Exeter

Swasey Central School Students and Parents Participate in Hour of Code

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New Hampshire School Administrative Unit 16
Christine Rath, Interim Superintendent
30 Linden Street
Exeter, NH 03833

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Swasey Central School Students and Parents Participate in Hour of Code

BRENTWOOD — Swasey Central School students and parents came together for a unique learning opportunity last week as they participated in an Hour of Code event.

Celebrated annually, the Hour of Code is part of Computer Science Education Week, Dec. 3-9, and inspires children to nurture critical thinking, logic and creativity in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

For the first time, Swasey School parents were invited to join students in the school’s new STEAM Design Lab for a series of activities.

The STEAM Design Lab, which is overseen by teacher Lisa Brown, adheres to the Next Generation Science Standards and New Hampshire’s Computer Science Standards. It encourages students to think like an engineer, incorporating hands-on learning as well as the integration of Chromebooks, iPads and robots for creative and collaborative work.

“It was amazing to watch as students and parents shared struggles, solutions and successes,” Brown said. “We were very excited to open our lab to parents as we continue to inspire the next generation of collaborators, coders and innovators.”

Kindergarten and first grade students began their lessons with “unplugged” activities, which allowed them to create algorithms or identify events using paper and pencil.  They then transferred their learning to iPads and worked with Kodable and Daisy the Dinosaur apps.

Students in second through fifth grades used programs available on the Code.org — a nonprofit organization focused on expanding participation in computer science — including Dance Party, Minecraft and Angry Birds. Children sat side by side with parents problem solving and creating.

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SST Digital Media Arts Teacher to Present on Innovative Classroom Strategy at National Conference

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New Hampshire SAU 16
Dr. David Ryan, Superintendent
30 Linden Street
Exeter, NH 03833

For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 26, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

SST Digital Media Arts Teacher to Present on Innovative Classroom Strategy at National Conference

EXETER — Principal Margaret Callahan is pleased to announce that Kristine Groleau, Digital Media Arts teacher at Seacoast School of Technology, earned a spot as a presenter at this year’s National Art Education Association conference for her innovative teaching strategy.

Groleau’s presentation, “Develop Drawing Skills and Concepts for Digital Designers,” works to help students gain a better understanding of design principles and elements.

As part of the annual event for educators and administrators, Groleau will run a 25-minute demonstration to illustrate how she works with students in her classroom.

“We’re so excited that Kristine is attending this prestigious conference to share her  hands-on curriculum component with educators from around the country,” Principal Callahan said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for her to showcase one of the many fantastic programs here at SST.”

In 2013, while finishing her master’s degree, Groleau stumbled upon the article, “Making connections: building artistic insight for digital design” by Eugene A. Garone. The article stated that students pursuing undergraduate degrees in art often enter a post-secondary program with little to no knowledge on design elements and principles.

“After I read that, I was like, he’s right,” Groleau said. “A lot of students, even if they’re here for two years, have trouble articulating the design principles and elements, so I thought it would be a good idea to do a hands-on activity that could further reinforce them.”

SST’s Digital Media Arts program combines courses in graphic design, animation, web design and video production.

For the first semester, students begin class once to twice a week with a five minute exercise Groleau created. Each person receives a Post-it and is instructed to draw a design element or principle. By the end of the unit, students have 20 different Post-its that can be used for their portfolios.

In one activity, students focused on illustrating the design element, “line.” After selecting an image — like a baseball, doughnuts or teacup — they then drew it using only straight lines. Students are then expected to apply what they learned in the activity in their daily work.

“The ultimate purpose is to help students improve and expand upon their drawing skills and their knowledge of the principles and elements of design,” Groleau said. “So they can then talk intelligently about their work and the work of others.”

Conference attendees will complete a similar exercise and receive instructions and materials to implement the activity in their classrooms if they so desire.

About Seacoast School of Technology:

The Seacoast School of Technology is the regional Career and Technical Center serving high school students from Epping, Exeter, Newmarket, Raymond, Sanborn Regional and Winnacunnet high schools.

SST offers selective coursework preparing students for their lives after high school- college, work or the military. Many of their 12 programs allow students to earn college credit and industry-recognized certifications while fulfilling their high school graduation requirements. Most importantly, students get the opportunity to explore areas of interest in a hands-on environment with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology.

To find out more, visit seacoasttech.com.

