I did not include where I gained my information on the Irving's upcoming status change to a feeder school:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury/news/education/x313362061/Roslindale-gets-a-K-8-feeder-school-option
and more...
http://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x427966107/Menino-applauds-Pathway-Program-for-Roslindale-students
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Irving is a feeder school.
In a unanimous vote Wednesday, the BPS school committee passed Supt. Johnson's proposal to "bring" a k-8 school to Roslindale. She is doing this by making the Irving a feeder school for Roslindale elementary schools. Essentially, the vote "will give fifth graders who attend the Bates, Conley, Haley, Mozart, Philbrick, and Sumner elementary schools priority admission to the Washington Irving Middle School."
I have mixed feelings about making the Irving a feeder school for students from Roslindale elementary schools.
While I am well aware of the benefits and drawbacks, I still haven't come to my own conclusion about the situation.
Well, the School Committee will immerse me and my fellow teachers in a bit of "reality teaching." The faculty and staff of the Irving will open its doors next school year first to 5th graders attending Roslindale schools, then to siblings of those elementary school students (of middle school age I'm guessing), and third "would go to those students who don’t attend the six elementary schools, but live in walking distance of the Irving."
I am sad because many of my favorite students are not Roslindale residents, and this may seem like a trivial reason to dislike the change, it is, nonetheless, true for me.
Also, while Roslindale is an increasingly diverse neighborhood, it is far less diverse than the city of Boston, which is where all of my students come from now. I even have students traveling from East Boston---ah, perhaps no longer with the new proposal.
What I am hoping will come out of this is 2 things: increased enrollment and increased funding. Simply, our numbers are down, and perhaps those parents who were wary of the Irving's reputation will see this as a reason to send their kids to our school.
What I said above, about our numbers being down, is in fact a bit ironic. While the school numbers ARE down, my classroom sizes are UP. The fact of the matter is, when school numbers go down, Administration cuts positions. When positions are cut, classroom numbers go up because there is one less teacher for each subject area. Last year I had about 22-23 students in a class. This year I have 27-28 in each class. While 5 students may not sound like a lot, it is!
Just one year of this "experiment" may be too little to tell its repercussions. I only hope they are positive for all our students.
I have mixed feelings about making the Irving a feeder school for students from Roslindale elementary schools.
While I am well aware of the benefits and drawbacks, I still haven't come to my own conclusion about the situation.
Well, the School Committee will immerse me and my fellow teachers in a bit of "reality teaching." The faculty and staff of the Irving will open its doors next school year first to 5th graders attending Roslindale schools, then to siblings of those elementary school students (of middle school age I'm guessing), and third "would go to those students who don’t attend the six elementary schools, but live in walking distance of the Irving."
I am sad because many of my favorite students are not Roslindale residents, and this may seem like a trivial reason to dislike the change, it is, nonetheless, true for me.
Also, while Roslindale is an increasingly diverse neighborhood, it is far less diverse than the city of Boston, which is where all of my students come from now. I even have students traveling from East Boston---ah, perhaps no longer with the new proposal.
What I am hoping will come out of this is 2 things: increased enrollment and increased funding. Simply, our numbers are down, and perhaps those parents who were wary of the Irving's reputation will see this as a reason to send their kids to our school.
What I said above, about our numbers being down, is in fact a bit ironic. While the school numbers ARE down, my classroom sizes are UP. The fact of the matter is, when school numbers go down, Administration cuts positions. When positions are cut, classroom numbers go up because there is one less teacher for each subject area. Last year I had about 22-23 students in a class. This year I have 27-28 in each class. While 5 students may not sound like a lot, it is!
Just one year of this "experiment" may be too little to tell its repercussions. I only hope they are positive for all our students.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Go Irving Warriors!
Had the pleasure of stopping by the girls basketball game today. I was really impressed with how aggressive and focused the girls are! I have a couple of the players on my team, and they were AWESOME. Nadia and Irene had some impressive moves. Basketball was never my sport...so I was a basketball cheerleader instead. Needless to say, I know the game as a spectator and I like it that way.
It's really a shame that no students or parents can come watch the games. What was Boston thinking when it built a school with a gymnasium with no room for spectators?!
Some of my fondest middle school moments were spent at basketball games, gymnastic meets, and wrestling meets, all of which took place in the gym.
