Happy Friday everyone. I hope everyone had a relaxing break and is ready for iPad deployment on
Monday!!!!! That’s right, I said iPad deployment on Monday. How we have arrived at this point has
been full of twists and turns and even the occasional ups and downs. Regardless of the path, we are
now here. I first want to thank everyone who has helped out along the way. I want to thank everyone
who has been patient as we have had to make changes along away from the original plan(s). I want to
thank everyone who has bought into the district initiative of recognizing the need to transform the
teaching and learning here at the Middle School. I also want to thank everyone who has given up time
either during the summer or this school year to educate themselves about transformational teaching
and learning and making sure this transition is a smooth one for the students.
And if you are wondering, the students are extremely excited about getting their hands on the devices
next week. At each of our three information nights, there were students who were so excited about
what they were about to get that they took over for their parents as they were entering information for
their Apple IDs because the parent was taking too long. For me, this is why we are doing this. Trends,
programs, buzzwords all come and go in education. If you stay in the profession long enough, the same programs and buzzwords seem to recycle every 10 years. However, in my 12 years in education, I have never seen students this excited about anything school related that didn’t involve a snow day or Mr. List getting pied in the face. Next week, when things are a little rocky and not running smoothly, remember that the students are excited about the changes that are happening.
As exciting as this is for some, I recognize for others, this is a nervous time. I fully appreciate the fact
that this is going to be a tremendous shift for some of us. At any time you are feeling overwhelmed or
helpless, contact me and I will make sure and provide you with the supports you need to make this
transition a smooth one.
Even though we are starting this endeavor with 6th graders only, there are ways that we can all get
involved. Please continue to share ideas with grade-level colleagues and if you feel you have something you want to share with everyone, let me know so we can get the word out. We are also going to need everyone’s help making sure this transition goes smoothly. Attached are the Technology Matrix and the iPad Expectations, Routines and Procedures. Please help us monitor that the expectations are being met as students transition from location to location. Once again, thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this point. Have a great weekend and remember on Monday to break up your OODA!!!
Monday!!!!! That’s right, I said iPad deployment on Monday. How we have arrived at this point has
been full of twists and turns and even the occasional ups and downs. Regardless of the path, we are
now here. I first want to thank everyone who has helped out along the way. I want to thank everyone
who has been patient as we have had to make changes along away from the original plan(s). I want to
thank everyone who has bought into the district initiative of recognizing the need to transform the
teaching and learning here at the Middle School. I also want to thank everyone who has given up time
either during the summer or this school year to educate themselves about transformational teaching
and learning and making sure this transition is a smooth one for the students.
And if you are wondering, the students are extremely excited about getting their hands on the devices
next week. At each of our three information nights, there were students who were so excited about
what they were about to get that they took over for their parents as they were entering information for
their Apple IDs because the parent was taking too long. For me, this is why we are doing this. Trends,
programs, buzzwords all come and go in education. If you stay in the profession long enough, the same programs and buzzwords seem to recycle every 10 years. However, in my 12 years in education, I have never seen students this excited about anything school related that didn’t involve a snow day or Mr. List getting pied in the face. Next week, when things are a little rocky and not running smoothly, remember that the students are excited about the changes that are happening.
As exciting as this is for some, I recognize for others, this is a nervous time. I fully appreciate the fact
that this is going to be a tremendous shift for some of us. At any time you are feeling overwhelmed or
helpless, contact me and I will make sure and provide you with the supports you need to make this
transition a smooth one.
Even though we are starting this endeavor with 6th graders only, there are ways that we can all get
involved. Please continue to share ideas with grade-level colleagues and if you feel you have something you want to share with everyone, let me know so we can get the word out. We are also going to need everyone’s help making sure this transition goes smoothly. Attached are the Technology Matrix and the iPad Expectations, Routines and Procedures. Please help us monitor that the expectations are being met as students transition from location to location. Once again, thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this point. Have a great weekend and remember on Monday to break up your OODA!!!