Visit to Upper Merion Area Middle School

Thursday, October 29th saw us packing to leave Baltimore to return to Philadelphia and the comfortable confines of Chris and Jay's lovely home. No need to walk to dinner AND we can do the washing! First though, we had to renegotiate our way in the Beemer back along Interstate 95 North. Not quite so stressful this time and thank goodness for GPS!!!

First stop was a visit to Upper Merion Area Middle School. This is a school of 1165 Grade 5 - 8 students that are housed in a truly amazing educational facility. The initiate impressions were what an imposing and impressive structure the building was. Intensive security was evident with swipe passes needed to access administrative areas and the front entrance. A sign of the times. We met up withPrincipal, John Adiletto, who we had met in Baltimore. One of the treasures on display in his office was a photo of John and Barak Obama when a campaign advertisement was filmed at Upper Merion during the 2008 Presidential Election. How exciting! Dr. Karen Geller, Assistant Principal, took us on an extensive tour of their facility and discussed the various programs and organisational structures in place. Of special interest was the "Community of Caring" program which instills values of respect and coooperation amongst the students. Clearly, this approach is well embedded in the school's culture which was evident in the spontaneous, warm, friendly and respectful interactions we observed amongst the students, their teachers and ourselves as visitors. As educators<>

National Network of Partnership Schools(NNPS) - Leadership Development Conference Day 2

Day 2 dawned and we were raring to go again. A pleasant American custom we could get used to is the serving of breakfast prior to the conference. We are becoming quite partial to bagels and we've seen every conceivable variety. So far, the food has been fabulous everywhere we've been. There is certainly mountains of food and plenty of junk if that's what you choose, but also, a wide range of healthy options. LOTS of delicious, fresh fruit.

We were pleased to meet up again with our colleagues from the Merion District of schools. since meeting Sharon Kuznick at Roberts Elementary, she has introduced us to several other members of her District and they have kindly included us in their group. as very much "outsiders' it has been wonderful to walk into a crowded room and have friendly faces invite us to join them. Thanks Merion District! In fact, since arriving, we have managed to weazel a visit to Upper Merion Area Middle School on our way back from the conference. Thanks John and Karen - more later!

The second day of the conference commenced with a panel of experienced and successful NNPS schools and districts discussing their achievements and progress. This was a great opportunity to hear first hand experiences from schools in a range of settings. Sessions such as this certainly brings it home just what a difficult task some schools have when working with communities of very high need.

The next session for the day was conducted by Dr. Mavis Sanders; another researcher from Johns Hopkins. She presented information about challenges faced when working with communities and finding solutions. Working in smaller groups today made it possible to have extended conversations about each other's experiences. It is quite interesting how similar the challenges faced by schools are in both countries. We had started to realise by this stage, that morning tea was not a feature of conferences in the States and it took some getting used to working solidly from 8.00am - 12.00 noon. Consequently, everyone was more than ready for lunch at 12.00pm and a fabulous spread was provided: salads, rolls, hot dishes ( fish, chicken, pasta), fruit and CAKES you wouldn't believe.

The afternoon session was very much a trouble shooting session where people could raise questions and ask for advice about how to approach different issues in their schools. This resulted in a "round table" discussion of what has worked for me type conversations. Very practical and worthwhile.

Once the conference broke for the afternoon, the sun was shining in Baltimore, so we headed out to explore. Our trusty barman had recommended a visit to Fells Point: an historic area on the waterfront which was a series of narrow, cobblestoned streets lined with restaurants and bars. After walking and wandering for a few hours and several miles, Happy Hour called and we just happened to be passing a great spot for a sit down and a quiet sip. What more could the travellers ask for! We call this investigating the community context, incase anyone thought we were not focussing on the issue at hand!

Dinner found us heading to another historic district in Baltimore: Mt. Vernon. Lots of great places to eat - this time Afgani. Again, we walked from the hotel, about 30 minutes each way. I am sure I will get back a few inches shorter!

National Network of Partnership Schools(NNPS) - Leadership Development Conference

On Tuesday, October 26th, The National Network of Partnership Schools' Leadership Development Conference commnenced at the Sheraton Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. NNPS is a group linked to the Centre for School, Family and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University. The Centre, led by Professor Joyce Epstein, has conducted research into the connections between community partnerships and student learning outcomes since 1981. They have developed a Framework for School, Family and Community Partnerships which identifies 6 types of involvement: Parenting, Communicating, Volunteering, Learning at Home, Decision Making and Creating Community Partnerships. The main focus of the conference is to train School, District and State leaders to implement this framework in their organisation through a "Train the Trainer" model.

