Forever Edgewood

Ever year at this time, first graders step into the spotlight for one of Edgewood's grandest and most endearing traditions, the Thanksgiving Assembly.  The energy is palpable as the first graders spill into the hallway, just minutes before their performance in front of family members and the entire school.

In a matter of minutes, they will experience something that they will remember for many years to come and will forever define them as Edgewood students. In a matter of minutes, they will sing the classic song Hey Pilgrims, and be joined by older Edgewood schoolmates in the audience, who will sing and tap along because it takes them back to their first grade.

Edgewood students donated 28 boxes
of food to the Salvation Army.

The Thanksgiving Assembly is about reflecting on our many reasons to be grateful and remembering those in need. The fourth and fifth grade chorus sang songs of gratitude and hope. And Edgewood students collected 28 boxes of food and presented them to a representative of the Salvation Army. But it's the song Hey Pilgrims that provides the soundtrack for the day. It's a song that lyrically tells the story of the first Pilgrims and their journey to freedom, but musically reminds us that we are forever Edgewood. - Paul Tomizawa

Mr. Brown (cello) and Ms. Forte (piano) lead
the fourth and fifth grade chorus.

Discovery by Design

The challenge is this. Use Tinkercad, a 3D modeling program, and a 3D printer to fill the 2x5 inch cutouts in the student tables in Mrs. Blackley's classroom. Prototypes are often among the early steps in the design process, but like those first baby steps in our lives, they can be exhilarating and self-affirming, and can open a seam into previously unforeseen possibilities. That's how we arrived at this photo to the left.


Like most inventions, this design thinking challenge arose out of necessity. Mrs. Blackley's student tables had cutouts to provide an outlet for power cords and cables for electronic devices. A black plastic grommet insert sat on top of the cutout, providing a grooved outlet for cables. The thing is with well-charged, wireless devices these portholes were not necessary, while the grommet became a "bump" on the table.


Enter the lead design challenge team. They are the lead team, not just because they have been assigned this initial task, but they will also assume responsibilities for helping to train other fourth grade students, all of whom will receive their own design challenges this year. With guidance and instruction from Mr. Fitzpatrick, these students are contemplating how to redesign the grommet or make use of the cutout.


So in Tinkercad, they designed prototypes that improve upon the original grommet. Some prototypes sit more flush with the table surface, so there's less of a bump. Some took advantage of the cutout and used it as storage. Another iteration looked at building up from the hole, rather than concealing its presence, to create a fashionable school supply organizer. For students today, the possibilities are endless, when they believe they can pursue them. In the end, this challenge is indicative of learning in schools today that is meaningful to students and elicit their best efforts out of the sheer desire to achieve a measure of success that they have a hand in defining. - Paul Tomizawa

Student Voice

Last week 5th grade students raised nearly $500 in popsicle sales. That's no small deal, since the proceeds go to the 5th Grade activities fund, which not only supports student events, but also  nurtures charitable causes. And that's a big deal.

The world is a big place, but Edgewood students know they can be an influential presence in it. This may seem an overstatement, but the reality is that this is what teachers and parents should want for children today. Grow up with essential academic skills and knowledge, but be kind, decent people. Care for others. Give voice to those who've lost theirs or worse, lost the essentials in life. In recent weeks, thousands of people in our hemisphere suddenly found themselves without food, water, and their homes.

I'm told that the 5th grade activity fund will provide some relief to families in the US Virgin Islands, which were ravaged by Hurricane Irma. Edgewood students are no strangers to humanitarian relief efforts. In the past, they have raised money for mosquito nets, clean water, and school supplies in developing countries. Sometimes they've coordinated these efforts through the Edgewood Student Involvement Council, sometimes they've done it independently, driven by a higher purpose. They're Edgewood kids. Globally aware and ready to give their voice to those in need. - Paul Tomizawa

Edgewood's Library Learning Commons

Roosevelt Place view.

