The Raider Professional
What's Going On In Raider Nation Vol. 2 Issue 10
Student Centered Learning!
To get the most out of our students, which are the most valuable commodity, we have to practice student centered learning.
At its core, “student-centered learning” is the idea that each student is an individual who learns in unique ways. Students come to school with prior knowledge, educational experiences, trauma, attitudes, interests, preferences, strengths, and weaknesses unique to their lived experiences. We have to allow them to share, perform, explain, create, and actively solve problems.
As professional educators, we have to facilitate that process.
Think about your class. Is it a student-centered learning environment? If not, how can you make it a student-centered environment? What strategies can you employ that allows the student to take ownership of their learning.
Consensus Squares, Think Share Pair, Role Play, Debates, and competitions, are a few strategies we want our students working on in class.
Don't forget to share your successful strategies with other members of the team. We are stronger together.
Featured Points To Focus On
- Develop rapport, build strong relationships, and set expectations for students.
- Stand at your door to encourage students to move swiftly to class.
- Take attendance every block and communicate to students the importance of being on time (Please check your email regarding attendance and allow time to teach our students expectations.)
- Submit your lesson plans to your Department Leader and Subject Administrator weekly.
- Make sure you communicate your standards, objectives, and agenda when teaching.
- Constantly check for understanding using different methods.
- Contact parents regarding attendance/ behavior/academic issues. Maintain a contact log, which will be turned in each Wednesday to your subject administrator.
- Keep your doors locked during class.
Raider Dates To Remember
Monday, October 17, 2022
Faculty Meeting in the Lecture Hall @ 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Keenan Cluster Math Night Planning Meeting @ 9:30 a.m.
SIC Meeting - Virtual @ 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Cheer Competition at Ridgeview High School @ 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Our engineering students will be attending the Lead Academy at the University of South Carolina
Filling out FAFSA Night in the WJ Keenan Media Center @ 6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 21, 2022
W.J. Keenan Football Vs. Mid Carolina @ 7:30 p.m.
Senior Night for Football and Volleyball!
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Cheer Competition at Conway High School @ 1:30 p.m.
The W.J. Keenan "Raider Rubber" Band Marched in SCSU Homecoming Parade!
Take a listen and look below.
Terrance "Tuck" Tucker Speaks to our Seniors!
We would like to thank Mr. Tucker for bringing words of wisdom to our seniors. He promises to come back this year encourage the rest our our student body!
Shalise Wine, Magnet Lead Teacher
- Thursday, October 20, 2022 - Our engineering students will be attending the Lead Academy at the University of South Carolina
- Next Magnet Meeting will be October 26th, 2022 at 10:45 AM in the auditorium with our Guest Speaker Terrance Tucker.
- November 5th- University of South Carolina Hospitality Enrichment Day Camp
Remember in order to remain in the Magnet Program the students must maintain the following:
70 or above in all classes
No behavior problems
Minimum attendance issues
- November 5th- University of South Carolina Hospitality Enrichment Day Camp
A magnet program education offers several benefits including:
- Academic success that prepares students for a lifetime of academic achievement
- Diverse student body that encourages respect, empathy, and collaboration
- Family and community involvement that instills a passion for learning and growth
- Flexible and innovative curriculum centered around a unifying theme
- Small class sizes that ensure connection to the content and foster positive student/teacher relationships
Congrats to Ms. Amie Barton, Our Teacher of the Month!
Student Success Conferences!
Congratulations To Our October Students of the Month!
Cheryl Lawson-Wilson, Assistant Principal for Instruction
Hello Raiders,
- Progress Learning (formerly USA Test Prep) is now available for use. You should be able to use your login credentials from USA Test Prep. Let me know if you need support.
- Grade Reporting is October 12 Grade Verifications are due to Ms. Sims. Please have them available for your department leaders.
- Teacher Workday (student holiday) is October 14.
Teachers demonstrating three important factors of feedback:
- Purpose: Ms. Lewis was purposeful about the amount of times the feedback was given. She paused every time she saw the need for it. Students didn’t go on to next steps without hearing from her.
