redefinED
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • Content
    • Analysis
    • Commentary and Opinion
    • News
    • Spotlights
    • Voices for Education Choice
    • factcheckED
  • Topics
    • Achievement Gap
    • Charter Schools
    • Customization
    • Education Equity
    • Education Politics
    • Education Research
    • Education Savings Accounts
    • Education Spending
    • Faith-based Education
    • Florida Schools Roundup
    • Homeschooling
    • Microschools
    • Parent Empowerment
    • Private Schools
    • Special Education
    • Testing and Accountability
    • Virtual Education
    • Vouchers
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Ashley Berner
    • Jonathan Butcher
    • Jack Coons
    • Dan Lips
    • Chris Stewart
    • Patrick J. Wolf
  • Education Facts
    • Research and Reports
    • Gardiner Scholarship Basic Program Facts
    • Hope Scholarship Program Facts
    • Reading Scholarship Program Facts
    • FES Basic Facts
  • Search
redefinED
 
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • Content
    • Analysis
    • Commentary and Opinion
    • News
    • Spotlights
    • Voices for Education Choice
    • factcheckED
  • Topics
    • Achievement Gap
    • Charter Schools
    • Customization
    • Education Equity
    • Education Politics
    • Education Research
    • Education Savings Accounts
    • Education Spending
    • Faith-based Education
    • Florida Schools Roundup
    • Homeschooling
    • Microschools
    • Parent Empowerment
    • Private Schools
    • Special Education
    • Testing and Accountability
    • Virtual Education
    • Vouchers
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Ashley Berner
    • Jonathan Butcher
    • Jack Coons
    • Dan Lips
    • Chris Stewart
    • Patrick J. Wolf
  • Education Facts
    • Research and Reports
    • Gardiner Scholarship Basic Program Facts
    • Hope Scholarship Program Facts
    • Reading Scholarship Program Facts
    • FES Basic Facts
  • Search
Tag:

Duval County schools

Charter SchoolsCoronavirus / COVID-19Education ChoiceFeaturedNewsSchool ChoiceVirtual Education

What Waldorf learning looks like in a virtual world

Lauren May March 31, 2020
Lauren May

Seaside Community Charter teachers maintained a sense of humor – and a 6-foot distance – as they distributed supplies to families before the start of their adventure in online learning.

How does a school that places a premium on cultivating a child’s imagination continue to educate students when teacher and student can no longer meet face to face? And how can a school that encourages children and parents to be mindful of the time kids spend online make the switch to online learning now that brick-and-mortar schools are closed?

These were the challenges for administrators at Seaside School Consortium, a cluster of three charter schools in Jacksonville. The consortium was conceived in 2011 by a group of parents with a passion for the ideas embodied in Waldorf education. Nearly a decade later, the schools are the only public, tuition-free elementary schools in the Southeast inspired by Waldorf principles.

According to the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, those principles evolved from an understanding of human development that address the needs of growing children. Rather than simply reading about and being tested on subjects such as music, dance, theater and literature, Waldorf educators help children experience them in ways that cultivate intellectual, emotional and physical capacities.

Quite a challenge for educators delivering instruction in a virtual world.

As soon as Seaside lead principal Rick Pinchot heard Duval County Schools would be closing, he put the word out to families at all three Seaside campuses – North, Beach and San Jose – that they could stop by and pick up the supplies their children would need to convert to online learning. Then Pinchot and Seaside board member Gina Zaffino attended a Zoom meeting hosted by the Alliance for Public Waldorf to learn how teachers could best work with students in a virtual setting.

Their most important takeaway: Teachers would need to connect with students in a way that would allow them to continue the face-to-face relationships they’d already established. Another key point: Students would need an online platform that would allow them to continue to interact in a group setting.

A first-grader’s drawing after hearing the story of the Greek goddess Persephone, read online by her teacher.

School leaders chose Google Classroom and decided teachers would be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to ensure working parents have access to them. They also pledged that parent emails sent in the evenings would receive a reply by the following day. Teachers began sending a list of tasks at the start of each day, including a “main lesson” – usually reading and English language arts – math, science and social studies. Resource teachers sent art and music lessons. Students completed assignments in their lesson books and emailed them to their teachers, who graded them and offered feedback.

To keep things as normal as possible, teachers were encouraged to schedule one-on-one video calls or meetings with students. A little over a week into the new world, things seem to be going well.

“I think parents are really involved and able to continue the Waldorf work in the home,” kindergarten teacher Briana Pollock said. “While it has been challenging, it has been rewarding to be able to work side by side with parents.”

Seaside parents are encouraged to establish a daily rhythm to keep their children’s lives as normal as possible.

The switch to online learning necessitated an adjustment for the parents as well as the students. Seaside administrators and teachers encouraged parents to create a daily rhythm to keep their children on a schedule – a “Seaside homeschool rhythm” – that itemizes everything from getting dressed in the morning to doing household chores.

