The Raider Professional

Here are four reasons our Champion Raiders need great teachers.

1. Personal Growth and Development: A great teacher can help students to develop their own unique talents, interests and passions. They can also provide guidance and support as students navigate the ups and downs of growing up and finding their place in the world.

2. Preparation for the Future: A great teacher can help students prepare for their future by teaching them not only the academic skills they need, but also life skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective communication. A great teacher can also serve as a mentor and role model, helping students to develop a strong sense of self and the confidence they need to succeed in their future careers and personal lives.
   

3. Encouragement and Empowerment: A great teacher can provide students with the encouragement and empowerment they need to believe in themselves and their abilities. They can help students to set achievable goals and then support them in reaching those goals, instilling in them a sense of pride and accomplishment.

4. Creation of a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment: A great teacher can create a safe and supportive learning environment where students feel valued and respected. They can foster an atmosphere of trust and understanding, where students feel comfortable taking risks, asking questions, and exploring new ideas. Such an environment is essential for student growth, both academically and emotionally.

Let's be great teachers for our students. Every opportunity we have to stand in front of our students, is an opportunity to prepare them to go out and change the world!

We are W.J. Keenan High School. Home of the Champion Raiders!

There are a few things that we will need to make sure we are doing to keep the natural order and flow of our school:

• School starts at 8:00 a.m. Remind students they need to report to class before then to avoid a tardy.
• Stand at your door during the change of each class.
• You must not leave your students unsupervised for any reason.
• If you would like to have an end of year class gathering, food must be purchased and packaged to be consumed. Students/teachers may not bring food prepared at home.
• Please do not allow students into the hallway without a pass.
• Please do not allow students that are not on your roster in your classroom. Students need to be in their scheduled classroom to receive credit. You are accountable for every student in your room.
• You may only sign out to leave on your planning period and/or with administrator approval in an emergency circumstance if you do not have a scheduled absence.
• If you are absent from school, it is your professional responsibility to input the appropriate information in Frontline in a timely manner. Substitutes are limited. Please check Munis prior to doing this so you are aware of your available days for an absence.

Monday, February 13, 2023

• Cohort B Principals Meeting at W.J. Keenan High School 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• “It is only when we take chances, when our lives improve. The initial and the most difficult risk that we need to take is to become honest. —Walter Anderson
  

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

• Department Leader Meeting @ 3:30 p.m.
• Grade distribution and documentation are due (Turn in to your administrator)
• “We cannot solve problems with the kind of thinking we employed when we came up with them.” — Albert Einstein

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

• “If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” — Steve Jobs
• Playoff Basketball - Liberty vs. WJK Girls (Home) @ 6:00 pm
  

Thursday, February 16, 2023

• “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” —Amelia Earhart
  
• Playoff Basketball - Blacksburg vs. WJK Boys (Home) @ 7:00 pm

Friday, February 17, 2023

• “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot
  

During senior night with a packed crowd of fans, Tanaja Kennedy scored her 1,000 points in her high school basketball career. The senior shot a big 3 pointer and the crowd went crazy with applause. Coach McClain immediately called a time out and Tanaja received her 1,000 points ball. Her teammates, coaches, and fans cheered her on for this amazing accomplishment.

Congratulations to Mrs. Plasquita’s Physics class on placing 1st in the class project category at the @RichlandOne STEM fair! There were hundreds of entries and our young people got the top prize with their studies in linear motion.

Hello Raiders,

Welcome to another week in Raider Nation!

On Thursday, February 16, 2023 we will be conducting Edgenuity training in the Lecture Hall during planning periods. Please report to training for the first hour of your planning.

Friday, February 17th is an early release day and Monday, February 20th school will be closed.

Trackers should be set up in Mastery Connect for teachers that have EOC courses by February 24th in preparation for State Practice Testing in March. More information will be available to EOC teachers in an email.