On the first day of the conference, we were involved in a full day of leadership training led by Professor Joyce Epstein. As well as the specific knowledge and skills that we acquired on this day, much was gained through interaction with educators. We were supplied with a detailed folder of advice and resources to support our work when we get back. Our colleagues will be relieved to hear that the program is not designed to create more work for them. The purpose is to link community partnerships to the achievement of the school's goals as set out in the School Strategic Plan. This puts an entirely new direction to any community partnership programs we have previously seen. It also shows genuine respect for the input of all community stakeholders and provides an avenue to support the achievement of the school goals.

After a long day, 8.00am - 4.00pm of instruction, the group broke to attend a Poster Reception from 4.30pm - 6.00pm. At this function, some schools displayed and discussed community participation programs in operation in their setting. The Australian display and presentation was very well received with many delegates coming to hear about school "Down Under". Whilst it was an effort from ourselves and our band of helpers back at school, the presentation was a great way to break the ice with other educators. Many people expressed a keen interest to visit and / or keep in touch by email. Our cheap and tacky koalas and kangaroos were a big hit. Thanks Camberwell $2 Shop!

Later in the evening, we headed out for some dinner. Since arriving in Baltimore, it has rained continuously so this time a taxi was necessary. No colleagues seemed interested in venturing out to see the sights so off we went. As usual, some prior research had been conducted. We have located a friendly and helpful barman who has provided us with an extensive list of good places to eat in Baltimore, rather than the usual tourist barns. So far, he has been right on the money and we have found places we would never have located. Last night, it was a terrific tapas place in Mt. Vernon, a quirky food and shopping district.

New York - Philadelphia - Baltimore...so far!

We have enjoyed three nights in New York getting our bearing in "The Big Apple" and checking out a local school. On arriving on Thursday evening, we dropped the bags and headed for Times Square just a quick stroll from the hotel. They obviously don't get their electricity from TXU at the rate we were charged! It was a real eye opener for two small town Principals. Had dinner and dropped into a bar to watch the lead up game to the World Series with the locals - NY Yankees and Philadelphia ....wouldn't you know it. so ...in NY we follow the Yankees and in Philadelphia we support Phillie! That keeps all the natives happy.

We were on the streets early on Friday morning for a run in Central Park. Later, we were disappointed to find our Friday morning appointment with the Principal at Midtown West Elementary had to be cancelled. We are hoping to reschedule for later in our trip. Despite it being a very cold and windy day, we walked for miles and miles all over the city. We found all kinds of interesting places in Soho and Greenwich Village - our kind of places. Initiated ourselves in the use of the subway - now there's an education. I got chastised by the very large and grumpy man in the ticket booth. They don't come out from behind the glass and only speak to you over a PA system so the entire station can hear, and, I obviously wasn't doing it right and EVERYONE heard about it.

On Saturday, after another run in the Park ( see, we talk like locals now "The Park!"), we headed off to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). To walk in and be surrounded by Monets, Van Goghs and Pollocks that were all immediately recognisable was amazing. Even Ray's phone screen saver was on display - Van Gogh's "Starry Night". As we left, the rain started, so a walk through the Park was out of the question. But ...wait...there's the Plaza Hotel! That looks like an ok place to have a quiet drink and dinner. A quick trip back to the hotel to pack bags for the morning, jump on subway and before you know it we are sitting up with the top end of towners in the lap of luxury.

Sunday morning, another early run before taking the subway to Pennsylvania Station ( you know...Chatanooga Choo Choo!) to catch the train to Philadelphia. This turned into a magical trip with the most spectacular autumn foliage and scenery, beyond imagination. Our friends, Chris and Jay, picked us up and we went back to their beautiful home in Penn Valley. This is an idyllic area of magnificent homes set amongst a forest of autumn trees. On our walk through the neighbourhood, squirrels scampered through the leaves and as we returned home just after dusk, there were deer on the neighbours front lawn.

Roberts Elementary School

Monday turned out to be a wonderful day. We visited two schools over the course of the day, which was really too much of a rush but that was all the time we had in Philadelphia. In the morning, we found our way to Roberts Elementary School. Roberts is a school of around 330 children from K- 4. The principal, Sharon Kuznick, and her staff were incredibly welcoming, greeting us with a large sign announcing our visit. As the recipients of a national award from the National Network of Partnership Schools ( the organisatioon whose conference we are attending), a group of students made a presentation to us about their Global Literacies Program inwhich the school worked with students from Temple University to investigate the cultural stereotypes connected with Middle Eastern countries. The students had conducted all kinds of research and linked up with penpals in Kuwait. They had presented their information through a slide show and movie made with a flip camera. One of the children taught me to use the flip camera (quite an achievement in itself!). The children also showed us the episodes of ROBTV they have created for viewing about school events linked to their website. I can just see GIPSTV on the big foyer screen any minute now! Roberts Elementary School is a beautifully presented environment with friendly, engaged students and a highly professional staff and leadership. Three hours has never flown so fast. Our very strong impression was that there are more similarities than differences between our schools and Roberts Elementary.

