Thanks for a great start to the school year! Only nine days in but a lot of good stuff is already going on around the building. The changes we have implemented are off to a great start. The feedback from the staff that I have spoken to has been positive. Some quick notes:
SmartPass is up and running. There will be some bumps in the road but overall, I think it has made a positive change in the building. On October 19, a few teachers and I will be reviewing the data from the first four weeks and making any adjustments that might be needed.
Loaners - I believe we made the right decision with this one. One small change from what I said on 9/5, if you want to allow a student to charge their Chromebook in class, that will be your call. I suggest you let the student know that this will not be an everyday thing. Remember why we did this, accountability and responsibility beyond the walls of WHS.
Cell phones - I think this change is having the biggest impact on what we are trying to accomplish in the classroom. Students are less distracted and more focused on their learning. As a staff, we are doing a great job with this!
I know some of you have asked me about allowing kids to listen to music while working on independent work or allowing students to go on their phones after the lesson. My thoughts on this:
If you allow students on their phones, for whatever reason you feel appropriate during your class time, the admin team will not call you out on it, but we might ask at a later time what was going on.Another change that happened, which was not planned but has had a positive effect, is the Study Halls being moved out of the Cafeteria. When students are out on pass there is really nowhere for them to go besides the bathroom. As of now, I don’t see the Study Halls going back into the Cafeteria when it opens.
I understand rewarding a student for working hard. I get using it as a type of incentive. The teacher / student relationship means everything to me, but be smart with bending the rules when it comes to cell phones. Once that door is open, it’s hard to pull back.
If something goes wrong in your class with a cell phone being used inappropriately, that will be on you and the student.
Construction Update
The Greenberg Center swipe access is working now.
The Cafeteria may be delayed to open - I will know more later today.
AC control and the temperature in your classroom - This is still a work in progress and I know it's colder in some rooms than others. We have someone on site that can look at the unit / make small adjustments so let me know if a certain room needs to be looked at.
Counseling Center News
Virtual Coffee with the Counselors (For 9th Grade Parents on Friday, 9/22)
NAVIANCE TEACHER RECOMMENDER PROFILE & TEACHER LETTERS OF REFERENCE
Dates to keep in mind
No School - Monday, 9/25
Club Fair - Wednesday, 9/20 - 2nd half of lunch in the Gym
DLC Meetings - 9/20 Yes, 9/27 No
Back to School Night - Thursday, 9/28 - 7-9pm
Recent Blog Posts
Dates to keep in mind
No School - Monday, 9/25
Club Fair - Wednesday, 9/20 - 2nd half of lunch in the Gym
DLC Meetings - 9/20 Yes, 9/27 No
Back to School Night - Thursday, 9/28 - 7-9pm
Recent Blog Posts
