To: Asha Riley, Superintendent
From: Phil Pearson
Date: October 18, 2024
Re: TEAM Board Report
1) School Improvement Plan
One of the goals of the TEAM school improvement plan is to ensure our TEAM students leave school with aspirations and plans. Here’s the language from our SIP:
Student agency suffers when students do not see the connection between present activities (school work) and future activities (post-secondary plans). This is especially true for traditionally underserved populations who are often over represented in ALE settings like TEAM. To address this critical need, TEAM high school will increase the rate of students who leave high school with a well-defined post-secondary pathway from the current baseline to 100% by the end of 2025.
This goal has been difficult to achieve because counselor time is in very short supply. However, starting in November, thanks to the work of TEAM staff, TEAM seniors will be scheduled for individual meetings in the fall with our TEAM counselor. Along with discussing progress towards graduation, seniors will also begin to develop specific and immediate plans for after high school graduation.
2) Recognition
Yesterday afternoon, I had a chance to do something that more people should get a chance to do. I spent 45 minutes or so visiting TEAM with the express purpose of observing the staff in action. It was a busy afternoon because students tend to procrastinate, and things come due on Friday. As I watched, I saw students getting content help, having conferences about their progress, and casual conversations between staff and students about life, and I heard all manner of encouraging and supportive comments.
When I think of recognition, I tend to think about the big stuff, but the real miracles are the small ones. TEAM staff - WSD staff in general - get up every morning thinking about how to make things better for other people’s kids. They spend their days in that pursuit and do it very, very well. The outside of our buildings look ordinary - particularly the TEAM building - but inside, the place is lit up with miracles. Most people don’t get a chance to see it, but they should. I would invite you as board members to come by for a casual walkabout and see for yourself if you haven’t already.
3) Upcoming Events
There is one significant event for TEAM in the next few weeks:
11-8 TEAM staff attend ALE workshop