• The Principal's Corner: 4/29 -5/03

    Posted by Jason Cooper on 4/26/2024

    “May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope.”
    — Emily Brontë

     
    Kudos:
    -Thank you, Dets, for driving our bus, caring for our kids, and being an active member of our learning community.
    -Thank you, Aidan, for taking the lead and chaperoning our kids for their music concert visits.
    -Thank you, Ken and Crew, for the invite. I learned a lot about the new Student Growth Goals coming next year.
    -Welcome to the School Board, Jeff. We are excited about your voice and participation in our educational community.
    -Kristen and crew- thank you for supervising Prom. I bet it was one to remember!
     
    Week in Review:
    Monday- Mental Health Counselor, JH Track @ Trout Lake
    Tuesday- Staff Meeting, HS Track @ Yakama, Principal and Supt. Interviews
    Wednesday- Late Start, Staff Training
    Thursday- WAGAP Food Truck
    Friday- HS Track @ Bickleton, JH Track @ Sherman
    Saturday- HS Track @ Sherman
     
    1. Wednesday is a late start. Staff Training starts at 8:00. Ken Parshal will be facilitating the training.
     
    2. Lots of track meets this week - Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
     
    3. Ken Parshal will be in the building on Tuesday and Wednesday.
     
    4. Tuesday is Principal and Supt. Interviews.  - Principal at 3:30 and Supt. at 5:00
     
    CEL to Ponder:
    Criterion 2: Demonstrating effective teaching practices.

    The teacher provides scaffolds that are clearly related to and support the development of the targeted concepts and/or skills. Using scaffolds, the teacher gradually releases responsibility to students to promote learning and independence. Students expect to be self-reliant. Students use scaffolds across tasks with similar demands.  
     
    A Little Humor:

    -How do you make a robot angry? Keep pushing his buttons.
    -When is a car, not a car? When it turns into a parking lot.
    -What's the best way to make a bandstand? Take away their chairs.
    -How do you light up a sports stadium? With a soccer match.
    -Did you hear about the kidnapping at school? They woke him up.
    -I told a bad chemistry joke once. I am still waiting for a reaction.

    -Chuck Norris can do a wheelie on a unicycle.

     
    Reflection:

    How to 'overcome' fear -Trevor Ragan

     
    https://www.ted.com/talks/trevor_ragan_how_to_overcome_fear

    Fear can be helpful when we're in danger, but sometimes it gets in the way of learning opportunities. Trevor Ragan digs into fear - outlining what it is, where it comes from, and (most importantly) how we can work to put it in its place. Trevor Ragan is the founder of Trainugly.com, a free educational website designed to unpack and share the science of learning and development. He spends his time with thought leaders and researchers from the worlds of psychology and developmental science, consumes their research, connects the dots, and shares it with anyone who will listen. He's worked with professional and college sports teams, Fortune 500 companies, reentry programs, and hundreds of schools across the country. These workshops are designed to help people understand and apply important principles of development in order to become better learners.

     
    --
    Chris Schumaker
     
    Superintendent/Principal
    Wishram Schools
    1-509-767-6090
     
    Comments (-1)

  • The Principal's Corner: April 22nd - 26th

    Posted by Jason Cooper on 4/20/2024

    "The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball - the further I am rolled, the more I gain."
    - Susan B. Anthony

     
    Kudos:
    -Thank you, Ronni, for bringing in our Law Enforcement guests. The kids had a wonderful experience.
    -Thank you, everyone, for being so flexible on Friday, 4/19. With the track meet and high school field trip, we were really short-handed.
    -Thank you, Cheyne, for taking on a couple of extra students for special monitoring.
    -Kadee, we miss you here and hope to see you back soon.
    -Dave, the shed keeps developing- you and the kids are doing nice work. Also, thank you for taking the kids to the Career Fair.
     
    Week in Review:
    Monday- Mental Health Counselor In
    Tuesday- Staff Meeting, HS Track @ The Dalles, JH Track @ Bickleton, School Board Meeting
    Wednesday- HS Track @ Stevenson
    Thursday- Growth Goal Training 
    Friday- JH Track @ So. Wasco, Tye is gone
    Saturday- HS Track @ Maupin
     
    1. Ken Parshal will be in the district on Tuesday and Thursday
    -He will be part of our staff meeting. Our training on Tuesday may go to four. You'll be paid if we go past 3:30.
    - I have attached an article to this email that highlights some past prior work that Ken has done with schools.
     
