Lighthouse Corner Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence
Updates from Blue Ribbon
Schools of Excellence
Inside The Blueprint of Excellence Network of Best Practices Newsletter
Blueprint for Educational Spotlight On...School Site Visits
Excellence National Conference:
Blueprint for Educational Excellence National Conference Agenda
Lodging Rate: $154 per night
Contact Registration Assistance: School Site Visits & Conference Program Descriptions
(407) 939-4686
http://www.disneyurl.com/ Registration Discount Code - New CODE!
BlueRibbon
Concurrent Session Description FINALIZE YOUR CONFERENCE AGENDA
Check out the website for the Concurrent Session Schedule.
Time slots have been added.
Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence Session on Tuesday requires 20
Tuesday’s Pre-Conference Session: attendees. Register today to secure the last few slots! Register for this session via:
Technology Leadership - Dr. Mel Pace www.disneyurl.com/BlueRibbonSchools
Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence
Cost $245 per person
Wednesday’s Opening Ceremonies & Activities:
Dr. Terrell (Mel) Pace
Craig Martin’s Message: Learning by Teaching
Bart Teal + Magical Guest
Lighthouse Awards Banquet:
10+ Lighthouse School Recipients SCHOOL SITE VISIT SELECTION: If you have not selected a grade level, please submit your
2+ Beacon School Recipients preference to info@blueribbonschools.com. Grade Levels: Elementary, Middle School, Multi-Level, and
5+ Points of Light Recipients High School.
5+ Aspiring School Recipients
Bart Teal + Magical Guest
STEM Field Studies on Friday and Saturday. Limited Spacing Available.
Thursday’s General Session & Activities:
Warren Phillips - Science Educator SMART Technologies Session on Saturday - make sure you have reserved your slot.
School Site Visits: Select one of eight schools to visit. Each school is
unique : great teachers, showcasing best practices, technologies Concurrent Session Presenters Schedule will be available on the Blue Ribbon Schools
and exemplifying student-centric policies and procedures.
Teacher Think Tank: By invitation, educators will connect with
of Excellence site on Friday.
industry leaders to challenge each other in the arena of Innovation,
Leadership & Culture.
Blue Ribbon Leadership Roundtable: Attendees will share common
traits of Leadership and Culture in Education. Facilitated by Craig Spotlight On...Best Practices from School Site Visits for National Conference
Martin & Dr. John Doherty.
Friday’s General Session:
Mike Geisen - 2008 National Teacher of the Year
Teacher STEM Field Study: 3-Hour Sessions led by Disney Youth
Educational Series coordinators; culminating with a visit to the
Magic Kingdom to exhibit the use of national standards in both the
Sciences and Social Studies.
Within this edition, we will feature the four remaining schools that will be available as site
Saturday’s Sessions: visits as part of the Blueprint for Educational Excellence National Conference.
Thursday, December 8th, 2011.
SMART Technologies Sessions
Teacher STEM & Humanities Field Studies
Celebration High School
Celebration K-8 School
Highlands Elementary School
Narcoossee Elementary School
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
Celebration High School - School Site Visit
Mission Statement:
Celebration High School is a challenging and rigorous
educational learning community that is dedicated to the
preparation of students to be life-long learners and
contributing members in a rapidly changing world.
Established in 2003, Celebration High School
(CHS) is home to nearly 1,900 students from the west
end of Osceola County in Central Florida. Rated an
“A” school, Celebration High School offers
numerous challenging academic programs to reach a
broad range of students. These include: Pride, Power, Perseverance
• International Baccalaureate Program – CHS earned status •Academy of Broadcast Journalism – This small learning community
as an IB World School in 2011 and offers a Pre-Diploma Program for 9th within CHS is for students who are interested in entering the field of Television/
and 10th grades, and the full IB Diploma Program for 11th graders. Next Video Production or written Journalism. Students enrolled in the academy are
year, the school will graduate its first class of IB Diploma students. eligible for industry certification.
• Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) –
Offered in grades 9-12, the AVID program seeks to close the achievement •Fine Arts Program – The school is home to award winning Band and
gap be preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global Drama programs, Visual Arts and Graphic Arts programs, and a new and growing
society. Chorus program.
• Advanced Placement (AP) – CHS offers more than 15 Advanced •Air Force JROTC – This program seeks to educate and train high school
Placement courses for students in grades 9 through 12. cadets in citizenship, promote community service, instill responsibility, character,
and self-discipline, and provide instruction in air and space fundamentals.
