March 7-16 - Welcome to sunshine ...and a student walk out.

Look closely you will see three high school students in this photo.
In fact, there were lots of students participating and volunteering at the meeting. It was great to see them representing us well during at Town Meeting. 

The Importance of Student Voice: 

For as long as I've been at Peoples Academy (closing in on 11 years) we have encouraged student voice. Some of the many examples are assemblies led by students, clubs and sometimes classes that are led by students, student leadership and NHS, and various forms of youth and adult partnerships working on things like teacher feedback forms to curriculum design.

The students pictured, part of CSR, took it upon themselves to educate these parents. 

When I think about developing student voice, to me it is much more than giving students the microphone and stepping aside. In our role as educators, cultivating confident and thoughtful student voice is the result of carefully crafted adult and youth partnerships. This year we significantly extended our commitment and approach to this kind of partnership, that is, an opportunity that puts student at the forefront.  M3 and Communicating School Redesign (CSR) are the two most obvious examples. As Trevor mentioned at our most recent community meeting, we've learned a lot about student voice through M3 and CSR. There voice and leadership is invaluable in our transition to a Proficiency Based Learning (PBL) system.

And now, students are beginning to step out even more....
The 'Take Action Group', that is currently focused on planning a March 14th 'school walk out' is an example of a student led, organized, and focused group at our school. They formed on their own and looked to adults for support and guidance. This is exactly what we want our students to do. We want them to stand up, take action, and take a stand. The fact that they are doing this suggests that we are doing something right. But, to be effective and to model good citizenship, they need our continued support and critical feedback. (On that note: If you are interested in helping this particular group, please let me know.)

I have told the 'Take Action Group" that they can 'walk out' on March 14th and can invite other students to do so. I requested, and they agreed, that they will do so with as little disruption to the learning of others as possible. They also do not want anyone to feel obligated or to need to unwillingly be involved.  Thus, there current plan involves very little impact on the schedule. The plan (which is still taking shape) is to:
     - Use part of one flextime prior to March 14th to add context and purpose to the 'Walk out'
     - Students who want to participate will first attend flextime, notify the teacher, and then report to the auditorium.
     - 'Walk Out' on March 14th, 10-10:17 (meet at flag pole, police are aware)
     - Students who do not want to participate, can use flex time and break on 3/14 as they always do
     - The 'Take Action Group' will post announcements how to participate and how to stay involved

The 'Take Action Group' currently consists of Aiden Lodge, Olivia Foster, Lizzie Craig, Nikki Crouse, Eli Smith and probably other students by now. We will need to trust these leaders and other students to be responsible during these events. I am confident they will do the right things, such as be respectful, inclusive, and encourage everyone to get to class as quickly as possible. When given opportunities in the past to do the right thing most of our students usually do. (Think about the 'all school trips', winter carnival, open lunch, etc).

A recent letter from Secretary of Education, Rebecca Holcombe, eloquently supports the plan our students have designed. Good job on your part to help develop thoughtful and caring students.

FYI: I need to coordinate with the 'Take Action Group', but I expect that some point in the next few days, they (or we through TA?) will read a statement to students that will be something like:

Peoples Academy respects your freedom of expression and supports thoughtful, respectful and peaceful organization. In a true democracy, voices must be heard. We are inspired by those who take a stand in responsible ways. Peoples Academy is stronger and more successful when we unite and work together to stand up for the rights of others. Thus, while some high schools across the nation may enforce discipline for students walking out on March 14th, we will not. We support you and your classmates who have thoughtfully engaged in a process to walk out of school in a way that minimizes the impact of learning to those who do not wish to participate. The 'walk out' on March 14th is completely optional. If you do not wish to walk out, you will not be ridiculed. If you are, we want to know. Thus, for those students who intend to participate in the 'walk out' on March 14th, please report to the flag circle outside the main entrance promptly after period 2. For those not participating, take your break as you normally would and be prepared to report to period 3 at 10:18 (not 10:15, as the 'walk out' is scheduled to end at 10:17). There will be more information and explanation for the purpose of the 'walk out' shared during flextime on Tuesday, March 13th (?) in the Auditorium. If you plan to attend this flex option, please let your flextime teacher know before you head to the Auditorium. Thanks. 

I'm open to feedback about this statement.....anyone?

Vermont Writes Day - Thanks for your participation!