    2.  Tuesday is our School Board Meeting. Lead teachers will be presenting.
     
    3. Principal and Superintendent interviews are fast approaching. April 30th is the date.
     
     
    CEL on Ponder:
    Criterion 2: Demonstrating effective teaching practices.
    SE1 Quality of questioning 
     
    The teacher asks questions to probe and deepen student understanding or uncover misconceptions. The teacher assists students in clarifying and assessing their thinking with one another. Students question one another to probe for deeper thinking.  
     
    A Little Humor:
    -What did the dirt say to the rain? You’d better cut it out, or my name will be mud!
    -It’s allergy season again?! You’ve got to be pollen my leg.
    -When is the best time to wash your Slinky? During spring cleaning.
    -The bed store is having a spring sale. Unfortunately, the rest of the beds are still full price.
     
    When Bruce Banner gets mad, he turns into the Hulk, and when the Hulk gets mad, he turns into Chuck Norris.
    image.png
     
     
    Reflection:
     
    What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness -Robert Waldinger

    What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it's fame and money, you're not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you're mistaken. As the director of a 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he shares three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life.

    ----------------------
    Chris Schumaker
     
    Superintendent/Principal
    Wishram Schools
    1-509-767-6090
    Comments (-1)

  • The Principal's Corner - 4/15 - 4/19

    Posted by Jason Cooper on 4/12/2024 7:00:00 AM
    "I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious." - Michael Scott (The Office)
    -A little fun with a play on words.
     
    Kudos-
    -Thank you, Jason, Skye, staff, and students, for making the Nacho Feed, Student Skits, and Auction a success. They raised almost 1800.00.
    I hear the Seniors want to fly to Florida and recreate the MTV series "Real World Florida."
    Thank you, Board Members, for all the work, discussion, and time you are investing in the leadership transition for next year.
    -Thank you to our Wishram Work Crew for scraping, deep cleaning, and painting our K-1 classroom.
    -Kristen, it is good to have you back in the building.
    -Thank you to our Teacher Interview Team. Your thoughts and reflections were most appreciated. 
     
    Week in Review:
    Monday- Mental Health Counselor Here
    Tuesday- Staff Meeting, Board Meeting
    Wednesday- Meeting with Keegan, HS Track @ White Salmon
    Thursday-
    Friday- Reach Advisory Meeting, JH Track @ Trout Lake
    Saturday- HS Track @ Trout Lake
     
    1. Monday is Tax Day.
     
    2. Special Board Meeting on Tuesday at 5:15.
     
    CEL to Ponder:

    Criterion 7: Communicating and collaborating with parents and the school community.
    PCC2 Communication and collaboration with parents and guardians 

     
    The teacher communicates with all parents and guardians about the goals of instruction and student progress using multiple tools in a timely and positive manner. The teacher considers the language needs of parents and guardians. The teacher effectively engages in two-way communication and is responsive to parent and guardian insights.  
     
    A Little Humor:
    -Why did the pony ask for a glass of water? Because it was a little horse.
    -Is there anything worse than when it's raining cats and dogs? Yes, hailing taxis.
    -My manager told me to have a good day. So I didn't go into work.
    -What do kids play when they have nothing else to do? Bored games.
    -What did the boy say to his fingers? I'm counting on you.
    -Chuck Norris doesn't wear a watch. He decides what time it is. 
     
     

    Molly Wright: How every child can thrive by five


    "What if I were to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?" asks seven-year-old Molly Wright, one of the youngest-ever TED speakers. Breaking down the research-backed ways parents and caregivers can support children's healthy brain development, Wright highlights the benefits of play on lifelong learning, behavior, and well-being, sharing effective strategies to help all kids thrive by the age of five. She's joined onstage by one-year-old Ari and his dad, Amarjot, who help illustrate her big ideas about brain science.
     
    --
    Chris Schumaker
     
    Superintendent/Principal
    Wishram Schools
    1-509-767-6090
     
    Comments (-1)

  • The Principal's Corner: April 8 - 12

    Posted by Jason Cooper on 4/8/2024

    “Life is very interesting…in the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.” - Drew Barrymore.


    Kudos:
    -Thank you, Sarah, "new teacher candidate," for driving down from Spokane to learn more about our small learning community.
     
    -Thank you, Tye, Sarah, Shannon, and Judy, for meeting, hosting, and giving Sarah time during her visit to our school.
     