Other accomplishments include:
Celebration High School boasts many academic and extra-
curricular achievements contributing to a positive learning
environment. Through the hard work and dedication of its
students, teachers, and administration the school turned its
grade from a D to an A, achieving great gains in student
performance on the FCAT. Other accomplishments include:
• State Science Fair Winners
•OBC Coach of the Year
•1 st Place Science Smackdown
•Thespians-Superiors & Excellence at State
• State Olympiad Winners
•Numerous State Music Awards
• AFJROTC Cadet of the Year for Central Florida
•1st Runner-up in State Competitive Cheer
• OSMI High School Science Teacher of the Year
•State Semi-finalists in Boys Soccer
• OSMI Overall Teacher of the Year
•Teacher award of STEM Grant
2 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
Celebration High School - School Site Visit
Celebration High School boasts many academic and
Celebration High School
extra-curricular achievements contributing to a positive 1809 Celebration Boulevard
learning environment. Through the hard work and dedication Celebration, Florida 34747
321-939-6600
of its students, teachers, and administration the school turned
Principal:
its grade from a D to an A, achieving great gains in student Dr. Laura C. Rhinehart
performance on the FCAT. Assistant Principals:
Yvette Ponzoa
Dr. Peter Straker
In addition to sports, CHS students have the opportunity to Gary Weeden
get involved in many extra-curricular activities including:
•Best Buddies •Kitty Hawk
•Chorus •Mu Alpha Theta
•Color Guard •Multicultural Club
•Commandos •National Honor Society
•Dance Team •Off Book Production/Drama
•Drill Team •Ping Pong Club
•Environmental Club •Science Club
•Graphics Club •Student Government
•Interact •World Cultures Club
•International Thespians •Yearbook/Newspaper
•Key Club •21st Century
Celebration K-8 School - School Site Visit
Celebration K-8 School
510 Campus Street
Celebration, Florida 34747
407-566-2300
Principal:
Rene Clayton
Assistant Principals:
Michael Ballone - Grades 6-8
Cheryl Cassano - Grades K-5
Mascot - Lion, "Spirit"
School Motto: Imagine the Possibilities
Colors - Green & Yellow
Opening Year - 1998
Population - 1200 Mission: Celebration K8 School will educate
Grade Levels - K to 8 each student to his/her highest potential.
Principal's Vision: Making Possibilities a
Reality Through Excellence.
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
3
Highlands Elementary School- School Site Visit
Highlands Elementary School
800 West Donegan Avenue
Kissimmee, FL 34741
407-935-3620
Principal:
Nadia Winston
Assistant Principal:
Shelby Pagan
OUR MISSION
The mission of Highlands Elementary is to be a community of
learners that maximizes the learning experience of every child
by guiding and challenging students to reach their fullest
potential in a safe and supportive learning environment. In
such a community, all of our students are prepared to be
thoughtful, and productive citizens in a complex, global To ensure this goal, we worked together as a
society. team to compile the following non-
negotiables that drive our school:
Highlands Elementary serves students Pre-K • The leadership team will support and guide the school in
attaining goals. We believe that students can achieve
through 5th grade. We are a school that is (High Expectations!)
achieving. We have continued to raise our
achievement scores for students through the • We will implement small groups with fidelity.
(differentiated, intervention)
use of high expectations and hard work by all
of our learning community members. • We will maximize time – everyone engages.
• We will incorporate guided reading.
It is the desire of the faculty and administration
• Attendance is mandatory (@ all school events/functions/
to provide for all students a challenging
learning).
educational program in a safe and supportive
environment. • We will have school-wide consistency.
• We will meet and set goals as a team.
We believe Highlands Elementary is the best
elementary school in the district, state, and
We provide our students with vast opportunities
nation. To this end, we dedicate ourselves to
to achieve maximum success. It is through
hold high expectations for success and
dedication and a keen focus on what is best for
achievement for all students and to provide
children that these can be met. In addition, to
quality academic instruction in a positive and
the regular school day we offer various
caring atmosphere. We invite you to become
opportunities for learning and enrichment in
an active participant in this process in order to
both academics and the arts to help our
reach our shared goal.
children meet their maximum potential.
