WJHS Learns: Using Flipboard to Enhance Your PLN

This morning’s voluntary learning session was a quick overview of how Flipboard can enhance your personal learning network.

WJHS Learns is a Flipboard magazine that I’ve created for WJHS staff members that want/need the fastest, easiest way to “connect.”

Simply click the link and read.

What you’ll find are articles that I thought might be interesting and/or be conversation starters.

One of the cool things about Flipboard magazines is that you can have multiple contributors (a group of students, a PLC, a department, a faculty, etc.).

So, if you’re a Flipboard user and want to be a contributor to WJHS Learns, let me know and I’ll give you access to add articles to the magazine.

If you’re not a Flipboard user, I would encourage you to give it a quick test drive.

Not all tools are for everybody but if you’re looking for a quick way to find information related to teaching, education, pedagogy, professional development, etc., it couldn’t be any easier than Flipboard makes it.

WJHS Learns!

Tim Sparacino, Principal

Washington Jr. High School

Our First Learning Walk of 2015-16

Our first Learning Walk of the Year was a big success and a lot of fun!

Learning Walks are a component of our Teachers Visiting Teachers program at WJHS.

I was joined by Janan Foster, Ashley Jones, Betty Pollreis, and Leigh Ann Sandlin.

Our group visited the following teacher's rooms:

• Dave Rau
• Scott Terrell
• Brittany Nelson
• Sarah Luhtanen
• Deb Hight and Kandi Cowart
• Bentley Fisher

We saw several examples of teachers creating experiences with real-world applications for students, engaging instructional techniques, technology integration, and evidence of relationship building.

As you can see from this tweet, we were also pleased to be greeted by a display outside of Mr. Fisher's room.  Mr. Fisher had taken a cue from the recent #bpseduchat with guest host AJ Juliani and had sought student feedback on what would happen if students were allowed to pick their teacher, investigate topics that they wanted to pursue, etc.

It was a great opportunity for the Learning Walk group to read some of the student responses and reflect on the wisdom that they shared especially about the importance of the relationship between the student and the teacher.

As always, it was great to get into WJHS classrooms and witness the incredible teaching taking place and observe firsthand the amazing talent and intellect of our students.

Go Wildcats!

Tim Sparacino, Principal
Washington Jr. High School

Amazing Start

Thank you to our faculty, staff, and PTO for an amazing start to the school year. 

I asked as many kids as I could yesterday how their first week was. 

What I heard in response was:

It was great!

I love Washington!

As we move forward, remember to keep the main thing, the main thing- developing Wildcats!

(Wildcats are Welcoming, Involved, Leading, Dependable, Cooperative, Ambitious, Teachable, and Serving.)

Students before standards. 

Relationships, relationships, relationships. 

It IS going to be another great year at WJHS. 

(Because of you.)

Tim Sparacino, Principal 

Saying Goodbye Assistant Principal Chris Long

Our staff surprised Mrs. Chris Long with a going away party today.

Chris is relocating with her family to Colorado and therefore a teary goodbye was in order.

Mrs. Long has be such a TREMENDOUS asset to WJHS over the past two years and will be GREATLY missed.

Our staff presented her with gifts and showered her with praise today.

During her time at WJHS, Chris has been the driving force behind so many of the successes that we have had including the development of The Wildcat Way.

Her ability to organize and mobilize the troops by providing clear concise directions and guidance is exceptional.

The Positive Pop Ins that she performed as part of her instructional supervision were always greatly appreciated by our teachers.

Chris is also a master of providing honest, constructive feedback in a professional manner.

Mrs. Long, we love you, cherish the time that we had with you, and wish you and your family nothing but the best in Colorado.

You'll always be a part of The Wildcat Way.

Honoring Assistant Principal Stephanie Lane

Our staff took an opportunity today to honor our FABULOUS Assistant Principal, formally congratulate her on her new position as Principal of Ardis Ann Middle School, and say a teary goodbye.

Stephanie has been THE HEART of WJHS and we love her!

She will be greatly missed.

With that being said, we wish her the best of luck and know that she will help build on the outstanding tradition of excellence at Ardis Ann.

To the faculty at Ardis Ann, we say, "You don't know how lucky you are!"

To Stephanie Lane, we say, "We are SO PROUD of you.  We love you and we'll miss you.  Good luck in your new position."

Stephanie Addresses the Staff:

Standing Ovation!!!

WJHS Teachers Receive 21C (1:1) Grants

The Bentonville Public Schools 21C Grant program provides a classroom set of laptops to teachers that receive the grants.

This year, 115 applications were submitted and the selection process was tougher than ever.

WJHS was the recipient of five grants this year (3 individual grants and 2 team grants)!

The transformation of our building over the past couple of years has been greatly enhanced by these grants.

We appreciate the Bentonville Public Schools Foundation, the Bentonville School Board, and the Bentonville School District Administration for their continued support of the 21C grant program.

We especially thank our Superintendent Mr. Poore, Executive Director of Finance Dr. Ming, Executive Director of Secondary Instruction Judy Marquess, and our Technology Director, Andy Mayes for their efforts to ensure that this program not only continues, but thrives.

Our recipients this year were:

Brittani Durr

Deb Hight

Ashley Jones

Ana Konyk

Jody Newton

Erin Valentine

Kim Woods

Brittani Durr and Kim Woods Receive Their Grant

Our Entire Group of Recipients

WJHS is blessed to have a staff that is dedicated to providing our students with the most engaging, relevant, and meaningful education possible. 

Congratulations to all of our 21C grant winners!

Thanks to an Amazing PTO Board

The 2014-15 WJHS PTO Board met for the final time on May 11th and were honored with hanging plant baskets.

From left:  Marcie Bayless- Co-President; Misty Tadda- Vice President, Jeannette Latham- Co-President, Wendy Staten- Treasurer, and Shannon Estes- Secretary.

We love our PTO and these Board members helped make the year even better.

PTO Board, thanks for your service!