- Compassion: Ms. Covington used the need for compassion in her feedback. This required her to be attentive to how she wanted to feel on the opposite end of the feedback. She encouraged her students along the way.
- Action: Both teachers feedback led to immediate action for improvement. The students understood the correction and felt confident in their abilities to make change.
Ultimately, both teachers used feedback that directed students to the outcome for success that they expected. I enjoyed being in both spaces, having the opportunity to see our students and teachers display their talents.
I am looking forward visiting you and having more positive observations to share this week.
Enjoy Homecoming week!
Raider Reminders:
October 12 is a school-wide testing day, last day of the reporting period and grade verification due date
October 14 is a teacher workday (student holiday)
October 20 is report card distribution
October 24 early release/parent conferences
Care Packages for the Math Department!
Notes for Raider Teachers!
Feedback From Observations: Focus on engaging students and having them do the work. Rather than standing up and writing on the smartboard as you are explaining, have students come up to the board and share what they know. Put students in groups and give meaningful activities. Use balls and other manipulatives to identify students for a response. Make these engaging strategies apart of your daily routine.
Handling Conflict: Please talk with our students about how to properly handle conflict. Encourage them to reach out to adults in the building to get help with situations that can potentially get them in trouble. Please convey the importance of working together resolve problems before they become bigger issues. It takes a village!
Student Work: Please start posting your best student work inside and outside your classroom in the hallways. You may also share by tagging WJK on social media.
Ask Yourself: What is the hook for today’s lesson that will keep them engage? Is there an opportunity for my students to get up and move around with my lesson? How am I going to check for understanding? Am I giving students the opportunity to show me they have a grasp of the content? Am I using the DLE to enhance the lesson or am I simply giving electronic skill sheets?
Signing In and Out: If you need to leave campus for an emergency, please get approval from an administrator, and sign out in the main office. We are professionals.
PTSO: Please consider joining our Parent Teacher Student Association. It is a big part of communicating to our parents that we want to build a stronger partnership this year. The application is in the main office with Ms. Golston.
The Raider Engineer!
More Pictures From Homecoming!
Our Raider Freshman Academy! - Kimberly Jeter. Assistant Principal
Greetings, 9th Grade Parents!
The 2022-2023 school year is in full swing. We have completed the Fall STAR Testing, our 1st Quarter interim period is upon us, and we continue to look forward to supporting our newest Raiders as they begin "Shaping their Future."
Freshman students at times need extra support in adjusting to high school and its demands. Goal setting, organization, and receiving specific feedback are skills and strategies used to ensure personal and individual success. As partners in our students' success, we need parents and guardians to commit or to recommit being an engaged and informed parent. When there's a positive partnership between home and school it exponentially increases a student's chances to be academically, behaviorally, and emotionally successful.
Below are some tips for parents to assist their 9th grade student.
Tips for 9th Grade Parents: (sourced in part from Wren High School Freshman Academy webpage)
- Be interested in what is going on at the school.
- Communicate with the school to show interest and concern.
- Discuss daily activities with your child.
- Make sure contact information is current.
- Make concerns known to school.
- Utilize school resources as needed.
- Emphasize the importance of education.
Homecoming Video Featuring "It's A Different Type Of Flavor" Rap Song!
W.J. Keenan High School
Our Mission
The mission of W. J. Keenan High School is to provide engaging educational opportunities through a rigorous curriculum, cutting edge technology, and partnerships to extend to our diverse community and produce first class citizens who will contribute to the present and excel in the future. WE ARE KEENAN!
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a nationally known high school that is highly regarded for its academic excellence, leadership in cutting edge technology, science, environmental, and career based programs. A high school that builds strong relationships with all stakeholders and continues a culture where the expectation is to lead, set the example, and raise standards for all to follow.
Email: vondre.whaley@richlandone.org
Website: http://keenan.richlandone.org/
Location: 361 Pisgah Church Road, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: 803-714-2500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keenanraiders/
Twitter: @wjkeenan