connectedness questions answered

Yesterday I brought up the questions we talked about at our BLT meeting with my team and got some pretty interesting answers. A lot of what we discussed in our meeting came up when my team members answered the questions. I think that the biggest concern for everyone was that we all work so hard and it often feels like we're being pulled in a million different directions that its hard to attend things that would bring us together as a staff unless by doing it we can be relieved of some of our duties, so it essentially comes down to scheduling. Without lighter workloads, it is hard to get staff motivated and willing to take more time out of their day.
With that being said, it seemed to be a consensus that sports do help give staff ways to communicate with one another, especially with people outside of our teams. Its not much, but at least its something

We also talked about ways we could bring the whole school together, more specifically ways in which we could spend time in school with the students that isn't always "I teach, you learn." Some suggestions were to do more staff v. kids games, prefferably not after school. Also hold more pep-rallies and assemblies where we can reward all types of students, the academic students, the athletic students, the students who have great citizenship, etc. A spirit week was also mentioned, and that the kids do deserve more time to just have fun and wear fun or silly clothes. I was thinking that maybe we could set something up for before we leave on christmas break? something with holiday socks and ugly sweaters, but for the entire school.

Anyway that's all I have, I look forward to seeing what everyone else has from their teams!

8 Priciples at Eagle Rock

Alycia brought up the 8 Principles @ Eagle Rock from the book "Engaging the Disengaged" introduction. We all discussed the possible positive implications of moving the culture to one of guiding principles. Penny and others commented on how MS students are at a point where they like to test the boundaries of rules. The principle approach seems to have a higher aim and expectation instead of simply telling kids what they can and can not do. It would be great to have all members of the KMS community aim for a set of principles (IB learner profile seems to make the most sense). We also need to really work on building trust in the building among all members of the KMS community.

Teacher Conectedness Questions

1. In what ways do you feel connected to staff members at KMS?
2. In what ways to you feel connected to staff members that are not content / grade level teams?
3. How can we become more connected as a staff?
4. If you had a concern/question (technology, classroom management, instructional strategies, etc) would you know who to discuss this with and would you feel comfortable approaching them?