HS Coffee - Grading and Reporting @ Graded

At today's HS PTA Coffee approximately 35 parents dove into the topic of standards-based grading and we talked about the work that Graded's schoolwide Grading and Reporting Task Forces has been doing. Below is the presentation from the session, a video showing a discussion on what one school is doing, and a funny video on grading. You can also find resources at HS PTA Coffee: Learning and Grades. Please feel free to add your comments in the blog.

Standards-Based Grading at Casco Bay High School

Why Use a Standards-Based Grading System? from Expeditionary Learning on Vimeo.

Finally, a humorous look at grading. This is not standards-based grading and it is not what currently happens at Graded. Enjoy...

HS PTA Coffee: Learning and Grades

Image, Coffee and Cream via Creative Commons by Will Keightly

The topic for this month's HS PTA Coffee is "Learning and Grades"and we'll be talking about the school's plans for improving grading and reporting for students. Over the past year a schoolwide Grading and Reporting task force has been studying standards-based grading and there are plans to change our practices starting next year. In this meeting we'll focus on helping parents better understand the following:

• What is standards-based grading?
• How does standards-based grading differ from Graded's current system in the high school?
• What changes will students and parents notice in the future?

We hope that you will join us on Wednesday for this very important topic. 

For those of you who would like to learn more about the topic feel free to take a look at the following resources.

The Atlantic article, Letter Grades Deserve an 'F' by Jessica Lahey

"However, if the purpose of academic grading is to communicate accurate and specific information about learning, letter, or points-based grades, are a woefully blunt and inadequate instrument. Worse, points-based grading undermines learning and creativity,rewards cheating, damages students' peer relationships and trust in their teachers, encourages students to avoid challenging work, and teaches students to value grades over knowledge."

AASSA Conference presenter Doug Fisher shares his school's story in No Penalties for Practice. 

Although many question the value of grades-especially when they’re used to bribe students to complete work (see Kohn, 1999)—when they are given, they should reflect students’ understanding of the content. As one teacher noted, “I realized that bringing a pencil to class was not one of the algebra standards.”

What Parents Should Know About Drugs and Drug Use

Dr. Anthony Wong will be on campus Wednesday from 8:30 - 10:00 am in the Auditorium for a MS/HS Coffee

In this dialogue, the following topics will be addressed;

1. What are the drugs available to our youngsters?
2. What are the most dangerous drugs?
3. How do drugs act and how do they cause addiction?
4. Why do they drink and try drugs?
5. What is addiction and how does it come about?
6. How do I know my child is using drugs?
7. What are the signs that my child is using drugs?
8. What are the short and long term effects/consequences of drug use in a youngster?
9. How can drug use be avoided or prevented?
10. What can parents, community and school do to make their respective environments safe?

• Drugs and alcohol seem to everywhere nowadays. Everyone who is famous, chic or in the headlines (whether good or bad) seems to be involved with them. Opinion polls seem to indicate that the majority of the people favor drug liberalization, but everyone you know seems to oppose it. Where is the truth?

• There are so many drugs on the market, many new ones that appear more lethal. They are available to anyone and can be acquired over the internet. Bu they can be more readily purchased in raves, nightclubs, “danceterias”, or wherever young people meet. Even more dangerous is the fact that some are fake or counterfeit, more potent and addictive than the real ones.

• All drugs, whether legal or illegal, can be dangerous, depending on the amount or purpose for which they are used. They are even more dangerous in young people, when their bodies and systems are still very immature. But it is worse when experimenting with alcohol and drugs at this age because addiction is much more likely at these early ages. 

• We all have heard of the telltale signs and symptoms of drug use in youngsters. But let me tell you that when you detect these signs and symptoms, it is generally too late, for they appear only when addiction is already established. Many permanent and residual damages, especially to the brain and neural system, will have occurred.

To prevent this chain of events, it is necessary that we establish a healthy and secure ambience for our children, at home, in school and with friends. The first step is to know the enemy and how it infiltrates and acts. Next, we must gain the trust and respect of our children. And finally, establish programs, methods, goals and cooperative measures to prevent and curtail drugs and alcohol in the settings our children are exposed to.

