Extra Help with InsideSchools

During this episode, the InsideSchools staff speaks with members of Black Lives Matter at School. This episode focuses on how the organization came to be, how the good work spread nationwide and the impact the organization continues to have.

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE

In this episode of InsideSchools+, we are joined by a host of researchers from the African American Policy Forum to give us a primer on Critical Race Theory - what it is, why it’s in the news and what parents need to know. This broadcast focuses on how CRT has evolved in the news and some initial pieces of what parents should know when they hear the topic.

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE

In this episode of ExtraHelp we are joined by Zakiyah Ansari, Advocacy Director of the New York State Alliance for Quality Education (AQE).  Zakiyah talks us through the current child care walkthroughs and gives us a brief history on how the industry has been impacted by Covid-19.

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE

In this episode, we work to set parents up for success when preparing for their child’s parent-teacher conferences in NYC.

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE

How to Improve Your Parent-Teacher Experience: https://insideschools.org/news-&-views/how-to-improve-your-parent-teacher-experience

What is APTT?: https://www.wested.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/services-appt-brochure.pdf

NYC Parent Teacher Conferences Guide: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/parent-teacher-conferences

ARTICLES FROM THE EPISODE

https://www.chalkbeat.org/2020/11/17/21564443/parent-teacher-relationships-remote-learning

https://www.citeonline.com/nyc-schools-engaging-more-parents/

https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2017/3/31/21099687/goodbye-parent-teacher-conferences-hello-poetry-workshops-how-new-york-city-is-redefining-parent-eng

STAY IN TOUCH

In this episode of ExtraHelp we are joined by Dr. Asya Johnson, principal at Longwood Academy in the Bronx.  We review recent headlines of the increase in violence in schools in the Bronx and spend time hearing how principals can work toward cultivating schools sites that nurture physical and emotional safety.

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE

During this episode, the InsideSchools staff speaks with Kaliris Salas-Ramirez, PhD, a Distinguished Medical Lecturer at the CUNY School of Medicine and the President of the Community Education Council. This episode focuses on the emerging conversations surrounding Mayor Bill De Blasio's plan to phase out the NYC Gifted and Talented program, in addition to discussing the history and ongoing impact of gifted and talented education, standardized testing, and local government influence on public education policy.

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE

During this episode, InsideSchools staff build community with Lisa Covington, a representative from the national steering committee of Black Lives Matter at School. We discuss the organization’s initiatives, the recent Attorney General’s memorandum around “threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff who participate in the vital work of running our nation's public schools,” and social justice curriculum in schools.

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RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE

During this episode, InsideSchools staff review the back and forth conversations about vaccinations and what the DOE mandates may mean for staffing in schools.  We are joined by Raymond Ankrum, Sr., Superintendent of Riverhead Charter School.

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RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/daily-covid-case-map

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/covid-19-testing-for-students/testing-providers

During this episode, InsideSchools+ staff review the recent news blitz around NYC’s $635 million curriculum and programming initiatives.  We welcome back Tom Liam Lynch to share his experience and talk through the N.Y.C. Universal Academic Recovery Plan.

(Note: An earlier version of this podcast was posted without music! That won't do at all. So we re-published it with the jazzy transitions listeners have come to know and love.) 

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RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE

Extra Help is BACK! During this show, Tom, creator and host of Season 1 of Extra Help, and Tanishia, host of Season 2, discuss the intended function of Extra Help, its connection to the work of InsideSchools, and the goals for the new season.  In addition, the two will discuss current news headlines that take us into the opening of schools for the 2021-22 school year.

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RESOURCES TO SHARE:

This week marks the end of the school year in New York City. And with the end of the school year comes the end of this season of Extra Help. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch reflects briefly on the first season of the podcast, lay out all the unknowns facing NYC families with the new school year just two months away, and give a little glimpse into what is up next for InsideSchools. 

