Happy Halloween

I hope you all have a "spooktacular" evening and receive nothing but treats!  I can't believe tomorrow is November---where is this year going?

For the love of learning...

Yesterday, DMS hosted its 2nd excursion day.  An excursion is an enrichment in an activity in which the students want to learn. These activities are fun, and include everything from Flash Mob to Photography!  The kids had a great time, and the teachers enjoyed it, too.  I will post pictures soon.

DMS excursions are tomorrow, and I am so excited for our kids.  I know it will be a great day for enriching our students' learning experience at DMS.  I still haven't heard from The National Middle School Association about our Schools to Watch application, but I am hoping to hear something soon.  I am very sad that one of my faviorite (and the kids' favorite) teachers is leaving us.  Paige Hadziselimovic has accepted a position as an Assistant Principal at Grisham Middle School.  I know Paige will do an outstanding job for GMS, but I am sad to see her leave us--she will be greatly missed. Next week is Red Ribbon week, and I am sure the "spirit madness" will both be entertaining and crazy at the same time.  I wish everyone a Happy Halloween---Happy Haunting!  :o)

Yesterday, we hosted Principal for the Day, and our guest principal was Scott Milder, President of Friends of Texas Public Schools. I truly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Milder, and I think I learned as much from him as he did from me.  He did comment on how wonderful DMS is, and he was very impressed with the teaching staff and their love and compassion for kids.  The media and television promotes public education in such a negative light that I think we sometimes forget that schools are really great places for kids.  In Texas last year, more than 92% of our 2011 seniors graduated from high school, and the other 8% are in school for a 5th year this year. Did you know that Texas students significantly  outscored their peers nationally by student group on the 8th grade National Educational Progress (NAEP) science test, with our African-American students ranking 4th nationally, Hispanic students ranking 6th, and our white students ranking 8th?  I am especially proud of this because, only certain schools are selected to participate in the NAEP, and Deerpark has been selected for the past 5 years--so our students are counted in this ranking! As we move from TAKS to STAAR, Texas public schools are being attacked again.  This past year with the new STAAR test, many schools did not meet AYP, and now some communities are blaming the schools.  This is what we we need to tell our communities:  Texas students showed dramatic academic growth during the TAKS era!  Between 2003 and 2011, the exit level math passing rate rose from 44% to 90%, even as standards rose steadily during that period.  The English passing rate increased from 61% to 95%, and the social studies passing rate rose from 78% to 99%. The STAAR test was new to schools last year, and TEA released very little about what they test would look like.  Our students went in"blind" to take a test that is historically more rigorous than any other state assessment.  The STAAR test was created for College-Readiness, and it mimics the SAT and ACT in reading and math. Our teachers are continuously working to improve their quality of instruction so that students are challenged to think critically and problem solve.  I know for a fact that we will see scores from last year increase exponentially over the next few years as teachers raise the bar of instruction for our students.
Educating students now looks differently than it did 5 years ago.  We educate students who are digital natives, and they can multi-task and do 3 or 5 things at once. Educators are constantly challenged to engage this generation in their own unique learning styles.  At no other time in history have students been exposed to a world where change and advancement is happening so rapidly.  At no other time in history have teachers been called on to grow on a daily basis and deepen their understanding of pedagogy to perfect their craft.  So, I say, "Let's hear it for public education!"  We are making miracles happen every day!  :O)  Thank you, Scott for reminding me of that miracle.