Exploring Innovation at "E"

Innovation has become a word used frequently in the world of education.  This past week a parent asked me specifically about the purpose of innovation in schools and what it meant specifically for Eminence Independent Schools.  I realized that I needed to do a better job communicating the purpose of our work as a District of Innovation.  This post is not one that encompasses everything there is to be known about innovation, but one that hopefully gives you some insight on the purpose.  The online Merriam's Webster dictionary states that innovation is a new idea, device, or method and the act or process of introducing new ideas, devices, or methods.  The School on F.I.R.E (Framework of Innovation to Reinvent Education) is committed to a focus on designing instruction that personalizes learning for your student at Eminence. The work at Eminence Independent encompasses a variety of new methods that focus on the work of innovation from the ACES (Apple Computers for Eminence Students) that allow personalization of learning to our newest PBL (Project Based Learning Classroom) known as UNLOCK that embeds Language Arts, History, and Technology into one course focused on partnering with others to change lives in third world countries.  I am including a video to show this concept.  This is one of my all time favorite videos, as it demonstrates how innovation stems from motivation and the impact achieved as a result. This is a must see.

Landfill Harmonic

Innovation is exciting and can have impacts beyond anything ever imagined.  It is about changing our focus and delivery methods within the system of education. Unlike the education most of us experienced, the desire is that our students become critical thinkers that have the capacity to Change the World, one project at a time. They are learning through real-world experiences that embed critical thinking, problem-solving, and a student driven activities. It is different, difficult at times, yet amazingly fruitful.  Follow our first PBL classroom and our UNLOCK project through Jennifer Montgomery's blog as she captures the moment she achieved the shift from teacher driven instruction to student driven instruction, it was amazing to hear her excitement as she explained to me what she has written about in her blog shared around "the moment of shift" at http://pblunlock.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-day-to-remember.html?spref=fb.  Enjoy and there will be much more to come!    

Welcome 2014-2015! The Transition Back!

Greetings! It has arrived and I am extremely excited to have all the student and teacher energy back in our building! The first week back to school is one that is exciting and overwhelming at times for our students, families, and our staff.  I ask you to join us in, "Making it Meaningful" at Eminence this year for our Warriors!

While this transition back to the school year can be challenging there are a few things you can do at home to help with transition.  Here are some ideas:

• Set and outline routines for your Warrior/s early.  This should include what happens on a soccer/football practice night versus one with no activities, TV/computer playing time and when it is permitted or not, and even hygiene preparation (shower at night or in am).
• Homework Time, provide a workspace that will allow them to focus and practice skills and thinking sent home by teachers as we are striving to make it meaningful this school year.
• Get plenty of rest.  It is so hard to get those Warriors in bed, but in order to have the best and most meaningful learning experience they need their rest.
• Prepare clothing, lunch boxes, and backpacks as needed for the following day to save time in the morning routines. 
• Eat breakfast at home or school to get our Warriors ready for the day of learning ahead. 

Remember, you know your family best and these are only suggestions to support you and your learner. Another key to your Warrior's success is communicating with teachers and staff.  Our focus is always our students and if there are celebrations or struggles they are dealing with, please let us know and allow us to partner along with you to help create the best Warrior possible for your student.
Ways "E" can support your Warrior:

• Teachers are our first responders in the classroom when it comes to any academic needs.  Our ICE program (Interventions, Connections, Enrichment) are designed to provide support and extensions as needed to achieve a personalized learning experience for your learner.   
• Our new full-time Guidance Counselor will begin working with our students in the next few days.  This is an exciting time for us as the Board of Education supported our request and desire to have a full-time Guidance Counselor for our students.  
• Our FRYSC (Family Resource Youth Service Center) Coordinator, Debbie Hartford and our Homeless Liaison, Alethea Coffee have the capacity to service a variety of needs for our students.  These two have the capacity to partner and provide a variety of services to meet any need that may arise.  
• Tom Daughtery, our District DPP (Director of Pupil Personnel) works to make sure all of our students are here learning everyday.  If you experience situations where you need support in getting your Warrior to school, feel free to contact Mr. Daughtery.

You are always welcome to call, stop-by, or e-mail our staff for any information or insight that you might need.  Our e-mails are all, firstname.lastname@eminence.kyschools.us and I encourage you to communicate with us on anything you feel pertinent to your students social, emotional, or academic well-being.  I am looking forward to a year of "Making it Meaningful" with our WARRIORS.

