I am sharing this post because I feel other school districts could also be doing what they are doing in Mashpee, Massachusetts:. #WeAreMashpee is a community partnership model we all should follow:

Community Partnerships

School Volunteers

Community Outreach Center

The Mashpee Schools (with the nickname Falcons) have created wonderful community partnerships with the Southport Falcons, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Kiwanis, and Falcon Friends.

I attended a meeting at Southport an active adult 55+ community where the superintendent and assistant superintendent of the Mashpee Schools  (Patricia DeBoer, Superintendent  @PDeBoerMPS  and Hope Hanscom, Assistant Superintendent @Hanscom_MPS ) gave a presentation to encourage more Southport residents to become Southport Falcon volunteers who give countless hours to tutor and mentor students.  Those residents who are interested will be given a school bus tour of the Mashpee Schools and a visit to the Community Outreach Center.

School volunteers work with students on all levels in the classrooms, and in after school. programs  There is a wide range of activities and there are countless ways volunteers can lend a hand.They mentor students for example: a student wanted to build a computer and he was helped by a Southport resident who worked in that industry.  Another student interested in biology helped monitor a pond for the community.  Residents also conduct mock interviews with students who come dressed up and with their resumes.

#We Are Mashpee is the Community Outreach Center for the Mashpee Public Schools (located in Mashpee Commons which provided them the store) The center is: a showcase for student work (products made by students in wood, from a 3D Printer etc.) a community space, a spirit wear store (Falcons-themed shirts, hats, scarves, mugs, and T-shirts)  and a place to volunteer in our schools. Students serve as interns in the store and give presentations.

Schools should take advantage of the expertise and experience people in their community possess.

EdCampPOLK held on the campus of Florida Southern College on Saturday, October 8, 2016 was a wonderful educational experience where participants connected, learned and shared with one another.

Everything went extremely well despite the fact that as a result of the campus being closed for a day and a half in anticipation of Hurricane Matthew.  Campus security had to open the two buildings reserved for the edcamp.

I had the honor of giving the opening and introduction.

 

Sketchnotes by @kwstfl

My EdCamp – Conferences page

Jessica Solano Florida’s Teacher of the Year 2017 @2017FLTOY led a great discussion on Growth Mindset.

My Growth Mindset page 

By @kwstfl

Nancye Blair Black @NancyeBlackEdu who is the @FSTEnet President and @ISTE3DNetwork Founder and I led a fun discussion on Social Media.  Nancy also did a session on Peace Education and Global Minded Learning .

My Social Media page

My Twitter for Beginners page

@kwstfl Takeaways from discussion on how to avoid teacher burnout #EdCampPolk

My Teacher Burnout page

Resources from the Tech in the Elementary Classroom

EdCampPOLK Organizing Committee

Under the wonderful leadership of Dr. Julie Hasson.

Members:

Dr. Karen Aponte, Nancye Blair Black, Jerry Blumengarten, Casey Harvey,

Hope Holley, Rebekah Jewell, Suzanne Skinner, Cailin Hasson

Thanks to Casey Harvey and Rebekah Jewell undergraduate education majors at Florida Southern College for creating the EdCampPOLK website

Much thanks to Dr. Tedder and the Florida Southern College School of Education for providing the facilities and support to make this edcamp such a success.

EdCampPOLK would like to thank all of the sponsors who generously supported this successful educational unconference.

It is not hard to set goals or design mission statements.  However, they are only as good as being followed through.

This year I set a fitness goal of surpassing the 1,100 miles I accomplished in 2014 thanks to the hashtag #500in2014.  What really help keep me motivated was receiving a FitBit for Father’s Day.  I kept a spreadsheet of the distance I covered each day.  My daily goal was to cover 10,000 steps and for me that was equivalent to 4.5 miles.  After a while I decided to try for 100,000 steps per week.  FitBit once a week sends you in an email a report of your seven day progress.  I started another spreadsheet to keep track of my weekly totals of steps and distance.  As an aside I feel it is a good idea to not only teach students how to make databases and spreadsheets but to encourage them to make their own.  Have them make a spreadsheet of their physical activity each day or their earnings from doing chores or babysitting.  Learning a skill is wonderful but it is important to use it so you don’t forget what you have gained.

This is a tough time of year between Thanksgiving and the holidays to practice good nutrition and keep in shape.  Many people put off until the New Year to start eating properly and exercising.  I say don’t put it off and start now.  It is okay once in a while to treat yourself but keep focused on your health and fitness.  I do find myself at times not achieving what I set out to do but I stop and readjust and get back on track.  It is a good idea to stop and reflect on all that you do and make the necessary adjustments.

Yesterday, November 30, 2015 I surpassed 2,000 miles and made my goal.  Next year I would like to surpass my 2015 mileage.

My Goals page 

Here’s wishing you a healthy end to 2015 and an improved you in 2016.

I wish I could meet and thank all the members of my PLN (Personal Learning Network) in person. Yes, it is I who should thank you because not only do you keep me young but you keep me motivated to learn and try to make the changes in education needed to help facilitate the learning of each and every child.

In my new role as Social Media Storyteller for PRwithPanache! I will try to get businesses to build better relationships with those in education. We need to work together because it is all about the learning of our youth and grown ups. It is important to keep a running dialogue and listen to all parties.

 

As a new member of the Advisory Board of South by Southwest Edu #sxswedu I will strive to represent not only students and front line educators but parents and community. We should be working as an educational team.

My #YouMatter page http://cybraryman.com/youmatter.html