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November Newsflash

10/30/2018

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Dear Staff,

It’s hard to believe the first nine weeks is over and that we are headed towards the holiday season!  While the school year is in full gear, student engagement is a topic discussed by many teams. How do we keep students engaged and motivated?  Recently at a conference, a speaker shared that students are disengaged because of lack of interest, low self-confidence, fear of failure, negative experiences in school, or their home situation.  While we can’t solve home factors, there are aspects to students’ lives that we can work on including five key factors we can control:
  • Promote positive feelings
  • Promote attention/interest
  • Promote connectedness/relevance
  • Promote self-efficacy
  • Promote collaboration and the sharing of best practices

Author Angela Meiers often states in her books and seminars that, “If you don’t first secure students’ hearts, you don’t have a shot at their brains.”  That sounds great, but how do we do that? First, we have to think about our own expectations. Do we believe every student CAN and WILL learn? Do we believe every student will participate and not allow opt-outs (versus just giving 0’s and not really knowing if a student understands the content)?  Do we hold every student accountable for being a part of the classroom and promoting socialization?

Next, we need to use strategies that engage students.  Many great strategies were shared last year through Cultures of Thinking and this year’s book study, Innovator’s Mindset.  These include:
  • Appealing to a variety of learning styles
  • Physical movement, which energizes disengaged students
  • Student choice (at least two) makes students more active participants.
  • Student-centered lessons as often as possible.  

I encourage you to continue posting to Twitter with exciting happenings from your classroom with the hashtag #wearetuskyvalley.  George Couros challenged us in September by saying, “What if every teacher tweeted one thing a day they did in their classroom to a school hashtag and took five minutes a day to read each others’ tweets?  What would that do for learning and school culture?” Some of you are already doing that and it is exciting to see the great things you are doing!

As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m thankful to be a part of TV Schools.  Even when we have a bad day, are faced with a difficult student, or our plans don’t go the way we think they should, this is a great place to be.  I am thankful for the wonderful staff, students, and community members that make TV what it is. You are making a difference!

Onward, Trojans!
Derek

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October Newsflash

10/1/2018

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Dear Staff,

I hope you enjoyed our 9/21 PD day with George Couros!  It was great to learn (and laugh!) and discuss how we can implement our learning in the classroom.  As we turn to the October PD day, you might question why we would spend one day talking about innovation and then another talking about data.  You'll also notice there is a session about "Stepping Away from the Phone." Doesn't that contradict what we just learned from Mr. Couros?

Why Data?
As a district, our focus is still on students and quality instruction that is student-centered, engaging, and relevant.  But we have to know where our students are to know where we need to instruct. For most, there are a lot of standards to cover in a limited amount of time.  We can't possibly provide opportunities for students to make youtube videos or create other in-depth projects for every standard.  MAP can provide you with information on what students already know, what needs to be reinforced, and what they are ready to learn next.  This information provides you with insight into what you need to cover, but not what to plan or how to do it. That is where innovation comes in. We cannot just simply copy lesson plans from year to year.  We need to know our students' strengths and weaknesses and plan accordingly.  That is when our instruction becomes student-centered, exciting and in-depth lessons take place.

Why a session on phones?
The session in October is to provide you with legal updates on what you should and should not be doing on your phone.  What texts to fellow staff could be used in a courtroom if necessary? How about comments about students? Remember, Mr. Couros emphasized not adding students on social media and stated several times that you should never put anything online that you would not put in your classroom.  On a side note, we have seen awesome things happening in classrooms that have been posted on Twitter with #wearetuskyvalley as well as pretty cool, innovative learning opportunities. Thanks to those of you who have put your learning into action!

What's next?
We continue to strive to make sure every student is growing.  Our curriculum maps outline how each standard is taught and how deep we go with it (DOK). Innovation, as George Couros stated, is a way of thinking that creates something new or better. What better time to review our curriculum maps and vertical alignment charts to see how deep the standards are taught.  Do our lessons and assessments only measure level 1 (recall) or do we take students to level 3 and 4 where they are asked to think?  Take a look at the chart below and review your own map. How can you be innovative to create something new or better that increases thinking?

I'm looking forward to our next book study on October 4th and our PD day on October 12th.  More information on each of these opportunities is listed below. I continue to be amazed and inspired by the wondering things you do for TV Students!  Best wishes as we finish out the first nine weeks!

Onward, Trojans!
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September Newsflash

10/1/2018

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The 18/19 school year is here, and it seems that the throttle is already at full speed!  Across the district, students are getting acclimated to new faces and new names. Diagnostic assessments are being given to all students in K-12 to measure reading and math abilities.  The point of these tests is not to predict how a student will perform on state tests or to obtain a teacher rating, but more importantly to obtain valuable information on each individual student to provide the curriculum, strategies, and resources necessary to ensure all students succeed and become "all that they can become!"

While state standards drive our instruction, the skills we teach and the strategies we utilize while covering the standards are invaluable to the success of our students.  Last year we spent a lot of time talking about Cultures of Thinking and realizing how small shifts in strategy often can result in a big difference in student outcome.  This year we are continuing the district conversation by focusing on The Innovator's Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity.  The author of the book states, "If we are going to help our students thrive, we have to move past 'the way we have always done it' and create better learning experiences for our students than we had ourselves. This does not mean replacing everything we do, but we must be willing to look with fresh eyes at what we do and ask, "Is there a better way?" We would expect the same mindset from our students, and as educators, that question is the first step on the path to a better future for education."

Throughout the year, we will be discussing the idea of innovation and staff will have a chance to share high caliber strategies and success stories as well as have the opportunity to "take a chance" and try something new, all with the sole purpose of providing the best educational experience for our district students.  The Ohio Department of Education states in the Ohio Strategic Plan for Education that:

...a recent study predicts that nearly half of the state's workers hold jobs that are
expected to be automated in the future. Future workers are expected to change jobs 
more frequently, interact with technology more regularly, and learn new and more 
sophisticated skills to advance careers or keep up with change. Future conditions will 
favor entrepreneurship and innovation as more commercial activity is customized.


In addition, the World Economic Forum released the following jobs report listing the job skills necessary by 2020 (see below).

Many of these 2020 skills are prominent in our hallways, classrooms, playing fields, and school buses.  Yet, we continue to push forward and set goals to do even more. We owe it to our students and ourselves to continue to evolve within our practice and lay a strong foundation for students to be successful in life.  I hope this year's book study, building meetings, and professional development provide opportunities for reflection, collaboration, and affirmation that you are making a difference.

I'm excited about our upcoming PD day on September 21 with George Couros.  He will not only share from his book and challenge our thinking but also provide opportunities to collaborate and grow as learners.  Please see the below section about our 9/21 PD for important information!

Best wishes for a great school year!  If there is anything that OSS or I can do to assist you, please let us know!
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    Every Student Succeeds Act

    Stay in the loop about ESSA!  Visit the official ODE ESSA page to see Ohio's draft plan!

     As a district, we encourage you to provide feedback about the state plan.  
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    Author

    Mr. Derek Varansky is the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Federal Programs for Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools.  He can be reached by calling 330-859-8801 or derek.varansky@tvtrojans.org

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Mr. Derek Varansky, Curriculum Director     |     Mrs. Katy Wells, Special Education Director     |     Mrs. Lisa Burrell, Gifted Coordinator     |     Mrs. Courteney Bayer, School Psychologist

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