If you are interested in earning endorsement for AP classes, please see the following link: https://glasscock.rice.edu/ap-summer-institute#workshops

If you have students that registered for the SAT on March 1, please share this resource that they may use as daily practice to prepare: https://www.khanacademy.org/

If you have students that registered for the ACT on March 7, please share this resource that they may use as daily practice to prepare: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html

If you are teaching an EOC course, you do not have to wait to expose your students to the Online Tools Training. Please be sure to follow the links that will help you prepare for testing.

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/algebra1-test-blueprint-2022-23

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/biology-test-blueprint-2022-23

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/biology1-teachers-guide-and-sample-items/

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/english2-test-blueprint-2022-23

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/2019-eocep-sample-release-items-for-english-2

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/eocep-english-1-writer-s-checklist/

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/eocep-text-dependent-analysis-scoring-rubric/

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/ushc-test-blueprint-2022-23

Gradebooks should be updated weekly so parents and students know their academic progress.

Dates to Remember:

SAT - March 1 in the Lecture Hall

ACT - March 7 in the Lecture Hall

End of 3rd quarter - March 10

End of Course Testing - May 1 - May 19 in the small gym

AP Calculus Test - May 8

Spring STAR testing - May 10-24

Instructional Reminders:

· Prior to interims, you need to have at least 7 grades reported in your gradebook. Prior to the end of quarter, you need to have at least 15 grades reported.

· Emergency lesson plans with five days of lessons should be available to your department leader. In your plans, you should have attendance rosters and class procedures accessible.

· Progress Learning (formerly USA Test Prep) is available for use. You should be able to use your login credentials from USA Test Prep. Let me know if you need support.

· If you are placing items outside of your classroom for display, please be advised that the standard addressed MUST accompany student work.

· As we plan, we need to make sure that we are addressing the Depth Of Knowledge levels in our lessons. An easy way to break this down is by having students answer each of these questions.

1. What are we learning?

2. How are we learning it?

3. Why are we learning it?

4. How can this learning be extended?

Observation non-negotiables:

1. Standards & Learning intentions should be addressed prior to the start of the lesson. They should be written AND communicated verbally as well as explicitly.

2. Gradual Release (I do, We do, You do)

3. Questions that move through different levels of thinking

4. Activities are aligned to standards and age-appropriate

5. Monitoring student progress and class management (moving about the room)

Have an outstanding week!

On last Friday, classes competed by donating canned goods to the district's fundraiser to help the needy. Mr. Hankins announced the leaders throughout the dat to motivate our entire Raider Family to give more.

Support has been awesome so far and there is still time to contribute to the Souper Bowl of Caring!

To celebrate National School Counselors Week, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education featured Aniya Hodges in a promotional campaign. During the video, Hodges is creating a poster to celebrate school counselors. At the end of the video, the poster is displayed in the upstairs railing in the atrium area of W.J. Keenan High School.

The Raider Academy is Coming

Changes are coming in 2023-2024 school year. We are now a school within a school. We are called The Raider Academy. You will be receiving a letter discussing all of the changes that are coming up by the end of February.

We are currently looking for students to participate on our VEX Robotics team please see Mrs. Wine if interested.

We have been invited to attend camp at the University of South Carolina's Hospiltality program over the summer for two days. If you are interested in this amazing opportunity please reach out to Mrs. Wine.

Next Magnet Student Meeting: February 24, 2023 at 9:00 AM

2 guest speakers and Young Life will join us

Next Parent Magnet Meeting: Monday February 27, 2023 at 5:30PM

• Minimum attendance issues

Hey, wjkeenan Raiders! Make sure to take advantage of the 1st window of 3rd quarter content recovery! Teachers, make sure to inform your students and get them set up to make improvements.

The R1 CHAMPS initiative is modeled after other highly successful programs such as Dads on Duty, which originated in Shreveport, Louisiana after fights and other violence at the local high school. A group of fathers started taking shifts at the school to help prevent future incidents and provide students with father figures.