“We have two very active young boys and we need a rigorous schedule to help with their energy,” said parent Natasha Dobronte, whose sons are in first and third grades.

Seaside San Jose principal Patty Oliphant said she’s confident her school is adhering to Waldorf principles despite the changes. Teachers continue to hold morning circle even if songs are sung via video. Lessons are still being sent to parents to incorporate into their home lives to keep Waldorf methods intact.

Oliphant congratulated families Friday with a virtual message.

“You made it through a whole week of this new ‘normal’ ” she wrote. “Keep what’s important in front of you. I love you all!”

March 31, 2020 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail
Florida Schools Roundup

Florida roundup: Tax credit scholarships, course choice, charter schools and more

Travis Pillow May 15, 2014
Travis Pillow

Single-gender. Separate floors for boys and girls are part of the turnaround plan for a struggling Duval County school. Florida Times-Union.

florida-roundup-logo

Tax credit scholarships. The statewide teachers union calls on Gov. Rick Scott to veto legislation expanding eligibility for the program while reiterating myths about a failed constitutional amendment and referring to proposed personal scholarship accounts for disabled children as a “new entitlement.” Sentinel School Zone.

Charter schools. The Pinellas superintendent outlines a plan to take over a charter school aimed at at-risk students. Gradebook. Tampa Tribune.

Course choice. Virtual education and course choice may hold promise for instruction in physics and other sciences, but policymakers should be aware of potential pitfalls, Paul Cottle writes at Bridge to Tomorrow.

Brown v. Board of Education. Civil-rights activists aim for equity and elimination of achievement gaps on the anniversary of the landmark ruling. Miami Herald.

Special needs. Exceptional education students showcase their talents in Wesley Chapel. Tampa Bay Times.

Funding. Palm Beach voters will have to choose between lower property taxes or funding for arts programs on their fall ballots. Sun-Sentinel. The district plans to spend up to $1 million on bus cameras. Palm Beach Post.

Valedictorians. Broward schools will keep the honorary titles for top high school graduates. Sun-Sentinel. A Palm Beach valedictorian is interested in neuroscience. Palm Beach Post.

Facilities. Leon County’s schools superintendent acknowledges an FBI investigation in the wake of reports about the district’s allocation of constructions contracts. Tallahassee Democrat. Largo High School may be poised for demolition, but the again building houses a rich history. Tampa Tribune.

Administration. Hillsborough’s school district plans improvements after meetings with district employees. Tampa Tribune. Tampa Bay Times. A federal complaint against the Pasco superintendent is thrown out. Gradebook.

Testing. A fourth grader writes a song to rally students for the FCAT. Sun-Sentinel.

School safety. Teenagers are arrested after a gang-related incident on a school bus. Tampa Tribune. The family of a student shown in a video getting kicked by a police officer seeks an investigation. Palm Beach Post.

Employee conduct. A Palm Beach County guidance counselor faces DUI charges after getting stopped on the way to work. Palm Beach Post.  Lawsuits dog the Manatee County school district after a criminal case is closed against a former football coach. Bradenton Herald.

May 15, 2014 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail
Florida Schools Roundup

Florida roundup: Charter schools, Common Core, prayer and more

Travis Pillow April 2, 2014
Travis Pillow

Charter schools. Florida State College at Jacksonville prepares to close its charter school. Florida Times-Union. The Duval County School Board green lights a separate charter proposal. Times-Union. The school district in Pinellas County considers taking over a charter school for at-risk students. Tampa Bay Times. A second Pinellas charter school is set to close in June. Tampa Tribune. A municipal charter in Miami-Dade gets a new director. Miami Herald. A Sunshine State News columnist chides liberals for their stances on charter schools.

florida-roundup-logoCommon Core. While Florida is largely sticking with the standards, the political backlash against them is prompting some legislative changes. Associated Press. One example: A textbook bill that cleared a House panel Tuesday. Extra credit. That’s not enough for opponents of the standards, who are calling “mayday” to their allies nationally. Sentinel School Zone.

Prayer. A family says their 5-year-old daughter was told not to pray in her Seminole County school. Orlando Sentinel. The incident stirs controversy. WKMG. Gradebook.

Dual enrollment. The Lee County School Board reaches a deal with local colleges to cover the costs. Fort Myers News-Press.

Student safety. The Hillsborough County School Board approves a settlement in the wake of a girl’s death. Tampa Tribune. Tampa Bay Times.

Employees. The Pasco school board overturns an employees suspension. Tampa Tribune. Gradebook. A Vietnamese former employee alleges racial discrimination in a lawsuit against the Palm Beach County school district. Extra Credit.

Administration. The Walton school board prepares to appoint a new superintendent. Northwest Florida Daily News.

Teachers. Volusia County schools have more than 600 first-year teachers. Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Transportation. The Hernando school board considers a “hub” model. Gradebook.

