Friday MM - October 9th WEEK "B"

Please be sure to read the previous post on EL 

Subs:
Robin Phelps for Venice Hailstock
Paige Sipe for Jen Crigier
Merry Sara Maddelin for Donna McGee

Expeditionary Learning

Please read and follow the directions at the end to reply before Tuesday evening October 14th

In preparation for our Expeditionary Learning PD on October 15th, we need to determine the availability of each staff member for various learning opportunities during our Partnership Development and Assessment.  Some are specific while others will have a range of dates to be determined.  Travel expenses will be covered as well as subs.  Please rank order the choices with the following scale;

• "A" - High Interest/Committed
• "B" - Interested
• "C" - Well, if I have to...
• "D" - No

The choices and number of faculty spots are;

1. 4-5 members to the "Site Seminar" @ Evergreen School in Asheville - December 3-4
2. 5-10 members to a "School visit" in Decatur, GA in January - Dates TBD
3. 5-10 members to a "School visit" in Lexington, SC in February - Dates TBD
4. 4-5 members to a "Regional Offering" in Decatur, GA - March 9-10
5. 4-5 members to a "3 day Institute" in Baltimore, MD - April 11-13

All of this information is in an e-mail with the subject being "EL Travel."  Please reply to that e-mail with your scale of interest for the 5 choices before The end of the day Tuesday, October 14th.

Thursday MM - October 8th

Good morning - Week "B"

We will have have our drill today @ 9 am

Subs:
Robin Phelps for Nancy Smoot
Paige Sipe for Jen Crigier
Teri Beam for Stacy Swanson

Wednesday MM - October 7th

Good Morning - Week "B"

Today our Lock-Down meeting is optional and intended for staff who have questions/concerns/thoughts to improve our process and safety. 

Awesome support and turnout for our WatchDOGS program kick-off!

Robin for Allison
Paige Sipe for Jen Crigier
Alana Husky for Joel Peddle
Teri Beam for Demarie Anderson am only

Tuesday MM - October 6th

Good Morning - Week "B"

I am at the Joint Principals meeting this morning and then to the PTA board meeting @ 1pm.  The agenda for both can be found in the blog documents folder.

• We have parents interested in starting a STEM club & Math Club.  Teachers that may be interested in participating/sponsoring clubs are to contact PTA Club representative Martine Silver (martine.silver@gmail.com) or our staff club rep Stacy Swanson.

Subs as of 5:00 Monday
Robin Phelps for Sara Davis PM only

Monday MM - October 5th

Good Morning - Week "B"

I am ready for a Fantastic week here at Brunson.  We have three big events on that I will promote today on the announcements.  

• WatchDOGS Kick-off and pizza night is Tuesday!
• The BIG SWEEP is our PTA grounds beautification in conjunction with a city wide effort to clean our waterways.  On Saturday the 10th from 9:30-12:30, volunteers will clean our campus and then be provided with a pizza lunch from the city.
• The 5th annual Bullying Prevention Walk will once again be held at the DASH Stadium on Saturday, October 10th, at 8 AM.  Jenn Currin is leading our team and looking for faculty participants.

This Wednesday we will have a open meeting right after buses to discuss our Lock Down drill.  The drill will occur on Thursday.  

Subs Today;

Robin Phelps for Wendy Binkley

Terri Beam for Sara Davis  

Friday MM - October 2nd

Week "A"

I have enjoyed my day here at the Expeditionary Learning Atlantic region Leadership cohort.  I am making contacts for possible school visits with leaders in Lexington, SC - Decatur, GA and Asheville, NC.  Brunson is in the right place to explore this outstanding organization as our core values are aligned.  Read the following EL document and see if you connect to us. (enjoy your weekend and stay dry)

Design Principles
The design principles express the philosophy of education and core values of Expeditionary Learning.

1. The primacy of self-discovery
Learning happens best with emotion, challenge, and the requisite support.

2. The having of wonderful ideas
Teaching in Expeditionary Learning schools fosters curiosity about the world.

3. The responsibility for learning
Learning is both a personal process of discovery and a social activity.

4. Empathy and caring
Learning is fostered best in communities where students' and teachers' ideas are respected and where there is mutual trust.

5. Success and failure
All students need to be successful if they are to build the confidence and capacity to take risks and meet increasingly difficult challenges.

6. Collaboration and competition
Individual development and group development are integrated so that the value of friendship, trust, and group action is clear.

7. Diversity and inclusion
Both diversity and inclusion increase the richness of ideas, creative power, problem-solving ability, and respect for others.

8. The natural world
A direct and respectful relationship with the natural world refreshes the human spirit and teaches the important ideas of recurring cycles and cause and effect.

9. Solitude and reflection
Students and teachers need time alone to explore their own thoughts, make their own connections, and create their own ideas.

10. Service and compassion
Students and teachers are strengthened by acts of consequential service to others.