Thursday, October 05, 2006

CES Experience

Breaking Ranks II and a trip to Denver

This article was published in the October issue of Principal's Hotline - The newsletter for the members of the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals
Association website http://www.kassp.org/

I was fortunate enough to be part of the Breaking Ranks II training a year ago. At this time it has not had a major effect on our school, but it has led me in a direction that I would like to share with you. Before I start, I do want to qualify this a bit. Anytime I share a new discovery, I have the gnawing feeling that I am telling a story that everyone has already heard. I hope that is not the case. With that said, I will continue.

In my work life I have found it helpful to see what a project will look like before I start. I joke with my colleagues that when they are explaining something to me, to tell me the end first and then start their story. Obviously I am a global learner. After I had completed the Breaking Ranks II training I became interested in where the body of work came from, what schools already had put the philosophy in place, and who was this fellow Ted Sizer that wrote the forward to the Breaking II Ranks publication. I knew Sizer was affiliated with Brown University that is in Rhode Island, and I also knew that Rhode Island was trying to do some innovative work in their schools.

When you plug Ted Sizer into Google a number of names and topics keep popping up. These include Deborah Meier, Dennis Littky, a number of books and finally an organization called The Coalition of Essential Schools (CES). I started my research by reading the Horace Trilogy by Sizer (Horace’s Compromise, Horace’s Hope and Horace’s School). Amazon’s used book one click ordering became very familiar. I finished the Horace Trilogy off on Saturdays between volleyball matches in the fall. When wrestling started, I added Deborah Meier, Dennis Littky and last spring George Wood to my reading.

As I read their work I also wrote a few letters and emails to Deborah Meier (she is my favorite) and George Wood. Dr. Wood is the principal at a high school called Federal-Hocking in Stewart, Ohio. He has written about his work and the influence of the Coalition of Essential Schools on his high school in his book A Time to Learn. The internet is an amazing thing. Deborah and George answered my correspondence. George asked me to call him on the phone! We have talked twice and exchanged a number of emails. Through our conversations George suggested I attend a Coalition of Essential Schools summer workshop. Last summer it was in Denver.

Now I will get to the part of the story I should have told you at the beginning (especially if you are a global learner). My school board provided a car, gas and meals. The registration was on me and a local grant paid for my room for the five days. Schools that presented at this workshop had names like - Leadership High School (San Francisco), The Met (Providence, Rhode Island), Urban Academy and School of the Future (New York). Topics of the workshop included Fairness Committees, The Advisory Experience and Learning through Internships. I also attended a Critical Friends meeting that used a specific discussion protocol to discuss heterogeneous grouping. When was the last time you discussed equity in the classroom? I am embarrassed to say I had not had that experience until this summer. Democracy at school? That is something that had taken a back seat at our high school. I take responsibility for that, but I am going to work to change our system.

I have been to a number of workshops during my tenure as a teacher and now as a principal. I wished we would have taken a car load of educators to Denver so we could have processed it on the return home. There is a quiet confidence by the membership of CES that they are getting it right. Many of the buzz words you hear such as demonstrated learning, student as worker, teacher as coach, depth of coverage (instead of width), integrated teaching and learning - they are not just talking about it, they are doing it. They also understand the role trust and knowing each student well plays in school. The workshop was overwhelming, but it was also inspiring and refreshing. I was so inspired, I tried to hire on with School of the Future (who wouldn’t want to work at School of the Future? Now that would be hard to beat!) Unfortunately, they have no openings at this time.

My immediate goal of this article is to pique your interest in this group. If you are like me and did not know about the writers I mentioned, I encourage you to check them out.
I think their writing and philosophy will challenge your thinking about your work (for those of you that were keenly aware of these people, please do not point and laugh the next time you see me).

I should also add that I contacted Lewis Cohen, Executive Director of The Coalition of Essential Schools, about their involvement in the Breaking Ranks II work. He said they were not directly involved as an organization, but there were participating principals from their member schools.

As one grant writer mentioned to me a few weeks ago, school reform has become passé’.
In my opinion the only group that is talking about school reform in Kansas is the KASSP. I encourage you to keep that fire burning. I have a couple of immediate ideas I am going to pilot this year that I picked up from the Coalition Workshop (Quick Wins ….as Breaking Ranks mentions). I will keep you posted on how they work out. Have a great school year.
–Keith Hall
Stockton High School
Stockton, Kansas

Reference websites:

http://www.essentialschools.org/ http://www.forumforeducation.org/

http://www.deborahmeier.com/ http://www.federalhocking.k12.oh.us/

http://www.nsrfharmony.org/

To: Principal Advisory Committee Members 12/26/06
From: Keith Hall
Re: Things to think about – comment on

I hope you are having a GREAT vacation.

I want to mention again that your role on this advisory committee is to help me have a better understanding about decisions that may need to be made pertaining to our high school. I told the group the other day the idea was to make me smarter, but there may not be enough time to fully accomplish that goalJ. I do appreciate you taking time to be part of this committee.

I am not sure we will have time to discuss all of the items I will mention below, but if you have ideas/thoughts/comments about it when we return to school you can let me know what you think. Sometimes I am difficult to catch so if that is not working share your thoughts with Mrs. Gier. I am also going to include this information on a blog website so you can place your comments electronically (if you prefer). Feel free to share any of this information with your classmates. The blog site is an experiment so we will see how it goes.

Consensus
When we meet again I will ask Mrs. Gier to work a little more with us on the Fist to Five consensus model. I was glad there was someone on staff that had worked with it before.
We use a little different system in our faculty meetings, but we may eventually move to this system. I know some of you missed the meeting, but we will talk about it again.