4 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
Narcoossee Elementary School - School Site Visit
Home of The Black Bear Cubs! Narcoossee Elementary
School
2690 Narcoossee Rd.
Mission Statement: St.Cloud, FL 34771
407-892-6858
"Our #1 Priority is student
achievement with high expectation Principal:
being the responsibility of our entire Holly Willis
community."
Assistant Principal:
Hilary DeLuca
Narcoossee Elementary School opened with over Walking through any classroom at any grade level
1200 students in August, 2009. Built with all of the you will see students working on high level thinking
latest in educational technology, students are and learning activities using much of this
highly engaged in the learning process with every technology.
lesson.
As well as involving students in advance
Narcoossee Elementary Highlights: technology NCES also offers a Musical Strings
Each classroom is equipped with an interactive program to all of our third, fourth and fifth grade
SmartBoard and SMART Technology integrated in students.
every subject area.
There is a performance choir and dance classes
There are 4 net books and 4 desk top computers in organized to support the performing arts at our
each room for student use as well as an audio school.
enhancement system throughout the school.
The learning community at Narcoossee sponsors
Each teacher has a laptop and a document many family events throughout the school year
camera to enhance and further engage the through the School Advisory Council and our
students in learning. Parent Teacher Organization.
A Grand Thank You to The School District of Osceola County, FL
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.
would like to extend its appreciation to all of
the educators of the Osceola School District
who have been working diligently to host
the Blueprint for Educational Excellence
National Conference.
Superintendent Andrews and Dr. Mel Pace We look forward to collaborating and working
have been instrumental in organizing the towards a common mission.
onsite professional development sessions
and transportation for the conference Sincerely,
attendees. Such school site visits are The Executive Team of Blue Ribbon Schools of
important to the growth of our educators Excellence
which will impact children from around the
world.
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
5
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence
2011 National Conference
December 6 through December 10
Contemporary Resort, Walt Disney World, FL
Welcome to the
Blueprint for Educational Excellence
Professional Development Sessions and Institutes
Student Leadership Institute--Save Our World!
•Pre-Conference Sessions
•Concurrent Sessions
•Best Practices Fair
•School Site Visits
•3-Day Student Leadership Institute
•Distinguished Keynote Speakers
•STEM & Humanities Field Study Sessions
Register today to receive a 20% Discount
Enter Excellence
www.blueribbonschools.com/disneyconference
6 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
Best Practices & Network Sharing Conference--Together, We Make Schools Better!
Professional Development Sessions & Institutes
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence is bringing together high National Conference Agenda
performing educators to highlight successes and programs that
work. We will share with you a spirit of positive culture and Tuesday: Pre-Conference Session
success while giving you an opportunity to develop a plan that
will facilitate continual and sustainable growth, year after Pre-Conference: What Are We Going To Do With These Kids? -NEW
year.
Disney Approach to Leadership Excellence
Blueprint for Excellence Registration: Wednesday--Day I
www.blueribbonschools.com/disneyconference
•Includes all Conference Amenities Opening Ceremony
•Concurrent Sessions Concurrent Sessions
•Best Practices Fair
•School Site Visits Lighthouse Awards Banquet
•Distinguished Keynote Speakers
Thursday--Day II
Customize Your Conference Experience: General Session
3-Day, 4-Day, and 5-Day Agendas
3 Day Conference Registration is $395 per person (Wednesday-Friday) Site Visits
Team of Four Registration is $375 per person (Wednesday-Friday) Best Practices Fair & Luncheon
Select Ticket Options to “Customize Your Experience” Concurrent Sessions
•Lighthouse Awards Banquet: $25
Teacher Think Tank
•Epcot™ Candlelight Processional & Reception: $40 for Non-registered Guest
•Pre-Conference Session: $99 Blue Ribbon Leadership Roundtable
•Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence: $245
•SMART™ Technologies Session: $0 (Free w/Conference Registration) Friday--Day III
•STEM & Humanities Field Study Sessions: $0 (Free w/Conference Registration)
General Session
Concurrent Sessions
Captivating Your Audience- STEM Field Study @ Haunted Mansion
Epcot™ Candlelight Processional & Dessert Reception
Saturday
Lodging Information: Contemporary Resort, Contact Registration SMART™ Technologies Session
Walt Disney World, FL Assistance at
Group rate available December 4-December 13th. Captivating Your Audience- Humanities Field Study @ Hall of
(407) 939-4686
Rooms are $154.00 plus tax, per room, per night. Presidents
Note: there is a maximum of 5 persons per room. If you Captivating Your Audience- STEM Field Study @ Haunted Mansion
need more than one room,
please book each room separately. Also, an additional adult charge of $15 (per adult)
will be applied to parties containing more than 2 adults.
