Winter Break

Because this blog is maintained by student journalists at the University of Missouri, consistent posting is difficult (if not impossible) during breaks from school when reporters and editors go home for the holidays.

Thus, new posts will not appear until the start of the next semester in mid-January.

Sorry for any inconvenience. Thanks for reading.

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Issues in Education

Southeast High 1990 class wants to find time capsule [Macon (Ga.).com]

Afghan security starts in his class [Milwaukee (Wisc.) Journal Sentinel]

The $Dollars for Teachers$ program pays off [(Boise) Idaho Statesman]

Olympia schools ponder levy [The (Washington state) Olympian]

Protesting parent’s role with school district raises hackles with fellow dissidents [The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post]

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Changing a Perception

When forming an opinion, or perception, people take what they see, hear and know to create an understanding.

In it’s eight-year existence, many feel that strangers perceive Lange Middle School as “that school,” which had no positive recognition, Lange PTA President Colleen Vollman said.

“It’s a good school and it always has been. The kids succeed,” Vollman said.

Vollman said she wants the community to see Lange in a more positive light.

“Before (I joined the school), what people in the community heard was the negative discipline and multiple suspensions coming from the school,” Principal Bernard Solomon said, who is in his first year as principal at Lange.

Solomon said the negative connotation also comes from the socioeconomic status of the community and the “baggage” that has the potential of bringing.

“This area of town was very unsettled up until a few years ago,” school librarian Michelle Sterret said. “There were a lot of transit students. We would have students for only a short period of time before they moved to another part of town.”

Sterret said the environment and community around Lange is now significantly more permanent. What remains is the conception that Lange has not transitioned with the stability of the community that surrounds it.

“This year I don’t feel is a bad one,” Solomon said about the disciplinary actions taken this year.

In the last year, the school has taken a focus on reading with a program called Library Pages, which brings a group of students together to promote reading through their own dedication and ability to “talk-up” books, Sterret said.

The students organized a book fair and worked on the advertising themselves. Sterret said that even with the difficulties of the economy, the book fair saw a 16 percentage point increase this year.

“They don’t let their peers intimidate them,” Sterret said, referring to the students promoting the book fair.

In addition to the book fair, the group also participates in online discussions, movie-to-book comparisons and setting individual goals for themselves.

Sterret said that the program has helped to involve students that aren’t typical readers and that she is impressed with the maturity of the discussions the students have. She said she even had one student who said being part of Library Pages made her feel more academic.

“When we talk about a book it’s not just a conversation — it’s a book talk,” Sterret said.

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What Makes a Good Principal?

A recent article in “Education Week” reports on principals in K-12 education and the secrets behind their successes. The story cites “a new set of working papers from some prominent education researchers aims to promote a better understanding of the extent to which school leaders matter and why.”

Read the full story here.

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Superintendents from Columbia, Ashland, and Jefferson City Discuss Online Courses

Superintendent of Columbia Public Schools Chris Belcher told KBIA radio listeners Monday afternoon that because it is hard to find teachers with the credentials to teach advanced placement courses, more online classes will be offered in Columbia High Schools over the next few years to expand students’ curriculum opportunities.

Superintendents from Columbia, Southern Boone County, and Jefferson City public schools stopped by KBIA’s new noon show “Intersection” and discussed current topics circulating in their districts.

Charlotte Miller, Superintendent for Southern Boone County said, their district cannot offer a lot of advanced placement courses, but with online courses there are more opportunities for students to take those classes.

The range of electives you offer can expand, Belcher noted.

Belcher said, While online courses can help meet students’ needs, the students have to be self-directed learners. Research shows that online classes are more rigorous.

Some classes make sense to take online, Belcher said, and some do not make sense.

The idea behind web-based learning is expanding, the superintendents discussed.

Students today were born into technology, said Belcher.

The whole world is becoming web-based and school is no different, said Brian Mitchell, superintendent for Jefferson City. “We have to be very cognizant, and there has to be an availability and an adequacy of technology. There are a lot of technology issues that are going to have to be worked out.”

All three superintendents were in agreement that nothing replaces the impact of a classroom teacher.

The relationship a student has with a teacher cannot be replaced by online courses; however, online courses can be still be effective, said Miller.

For some students, online courses can help enhance curriculum, but they do not take the place of classroom learning, Miller said.

So what do you think? Are online classes the way education should be taught in the future? Do you think it is more effective or less effective than classroom teachers? Should it be reserved for certain age groups or certain classes?

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Field Elementary Hosts Farewell Open House

The Field Elementary School community will move to Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary School in January. The Field building will be transitioning to house Columbia Public Schools’ gifted program and early childhood education classes.

Who’s Invited: Community & Field alumni

What: Farewell Open House

Where: Field Elementary School

When: Thursday, December 17, 2009

Time: 5:30 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.

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Principals Honored by Counselor Association

Mary Sue Gibson, principal at Mill Creek Elementary School, and Sandra Logan, principal at West Junior High School, were recognized as Advocates of the Year by the Mid-Missouri School Counselor Association. They were honored with the award at a special appreciation luncheon recently held at Columbia College, according to the Columbia Public Schools Web site.

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Two Mile Prairie Celebrates Diversity

Although Two Mile Prairie Elementary School has one of the lowest percentages of minority students, they have celebrated diversity for over 10 years with their annual multicultural night.

According to Columbia Public Schools’ racial breakdown of district schools for the 2009-2010 year, 10.3 percent of Two Mile Prairie’s total student population identifies as minority. The only elementary school with a lower percentage of minority students is Midway Heights with 7.1 percent.

This lack of diversity is one of the reasons for the multicultural night, which was December 3 this year.

“Two Mile Prairie is a pretty homogeneous school,” third grade teacher Christina Wehmeyer said. “It’s very important for kids to have an awareness of the world, and this night helps open their eyes.”

The event brings together students, parents and teachers to learn about and celebrate different cultures.

“The intent is to provide an opportunity to see different food, songs and ornaments from other cultures,” Principal Larry Jones said. “The opportunity for children to learn about other cultures and different ideas is something that’s invaluable.”

Wehmeyer explained that in years prior, the event included whole meals representing different cultures, but that this year, it was decided to bring desserts to share.

The school choir sang several traditional holiday songs in English, such as “Silent Night,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Deck the Halls,” as well as some songs in different languages.

Teachers helped students throughout the night make ornaments that represented different religions and cultures.

Jones said that all grades are invited to attend, but that the ornaments are geared toward younger students while older students sing in the choir.

Parents attending the event said tradition is an important reason why they come.

“It’s a nice family activity before the holidays,” said Janet Anich, who has three children at Two Mile Prairie. “It’s a tradition at this school, and tradition is always important.”

Tricia Kaufmann said she came because one of her daughters is in the school choir, but that tradition is also a big reason.

“This is a chance to celebrate each family’s differences,” Kaufmann said. “It’s a great school community.”

Besides the learning opportunities, Anich said the event is also a time for families to get together to have fun.

“It’s a time to just socialize,” Anich said. “And socializing is the foundation for neighbors, friends and the community.”

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