Understanding ADHD

The most recent Germantown Academy 1^st Thursday presentation on ADHD drew a record number of interested teachers.  The GA Counseling Department, as always, did an excellent job of framing the discussion about ADHD within the most current research, specifically the article ADHD in kids: What many parents and teachers don’t understand but need to know , and illustrating the general concepts with specific and familiar examples of GA student behavior.

Additionally, those in attendance met by division and identified specific strategies they use to address the needs of students with ADHD.  Not surprisingly, many of the techniques that help these children benefit all students.  To view a slide show of the presentation click here.
 

Unique Professional Development Opportunity: The New Community Project Workshop

Spring is the season of growth ~ for flowers, shrubs, trees, and teachers, too!

Over the last two years, as a school, we have begun to explore the Design Thinking process and its application to the curriculum.  Nowhere has that process been more successfully implemented than in the New Community Project, a course created by Chidi Asoluka, Alcott House Head, Upper School English teacher, and Director of New Comm.

On Saturday, April 9th, 2016, Germantown Academy will offer a 3-hour workshop from 10:00-1:00 in the Beard Center for Innovation during which we will explain the NewComm/design thinking process, hear from our partners this year at Urbanstead, and then work in the school gardens to do some planting.  

This event is open to all curious GA teachers and students.  Upper School students interested in enrolling in the New Comm course next year will find this workshop particularly helpful.

If you are interested in joining us for this event, please RSVP by emailing Chidi Asoluka at chidi.asoluka@germantownacademy.org by Friday, April 8. 

Got ExCamp Ideas?

Friends!

A brief interruption of your current Spring Break programming to remind you to please consider sharing some topic of educational interest with your colleagues at our very first EXCamp on Monday, May 2, 2016, 3:30-4:45 p.m.

As a reminder, there will be two 35-minute sessions, so you can facilitate one and participate in another.

Please click here for the proposal form.

And now we return you to your regularly scheduled Spring Break activities, already in progress.

See you soon!

Maggie

News From Professional Development

Thanks to all of the faculty who have proposed workshops for our upcoming EXCamp (that’s short for Experts’ Camp) on Monday, May 2, 2016.  The topics are wide-ranging and interesting.  

We are hoping that many more of you will find time over the break to consider the curricular, pedagogical, technological, and philosophical topics that are uppermost in your minds and currently informing your teaching….and design a 35-minute workshop to share your ideas with your colleagues.

You might want to think about using this opportunity to test drive an idea you might want to expand on for the PAIS Biennial Conference in October 2016.

You can access the GA proposal form using the following link: 

Proposal for EXCamp, a gathering of experts

The deadline is Tuesday, April 5, 2016.  Thanks in advance for your willingness to share your good ideas with the community.

Have a wonderful, restful, fun-filled Spring Break!

See you in April!

Maggie

Breaking News

NAVY PI DAY

 Monday, March 14, 2016

 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Independence Seaport Museum,

211 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Navy Pi Day, which is named after the mathematical constant “pi,” will offer students from Philadelphia high schools the chance to connect with Naval Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) employment and Scholarship opportunities.

Keynote Speaker

John Waxler, civil engineer

(Son of our very own Peter Waxler,

Kindergarten Grade Level Coordinator)

For more information, please contact:

LCDR Diana Dalphonse

NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support

Director, Common Systems Contracting (Code N76)

(215) 697-2867 (W)

(808) 223-0359 (C)

diana.dalphonse@navy.mil        

Lunafest: Philadelphia

Lunafest: Philadelphia

Sunday, March 13, 2016 2 pm

Penn Charter Kurtz Center $10


Penn Charter's Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Women's Legacy Fund present this program of several short films by, for and about women.

Proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Fund and the Women's Legacy Fund, which supports and advances girls' athletics at Penn Charter through scholarship, mentoring and celebration. 

Invite your friends, make it an event! View this trailer. Contact Imana Legette (ilegette@penncharter.com) with questions or if you need child care, which will be available.

The Code and Design Academy

BSD - Coding and Design Academy

Bryn Mawr, PA

…opening March 1, 2016.

BSD (Beyond Skin Deep) works alongside teachers to help them ~

·           bring technology education to the technology and non-technology classroom,

·           remain up to date on the changes,

·           use model projects and

·           by instructing teachers alongside or through extra curricular activities with their students.

Your students need to be able to stand out by being able to solve problems through application of technology. Young people with a strong technology education foundation are already prioritized by companies and colleges in all areas of business. Education, integrating technology, is changing rapidly. So rapidly and constantly, that this is unlike any educational shift anyone has ever experienced before.

Please consider attending an open house on March 10-11 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. or on March 12-13 from 10:0o a.m. - 5:00 p.m. to learn

about BSD spring break camps, summer camps and after-school workshop opportunities. 

If you plan to attend the open house, please let Gaby know.