Staff News
Please keep Concord Counselor Brandy Smith in your prayers as she mourns the loss of her father. She was out all week and should return in a few days.
Students As Learners
We often put a great deal of emphasis on preparing students for their future, which is a major part of the formal education process. At the same time, we emphasize the here and now. It is said that the best way to develop the leaders of tomorrow is to start today, which is one of the reasons why we teach. Life skill development is a constant conversation in the world of education. Policies have come and gone, and back again when it comes to the importance of these skills in curriculum. Many of us remember the days of Home Economics class. We might still have the pair of pajamas or pillow that we made, recall the meals we cooked, or the fictitious budget that we developed to learn valuable skills that we use in our daily lives.
Intervention Specialist Mike Covey is teaching his Consumer Math class using the AGS Consumer math courses because of its task breakdown of important life skills topics. The first chapter deals with Earning Money from all types of wages earned compensation programs to commissions. The students have covered all aspects of buying food, shopping for clothing which included making their own clothing, layaway programs, and charge accounts. Currently, students are working on managing a household and all that those skills entail. Mr. Covey has also covered computing down payments, paying the mortgage and budgeting utility bills. These are life skills that every student should develop over time and as students prepare for life after high school, be it career, college, or a gap year; it’s hard to argue the importance of financial literacy skills. I recently shared the image the image above with parents and staff members and asked, “Who is responsible for teaching these skills?” Responses varied, but it is obvious that we are all responsible for teaching and reinforcing these skills through our content areas and in the home.
Congratulations to the following students for having their work juried into the Scholastic Art Awards:
Julia Spector-Painting: Color Splash -Silver Key
Harper Loeb -Drawing and Illustration: Purrrsistence of Memory -Gold Key
Harper Loeb -Drawing and Illustration: Off with His Head -Silver Key
Chloe Davis-Drawing and Illustration: Llama -Silver Key
Ja-Young Kim-Painting: Folk -Silver Key
Jordyn Lambert-Drawing and Illustration: Lady Fox -Silver Key
Harper Loeb -Drawing and Illustration: Off with His Head -Silver Key
Kyley Reams-Printmaking: Caged -Silver Key
Katie Cahill -Drawing and Illustration: The Inuit Polar Bear -HM
Leigh Gabel -Drawing and Illustration: Captain Kangaroo -HM
Ja-Young Kim -Digital Art: 45.4375° N, 12.3358° E -HM
Cecilia Smoyer-Drawing and Illustration: Lana -HM
The award ceremony and reception for the 2016 Central Ohio Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition is on Saturday, February 13th. Award recipients will receive an invitation to attend a reception to honor their achievements. All students who receive Gold Key, Silver Key or Honorable Mention will be listed in the exhibition program book, on the CCAD website and will receive a certificate on behalf of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Congratulations to our artists!
Athletic Update
The New Albany Swim and Dive Team had their final invitational warm-up before their Championship season starts in just two weeks. The Ladies finished 7th and the Gentlemen finished 9th at the prestigious Northeast Classic in Canton at the C.T. Branin Natatorium, sight of the OHSAA State Championships February 25-27.
The Dive team was led by Nikki Waters who finished 1st (475.65) and Georgina Milne (422.95) who finished 7th.
Boy swimmers making the Championship Finals were Pearson Spychalski, 4th in the 200 Free, Carson Barnes, 5th in the 100 Butterfly, and the 400 Free Relay team of Spychalski, Barnes, Harrison Jenny, and Gage Ford finishing 6th. Spychalski also set the Eagles team record in the 500 Free (4:52.60) in the consolation finals. Victor Alfonso joined those four in the consolation finals to round out a good day for the gentlemen.
The girls 200 Free Relay of Lauren Sadler, Jessica Zaper, Blake Broullire, and Olivia Neff placed 3rd in the Championship Finals. Grace Taylor, Abbie Linek, and Emili Toppari made consolation final events as well as all four girls on the 200 Free Relay team. Freshmen Kelly Shur made her presence felt in the bonus finals of the 200 Individual Medley.
The Eagles final regular season meet will be Tuesday, January 26th Tuesday against Olentangy Orange at 5:00 pm. Our senior swimmers and divers will be honored before the meet.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, January 27th- Staff Meeting, Jefferson Room 7:15 a.m. Curriculum Extravaganza, Cafe 6:30-8:30 p.m.
State of the Eagles, Gymnasium 1:45 p.m.
Thursday, January 28th- Staff Meeting, Jefferson Room 7:15 a.m.; State of the Eagles, Gymnasium 1:45 p.m.
Article Worth Reading
Rethinking College Admissions
Be Great,
Dwight
Food for Thought
