|
|
|
|
14/02/2010As I said in my last entry, I was invited into Schools Without Walls (SWW) for the last day to meet the teachers on their Training Day. I was able to talk to them about the North East and the Washington connection through Washingtn Old Hall, our school, our students and what I was hoping to get out of the link between the two schools.
They asked me loads of good questions - from types of courses we study in England and how we assess our students, to how much teachers get paid in England and how well Sunderland is doing in the Premiership!
What was apparent was that, like teachers at Monkwearmouth, they just want the best for their students, through good relationships and students who get the best possible experience and the best opportunities for their future.
I talked to teachers afterwards who taught a range of subjects including Dance, English, Art, Music, Maths and Statistics. They are all really keen to develop links with our students and we discussed setting up different ways of communicating, from blogs to skype to e-mails. I can't wait to get back to school and get these started.
It was a shame I had to leave, but the taxi from the hotel to the airport was booked and I wasn't about to be left there! 13/02/2010
The snow had been cleared from the main roads by Thursday, the metro was running - below ground at least - but still no one was at work and all the museums and places of interest were closed. Even the big department stores were closed - this seemed to affect the female headteachers more than us men - it must be to do with the respective enjoyment of the whole shopping experience!?
With most of the shops and all the places of interest still closed, there was little to do. I managed to get back to School Withouth Walls and spent some good time with the Principal, Richard Trogisch. We started to think how we could work together - and more importantly get our students working together. While I was there an e-mail arrived to say that school was open for a Training Day on the Friday, so I was invited back to meet all the teachers. 12/02/2010
In the USA they don't do things by halves! For Tuesday and Wednesday there was a forecast for 10 - 20 inches of more snow! We were told not to leave the hotel as our insurance wouldn't cover us in these 'adverse weather conditions'.
In the aternoonon on Tuesday another Principal from one of our link Elementary (Primary) schools came to the hotel and talked to us about her school. Because of the extra snow, it was obvious that all the schools would be closed all week, so unfortunately we wouldn't get to see students in schools. Interestingly, it is the Education Authority that makes the decision on whether schools should be closed or not, rather than individual Headteachers. Also, any days lost due to closure have to be made up at the end of term - so all the teachers and students will have an extra week to make up for all the bad weather!
By Wednesday we were getting stir crazy at the hotel. Everywhere was closed - all the museums and places of interest, there were no transport links - buses weren't running and the metro was closed; so some of use went for a walk in the snowstorm up to Dupont Circle where there was a planned snowball fight. You can see from some of the photos that there was loads of more snow by now - everyone was out and about on foot, there were only a few 4 wheeel drive cars and most of these were out 'playing' in the snow! One was pulling a snowboarder round and roads (see photo). The whole place more or less shut down - apart from Starbucks and one or two other shops and cafes who were doing a roaring trade!
DC had it bad in terms of snow - but there were many areas that were worse! In Frederick County (an area to the north west of the city), 75% of roads were closed, with snow drifts of up 8 to 10 feet! It was so bad that two Fire Engines that were responding to an emergency call got stuck in the snow!
There was nothing we coud do about the weather. We would just have to stick it out and hope to meet the Pincipals from the other schools later on in the week. 10/02/2010
On Tuesday I finally manged to get to see our partner school. True - there weren't any students there - but at least I got to look round and talk to the Principal.
School Without Walls is on the campus of George Washington University. It has students from ages 14-18 (our Years 10, 11 and beyond), with up to 120 in each year group. The building is impressive - an old school refurbished with a new part added on to the side. It cost $39 milllion!
However, there are no outside spaces apart from a small cafeteria, no gym or sportshall and certainly no swimming pool. Students have to access the sorts facilities at the university. The students there are very motivated and nearly all continue on to University - not just George Washington - all over the country and some abroad.
The subjects they study are similar to ours, maybe a little more traditional. However the important ones are English and 'Math'. Students have to past tests in these subjects or they could be made to retake the year! This means that some students in each year group could actually be older than others!
It was really interesting to see the similarities and the differences betwen the two systems. I'm looking forward to the time when some of our students exchange with students at School Without Walls - maybe even go on to George Washington University!? 09/02/2010
We had a couple of hours free Monday afternoon, so thought we'd better at least see the main sights of the city.