This past week, the NYC Department of Education has been burning the midnight oil. Last Thursday, the Chancellor held a virtual meeting for all principals and superintendents updating them on current status and future plans for the school system. That same evening, the teachers union sent a message to its union 75K members about what to expect in the coming year. Sometime on Monday, the city published the results of its remote learning survey for families WHILE ALSO launching a new survey asking parents for their input on re-opening in September. And somewhere in the middle, the Chancellor sent out an email to families. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch walks listeners through what's been going on--and shares what it might mean for the weeks, months, and year ahead. 

New York City has erupted in recent weeks in response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed while being restrained by police in Minneapolis, and far too many other similar events in our city and nation. Under the banner of #BlackLivesMatter, protests sprouted up throughout the city in every borough and across the world. 

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York State was partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to "reimagine" the future of public education, critics were quick to raise alarm. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch responds to a question from listener Chrissy from the Bronx, who is worried about the billionaire's involvement.  Why are some stakeholders concerned that the Gates Foundation is involved in New York? What are some of the ways this might unfold? How do parents and teachers make sense of it all? That and more on this episode. 

NYC schools will almost certainly have some form of remote learning come September. Whether it is 100% online or some hybrid model with alternating day schedules is left to be seen. But if we know remote learning is here to stay, it is high time for the City to establish a NYC Virtual School. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch shares what a virtual school is, how it would work, and why it's more ready for launch than you might think. 

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The NYC school system is so big, it can be helpful to look for insights not just from what other cities or states are doing, but entire countries. That goes for learning in teaching in "normal" times--and it especially goes for what it means to reopen schools. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch explore a new document from the United Nations that offers guidance to countries on reopening schools safely and equitably. Tom offers two concrete suggestions for city officials, including the establishment of a citywide virtual school. 

The NYC Department of Education has launched a survey for students and families, one that asks them what they think of remote learning so far.  Surveys can be tricky things, so Tom Liam Lynch invited Senior Research Fellow at the Center for NYC Affairs, Nicole Mader, on the show to get her take. They discuss what the survey is, where to find it, and what good can ultimately come of it. Spoiler alert: They both agree it's important for families and children to complete. 

It might seem premature, but we all need to start talking about September. Now. Why? Because there are possible scenarios in which public health officials might not want to see 1.1 million students headed back to overcrowded classrooms. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch offers parents and school officials what he suggests are key considerations for fall planning, preparation for which needs to start immediately. That includes planning for the scenario where not all students go back at once. 

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By now, many families are getting a sense of what online learning looks like in their child’s school. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch takes a moment to underscore something: Online learning could have looked VERY differently, even in response to a pandemic. Families and teachers need to know that the city has platform--right now--that can help immensely: iLearnNYC and WeTeachNYC. And if versions of online or hybrid learning are possible options for schools in September, we all need to better know what they are and what they can do. 

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In previous episodes, we’ve focused on helping parents and teachers navigate the troubled educational waters of learning and teaching amidst Covid-19. But what about students? Fortunately, non-profit IntegrateNYC has created a hotline to help. It’s created by students, for students. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch talks with IntegrateNYC leadership: High School Executive Director Leanne Nunes and Adult Executive Director Zaps. They share details about the hotline, as well as what they think city officials are doing well and what they could do better to support young people in a time of crisis.

There are two words in the term "online learning." But when you listen to the way we often talk about it, there's little being said about what "learning" is supposed to look like. How do we know our children are learning online--well? In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch explores that question by comparing learning online to learning in traditional classrooms. In the end, he offers ways that teachers can up their online teaching game AND ways for parents to better spot quality learning in action. 

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Teachers' and families' heads are spinning. In 72 hours, NYC schools restricted use of the widely used Zoom video conferencing tool, required use of Microsoft Teams, and then added late Sunday (via Twitter) that Google Meet could also be used. Only, some school leaders had already messaged otherwise to teachers and staff.  And that was a weekend! There is little doubt that video has a meaningful place in digital learning. But what are schools and families to do? In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch shares some key moves schools can make to better support families amidst the chaos of a global pandemic, including doubling down on their use of another form of video: screencasts. 