And the end result of these efforts is that it was really worth it.

Anthony Wong, MD, PhD

"Transition is not fun, but it is predictable" Libby Stephens

Libby Stephens met with parents today to discuss Third Culture Kids and transitions.

Photo by GABE ZSIGMOND

"Graded is a transition school"

"Saying "Goodbye"is a process...Not an event"

"The most difficult country for a student to move to is his/her passport country."

"Mom and Dad, don't mock the culture."

Photo by GABE ZSIGMOND

The disease is curable but there are a few things to keep in mind.

• This is harder to address as the student gets older. 
• Procrastination includes putting off goodbyes.
• It's easier to leave a place if you're mad or upset with it. This becomes a coping mechanism. 

Reactions of the one who is left behind

• Betrayal - even when the student is not responsible for the decision to leave
• Grief - can be more difficult for the student who stays
• Relief
• Anger
• Excitement
• Enhancing Other Relationships

The "Rs" of Leaving Right

• Rites and Rituals
• Roles that they will give up (e.g. soccer player, student council representative)
• Responsibilities that will change
• Routines
• Relationships
• Residence
• Resources
• RAFT - 4 steps

R = Reconciliation - Who do you need to reconcile differences with before leaving?

A = Affirmation - Who are the important people who have been important to me while I was here?

F = Farewells - How will you say goodbye to the people, places, possessions, customs and traditions?

T = Think Destination and Expectations - How can you learn more about your new place?

Libby Stephens, Expert on Third Culture Kids Visits Graded (October 21 - 23)

Third Culture Kids

"A third culture kid is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their parents’ culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture may be assimilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background."

-Pollock & Van Reken

Libby Stephens will visit Graded on October 21 - 23 to work with parents, students, teachers and administrators. Ms. Stephens will meet with MS students during their Monday assembly and high school students on Tuesday. She'll also be meeting with individual classes throughout her three day visit. 

Faculty members will have the opportunity to meet with her after school on Monday after school. 

For parents, she will conduct two workshops on Monday morning and Tuesday evening. These meetings are for parents of students in all grade levels.

Monday, October 21 - 8:30 - 10:30 in the Black Box Theater

Tuesday, October 22 - 1930 - 2100 in the Auditorium.

We will be sharing more information prior to her visit but this short video will provide you with some basic information on Third Culture Kids.

Third Culture Kids - The Three Cultures from Libby Stephens on Vimeo.

Celebrating Brazilian Independence This Week

During the next 10 days there are three events planned for the high school where we will celebrate different aspects of Brazilian culture. Next week the focus will be on Bahian culture. We are certainly fortunate to have the support of so many talented and dedicated parents. This support makes the events even more special. 

Tuesday, September 3 @ the High School Assembly we have the pleasure of listening to Marina De La Riva perform the music of Bahia. (1:10 - 1:50 pm in the auditorium)


On Thursday, September 5 the PTA will present exhibits throughout the hallways. You can bet that we'll all be treated to the culinary treats of Bahia. (8:15 am - 3:10 pm)

From VisitBrazil.net

One Monday, September 9 Dr. Mailson da Nobrega will present to the High School student body on O Brasil deu certo. E agora? (Brazil has worked. And now?) (1:00 - 1:45 pm in the auditorium)

2013 Parent Open House

We were excited about opening up our classrooms to over 100 parents at Open House on Tuesday. The event included an opening session, a full assembly with the student body, classroom visits and a reception with teachers.

Opening Session Presentation
 During the student assembly Mr. Fernandes and the counseling team shared the results from the Challenge Success survey that students took in April. As a school, we will be using this information to target our efforts to create a healthier environment for all members of our community. Parents are invited to begin work at our September 25th PTA Coffee.

Student Assembly Presentation on Challenge Success

Spirit Day - Friday, August 23 - Wear Red to Support our Teams

Which of the following will be true about this Friday night during the Varsity Boys Basketball game? 
A. The first 100 people wearing red will get a free soda 
B. Everyone wearing red will get a raffle ticket to be entered into a half court shooting contest 
C. Three lucky people (picked from the raffle) will get 3 chances to make a half court shot and anyone who hits it will get 2 tickets to anywhere in Brazil from Azul Airlines 
D. All of the above! 

