A visit to Norwalk Community College
Students from Greenwich High School recently attended and participated in Norwalk Community College's - NCC LIVE program. Students had the opportunity to hear professors teach career-focused seminars and experience hands-on demonstrations in the classroom as if they were attending NCC.
Cos Cob's SESS Coffee with Kristen Mulhearn
District Social Worker Kristen Mulhearn recently presented at Cos Cob School's SESS Coffee. At this presentation, Mrs. Mulhearn shared how our brains operate when we experience big feelings (i.e., frustration, anxiety, etc.) and how we can support ourselves and children through these circumstances (i.e., use of I statements: I need a walk, I need a hug, I need to take a few deep breaths, etc.) to best manage these types of emotions. Ms. Mulhearn also shared various support organizations and resources for families, including counseling opportunities and local helplines, that are offered to the Greenwich community.
Mindfulness and Yoga Parent-Child Retreat
On Saturday, May 18 from 9:00-11:30 AM, North Street School will host a mindful and yoga parent-child retreat, funded by a generous grant from Greenwich Alliance for Education. Spend quality time with your child while engaging in fun activities, practice mindfulness and yoga to calm your body and mind, learn strategies that will promote a growth mindset for you and your child, and enjoy a free healthy lunch and beverages. RSVP by Monday, May 13. Space is limited to 20 students (PreK-12), with one adult per child. For more details, please see the event flyer in English and Spanish.
504 Corner
With Michele Iannello
If you have a high school senior in your home this year, congratulations! It is such an exciting - and also anxiety-provoking - time in life for both you and your child. Even if you do not have a senior in high school, it is never too soon to help support your student develop skills that will help them in life after high school graduation.
SchooLinks, the College and Career platform we use with students in grades 6-12, recently published the article, "Top 5 Things Students Should Be Capable Of Before Leaving Home And Ways To Teach Them." The article is a quick read but filled with great ideas on how to help support your student now and in the future.
Best of luck with the rest of the school year! As always, I am happy to hear from you. michele_iannello@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Reading Lab
With MaryPat Caldwell
Last month, I attended the researchEd Conference in Greenwich. With more two dozen published authors and experts, connecting educational researchers with teachers, this conference was fantastic and highly relevant to my work.
In a workshop entitled, “Thinking Creates Learning - The Essentials or Working Memory,” Andrew Watson (a 20-year veteran teacher who now translates brain science for teachers, students, administrators, and parents) simplifies working memory. He defines it as a temporary system that selects, holds, reorganizes and combines information from many sources.
He explains that working memory is:
1) limited - holds small amounts of information (5-7 items for limited time ~20 seconds)
2) fixed - develops with age but cannot be artificially increased
3) crucial - all academic learning must go first through working memory before entering long term memory.
Working memory is essential for all learning. When working memory is overloaded, students can appear distracted, fidgety, tired, frustrated, resistant, etc. He encourages teachers and parents to look for these signs, and ideally to teach in ways that reduce the working memory load before they appear.
He presented the Boxer formula, which simply illustrates that working memory load increases with task quantity and tasks abstraction and decreases when background knowledge is activated and when support is provided.
Students in special education often have even more limited working memory than typical students, making the job of school and learning even more challenging, and the management of working memory load even more important. When working memory is overloaded, students may need a break, support, lessening of task demands (less work or an easier task).
Other strategies to manage working memory load include connecting new learning to prior knowledge, presenting new information in small, manageable chunks, providing models, guided practice, checks for understanding, independent practice and continuous review of previously taught concepts.
The answer to a frequently asked question - Why is my child having such a hard time with their homework? At the end of a long day of learning, it is highly likely that working memory overload is the culprit. Be patient and provide more support as needed.
If this topic is of interest and you would like to learn more, check out Andrew Watson’s books or his blog.
Tech Tips
Tech Tip(s)! From our AT Specialist, Meagan White
Getting Ready for College
How to Prepare for AT Use After High School
1. Get familiar with apps and extensions before going to college
WHY: Being a first-year student in college is stressful enough with learning how to navigate living independently, going to classes, and keeping up with new social experiences. Preview and practice using AT tools prior to going to university. Encourage your son/daughter to explore text-to-speech and speech-to-text tools so they are not trying to learn a new system in an unfamiliar setting.
2. Start using time management and organizational tools NOW
WHY: High School educators are great at helping students build routines and provide reminders for upcoming assignments and projects. In college, professors likely will not be as supportive or accommodating. Practice using digital planners, like Google Keep, to set reminders, make checklists, and keep track of work due.
3. Practice advocating with current teachers
WHY: College courses may feel very different from the current classes students are taking in high school. Students may have to ask for copies of notes or extra help from professors. Encourage your son/daughter to Practice emailing his/her current teachers and schedule times to meet to discuss difficult assignments or opportunities for make-up work. They will feel more comfortable drafting emails now in anticipation of making connections with professors this fall.
4. Learn about note-taking apps and organizers
WHY: With fast-paced lectures and new content, taking notes in college can feel very challenging. Know what note-taking applications are available and try using them now so students are familiar before heading off to school. Encourage students to get familiar with a few options so they can decide what feels right for their learning style.
5. Reach out to Mrs. White, Assistive Technology Specialist at Greenwich Public Schools, if you have any questions or concerns
WHY: Mrs. White, an expert in the field of Assistive Technology, can help provide recommendations,
answer questions, and troubleshoot devices with you now and in the future. Email her at:
The Office of Special Education and Student Supports
Email: stacey_heiligenthaler@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/special-education
Location: 290 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT
Phone: (203) 625-7493