ALL Practices
BestCALL for PRESENTATIONS: Presentation Schedule Being
! • All registered conference attendees will enjoy a magical culminating Released! Check the website!
reception at Epcot™ on Friday Evening.
Do you have a fabulous program or best practice in education that
• Admission to Park with Reserved Seating at the Candlelight Processional, you would like to share with the rest of the world? Be a Blue Ribbon
featuring Isabella Rossellini of “Alias” at the America Gardens Theatre in Presenter!
World Showcase in Epcot. Enjoy Park Amenities, Dinner on Your Own and
Meet for a Private Dessert Party and Illuminations viewing! Complete the online form: http://blueribbonschools.com/
disneyconference
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
7
Tuesday: Best Practices and Network Sharing Conference - Leadership & Technology Institute
What Are We Going to Do With These Kids? To get the optimum experience from this workshop, participants are Best
encouraged to bring a laptop. Wireless internet access will be provided.
Presented by: Cost to attend session: $99
Mel Pace, Ph.D.
Director of Media & Technology Services
Dr Mel Pace currently serves as Director of Media, Instructional Technology
The School District of Osceola County and Information Technology for the School District of Osceola County. Prior
to coming to the school district Dr. Pace served as Associate Director of the
School of Library & Information Science at the University of South Florida in
Description: Tampa, Florida.
Dr. Pace holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a Master's
Looking at today's 2 and 3 year olds can be very degree in Library & Information Science and a Ph.D. in Curriculum &
scary. Watching them as they navigate all types of Instruction with a specialization in Instructional Technology. Dr. Pace has
spoken at numerous state, national and international conferences on a wide
digital devices at such an early age makes one array of topics.
Since coming to Osceola County Schools in 2007 Dr. Pace has led the
wonder how we will keep them engaged when they movement to bring Osceola's 49 schools up to 21st Century standards for
come to our schools in a couple of years. In this classroom technology. In 2009 Dr. Pace was asked to also take on the
responsibilities of the Director of Information Technology Services. Since
presentation we will explore what they may expect that time he has designed and built a new state of the art Data Center,
versus what we have to offer. begun the implement of a Gig to the Desktop strategy, planned and begun
implementation of a Bring Your Own Device network structure, among
other changes.
No matter what position he holds Dr. Pace's first and foremost concern is
the student in the classroom. He is often heard to say, "Kids first, teachers
second and everything else after that."
Wednesday: Best Practices and Network Sharing Conference - Leadership & Technology Institute
It All Begins at the Top: It is no secret that the key to moving a school or school district forward
How to Lead Your District in the Use of toward a 21st Century vision begins with leadership. Schools and school
Technology and 21st Century Skills districts will not change if the leader is not on board with the initiatives
necessary to move a school district forward. In this interactive, four-hour
workshop geared for current and future building administrators, district
Presented by:
administrators, and teacher leaders, we will discuss how to create a
Dr. John Doherty
Superintendent sustainable school and school district that uses technology, web 2.0 tools,
Reading Public Schools and 21st Century skills to prepare our students for their future and not our
Reading, Massachusetts past.
In this workshop we will investigate why we need to change the way we
teach students and how that change can happen. In addition, we will
To get the optimum experience from this workshop, investigate and use the types of no cost web 2.0 tools that administrators
participants are encouraged to bring a laptop. Wireless should be using such as Blogs, Wikis, Podcasting, Social Networking Tools
internet access will be provided. and other useful applications.
This session is free with Registration.
Wednesday: 1:15 PM - 5:15 PM
8 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
Thursday: Best Practices and Network Sharing Conference - School Site Visit Information
Osceola Public School District Site Visit
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence is proud to have such high performing schools as part of this year’s conference.
The following schools will host the conference attendees on Thursday morning. Select the grade level to visit during the online registration process.
Registration Update:
The site visit selection process can be completed during the online registration via Eventbrite.
An email will be sent to the attendees verifying the site selection (choice 1 and choice 2).
If you need to make any changes to the site selection or if you need to reserve a slot to attend the STEM Field Studies or SMART
Technology Sessions, please respond to that email or send an email to info@blueribbonschools.com.
