Bravo Zulu!
A BIG Bravo Zulu to Team HIPP at Woodside for putting together and delivering a fantastic regional level presentation involving students, technology and data…lots of incredible data for the senior leaders of our area districts. You may not know, but we are part of a conference in Educational Service District #121 named “Alternatives to Suspension & Expulsion”. The ASE had a convening at the ESD headquarters in Renton on Friday, and HIPP was invited to present. They did a great job. I was very proud of Bruce Dearborn and Nancy Carroll for putting together and delivering a full presentation about HIPP. (Dave Hunziker had a part in the planning too, but he wasn’t able to present.) After HIPP Students, Devonte and Jasmine, spoke about how teacher innovation and relations brought them back from the brink of academic disaster, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Nearly 100 leaders from nearby and neighboring districts were in attendance. It was a fascinating and proud morning for HIPP, and our Highline Alternative Programs. Thank you and Bravo Zulu Bruce and Nancy! Well done!
Instructional Point: Learning Out of Class: A day on the Adventuress
I have long been in a camp of teachers who believe most students learn, and learn more, when they are outside of the classroom. In short, my theory is that the only way, any of us, can connect and apply what was taught in a classroom to real life, is going to be in…well, real life! Connection and application is where learning occurs in my view. For sure, the basics can be delivered in classroom settings. However, in order for usable ideas and concepts to “go deep”, our students need to get out of class. My philosophy is shared and practiced by many in our district, from Aviation High School, to Big Picture, PSSC, the Waskowitz folks, and indeed in our own school programs CHOICE and New Start.
This week I spent a day with New Start Students on board the Sailing Ship Adventuress. In a very real life experience our students applied the skills we all teach, and work hard every day for our kids to embrace. Frankly, I was shocked (in the best way) at the transformation I witnessed of whole child on this beautiful learning platform gliding across the waters of Puget Sound.
First, as my small transport boat arrived at the Adventuress anchored a mile offshore, I saw jubilant happy smiling kids to see us, and they were so proud to have us see their newest “classroom” on which they had spent the previous day and night.
Then, I saw instant application of the sciences and biology. I saw our kids naming and identifying species (real creatures in full sight), detailing behaviors and explaining parts of the life cycle in nature. Engineering, math and shear physics in action, through the numbers of analyzing wind speed, directional headings and relative motion (with grease pencils on plastic like I did when I was in the navy) in order to hoist sails to proper heights to get a 100 foot schooner off its anchor from a stationary spot in the middle of the bay. No engine, and in the correct direction we set sail “off the hook”…my former sailor self, again, impressed. Along our way, our students took ample time for reflective writing and verbal sharing of what has been learned throughout the day. Our students could tell the history of the boat, explaining the social belief systems of the multiple eras in maritime history which Adventuress has survived. They learned the stories of the islands, the waterways and natives tribes that inhabited the very beaches and riverheads our kids were looking at, up close and personal.
Then there were the softer skills. A plethora of teamwork, perseverance, communication, planning, leading, taking directions, time management, organization, system alignment, coordinating, and the list goes on. On board the Adventuress I saw students in a light, and the very real working world I have never seen before. They were happier and more engaged than ever. The “look of learning”, excitement and adventure emanated from their individual and collective being. I felt shear bliss watching our student, these cooperative, hard working, inspired and motivated young adults working and learning together.
Over the radio, the captain of a very large passing container ship was admiring our flowing sails and busy crew (our students) as they heaved lines, hoisted sails and passed the jib often while tacking artfully into the wind…our students literally driving the boat. The captain of the passing ship exclaimed over the radio, “Adventuress, you are the most beautiful thing on the water!” It was the “sailor” in his heart. And the Educator in my heart felt the same. My students have found a classroom that was not a classroom. The fantastic day on Adventuress was full of observable learning, growth and development in real life for our students, right where it should be…Learning out of Class. 
More pictures are available at this link: https://plus.google.com/photos/102291583835799800375/albums/5736551902281847457?authkey=CPm2lobBiK-Zdw
More info on the history of the Adventuress and Puget Sound Experience: http://www.soundexp.org/index.php?page=history
Thank you Captain Daniel Evans, Bev Mowrer and all those who have helped in bringing this wonderful experience to life for our kids.
Friday PCT: May 4, 2012 New Start Staff will meet with me in the Math Room. We will begin our SIP planning for next year. CHOICE, we meet next week, use PCT for team time, further direction and agenda items will come this week.
My Schedule:
Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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NS / CH / ERAC
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New Start / ERAC
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New Start
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New Start/CHOICE
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New Start
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April 30
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May 1
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May 2
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May 3
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May 4
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D/A Survey Work
Morning Weekly Office
NS EQ/Fire drill
Eval Meeting
District D/A Committee Meeting
Summer Program Planning Meeting
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Weekly Registrar
Student Wrap Meeting
ALE Audit Work w/District
Evaluation Writing
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Eval Meetings
Observe Senior Projects (Periods 3 & 4)
Project Evaluation Team Meeting
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Observe Senior Projects (Periods 1 & 2)
Evaluation Meetings
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NS PBIS Team Meeting
PCT Prep
PCT New Start SIP
Evaluation Meetings
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Last Thursday and Friday has left me feeling “all gushy” inside about our work for students. Continually inspired, I want to thank everyone again for the tireless passion you demonstrate work for our kids. May is soon here, and senior projects this week. Let’s make it a good one, and may we continue to see what our students are learning as we move through the year.
Go Sharks!
Mike
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