Scarlet News and Notes
November 10, 2019
Assuring Learning Excellence and Readiness for a Changing World
“We just want to be heard.” – Bobbi Hampton
Welcome to 2nd Quarter!
I know it was rather awkward, transitioning from listening to our students to visioning about teaching and learning. Our time is so limited, and both of the topics were timely, so thank you for being adaptable and just rolling from one to the next.
Thank you to our social committee for planning the after school get together! It was fun enjoying some time together without an agenda. For those of you who missed it, I hope you will be able to join us next time.
Big Events this Week
It is Musical Week! You won't want to miss Willy Wonka, showing Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We will have a play cutting Thursday afternoon.
Let's Get to Know...
Lisa Welle from the Social Studies department. Lisa, who has been an educator for 18 years, says she continues to enjoy working with all the great staff at West. She teaches Enriched World History and AP Human Geography.
Lisa is originally from Sleepy Eye, MN. She graduated from St. Mary's High School and Minnesota State University, Mankato. She currently lives in rural Mapleton with her husband and children--Roger, 8, and Lola, 5. They have two dogs and two cats. She enjoys being active outside, reading, waterskiing, spending time with family and friends, and cheering for the MN Twins and Vikings.
Greg Summers from the Health Sciences department. Greg grew up in Nebraska. He moved to the Twin Cities to complete his undergrad at the University of Minnesota in health science and biology. He earned his Masters in Teaching at Bethel University in St. Paul. This is his 6th year at West.
Over the summer, Greg wrote health science curriculum and spent two weeks training on the curriculum for the new PLTW Medical Interventions course. He’s looking forward to a school year of “super fun courses with a ton of hands-on activities.” Greg teaches PLTW Human Body Systems, PLTW Medical Interventions, and Intro to Health Occupations.
Greg’s wife, Sarah, also teaches in the Health Sciences Department. They share two children, Poppy and Parker.
Deb Green, Media Center Secretary. Deb has worked in the Media Center for 20 years. She is fond of ordering books and sharing them with students who are looking for a new title to read. She says, “I like what I do for students and staff. I enjoy getting to know the students and love it when they return for a visit after graduation.”
Deb lives in Janesville with her husband, Jim. They have 3 grown children, 5 grandkids, and 4 granddogs. In the summer, Deb spends nearly every day at the family’s cabin on Duck Lake playing with the dogs and visiting with family and friends.
Shining Scarlets
Department Chairs, be sure to get your names to Jodi by Monday, November 11th for Shining Scarlets. Remember to choose a student from each grade level. Essays are due next Monday, November 18th.
PLCs this Week
A Message from your PBIS Team
Dialing 0
Behavior Referrals You will find this information on the staff website.
For other needs, please use extensions: Cheri 3800, Jodi 3801, Stephanie 3809, Heidi 3903
No Shave November
Staff Meetings
Our staff meeting this Wednesday will focus on our Champion Students. Please bring what you have learned about your student, including the grades they earned 1st quarter. We will also be revising the list of students, so if you did not have one 1st quarter, you will be able to take on at least one student for 2nd quarter.
Two Required Presentations
Reminders
Shining Scarlets
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
Registration Guide Updates
Please review course descriptions and revise as needed. All updates need to be submitted (via email) to Tracy Corcoran by November 26. Our current Registration Guide can also be found on the High School Curriculum homepage (and on our staff website).
Career Creations
They are now offering gift wrapping services!
Goal Meeting
I am enjoying meeting with each of you to hear about the goal you chose as an equity educator! If you have not yet signed up for a time, please connect with Jodi and she will find us a time.
The Week at a Glance
Monday
BLT meeting 3:15pm, room 116
Tuesday
PLC at East 7:45am
Department Rep meeting 3:15pm, room 309
Events
Chipotle Fundraiser for Girls Basketball
Link Crew Game Night 6:00-8:00pm
Wednesday
College Gear Wednesday
Pay $2 to wear jeans - No Shave November
National Signing Day during Scarlet Time in the Auditorium
Staff Meeting 3:15pm in the Media Center
Thursday
Play Cutting - Event Schedule A
Game On Thursday
Events
State Swim and Dive Meet
Fall Musical 7:00pm Auditorium
Friday
High Five Friday
Lock Down - approximately 10:00am
Events
State Swim and Dive Meet
Fall Musical 7:00pm Auditorium
Saturday
Events
State Swim and Dive Meet
Fall Musical 2:00pm and 7:00pm Auditorium
Community Events
Just a reminder that attorney and activist Ellie Krug will give her second keynote address next week on November 14 at 7:00pm at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. We had a good turnout and excellent reviews for her September presentation on Transgender 101. Her second talk will be on Bridging the Divide, how we can overcome the tendency to “other” people different from us. It’s a talk that goes beyond trangender issues to the broader challenge of being “humankind.”
Coming Soon
November 22 - Shining Scarlets
November 22 - Stuff-A-Truck ends
November 26 - Deadline for Course Revisions for Registration Guide
November 27-29 - No School
December 5 - AVID Demo visit