    Thank you, Jason, Skye, staff, and students, for all your hard work organizing our Nacho Feed and Silent Auction.
     
    -Thank you, students, for having the courage to perform in front of your peers and the community. You created laughs, tears, and many smiles Friday night.
     
    Thank you, staff, for working on Smart Goals for the Strategic Plan. It's not easy work, but it is necessary to grow.
     
    -A big congratulations to Clyde and his family for the birth of his first grandchild. Have fun being a GrandPA!
     
    Week in Review:
    Monday- Mental Health Counselor here 
    Tuesday- Staff Meeting, HS Track @ Maupin-OR, 
    Wednesday- 4th/5th at Fishery 
    Thursday-
    Friday- JR Track at Condon-OR, SPED Meeting HS
    Saturday- HS Track at Condon-OR
     
    1. On Wednesday, the 4th and 5th grades are at the Yakama Nation Fisheries.
     
    2. SPED Meeting for an HS Student on Friday.
     
    3. Math/ELA Meeting with the ESD on Monday - Zooming at 3:00.
     

    CEL to Ponder:
    A3 Quality of formative assessment methods

    Assessment tasks allow students to demonstrate learning. The quality of the assessment methods provides comprehensive information about student thinking and needs.  
     
    A Little Humor:
    -What’s a frog’s favorite summer treat? Hopsicles.

    -How do you prevent a summer cold? Catch it in the winter.

    -What does Cinderella wear at the beach? Glass flippers.

    -What do you call a dog that likes to sunbathe? A hot dog.

    -What’s the most common insect found at the beach in summer? A beach buggy.
     
    -Fear of spiders is called arachnophobia, fear of tight spaces is called claustrophobia, and fear of Chuck Norris is just plain logic.

    Reflection:
     
    From breakdown to breakthrough: turning pain into gain. - Victoria Rothe
     
    Sometimes, things have to break apart to come together. Victoria Rothe discusses how giving up one of the biggest opportunities of her life and risking the shame of failure was the direct source of her personal and professional success. This inspiring and uplifting talk will reassure you that failure isn't your finish line - it's your launch pad. Recorded in London on the 28th of November 2021.
     
    -------------
    Chris Schumaker
     
    Superintendent/Principal
    Wishram Schools
    1-509-767-6090
    Comments (-1)

  • The Principal's Corner: April 1 - April 5

    Posted by Jason Cooper on 4/1/2024

    Well done is better than well said. -Benjamin Franklin


    Beware of the April Fools.
    image.png
     
    Kudos-
    -Thank you, Antoine, Jason, and Tye, for working over Spring Break to patch, repair, and clean our campus so it's ready for us to return.
    -Thank you, Sarah, for working over Spring Break to make sure the bills and employees get paid;)
    -Thank you to all those hardworking parents and guardians out there who support and love their kids. Our school couldn't do what we do without you doing what you do; it's that simple. - You are appreciated!
     
    Week in Review:
    Monday- Easter Monday, 
    Tuesday- Staff Meeting
    Wednesday- Late Start, District Leadership Meeting
    Thursday- Zoo Trip, WAGAP
    Friday-Lip Sync/Silent Auction
     
    1. Jr High Track Starts this week.
    2. The Zoo Trip is on Thursday
    3. Sarah Bankhead will be visiting this Thursday.
    4. WAGAP Food Truck is here this Thursday.
     
    CEL to Ponder:
    Criterion 6: Using multiple student data elements to modify instruction and improve student learning.
    A2 Student use of formative assessments over time
    Students use formative assessments at least two to three times per year/course and within each unit to assess their own learning, determine learning goals, and monitor progress over time.
     
    A Little Humor:
    -"What do a tick and the Eiffel Tower have in common?" "They're both Paris sites."
    -"What do you call a fish wearing a bowtie?" "Sofishticated."
    -"How do you follow Will Smith in the snow?" "You follow the fresh prints."
    -"Where do you learn to make a banana split?" "Sundae school."

    -Chuck Norris recently had the idea to sell his sweat as a canned beverage. It’s now called Red Bull.
     
    Reflection:
    The Power of Vulnerability
     
     
    Brené Brown studies human connection—our ability to empathize, belong, and love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself and understand humanity—a talk to share.
     
    ------------
    Chris Schumaker
     
    Superintendent/Principal
    Wishram Schools
    1-509-767-6090
    Comments (-1)

Recent

By Month

Filter by Tag