 

April 2, 2014 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail
Florida Schools Roundup

Florida roundup: Open enrollment, tax credit scholarships, charter schools and more

Travis Pillow April 1, 2014
Travis Pillow

Open enrollment. Duval County’s plan for universal public school choice is now on hold indefinitely, the Florida Times-Union reports. More from WJCT. WJXT.

florida-roundup-logo Tax credit scholarships. The Florida PTA comes out against legislation expanding the tax credit scholarships program. Extra Credit. A Tampa Bay Times columnist rails against the program, seizing on the fact that students do not take the statewide standardized tests. More on the bill from Watchdog.Org.

Charter schools. Einstein Academies gain a foothold in South Florida. Sun-Sentinel. A Brevard charter school wins local recognition for its “green” practices. Florida Today. NBC Miami tackles facilities funding questions.

Common Core. Trouble finding quality textbooks aligned to the standards prompts Pasco schools to delay a round of textbook adoption decisions. Gradebook.

Textbooks. Scripps/Tribune writes up the bill that could soon remove the state from adoption decisions.

Transportation. Safety concerns and other complaints are mounting among Hillsborough bus drivers, and school board members are heating about it. Tampa Tribune. Tampa Bay Times. Officials look to make buses safer for disabled students. Tampa Tribune.

Student discipline. Advocates seek changes to zero-tolerance policies. Tampa Bay Times. The Senate advances the “pop-tart” zero-tolerance overhaul. WFSU.

Teacher conduct. Penalties for sexual misconduct could soon get steeper. Sun-Sentinel.

Athletic transfers. An internal investigation turns up no wrongdoing in Okaloosa County. Northwest Florida Daily News.

Politics. A Gainesville middle school teacher prepares to run against a controversial Congressman. Gainesville Sun.

April 1, 2014 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail
Florida Schools Roundup

Florida Roundup: Tax credit scholarships, extracurricular activities, testing and more

Travis Pillow March 31, 2014
Travis Pillow

Tax credit scholarships. Revived legislation expanding the program clears a House-panel on a party-line vote. Florida Times-Union. Capitol News Service. News Service of Florida. Times/Herald. Palm Beach Post. Associated Press. WFSU. The legislation could extend scholarships to middle-class families. Sun-Sentinel. A Washington Post blogger seizes on inconsistent uses of the term “waiting list.” Answer Sheet. A Palm Beach Post columnist likens the bill to a “zombie that won’t die.” The program is administered by Step Up for Students, which co-hosts this blog.

florida-roundup-logoCharter schools. Hillsborough schools officials raise questions about the non-profit organizations that hired Charter Schools USA to run three charter schools in the county. Tampa Bay Times. Charter schools compete with school districts for limited construction funds in the state budget. Times/Herald.

Extracurricular activities. The Florida Times-Union writes up a bill that would expand access for students in school choice programs.

Testing. School administrators say they need more time before the state switches standardized tests. Tampa Tribune. Duval’s superintendent pledges to pare back the number of tests given in the district next year. Florida Times-Union.

Teachers.  A Lee County Schools program aims to bring new teachers into high-need areas. Naples Daily News. Collier schools turn to recent retirees to make up for a substitute shortage. Naples Daily News. A recent statewide teacher of the year criticizes the use value-added scores to judge teachers, among other state education policies. Tampa Bay Times.

Continue Reading
March 31, 2014 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail
Florida Schools Roundup

Florida Roundup: School choice, tax credit scholarships, Common Core and more

Travis Pillow March 14, 2014
Travis Pillow

Public-school choice. A plan to create public-school choice throughout Duval County divides the school board, the Florida Times-Union reports. Some board members warn of “unintended consequences.” WJXT. More from First Coast News and WJCT.

florida-roundup-logoTax credit scholarships. The St. Augustine Record editorial board comes out against legislation that would expand the program.

School choice. A Sun-Sentinel op-ed tees off on the a range of choice options, arguing they run counter to the state constitutional provision requiring a “uniform” education system,.while a separate guest column argues choice programs open opportunities to minority students, and opposition is being fueled by unions.

Magnet schools. A student in the jazz band at an Osceola County arts magnet program advanced to a national competition. Orlando Sentinel.

Common Core. Gov. Rick Scott stands by the standards as opponents see a lack of action in the Legislature. Miami Herald. 

Textbooks. Bill to put adoption decisions totally in district hands appears to be getting support in both chambers of the Legislature. Gradebook. Palm Beach County officials oppose it. Extra Credit.

Funding. The state’s revenue picture got even better this week, and the Florida House wants to increase spending on public schools. Tampa Bay Times. Florida Current.

School boards. The Hernando school board approves a re-organization plan. Tampa Bay Times.

Teacher pay. A mediator’s decision could pave the way for raises in Orange County. Orlando Sentinel.

Poverty. Blessings in a Backpack helps fight hunger among students in Seminole County. Sentinel.

March 14, 2014 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS

© 2020 redefinED. All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top