October 25, 2024
This week, I want to focus our attention on one of our core missions: ensuring our students are truly college and career ready. We have a unique opportunity to prepare students for diverse paths after graduation.
College and Career Readiness: Beyond the Basics
Every day, you shape our students' futures through your dedication and expertise. Here are key strategies we can implement across all subjects to enhance college and career readiness:
- Real-World Connections
- Link your curriculum to actual careers and post-secondary programs
- Invite local professionals to speak in your classes
- Share your own educational and career journey with students
- Essential Skills Development
- Incorporate time management exercises into assignments
- Foster critical thinking through problem-based learning
- Emphasize written and verbal communication skills
- Build technology literacy across all subjects
- Student Agency
- Help students set meaningful academic goals
- Teach self-advocacy skills
- Encourage independent learning and resourcefulness
Important Dates and Deadlines
Please note these crucial upcoming dates:
- Today: Trimester 1 PASS Plans due
- November 15: Trimester 1 ends
- November 18: Semester 1 PASS Plans due
- December 1: Final deadline for new course proposals
Looking ahead to next semester, course registration will begin after winter break. This gives us time to finalize any new course offerings you'd like to propose. If you're considering developing a new course, please submit your proposal to me by December 1.
Call to Action
As we prepare our students for their futures, let's remember that college and career readiness isn't just about academic achievement—it's about developing the whole student. Your role in this journey is invaluable, whether you're helping students master algebra, teaching them to write a compelling essay, or showing them how to think critically about historical events.
Please reach out if you need support implementing any of these strategies or if you have ideas to share with your colleagues. Together, we can ensure our students leave our halls prepared for whatever path they choose.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our students' success.
Mark
Assistant Principal's Happenings
Things I'm Grateful For: Our coaches and sponsors that go above and beyond to provide our kids with great extra-curricular and co-curricular experiences. As a father and an administrator, I'm thankful for our staff and proud of all of your efforts. As the fall seasons wrap up, please know that you are helping kids make lifetime memories in real time.
Things to Communicate: Ten-Day Contracts
I had a great conversation with a newer staff member about 10-day contracts for students. What is a 10-day contract, you ask? The Board sets a 10-day limit for students to be absent, after which they must make up the missed time in order to receive credit for a class.
Scenario: Student -- "Absent Moss"
Has been truant 18 times for 1st hour.
I would have a conference with this youngster and we would go over the board policy and form a "ten-day" contract. Essentially, we take 18-10 = 8 classes over the limit and then 8x45 min = 6 hours of time that needs to be made up.
Let's say he earns a B in that 1st hour class. It will be entered as "NC" for "no credit", until he makes up that 6 hours of time. Once he makes up the time, the "B" will be restored to his transcript.
Just letting you know how some of these things are working in the background that you may not normally see. Let me know if you have questions.
Grateful,
Moss
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