Friends' Select School

Next, we were off to visit Friends' Select School, Elementary Campus. Friends' is a private school based on the Quaker philosophy of care and service. Both these values were clearly evident in the people and the programs. Principal, Joe Ludwig, and his Assistant Principal, Lou, were most gracious and generous hosts who provide a strong leadership team to the school and community. Set in a wonderful, historic building, the classrooms were a range of unusual sizes and shapes. The school was working on a special literature theme where each class was exploring literary craft through a different story or theme. Classes were elaborately decorated with castles, ships, animals, knights in shining armour and more. One Kindergarten class gave us an impromptu performance of a series of songs from Mary Poppins. Again, more than three hours passed in next to no time. There was a great deal of professional dialogue about our respective education systems and the differences in community involvement between the public and private settings. Then, it was on the road for the two hour drive to Baltimore. We are fortunate to have the use of Chris and Jay's BMW. Ray is doing a great job of managing driving on the "wrong" side and I am having enough nervous breakdowns for both of us. More later about Conference Day 1.

We're Here - USA that is

Arrived in LA at 7.30am Tuesday morning local time. The flight went smoothly although 15 hours in the air is a loooooonnng time. Given the early arrival, we had a full day to fill to try and get our systems in sync with the States. After dropping off luggage at the hotel, we headed out to check out some local sights. We wandered through Rodeo Drive and Robertson Boulevard - window shopping only!!!! Both places were beautifully set up and worth looking at. Robertson Boulevard is Rodeo Drive minus the tourists - much better. We headed over to the obligatory Hollywood Walk of Stars in the afternoon. Pretty tacky but it had to be done. Most of the interesting part was trying to get back to the hotel by public bus service. The locals are very friendly and helpful. One guy guided us to the correct bus stop and another lady advised us about how to get tickets and where to get off. Even with all this advice, we got kicked off the bus because we didn't have the correct fare. Try again!!!

After arriving back at the hotel, we set out for the local shops for some provisions. Not prizes for guessing! We ended up at the local Gelson's Supermarket. Ray loved the Mission Statement and I was impressed by the take - away dinners. Hot dish bain marie charged by the pound - spaghetti sauce; macaroni cheese, steamed veges, meatballs ....to go with the whole roast turkey, gravey and cranberry sauce (tonight's dinner!).

Gleson's Supermarket Mission Statement:

To make shopping anywhere else unacceptable for consumers who value quality products, cleanliness, convenience and personal service. ( For education, just replace "shopping" with "education")

After 36 hours on our feet, we crashed for 11 hours sleep. We had hired a car for today, and, after a rough start, headed off up the coast to Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Beautiful coastline and a 6 lane highway! Malibu was more "down market" than expected and Venice Beach is a once in a life time experience. We were urged by a Venice Beach local to attend the Medical Kush doctor with the encouragement that "sports injuries, auto accidents, stress, anxiety, insomnia, asthma, cancer, aids or any other illnesses for which marijuana provides relief could be cured! We DID get to see a music video being filmed on Venice Beach and even found our way back - on the wrong side of the road - to the hotel.

Tomorrow the real fun begins! Up at 5.00am for an early flight to NY. Expect to arrive at the hotel around 8.00pm tomorrow night. Then, first school visit on Friday morning. Bring it on!

Thanks Robyn & Ross

Thanks Robyn & Ross for the packing tips, travel tips and the work on the presentation for staff and School Council for Glen Iris and Sherbourne. They have made our planning and preparation easier and more focused. We are still coming to grips, however, with meeting the fine example of packing Ross has set as the benchmark. Just got to keep thinking about hitting Manhattan and our first school visit to Midtown West School.

Other School Visits

Now that the new school year has commenced in the northern hemisphere, it has been possible to confirm other school visits. We are pleased to be able to visit Midtown West Elementary School in Manhattan and Roberts Elementary School in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Midtown West Elementary is a school in downtown Manhattan which must be a challenge in itself. It has a strong community partnership ethos. Roberts Elementary is a 2009 recipient of an Award for Excellence from the National Network of Partnership Schools for their Global Literacies Program. Sounds exciting!

We are pleased by the diverse range of schools we are able to visit and anticipate making other contacts at the Conference.