6 Weeks until Christmas Break!
Thought of the Week: Homework…an important concept in our educational world that is filled with controversy. Last year the SEF team had looked at the concept of homework (we were going to rename it “home practice”), with the thought of creating a “Homework Practice” Document for our board with the goal of achieving consistency in practice. While I still believe that consistency is necessary, I was cautioned from doing this. Thus, as a district, many are still wondering (especially if you read Twitter as there are many articles about how homework does not work), should we be assigning homework to students?
The effect size for homework is 0.29 (Hattie, Visible Learning,2009, pg. 234), however that is under certain conditions. Hattie’s meta-analysis states that the “overall effect is positive, but there are some important moderators” (pg. 234):
- “the effects of homework are twice as large for high as for junior high, and twice as large again for junior high as for elementary students.”
- Short is better.
- “the more task oriented homework had higher effects that did deep learning and problem solving homework” (this supports the notion of renaming it Home Practice!). “It is likely that this interaction is because of the importance of the teaching cycle to ensure appropriate learning, feedback and monitoring (especially for deeper learning), whereas rehearsal of basic skills (surface knowledge) can be undertaken with minimal teacher supervision.” (pg 235)
- We need to consider the nature of the homework as well – “a lot of homework and a lack of monitoring seemed to indicate an ineffective teaching method”, homework needs to be practice so that the students don’t “internalize incorrect routines”, it cannot “undermine motivation”, there is a need to have “short, frequent homework that is closely monitored by the teachers”
- Homework has a greater effect for higher ability students, and for students who are older.
- students need to be taught how to do homework or we risk reinforcing the notion that they cannot learn by themselves.
- “prescribing homework does not help students develop time management skills – there is no evidence that this occurs”
Is there a common understanding of the impact of homework in your school?
Updates/Reminders
Health and Safety Act Reminders
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What is a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)?
A JHSC is an advisory group required under s.9 of the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA). The committee is made up of management and worker representatives who work together to identify health and safety problems and recommend solutions. Members meet regularly to
- discuss health and safety concerns
- make recommendations to the employer, and
- follow-up on progress made
Committees are generally required where
- 20 or more workers are regularly employed, or
- a toxic substance order applies, or
- a designated substance regulation is applied (e.g. a regulation for lead or isocyanates)
The construction industry has different requirements for joint committees. Please refer to specific information at IHSA.
What is a Health and Safety Representative?
In workplaces where there are between six and 19 regularly employed workers, the law requires that there is a health and safety representative.
P/VP Manual Review for November – was supposed to take place on Monday, November 2, from 3:30-4:30. However a number of the participants will be in the OH & S training that does not end until 4:30. The new date is Tuesday, November 10 at 3:30. I hope that this date works.
Administrator Board Policy Discussion Meeting – CANCELLED as the Board Policy Review Meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum. Yet to be reschedule. – a reminder that our next voluntary meeting to review Board Policies will take place on Monday, November 9 at 3:30. The policies up for discussion at the Board Policy Review meeting (taking place the week prior) include
MG 509 Fund Raising
P-515 School Community Council
P-541 Concussions
MG-541 Concussions
P-542 Ryan’s Law
We have also had a request to discuss pertinent points of the Workplace Violence Policy and our response to the survey.
November 27 Leadership Meeting – this meeting has been confirmed for all Leadership Members. Marathon Board Office, Start Time of 9:00 am. Be sure to book your rooms asap (Marathon Harbour Inn, 229-2121 – direct billing to SGDSB.
TLLP Deadline Extension – deadline will be adjusted to late Dec for submissions (Dec 18th) – here’s the URL with all the info http://mentoringmoments.ning.com/group/tllp-palpe/page/tllplaunch
Carried Over From Last Week:
Labour Management: Just a reminder that Annick is the Principal Rep this year on this committee. She will be reporting back to us at the Thursday Morning Teleconference immediately following the Labour Management Meeting. Be sure to send her items for inclusion on the agenda for these meetings as well.
Social Media Sites – Just a reminder that we have all made a commitment to have a social media school site in place by December. Please be sure to access Stacey to help you to set these sites up. Carefully consider what you can put into place that will be consistently sustained so that parents can begin to count on that tool. I am asking to be included on the parent list so that I too can be a part of what is being communicated. We are currently having conversations about school webpages.
Bully Awareness/Prevention Week – November 16 What is happening in our classrooms? How can educators focus on this through an integrated approach? How is this reflected in your Bully Prevention Plan (was due October 9 and is now due November 30 to me please)
- Critical Friends – please be sure to send me the name of your critical friends. So far I have:
- Chris – Will and Debbie
- Jody – Debbie
- Will – Chris and Debbie
- Hillary – Kellie
- Kellie – Hillary
- Michelle-Sara
- Deb – Chris and Will
- Kathleen – Shelley
Nicki’s Schedule for this Week:
Mon – Teleconference all morning, NRRDHS for Ministry of Education meeting in pm
Tues – Beardmore for BLDS, P/VP Handbook teleconference at 3:30
Wed – DPS for am (Remembrance Day Service), GOPS in pm
Thurs and Fri – Negotiations in T Bay
Upcoming Dates
Monday, November 2, 2015 7:00 Board Policy Review Meeting postponed
Monday, November 9, 2015 3:30-4:30 Principal Board Policy Review Meeting
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 3:30-4:30 P/VP Handbook New Date
November 19 Bully Prevention/Awareness Week
Monday, November 16, 2015 7:00 SGDSB Parent Involvement Committee Meeting
Monday, November 23, 2015 Violence in Workplace Action Plans Due
Monday, November 23, 2015 Board Meeting
Tuesday, November 24, 2015 3:30 Director’s Update
Friday, November 27, 2015 – Leadership Meeting in Marathon
Monday, November 30, 2015 POP Feedback Round 1 Completed
Monday, November 30, 2015 – Bully Action Plans due to NMC
Modelling the Conditions for Learning 