Pathway Update: Learning & Vision for the Learner - December 2021

Pathway Update: Learning & Vision for the Learner - ES Vision inspiration projects implemented: reflection to include review and recommendations for following years.

December 1, 2021 marked the first time our Elementary School Vision Day was in-person, on campus since 2019 and it was a huge success! The Vision Day Projects highlight a Vision for a Learner attribute and provide an opportunity for students in grades 3, 4, and 5 to participate in experiential learning and work with peers from other classes. 

Students had time to look through the project options and then chose from a variety of projects such as:

Raptor Recipes

Drama-Rama

Stop Motion Animation

Zen Mindfulness

Robotics

Fractured Fairy Tales

Disc Golf

Gymnastics

Bottle Gardens

Students were able to meet in their project groups three times the week of November 29th. The first meeting was the project introduction, the second meeting was the full day project where students worked on a task with an end goal in mind, and the third meeting provided time for students to reflect on the experience and the Vision for a Learner attribute. 93% of the students reported that they were happy with their project experience and many of the students left school asking if everyday could be Vision Project Day.

Please enjoy a few minutes clicking through the Vision Day Celebration Slides.

 

We are already planning for the spring 2022 Vision Day Projects!

If you have any questions please contact Lynn Schneider at slynn@aischennai.org
 

Wellbeing,Research and Development Update - November 2021

Pathway: Learning and Wellbeing

AISC creates an integrated student wellbeing program that promotes and fosters healthy habits, self-awareness, self-management and positive relationships.

After completing a high altitude program audit, the Wellbeing Council is hard at work designing questions that can be used in a self-assessment tool at the elementary, middle and high school levels alongside an additional tool for faculty. Working closely with the technology department, the team decided to move away from a traditional survey and, instead, hopes to create an application wherein users can get immediate feedback on the four domains of the Wellbeing Framework within the application itself. This allows users to remain anonymous unless they choose to share their email address to download a copy of their self-assessment results. 

The team is working on devising age-appropriate questions that will ultimately offer feedback aligned with what is taught in health, PE and counseling curricula. The final tool will be vetted by health professionals, faculty teaching the related curriculum and the senior leadership team before prototyping the application in the late spring.

Research and Development

This year the Futures Plan includes a new pathway and a new faculty council: Research and Development. As part of our school commitment to innovation, our new faculty council, under the leadership of middle school math teacher Jayme Gawrych, has begun to shape our process for teacher-driven innovation and tackle some big questions we face: what can we use from our experience in virtual and hybrid to augment and improve our culture of teaching and learning moving forward?

Our first task has been to craft a “playbook” of innovation strategies and exercises that our faculty project leaders can use to ensure high quality and durable results for their projects. And second, we have re-launched the iLabs project, which calls for faculty around the campus and from within the R&D council to form ad hoc teams of teacher-researchers around projects that support our mission but that have uncertain outcomes.

Ultimately, we want to embed a culture of design, iteration, and collaboration into the ethos of the faculty, and where it is already embedded, to make it more visible and impactful. Look for more second semester when we launch the projects and publish the outcomes!

Pathway Update: October 2021

Pathway Update: Learning and Inclusion - AISC develops and implements inclusive policies and programs for all students with diverse and identified needs to fulfill their learning potential.

Building on efforts from the 2020-2021 school year, the learning support team is continuing to work on meeting a range of student learning needs through the implementation of different supports and services. High school students with identified learning needs can consider an alternative, personalized diploma. Modified curricula and service learning opportunities are being developed to support students pursuing this pathway. The learning support team is also drafting a proposal to make changes to AISC's admissions policy as we further explore how to include students with a greater range of learning needs at AISC.

For some students additional one-on-one support may be needed at school. Under the guidance of the learning support teacher, a paraprofessional is someone with specific training who helps students meet their individualized learning goals. The learning support team is considering further training and professional development opportunities for our paraprofessionals currently on staff.

One other focus for the learning support team as a Futures goal is to help facilitate professional learning on the topic of supporting high-ability learners. Around 30 teachers and teaching assistants are gathering on six early release Wednesdays to learn about different methods and strategies to better support these students.

Need more information? Contact Dave Allen at adavid@aischennai.org

Pathway Update: Learning & Vision for the Learner - AISC integrates the Vision for the Learner as a means to achieve the Mission in Middle School

On Thursday, October 7 during students regular connection time in classes, students were (re)introduced to the Vision for an AISC Learner (VfL) traits of Versatile, Explorers, Thinkers, Innovators, Resilient, Leaders, Ethical, Reflective. Teachers received slides based around the VFL attributes and students did work based on VFL attributes such as sharing examples of how they were innovative during COVID times and grappling with ethical dilemmas in a Kahoot. The Learner traits of Empathetic and Collaborators were not explored on the VfL Orientation Day as these are addressed in Advisory and on the actual Vision for a Learner day respectively.

