We had a good turnout at AITE on Tuesday night for the Community Forum on Math and Science in the 21st Century. If you weren't able to attend and want to see what we talked about, my presentation is on the website at:
I thought the best part of the forum was the demonstrations by our teachers. As I always like to say, I would put Stamford teachers up against any in the country, and Tuesday night proved why. They showed us actual activities and lessons that our children are now doing in elementary math and science, middle school math and high school science. I think I spent the most time in HS science, watching Ms. Dixon-Moore and Dr. Lisy show us DNA testing and a mosquito under a digital microscope. They also talked about how much they like the restored 80 minute double-lab period in Biology, which helps them engage students in deeper understanding of Biology concepts and more hands-on activities. Our kids are lucky to have these teachers and I wish I had taken Biology from them.
As always, I would have liked more families to attend the forum. However, schools will be organizing more opportunitites during the year for families to learn about what we're doing in the classroom in math and science. I also hope that the community understands that we're able to do this work because of the generosity of the GE Foundation. If it weren't for the $15.3 million dollars we're receiving from them as part of the College Bound District Program, we wouldn't be able to make this kind of investment in our children. We're entering into the 2nd year of the 5 year project and we have to start thinking about what we're going to do when the money goes away.
The next community forum is on October 9th at the Yerwood Center. We'll be discussing the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision regarding race-based student assignment. I hope to see you there.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
My comment is not related to this particular blog, but I didn't know where to leave my comment with regards to your new website. I was alerted by a frantic parent on 9/12 with news of a bomb scare. I logged onto your new website and immediately found that all was okay in our school. I appreciate such timely information as a working parent. In addition, it would be nice to be able to leave a comment on your main webpage because I think is important for you to welcome comments on what is working and what is not.
Dear Dr. Starr,
I was pleased to see you at the at the Davenport PTO meeting the other night. Your presence alone clearly and loudly supported the new administration. Well done and thank you. However, when the entire school district received a bomb threat the day after 9/11 my heart sunk. GOD forbid if this was real. How was a decision made so hastily? Many parents pulled their kids out once they knew. I'm wondering who makes these decisions? The BOEd should have allowed us to make a choice that morning, especially, if the kids are being dropped off.
sincerely,
Rowena B.
I thought the new approach to teaching science in the elementary schools is a HOME RUN for the school system. I wish it were taught that way when I was in school. Students will gain a greater appreciation for the scientific process, and spend less time for instance memorizing the names of the bones (that kept me from taking any further biology classes personally).
Post a Comment