Before the game, my very own student Cassidy Gorash sang the National Anthem. What a beautiful, clear voice she has. I envy her natural talent and look forward to hearing her grow as a singer. One of my best friends from high school is a professional opera singer now. Once upon a time she was just like Cassidy singing the National Anthem in our middle school.
The staff had a baby shower for me yesterday, and it was just perfect! I was so overwhelmed by the large gathering of people. It gave me such a sense of gratitude and thanks for the community of teachers I work with. Lots of adorable little outfits for our little guy, gift cards and cash to buy those essential breastfeeding devices I've been putting off buying, and a photo album by one of my coworkers with pictures from the shower---so thoughtful!
Hard to believe, but only 12 days of school left before I go on maternity leave---unless my little rock start decides to come early! According to the school nurse, Ms. Brunson, and all the wonderfully wise ladies I work with, "Zeppelin" hasn't even dropped yet...so I have a little while. Hopefully not more than 3 weeks, ok Zep?
It's really a shame that no students or parents can come watch the games. What was Boston thinking when it built a school with a gymnasium with no room for spectators?!
Some of my fondest middle school moments were spent at basketball games, gymnastic meets, and wrestling meets, all of which took place in the gym.
Before the game, my very own student Cassidy Gorash sang the National Anthem. What a beautiful, clear voice she has. I envy her natural talent and look forward to hearing her grow as a singer. One of my best friends from high school is a professional opera singer now. Once upon a time she was just like Cassidy singing the National Anthem in our middle school.
The staff had a baby shower for me yesterday, and it was just perfect! I was so overwhelmed by the large gathering of people. It gave me such a sense of gratitude and thanks for the community of teachers I work with. Lots of adorable little outfits for our little guy, gift cards and cash to buy those essential breastfeeding devices I've been putting off buying, and a photo album by one of my coworkers with pictures from the shower---so thoughtful!
Hard to believe, but only 12 days of school left before I go on maternity leave---unless my little rock start decides to come early! According to the school nurse, Ms. Brunson, and all the wonderfully wise ladies I work with, "Zeppelin" hasn't even dropped yet...so I have a little while. Hopefully not more than 3 weeks, ok Zep?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
After the play, before materinty leave, and a crossroads!
Sometimes I feel like I spend a lot of time at school focusing on the NEXT BIG THING. In past years, it has been things like: a show opening, a cool field trip, MCAS, week long vacations, and the end of a term. This year will be different, as I am the ONLY person gearing up for what I have my sights on: March 19th.
March 19th will be my last day of work this school year. I wish it weren't, as I feel like I'm really getting the hang of being a homeroom teacher and teaching ELA. Although it is 6 weeks away I feel like that time will pass quickly!
Of course I am excited for WHY I am leaving. And apprehensive, and scared, and even a bit ambivalent. But aren't we always filled with so many emotions for that which is unknown to us?
So I have this NBT coming up March 19th and there is so much left to do. With the play I need to get the yearbook page ready for Ms. Pick and have a cast party. With ELA we need to finish our essays on Scorpions, do MCAS prep, get into some poetry, and start Word Generation!
On top of all that, I am at a crossroads once again in my career. The Principal is opening another theatre arts position. Which he would like me to take over starting next year. There are so many opportunities that come with the position that it is hard to even think about staying in ELA!
However, I am reticent to go back to theatre arts. First, because I AM enjoying ELA. I enjoy my coworkers, my collaborators, the bonds I've formed with the teachers in my cluster. I also am grateful for the relationships I've formed with my students; relationships that are so much deeper than I formed with my Theatre Arts students. Those are things that I definitely lacked in my previous position as Theatre Arts teacher. Although, I did have a close bond with the PE teacher, Ms. Griffin, I didn't eat lunch with her daily---it wasn't something I simply fell into (so nicely) as I have with my 7th grade team. My major reason for wanting to stay in ELA is so completely selfish, though. I would like another chance to find out if I'm any good at it! This year I spent so much time learning the curriculum, creating my classroom expectations (ELA and TA classrooms run SO differently!), and creating a high level of expectation for my students and making those expectations clear to myself AND to my students. It would be lovely if I could work in ELA for another couple of years at least to learn more about my abilities and capabilities as an ELA teacher.
Theatre Arts does lend itself to the many things I enjoy about teaching, though! Certainly I get to see students in ways their ELA teachers NEVER do!