Welcome Back!

Shannon Treece

I DISAGREE...

The last four days...included some interesting happenings.  There are always incidents around schools that create plenty of reasons for many people to find all that is wrong with the world.  Many people on the outside can provide a liteny of excuses why education is spiraling out of control and how kids these days are just never going to get what this world is getting ready to hand them.  I DISAGREE.  The last four days I spent  an extensive amount of time with a group of 24 senior students from Eminence Independent High School on thier Senior Trip to Memphis and I witnessed the opposite.

The last four days revealed much more than I will ever be able to articulate in this written documentation, but it is important enough for to make an attempt.  The world tells us how bad our children have become and today I write to state differently. The last four days I witnessed 24 young adults who enjoyed their senior trip and demonstrated a positive attitude despite the fact that many of them have plenty of reasons to do the opposite.  They chose happiness.  They chose contentment. They chose patience.  They chose responsible behavior.  The last four days were NOT, just another four days in the field of education.  These 24 young adults impacted my week beyond measure and revealed the true DNA of a Warrior.

No, they didn't pass a MAP or KPREP test, master a Common Core standard, or solve a major school issue.  What they demonstrated was more important than any of those components in education.  I see it so often and take it forgranted, but today I vowed I would take the time to compose and share what I witnessed these last four days.  This trip was about  them. It was their senior trip, it was about them  making memories that they will hold onto for a lifetime.  It is a trip that has been months in the planning for them to enjoy.  It was NOT just another trip.

These twenty-four young adults took in every experience from the tour bus driver who was certainly quirky, to a multitude of tours including Opry Mills Hotel, Parthenon in Nashville, Sun Studio's, Rock and Soul, Graceland, Beale Street, Mud Island, Memphis Zoo, Stax Studio/Museum, Civil Rights Museum, to their experience on Beale Street.  These twenty-four students demonstrated the feeling of family that we often talk about at Eminence, but don't always document and capture.  They looked out for each other, were respectful to each other and anyone they interacted with, and showed appreciation for each moment they experienced.  One young lady found her love for Elvis and I can say emphatically that I saw this young lady smile more than I ever have in a consective four days.  This experience went well beyond Common Core, KPREP, and MAP and reminded me what education is truly about and the importance of experiences beyond assessments.

I learned a few things:
1.  I am getting old, not totally there...but the fact that I could hang with them all day and could not make it beyond 10:00 confirmed my youth is slowly dwindling.  It made me appreciate their energy and the need for them to make the world turn for my future.
2.  Me being old did not hinder or prevent 24 students from learning and it gave me a wonderful opportunity to appreciate youth beyond the walls of a school building.
3. Watching memories made by youth makes your heart beat strong! When I saw the evidence of these 24 students jumping in the pool with their clothes on, it was entertaining knowing they will talk about this at their 20 year reunion!
4.  You can take a trip with high school students that is fun and drug/alcohol free.  I am so proud of them for their responsible behavior.  It shows thier true class character.
5.  Life is really an amazing journey and I am glad I got to share four days with 24 of the most respectful leaders that will graduate from Eminence High School this year as the Class of 2014.

This group of seniors are preparing to leave our school and move into their very own next chapter and I have to share something...they made my week and I will miss their leadership. To those who think this generation has nothing to offer and they are underprepared and disrespectful...I DISAGREE! They have more to offer than we take time to stop, witness, and appreciate.  I am thankful to serve these students.  They are amazing people who are going to serve you and I in the near future and I believe they will make the world a better place!

Never forget Memphis, let Room 206 always be a reminder that, "You can kill the dreamer, but you can never kill the dream."

 Thank YOU Class of 2014 for a wonderful Senior Trip experience! 

Warrior Leadership: Another Example of Eminence Excellence

Eminence earned a unique status last year in Kentucky.  We were one of four approved Districts of Innovation by the Kentucky Departiment of Education.  This status is built upon a multitude of  opporunities that support our students in achieving World Class Knowledge and Skills, College and Career Readines, and Next Generation skills that will set our Warriors apart from other graduates upon their next chapter in life. These three areas of focus are outlined specifically in our Eminence Excellence documents that determine at each grade level the skills in each area that our students will experience.  Embedded in the document are clearly articulated experiences that require the students to work beyond the classroom experience to achieve the status of "Eminence Excellence" as a Warrior.

