Outcome based reporting!!

Hi Everyone,

Two years ago, I started the process of beginning a Master's degree from the University of Lethbridge. The program is entitled: Master's of Curriculum and Assessment. Now, I know what you're all thinking. That sounds BORING! It actually isn't. I'm really enjoying it and its helping me to become a better teacher (I think so anyways).

Last summer, we were introduced to the idea of 'outcome based reporting'. Essentially, its a way of doing report cards that moves away from number grades or letter grades and instead reports to parents on how their students are doing on a skill by skill basis within a given discipline. Since investigating this and reviewing it in my own practice, I can now say unequivocally that I am NOT a fan of the current reporting system that we do here at Raymond Elementary School. I feel like a 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 gives parent little or no info on what exactly is being done well and which specific areas need improvement.

You may find it interesting to conduct a Google search on 'outcome based reporting/report cards' and see how many school districts and schools are adopting this form of reporting. I think it's just a matter of time until all schools in this area will adopt.

I'm testing it out this year. You'll find when you receive the reports cards this year that I've included a sheet with all of the outcomes that we've covered in LA - Writing this year and an indication of how your child has done in that outcome. Please refer to this report as I believe its more informative that the traditional report. We hope to move in this direction for all disciplines in the near future!

Mr. H.

Mr. Jim Miller

I grew up in a pretty small town in South Western Ontario. There were a lot of benefits and a lot of challenges associated with growing up in that town but there were some things that I wouldn't change for the world. One of the things that was perfect was the small school of population less than 200: Ruthven Public School.

This school was recently shut down for budgeting and funding purposes and my thoughts have been on that school a lot of late. It was a K-8 school, and we were an incredibly tight knit community. We were quite competitive in sports, had great teachers, and our parent community was really supportive.

Of all the things I enjoyed the most, my favourite part about my entire 9 years at this school was my grade 5 and grade 7 teacher. Mr. Jim Miller was an amazing teacher. To be honest with you, I don't really remember that much about his lessons. I remember him telling me amazing stories and I remember he loved to laugh and have fun. I also remember on one math test (that I performed poorly on) he got mad at me because he knew I could do better. Mr. Miller was also my basketball coach from grades 5-8 and he was one of those guys who would constantly tell you how great you were. I remember him saying that I could do anything and that I was a great talent. Looking back, I'm not sure if he was not privy to witnessing very great athletic talent and as a result his lens of what was 'great' was a pretty 'low bar' or if he was just a believer in making people believe in themselves and in making them feel great about themselves. Either way, I've concluded that Mr. Miller made me feel capable of doing great things. I remember that when I went on to High School that he attended almost all of my games. He would visit with me before and after games and I just felt like the man really cared. He is one of the few epitome's in my whole life of: "I don't remember what they said, but I remember how they made me feel."

Mr. Miller died suddenly of cancer during my Gr. 12 year. I was broken about it! To be honest, it still hurts.

As I've reflected about Mr. Miller, I've re-commited to the fact that I want to be a great teacher, but more importantly, that I want to really help my students know how much potential they have. I hope that all those that enter into my classroom enjoy their time there, but more than that, that they know that they've always got someone in their corner.

I love my job! I hope I can be more like Mr. Miller!

Mr. H.

International Literacy Day

Hi Parents,

The School is excited to be participating in 'International Literacy Day' on Monday, Sept. 8th. That day we'll be undertaking a variety of fun literacy activities.

We'd also love to invite you to come out and, if your schedule permits, come and read with your child on that day. 'Drop Everything and Read' (DEAR) time will be taking place from 8:45 - 9:15. Parents are invited to come read with their children in the classrooms during that time!

Welcome to Grade 5!!!

Parents & Students,

Welcome back to another exciting school year! I am sure that you are all aware that our school is in a transition phase as portables are completed and classrooms are prepared. As such, we ask for your patience over the next few weeks.

I really enjoyed the day today and getting to know these kids. This is a great group and we are going to have a fantastic year!

A few items of business:
1.   Please go onto the website www.remind.com. Once there, enter the class code @mrjhill. Once you've done that you can register with either your email address or cell phone number. By doing this, I will be able to send messages and reminders instantly to your smart phones and keep you in the loop as to what's going on or expected in our class.
2.   I've sent home a series of handouts for you today. The packet/envelope is all regarding our Waterton Camping Trip (Sept. 15-17, 2014). This is going to be a great trip and all the information that you need is included in those sheets. Please make sure that all the white paper are signed and returned by Sept. 5th. Orange sheets can stay with you.

If there is ever anything that I can do to better help you or your child in their education goals this year and overall wellbeing in my classroom, please let me know and I will do it! It is an honour to be their teacher for this next year and I look forward to our time together!

Cheers,

Mr. H.