FHUHS Administration

One of the goals of my newsletter is to inform our extended community with not only what has been going on at FHUHS, but with what we plan for long-term initiatives. Because I believe firmly in giving specific examples to which I refer, apparently sometimes my letters are too long for the newspapers to include. If interested (such as with last week’s), you may see our website, http://fhuhs.org/departments/administration/category/principals-newsletter/, for weekly ramblings on happenings at our school. For example, a community member recently asked me about colleges our seniors hope to attend this fall. Most of this news has yet to be brought to my attention, but while one student waits to hear back from Harvard, another received calls from Senator Patrick Leahy with outstanding news. Senator Leahy informed senior Emily McIntyre that she has earned her way into two of the most competitive and prestigious institutions in the United States: the Annapolis Naval Academy and West Point. As of this writing, Emily is still contemplating her choices and, hopefully, feeling justifiably proud of her tremendous accomplishment. This Friday, the 29th, the FHUHS Band Room will host six student directed short plays. Three of the performances were written (and will be directed) by our students. Adam Cecil, Kelsey Burhans, Emily Turgeon and Maria Burt will display their talents starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, and for those attending the entire one-hour performance, admission to the 7:30 varsity basketball game will also be free! Please be advised that the plays have adult content/themes.

Clarena Renfrow, Technology Integration Coach, has done an outstanding job working with FHUHS teachers on technology integration. Mike Schwaner, Sandy Kuehn, Kim Ransom, Beth Carini and Lisa Birchmore have introduced some new educational technologies into their classrooms in order to improve both content and skill development. As mentioned in my letter for the Town Report: “The most effective leaders in business, entertainment and the military have discovered that combining top-down directives with bottom-up input is the means for success. By connecting advanced skill-building with student interest (or passion), we can successfully challenge all level of learners.” Mr. Schwaner has been using an on-line blog to initiate discussions around science videos that students have viewed. This method gets students interacting in ways that they may never have before. Using modern communication tools allows students with diverse processing ability and speaking confidence to have their ideas more effectively made known. All students learn to participate in blogging, which has become very important in our global community today.

Ms. Kuehn has been using electronic flashcards with two of her classes so that they could prepare for their final exam in Civics. Students found the answers to their review questions and then created the flashcards on-line so that they can test themselves in preparation for the exam. The flash cards are accessible from any computer with Internet so that students can study almost anywhere. Ms. Kuehn has also been working with two other classes using web 2.0 presentation software, which allows her students to create amazing presentations with a new twist. As a result, the students were more vested in their projects, and their presentations on the Bill of Rights never looked so good!

Ms. Birchmore has been working with an educational learning network which allows her to develop lessons, assignments and quizzes (among many other things) that can be accessed by students in school, at home or anywhere there is a computer with Internet. She creates on-line quizzes which provide instant feedback for her students. Students know immediately how well they have done and where they need to work a little harder. Students love the new way of participating in class. They can access their review materials from anywhere and study for tests.

Ms. Ransom has given her students a project in which they chose and learned how to use a new technology. All students then used a screen-casting software program to create a movie that demonstrates how to use that technology. The long-term goal of the project is for Mrs. Ransom and Mrs. Renfrow to create an educational technology help desk where students and teachers can go to learn about educational tools that will assist them in teaching and learning. This provides a community service through the creation of the help desk and students learn technologies in the process that are used in the workplace and beyond. Several of these movies have already been uploaded to the SchoolTube Channel: http://www.schooltube.com/user/fhuhstech

Ms. Carini had her Civics students create podcasts about the various topics scheduled for the final exam. Students worked in teams and then these collaborative projects were uploaded to her school EdLine account so that they could be accessed by other students. Students learned to use the software and hardware necessary to create the podcasts, write interesting scripts, add music and create mp3 files that can be shared with others all while learning content information!

There are two in-service days coming up in February and March where technology training will be taking place. In February, there are workshops in the use of Smartboards for paraprofessionals being done by Kim Ransom; Curriculum Mapper software being done by Wendy Cohen, Company Representative; Internet, Cell Phone and PDA Safety being done by Kathy Kretz of the Child First Advocacy Center; Google DOCS for All being done by Linda McCuen; and Wikis and Blogs being done by Abigail Wald and Katie Duggan. The March workshops are currently being set up and more information on that to follow. Thank you to all the presenters!

A Wellness Committee is being formed to discuss nutrition, physical activity, environment and other ideas. We are looking for two parent volunteers to attend monthly meetings and bring ideas. If interested, please call Deborah Hanson, RN, School Nurse at ext. 213.

I hope everyone has a great week,

Brett C. Blanchard, Fair Haven Union High School Principal