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SAU 16 Implements Competency Based Education Practices for Increased Learning Opportunities

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New Hampshire SAU 16
Dr. David Ryan, Superintendent
30 Linden Street
Exeter, NH 03833

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

SAU 16 Implements Competency Based Education Practices for Increased Learning Opportunities

SAU 16 created a vision for their graduates surrounding competency based education. (Courtesy Photo SAU 16)

EXETER — Teachers throughout SAU 16 are implementing a new approach to teaching and learning that is focused on providing a customized educational experience for all students.

Throughout the 2018-19 school year, teachers and students will implement a number of prototypes inside and outside the classroom surrounding competency based education.

Over the summer, educators from Exeter, Portsmouth, Oyster River, Hampton and Newmarket came to together for a three day summer institute on July 10-13 that was focused on competency based education. The group of 100 teachers, administrators and educational leaders partnered with 2Revolutions to expand their knowledge and to create prototypes that will be used throughout the year.

SAU 16 is no stranger to competency based learning. The district has been making the transition since 2011, beginning with a vision for graduates that serves as compass to guide SAU 16’s work going forward.

“The key to competency based learning, and what we’ve been working on for the last seven years, is providing students with the type of experience that allows them to take ownership of their education,” Superintendent David Ryan said. “What we hope to accomplish with the prototypes is to give students opportunities to build the skills they need to demonstrate competency.”

Today, students in grades nine through 12 began working on a prototype, “How can we improve life and learning at Exeter High School?” to determine what the school community would like to change to improve the overall culture within the building. To do so, over the course of the year, students will create and distribute surveys, analyze data and make a presentation to staff with their conclusions.

Students who were selected for this prototype by their teachers will work across all content areas as part of their curriculum. The group represents a wide range of ages, levels and abilities.

“With this prototype, we want students to have a voice in what they’re doing,” said Assistant Superintendent Christopher Andriski. “The common goal we have here is how do we improve all of our school districts from the student’s perspective. At the same time, this works toward competency based education, looking at whether or not students asked the right questions, and how those questions drove them into the next steps of their own learning.”

At the middle school, teachers will be looking at a new approach to scheduling, where students in grades six through eight can take classes based on their levels of competency as opposed to being restricted to those designated for their grade.

The goal is to create a schedule that is flexible enough to allow students to move between classes from one month to the next, or every quarter, if needed.

“We’re trying to personalize instruction for all students,” Assistant Superintendent Andriski said. “Traditionally, students are assigned to a class solely based on their age.  In a competency based approach, we want to assign students to classes that focus on improving and enhancing each student’s skills at a personalized level.”

While working on these two prototypes at the middle and high school, teachers also have an individual goal of prototyping something in their own classroom that’s focused on competency based education and student centered learning.

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Parents Invited to Attend Exeter High School Open House

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New Hampshire School Administrative Unit 16
Superintendent David Ryan
30 Linden Street
Exeter, NH 03833

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Parents Invited to Attend Exeter High School Open House

EXETER — Principal Michael Monahan is pleased to announce that Exeter High School will be hosting an Open House next week in order to give parents and guardians an opportunity to learn more about their student’s courses and class expectations.

“We invite all parents and guardians who are able to attend next week,” Principal Michael Monahan. “This will be a great way for family members to meet their child’s teachers and get an idea of what their students experiences will be like this year.”

WHEN:

Thursday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:

1 Blue Hawk Drive, Exeter

WHAT:

Parents and guardians will follow their student’s Monday schedule and visit each of their classes for about 10-15 minutes to become better acquainted with his or her classes and teachers.

The teachers will provide a brief overview of their course and class expectations.

Those who would like to attend the Open House are asked to bring their students’ first semester schedule along with an informational postcard schedule that was sent home with each student. Student schedules can be printed off of the PowerSchool/Parent Portal online.

The class period schedule for the Open House is as follows:

  • Period 1 – 6:30-6:45 p.m.
  • Period 2 – 6:50-7 p.m.
  • Period 3 – 7:05-7:15 p.m.
  • Period 4 – 7:20-7:30 p.m.
  • Period 5 – 7:35-7:45 p.m.
  • Period 6 – 7:50-8 p.m.
  • Period 7 – 8:05-8:15 p.m.

Physical Education classes will meet in the gymnasium. During study hall periods, parents are invited to the cafeteria for refreshments.

Counselors will be available in the Student Services Office throughout the evening.

For any questions about the Open House, please call 603-395-2400.

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