What Did Our Faculty DO on Friday?
While we saddled you with your incredible children on Friday, what on earth did we do at school without them? What a good question. Thank you for asking.
The morning started with each department meeting with each other separately.
Our Grades Department was fortunate to have very experienced teacher and mentor, Chris Bennett, come to do a workshop called Math Through the Grades. They studied topics such as: growing concepts, understanding the two-day rhythm, working with whole to parts, pictures/imagery, going from concrete to abstract and how it relates to the human being. They looked at: Grade 1 – the four operations; Grade 2 – place value and regrouping; Grade 3 – measurement; Grade 4 - fractions; Grade 5 – decimals; Grade 6 – percentages, interest and algebra; Grade 7 - geometry, positive and negative numbers, powers and roots; Grade 8 - extracting square roots, area, volume and algebra.
Our Early Childhood Department learned different sewing techniques and how to use various materials to construct a story-telling puppet from felt and wool. While they worked on their puppets, they connected on classroom communication and support.
We then gathered as a whole faculty for a wonderful session donated by Tina Dombernowsky - “How to relieve stress in a classroom setting through yoga, breath work and mindfulness meditation.” We learned simple techniques that are easy to apply in our own everyday life, as well as in the classroom for our students. Please see
Tina’s blog entry describing what we learned!
After that, we entered lunchtime relaxed (especially Mr. Basil!) and inspired to make a difference in our students’ emotional and mental health. Thank you Marisela and Brent (preschool parents) for providing a huge delicious salad with all the fixings from
EJ Malloy’s!! This was a wonderful culmination of a whole week of nutritious and scrumptious lunches provided by our parents.
Thank you, as well, to Jessica Clay and Jodi Oxford for pampering us during lunch with your hand and facial services!
After lunch, we were very thankful to have a guest speaker, Joel Gemino from the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. He gave a presentation on gender and sexuality, and led teachers through an informative discussion about respectful and accurate language, as well as best practices to continue to make our school a safe, inclusive place for all types of students and families.
We completed the day by working as a faculty on next year’s complicated, yet always entertaining puzzle we call “daily scheduling.” This involves moving colored pieces of paper around on long charts to make sure all specialty lessons are covered without double booking teachers and yard time is dedicated to separate classes. There is only minor shoving between teachers and bribes are kept to a minimum.
If you are still reading this, come by my office on Monday to receive a treat. Thank you for giving us this time to make your child’s education stronger.
Time well spent!
Warmly,
Lisa J. McCarthy
Dean of Education