This week yet another opportunity that fulfilled a requirement for some students while evoking the true spirit that makes Eminence School such a special place.  A group of 18 high school students put on a career fair for the elementary students in 2nd through 5th grade.  We had a variety of careers covered including: a neonatal nurse, musicians, artists, an athletic trainer, engineering, paleontologist, a firefighter, make-up artist, military representation and an American Sign Language interpretor. Again, I reiterate these were high school students in grades 9-12 who were staging a career fair for elementary students to learn about college and career readiness.  They brought hands on activities to engage them at their presentations and were excited to serve in their community. It was amazing. These are students who were not required to complete an activity for class, they are students who desire to make a difference in the lives of students in a school that has grown them into unique and incredible individuals.  Again, it was amazing.

We never know in a school how an event may turn out as various factors impact outcomes on a daily, hourly, and minute by minute basis.  This specific event provided an instant reminder of how much potential our children have if we can have the courage to turn them loose.  This project was introduced to the students as just an opportunity if they were passionate about a career and were willing to share what it takes to achieve their dream career.  Those who committed did so with an understanding that they would design their showcase on their own time and be fully prepared the day of the presentation.  That was it.  Their responsibility fully.  I was nervous...no reason to be, but I was...I should know better.

In a District of Innovation our work looks different at times and our student involvment continues to move to a different level with each experience.  Be proud of your Warriors, they truly are impressive!    

A Secret Revealed

Carts of MacBook Pros being presented to staff and students after a game-show experience where everybody won. 

"Surprise & Delights" are an incredible feeling for everyone involved in the moment.  In a moment of true "Surprise & Delight", wishes came true last Thursday afternoon in a small gym that serves a community with a tradition built on Excellence.  Eminence Excellence.  What I was priveleged to witness in that moment at Eminence Independent Schools, was a genuine excitement validated by outrageous screams from students, smiles that extended from one ear to the other, and tears streaming down the faces of both staff and students.  A moment that I will not soon forget.  The moment that Eminence Independent Schools went 1:1 with MacBook Pros from grades 3-12, pushing all other ipads and devices down to lower grades.

It was in that moment that a foundational pillar in the School on FIRE (Framework of Innovation to Reinvent Education) became real, the ability to personalize learning for every child in every class was no longer a dream, but a reality.  The reality that we have the ability to differentiate instruction for the various needs of the students we serve is exciting and life changing.  The efficiency by which we deliver interventions, connections, and enrichement (ICE) will continue to improve the quality of the Eminence Excellence we live by daily. The tool of technolgy provides access to learning tools and information that will support the rigorous teaching our staff demonstrates daily and exponentially increase thier ability to meet the learning needs of every student, everyday.  

We are learning continuously from the implementation of the ACES (Apple Computers for Eminence Students) program in the high school two years ago.  This learning has been invaluable in the   strategic implemenation of devices into our middle school.  We are striving to effectively integrate the use of technology while holding to the high standards of Eminence Excellence we expect of our students.  We continue to learn and improve our work daily and we hope you will join us as we embark on a journey to provide anywhere learning for the students served by Eminence Independent Schools.  

The enhancement of educational opportunities for the students served by Eminence Independent Schools is not a new concept, instead one that has built the school a reputation of EXCELLENCE.  A reputation that will continue to make you proud as our ideas and work with students are moving into a level beyond anything we have ever imagined.  The best is yet to come at Eminence Independent Schools!  

"Once a WARRIOR, Always a WARRIOR!"  

Rejuvenating Reading at our School on FIRE--Success with our Warriors in the 8th Grade

The ability to read is critical for the success of all students.  Eminence strives daily to provide more meaningful reading experiences for our students.  Last summer we took the opportunity to implement a new idea that seems to have made a positive impact on our students motivating them to read more for the enjoyment of reading versus an accumulation of points.  Our focus on success has required us to reflect on our current practice and make necessary adjustment to continually improve the Warrior educational experience within FIRE (Framework of Innovation to Reinvent Education). 

Mrs. Jennifer Montgomery, our Rockstar 7^th and 8^th grade teacher wrote the information below to share with you some of the background ideas, implementation, and statistical results for you to review. 

EXCITEMENT

This past summer, Eminence 8^th graders took part in a reading program created by the school’s McKinney-Vento Coordinator. As a part of the program, students self-selected 5 books that looked interesting to them but were also in their lexile range (based on their most recent MAP reading scores), and one of those books was mailed to students throughout the summer about every 8 days.  Students who admitted to reading ANY of the books over the summer saw growth in their MAP reading scores when they took the MAP test the first week of August.

