Scarlet News and Notes
October 25, 2019
Assuring Learning Excellence and Readiness for a Changing World
“Understanding that good intentions don’t protect us from acting in biased ways opens up space to examine biases without an emotional, defensive stance. It opens up space for growth.”
Tracey Benson and Sarah Fiarman
Happy Halloween Week!
If you choose to celebrate Halloween, I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween. If you happen to be in West Mankato, be sure to stop on Baker Ave. We typically have over 200 Trick or Treaters, and we are ready for some good tricks and have plenty of treats!
Boys' Soccer State Tournament
Girls Volleyball Sections
Boys and Girls Cross Country
Don't Forget the Impact You Have
Here is an email I received from a new student.
I just wanted to send you a quick email to say thank you. When I first came to Mankato I was very hesitant to start a new school as a junior because let's face it high school can be ROUGH. It took a lot for me to step out and try it this year. Boy am I glad I did. Everyone here has been beyond supportive and nice. Putting me first and realizing there's more to students than just a textbook and a desk. In my six years of being in another school district I never had staff check in with me or just ask how I am doing ever. This has been such a game changer. That is what matters. I want you to know how deeply appreciative I am of the staff and students. You should be proud of the environment here at west. It is unlike any school I have been too. It makes me want to raise my children here one day!
You are impacting kids every day!
Let's Get to Know...
Andrea Williams from the English department. Fun fact: Andrea started her life as a teacher fifteen years ago in Miami, Florida. She’s been teaching English 9 and 11 for the last six at West, and this year, she’s excited to teach a new-to-her course, English 10.
Last summer, Andrea attended PBIS training. Plus, she purchased a top-of-the-line, professional-grade unicycle preparing her for perfectly balanced adventures cycling around the block.
Andrea is married to Jim. Their son, Rocky, 4, loves music and puppets; their son Knox, 3, has a natural talent for fixing things.
Cassie Kolhoff from the Science department. In her second year at West, Cassie looks forward to “seeing students explore new ideas and concepts.” She teaches Biology, Wildlife Ecology, and Chemistry.
Cassie graduated from Owatonna High School and went to college at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Last summer, she participated in curriculum planning and attended co-teacher training.
She enjoys hiking, being outdoors, baking, and spending time with her husband of four years and a furbaby who “goes on all of our adventures with us.”
Paul Christianson, Media Specialist / District Auditorium Manager / Play Director. Paul has been an educator for 26 years. This is his 6th year at West. He enjoys camping and rocketry. Last June, he shared his love for rocketry at a summer workshop for elementary school students at Rosa Parks. This fall, his is collaborating with other West staff as the director of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Musical.
Game On Thursdays
Here is the link to a quick Google form that helps us get a sense of what you are seeing as well as helps move us closer to our goal of 75% participation.
This Thursday will be the last one before the next drawing.
Reminders
Learning Academy
Learning Academy Registration Form
Deadline to sign up is October 31.
Calendars and Tiered Busing
Share your feedback on Calendars and Tiered Busing by November 4
Shining Scarlets
It's time to start thinking about who will be your Shining Scarlet for quarter 1!
What is a Shining Scarlet?
Students who have gone above and beyond in the classroom to demonstrate one or more of the following attributes: Academic Achievement and Improvement, Effort, Initiative, Service, and Creativity.
Each department nominates a student from each grade level. The teacher nominating the student writes a short essay (Sample Essay) about the student.
November 22nd we will honor the students at our Shining Scarlet breakfast.
Timeline:
November 11 - Department Reps give names to Jodi
November 14 - Letters sent to families
November 18 - Essays due to Jodi
November 22 - Breakfast begins at 7:00am, program begins at 7:15am in the cafeteria
PST Update
The Positive Solutions Team (PST) has been busy examining and creating systems for our intervention process this fall. Through this work team members have created a system of identification, support, and progress monitoring that will be used throughout the year. Below is information regarding the intervention process.
First, the Positive Solutions Team uses a report in Tableau to identify students focused on attendance, behavior, and course progress. We then assign a case manager from our team to be the point person. The case manager will contact you via email seeking information to be logged in the communication log in Infinite Campus and a calendar invite will be sent for the PST Conference. The case manager will facilitate the PST Conference and following the PST Conference they will communicate via email the agreed upon intervention with an intervention plan in Infinite Campus with a video link on how to track the intervention. Teachers will then track the intervention in Infinite Campus. At our weekly PST meeting case managers will review their case load and intervention progress and determination of next steps will take place upon the completion of the intervention.
Recently, team members have been conducting PST Conferences for identified students after school at 3:15 pm on Tuesdays. The team will continue to utilize Tuesdays for these conferences throughout the school year. Your attendance at PST Conferences is vital to the success as we need your voice at the table in the intervention process. We would like to thank you in advance for your continued support of our students at West.
The Positive Solutions Team
Anita Anderson, Amanda Bomstad, Molly Fox, Kevin Haggerty, Andy Krause, Cheryl Menke, Stephanie Ottmar, Tom Villagomez
News to Share
West in the News! Our west welding students and CNC plasma table got some exposure as they were talking about the impact of the new 21st century workforce partnership coming into play. See link below.
https://www.keyc.com/2019/10/23/sen-smith-rep-craig-introduce-workforce-training-legislation?sfns=mo
Staff Meetings
This week's staff meeting is in the Media Center. We will be doing an activity related to this article.
PD Opportunity
We are looking to offer this PD module to any staff who is interested. The link provided gives some information and asks you to submit dates which would work for you. This would be a "Dinner and a Strategy" PD event. I hope you will consider joining us!
United Way
It is our goal to have 100% of our staff participate in United Way. You can contribute as much or as little as you want, including the ability to have your contribution deducted from payroll. You can also choose which agency you want your money to go to, such as our own Project for Teens!
This week, $2 will allow you to wear jeans on Monday. You can pay your $2 in the office.
GIVE AWAYS: Drawing will be held November 1, 2019
Scheels Card
Aveda Card
All Donations no matter the amount will get a 5.00 gift card to Pub 500!
FUN EVENTS!
10/21-Monday JEANS DAY Pay $2.00
10/28-Monday JEANS DAY Pay $2.00
Department Wars: Whichever department raises the most money will have coffee and donuts delivered to their department. We will divide per person per department so it is equal.
Last day to donate is Thursday!
The Week at a Glance
Tuesday
Link Crew Freshman Retreat
Lock down drill approximately 1:25pm
Wednesday
College Wear Wednesday
Staff Meeting 3:15pm Media Center
Events: Know the Truth Teen Challenge Presentation 6:00pm South Central College
Thursday
Game On!
Deadline for New Course Proposals
Friday
High Five Friday
Blood Drive
Events: Football Section Championship 7:00pm Chaska
EL students teaching their peers what it is like to be an EL learner
Mole Day
Manufacturing Field Trip
Birthdays This Week
Happy Birthday!
Michelle Peterson October 29
Tom Villagomez October 31
Coming Soon
November 7 - End of Quarter
November 7 - Inflatable Lung Event
November 7 - Learning Academy
November 8 - Teacher Work Day, Staff Meeting 10:00 - 11:30
November 22 - Shining Scarlets
November 22 - Stuff-A-Truck ends