Once students were given an Orientation to VfL, on Friday, October 8 students chose a project that most aligned with their interests and worked in small groups with teachers for that day, instead of normal connection or independent work time. Students chose from the following options to pursue:

• Books & Cooks

• Coding

• Creative Expressions - Passion Project

• Lego Stop Motion

• Mock Government

• Pizza!

• Ted Talk

• Scuba Diving

• Frida Kahlo Museum

• Virtual Trip to a Zoo

• Where are you really from?

Students produced stop motion videos, cupcakes, pizza, and also short speeches. They connected with other students who have similar interests to their own, and were able to experience the VfL traits in action. Students said: “I had a great day learning this way because it was so fun in the kitchen.” ​​The feedback from students indicated that the project was successful as it helped them to understand the different Learner Attributes. We are continuing to focus on these throughout the year and will have students add reflections and photos like the ones below to their portfolios.

Need more information? Contact Jennifer Bertram at bejennifer@aischennai.org

Community Planning Team Meeting - September 2021

On Thursday, September 16th, the Community Planning Team for 2021/22 came together for their first work session.

The team is composed of administrators, board members, parents, teachers and students from across the school who volunteer their voice to guide the future of our school. 

Please join me in extending a warm welcome and thank you to this year's team:

Administration: Andrew Hoover, Joelle Basnight, Deb Allen, Greg Clinton, Gautami Ramachandhran, Lynn Schneider, Jennifer Bertram, Mike Malone and Ryan McFarland

Faculty and Staff: Mary Kelly Bello, Walter Basnight, Vijay Saravanan, Morgan Wettergren, Vigneshwari C, Gregg Phillips, Mike Simmons, Gemma Adderley, Kala Ganeshan, Nicole Merletti and Mano Krishnan

Board member: Ravishankar Pillai

Parents: Jaya Tambay-Patwardhan (alumni parent), Amudhanvel Dhinagaravel, Lisa Daniels, Gautam Bakthavatsalam, Sunita Kumaran, Priya Bhatkal and Rajesh Gangadhar.

Students: Melchi Michael, Chanak Gautam, Arsh Khanna and Lekhana Gogineni

Traditionally the fall planning meeting provides an opportunity for team members to review the Futures Plan Goals for the year. After a brief explanation of the goals, participants were able to meet with goal leaders to ask clarifying and probing questions.

Team members were also briefed on the Middle States Accreditation (MSA) objectives and the action plans AISC will follow in 2021/22 to move closer to achieving the objectives.

As a reminder, the MSA objectives are:

By 2028, AISC students will demonstrate increased growth rates in reading as measured by:

• Over 90% of Grade 1 to Grade 10 English Language Learners (ELLs) will increase reading proficiency levels based on WIDA assessment criteria.
• Over 71% of students in KG - 8 will demonstrate a year's growth in reading as measured by Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessments System.
• Over 67% of students in grades 2-10 will meet or exceed projected growth in reading as measured by MAP

By 2028, AISC students will demonstrate increased proficiency in writing use as measured by:

• 65% of Grade 1 to Grade 10 English Language Learners(ELLs) will increase writing proficiency levels based on WIDA assessment criteria.
• 55% of students in Grades 2-10 will meet or exceed projected growth in writing as measured by language usage MAP.

By 2028, AISC will support faculty wellbeing that empowers community members to engage and flourish professionally, as measured by:

 A. An improvement in faculty engagement as measured by the Gallup Q12 Engagement* Index will increase engagement 5% annually

a. Baseline Year :November 2019

b. Baseline Data: The Gallup Q12 Survey will be administered annually to measure the progress on meeting the goal of improving faculty engagement.

c. Overall Organization

B. An improvement in job satisfaction as measured by the Gallup Q12 Overall Satisfaction rating a 4.0 or greater annually

a. Baseline Year: November 2019

b. Baseline Data: The Q12 Survey will be administered annually to measure the progress on meeting the goal of improving faculty engagement.

c. Overall Organization

Finally, the team ended the afternoon in generative conversation. They considered identified “uncovering's” about school during the pandemic authored by Will Richardson and Homa Tavangar from the Big Questions Institute. Together they explored which “uncovering” resonated most in our current context at AISC.

We hope you will join the conversation by participating in this year’s Portal Project - a series of dialogues to help us explore what the future might hold and what our next steps may be. For more information visit www.aischennai.org/portal.

As always, you are invited to review the presentation from the Community Planning Team Meeting as well as reference the Futures Plan for 2021/22. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.

