#ISEDchat Archive

Independent School EdChat.

Thursday September 6, 2018
9:00 PM EDT

  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:00 PM EDT
    Welcome to the first #isedchat of the new school year. Remember when answering the Qs to use the A1, A2… format and to use #isedchat!
  • OESISNetwork Sep 6 @ 9:01 PM EDT
    @OESISNetwork launches 1st independent school national faculty placement service in years, OESIS Career Confidential https://t.co/jDgcg2RVJc (attracting/placing innovative educators in 600+ network schools). Job Fairs include Long Beach 2019 @NAISnetwork #isedchat. Register now.
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:02 PM EDT
    OK. So first question is? #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:03 PM EDT
    Here is the first question…Q1: Introduce yourself and let us know if you just started school this week or are you already a few weeks into the school year. #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:04 PM EDT
    Here is the first question…Q1: Introduce yourself and let us know if you just started school this week or are you already a few weeks into the school year. #isedchat
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:04 PM EDT
    What would happen if independent Schools did not continue to exist? #isedchat (Just filling in space here.(
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:05 PM EDT
    Having connection issues, please hold #isedchat
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:06 PM EDT
    A1: Just dropping by to show support! #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • lcarroll94 - Moderator Sep 6 @ 9:06 PM EDT
    Lorri here from CT. We started with students this week! #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:06 PM EDT
    Here is the first question…Q1: Introduce yourself and let us know if you just started school this week or are you already a few weeks into the school year. #isedchat
  • EricAfterSchool Sep 6 @ 9:06 PM EDT
    Eric from PA. We begin school each year on Labor Day, but as an admin, my year begins a few weeks earlier. #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:07 PM EDT
    Shari from Orlando and thanks for staying tuned while I corrected my internet issues! #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:07 PM EDT
    Welcome! #isedchat
    In reply to @EricAfterSchool
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:08 PM EDT
    Thanks for the support! And the patience. #isedchat
    In reply to @JosieHolford
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:08 PM EDT
    That's the classic pattern. I have a hard time understanding schools that open for students in mid August. #isedchat Tell us about your pre-school admin prep.
    In reply to @EricAfterSchool
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:09 PM EDT
    Q2: Last weekend was Labor Day weekend. Did you spend it with family & friends relaxing or did you prepare for your classroom? #isedchat
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:10 PM EDT
    C'mon #isedchat lurkers. Introduce yourselves and join in!
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:11 PM EDT
    Living in Florida, we always start mid August but end by the end of May. I was told when I moved this was because of the heat but guess what..it is still hot here. #isedchat
    In reply to @JosieHolford, @EricAfterSchool
  • EricAfterSchool Sep 6 @ 9:11 PM EDT
    I’m a dean of students, so lots of registration issues, health forms, international travel isssues for boarding students, etc. Prep for my English class, too! #isedchat
    In reply to @JosieHolford
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:12 PM EDT
    A2: I did a mix of both. Wanted to have a few emails scheduled and ready to go. #isedchat
    • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:09 PM EDT
      Q2: Last weekend was Labor Day weekend. Did you spend it with family & friends relaxing or did you prepare for your classroom? #isedchat
  • EricAfterSchool Sep 6 @ 9:12 PM EDT
    A2: Our new Ss arrive on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and returning boarders arrive on Sunday. No weekend getaways for me! #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:13 PM EDT
    Interesting to start on Labor Day Weekend. Do parents ever complain? #isedchat
    In reply to @EricAfterSchool
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:14 PM EDT
    I'm sure the questions will get to this #isedchat but I'm interested in the themes for the new year. What books? Ideas? Initiatives? Thinking and and all that good stuff. For faculty, admin, kids and parents. What's new this year?
  • EricAfterSchool Sep 6 @ 9:14 PM EDT
    No, not to me, anyway. They seem to enjoy our big kickoff. #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:15 PM EDT
    Jumping to Q3. Let’s go! #isedchat
    • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:14 PM EDT
      I'm sure the questions will get to this #isedchat but I'm interested in the themes for the new year. What books? Ideas? Initiatives? Thinking and and all that good stuff. For faculty, admin, kids and parents. What's new this year?
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:15 PM EDT
    Do parents stay for that? #isedchat
    In reply to @EricAfterSchool
  • EricAfterSchool Sep 6 @ 9:16 PM EDT
    Not for the 1st day of classes, but there's plenty for them on the Saturday before. #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:17 PM EDT
    A3: AS a consultant I get excited whenever I go to new schools but this year I have a steady local client that I am excited about supporting! #isedchat
    • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:14 PM EDT
      Q3: What is making you excited about this school year?
