Here is an overview of the key activities we worked on in relation to teaching and learning this month.
Monday’s: Since my last report we have used our Monday’s for a variety of work including School Improvement planning, preparing teachers for the upcoming forecasting process and department collaboration work.
Curriculum Handbook and forecasting: We are again adding a few new courses to our curriculum options for next year including AP Computer Science and an Intensive Algebra block. We are also considering adding a “freshman academy” where we would group some of our 9th graders with three different core teachers to find ways to create authentic cross curricular learnings. We would make sure our teachers had common planning and shared students to make sure these students found academic success in this pivotal transition year. I am pleased to be adding these options for our students for next year. In addition, our counselors have been doing a wonderful job of revising our forecasting process which will culminate in our 8th grade students coming over to the high school in March to meet with staff, learn about course offerings and make their initial request for classes they wish to take as freshmen.
Other: In preview, many of our seniors will be making their final culminating project presentations during the last week of March. As we prepare students for student led conferences and registration, we took many of our sophomores to the Skill Center for a preview at the end of the month. Mr. Kochis was in charge of this field trip and the registering of our kids for Skills Center. I also wanted to give a shout out to Mrs. Ruff for her leadership in bringing the regional FBLA competition to Woodland High School at the beginning of this month. It was again an excellent event, showcasing our school and our students.