"I enjoyed the virtual pep rally very much. Please pass on my congratulations to your kids (and you, of course) for a spectacular job! Felt like a regular school!" Centennial Staff Member Centennial has a tradition of running one big Pep Rally every December. No assemblies allowed due to Covid so that was a no … Continue reading Virtual Pep Rally Primer
3 wins
In Covid times we are all looking for wins. I had three this last week.
A Worm For You – Magic Wiggle Worm Wednesday
First - Why I love being a Leadership Advisor – 2 wins for me this past week Vanessa – In the middle of one of my morning classes Vanessa came for a visit. I was in the middle of a lesson but could tell she really wanted to talk to me. I waved her in. She … Continue reading A Worm For You – Magic Wiggle Worm Wednesday
Pillow Balancing on Google Meet – School Culture Matters
My Leadership 10 class is finishing off our weekly Google Meet class. At this point we have been out of school for two months. At the end I give them what I call the five minute free for all. Everyone can unmute their microphones and say whatever they want. It can get a little chaotic but a … Continue reading Pillow Balancing on Google Meet – School Culture Matters
#socialdistancetogetherness
connecting and showing care while apart I had the opportunity to participate in a Zoom conversation with Phil Boyte and four Leadership Advisors from California. I believe that social distancing might be a little easier looking out your window at palm trees rather than a snow filled back yard. You decide. We all work with … Continue reading #socialdistancetogetherness
Find Your Tribe – helping students feel connected
Sept. 2019 -Arkan walked into his first day of classes in the Leadership room, put his arms in the air, and said "I'm home!" Jan. 2020 - Arkan comes into class, sees the "Oh the Places You'll Go!" books ready to be signed and says "Oh no, it means the end of Leadership is close." … Continue reading Find Your Tribe – helping students feel connected
The Breakfast Club Battles Doomsday (Budget Cuts)
Devastating cuts had been announced by the Alberta Government the end of October. Temporary contract teachers may lose their jobs soon. Teaching schedules may change. Yet again we are asked to do more with less. The mood feels heavier and more somber among staff than it has in years. The next day is session #2 … Continue reading The Breakfast Club Battles Doomsday (Budget Cuts)
Christmas Charities – Supercharge them – Delay the Day! … and then play some Bingo
Last year our guidance counselor came up to me in the hallway with a problem. Every day a number of students pick up brown bag lunches because they don’t have enough to eat at home. I found out that number had gone up significantly in our school and we could not meet the demand. “Could … Continue reading Christmas Charities – Supercharge them – Delay the Day! … and then play some Bingo
Tree Frogs Can’t Jump – But Australian Hairy Frogs Sure Can Roll!
It turns out that tree frogs can’t jump. Many years ago when I was a new Leadership teacher at Yale Secondary in Abbotsford BC the class came up with a great idea for a lunch activity. We would have a frog jumping contest in the gym. So the promotions began. We gave the frogs the names Rufus and Max. We put … Continue reading Tree Frogs Can’t Jump – But Australian Hairy Frogs Sure Can Roll!
The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield – Lesson Plan
After hearing Chris Hadfield speak at the Canadian Student Leadership Conference in Edmonton (CSLC 2018) I was inspired to share his children's book The Darkest Dark with my Leadership class. It went great - below is the lesson plan and assignment we used. I began by reading the book to the class elementary school style … Continue reading The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield – Lesson Plan
Brent Dickson 