Community Update, July 9, 2021
Dear Hastings Families, Faculty and Staff,
Since the last week of June, many of our educators have been engaged in professional learning and collaborative work together. A couple of highlights thus far have included a Project Based Learning Workshop facilitated by the Buck Institute, and sessions focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, facilitated by Dr. Jenice Mateo-Toledo, Hastings Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator.
Project Based Learning
Approximately 30 Hastings teachers and administrators participated in the online Project Based Learning (PBL) Project Slice workshop. This work began with a presentation of a project path, which outlined what students can be thinking about during each phase of a project and how teachers can support their inquiry. We then received an overview of our challenge for the day, which was to engage as environmental consultants to address an issue of sustainability resulting from a “Tragedy of the Commons,” where the needs of individuals regarding resource use might come in conflict with the needs of the collective. We reviewed a project information sheet, which detailed the project expectations, checkpoints, and resources available. After moving into small groups and documenting working agreements, each team selected an environmental issue to focus on. After exploring relevant readings and resources, each team analyzed their issue. Using a project rubric to ground decision-making, each team designed a presentation to address their issue. Groups sought initial feedback from peers, revised their presentations, and then presented to a larger audience of colleagues.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The 5th Grade Team participated in a professional learning session during which they explored aspects of cultural identity, teaching into strengths and assets of non-dominant populations, linking singular texts to overarching themes, ways to address stereotypes and significant events, and multiple points of view. Additionally, teams of teachers worked together to revise our 4th Grade Sparks curriculum and our 5th Grade Sparks curriculum.
We are very proud of the efforts of our educators, who have rolled up their sleeves as curious learners and strong thought partners for each other. I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Best regards,
Melissa Szymanski
Interim Superintendent of Schools (7/1/21 - 7-31/21)
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction
