Teacher Professional Development at BCS

Supporting and developing our teachers is a cornerstone of our program at Bullis, and we have made the commitment to provide opportunities for teachers to learn and to work collaboratively to improve their teaching and to meet student needs. In addition to the two weeks of professional development in August, our teachers meet regularly in grade level teams, in vertical teams, and around curricular and school initiatives.

Just last week, teachers at both the BCS and BCI campuses met in their professional learning communities (PLCs). PLCs provide an opportunity for teachers to self-select an area or topic they are passionate about and to work together to analyze their teaching.  We have PLCs that focus on content areas (such as common core instruction, visual and performing arts), tech integration, design thinking, assessment and global citizenship. During the staff development day earlier this month, teachers worked collaboratively on various areas of professional growth, including sharing best practices aligned with the Continuum, which is an important part of our performance based pay model.   The BCS Staff is grateful to have the support of the BCS Board and parents for continued professional development. Teachers participate in team building activities during a recent professional development day at BCS Of course, when you get a fabulous group of teachers together, we always find time for a little fun and team building.  The pictures below are from Tuesday where staff members were instructed to make a tableau based on various prompts - including “with at least 6 people, make a scene from the Bachelor!” During a team building activity, teachers were instructed to make a tableau based on various prompts - including "with at least 6 people, make a scene from the Bachelor!"

David Belles and BCS Choir at CMEA Bay Section Winter Conference

Last weekend, BCS choir director David Belles conducted a workshop at the CMEA Bay Section Winter Conference, an event for music educators from throughout the Bay Area.  

Mr. Belles shared teaching strategies and highlighted important key elements essential for teaching elementary choral music.  

G-Clef and Sonore, the BCS 4th-5th grade choirs, had a very special opportunity to demonstrate how these techniques can be successfully implemented.  

Mr. Belles said that both his presentation and the choirs' performances were well received by all in attendance. 

We're so proud of our students as they helped show what is possible for singers at such a young age! 

Digital Citizenship at BCS

By Jessica Lura

Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at BCS

At BCS, we strive to empower students to become digital citizens; students who think critically, behave safely and ethically, and participate responsibility in the digital world. This means giving students opportunities to use technology in a variety of ways as well as teaching explicitly about certain topics. 

Like all BCS programs, digital citizenship is integrated into what we teach every day. It is a part of our character education strand, it is woven into technology use, and it is part of our core content. 

Being a digital citizen today doesn't just mean being safe online but also entails thinking critically and participating responsibly. All Bullis students, regardless of grade level, learn about online safety, how to be responsible online, and how to be creators of creators of content, not just consumers. In addition to explicit classroom lessons, there are many opportunities for students to explore what it means to be a digital citizen.

Ms. Cheng teaches best practices to her
fourth graders before they begin using
their school email accounts.

To support our digital citizenship strand, Bullis Charter School and Intel Security are hosting three online safety presentations--two for students and one for adults.  Please read the latest Bear Essentials Newsletter for dates and times.

Parent Resources & Information on Technology, Being Safe Online, and Digital Citizenship

Common Sense Media, website (We rate, educate, and advocate for kids, families, and schools)

Think Before You Link Online Tips Website, Intel Security 

Mimi Ito on Learning in Social Media Spaces, video, Big Thinker Series

Stay Safe Online, website, National Cyber Security Alliance

Articles and Books on Character & Digital Citizenship

Disconnected: Youth, New Media, and the Ethics Gap, book, by Carrie James

Teaching Respect and Responsibility — Even to Digital Natives 

Holly Korbey  (Mind/Shift May 24, 2013)

What if the Secret of Success Is Failure? By Paul Tough, September 14, 2011

“Crayon Box” Houses Activity

Every month at BCS, our K-5 students and staff meet together in their "Houses" - mixed grade level groups that participate in activities together and earn points as a team in various school wide competitions (reading points, chalk murals, relay races, etc.).  

This month, after reading the illustrated poem "The Crayon Box That Talked," students and their buddies made a "crayon box" out of self portraits during the school wide Houses activity in honor of Martin Luther King and his fight for equality and respect for all people.  

Mrs. Felder put the finishing touches on the project this week - stop by the Art Room to see it in person!  Click here to see how our students created their crayons.

National Board Certified Teachers at BCS

Two of our teachers - David Belles (Music Specialist) and Sarah Lau (Middle School Math Teacher) just received confirmation that they are Nationally Board certified teachers!  Over 10% of our teachers at BCS are Nationally Board Certified, compared to less than 3% of all teachers in California.  

Ms. Lau and Mr. Belles recently became
National Board Certified Teachers!

National Board Certified Teachers (NBPTS) are an elite group of educators who must pass a rigorous certification process that includes in depth lesson planning and analysis, several tests based on pedagogy and content, videos of lessons, and student work samples that demonstrate growth and achievement.  

The entire process is tied to student learning and advancement in all aspects of the teaching profession, not just a single lesson or unit of study.

The National Board mission aligns so closely with our school’s vision that our staff has committed to making this distinguished certification an expected part of the role of a BCS educator.  Every staff member who is eligible to begin the process (teaching for 3 or more years) is supported with mentors, time, and equipment needed to succeed and become Board certified.

Congratulations to David, Sarah, and all of our teachers at BCS on their commitment to excellence in education!

BCS Choir Students Perform at CSU East Bay

Our seventh grade baritones had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Buddy James at the California State University East Bay Men’s Chorus Festival this week as part of a special opportunity for the BCS choirs.   Mr. Belles and the group of students participated in workshops with other middle and high school students from around the Bay Area, before a joint performance in the afternoon - you can see more photos here!   Keep up the great work Mr. Belles and our choir students!

Spooky Writing Contest Entries and Winners at BCS!

Congratulations to our many students who entered into the Los Altos Town Crier’s Halloween Story Contest - including all 21 first graders from Mrs. Lucero’s class!

And congratulations to fourth graders Kelly and Noah who had their stories published in the paper!

Click here to see the spooky tales and a special “shout out” to our 1st graders!