WHS Staff News - Week of 1/9/23

Next week we will have an all staff meeting on Wednesday, 1/18 in the Media Center. Please make sure your schedule is cleared for you to attend.

Change is coming to working Wednesday. Last week I mentioned to the ScIP committee that I will be looking to make changes to when department meetings are held. Starting at the end of the month, not all departments will be meeting on Wednesday's. I will share my plan later this week and review it at the staff meeting.

Marking Period 2 ends in 15 school days (Friday 1/27/23)
A few things to do as the marking period comes to an end:

This week make sure your Gradebook is up to date
Make calls home for students in danger of failing (No surprises for parents)
Send positive emails for students that have improved from the 1st MP or showed growth during the 2nd MP
*Last week the counselors and I reviewed mid-marking grades and will be speaking with students

Documenting Student Issues
Some teachers have been using the Discipline tab in Genesis this year to submit referrals. Moving forward, if a teacher wants to write up a student, it should be submitted in Genesis. Here are two videos to show the different ways teachers can submit (Genesis calls them different names but they end up in the same place).

Discipline Tab in Gradebook - Discipline Tab Video
Referral Tab in Gradebook - Referral Video (This tab was added on Friday to your Gradebook)

Starting this week, parents will be able to see the referrals in Parent Access after an administrator addresses the issue. The teacher description in the referral does not get posted to the portal.

Monday 1/16 - Minimum Day / Professional Development
Dr. Elias posted the schedule this morning. 

Semester 1 Assessment blog for Students and Parents. This will go out tonight to parents and students.

WHS Staff News - Week of 1/2/23

Happy New Year! I know the break was short, but I hope you had a chance to relax and spend time with family and friends. 

Construction Update
Senior Wing - All HVAC units have been installed but have not been hooked up to a thermostat yet. Hopefully, that will happen soon. The fan speed was lowered this morning so that should help with the heat today. The panel was left open so teachers should be able to adjust the fan speed if needed. Please do not store any items on top of the new HVAC units.

Last week all of the HVAC units were delivered. Having them onsite will help bring closure to the future phases.

Phase 2 is moving along. All exterior windows and doors have been installed. Progress is moving along at a good pace.

The construction company is hoping to wrap up Phase 2 by the February break (2/17). I will keep everyone updated as we get closer.

Semester Assessments
Back on December 5, I shared information about the Semester Assessments. They will be here before you know it. Please take the following steps:

Review the Semester Assessment doc
Update/create your assessments and submit by 1/12
Work with colleagues on common assessments
Review the schedule (It’s different then years past)
*Delayed openings and early release are for students only. Staff should use the time to grade assessments.
Plan for assessment feedback during the week of 1/30.

Since we don't have an official meeting on Wednesday, I will be available to answer any questions related to the Semester Assessments in the Media Center after school.

FYI - The Sean Fisher Memorial Heart Screenings will be taking place on February 6 & 7 this year.  Blog post for Students/Parents.