Celebrations

Parents,

So many great things are happening at New Tech. Here's a brief summary of some very positive recent praise from the community at large!

• La Strada del Arte was a huge success. People came out in droves, and there was such a positive energy embodied throughout. Students, parents, school staff and the broader community all had a great time. Thank you to all the parents who worked so hard to make this year a shining success!
• A couple of great articles in the Napa Register lately featured New Tech. One explored our use of "Clickers" in the classroom and the other was a picture of one of our American Studies classes who toured the Register.
• Great article with glowing reviews about New Tech appeared in the Huffington Post on October 17th. A second article in the Huffington Post, published on October 26th, featured our own Dr. Brown and his Digital Media course.
• On October 9th, the Executive Director of Gallup Organization, Brandon Busteed, gave a speech at the White House “Education Datapalooza” event.  The Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, the United States Chief Technology Officer, Todd Park, several other officials from the government, and the CEO’s of the biggest education companies in the country were in attendance.  Mr Busteed's address was as follows:

·         Right now in America we are very negative about our schools, teachers and students.  Gallup finds that American’s ratings of public schools is at an all-time low in the history of our tracking on this measure.  We are far too focused on the problem – and that is the problem.  We spend our time on what’s wrong with schools, teachers and students.

·         Everything Gallup knows about human development says we need to do the opposite.  No one ever becomes successful focusing on their weaknesses.  They do so by leverage their strengths every day. 

·         He closed with the model example of New Tech High where there is an amazing blend of technology infusion, project based learning, and now strengths.  The ability for students to leverage their unique strengths in an environment rich in technology and team-based work is incredibly powerful. Especially if student groups are formed based on team strengths.

Mr. Busteed sent me an email stating, "Please know that the students and teachers at New Tech are an inspiring and very real model for the future of America’s education system."

Positive reviews by the media and the community help validate the great work that our staff and students are doing. Additionally (in this season of college applications for our Seniors), this large scale press validates and reinforces the caliber of education that all students receive at New Tech, and further builds our reputation among the best colleges and universities.

Happy Halloween!

Sincerely, Michelle Spencer, Principal