Welcome Back(ish)!

Lead Learners, 

Isn't summer wonderful for rejuvenating the mind? I genuinely hope you've had the chance to disconnect, be fully present, and create cherished memories with your loved ones. Although our time apart is drawing to a close, there's still ample opportunity to make the most of the remaining summer days. Savor every moment!

Something Personal

This summer, my family took our first "big trip" since Bennett was born, and we retreated to Anna Maria Island for a week of relaxation, salt water, and sun. It was warm--okay, it was hot-- but the heat was beat with the ocean breeze and Stanley protected ice water (thanks, trendy Mrs. Warren!).

The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the last day. Throughout the week, my daughters reminded me of the true essence of childhood: they organized sand dollar search parties, eagerly woke up early to collect shells for research, and indulged in friendly competition between imagined ice cream shops, all serving Perry's finest creations made from the pristine white sand of Florida. However, it was on the final day that something truly remarkable occurred, captivating even my adult self with a sense of child-like wonder and awe.

To our astonishment, a group of manatees gracefully swam to shore, granting us the privilege of witnessing their presence up close. The sheer curiosity radiating from both of my daughters was palpable, as their inquisitive minds were on the verge of bursting with excitement. The scene before us sparked an outpouring of questions and amazement, leaving them eager to delve into the world of manatees and absorb every bit of knowledge available. And I quote: "Dad, isn't this the best day of your life? It sure is mine!" -Adeline Warren

It was in this moment that I realized the true power of allowing children to embrace their curiosity. Learning became a living, breathing entity, and their young minds were receptive and open to new experiences. So I challenge you: how do you create these conditions, the conditions where learning can thrive, within your own learning space? How can you make learning come to life? Curiosity doesn't have to stop because we are confined to the walls of a school--their young brains are primed and built to wonder...capture it!

As a new school year approaches, it brings with it a sense of renewal for our students, families, and, of course, for you. Take the time to create a curious classroom or workspace, one in which students are allowed to create, problem solve, be cognitively stretched, question...that is our charge!

I hope you ride the wave of this fresh start for as long as possible, but remember that how we begin sets the tone for the entire year. The investment we make in a great start will make for an even better year!

Let's do this!

Something Professional

Two Items to Help Organize

The start and the end of a school year can make us feel overloaded. It is my hope the the following two items provide some clarity and helps eschew the overwhelm. 

Item #1: Check out the back-to-school check list!

Item #2: The QUEST Playbook--where we improve as a school this year!

Summer Day Goodies

WHEN: August 23 from 8-3. (meet in cafe at 8:15 am)

WHERE: Q-TOWN Café 

WHAT: Summer Day for Lead Learners (teaching)

MATERIALS:  Please bring a pen and a laptop. 

Please join the Google Classroom for the presentation and related materials (please note this classroom is under construction until summer day begins for those early birds that go in!): CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

AGENDA: 

• Connect before Content
• Hallway/Team work
• IB Updates
• Office of Instruction Update
• Time in room (optional Remind training 2:30-3!)

Vertical Teams and Committee Shifts 

QUEST is adding vertical teams to staff meeting times, and this will take the place of what was formerly committee work. 

What does this mean?

• All schools have a staff elected and paid SIT team. SIT will work on school-wide goals, but will also address non-contractual needs (like management team did). We will not need a management team due to this. 
• We still need people for PTSO. I encourage a rotating sharing of these meetings...that always seems to work best!
• We will have three vertical teams that will meet during every other staff meeting. If you are required to attend staff meetings, you should join one of these vertical teams. All meetings will be in the café so we can do a share out round table at the end. We will have a Health Team, an SEL Team (piloting Zones of Regulation this year), and an IB Team. 
• If you plan a school event (Feast, Culture Day, Science Fun Day, etc.) you can peel off of vertical teams when we get close to the event in order to have some staff meeting time for you and your small team to plan the event.

Why do this? 

• With the shift with SIT, level leaders added, committees needed to adjust a bit in terms of sharing the work.
• Our school continues to value collaboration, yet the vertical collaboration is always an area where we want to improve. This fosters vertical alignment and greater collaboration. 
• According to the leadership survey last year, it was expressed that Derek is unable to get to each "committee" meeting. I'll be in the room and will be able to jump from vertical team to vertical team, better allowing consistent work that is supported. 
• According to the staff meeting survey last year, most value staff meetings where planning and action happens versus sit and get. This fosters that! 

If you are required to attend staff meetings,  you can sign up for a vertical team here!

New Team Members (a couple remaining) 

Here are a few of our newest team members, with a few more who will be shared openly on August 23rd after BOE approval. Welcome to QUEST! 

Kayla Reese (she's back!), Intermediate

Kennedy Shurtleff (she's back!), K

Jacquelynn Smith, Intermediate

Tracey D'Alonzo, Special Education Consultant 

Remind...Reminder

For those new to Hilton, our district piloted a couple communication tools last year with the goal of selecting one that could be used by staff as a support and supplement. Remind was chosen because of its ability to meet many needs/wants. 

Why would a district narrow it down to having one communication tool when so many are on the market?

• The end user, the family, could have several kids, or simply one child, involved in many different classes, and have all these different apps and tools that get used to communicate. This can create confusion for the end user (our customers...the family/child). 
• This purchased account allows you to have an archive of communication that falls under the district. 

For those looking for a clever way to combine a weekly newsletter with Remind, check out this video! 

Want to join the staff remind? 

I will continue to use Remind to sound out meeting Reminders and other various bits of information. If you are not part of our class, and want to receive these messages on your phone, please: 

CLICK HERE!

Until we see you around the school, be well and take great care of you. Here's to a great year.

Be well, 

Derek