To: Michael Green
From: John Shoup
CC: School Board members
Date: 12/3/2008
Re: November Review
Here is an overview of the key activities we worked on in relation to teaching and learning this month.
Monday's: We had four Monday's this month for staff development activities. One Monday was used for CRISS training, two for department collaboration times and the final Monday was used for peer coaching. The peer coaches were discussing and looking for integrating technology into their lessons as well as solving a simple problem of when a teacher has a substitute and the substitute not knowing all the procedures of the classroom. We plan to help mitigate this problem by having the peer coach check in with the substitute two times during the day.
Other information: Our first quarter grades were rather disappointing to review with the staff. We had almost 25% of our students failing at least one class. The highest percentage of students was in the freshmen class with 35% failing one or more classes. We are addressing this, but it was difficult to see these results. Our work on Navigation 101 is coming along nicely. The steering committee has made several decisions and information has been presented to our leadership team as well as the entire staff. Anecdotal information regarding having a two day school week in anticipation of Thanksgiving is supportive. Teachers report that there was no discernable drop off in effort or learning of the students knowing that there was only two days of school this week instead of three. Mr. Uhlenkott's leadership students put together a nice video for Veteran's day which was show through our close circuit TV system.
All is all it was a good productive month at Woodland High School.