When strangers start acting like neighbors... communities are reinvigorated.

A fun fair was held at Simmons to raise funds to help ease the burden of medical costs for an EA student who suffered an aneurysm and needs significant, continued treatment.
There was a genuine outpouring from the community. I was in awe of the number of volunteers. The various donations of prizes, games, food and entertainment was amazing! Everything was plentiful. The rooms were full of activity. It appeared to be a highly successful event.

The EA community has many families who are ready to step up when there is a need. They just need to feel they have value and are welcome.
This event was another illustration of the true character of East Aurora that seems to be obscured by outsiders within 131 boundaries that have not taken time to get to know our students and their families.

POV wall

The previous post was getting a little long on comments.
No matter what the topic, bloggers seem to post their point of view (POV) on a variety of issues. So this will just be a new space for continuing those discussions.

Red, Black and Navy blue

There was comment in the last post to check out this article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-aurora-njrotc-28-dec28,0,202339.story

I thought it was worth a post and a good place to start on a brighter note.
Our NJROTC has been a positive force in EAHS for quite sometime.
The article asks- "If the programs are so great, why aren't they in white affluent communities too?"

Is it possibly due to the fact those families can & do pay for their children to get involved in any and many activities outside the school. EA students options are limited by accessibility due to location & finances.

40 years ago when I attended EA, our basketball team gave us all EA pride. Now it is NJROTC.
The article also suggests ROTC programs could be "recruitment vehicles for the military."
I think the students & Lt. Cmdr. expressed well what NJROTC is to EA.

What do you see in our NJROTC and the students in the program?

Interjecting short topic for comment

E-communication and e-files are more common than ever before. Just as our board has gone paperless, companies are also marketing their services for putting all files on e-files. E-files save space, are easy to access saved information and data. Should 131 look for other paperless options, beyond the board packets?

Finding answers is a lot harder than pointing fingers

Differentiated Learning-could it be an answer for many of the students of D131?

Curriculum goals may be similar for all students, teaching methods must be varied to suit the individual needs of all children: ie. learning must be differentiated to be effective.
Differentiating instruction means creating multiple paths so that students of different abilities, interest or learning needs experience equally appropriate ways to absorb, use, develop and present concepts as a part of the daily learning process. It allows students to take greater responsibility and ownership for their own learning, and provides opportunities for peer teaching and cooperative learning.
Differentiating is not new, the concept has been around for at least 2 decades for gifted and talented students. However, it is now recognized to be an important tool for engaging students and addressing the individual needs of all students.

Source: www.enhancelearning.ca

By any other name it is enpowering and inspiring

D300- ISAT tests taken by students in the spring show boys typically score lower than girls in reading. The boys-only book club is an innovative way to bridge the national gap in reading skills between boys and girls.

Elgin-based USD 46 -Proposed by district Supt. “The 10 Boys Initiative” involves 120 admin, each volunteering to work with 10 boys considered at risk of academic failure. The program mentors boys from 4th - 12th grade.

WVHS-Members of 100 Black Men of Chicago, a group that mentors at-risk youths, came into the class on a regular basis throughout the year and talked about everything from team-building to starting a business.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1857792,3_1_EL01_BOOKCLUB_S1-091101.article

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/mar/12/local/chi-elgin-mentors-nzone-12-mar12

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=214692

Can we afford any more? Can we afford not to?

In the past few months it has been quite apparent in local communication mediums there are definitely many views to whether 131 needs a magnet school, alternative school or a preschool program. Though, all of these programs have young people who need them and parents who want the opportunities for their children, there are just as many families who would like educational opportunities geared towards their own children’s needs. Some neighborhoods have suggested we need a new school built to alleviate overcrowding. How much more should we offer? Is there excess in 131’s attempts to accommodate ALL our children?