RSS Rounding program offers new insights to district leaders
-Gwynne Shoaf, RSS Administrative Intern
If you could spend just 5 minutes with
Rowan-Salisbury Schools Superintendent,
Dr. Lynn Moody, what would you say?
Would you commend her for the growth and
exciting initiatives in our schools? Would you
offer new ideas on ways the district could be
improved?
to see facilities improved. Cafeteria workers
emphasize the connection between proper
nutrition and students’ ability to focus on
learning. Teachers share the hands-on
opportunities and projects they use to help
students connect with their subjects. It is
especially exciting to hear students who can
clearly express how they learn best and to
see them show off their progress.
RSS staff and students are getting that
chance through a program called 'Rounding'
based on the practice of grand rounds that
are common in hospitals. District leaders are
divided into teams that visit schools to ask
about innovative and engaging work, as well
as how the district office can offer support. Following each round of visits, the teams
gather back at the district office to share the
information from their interviews. Principals
are invited to hear the feedback from their
schools and to see the sticky notes on the
wall in categories like Engaging Instruction,
Short-Term Improvement, and Long-Range
Improvements.
A new method for reaching out to schools,
rounding offers members of every district-
level department from transportation to
finance, from child nutrition to facilities, a
first-hand look into RSS classrooms. During
these visits, the team divides into pairs and
focuses on different parts of the school’s
campus to get a wide range of opinions. Data from these visits are shared directly
with the appropriate district department and
will be considered as RSS leaders continue to
monitor and update the strategic plan. This
willingness to give everyone a voice and to
work together makes it an exciting time to
be a part of Rowan-Salisbury Schools.
Custodians talk about how much pride they
take in their work and how they would like
Real-Life Problem Based Learning
Fifth graders at Bostian
Elementary completed a real-
life Problem Based Learning
project as Hurricane Irma headed
towards Florida.
The goal set by the students
was to create a Hurricane Relief
package for an individual caught
in the aftermath of the storm.
It had to be waterproof, light
weight, sturdy and aerodynamics.
Students considered wind speed
and other weather conditions
typical for southern Florida and the weight of the package that would be
dropped from a helicopter.
Students researched and brainstormed individually, collaborated with a small
group to draw a design, and then built a prototype. Each package needed items
essential for one's survival while waiting to be rescued. After building the
prototype of the aid package, students dropped their packages off the tallest
sliding board on the playground. They recorded the results and immediately
decided on a strategy to modify the product so that it would not fall apart or hit
the ground with such intense impact. Group members collaborated once more
and adapted the package in hopes that it would work better.
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Finally, the real test happened when Bostian Heights Fire Department and
China Grove Fire Department arrived on Friday. The Hurricane Irma Aid
packages were dropped one at a time from a 40-foot ladder truck. Students
watched with anticipation as they saw their product float to the ground under
their handmade parachute. It was an epic event! Some projects floated
more easily than others, but none of the packages busted. The fifth graders
were thrilled with their success!
Parent Teacher Magazine • November/December 2017 • 5