Dr. Collins most recent message:
MAY 2013 PUSD & COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS
JANUARY 21, 2013
TEACHING AND LEARNING
DECEMBER 21, 2012
WINTER BREAK
Archives Messages:
- December 17, 2012
- Decebmer 14, 2012
- October 26, 2012
- March 12, 2012
- August 25, 2011
- April 20, 2011
- July 12, 2010
- August 30 2010
John P. Collins, Ed.D.
May 2013
RE: PUSD and Common Core State Standards
According to many recent national studies on the future workforce needs in the United States, the literacy skills, critical thinking skills, and the attitudes and behaviors for success in college or postsecondary training look very similar to the skills needed for success in the workplace. ~ Poway Unified School District Strategic Vision: 2008-2014
“Common education standards are essential for producing the educated work force America needs to remain globally competitive. This voluntary state-led effort will help ensure that all students can receive the college- and career-ready, world-class education they deserve, no matter where they live. I applaud the states’ efforts that got us here today and the work of NGA, CCSSO and Achieve in supporting this important achievement.” ~ Craig Barrett, Former CEO and Chairman of the Board, Intel Corporation, 2010
There has been a lot of coverage recently in local and national news about the adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Work on the CCSS began in 2009, at the request of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGA). These two groups tasked education stakeholders to review the various standards already adopted in individual states, build on the best of these standards, and maintain a focus on the skills and knowledge students need to be career- and college-ready.
California “put its stamp” on the Common Core from the very beginning. California was among those states whose existing standards were used extensively in the writing of the Common Core, and California educators played a critical role in reviewing the drafted standards and finalizing them.
The Common Core standards have now been adopted by 45 states, four territories and the Department of Defense Schools. Each state or territory was allowed to add 15% of its existing standards to the Common Core. California added state-specific standards in both English Language Arts & Literacy and Mathematics. These revised standards – now known as California’s Common Core State Standards – were adopted by the California Legislature in August, 2010.
The new California State Standards identify the knowledge, concepts, and skills students should acquire by high school graduation. These standards are broken down by grade level, and subject area. The development of specific courses, curriculum, and instructional materials continues to be the responsibility of each local school district.
The career and college readiness skills that the California standards emphasize have been at the center of Poway Unified’s Mission and Vision for more than a decade. The state standards will continue to focus our work on critical thinking as our students read, write, and reason mathematically across all content areas. PUSD’s 2002-2008 Strategic Plan targeted College and Career Readiness for all students. Expanding on this work, PUSD’s 2008-2014 Strategic Vision includes Rigor (high expectations for all); Relevance (student engagement in learning) and Relationships (personalization of the learning experience for all) as hallmarks of our District’s mission.
In 2012-13, PUSD teachers and administrators once again expanded their focus on career and college readiness, using the new California Common Core standards as one element in lesson and assessment design. As part of this transition, administrators and teachers across the District are participating in a range of Professional Learning activities this year. Below are some highlights:
- K-5 teachers have collaborated on the development of lessons, prompts and exemplars for trimester writing that reflect the Common Core’s emphasis on opinion, informative/explanatory and narrative writing.
- 6-12 English Language Arts, Social Science, Science and Technical Subject teachers have received training on the instructional “shifts” in the Common Core that will require students to read and comprehend literary and informational texts while mastering subject specific academic language, and articulate arguments and claims through writing and speaking with evidence taken directly from reputable resources.
- 6-12 Math teachers have reviewed information and research on the California CC Standards for Mathematical Practices that will require students to master mathematical processes, explain how they solved problems, and apply mathematics to solve problems arising in everyday life.
I believe it is the artistry and passion of the classroom teacher that determines the quality of a student’s educational experience. Please be assured that the transition of our state standards is consistent with the academic excellence we celebrate!
On Wednesday, May 22, 2013, the Poway Unified School District Board of Education will hold a special workshop on the new California Standards. The workshop will be held at the Poway Unified School District Office, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128, in the Community Room. The Public is welcome to attend.
John Collins, Superintendent
January 21, 2013
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Teaching and learning guide just about every decision PUSD makes, from the teachers and administrators we hire, to the facilities we design and build, to the instructional materials and technologies we adopt.
The PUSD school calendar also reflects our District’s commitment to creating the best learning experience possible for every member of our organization. So, while your students enjoyed a well-deserved holiday last Friday, PUSD teachers and support staff spent their day learning. At school sites throughout the District, teachers, administrators and staff explored a wide range of Professional Learning opportunities:
- Elementary teachers gathered in grade-level teams to discuss how the newly-adopted national Common Core standards will impact writing instruction.