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:17 PM EDT
    What books did faculty read this summer? #isedchat What was the content of the faculty meetings beyond the admintrivia? How is the tone being set for the new year?
    • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:15 PM EDT
      Jumping to Q3. Let’s go! #isedchat
      • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:14 PM EDT
        I'm sure the questions will get to this #isedchat but I'm interested in the themes for the new year. What books? Ideas? Initiatives? Thinking and and all that good stuff. For faculty, admin, kids and parents. What's new this year?
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:18 PM EDT
    A3: I am leading a book study with a Carol Ann Tomlinson book this fall. #isedchat
    In reply to @JosieHolford
  • EricAfterSchool Sep 6 @ 9:19 PM EDT
    We had a big presentation about PBL from some teachers who did summer work with the Buck Institute. #isedchat
    In reply to @JosieHolford
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:20 PM EDT
    What did you read #isedchat? Also reading Lead with Literacy right now and read Innovators Mindset this summer.
    In reply to @JosieHolford
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:20 PM EDT
    Has Ted Dintersmoith been a feature? Timeless Learning? #isedchat how are schools readying themselves (and their students and faculty) for the onslaught of the future? How can that future be embraced as a new dawn for learning?
    • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:17 PM EDT
      What books did faculty read this summer? #isedchat What was the content of the faculty meetings beyond the admintrivia? How is the tone being set for the new year?
      • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:15 PM EDT
        Jumping to Q3. Let’s go! #isedchat
        • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:14 PM EDT
          I'm sure the questions will get to this #isedchat but I'm interested in the themes for the new year. What books? Ideas? Initiatives? Thinking and and all that good stuff. For faculty, admin, kids and parents. What's new this year?
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:20 PM EDT
    Is that a school initiative this year? #isedchat
    In reply to @EricAfterSchool, @JosieHolford
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:20 PM EDT
    Have not read him. #isedchat
    In reply to @JosieHolford
  • EricAfterSchool Sep 6 @ 9:21 PM EDT
    It's a proto-initiative. Laying the groundwork for what might end up in our strategic plan. #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis, @JosieHolford
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:21 PM EDT
    Q4: What new idea have you decided to implement this school year? We seem to already be answering this. #isedchat
  • EricAfterSchool Sep 6 @ 9:22 PM EDT
    Got to run. See you next time. #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:22 PM EDT
    A4: Do you feel that team building activities are helpful during pre-planning to get the year going? #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:22 PM EDT
    Thanks for stopping by! #isedchat
    In reply to @EricAfterSchool
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:23 PM EDT
    The whirled of change is hitting all schools. How are Indy schools responding? How is your school responding? #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:24 PM EDT
    Schools I work with have a wide range of moving forward. Some are embracing the ideas of digital learning as a integrated measure and others still question the use and how to “protect” their Ss. #isedchat
    • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:23 PM EDT
      The whirled of change is hitting all schools. How are Indy schools responding? How is your school responding? #isedchat
  • lcarroll94 - Moderator Sep 6 @ 9:24 PM EDT
    I think my Lower School Faculty was enjoyed our activities. It was “team building” in moderation. #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:24 PM EDT
    A4 What team building activities did you use and did they work? How will you know if there will be a lasting impact? #isedchat And why did you you bother in the first place? (Why does it matter?)
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:25 PM EDT
    I think that they can encourage a connected culture but only done with intent and not just to throw in fun. #isedchat
    • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:22 PM EDT
      A4: Do you feel that team building activities are helpful during pre-planning to get the year going? #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:26 PM EDT
    Since I am the consultant I did not actually plan any this year. In the past I have organized pot luck lunches, since everyone has to eat and this is a nice time to socialize without taking away class prep time. #isedchat
    • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:24 PM EDT
      A4 What team building activities did you use and did they work? How will you know if there will be a lasting impact? #isedchat And why did you you bother in the first place? (Why does it matter?)
