December was a whirlwind month at Wakefield, with teachers doing an outstanding job of keeping students engaged in learning right up until the semester's end.
Highlights from the Month
Math Off Success
Mrs. Bybee organized a highly successful Math Off competition between third and sixth-grade students. Due to overwhelming parent support, the next event will be held in a larger venue. Watch the Video Wakefield Math Off)
Christmas Dinner
The High School hosted the annual Christmas Dinner on December 19th, welcoming community members, district representatives, alumni, and former staff. Special thanks to Julie Hughes and her culinary students for preparing the meal, and to all students and staff who contributed to the event's success.
Initiatives to Enhance Learning
5-Teach-5 System
To help maintain and reinforce the importance of learning, I implemented the 5-Teach-5 system for secondary students in November.
First 5 Minutes
Students cannot travel during this time to ensure they don't miss crucial instructions.
Last 5 Minutes
Travel is not permitted, allowing teachers to provide closing remarks, homework assignments, and key takeaways.
Rationale
Attending the beginning of class is vital for students to receive essential instructions. Late arrivals force teachers to repeat information, disrupting the learning environment. By being present from the start, students stay informed and engaged.
Results
After two months, student tardies to class have dropped significantly, and student engagement from bell to bell is on the rise.
Digital Classroom Sign-Out Procedure
In November, I launched a digital classroom sign-out procedure for secondary students to address concerns about students leaving class during periods.
How it Works
- Accessible through each teacher's classroom Schoology page
- Students click the "Sign Out" button
- Complete the Google Form with designated dropdown options
- Each entry notifies the teacher and is recorded in a Google Sheet
Benefits
- Track travel data trends
- Identify potential issues
- Improve classroom management and attendance monitoring
Key Features
- Easy access via Schoology
- Streamlined Google Form
- Efficient data collection
Results
Since implementing this process, we can monitor all classrooms, class periods, and each student's sign-out activity, helping us discover trends and minimize non-essential classroom departures.
Mark Moneypenny
Principal
Wakefield K-12 School