In an effort to continue this success, in August 7^th graders self-selected books in their lexile range and have been receiving a new book every few weeks since school started.  When these students took the MAP reading test in December, the results were astonishing: 80% saw an increase in their scores! While scores don’t mean everything and these students also received a lot of instruction between August and December, we can’t help but believe that their independent reading had a lot to do with their growth and success as well. Below are responses from 7^th grade students when asked about the project in an anonymous survey. 

Since this project, have your habits changed and are you more of a reader now, waiting to get the next book?

87% Yes, I can say that I honestly read more

At any point in this project, have you talked to a family member about a book or did they read a book with you?

            49% Yes

At any point during the day, other than language arts class, did you talk about the book you were reading to a friend or teacher?

74% Yes

Have you enjoyed getting to have your OWN books?

95% Yes

Do you feel like you will take your MAP assessment more seriously knowing that the data is used to determine your reading and comprehension level?

            40% I always take MAP seriously

            60% Yes, I will take MAP more seriously because I see the data is used to help me.

0% I will not take MAP seriously

List 5 adjectives that describe how this book initiative has made you feel about reading:

-       overwhelmed, jacked, happy, happy, happy

-       excited, flabbergasted, elated, happy, stoked

-       excited, happy, thrilled, stoked, joyful

-       excited, happy, jacked, surprised, speechless

Describe how receiving books that were self-selected and on your lexile level has helped you as a reader.

-       It helped me read in a fun way

-       It has made me read more types of books

-       I wasn’t overwhelmed by reading something too hard or too easy

-       The books I’ve gotten so far have helped me very much in reading and in being a better writer

-       It really inspired me to explore the world of books in a new way

-       They have helped me increase my reading times

This information will allow us to continue to grow our program and focus on the student needs and desires in regard to student reading supports.  It is amazing how being willing to take a risk and approach learning differently, has resulted in such an incredible change among our students in regard to reading. 

We hope that you will ask your son/daughter what books they have read lately and what they learned, enjoyed, and were surprised about in the books they have read.  It is a great way to open conversation with your child and build your relationship while supporting academics. 

We thank Jennifer Montgomery and Alethea Coffee for their passion to create this opportunity for our WARRIORS, implementing the program fully, and following through with data to hear student voice in the work.  Eminence is moving forward in many ways and this is one specific example that we hope you have enjoyed learning about and gives you more insight into the work we are doing as a School on FIRE!    

The Giving Warriors, Real Examples

There are many very special young ladies and gentlemen that attend Eminence Independent, one young lady that I have had the privilege to watch in action is Emily Coomes.  This young lady is an inspiration to me daily.  I often admire her tenacity, focus, and passion for service to others.  She is involved in numerous extracurricular activities including representing the Warriors on the Volleyball Team.  People who state that young people these days are self-centered and irresponsible; haven't visited Eminence Middle/High School, they would quickly see different here in this very special place.  Emily agreed to share about the experience she is having in a Kindergarten classroom.  Keep reading to read her written synopsis that describes her experience in this classroom and her desires for the future.  

"Recently, I have had the opportunity to work in Mrs. McMillian’s kindergarten class. While I do whatever she needs me to do, I mainly work with one particular special needs student. I help him write, complete work, understand what is happening and together we do, teach, and learn sign language. We have done the weekly sight words, the alphabet, and colors. Working with him has been a blessing. He has taught me just as much or more than I have taught him and more than just sign language. Being with the kindergarteners has shown me that teaching is the right department for me, and also opened my eyes to another field I want to pursue. I plan to attend a university with an elementary education major and either a minor or double major in American Sign Language."

Our children truly are our future and can change the world, I believe they will.  Yesterday we had 300+ students offer two hands to help beautify the city.  In two hours our students picked up 53 bags of garbage and were asking if we could do this regularly to help keep the city cleaner.  There were two middle school students who informed me that they were going home to clean their own subdivision streets as soon as they got home (they asked if they could have the two extra trash bags that we had not used while we were out).  Eminence residents should be proud of the students that attend school here, they have pride in this community are willing to make the community better, a mindset that most communities can only wish for...Eminence has achieved.  The Warrior Way is ALIVE and thriving!  

Thanks to Emily Coomes for her willingness to share a glimpse into her future desires and for inspiring those having the privilege to watch her on her journey.  Be proud Eminence!