First Week of School at WHS.....Good Start

This last week the WHS staff welcomed our students as we kicked off the 2014-15 school year.  I had an opportunity on Friday to speak with the WHS students and staff at our first assembly.  I shared with them that I was starting my fifth year as principal and that it really is an honor and a privilege to be the principal at Washougal High School.  I am looking forward to the 2014-15 school year and the work we are going to do as a staff.  It is apparent to me based on my observations this week, that this is going to be a monumental year for the PANTHERS!

Looking at student behavior through a different lense

All of the WSD teachers and administrators were together on Wednesday, August 28.  I had the opportunity to work with another principal and the WSD Technology Director as we facilitated a workshop focused on successfully supporting student behavior.  Much of our presentation was based on Ross Greene's work.  Prior to completing our planning, I emailed Dr. Greene.  I was absolutely amazed when the next morning I received an email from him.  I appreciated his advice.  I had shared with him that I was a little concerned that I was attempting to cover too much information in a 60-minute workshop...he agreed and gave me a some helpful advice.  

9th Grade and New Student Orientation

On Thursday night we invited all 9th graders and new students to an orientation.  We had schedules available prior to the event starting in the auditorium.  We had no idea how many guests we would have.  I knew we were in for a good night when students and parents started to arrive at 6:00 pm when the event started at 6:30 pm.  The auditorium was packed.  I felt good about the information we provided and I was thankful for my guidance counselors, CTE Director and other educators who presented.  The students and parents then had a chance to tour the building either with an student volunteer or themselves using a building map.  The main purpose was to provide some basic information about WHS, our focus and to provide students an opportunity to get to know the building and staff.  I believe we accomplished just that.

Our first day of school was Tuesday, September 2.  We had a two-hour late start so we could support all 9th graders and new students get comfortable with their new school.  I enjoyed watching staff provide building tours for their 2nd period students. 

Learning Target for Geometry

Learning Target for Algebra II

Tuesday, I was able to visit a few classrooms, but the visits were brief.  On Wednesday and Thursday, I visited several rooms and was  pleased with what I observed.  I believe it is important for the student to know what they will be learning.  Providing students with the daily learning target is reinforced with our instructional framework.  It is referred to as "communicating the learning target".  What I witnessed were teachers posting the daily learning target.  In addition, they were speaking to the learning target.  It isn't just enough to write it down, but to speak to the learning target.   In one of the rooms, each student had a chromebook.  The students didn't need to write the learning target down because they each had the presentation in front of them.  In another classroom, the teacher asked the students to write down the learning target for the day.  In that same classroom, the teacher also shared with the students how they would be measuring and constructing segments.  She shared with them when they would know they were successful meeting the learning target.  This is also supported in our instructional framework.  It is important for the students and the teacher to know what it will look like and sound like when students are successfully hitting the the target.....this is known as the success criteria. 

Learning Target for Algebra

Each classroom I visited, I was quickly able to determine what the learning target was for that day.  From what I observed, the tasks were aligned to the learning target....very important! 

Thursday I observed a 10th grade English class in which the students were using ipads.  The teacher was sharing with the students how they could use quizlet to support learning specific vocabulary.  I was impressed with the activity for a variety of reasons.  The Washougal School District is in the second year of a 1-to-1 technology initiative.  Although, WHS will not be participating until next year, I am excited to see that we are putting our mobile lab to use.  I am a huge proponent of using technology to enhance learning.  The class I observed had a very high engagement level.  Not only could I see it, but I could hear it as the ipads were sounding off.  During the same observation, I watched students taking out their cellular devices to retrieve the quizlet app.  This happens to be what I did with my device. During this ten minute walk-through, I witnessed a high-level of engagement, the use of technology, student collaboration and student appearing to be enjoying themselves.   I also appreciated that when I walked into the room the first thing Mrs. Salas did was ask me if I wanted to participate....that was cool!