Zoom is a video conferencing product that has seen exponential adoption as schools have switched to online learning during Covid-19. Students across NYC are using it with their teachers every day. But recent reports have raised alarm, saying Zoom disregards privacy and security protocols. In this episode, host and public school parent Tom Liam Lynch investigates further to see what all the fuss is about. Spoiler alert: In just a few minutes, he was able to attend his own child's online class--no access code, no credentials, no nothing. He shares more about why this is a problem, how we got here, and what parents and teachers can do. 

Specialized high schools in NYC is a hot topic. That was especially true when the de Blasio Administration made a move to radically overhaul their admission process several months ago. The process relies heavily on a single exam: the Specialized High School Admissions Test or SHSAT.  In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch talks with Senior Research Fellow at the Center for NYC Affairs, Nicole Mader, about what recent admissions data tells us about how equitable the SHSAT is. 

Resources

When NYC schools announced that they were cancelling the upcoming Spring Break (except for two days), you can imagine the ripple the news sent throughout many households. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch shares with listeners how his family dealt with it, including trying to slow down to help his son appreciate the school officials' rationale. The morning meeting at the breakfast table ended with a request for waffles--and extra syrup. It was honored. 

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After teaching ELA and ELA teachers for a decade and a half, Tom Liam Lynch has learned a few things about what matters most. In this episode, he shares "simple and high-leverage" strategies for parents and teachers. What matters when teaching reading across grade-levels? How does one read for school versus reading for life? What are ways to engage in writing when a young person really doesn't want to write? All this and more, please an invitation to send him your individual question over on Twitter @tomliamlynch

It's a fast-paced episode, one well-worth a re-listen. Share it with an ELA teacher in your life. ;)

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Math and ELA, Math and ELA. That's what many parents are talking and asking about on social media. How do I help my child with these subjects at home--when I'm not a math or ELA teacher?! We hear you. Let's take it one step at a time, starting with math. 

And since we at InsideSchools are not math teachers either, we called up a Math for America Master Teacher: Mr. Chris Boyd. In this episode, we ask Chris what parents can be doing to support math instruction at home. His advice is deceptively simple, strategic, and wise. Check it out. 

Resources from the episode:

When NYC does anything, it does it big. That goes for New Year's Eve, skyscrapers, and, well, high school offers. A staggering 78,000 8th graders received high school offers recently. While the process works well for some families, many families are left wondering what options are still on the table. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch talks with InsideSchools senior editor Laura Zingmond to break down what the offer letters mean, and how families should proceed from here--whether they like their offer or not. 

Resources from the episode: 

As a parent, sometimes it's hard when you don't feel like your child is getting the support they need from a teacher. It can be really frustrating. As a former teacher, Tom Liam Lynch knows firsthand how hard it is to manage the needs of dozens of students (at least) and their families. Still, parents have options for advocating for their children's needs.  In this episode, Tom talks offers a series of steps that parents can take to get their children what they need. It's not about shouting the loudest. It's about thoroughly understanding what's going on, communicating in a measured way, and then systematically escalating your concerns, if needed. 

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A mom from Manhattan wrote in with a slew of questions about what learning online and at home is supposed to look like. She wrote: What should homeschool look like? How many hours? How much progress? Can kids go outside? Which of all of the available online educational programming is actually good and recommended for kids at different ages? In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch answers each question one by one--and shares his go-to list of education resource providers in a pinch. Spoiler alert: They include...

NYC schools had their first day of online learning and  homeschooling. You couldn't help but see the names of two technologies pop up over and over: Zoom and Google Classroom. But for teachers and parents who are new to these products, what are they and how do you get the most out of them? In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch talks to us about his experience teaching online, leading a large-scale online learning initiative in city schools, and what to do if you are a teacher or parent trying to figure this all out. 

Please tell us what you think. We LOVE feedback. Here are a few of the main ways to reach us: