Replications 2009-10 Spring Planning Retreat
Last week, Replications brought all the schools in our NYC network together for our annual overnight Spring Planning Retreat at the Tarrytown House and Estate. The retreat provides a unique opportunity for principals and their teams of teachers to meet, away from the distractions of their schools and the city, to begin planning for the coming school year, as well as, network with other schools.
Here’s what a couple principals had to say:
“As always, I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat, and found it to be EXACTLY what the Dr. ordered for our team and the transitions we will all be making.
-Rebekah Marler, Principal, P.S. 50 Vito Marcantonio, New York, New York
“[The Spring Planning Retreat] is a wonderful opportunity that Replications offers us to network, review, plan, and analyze student work and data. It is a golden moment for us to come together as professionals. Without these retreats, I truly believe that we would not be able to perform and be as successful as we have been since joining Replications 3 years ago.”
-Dr. Ramon Namnun, Principal, High School of World Cultures, Bronx, New York
Replications Leadership Institute (RLI)
Slice session #2: Determining the level of rigor reflected in student work
Last night, Replications hosted our second Leadership Institute (RLI) of this year. The focus of this year’s RLI series is improving instructional leadership. Replications is working with the Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) to implement the Slice program, which uses process data to determine the level of rigor in classroom instruction.
Our second meeting focused on determining the level of rigor reflected in student work. Pam Ayers, the Associate Director of the Chesapeake CES, presented techniques for looking closely at the interactions taking place within the classroom in order to determine and categorize the level of questions being asked.
Earlier in the week, Replications staff spent two days conducting a Slice visit at the High School of World Cultures, a dual-language program in the Bronx and one of the schools in Replications’ network. Ramon Namnun, the school’s principal, was kind of enough to speak about his recent experience with the Slice program and encourage network principals to try the process at their schools, the ultimate goal being to improve teaching and therefore student outcomes.
Thank you to everyone who participated including Pam Ayres and principal Namnun, the faculty of High School of World Cultures for allowing us to conduct a Slice visit in their school, and Goodwin Proctor for providing space for our meeting.
Our next Leadership Institute on May 20th, “Assessing lessons and student work to improve student outcomes using Slice,” will wrap up our introduction to the program but signal the beginning of implementing Slice in our schools.
We look forward to our next RLI.
Replications, Inc. Community News, Volume 1, Issue 2
Replications is excited to present the 2nd issue of our newsletter! Inside this issue you’ll find school highlights, learn about our 2 new board members, and read about our International Leadership Program.
Take a look: RI Community News, Volume 1, Issue 2.
The Replications Leaders Retreat
On October 16th, Replications hosted the Leaders Retreat for principals in our network of New York City schools. The Leaders Retreat is a two-day working session that provides school leaders the opportunity to network with their colleagues to improve their craft and plan for success. During these two days, the leaders challenged each other to problem-solve dilemmas from their respective schools in new and creative ways; honed their leadership skills through professional development protocol activities; strengthened relationships with their network peers and demonstrated what an incredible resource they are to one another. Overall, it was a great success.
Here’s what principals had to say about their time at the Replications Leaders Retreat:
“[The Retreat was] absolutely exhilarating. I learned a lot. My colleagues really pushed my thinking.” –Patrick Awosogba, Mott Hall Science & Technology Academy
“It was great. This was a wonderful time of learning and working with my colleagues. Each of the experiences we went through really gave me the opportunity to learn from my peers and to push my thinking.” –David Tinagero, Mott Hall Bronx High School
“The work we did was a good direction for me.” –Geovanti Steward, Mott Hall Community School
“Listening and sharing real work experiences from other school leaders helped me to bring greater focus and precision to my job as a principal of an elementary school. Thanks for a functionally learning retreat!” –Antonio K’Tori, P.S. 15 Jackie Robinson
Replications Global LAB International Leadership Program
Replications, Inc. is excited to announce a new summer program for our network schools. Offered in partnership with Global Learning Across Borders, the International Leadership Program will launch its first trip in July 2010, inviting eighteen 10th and 11th grade students and two teacher chaperones to learn about, travel to, and experience life in Dharamsala, India.
The International Leadership Program provides students a leadership development experience which includes:
- Studying the history, politics, and culture of an international destination
- Learning and practicing fundraising skills to raise money to visit that destination
- A two week international immersion experience
- Post-trip presentation and college essay writing support
Teacher applications are due by November 1st and student applications are due by December 1st. For more information please review the flyer or contact Bob Lesser.