Kerry Abel, the district’s dropout prevention coordinator, said 39 men have signed up for R1 CHAMPS so far. The initial group of volunteers will be deployed to schools January 18. Even more volunteers are needed, Abel said.

“We want our students to know there are men in this community who care about their well-being, education and success,” he said.

R1 CHAMPS volunteers will provide an additional adult presence and an “extra set of eyes” on campuses during the school day. They will greet students at the beginning of the day and assist staff during dismissal; monitor the halls during class changes and help ensure that students report to their classes on time; and assist staff during school assemblies and special events. Volunteers will wear R1 CHAMPS shirts that identify them to students, staff and visitors.

Teachers and staff, please help us keep our students and school safe by reporting to work by 7:30 (morning duty) or 7:45 am. Please be at your doors ready to receive students by 7:50 am.

Please be reminded if you are going to be absent, report your absence by:

1. Submitting your absence in Frontline (Aesop).

2. Sending an email that you will be out.

a. To: Mr. Hankins

b. CC: Ms. Erving and Mrs. McIntee

c. Subject: Your Name Absent Date of Absence (Ex: Jabar Hankins Absent 1/16/23)

3. Calling the school (if an emergency happens on your way to work).

Substitutes and staff members covering classes should arrive by 7:45 am.

Thanks for your cooperation and for all you do for our students.

Please be reminded that the deadline to make up attendance recovery (seat time) hours is Saturday, February 4. After this date, FAs (Failure due to Absence) will become a grade of F in students’ historical grades, if they have not completed seat time for their courses. This will mean students will have to re-take some courses to satisfy graduation/promotion requirements. This may also mean that some students may not graduate on time or may not be promoted to the next grade level.

Students who have seat time hours to make up may see Mrs. Wine, Mrs. DuBard or Mr. Hankins to get information for sign up and completion. Attendance recovery hours are offered Monday-Friday from 3:30 pm-5:30 pm and Saturdays (January 28 and February 4) from 9:00 am-1:00 pm.

Within the last several weeks, I have had the opportunity to have quite a few meaningful conversations with students. My advice to each of those students was the same; "Choose You" and "Your Name is Your Brand".

It is imperative for our students to realize how important it is for them to make decisions which puts them in the best position to succeed academically, behaviorally, emotionally, mentally, and athletically. Those decisions will also cultivate and fortify their character and reputation.

Here at W. J. Keenan High School, we are molding, guiding, and teaching our students how to navigate their individual paths to achieving their goals. Please feel free to contact us for support and assistance.

We strive to ensure that all our Raiders are successful and receive their high school diplomas. To help reach these goals, we offer our students ways to achieve academic success both during and after school.

Students or parents may sign up for after school tutoring to receive support with their studies.

Students can sign up for tutoring by using the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/hzBTPzSQMa

Our student athletes are automatically eligible for Athletic Tutoring. This program meets Tuesday-Thursday immediately at the end of the school day. In addition to Athletic Tutoring, we also offer two other means of school support.

Raider Ready Tutoring is offered to students in grades 9 and 10. Tutoring is offered after school and offers help in core subjects (English, math, science and social studies). Raider Ready meets Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5:30. Students receive an after school meal and bus transportation home (with the exception of Magnet students).

Raider Priority Tutoring is available to all students in grades 9-12. This program offers students some flexibility in study support, as students may choose face to face assistance, or may select the virtual (online) option to receive help from home. Assistance is offered in English, math, social studies and science, Tuesday-Thursday afternoons. Face to face hours are from 3:30-4:30. Transportation is NOT provided. Students/parents must provide transportation home. If students do not have transportation, they may choose the online option, which meets Tuesday-Thursday from 4:30-6:30.

We are committed to offering as many avenues to success as possible. Students may talk with Coach S. Gilley (Athletic Tutoring), Mrs. S. DuBard (Raider Ready Tutoring) or Mrs. S. Wine or Mr. J. Hankins (Raider Priority Tutoring) with questions or for sign up information.

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 engaged? 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.

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