Principal’s Post
“Who Owns the School?”
by Elementary Principal Matt Renwick In my 20 years in education, I have been asked this question by a student or two. I cannot recall my typical answer. Likely, I stumbled through a dry explanation such as, “Well, people pay taxes which goes toward all of our books, pencils…” I am sure I have also … Read More
The Costs and Benefits of Technology
We were heading home from a family gathering along the interstate. When I looked at my Google Maps display on my smartphone, a small bullhorn symbol showed up next to my highlighted route. It was a speed trap alert. Apparently, drivers ahead of us had spotted a police officer pulling over speeding cars. Other drivers embedded … Read More
Appreciation and Humility
“I hear your school district is one of the best in the state.” I hesitated to respond when a new parent said this to me. She was filling out her registration paperwork in our conference room. I had stopped by to introduce myself. Her answer to my general question, something about what brought her family … Read More
Strategic Plan: Starting with Social Studies
In June, the faculty examined the state social studies standards with the purpose of developing a written curriculum plan for this discipline. Last week, teachers focused on one strand of social studies (civics, economics, geography, history) and started to develop a narrative that would introduce students to the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of that area … Read More
Year-End Reflection: The Challenge of Change
I have had the honor of observing our current 5th grade students become the individuals they are today since 3rd grade. This is one of the many perks of being a principal: having a schoolwide view of our kids as they progress through the years. As a former 5th and 6th grade teacher myself, I … Read More
Elementary School Renovation: Six Design Strategies for Modern Learning Spaces
Later this May, professionals from HSR Design (our architecture firm) will be available during the school day to take questions and collect feedback from staff about the building renovation. Time is yet to be determined, but they should be available long enough for everyone to have an opportunity to speak with them. As educators, we … Read More
Competition and Education
My wife and I attended our first track meet of the year last night. The rain and overall cruddy weather did not sway the student athletes and coaches from completing the events. Our son participated in a team relay, high jump, and shot put. Tomorrow, our daughter will be playing soccer. Another sports seasons has … Read More
Elementary School Renovation: Preparing for a Modern Learning Environment
Over spring break I finally finished my office/writing space. It is located on our first floor in a corner off of the kitchen. I found a long, thin table at a local shop and put up book shelves next to it. All of our resources are now nicely organized and not strewn out across the … Read More
Beyond the Standards
I was in a 1st grade classroom conducting an instructional walk. The students were quietly working on their informative writing projects. They had researched a topic of choice, using strategies to read nonfiction texts. Now they were using their notes they had taken and were applying them to a writing project. I sat next to … Read More
Elementary School Book Swap
If there is one thing about buying books for my kids that is challenging, it might be how quickly they read them and then they are looking for the next one. Their rooms (and our home) have stacks of titles in many places. A few they will reread, yet many could find a new reader. If … Read More