And…http://boadams1.posterous.com/jh-art-exhibit-opens
Student Art at High Museum and Broyles
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Bringing into Focus: Work at Unboundary
This week, through some email exchange and a face-to-face meeting, I was able to adjust the focus ring and sharpen my view on my sabbatical work at Unboundary. By splicing together a few of the email threads, I explain here a bit more about my intentions and excitements regarding this amazing sabbatical opportunity I am afforded.
Thank you. And thanks to all of the team that is helping this happen. The re:purposed plan sounds ideal! Here is my bullet summary/restatement to make sure I am on same page…
* my primary “internship” will be around Unboundary’s evolution work. [Tod: The modification would be that, as appropriate and possible, I’d like to involve you in the work going on around the evolution of Unboundary itself. I think engaging with that work, combined with what you’ll observe of our work with clients, you’ll get a sense of how Unboundary is harnessing design thinking to help companies and organizations rethink their purpose and pursue higher trajectories.]* my secondary work will be around TEDxAtlanta – Creativity. [Tod: Jenn Graham will know to pull you in on TEDxAtlanta, as will Dawn Gahan. I think you know Jenn well from your time on the TEDx stage; Dawn is our central nervous system — Traffic Director — and knows everything that is happening in the office at all times. Three people will share the lead on “immersing” you: those people are David Cannon, who is executive director of creative intelligence; Chuck Reece, who is creative director of content; and Jamey Aiken, who is creative director of design.]* the one other variable in the mix is Logan Smalley’s work on TED ED.
In three short weeks (my other sabbatical time will be spent researching and visiting other schools), I think this is a great portion size on my plate. Further, I think the learning in these two domains may prove perfect for what I hope to exchange among Unboundary, education and Westminster.
[Screenshot of Unboundary website:]
Junior High End-of-Year & JH Celebration 2010-11
February 22, 2011
Dear Junior High School Parents:
With this note, I bring you updates and news about two topics: 1) revisions made to the schedule for the final week of school, May 23-27, 2011, as a result of the “snowcation” that occurred January 10-14, 2011; and 2) enhancements made to the event formerly known as “Junior High School Honors Day,” which is newly named “Junior High School Celebration.”
Final Week of School, May 23-27, 2011
As you know, because of icy conditions during the week of January 10-14, 2011, Westminster was forced to cancel school. While we have added Monday, April 25, 2011 to the school-day calendar, I do not believe that this single day can replace the lost instructional time as a result of “snowcation.” Consequently, after much discussion with the Junior High School PAWS representatives and the school administration, the Junior High is altering our spring “exam week” and reclaiming several more class rotations.
Below you will find the schedule for May 23-27, 2011, loaded into a Scribd viewing screen. Instead of using May 23-27 for traditional exams, we will use half-days, Monday through Thursday, to recapture lost instructional time. Essentially, we are adapting final exams to final tests, which will fit into 50-55 minute classes, just as tests normally do in the Junior High. We will take special care to space out these final tests, so that students will not experience more than two tests in a single day. Because we are adapting exam week, we will not need an extended “review week” during May 16-20. Review for tests will occur as it normally does. In other words, the week of May 16-20 will operate as does any other normal week of school. As an additional benefit of this adaptation of the final two weeks of school (in the Junior High alone), students will be able to review their final assessments to continue their learning. This is an improvement over taking a final exam and dismissing for summer. We appreciate your understanding as we implement such a creative solution to losing a week of instruction in January.
2010-11 Revised Schedule for May 23-27, 2011 (for JH)
[due to lost instructional time Jan. 10-14, 2011 – Snow Week]
Enhancements Made to Junior High School Honors Day and Junior High Celebration
In the Junior High School, we enjoy countless moments of informal recognition for the learning, growth, and development that our students experience and demonstrate. These recognitions occur daily as teachers, coaches, directors, and advisors provide students with positive feedback about good decisions, strong thinking, determined effort, and noteworthy achievement. Of course, we offer constructive criticism, too, so that learners can grow from inevitable mistakes.
Formally, we have a number of events and ceremonies designed to provide more public recognition for accomplishments we wish to celebrate as a community. One of these events has been known as Junior High School Honors Day, which has typically occurred in late May each year. After much discussion and thoughtful deliberation, the Junior High is making several enhancements to Junior High School Honors day, which is being renamed Junior High Celebration.
In the video below, I explain the three fundamental changes to Junior High School Honors Day, as well as the anticipated program for our newly formulated Junior High Celebration. Please take a few minutes – 5 minutes and 22 seconds, to be exact – to view the video.
Additionally, I am providing a description of the various awards that will be presented at the Junior High Celebration – these descriptions can be found in the Scribd document below. In coordination with the changes to the final week of school, Junior High Celebration is now scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2011, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., in McCain Chapel of Pressly Hall. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend as we celebrate together as a community.
2010-11 Descriptions of Awards Presented at JH Celebration
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please contact your child’s grade chair, or one of the deans, or Director of Studies Betsy Spruill, or me. As I mention in the video, the next Junior High School Parents Parley with the Principal is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13, and should afford us an opportunity to discuss collectively any questions you have about the final week of school or Junior High Celebration. As you may remember, I am embarking on a sabbatical from March 5 through April 10, so I will be excited to tell you about my experiences when we get together on Wednesday, April 13.
Thank you for your understanding and thoughtful consideration of these changes and enhancements to end-of-school schedules and events. What a blessing to be in partnership with you as we work together to create the most positive and profound learning opportunities for the Junior High students.
Sincerely,
Bo Adams
Common Reading for JH Faculty
Dear Junior High:
Attached are two documents that we will all read together as a JH faculty.
1. The NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)…A Guide to Becoming a School of the Future. [34 pages + great appendices]
2. The SAIS-SACS self-study “21st C Student Learning and Life – Where Are We Going?” section (abridged). [3 pages]
In the near future, we will also have a fabulous one-page version of our vision statement.
Please read both of these documents by April 11. I would encourage all of us to read them both twice before April 11 – perhaps once between now and the ides of March, as well as a re-read between the middle of March and April 11.
Of particular note, in the NAIS document, on page 25, I am inspired by the “eight commonalities [that] exist among the schools that are successfully delivering a 21st century education.” As I have read and re-read them, I think of our JH…I think of you…I think of us. Our story could be amongst these pages thanks to the commitment to learning coursing through this Junior High. While we are walking a path together, we are not at the start of the path; we are well on our way. We are building on countless campfire stories about our learning journey. For that, the credit goes to you.
NAIS COA: A Guide to Becoming a School of the Future
21st C SAIS-SACS – Westminster Vision (Short)
How’s Your Work-Home Balance?
How’s your work-home balance? Personally, I need to improve the scales of my own life. “Trouble” is – I love my work, and much of my work feels like family. But I love my actual family even more.
This 3six5 post really helped my perspective about the work-home balance: http://the3six5.posterous.com/december-31-2010-matt-lindner
Additionally, I viewed this TED talk last night, just before I fell asleep. It’s a great reminder about the balance we need in our lives.
And, finally, I am encouraged by a dear friend to read The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working: The Four Forgotten Needs That Energize Great Performance. I have only just finished chapter one, and it is a comelling start!
it's about learning 