Gator Run Friday Focus - September 11, 2015

     I wanted to take a moment to address the lack of bells ringing in the school this year and to explain myself a little bit.  I have doing a lot of reading and having conversations with other educators on how we need to change what 'school' is and should be.  Most of us who have been through 'school' and worked in a school feel that it has to remain the same as it was when we grew up and how it has been for years.  I feel that some changes are in order.  It's quite amazing that it seems like the entire world has changed in the past decades, whether it is with technology or advancements in the medical field or simply with how we communicate with each other.  However, 'school' has not changed that much really in the past 50-60 years.  We have seen minimal progress but the concept of 'school' still remains the same in most people's minds.  Some concepts which need to be addressed are the concept of homework and its benefits or the idea that learning only takes place inside a school building.  (Regarding homework, I am not opposed to it as long as it is meaningful and part of the learning process.  I am against giving homework 'just because' or if it is busy work.  Make it meaningful or don't assign it.)  To me the most dangerous words in education are "That's the way we've always done it."  It's OK to challenge the way things are. 
     In the course of my reading and connecting, I heard about some principals who decided to turn off the bells in their schools.  The belief that children (or even we adults) need bells to signal when school starts and ends seems antiquated.  Turning the bells off removes some of the institutionalization of school.  There are no bells in real life, so what are we training our students for? 
     I know that I have many critics out there for this concept (and for some of my other ideas!).  Please know that anything that I do is because I care an awful lot about our students and am always willing to try new ideas out that will better their lives.  I also trust all of you to be innovative and to try new concepts out in the classroom so I hope that you will respect me when I want to try something new out as well.  I am sure that some out there believe that it isn't working, but I promise you that for every one who doubts this idea, there are others who are happy that the bells aren't ringing any more.  Remember that I am All In on you so please be All In on me. 
     If you still aren't convinced, here's a news article about some schools doing the same thing - No School Bells

Next Week at a Glance:

• No School Monday for Rosh Hashanah.  Happy New Year to all who celebrate!
• Team Leader Day on Tuesday.
• Interim Reports are due to Team Leaders on Tuesday and to Ms. Felton on Friday.
• Next Thursday is an Early Release Day.  We will be having a Faculty Focus from 1:15 - 3:00.  Details to come soon. 

Quote of the Week: "Never forget."  Enjoy today and every day.