The Raider Professional
What's Going On In Raider Nation Vol. 1 Issue 21
Try Something Different!
This past week, we experienced something different. It actually snowed in sunny South Carolina and felt like a second Winter break. That was a great time!
Just like this past weekend, it's okay to experience different things in the classroom. Let's stretch our imagination and try new strategies for learning. Do things your students have never seen and watch the magic happen!
Let's remember to stay vigilant and stand at our doors between classes. Talk to our kids about what we expect of them this week in terms of behavior and academics
Please share what we are focusing on with your students and parents.
1. Practicing Explicit Direct Instruction (E.D.I) strategies for student engagement.
2. Taking a closer look at individual students and employing interventions with the help of parents.
3. Reducing student tardies and holding students accountable for being to class on time.
4. Wearing ID's (Our ID machine had ID issues at the start of the school year, but we will have more focus on ID's this week)
5. Interpreting student data and making decisions for student improvement.
Reflecting and Refocusing is key to being the best professional educators for the success of our young Raiders!
We are champions, indeed!
Featured Points To Focus On
- Talk with our students about what we stand for and how to define our school in a positive light.
- Assign students at least one NewsELA article per week in your class.
- Use Schoology daily to upload assignments and require students to use it as a resource.
- Require students sign out before using the restroom and turn your signature record in at the end of the day.
- Continue to discuss the dress code with students and the importance of avoiding being tardy by getting to class on time.
- Make sure to 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. Also, write them on your board or have them clearly posted in the room.
- 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.
- Develop rapport, build strong relationships, and set expectations for students.
Raider Dates To Remember
Monday, January 24, 2022
Faculty Meeting @ 3:30 p.m. in the theater.
JV boys and girls basketball vs. L.R. @Keenan 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Varsity boys and girls basketball vs. L.R. @Keenan 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Thursday, January 27, 2022
JV boys and girls basketball vs. L.R. @L.R. 6:00 p.m.
Friday, January 28, 2022
Varsity boys and girls basketball vs. L.R. @L.R. 6:00 p.m
(televised on Wach Fox 57.2)
Our Students Have Read 8,495 News Articles!
As a result, we have read 8,495 news articles.
Congratulations Raider Nation!
Congratulations to MILAYSIA FULWILEY for Scoring 2,000 Points as a Junior!
This is extra special because she's a junior!
For this accomplishment, Coach McClain presented her with a 2,000 points ball she'll treasure for a lifetime.
Congratulations to Milaysia for being great on the court and beyond!
Join Our PTSO and Win A Laptop!
All you have to do is join W.J. Keenan's PTSO. It's only $10 and all funds go to enhancing our school experience.
Click here for a PTSO form to complete and turn in to the front office.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. JACOB LAURIE, OUR RAIDER TREASURE OF THE WEEK
Congratulate Mr. Jacob Laurie for being W.J. Keenan High School's Raider Treasure for the week of January 24, 2022.
Mr. Laurie is always dependable, efficient, and shares his unfailing punctuality effortlessly. We honestly can't sing his praises enough. He is truly awesome and a great attribute to W.J. Keenan High School.
Raider Treasure is one of our recognition programs for staff members, who are selected each week by their peers.
Our Engineering Students Are Building Model Structures!
After School Tutoring and Seat Time for Absences
This is an intervention to help our students improve academically.
Seat Time due to absences
Students can make up seat time Mondays-Thursdays, from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in our tutoring program. Students need to contact Ms, Horton during their lunch period to sign up.
Congratulations To Dr. Deirdre Hutson For Being Selected As Our 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year!
Dr. Deirdre Hutson is our 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year for W.J. Keenan High School.
"She is so much more than a Math teacher. She gets us. Because she cares, we want to get our work done," are the words from one of her students.
It's fitting, as Dr. Hutson continues to mold our student's minds as it relates to numbers and life.
Make sure to give her a big high five and congratulations!
- Report cards were delivered on the January 20, 2022. Parent, make sure to ask your students or check Powerschool.
- Per district policy, you should have at least fifteen grades reported at this time and there should be no grade reported lower than a 50. If you are teaching an EOC class, for the exception of US History, you will need to place the EOC grade in the appropriate column to calculate the 20%.
- If you are posting work outside of your classroom, make sure that a standard is posted with it. If you have work outside of your classroom, a standard should be added.
- Make sure that your phone has a current outgoing message so that parents can get in touch with you.
- All students should have a blue pass when they are permitted to be in the hall. Please see Mrs. Lawson-Wilson if you need another pass.
We Will Refocus On Reading and Math Skills!
After analyzing our most recent STAR data and interim reports, we need a stronger focus on reading and math skills. More than 50% of our students in both categories need some form of intervention.
Here are some key strategies we will be rolling out in the next few days.
- Teachers will be asked to have students read and answer questions from a NewsELA article each week.
- Students will be provided with additional assignments based on their intervention level in Math and ELA to complete during Raider Time.
- Identified students will be required to use the homework focus plan and tutoring help forms.
Quick Reads For Motivation and Growth
Good Teaching Is Not Just About the Right Practices - Working from a place of caring, Rizga reports, the best teachers establish deep connections with students, and then build up to a “daily commitment to bringing in well-considered, purposeful practices and working child by child. Click Here For The Entire Article
The case for professional kindness in teaching - A teacher can be effective, efficient, inclusive, and strategic. Still, unless they are professionally kind along with these things, the learners suffer. Click Here For The Entire Article
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