It was a short walk down to the White House - everyone says that the striking thing about DC is that it's very green and white (white stone buildings). Actually it was all white, as you can see from the photos!
At first the White House didn't look that impressive, and the police stopped us from going too close! However, from the other side - the view of the snow covered White House lawns - was stunning! The flag at half mast was apparently in respect of the death of a Senator, but we heard that it is at half mast every time there is a soldier killed in Afghanistan.
All the american presidents have lived in the White House - except the first one, George Washington.
The Washington Monument was very impressive from all viewpoints, and hence figures heavily in the photos! As everything else in the city it as closed - but apparently you can go up inside it!
Like I said in an earlier message, the place is full of memorials - both to past presidents and past wars. You could spend days looking at the all! We weren't allowed up to the Lincoln Memorial - no doubt due to Health and Safety restrictions (no change there then), but the view from there down the Pool of Reflection to the Washington Monument is stunning! It is very humbling to remember all the famous speeches made from there. in particualr that of Martin Luther King. And for those of more tender years there is always Forest Gump!!
Most moving for me was the Vietnam War Memorial. I hadn't realised that the war lasted for 16 years! 1959 to 1975. All the names of those servicemen killed in action are of the memorial - the wall goes on and on! The reflection in the sunlight and snow of the american flag was a once only photo opportunity! The wall itself was amazingly warm where it was in the sunlight, but much cooler in the shade. As a science teacher I'm tempted to explain why.....
It was such a privilege to walk around the famous buildings and memorials. What was amazing that there were so few people there - and no people selling all the rubbish that you get in many other places. Maybe that was because of the weather? I'll just have to come back under more normal circumstances and check??
I'm here with a group of Headteachers, trying to make links with Washington schools - each of us have been linked to a particualr school here and hopefully these can be developed once we see how both sets of students will benefit.
Today was spent trying to meet the people we were meant to be working with - only trouble is the place seems to be closed for the week because of all the snow!
All schools have been closed to students all week - and as we are meant to be here making links with schools and students, it all seemed a bit pointless!
We did find out about the school system though - very different to England! there are three types of school: Private Schools (very expensive - President Obama's children go to one), Charter Schools (a bit like our Academies, but they do much more as they like - Chelsea Clinton went to one of these) and the rest - known as Public Schools. Some of these are very run down and it's these schools who we are trying to work with. All schools have armed security guards, nearly all dont allow students out during the day, very few have gyms or playing fields and there are very few computers in them! It makes Monkwearmouth seem very well off!
The only things we could do Monday afternoon was walk round the city and sight-see! So that's what we did - walked down to the White House and around there, visiting all the memorials - Washington is full of memorials, either to past presidents or past wars!
Now all I have to do is work out how to download some photos onto this blog to show you what we saw!?.....
08/02/2010
Monday morning, 1.00 a.m. here in Washington, 6.00 a.m. with you in Sunderland.
Everyone at Heathrow said we were mad to try to get here but eventually we have!
All flights to Washington DC (they just call it DC) cancelled on Saturday, so we took a rash decision and flew to Boston instead! Arrived there yesterday evening.
Took the opportunity to look round the old town this morning - walked the 'Freedom Trail' - saw the site of the first school in America, the old Colonial Hall where the Declaration of Independence was first read out to the masses, - oh and went to the Cheers bar.
Eventually managed to get ona train to DC in the afternoon. Strangely there was no snow till after New York, but it made up for it as soon as we got near to DC. Masses of snow, only the main roads clear, so took the Metro and then got a taxi to the hotel.
Jet lag kicking in a bit now, so will continue this tomorrow.
04/02/2010
Thursday evening and I've just been introduced to the blog for the first time!
I've got my gifts ready for the Washington school - only trouble is I still don't know which school!?
13/01/2010
What is a Blog?
A Blog is a site designed to help you share information. Blogs can be used as news sites, journals, diaries, team sites, and more. It is your place on the World Wide Web.
Blogs are typically displayed in reverse chronological order (newest entries first), and consist of frequent short postings. With this Blog, it is also possible for your site visitors to comment on your postings.
In business, Blogs can be used as a team communication tool. Keep team members in touch by providing a central place for links, relevant news, and even gossip. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|