I recently read an article in Time about what students need in the 21st century. Recommendations about the skills and disciplines needed included technology and exposure to world cultures. The term “portable skills” was a new term to me. Portable skills are critical think, making connections, and the ability to continuously learn. The article also discussed the importance of teaching students how to assess the accuracy of information read on websites. Did you know that in a recent study of 6,200 high school seniors and college freshman only 50 percent could accurately judge the quality of content on websites?
I would be very interested in hearing from you what you think you need to be well educated in the 21st century. I would also like to hear how you learn when you are away from school. Do you see similarities or differences between HOW you learn at school and away from school?

On January 28, 1986, I was a middle school student at home for a teacher work day. I remember my older brother answering the phone and then telling me that my mother had just called to let us know that the Space Shuttle Challenger has exploded just 73 seconds after lift-off. The space shuttle program was still pretty new, and if we had been in school, every television would have been tuned in so we could see the take off. What made this mission different than previous missions was that Krista McAuliffe, a teacher, was one of the seven astronauts killed. A second tragedy occurred the same week thirteen years later when the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded returning to earth on February 1, 2003, killing the seven astronauts aboard.

In 1986, President Regan said of the tragedy, “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God.’” In 2003, President Bush said, “Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on.” As we remember the fourteen men and women who died during these two adventures, may we hope that we are strong enough to embark on our own journeys.

Amazing things went on at HTMS today!  The 8^th grade science students were spread out over campus discovering things about velocity and speed.  Some were out on the mall shooting rockets made from soft drink bottles.  Others were in the halls building roller coasters.  Mrs. Hambey’s students dissected squids—man does that smell bring back memories of my days in science class.  Mr. Brown’s class participated in a simulation designed to help students learn the workings of the ancient city-states in Greece.  I loved watching each individual “city state” go from claiming all of the land possible alone to forming alliances with other city- states.  We took pictures of the 8^th grade students voted as this year’s who’s who for the yearbook.  The focus of this year’s who’s who was the character education words we study throughout the year. 

Mr. Jones, Mr. Posey, and I are still hard at work with homework remediation.  We appreciate the teachers’ continued efforts to work with students who are not performing as well as we would like.  Unfortunately, there are still too many students not completing work on time, but we are working to help students make better decisions.  We have moved into the next phase of homework remediation.  Students who have been referred before for not having homework automatically go to detention.   Eventually, students will grow tired of sitting in the cafeteria on the hard round seats for two hours after school.  Remember, the media center is open every morning for students who need extra time or extra help to complete homework.  We are here to help each student be successful!

As we begin to get ready for the 2007 - 2008 school year, I would love to know your thoughts on ideas for different elective classes and clubs that we might want to include in our course offerings. Remember, this isn’t the place to make comments about current courses or teachers, but a chance to brainstorm different options for the future.

I must say that I am so proud of the sportsmanship showed by our team, coaches, students, and fans at last night’s basketball games. We showed true HTMS spirit in our wins and losses. Great job!
Check out the new pictures in the “photo gallery” section of the school web site. Mrs. McGuyer was able to capture some action shots during the game. Thanks to all of the teachers who came out to support our students.

Students,
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your responses to your teachers’ discussion boards. I go from laughing at your obvious humor to being totally amazed by the deepness of your thoughts. I can tell by the time listed when you post, and I have to say that it thrills me to see you posting as soon as you get home and later into the evening and even on weekends. This is a great example of work that is engaging for students. It isn’t the computer that makes it engaging, but the “conversation” you are able to have with your peers and teachers. Keep up the good work!

When I was in Atlanta this past weekend, I took a trip to my favorite bookstore and spent several hours looking over the shelves at the books.  I came across a book whose title, Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything, intrigued me.  I haven’t finished it yet, but it addresses the impact of the many tools available today for collaboration on leadership, businesses, research, and life in general.  The authors stress that the world is becoming a place where only the connected will survive.  They also say, “We must collaborate or perish-across borders, cultures, disciplines, and firms and increasingly with masses of people at one time.”  They talk about the use of Web 2.0 as being the “Wisdom of Crowds.”  I love that term and am excited about all it implies.  Even though I grew up with computers in my home and in my classrooms and feel pretty confident that I can do about anything with a computer, I am learning terms that I have never heard of by reading the book–peering, tagging, “new public squares,” and blogosphere.  

In talking with students, it is obvious that they are more comfortable with these concepts than we realize, but as a school and as a system, we are stretching ourselves so we can meet the changing needs of our students.  We have time built into our schedule for classroom teachers to collaborate with each other daily to design lessons for students.  We have SharePoint which allows students to collaborate via discussion boards in a safe environment.  We are developing the Middle School Resource Room wiki so our teachers can collaborate with others world-wide to improve what we are doing with students. We have many conversations brainstorming ways to integrate technology more fully into our classrooms.  Professional learning opportunities on technology integration are provided regularly.  I read the blogs of other principals to find out things they are doing with their students that we might also do or to find out what other schools are struggling with.  We then have ongoing discussions via our blogs. 

I have to say that I am very proud of our teachers at HTMS who are stretching themselves in the area of technology.  Many face the challenge of not only integrating technology into their classrooms but also learning the technology themselves.   

At last night’s 7th grade basketball game, Whitney  G. made a three pointer with less than 20 seconds left on the clock to push the Huskies ahead by 2  points.  After a couple of last second free throws, the girls won by 4 points.  I was standing in the lobby talking to my mother on my cell phone and got so excited when I heard the crowd go crazy that I accidently hung up on my mom.  As a former basketball player, she understood when I explained later.  Congratulations girls!

I have spent a lot of time this weekend looking at blogs, articles, and videos online about how learning is changing.  As a school, we continue to look for ways to integrate technology more fully into the classroom so we can prepare students for their future in the work place.  I have gone into the discussion boards on several teacher sites to see the questions teachers posted and the responses from students.  Wow!  Our students are having great online discussions in the safety of our SharePoint sites on the meaning of art, the role math plays in basketball, andthe books they are currently reading. 

After our technology conference on Thursday, I decided I was going to try to add a blog to our school’s web site.  This will be a learning process so please be patient.  I know that the students can do it so hopefully I will be able to also.