8 man football
Please pass the word we are in the discussion stage (nothing has been decided) about going to eight-man football. This would be for the 2008-2009 school year. The junior high is looking at it because of smaller numbers. If the junior high starts to play eight-man football my recommendation would be for the high school to do it also. In my opinion there will be a number of schools in our league and the Northwest Kansas League that will be playing eight man football in the next four years. I would recommend we get a jump on it. If we do end up playing eight man it should not affect our league affiliation in the MCL. If you have thoughts on it you can let Coach Clark or me know.

Security Cameras
We are starting to talk about security cameras for the interior and exterior of our high school. The reason for it is student safety and overall school safety. There is no timeline on this idea.

Be an Eleven Program/Drawing
The first semester of the Be an 11 program went well. There were 365 nominations for the drawing on 12/22. We spent $500 on prizes. We will need to decide what we will do in the spring. Traditionally, the seniors get out of school early. I think it is important we have a drawing on the last day of school (like the program is designed). Do we want to split the $500 four ways and have a separate drawing for the seniors on their last day (what I mean is buy four prizes…. one prize specifically for the seniors)? Do we draw for 2 prizes with Grades 9-11 and one prize for the seniors? Are there other options? I will consult with Student Council on this topic too. Also, I should mention all the rules for the drawing.

1. You must be present to win.
2. All discipline must be caught up (no detentions or ISS’s overdue)
3. If you win the drawing for one of the early prizes you can “trade up” for a better prize (if your name is drawn again). Then we redraw for the prize you left. (I forgot to mention this rule the other day…I’m lucky no one was drawn twice).

In closing I want to mention that the Be an 11 drawing is a culminating event -a celebration to commemorate all of the great things that students do throughout the semester. The prizes are fun, but they pale by comparison to the power students have to make Stockton High School a great place. The other fun thing is I got to wear the Santa Hat and my festive lights at the same time.
Prizes were paid for by the Dick Jakoplic fund. -Charles and Margaret Jakoplic, Bridgewater, NJ; Dr. Jon Hauxwell and the class of 1966, Jack Reed of Englewood Florida (a long time friend of Dick) and Kathryn Kinstler of Somerville, NJ (a high school friend of Dick).
As Dick used to say, “Who says school isn’t fun?”

Dress code appeals committee
The dress code appeals committee will look at the dress code as it is listed in the high school handbook. I would like for you to do the same. Mrs. Billinger and Mr. North are the faculty representatives on this committee. At this time no one has appealed a dress code decision. (I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing). Here is a copy of the dress code as it is listed in the handbook:

Appearance does affect the learning atmosphere of school. Neatness, decency, and good taste are emphasized as guidelines for the understanding and interpretation of this dress code. This code is not intended to work a financial hardship upon you or your family. Neatness and good taste, not expensive clothing, are emphasized.
You should dress appropriately for the situation. Cleanliness, neatness, and simplicity of dress should serve as your major guidelines.
1. Your appearance must be neat and clean.
a. Your hair must be clean and well groomed and should not obscure your vision.
b. Your facial hair must be trimmed and maintained.
c. Your clothing must not be unreasonably soiled, badly worn or torn.
2. Decency and good taste are required.
a. You should always wear shoes. (Sandals are acceptable)
b. You may wear shorts. They are to be hemmed and come down to the fingertips with your arms extended.
c. You may wear coats and jackets in the classroom, under the discretion of
the teacher or principal.
3. The following shall not be worn:
a. cutoffs or cut-outs
b. spaghetti straps or tube tops
c. mesh shirts or pants, including tights
d. clothing that bares the midriff and /or back
e. clothing that is excessively short, excessively tight, or excessively low-cut.
f. Jeans or pants that are worn excessively low on the hips.
g. jeans or pants that are not hemmed
h. hats, caps or headwear
i. clothing containing objectionable terms, such as the following:
(1) that which is profane or obscene
(2) that which indicates or makes reference to tobacco, illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, obscene language, or violent acts.
j. That which is determined to contain a double meaning concerning the subjects outlined in (1) and (2) above.
k. That which is considered not appropriate by community standard as determined by the high school principal.
l. sunglasses
4. You may wear tank tops with at least 2” wide shoulder straps. The underarm of the shirt must come up to the armpit and front and back of shirt cannot be lower than the bottom of the armhole.
5. Shirts must be at least even with the top of pants when standing. (If the principal decides the shirt is too short he may chose to provide a T-shirt for the student to wear until the end of the day.)
6. Overalls may be worn but both straps must be worn over the shoulders.
7. You may wear hats and sunglasses to activities held outside; i.e. football games and track meets. Hats may be worn to away games at sponsor’s discretion. Hats may not be worn at home or away indoor events.
8. Dress Code requirements may be waved for formal attire or at the discretion of the principal.
This dress code also applies to after school-sponsored activities both on or off-site. When your dress or appearance is inappropriate for school, the office will attempt to contact your parent/guardian. Your parents will be asked to bring your clothes to school or you may be sent home to change. If you are sent home, you may be unexcused for all classes you miss and will receive a detention. When you represent Stockton High School in extracurricular activities, you will conform to the personal appearance codes as prescribed by the sponsors of each activity.

A Time to Learn Study group
Our high school staff has been participating in a Professional Learning Group.
As a staff, we are reading A Time to Learn by George Wood. We meet in the morning twice a month to talk about what we have read. We are setting the foundation for a discussion about the direction we want to move as a school (or as George Wood calls his school – a learning community). If you would like some background information on this topic go to http://www.essentialschools.org/. One KEY concept that George talks about is high schools should not only be a place to learn about democracy – it should be a place where students PARTICIPATE in democracy. The committee you are on is a start in that direction for our learning community. If you would like more information please see me.

You can refer to the blog site at: http://highschoolprincipal.blogspot.com/
(You will need to scroll down to find my latest post).

--K. Hall