Just like every school this time of the year, we've all been working, working getting ready for kids. It's been a busy two weeks, but fun to see everyone trickle back into HP. I may be a bit of a Pollyanna, but I love this community - staff, parents, students, and all the community partners who make this school work. Come to think of it, I don't know any principal who doesn't feel that way about his or her own school community. We each have an almost fierce pride in our schools 'cause I think we just know them so well. We're not perfect by any means, but there's something to be said for being together once again and continuing the work of our school and the work of our district. Kinda cool...
Here are just a few of the wonderful people who have helped us to get ready for Day One! Thank you all.
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| CC completing registrations |
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| Mae ensuring food services is ready! |
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| Jose detailing in the library |
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| Robin distributing orders to classrooms |
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| One of many new teachers up here, up here!!!!! |
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| Not to mention veterans up here, up here!!!!!! |
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| Zach's Teacher Preview Evening - fun! |
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| Thanks Nat and teachers for attending! |
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| Prepping for training |
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| ...and more prep |
So with all these people working, and having a bit of fun in
between, we still had two full days of teacher trainings - think content area department planning, team meetings, my yearly overview... The big event, of course, was our half day staff development on visual arts teaching strategies. HP teachers were divided into three groups and as I popped around to listen in, I heard great dialogue surrounding use of these creative strategies. Trainers from Creative Action, The Blanton, Contemporary
Austin, AISD Fine Arts... all helped facilitate the work for our school and many other schools as well I hear. Teachers talked about art, connecting to literature or time or space (and more!), they discussed emotions evoked (or not evoked), they debated meanings and artist intentions...all
good stuff that made for rich and rigorous conversation. My teachers gave a definite thumbs up after the sessions were done, with many of them brainstorming how they would get some of the new learning into their classrooms. I especially loved the quilt art pieces each teacher created tied to the works of Faith Ringgold and the prompt
I remember the moment when... Lots of really solid ideas taken away and a valuable use of teacher time. Always good when you can say that.
Bring on Day One!
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| Can you guess this moment? |
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| An impressive quilt end product! |
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