Bluewolf Representative Gianna Scorsone presents a new tablet computer to The New American Academy students

The New American Academy welcomed the innovative IT company Bluewolf into our classrooms on Friday, February 3rd, for our curriculum celebration.  brought gifts of iPads, netbooks, tablet PCs, and illustration tablets. We are excited to partner with Bluewolf in bringing new technology and opportunities to our classroom!

From left: District 17 Superintendent Buffie Simmons, Master Teacher Lorraine Scorsone, Commissioner John King, Headmaster Shimon Waronker, Master Teacher Elizabeth DeAngelis, Master Teacher Lisa Silva, Intern Lake Coreth

The New American Academy at Lincoln Terrace Park was honored to welcome New York State Education Commissioner Dr. John King and Regents Research Fund Senior Fellow Amy McIntosh for a school visit on Thursday, February 2nd.  Our teachers and students were excited to meet Dr. King and show off our school community!

Non-zoned schools must accept students in the following order of priority:

a. District students whose verified siblings will be enrolled in grades K-5 in the school at the start of the following school year in September;

b. Out-of-district students whose verified siblings will be enrolled in grades K-5 in the school at the start of the following school year in September;

c. District students other than those in (a) above;

d. Out-of-district students other than those in (b) above.

“If you put fences around people, you get sheep,” said William L. McKnight, 3M’s chief executive, in 1924. Brian M. Carney and Isaac Getz use that quote in their book, “Freedom Inc.”  to underscore their central point: If you give your workers maximum autonomy — freedom is the authors’ term for it — they will “lead your business to higher productivity, profits and growth.”

How do you free them? The authors suggest this four-step process:

1. Excite employees about your vision for the company to the point where they “own it.”

2. Eliminate “all the symbols and practices that prevent your people from feeling equal.” If employees feel subservient, they won’t give their best efforts.

3. Stop trying to motivate employees. “Instead build an environment that allows people to grow and self-direct — and let them motivate themselves.”

4. Once the new culture is in place, maintain it at all costs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/business/smallbusiness/28toolkit.html?_r=1