School Site Visit Descriptions: www.blueribbonschools.com/newsletter
BRSE Newsletter Vol 2 Number 16 --- features Celebration High School, Celebration K-8 School,
Highlands Elementary School and Narcoossee Elementary School
BRSE Newsletter Vol 2 Number 15 --- features Keynote Speakers
BRSE Newsletter Vol 2 Number 14 --- features Neptune Middle School and Narcoossee Middle School
BRSE Newsletter Vol 2 Number 13 --- Newsletter 10-27-11--- features Westside K-8 School
BRSE Newsletter Vol 2 Number 12 --- features St. Cloud High School
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
9
Blueprint for Excellence Student Leadership Institute: Save Our World
Agenda
Best Practices Wednesday--Day I
Opening Ceremony
Introductory Sessions
Save Our World Activities
Lighthouse Awards Banquet
Thursday--Day II
Disney Youth Educational Series
Program: Energy and Waves
Save Our World Activities
STUDENT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: SAVE OUR WORLD
Register your students for an unforgettable collaboration project with Friday--Day III
students from around the world. The Student Leadership Institute is Disney Youth Educational Series
designed to challenge students in grades 3-12 to provide solutions to Program: Properties and Motion
environmental and social concerns of today while conducting field Epcot™ Candlelight Processional &
studies and utilizing tools designed to inspire students to study science Reception
and math to Save Our World.
Student Leadership Institute Registration: $395
•Includes all Conference Amenities Disney Youth Education Series programs take
•Student Leadership Institute Sessions place in the information-rich setting of the Disney Parks in
•2 Disney’s Youth Educational Series Programs Florida and California to give students and their teachers a
•Unlimited 4-Day Park Hopper® hands-on, educational adventure. This collection of guided
•$25 Meal Card field studies, available in Science, Arts & Humanities and
•Epcot™ Candlelight Processional & Reception Leadership & Careers, is accredited, standards-based and
specifically designed to reinforce your classroom lessons.
Practice teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
All registered conference attendees will enjoy a magical
as your group participates in one-of-a-kind moments that use
culminating reception at Epcot® on Friday Evening.
the magic of Disney to make learning even more impactful.
Admission to Park with Reserved Seating at the Candlelight Experiences To Engage, Enrich and Excite.
Processional, featuring Isabella Rossellini of “Alias” at the America
Gardens Theatre in World Showcase in Epcot.
Disney’s
World
of
Physics:
Energy
&
Waves: (SELECT LINK FOR
Enjoy Park Amenities, Dinner on Your Own and Meet for a Private PROGRAM DESCRIPTION)
Dessert Party and Illuminations viewing! Objective: The world is a mysterious and fascinating place, full of energy that is
continually changing form and moving from place to place. At select Magic Kingdom®
Park attractions, students will investigate light and sound waves, two forms of energy that
are so ubiquitous we often take them for granted. Students will discover that
Disney’s World of Physics: Properties Of Motion: (SELECT LINK FOR PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION)
Objective: While experiencing select Magic Kingdom® Park attractions, students will
come face to face with science at work in an exploration of the forces that keep roller
coasters and Audio-Animatronics in motion. Students will discover the role of physics in
generating thrills and chills as they examine speed, velocity, acceleration, centripetal
force, hydraulics, and pneumatics at the most magical place on Earth!
10 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
Blueprint for Excellence National Conference: Disney Specific Sessions
Tuesday’s Pre-Session Half-Day Institute on
Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence THE “UTILIDOR” SYSTEM FIELD EXPERIENCE
At the Walt Disney World® Resort, we believe that exceeding the
Today's successful leaders provide a clear vision, create a structure for
expectations of our Guests is a key component of Quality Service. In order
executing work, and engage people in the purpose of the organization.
to exceed expectations, we must know what they are. At Disney, we go
Walt Disney himself was a firm believer in this inspirational style of
beyond the standard demographics and look at the inner expectations of
leadership; he used it throughout his long career and taught it to the
our Guests.
leaders who succeeded him.
Through this field experience, participants will learn how the Walt Disney
At Disney Institute you have the opportunity to benchmark a world-class
World® Resort has developed a tool to help us meet the needs, wants,
approach to leadership. Our professional facilitators will unveil the
stereotypes, and emotions of our Guests.
fundamental leadership philosophies behind Walt’s great success. You will
see first-hand the principles that are at the core of Disney’s organizational
Participants will journey beneath the Magic Kingdom® Park to visit
strength.
support systems designed to improve the experiences of Cast Members and
We invite you inside our organization to see how our leaders operate.
• Learn how to effectively communicate your vision and examine personal methods for
Guests alike. See how “backstage” Cast Members connect with the Guest
inspiring others. experience to create lasting customer relationships that drive repeat
• Explore successful Disney systems and the organizational structures that support them. business and brand loyalty.
• Examine the strategies Disney leaders employ to keep their teams engaged in their
work. Tuesday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Discover methods for sustaining momentum toward the achievement of goals. Register for this session via:
• Explore day-to-day behaviors that will assist you in making a long-lasting impact on the Require 20 Participants
people around you.
www.disneyurl.com/
• Develop action steps that will help you influence change in your organization and BlueRibbonSchools
develop your individual leadership behaviors.
Cost $245 per person
Friday & Saturday Sessions on Saturday Session on
Captivating Your Audience: Science-themed field study Captivating Your Audience: Humanities-themed field study
“Captivating Your Audience” will give a “peak” behind-the-scenes as we take part in a “Captivating Your Audience” will give a “peak” behind-the-scenes as we take part in a
field study that shares Disney development strategies with education professionals who field study that shares Disney development strategies with education professionals who
have the important job of inspiring, motivating, and imparting knowledge to prepare have the important job of inspiring, motivating, and imparting knowledge to prepare
young people for life. young people for life.
Skills in building experiences that educate as well as entertain audiences are a Skills in building experiences that educate as well as entertain audiences are a hallmark
hallmark of The Disney organization, as they are an essential part of an educator’s of The Disney organization, as they are an essential part of an educator’s day. We both
day. We both communicate stories. Do we do it well or poorly? All of us can benefit communicate stories. Do we do it well or poorly? All of us can benefit from analyzing
from analyzing how we develop experiences so that we can learn new ways to impart how we develop experiences so that we can learn new ways to impart knowledge and
knowledge and improve our delivery. improve our delivery.
During the “de-brief” of the field study using the Haunted Mansion at Disney’s Magic During the “de-brief” of the field study using the Hall of Presidents at Disney’s Magic
Kingdom, we hope to share with you some of the techniques that we use in captivating Kingdom, we hope to share with you some of the techniques that we use in captivating
our audiences at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort. Amid all the thinking, creating, and our audiences at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort. Amid all the thinking, creating, and
planning, we ask you to remember to pursue the one element characteristic of all planning, we ask you to remember to pursue the one element characteristic of all
successful learning – having fun! successful learning – having fun!
There is no additional cost to attend this session. Make sure you select either session There is no additional cost to attend this session. Make sure you select this session
during the online registration process. during the online registration process.
Friday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Saturday: 7:15 AM - 9:15 AM Best Practices
Saturday: 9:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011
11
Blueprint for Excellence School Improvement Model
The Blueprint for Excellence can help your school determine how well
it is doing in nine areas of critical performance that research says
leads to educational excellence.
This comprehensive school assessment can guide the creation of a
school-wide action plan that includes measurable student achievement
and, potentially, can result in the honor of receiving the Blue Ribbon
Lighthouse School Award, which celebrates schools that excel in all
nine performance areas.
The Blueprint for Excellence is the brainchild of Blue Ribbon Schools of
Excellence, Inc., an organization of seasoned education professionals
with many years of experience in identifying schools of excellence for
federal agencies at the national level. These individuals have
dedicated their lives to immersing themselves in the finest quality
research on school excellence.
Their understanding of the components that accumulate to form a
first-class, high performing school has led them to create a
challenging, online self evaluation tool that schools can use to
compare their practices to the very best — to identify their strengths
and weaknesses.
What’s Happening at Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence
Upcoming Events
December 6-10, 2011 - Blueprint for Excellence Conference, Walt Disney World, Florida - Registration is Live
April 12-13, 2012 - Blueprint for Excellence Spring Institute, Reading, Massachusetts - Registration is Live
April 27-28, 2012 - Blueprint for Excellence Spring Institute, Grayslake, Illinois
How is your school really doing?
Blueprint for Excellence School Improvement Process
How to become a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Professional Development Course Offerings
Stay Connected to the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Network
12 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Newsletter | Volume 2, Number 16 | November 2011