What a Year!

It is hard to believe that the 2009-2010 school year has less than 15 days left.  If you are at all like me, you are wondering, "Where did it go?"  I guess the easy answer is that we were so engaged in the process of learning that the time just flew by.  The students and I have had a most wonderful year.  We expressed our gratitude last Tuesday during our Parent Appreciation Dinner.  For photos of the event (Thank you, Sallie DeGolia!) please click HERE.   And, I expressed my personal THANKS - publicly - in a recent letter to the Portola Valley Governing Board.  Allow me to share this communication with all of you.
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May 14, 2010

Mr. Steven Humphreys, Acting President

The Portola Valley School District Governing Board

4575 Alpine Road

Portola Valley, CA  94028

Dear Mr. Humphreys and Members of the Governing Board:

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Governing Board for providing impetus and support for the 21^st Century Learning Initiative that began in the 4^th and 5^th grades this school year.  In my lengthy career as a public school teacher, I can honestly say that I have never experienced such an invigorating year.  It was inspirational, both intellectually and professionally. The challenges of providing this new, enhanced curriculum delivery system prompted an explosion in my own professional growth. 

The academic effects of this initiative on student proficiency have yet to be proven through end-of-year assessments.  But if the anecdotes I’ve collected, the interviews students have provided, and the documented positive attitudes of both students and parents are any indication of success, we have triumphed beyond our wildest imaginings.  Without the unflagging support of my administrators, Carol Piraino and Anne Campbell, the responsiveness of the IT team under Tom Keating, the instantaneous provision of resources provided by the library staff under Carolyn Billheimer, and visionary thinkers such as yourselves, none of this extraordinary year would have been possible.

I would, however, be remiss in my expression of appreciation, if I did not speak to the parents of my students who have given unstintingly of their time and resources to support our ambitious agenda of field trips, specialized integrated activities, classroom projects, and the video documentation of our school year.   All of the Integrated Exploratory parents were instrumental in our success.  For the record, I would like to acknowledge the following special individuals for support and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty.

• Meredith McClintock was instrumental in planning, booking, and logistical support for no fewer than 25 field trips, ranging from the San Francisco Exploratorium to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  When asked what they liked most about the school year, a large percentage of my students named one of those many trips.  It was an absolutely mammoth task Meredith undertook, and she gracefully handled the whims of booking agencies as well as last minute changes in drivers and departure times. 

• Using our social studies curriculum as a basis, Angie Schillace brought music integration in the form of instruction in the pentatonic scale during our study of Native American peoples. She provided scaffolding in melodic composition using USA landforms as a musical motif in a class-created US States and Capitals song composed on Garageband.

• Phyllis Eicher conveyed her expertise and love of art as she led several visualization exercises during our study of artists and their techniques.  From cave painting, to Paul Gaughin, to Stuart Gilbert and portraiture, to Georgia O’Keefe’s exquisite eye, and Ansel Adams’ nature photography, she matched our social studies themes with the art and techniques of the time period. 

• But, without a doubt, it was Linda Yates who championed this Integrated Exploratory experiment from the start. Throughout the year, she provided companion vision to my own, and energy, commitment, and resources to convert our ambitious agenda into a fully functioning reality. The litany of her many significant contributions to our 5^th grade class could take pages.  I list only a few.  Linda has been…
• a strident advocate for the adoption of this 21^st Century model, including hosting a beginning-of-the-year get acquainted dinner at her home,
• a strong proponent of the early release Wednesday initiative so teachers could accommodate massive changes to curriculum and instruction,
• a provider of classroom resources and materials (e.g. books, maps, student comfort items), including classroom iLab organization and items integral to design thinking,
• a vocal and financial supporter of the 1:1 laptop initiative,
• a behind the scenes supporter of our intensive hands-on science program,
• a principle underwriter of visiting author Peter Lourie and his writers’ workshop,
• the primary proponent and underwriter of the iLab idea for the old library space,
• a developer of partnerships between our class and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (formerly the d.school) and the School of Archaeology at Stanford, and
• the underwriter of the video documentation of this extraordinary year.

It is true that Linda and I did not see eye-to-eye on every issue.  That, I believe, is the cost of innovation and early adoption, when passions run high and cynicism cuts deep.  Without Linda’s tireless efforts, however, we would not have achieved the successes we have witnessed this year.  The parents, the students, and I, indeed everyone involved in the Integrated Exploratory class, owe Linda Yates a tremendous debt of gratitude. 

As we move through the next few years, we can only hope to find ambitious, energetic individuals who provide the synergy we have experienced and who will continue the levels of support for this 21^st Century Initiative we have enjoyed this year.  The students and I expect to formally thank all of our parents on Tuesday, May 18^th from 5:30 – 7:30.  If you find time to drop by, we would love to have you share in our celebration. 

Very truly yours,

Marcia Barton