      In reply to @swladis
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:27 PM EDT
    Isn't it way time to move beyond such trivia as control over access in school? Isn't it time to focus rather on the nature of learning? "Digital access" is like making a decision to give a kid a library card. #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:28 PM EDT
    So what do you consult on if not the pot-luck menu? #isedchat
    • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:26 PM EDT
      Since I am the consultant I did not actually plan any this year. In the past I have organized pot luck lunches, since everyone has to eat and this is a nice time to socialize without taking away class prep time. #isedchat
      • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:24 PM EDT
        A4 What team building activities did you use and did they work? How will you know if there will be a lasting impact? #isedchat And why did you you bother in the first place? (Why does it matter?)
        In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:28 PM EDT
    Not all school cultures feel that way. Some indy schools are parochial and have difficulty with this. #isedchat
    In reply to @JosieHolford
  • lcarroll94 - Moderator Sep 6 @ 9:29 PM EDT
    We had some ice breaker “shares” about what we did this summer. Also, did a faculty art show. #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:29 PM EDT
    Integrating tech because we live in a digital age and should use digital devices with intention and with the students in mind, not tech for t3ech’s sake. Curriculum reviews and coaching for teachers. #isedchat
    • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:28 PM EDT
      So what do you consult on if not the pot-luck menu? #isedchat
      • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:26 PM EDT
        Since I am the consultant I did not actually plan any this year. In the past I have organized pot luck lunches, since everyone has to eat and this is a nice time to socialize without taking away class prep time. #isedchat
        • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:24 PM EDT
          A4 What team building activities did you use and did they work? How will you know if there will be a lasting impact? #isedchat And why did you you bother in the first place? (Why does it matter?)
          In reply to @swladis
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:29 PM EDT
    Yep. Some believe in learning. Some don't. #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:30 PM EDT
    Can you explain what you mean by a faculty art show? #isedchat
    In reply to @lcarroll94
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:31 PM EDT
    So based on that independence - what - iyo - should be the agreed on values and learning principles on which schools should organize themselves and choose their varied paths? #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:32 PM EDT
    Why do we need a curriculum? Why do we need a curriculum review? #isedchat Who makes these decisions? Based on what?
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:33 PM EDT
    That is a bigger answer than I can type out in a few minutes. I try to get to know the schools cultures and help them decide how best to move forward. #isedchat
    In reply to @JosieHolford
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:33 PM EDT
    How on earth can any sane person know what that will will? #isedchat Beyond basic literacy and numeracy.
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:35 PM EDT
    I think that for most schools they need some sort of resource to lean on and take flight from but often forget that updates are necessary. #isedchat
    In reply to @JosieHolford
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:35 PM EDT
    The time for the adult obsession over student access and use of digital devices should have dies at least 5 years ago. #isedchat Those horses have long fled the controlling gates of the stable - for better and for worse.
    In reply to @swladis
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:36 PM EDT
    Updates? #isedchat Maybe it is time to scrap the concept of curriculum as we have traditionally known it. .
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:37 PM EDT
    But that is not the reality in some schools. There is still lots to do to with this idea, part of this is access for some areas. #isedchat
    • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:35 PM EDT
      The time for the adult obsession over student access and use of digital devices should have dies at least 5 years ago. #isedchat Those horses have long fled the controlling gates of the stable - for better and for worse.
      In reply to @swladis
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:38 PM EDT
    Sounds good. Always good to identify the institional ZPD and then push out as far and as fast as possible. #isedchat Put the money on the faster horses.
    In reply to @swladis
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:40 PM EDT
    The best way to kill them is to develop a curriculum devoted to their promotion. Best followed of course by a test, a public demonstration and a grade. #isedchat
    In reply to @swladis
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:41 PM EDT
    Gotten a bit off track for tonight’s discussion but opened possible future discussions. Q6: In what ways do you support the new teachers or the new to your school teachers to get ready for the school year? #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:42 PM EDT
    A6: any schools doing new teacher mentor programs? Do you have teachers meet prior to school or pre-planning? #isedchat
    • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:41 PM EDT
      Gotten a bit off track for tonight’s discussion but opened possible future discussions. Q6: In what ways do you support the new teachers or the new to your school teachers to get ready for the school year? #isedchat
  • swladis Sep 6 @ 9:50 PM EDT
    Thanks for joining #isedchat tonight!
  • JosieHolford Sep 6 @ 9:53 PM EDT
    Hope they were fun. Fun matters. #isedchat
    In reply to @lcarroll94, @swladis
  • lcarroll94 - Moderator Sep 6 @ 9:58 PM EDT
    I got lots of positive feedback! #isedchat sharing from summer, sharing summer learning. all good!
    In reply to @JosieHolford, @swladis