Lifelong Learning Through Environmental Sustainability

Superintendent's BlogGuest Blog by Lindsay Snoddy, Assistant Director for Environmental Health and Safety, Albemarle County Public Schools

“Environmental stewardship has a long history in Albemarle County Public Schools. The School Board formalized an environmental management policy in 2006 and honors their commitment to support programs for continual improvement. A program that began its focus on environmental compliance quickly grew to include sustainability and unique offerings for project-based learning, leading first to Crozet Elementary and then Stony Point Elementary School receiving US DOE Green Ribbon School Awards. Individual recognition of these schools was followed by the entire division being honored in 2017 with a district-wide US DOE Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award.” Keep reading the October 2 Superintendent’s Blog post »

Schools Are Missing What Matters About Learning

The Atlantic“Curiosity is underemphasized in the classroom, but research shows that it is one of the strongest markers of academic success.” Keep reading in The Atlantic »

What Superintendent Moran has to say: Every one of us has one purpose for working in Albemarle County Public Schools: ensuring that every learner, from our 4-year-olds to our soon to be 2018 grads, gets what he or she needs to achieve success. Continue reading

We Are Back in School!

Superintendent's Blog“The 2017-18 School Year is well underway across all 25 Albemarle County Public Schools. I am always delighted each year to visit every school in the first week to see our teachers and students come together to form new communities of learning. It is a joy to watch as our youngest children enter school for the first time and are greeted by teachers who are ready to help them make the transition into preschool and kindergarten. They learn in kindergarten to work and play with others and to negotiate their way around their schools. In many ways, children begin to acquire the lifelong learning competencies that we value for our graduates on the first day of school.” Read more of the Superintendent’s September 4 blog post »

No Grade Is Too Early for Flexible Seating

Edutopia“A decade ago, I watched college students break out for small group work on hallway benches, on the floor in the corner, and standing at tables. I noticed that kindergartners could learn while standing, kneeling, huddling under a table, and even sitting in a wooden cubby.” Keep reading in Edutopia »

What Superintendent Moran has to say: Continue reading

Time to Tinker: Toy Take Apart Activity

Digital PromiseSummer is a time for fun, games, and … TOYS! As many teachers around the country enjoy their summer vacation, we want to share an activity you can do with the children in your life to have fun while learning about how things are made. In the Toy Take Apart activity, created by the Tinkering Studio at the Exploratorium, discover the parts and pieces that make up your old toys. Here’s an overview of what this project entails »

11 Simple Ideas to Promote Reading No Matter What You Teach

Reading“Even if you haven’t had formal training related to reading strategies, you can still promote the love of reading in your classroom. The best thing you can do to improve reading is to to inspire more reading. When every teacher promotes reading, it makes an incredible impact on the learning culture of the school.”

David Geurin, principal and lead learner at Bolivar High School in Bolivar, Missouri, offers 11 simple ideas to promote reading, no matter what you teach.

The Student-Centered Math Class

EdutopiaTransform your math instruction with three strategies you can start using today.

“Close your eyes and picture the most recent math class you taught. Who is doing the math? Who is doing the talking? Who is doing the thinking? Three years ago, my answer would have been “me”—the teacher. My students were doing math, but I was probably telling them how to think and what to do most of the time.” Keep reading in Edutopia »

AHS Librarian Featured in School Library Journal Webcast

60 Tools in 60 MinutesMonica Cabarcas, co-librarian at Albemarle High School, recently served on a panel of educators presenting online tools for maker spaces, STEM lessons, and digital literacy during School Library Journal’s webcast, 60 Tools in 60 Minutes. Kudos to Monica! Learn more about this webcast »

Anyone wishing to view the archived webcast must register. If you have registered previously, simply click the “Already Registered?” link and sign in.

Why Kids Shouldn’t Sit Still in Class

Class Movement“Sit still. It’s the mantra of every classroom.

But that is changing as evidence builds that taking brief activity breaks during the day helps children learn and be more attentive in class, and a growing number of programs designed to promote movement are being adopted in schools.” Keep reading in the New York Times »

What Superintendent Moran has to say: Continue reading