Pamela Clark of Coyote Springs shares how classrooms have been transformed at her school. Classrooms and hallways may be empty at times because students are engaged in authentic real-world learning environments. Coyote Springs is shifting learning to produce 21st Century students who are competent in Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity.
Saddle Mountain Unified School District leaders discussed the district's "digital conversion" during an interactive session Thursday. Dr. Mark Joraanstad, superintendent, said Saddle Mountain recognized the fact that students today are being prepared for jobs in the 2050s and beyond - so they need exposure to technologies. But the district needed to look at technology equally with content and teacher- and student-needs.
"The devices are tools, but we need to embed it in a culture of caring," Dr. "J" said.
The district's digital offerings include Chromebooks for students and teachers, document cameras, projectors, traveling iPad carts at schools and Google Apps.
The conversion started with a vision, along with a team, a plan and good communication with families. Infrastructure evaluation was critical, as well, he said.
Information about the tools can be found at amiss.me/gafesamr.
Nobody said school law was easy! Superintendents and board members role played through a few vignettes from the three day summer and fall "Law Academies" run by The Trust, a consortium of legal representatives for school districts.
The High School Golden Bell Winner is Morenci High School's Paw Express, a student catering club, created to provide quality lunch options in a remote copper mining town and to give students real world experience in the food service industry. Fourteen percent of the student body participate in the program led by Culinary Arts Instructor Sherry Carbajal. She believes the hands-on learning is key, not only to providing opportunities after high school, but in giving students a sense of pride and family, leading to life-long memories.
Since 2001, the all-volunteer HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) teams have responded to the aftermath of crises and disasters ranging from individual traumas to large-scale emergencies. Response teams comfort people after school shootings, hurricanes, fires, accidents, and more. The organization provides comfort free of charge in the time of crisis, and can be reached at 1-877-HOPE-K9s and www.hopeaacr.org.
New board members learn about their varied roles and responsibilities.
Congratulations to ASBA Treasurer Linda Lyon, President-elect Julie Bacon, and Secretary Lawrence Robinson.