With all that in mind, I talked to my union rep from the BTU (Caren Carew) this week about my options. My concern is this: what is safest for me in the long run, to remain in ELA or move back to Theatre Arts? Although I am permanent, BPS is still making cuts to permanent teachers, and as the Superintendent's letter to us said last week, SY 2012 isn't looking any better. Therefore, I've been advised by the BTU to stay in ELA, as there are teachers with less seniority in ELA positions than in Theatre Arts. In fact, I am the least permanent teacher in the Performing Arts in Boston.
Never did I think I would have to deal with the pink slip again!
So, it sounds like to have job security ELA is the way.
the way.
the way.
ELA is the way.
hmmmm....
March 19th will be my last day of work this school year. I wish it weren't, as I feel like I'm really getting the hang of being a homeroom teacher and teaching ELA. Although it is 6 weeks away I feel like that time will pass quickly!
Of course I am excited for WHY I am leaving. And apprehensive, and scared, and even a bit ambivalent. But aren't we always filled with so many emotions for that which is unknown to us?
So I have this NBT coming up March 19th and there is so much left to do. With the play I need to get the yearbook page ready for Ms. Pick and have a cast party. With ELA we need to finish our essays on Scorpions, do MCAS prep, get into some poetry, and start Word Generation!
On top of all that, I am at a crossroads once again in my career. The Principal is opening another theatre arts position. Which he would like me to take over starting next year. There are so many opportunities that come with the position that it is hard to even think about staying in ELA!
However, I am reticent to go back to theatre arts. First, because I AM enjoying ELA. I enjoy my coworkers, my collaborators, the bonds I've formed with the teachers in my cluster. I also am grateful for the relationships I've formed with my students; relationships that are so much deeper than I formed with my Theatre Arts students. Those are things that I definitely lacked in my previous position as Theatre Arts teacher. Although, I did have a close bond with the PE teacher, Ms. Griffin, I didn't eat lunch with her daily---it wasn't something I simply fell into (so nicely) as I have with my 7th grade team. My major reason for wanting to stay in ELA is so completely selfish, though. I would like another chance to find out if I'm any good at it! This year I spent so much time learning the curriculum, creating my classroom expectations (ELA and TA classrooms run SO differently!), and creating a high level of expectation for my students and making those expectations clear to myself AND to my students. It would be lovely if I could work in ELA for another couple of years at least to learn more about my abilities and capabilities as an ELA teacher.
Theatre Arts does lend itself to the many things I enjoy about teaching, though! Certainly I get to see students in ways their ELA teachers NEVER do!
With all that in mind, I talked to my union rep from the BTU (Caren Carew) this week about my options. My concern is this: what is safest for me in the long run, to remain in ELA or move back to Theatre Arts? Although I am permanent, BPS is still making cuts to permanent teachers, and as the Superintendent's letter to us said last week, SY 2012 isn't looking any better. Therefore, I've been advised by the BTU to stay in ELA, as there are teachers with less seniority in ELA positions than in Theatre Arts. In fact, I am the least permanent teacher in the Performing Arts in Boston.
Never did I think I would have to deal with the pink slip again!
So, it sounds like to have job security ELA is the way.
the way.
the way.
ELA is the way.
hmmmm....
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A hiatus!
Oh it has been awhile since I've been able to post!
For now a quick note: The show, How To Eat Like a Child opens next week! The production is Thursday at 230 and 6pm, then Friday at 7pm.
The kids (and adults) have been working so hard to do justice to the show, and after tonight's rehearsal, I think we will do just that!
The perfect test? An early preview Monday at 6pm! We will be performing for the Superintendent and about 50 or so members of the Irving Advisory Group. The Musical Director, Greg Allen, and I are presenting 1 scene and 2 musical numbers: How To Eat Like A Child, Sayonara, and I'm thinking I'll do the "How to Ride in a Car."
Wish us all "Break a Leg!!!"
For now a quick note: The show, How To Eat Like a Child opens next week! The production is Thursday at 230 and 6pm, then Friday at 7pm.
The kids (and adults) have been working so hard to do justice to the show, and after tonight's rehearsal, I think we will do just that!
The perfect test? An early preview Monday at 6pm! We will be performing for the Superintendent and about 50 or so members of the Irving Advisory Group. The Musical Director, Greg Allen, and I are presenting 1 scene and 2 musical numbers: How To Eat Like A Child, Sayonara, and I'm thinking I'll do the "How to Ride in a Car."
Wish us all "Break a Leg!!!"
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