June 2012
COMMUNICATOR Celebrating our students and progress...
I Incorporating iPads to improve student learning has been happening on a limited basis in many schools across the district. The “My Way” Student Learning Initiative is the next step in actively engaging students in their learning.
‘My Way’ Student Learning Initiative underway
T
he “My Way” Student Learning Initiative is the name being given to a long-term effort underway in Wayzata Public Schools to begin incorporating mobile digital learning devices (iPads) in meaningful and relevant ways, with the goal of increasing student learning and engagement.
“The world we live in has changed. Our students now have 24/7, anywhere access to digital content and learning opportunities, which in turn changes the skills needed for them to be successful in the future,” stressed Superintendent Chace Anderson. “My Way” is not a technology initiative…it is a learning initiative aimed at providing all students with personalized learning experiences focused on the 21st century work skills they will need to be successful. “Today’s students will need skills for jobs that likely don’t even exist today,” said Jill Johnson, executive director of teaching learning. “And students will have access to more information than can be processed in a lifetime.” Research on 21st century skills needed to process this information and prepare for the future emphasizes communication, collaboration, global awareness and suggests selfdirected learning to help students assess information, synthesize thoughts, generate new ideas and contribute meaningfully to conversations of global importance. A leadership team, consisting of representatives from teaching and learning, curriculum, technology, principals, professional development and assessment
was recently formed to develop a plan that will focus on how new mobile technology should be used to provide students with personalized learning experiences in line with the district’s Strategic Road Map, approved by the Wayzata School Board in December. The “My Way” Student Learning Initiative will build upon Wayzata Public Schools’ longstanding commitment to creating a digital learning environment that prepares our students to think critically and thrive in an information rich world. Six years ago, SmartBoards and projectors were installed in every classroom allowing teachers to begin delivering interactive digital lessons for the first time. And in 2010, clicker devices were provided to all students as a way to collect data and immediately assess student progress in order to personalize instruction for students. According to Johnson, “The ‘My Way’ Student Learning Initiative is the next step in actively engaging students in their learning.” The “My Way” Leadership Team is currently in the process of developing and considering plans that would provide all Wayzata students with access to iPads over the next three years. Staff professional development and sustainable funding are critical pieces to the success of the “My Way” Student Learning Initiative. Licensed, certified teachers and staff will begin receiving iPads and training this summer aimed at preparing them to successfully use the tool to improve learning for all students. Students at certain grade levels, still in the process of being determined, will begin working with iPads sometime during the latter part of the 2012-2013 school year. Watch for more information about the “My Way” Student Learning Initiative in the August issue of the Communicator.
n the April Communicator, we shared that the district is in the midst of a multi-phase facilities plan to make sure our buildings are properly maintained, operating efficiently and have adequate capacity to meet the learning needs of students and families in Wayzata Public Schools
I’m happy to report that much progress has been made! Here is a closer look at what’s happening in each phase of our facilities plan. Phase I: Maintain Quality of Current Facilities Work begins this summer on a number of much-needed maintenance and repair projects to our schools and facilities. Thanks to Alternative Facilities Funding provided Chace Anderson, by the state in 2011, these projects can be Superintendent done without additional impact to taxpayers. These funds can only be used to maintain the quality of our facilities by replacing like items with like items, and can’t be used for general school district operating expenses. Two-year and 10-year plans for Alternative Facilities projects have been approved based on priority and equity among buildings. Many projects will begin this summer including: a new parking lot at Kimberly Lane Elementary School, as well as flooring, painting and other maintenance projects across the district. We appreciate your patience as we bring our buildings up-to-date to better meet our students’ learning needs. Phase II: Elementary Capacity and Program Needs In April, the Wayzata School Board approved building additional classroom and other instructional spaces to meet the needs of our growing resident elementary student population. The Minnesota Department of Education recently approved the district’s plan to add these additions to Greenwood, Oakwood and Sunset Hill Elementary Schools. Work will begin on the additions this fall with completion scheduled for the 2013-2014 school year. Work also continues to study boundary/attendance areas in order to balance the number of students in each of our seven elementary and three middle schools once the new elementary space is in place. A representative committee will be brought together in the fall to look at possible redistricting scenarios and gather community feedback before bringing a recommendation to the School Board in December 2012. Any approved changes to attendance areas will take effect for the 2013-2014 school year. Phase III: Secondary Future Capacity & Districtwide Educational Adequacy Over the summer, planning will continue to determine the best approach for managing future student enrollment growth in our three middle schools and high school. At this point, we believe increases in middle school enrollment can be managed by repurposing existing space and through boundary/attendance area adjustments, but some additional space may be necessary at Wayzata High School. In addition to our secondary space needs, we will also be taking a closer look at “educational adequacy” across the district. This will include examining the functional status of our existing classrooms and making recommendations as to what enhancements are needed to realize our vision of being a model of excellence where all students discover their unique talents and tenacity for learning and demonstrate confidence and capacity for success. It’s been a great year and we look forward to continued success in the future! I hope you enjoy this month’s Communicator, full of student success stories we can all be proud of, and updates on district initiatives aimed at meeting the unique learning needs of all Wayzata students. Have a great summer!