Answer: D! 

Come out and support the Graded Eagles as they take on the PACA Warriors! Wear red and come cheer! 

Friday's Game Schedule 

• JV Basketball - Girl's starting at 5, boys will follow (@ Lower School Gym) 
• Varsity Basketball - Girl's starting at 5, boys will follow (@ Main Gym)
• Varsity Soccer - Girl's starting at 5:30, boys to follow (@ the Field)

The Key to Understanding Your Teenager: The Adolescent Brain

This month's PTA Coffee will feature 

Adriana Fóz, a specialist in neuro-psychology as well as an educator and writer, will lecture on the neuroscience of the adolescent brain. 

Wednesday, February 27

Auditorium

8:30am - 10:00am

She will discuss the uniqueness of the adolescent brain and how it relates to teenage behavior and learning. Participants will gain insight into the pathway to the adolescent brain, by explaining the impact of earlier childhood experience on its development. Finally, Ms. Fóz will offer constructive tips for parenting your teenager.

This lecture will be in Portuguese with simultaneous English translation.

Below is a recent clip of Ms. Fóz from the Congresso Internacional de Neuropsicologia que ocorreu em novembro de 2011. XI Congresso Brasileiro de Neuropsicollogia

Bold Schools Wrap-up: HS PTA Coffee

At yesterday's PTA coffee Gila Fregonesi and I presented information on academic program changes that we believe will positively impact students in the classes of 2015 and 2016. We also discussed Will Richardson's concept of Bold Schools. Below is the presentation from yesterday's coffee and a summary of some of the comments from our discussion. Feel free to watch Will's TEDxMelbourne talk and respond to the following survey.


 A brief summary of the comments from yesterday's meeting is below:

• The world is changing and technology must be embraced and integrated into education. We cannot teach the way that we did before.
• In today's world students are connected to a larger world. A classroom without walls. Helps students become citizens of the world.
• Learning is constant and it happens anytime, anywhere for students, teachers and parents. 
• Learning in schools has to be connected to real life. Have to look for ways to integrate studies into real world work.
• We need to make a paradigm shift that teachers to focus on learning, not teaching.
• Questioning is constant and students have to take a systemic view instead of focusing on specific content. 

 What are your thoughts on the Bold school ideas that Will Richardson presents? Feel free to join the conversation by commenting and/or taking the survey.

November 28th HS PTA Coffee - We're Flipping the Meeting

Many of you have probably heard about "Flipping" instruction in the classroom and some of you have seen what this means for your son/daughter at home. This month we are going experiment with flipping the HS PTA Coffee. As I have mentioned in several Gazette posts the topic for the meeting is Graded as a Bold School. The idea of the Bold Schools comes from Will Richardson who will be presenting at the Innovate 2013 Conference.  Your assignment is to watch Will's video from TedxMelbourne (see below) and to read his short blog post on Bold Schools.

To start the discussion you can submit comments, here, on the blog. You don't even have to attend the meeting to participate in the conversation. The blog then serves as a tool for extending the conversation outside of the traditional PTA meeting. The learning doesn't only have to happen on Wednesday and you don't even need to be there to participate. This is one aspect of blended learning and the "Flipped Meeting".

Meeting Note: We'll be using laptops for part of the meeting so bring your laptop (we will also provide school laptops). Looking forward to learning together on Wednesday, November 28 from 8:30 - 10:00 am in room E12.

86 Graded Runners at the 20ª Maratona Pão de Açúcar

Kevin Wolfson did the math and reported that, "Overall, Graded runners ran 588km today - that's the distance between Chicago and Cleveland. Congrats!!!" 

On Sunday, September 16th, 86 members of the Graded community participated in the 20ª Maratona Pão de Açúcar.  The 32 degree temperature challenged even the fittest of runners but a good time was had by all. Reports have it that every one of the 14 teams finished the race. If you missed it this year, start preparing for next year when we shoot for over 100 Graded runners. A big thanks to Amaral Cunha, the PTA, Daisy Krell and Adelaide Garcia for organizing and supporting this wonderful community event.