Superintendent's Blog

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Ghost Out Simulation Stresses Importance of Safety and Good Choices

As we near spring, student celebrations like prom and other events begin to take place. Not only that, there is an increase in traffic that continues through the summer on U.S. Highway 93. Student safety during these times and throughout the year is complimented by good choices. Mission FCCLA students recognize the need to inform the student body about making good choices and are sponsoring a national recognized program on Thursday, March 15, 2012 as part of their state project. High school students will be experiencing a program called "Ghost Out." It is part of a national program called "Every 15 Minutes."

FCCLA Project Leaders: Sara Bowers, Morgan Andres, Rose Bear Don't Walk, and Janeal McDonald.

This program's foundation of effectiveness is based on a simulated experience. The program states: "Life's lessons are best learned through experience. Unfortunately, when the target audience is teens and the topic is drinking and texting while driving, experience is not the teacher of choice." This program has develop a simulation that involves a staged traffic collision that will be viewable on the school grounds. Local fire and rescue workers will treat injured student participants. These students will experience first hand, the sensations of being involved in a tragic, alcohol-related and texting while driving collision. The coroner will handle fatalities on the scene, while the injured students will be extricated by the jaws-of-life manned by Fire-Fighters and Paramedics. A flight-for-life helicopter will also arrive. Police Officers will investigate, arrest, and book the student "drunk driver."

To further understand the concept of "every fifteen minutes," volunteer students will be removed from the classroom during the morning sessions. One student every fifteen minutes will be taken in order to simulate the separation and loss of someone in a alcohol or text related accident.

At 1:00 PM there will be an assembly. According to the "Every Fifteen Minute website: "The focus of the assembly stresses that the decision to consume alcohol can affect many more people than just the one who drinks and the dangers of texting while driving. This very emotional and heart-wrenching event will illustrate to students the potentially dangerous consequences of their use of alcohol and texting while driving, regardless of how casual they believe their use is."

At 2:00 PM the traffic accident simulation will begin. Sirens will be heard throughout Mission for responders to participate. We ask that our community not be alarmed. You are welcome to join us in this event at the high school. The event will be hosted in the back parking lot behind the gymnasium. Posters and notices have been distributed throughout the community to inform everyone of this activity.

Because these types of events can effect students in different ways, students are allowed to opt out of the event and assembly. However, school-based alcohol prevention programs are essential in helping to reduce and eliminate alcohol use among adolescents.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Test Is Here!

March Madness is more than just college basketball. Many public schools are getting ready to take state assessments. These assessments are critical in determining adequate progress by students, schools and states. TODAY, our students begin the 2012 journey with the MontCAS. We would like to invite everyone to support them so they can do their very best.

The video is a Dr Seuss parody with a twist on TESTING. It is intended to inform our constituents and students about the test while encouraging and challenging our students to do their very best! I

I hope you enjoy!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

It's Dr. Seuss's Birthday (aka Theodor Seuss Geisel)! Mission students celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday by eating green eggs and ham, wearing "Cat in the Hat" hats and by reading Seuss books. Seuss's birthday is celebrated annually by elementary students and teachers across America in honor of his work done for children of all ages. Theatre's are also honoring Seuss today with the release of the movie "The Thorax."

Today is a day we all tip our hats to Dr. Seuss for his stories and tales of outlandish creatures, words and rhymes. Most of all we are celebrating the love of reading that his books provided to so many through the years. His tales and stories are not only fun to read, but provide a resource for teaching kids the basic skills of reading.

So here is to you Dr. Seuss! Borrowing the first four lines of your rhyme, Oh, The Places You'll Go, we salute you:

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

THANK YOU SEUSS!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Quantum Learning - Accelerating Learning & Maximizing Student Retention


John Le Tellier providing instruction.

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY: On Friday, January 13, the Mission teachers and staff had the opportunity to welcome John Le Tellier from Quantum Learning. I have worked with John a number of times with different faculties. His high energy workshop provides the best professional development I have ever experienced. Every time he presents, I learn something new.

Quantum Learning helps better equip our teachers with new effective teaching techniques, skills and rational to improve instruction in every classroom. It utilizes best practice and brain-based strategies that can easily be implemented into the classroom.

Quantum Learning suggests "That when we apply the WHY to artfully ORCHESTRATE LEARNING and LIFE skills, and effective TEACHING STRATEGIES, there is a SHIFT in teachers that creates a SHIFT in student learning.

Shift and change probably best describe education in this day and age as formal education systems attempt to prepare students for jobs that won't even exist for another five years. To make this type of shift or any change, Quantum Learning suggest we do the following:

"Use your brain to change your mind, to change your brain to change your life."

Those that attended the workshop understand this quote and how the plasticity of the brain effects the mindful choices we make that effect our lives. The idea is that we can change ourselves: how we think, choose and act. In addition, we can help others make the needed shifts and changes in their lives to be more successful.

This session only marked the first of five levels presented by in the Quantum Learning system. Level One is the basic educational methodology that increases teacher effectiveness and improves student performance. We explored how to orchestrate appropriate student risk-taking, encouraged high levels of effort and accountability, and modeled a strong classroom culture that builds student character and facilitates behavior management. All of this in order to accelerate learning and help students maximize retention.