ECIS Panel Discussion – April, 2012

ECIS Panel Discussion – April, 2012

Initial thoughts:   The initial question posited to the conference panel that I’ve been asked to address: Information Technology in school – Does it improve  learning? Gathered some resources to begin to address this question and related topics: https://www.evernote.com/pub/chinazurfluh/technologyitems The key issue associated with answering the question revolves first around how you define improving learning.  […]

Jamie McKenzie Reflections

Jamie McKenzie Reflections

Dr. Jamie McKenzie inspired us recently with a short visit and spent time with teachers, parents, and administration.  He reinforced the notion that our hopes and dreams for students are not always about preparing them for a technologically challenging century, but that we must always remind ourselves that the primary goal is nothing less or more […]

Director’s Challenge

Director’s Challenge

You may have seen the notice in the recent Dispatch that I’m launching a new annual tradition that I would like to call“The Director’s Challenge.” From the Dispatch: AAS has always been quick to take on community service projects at all levels and divisions in support of good causes or to reach out to groups […]

Off They Go

Off They Go

I dropped off my 8th grade son for his trip to Altai this evening and waved as buses filled with 35 students and their luggage headed for the airport and a trip to a place known for its convergence of Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. There are many curricular goals for this trip, but I […]

The Year Begins

The Year Begins

It’s 11:00 a.m. and it almost seems too quiet. I can almost feel the learning begin in the classrooms throughout the building. After speaking to PTO about our sense of community, we are all taking a short breath before we gear up for the many activities ahead, starting with our opening this afternoon. As each […]

Now Counting the Minutes….

Now Counting the Minutes….

Tomorrow we begin the final moments to the start of school with the New Family Orientation. This week has been inspiring, talking with teachers and preparing rooms and minds for the journey ahead. This video captures just a bit of the process initiated toward alignment and clarity in both our vision and mission. What do […]

It’s a Powerful Time of Year

It’s a Powerful Time of Year

Our media department here at AAS captured the moment yesterday when we welcomed new staff the AAS campus for the first time. Mixed into this memory album is pictures of our greetings at the airport and the traditional bread and salt greeting on the front steps of the school. We finished with a dance around […]

Blossoming

Blossoming

Any teacher will tell you that the biggest difficulty they face as educators is helping parents to understand the complex nature of the interactions that take place in a classroom to achieve learning for any individual student. Test scores give us the impression that education is an assembly line of facts being fed into a […]

Summer and the Brain

Summer and the Brain

As the days of summer dwindle, teachers and administrators are busy reflecting on growing their professional skills. Many are involved in advanced coursework, while others are reading books that are stacked ready for summer consumption. While reading one piece of online professional literature, I could not help but wonder how summer was going for our […]

The Poetry of Change

The Poetry of Change

Shift & Solitude When seeking change, The mind softens And in solitude our thoughts pause. Static becomes pliable; We shape a perception, And a new mold emerges from objectivity and innovation. Embracing a new reality Involves passionate argument, Often with ourselves in equal measure to those around us. We battle for our new beliefs. But, […]