Twitter is an example of a social media tool that can be used to create your own Professional Learning Network. By using Twitter to follow and interact with other educators around the world, you can start to create your own group of learning professionals. Twitter not only allows you to follow certain people, but also to become a member of groups made up of like minded people sharing all sorts of useful information. The video below provides a quick breakdown of why Twitter is a useful tool for educators.
I started playing with Twitter a couple months ago. By following tweets from other educators I was aware of, I began to understand how to use it (and Tweetdeck) as a tool to build my own personal network. This PLN has provided me with an opportunity to connect with educators around the world and to access a ton of information on current trends and useful resources.
With so much professional development available through this online format, this has become an important part of my own ongoing learning.
Twitter is also a great way to stay in touch with organizations such as schools. Keep up to date by following us @GrandForksSec on Twitter.
You can also send comments directly via email to GFSS@sd51.bc.ca
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Sunday 6 March 2011
Parenting Advice
Today I came across an interesting blog post from Chris Kennedy who is the Superintendent of the West Vancouver School District. In his "Culture of Yes" feature, he included some recent thoughts from a meeting he was at with their District Parent Advisory Council. In this meeting, their Trustee liaison, Cindy Dekker, made a presentation called "An Insider's Guide to Parenting" that Chris included in his post.
The main points were:
On School Work:
- let your kids fail, and let them do it at a young age so they learn what they need to do to improve
- sometimes, when they forget their lunch, they need to solve the problem on their own
- help facilitate studying, but don’t do their homework for them
- don’t close any doors — encourage your kids to take a range of courses
- don’t be so worried about the “right” school, all schools are great
On Phones and Communicating:
- I bought a phone for my daughter, so it was mine, and if I called them they had to pick up — it was the rule
- the home is command central
- when your kids go to a party, call the parents and talk to them about the event and the supervision
- you meet some great parents when you connect with them over the parties they are hosting for kids
- always get the information you need from your kids before they leave the house
On Finances:
- financial literacy does not only need to be taught at school, but in the home as well
- giving allowance is great — it teaches kids about responsibility and about purchasing errors, buyers remorse and the value of charity giving
- encourage your kids to get a job and understand the value of money before they are on their own
As I reflected on her thoughts, it made sense that several of these were worth passing on.
Hope you had a good weekend!
Interim reports will be sent home on Wednesday for all classes. If you don't receive one, please contact us at 442-8285 or at gfss@sd51.bc.ca
The main points were:
On School Work:
- let your kids fail, and let them do it at a young age so they learn what they need to do to improve
- sometimes, when they forget their lunch, they need to solve the problem on their own
- help facilitate studying, but don’t do their homework for them
- don’t close any doors — encourage your kids to take a range of courses
- don’t be so worried about the “right” school, all schools are great
On Phones and Communicating:
- I bought a phone for my daughter, so it was mine, and if I called them they had to pick up — it was the rule
- the home is command central
- when your kids go to a party, call the parents and talk to them about the event and the supervision
- you meet some great parents when you connect with them over the parties they are hosting for kids
- always get the information you need from your kids before they leave the house
On Finances:
- financial literacy does not only need to be taught at school, but in the home as well
- giving allowance is great — it teaches kids about responsibility and about purchasing errors, buyers remorse and the value of charity giving
- encourage your kids to get a job and understand the value of money before they are on their own
As I reflected on her thoughts, it made sense that several of these were worth passing on.
Hope you had a good weekend!
Interim reports will be sent home on Wednesday for all classes. If you don't receive one, please contact us at 442-8285 or at gfss@sd51.bc.ca
Friday 4 March 2011
Boundary Basketball Development Program
Last night the Wolves sponsored the first night of the new Boundary Basketball Development Program. This elementary based skill development program is meant to give students from Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Midway, Greenwood, and Rock Creek an opportunity to further their skills in dribbling, passing, shooting and playing. 50 kids showed up for the first full night of high energy drills and playing. Thanks to current Wolves, Annalise Rezansoff, Taylor Konken-de Haan, Mitch Bekker, and Jordon Hoodikoff who came out to help coach. A big thanks also to Dan Makortoff, a parent helper, Brittani Pauls, a grade 8 coach and former Wolf, and Maddy Williams who designed the BBDP t-shirts and took the registrations.
The program will run for the next two weeks and then take two weeks off while students are out of school during spring break. The program will resume after spring break and go until the end of April. Students will receive their t-shirts after spring break as Maddy is screening them by hand.....they are awesome!
See you next week. For questions or comments, parents can contact me directly at scott.stewart@sd51.bc.ca or at gfss@sd51.bc.ca
The program will run for the next two weeks and then take two weeks off while students are out of school during spring break. The program will resume after spring break and go until the end of April. Students will receive their t-shirts after spring break as Maddy is screening them by hand.....they are awesome!
See you next week. For questions or comments, parents can contact me directly at scott.stewart@sd51.bc.ca or at gfss@sd51.bc.ca
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