- Middle and high school teachers learned about the impact of the Common Core on their practice and explored new technologies to support instruction and assessment.
- Preschool teachers attended a workshop about developing children’s writing in preschool in preparation for meeting Common Core State Standards in kindergarten and using assessments to monitor children’s growth and development.
- Special Education Instructional Aides and teachers spent their day attending workshops which included Successful Strategies for Students with ADHD, Assisting Middle and High School Students with Research Papers, and Effective Strategies for Support in the General Education Environment.
This list is in no way complete, but I think it gives you an idea of PUSD’s on-going commitment to ensuring that every member of our staff remains a lifelong learner.
And, as we celebrate and honor the memory and teachings of Dr. King, PUSD remains committed to developing the intelligence and character of every student in our care.
John Collins, Superintendent
Winter Break Message from the Superintendent
December 21, 2012
Dear PUSD Families, Teachers, and Staff,
This is the time of year where I traditionally extend my thanks and best wishes to all of you. That gratitude and those wishes have taken on a special meaning this year as I reflect upon the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the impact of those terrible events on the entire Newtown, Connecticut community.
Hearing the descriptions of Sandy Hook Elementary on the news – close-knit, caring, child-centered, and joyful – I am struck by how those same words describe PUSD's families, staff, and schools. Listening to school personnel expressing gratitude for the commitment and generosity of Newtown parents, I cannot help but be reminded of the generosity and support of our PUSD parents.
Hearing the accounts of courage and compassion of the Newtown staff reminds me how fortunate we are to have the incredible staff that cares for our students every day. And while so much has irrevocably changed for Sandy Hook and Newtown, I truly believe their school-community bond will grow even stronger as a result of these events, as will ours.
We have been painfully reminded this week of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that our children grow up to inherit a safe and compassionate world. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with each of you in fulfilling this commitment to our students. When we return from our winter break you will be hearing more about the specifics of work we have already begun.
Meanwhile, I encourage you to take time in the coming weeks to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. May we all return in the New Year with a renewed sense of mission and a deeper appreciation of the wisdom, strength, and support we offer each other.
On behalf of the Board of Education and the Poway Unified School District, I wish you a peace-filled and joyful holiday season.
Sincerely, John Collins Superintendent
December 17, 2012
Subject: School Safety Message from the PUSD Superintendent
Good Evening, this is John Collins, Superintendent of the Poway Unified School District.
Good Evening, this is John Collins, Superintendent of the Poway Unified School District.
Hopefully all of you received my email last Friday. Having spent the weekend reflecting on the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, and hearing from some parents and staff members, I would like to share some additional thoughts to reassure you that all of us in the school district share in these concerns and hold the safety of every child as our number one priority.
First, I want to thank all of our parents, dedicated teachers and staff members as we continue to work together to ensure our students are well cared for and safe. As we checked in with our schools throughout the day, our principals reported that parents joined them in supporting every child as we all attempt to make sense of this terrible tragedy.
All Poway Unified schools have detailed plans to respond to the various types of emergencies they may face. As a part of these plans, every school conducts emergency drills throughout the school year to ensure that students and staff alike know how to respond to the specific emergency. We also have strong partnerships and work closely with local law enforcement and emergency responders.
This week I will be meeting with all principals to review the crisis response procedures at each school and to facilitate a review of security systems and practices at every District facility.
As the father of two children in our District, I know that each student responds differently and I respect that each family is guiding their children in their own manner. Our counseling staff is available to all our principals should any child need additional counseling assistance. We appreciate your continued support as we work to sustain a safe environment for your children.
Sadly, the reality of our society today is that there are no guarantees of protection from senseless acts of violence. However, working together we can meet our responsibility to provide a safe environment at each and every school.
As always, your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John P. Collins, Ed.D.
Superintendent
December 14, 2012
Dear Parents,
We are greatly saddened by this morning’s news of the tragic shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. Our sympathies are with the families and the community involved.
We want to reassure you that our standard safety measures are in place on all our campuses and we have increased vigilance and supervision by the adults on campus. We will be maintaining our regular programs and schedules throughout the day of December 14th.
Resources for discussing tragedies such as this with your children can be found on the Poway Unified School District homepage, under the section, “Ways Parents Can Help During Difficult Times” at http://www.powayusd.com/.
We have activated our Counseling Crisis Intervention Team should schools or individual students need support in the coming days.
Sincerely,
John P. Collins, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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