Planning Team Retreat - May 2021

Earlier this week the Community Planning Team gathered online for our final retreat of the year. Thank you to all members who participated in this important meeting!

We began our time together by reviewing pathways to be embedded at the end of this year. Those include:

• Learning and Inquiry
• Community and Advancement

What does it mean to embed a pathway? It means that we have made significant progress toward the related pathways such that they no longer need to be an area strategic focus. Instead, these pathways are such a part of the AISC ecosystem that we need only continue to provide professional learning and support in these areas.  For example, the work of Advancement now lives almost everywhere in our school and inquiry can be seen across all grades and disciplines. 

The team then reviewed the progress made toward the 2020/21 goals. Given the disruption of this year, some goals were not achieved and will be carried over to 2021/22. Other goals were partially or completely met, allowing leaders to offer a new goal for the fall.  

Then the team discussed the proposed goals for next year. After offering feedback on the proposed goals, the team approved them, in concept, by consensus.

Two new pathways were also confirmed: Learning and Diversity & Equity and Learning and Research & Development. These exciting new pathways will support our school's growth next year and beyond.

The Learning and Diversity & Equity pathway is defined as:

Next year's goal in this pathways is: To build understanding of diversity, equity and international mindedness at AISC through sustainable professional development, community events and auditing and revising published policies. 

The Learning and Research & Development pathway is defined as:

Next year's goal in this pathway is: Develop and apply a structured R&D model to research and evaluate our commitments to virtual learning, with opportunities to enhance our educational programming.

Everyone is excited to see how the progress toward these goals unfold next year.

The meeting concluded with a preview of some exciting projects emerging in the fall. This included a briefing on our updated leadership structures, a preview of the amazing parent engagement video (premiering at the PCA Volunteer Appreciation Event), a preview of an upcoming conversation series we are calling The Portal Project and, finally, a celebration of our MSA accreditation. 

Look out for the updated Futures Plan for 2021/22 in the early fall!

 

Community Planning Team Mid-Year Retreat

 On Thursday, March 4th, our multi-stakeholder Community Planning Team met virtually to review the progress of 2020/21 goals and to engage in generative dialogue about possible pathways for the future. 

2020/2021 Goal Progress Update

Progress on 20/21 futures goals were addressed by goal leaders in three categories. The goals and action plans for the year can be found in our Futures Plan. 

Goals on track to be completed this year:

Leaders shared a written synopsis of goal progress before the retreat. Then, at the retreat, they offered words of praise, gratitude and celebration to highlight the work accomplished. Goals in this category included:

• Learning & Experiential Opportunities (MS)
• Learning & Innovation in the System (HS) 
• Learning & Innovation in the System (ES)
• Learning & Wellbeing
• Learning & Inclusion in the System

Goals delayed due to COVID and virtual learning:

The leadership team acknowledged that some goals were set aside this year due to complications related to the pandemic and/or virtual learning. For example, the elementary school has been unable to complete their video profile because students have not been on campus this year to collect video clips and testimonials. Goals in this category will likely be carried over to next year and/or will be modified slightly for the future. Goals in this category included:

• Learning & the Vision for the Learner (ES, MS, HS)
• Learning & Experiential Opportunities (ES)
• Learning & Innovation in the System (EY)
• Talent & Professional Growth 
• Community & Environmental Responsibility

Goals ready to embed or redirect:

In some instances, goal leaders have made progress toward the goal such that an additional goal next year has become unnecessary. In other instances, goal leaders have changed direction given our current climate, essentially curtailing the current goal as written. Each of these goals were reviewed with the Community Planning Team and members were encouraged to ask clarifying questions and share their input. Goals in this category included:

• Resources & Data
• Learning & Experiential Opportunities (HS)
• Learning & Innovation in the System (MS)
• Learning & Inquiry in the Curriculum
• Resources & Building Spaces
• Community & Advancement

Generative Dialogue About Two Possible Pathways

The latter half of the retreat, Community Planning Team members engaged in dialogue regarding two possible pathways for the future. The data collected from these dialogues will help the Leadership Team decide on next steps vis-a-vie the pathways themselves and goals set within them. 

The possible pathways are:

Learning & Diversity and Equity: AISC practices equity and international mindedness with intention to develop systemic and dynamic models of diversity and inclusion which develop self-awareness and a sense of belonging.

Learning Into Our Future: AISC continues to learn from, enhance, and develop its capacity as a virtual community while assuring that our on-campus in-person learning model remains a priority. 

As is always the case with planning team meetings, it was a pleasure to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to work together toward a common goal in support of our school’s development. The slide deck from the afternoon is available here. Please feel free to ask any of our team members about the work of the Community Planning Team.