The Edgewood Library is currently undergoing a structural makeover, but when it emerges from drop cloths and protective sheetrock, it will be remade as our Library Learning Commons. The term "learning commons" dates back to the 1990s as higher ed began to rethink the purpose of the library and how it meets the needs of today's learners. Today's learning commons have been influenced by the thinking of a number of educators and librarians, including most recently David Loertscher, who view the library as the heart of the school community.

It is a creative space for participatory learning where teachers and students collaborate, design, and build in flexible learning spaces. The learning commons provides the school community with access to information, by way of traditional media (books, photos, magazines, etc) and archives. It provides spaces for small and whole group discussion and collaboration, as well as quiet spaces where learners can immerse themselves in the joy of reading, writing, and making.

Thoughtful and comfortable in
Mrs. Blackley's room.

The task of designing the Edgewood Library Learning Commons will rest with the students and staff of Edgewood school. In the coming months, we'll invite them to participate in conversations on how physical and virtual space impacts student and professional learning. This, however, is not a new conversation. Last year, we began these discussions using a district Center for Innovation grant to examine flexible learning spaces through our use of Room 18, which became a laboratory for reconfiguring classroom space. Since then, teachers have been busy reworking their own classrooms. More to come. - Paul Tomizawa

Mrs. Theall's students surveying library construction

The Walking School Bus Walks Again

Edgewood's Walking School Bus has begun its first rounds of the year. This bus is not fueled by gas, but by students and parents looking to get some fresh air and exercise on their way in to Edgewood School. The bus uses the typical routes. As people join at their stops, the routes look like a parade, with friends and family marching towards school. Edgewood first introduced the Walking School Bus in 2008. Below is the write-up and interviews from an Edgewood Historical Society feature introducing the Walking School Bus that year (pardon the quality of the video):

An Edgewood Historical Society Time Machine Takes Us to 2008

Mrs. Anders welcomes the Walking School Buses in 2008.

"The Edgewood School community replaced their morning buses with the Walking School Bus. Students, family members, and teachers joined in the walk to school along the usual bus routes in a unified gesture to “Go Green.”About 250 students walked to school along the Clarence/Sprague, Drake/Forest, Potter Road, and Popham/Taunton bus routes. Owen, a 4t grader was one of the many students who made the walk. He spoke to a few others on the way to school and edited this audio story, which features interviews with Gabriella/5th grade, Mason/2nd grade, Xavier/4th grade, and Dr. Houseknecht."

(This video was first published on May 30, 2008)

                                                                                                                                       - Paul Tomizawa

Collaborative Kickoff

Our Specials teaching team (art, music, PE, library, technology) met with the entire student body on the first day of school. We introduced students to aspects of our subject areas, while reinforcing the ideas of teamwork, empathy, and perseverance that are so important to learning successfully at Edgewood School.

The Specials teaching team planned activities for group sessions with classes from grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. Each activity required students to think on their feet... but really together with lots of feet! Collaboration was essential to completing these tasks.

The Technology and Library team featured Mr. Tomizawa (me) and our awesome new librarian Mrs. Alison Turner. Students were challenged with engineering tasks such as building tall and strong structures and for our youngest students, reconstructing a familiar story, the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Ms. Houston, along with Ms. Forte, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Orengo (strings), created their own mash-up with Spanish and Music, combining Spanish vocabulary with the knowledge of instruments and familiar songs.

The Physical Education and Art team was led by Coach Weigel and Mr. Fitzpatrick. They combined physical activity with an understanding of the composting process at Edgewood.

These Specials team events were all fast-paced and fun. At times, the gym was as raucous as a stadium. So while classroom teachers took this opportunity to meet and plan together, their students chanted and cheered on their teammates. And everyone, students and teachers alike, took away great memories from the first day of school. - Paul Tomizawa

Talent Show Season Begins

It's Talent Show season at Edgewood. Each February, Edgewood organizes the first of these lunchtime showcases, followed by two additional performances in the spring. It's an amazing display of talent and courage as students stand in the spotlight to perform live for peers and adults. In their corner helping these performers look and sound their best, is an all-student backstage and balcony production crew, flanked by plenty of teacher advisors. For an insider's look at our talent show, watch this piece by Caroline, a former Edgewood student. -- Paul Tomizawa