. We must be clear that our goal is to choose the best instructional resources that fit the needs of the learner at a given moment. Sometimes the right choice may be a digital resource and sometimes it will not. More importantly, we need to talk about when and why certain digital resources are appropriate. We also need to encourage adults to do the same thing regarding the choices they make surrounding the use of technology for their children and themselves.
Let's foster open and honest conversations about the struggles everyone in our school community is having keeping technology in its proper place. Let's share strategies that are working for families who are finding success staying connected to the world both digitally and in-person.
Larkin ends his post by highlighting two recommendations from the report: 'Talk About It' and 'Walk the Walk'. I am hoping we can keep those simple, yet important, mindsets/mantras in mind with these conversations, but also apply them to all aspects of our work with students. With open admittance on my part that this can be a humbling challenge, I fully know that it is one worth embracing.
I look forward to the work that lies ahead for all of us.
Please click here for Blake Updates.
Please click here for Thursday Packet Information.
Take care.
Nat Vaughn