Recently, the Vermont School Board's Association and Vermont Superintendent's Association in collaboration with other education partners developed a definition for equity. At a recent Executive Council Meeting the VPA voted to use this definition going forward so that all schools use the same language. Please use this language in local conversations about equity. 

Equity Definition for Vermont Education

VSBA/VSA Retreat - Agenda for A World Class Education

January 10 & 11 2018

Working Definition of Educational Equity Developed at the Retreat:  

Educational equity means that each student receives the resources and educational opportunities they need to learn and thrive.  

• Equity means that a student’s success is not predicted nor predetermined by characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, family economics, class, geography, disability, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or initial proficiencies.   

• Equity means that every school provides high quality curriculum, programs, teachers and administrators, extracurricular activities and support services.

• Equity goes beyond formal equality where all students are treated the same. Achieving equity may require an unequal distribution of resources and services.

Equity involves disrupting inequitable practices, acknowledging biases, employing practices that reflect the reality that all students will learn, and creating inclusive multicultural school environments for adults and children.

Upcoming Events:

3/8 - Poetry Out Loud finals
   - You can see Annie around 11:45, here: 
       https://www.facebook.com/VermontPoetryOutLoud/
3/8 - Spring Sports meeting 5pm Auditorium

3/8 - Schoology Parent View Evening meeting 5:30 pm
3/8 - Q3 Term Narratives & Rosters DUE
3/9 - GMTCC College Fair 11:30-1
3/10 - Science Olympiad
3/12 - Schoology Parent View Accessible
3/12 - TEDx PA competition in Auditorium @ Flex
3/12 - Parent View Opened
3/14 - Student Walk Out - 10-10:17
3/15-16 - New England Music Festival
3/21 - NEW Q3 TERM ENDING
   - Quarter 3 Grading Timeline
3/21 - Early Release - In-service
3/22 - Conferences
3/23 - LSSU In- Service PBL  work
3.22& 23 - One Acts 7pm Auditorium
3/27-29 - SBAC Math 9th grade
3/29-31 - Newport Music Festival
4/2 - 4/6 - SBAC 9th grade literacy
4/3 - Art Show and Music concert 7pm
4/9 - Best Practice
4/14 - ACT at PA during school day
4/16-20 - April Break
5/5 - SAT exam off campus
5/9 - AP Lit Exam
5/11 - AP Art Exam
5/14 - AP Biology Exam
5/15 - AP Calculus Exam
6/14 - Projected Graduation
6/19 - TUESDAY - Projected Curriculum Camp Start
8/20 - AUGUST IN- SERVICE begins

Modified Expectation Follow up: 

Jessica Spencer (LSSU Director of Student Services) wrote to us following her Best Practice presentation on Modified Expectations prior to break. Below are her thoughts:

1. I really appreciate the questions that were asked and I want to reiterate that this is a work in progress.  I want to hear feedback on what is working and what doesn't make sense.  

2.  I am available and would like to be part of meetings where teachers are talking about modified expectations.  Please have teachers reach out or talk to case managers to contact me.

3. I have thought quite a bit about a scenario where a student may just need the scale shifted to reach proficient rather than a lower grade scale.  I want to go back on what I said at the meeting on Monday.  I agree that on an individualized basis this may be appropriate.  My hesitation is I don't want the practice to become simply a way for students to simply achieve a "P".  I want to remain thoughtful on maintaining the rigor and high expectations for all.

Thank you again.  I look forward to working with teams and hearing feedback as this plays out.

Schoolwide Happenings: 

Cranking out some sweet rides in Electric Car. 

TBM2 - tech based math

PA & 12 Quebec Exchange Students sharing stories

9th grade science - ask them about their plant labs!

Math with Kate

This is tricky Math

Thanks for the good tune to close out February

XC team at states in Craftsbury

Flextime Fun & Learning

Celebrations: 

Awesome sharing with Quebec Exchange students

Linden Osbourne (9th grade) qualified for the U16 Eastern Nordic Championships and will represent Vermont later this month in Gore, NY.

Linden is on the right, pictured with Sofie Carlson, who also raced well at the Vermont Qualifier, but just missed making the U18 team. These two also placed in the top 20 for all D2 skiers in state championships and their relay team placed 4th. 

Congrats Steve and Stephanie on the birth of Sylvie Grace 3/4/18; 4:12; 61b 13oz

Happy Birthday: Matt Yosokowitz (3/2), Ashley Lynch (3/5)