The Raider Professional

Although we had an amazing prom and students truly enjoyed themselves, the night proved to be devastating for many of our students who participated in events later in the evening. These are definitely times of adversity.

In challenging times, it is essential for schools to come together as a united front, facing adversity head-on. Open dialogue between teachers and students becomes paramount as we work collaboratively to find innovative solutions to problems. By fostering effective communication, we create a safe space where ideas can be shared, concerns can be addressed, and solutions can be discovered. Let us remember that through the power of collective knowledge and experiences, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.

Making smart decisions is a crucial skill that empowers students and shapes their futures. At W.J. Keenan High School, we strive to nurture critical thinking skills in our students, guiding them to make informed choices. Whether it's selecting courses, engaging in extracurricular activities, or facing life-altering decisions, we encourage our students to think critically, consider the consequences, and seek guidance when needed. By cultivating these decision-making abilities, we instill in our students the confidence and integrity to navigate life's challenges successfully.

In today's digital age, social media plays a significant role in the lives of our students. While it can be a powerful tool for connection and learning, it is crucial for our students to approach it mindfully. We urge our students to be cautious, critically evaluate the content they consume, engage respectfully in online discussions, and use social media responsibly. By fostering digital citizenship, we help our students become responsible members of the online community, equipped to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.

As our students progress through high school, their ultimate goal is to receive a diploma and make their family members proud. At [School Name], we share in this aspiration and celebrate the milestones along their journey. We recognize the dedication, hard work, and resilience our students demonstrate in their pursuit of academic success. By acknowledging their achievements, we inspire them to reach even greater heights, fostering a sense of pride and paving the way for a brighter future.

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, May 1, 2023

• 9th and 10th grade meeting in the theater @ 8:40 a.m.
• 11th and 12th grade meeting in the theater @ 9:20 a.m.
• “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” — Zig Ziglar
  

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

• Faculty Meeting in the lecture hall @ 3:30 p.m.
• “Don't settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had.” —Angela Bassett
  

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

• “If you believe something needs to exist, if it's something you want to use yourself, don't let anyone ever stop you from doing it.” —Tobias Lütke

Thursday, May 4, 2023

• W.J. Keenan Track at Region Track Meet Meet (at Home) @ 1:00 p.m.
• "Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." —Calvin Coolidge

Friday, May 5, 2023

• “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” —Amelia Earhart
  

We celebrate our administrative professionals during the last week in April each year. This week recognizes the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals. We appreciate our administrative assistance team for keeping us inline and organized!

Congratulations to Mrs. Plasquita and her amazing students on the charter and induction of the Science National Honor Society!

Welcome to another week in Raider Nation!

We have 20 more days of school remaining. Please be diligent in monitoring students and providing quality instruction. You should also be mindful that leaving your classroom for any reason without calling Ms. Erving or another staff member for coverage is an unsafe practice.

End of Course testing begins now through the month of May. End of Course exams count for 20% of a student's final grade. If you are teaching an EOC course, by now your students should have accessed the Online Tools Training. Please see the email from me with the reminder about test administration.

End of Course & STAR Testing Schedule:

May 1-2 English Writing Test

May 8-9 English Reading Test

May 10-11 Biology Test

May 10 & 17 STAR Testing for 9th grade students

May 12, 15, 16 Algebra Test

May 17-18- USH Test

If you have student recommendations for scheduling next year, please send those recommendations to your department chair. Department leaders should compile a student list and forward that information to Ms. Humphrey. We can no longer make recommendations in Power School. If you have questions about this process, please email me or call for clarification.

Dates to Remember:

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

AP Calculus Test - May 8

Spring STAR testing - May 10-24

Senior Assembly - May 19

Grade verification due - May 24

Graduation - May 25

Last day of school for students - May 26

Teacher workday - May 27

Instructional Reminders:

· Prior to the end of quarter, you need to have at least 15 grades reported.

· 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!

Chief Robinson-Byrd who currently leads our JROTC department will be saying farewell to our Keenan family this year. She will be leaving behind a great group of student leaders who are well prepared to carry on to what she has instilled in them. We are excited to see her bloom in her next chapter. Thank you Chief for your contributions to W.J. Keenan!

As we are quickly making our way through the 22-23 school year; conversations with our 9th grade students have centered on this simple, but complex question, "Do your habits match your goals?"

The Raider Freshman Academy, emphasizes the importance of positive habits and character traits such as a strong work ethic, resilience, perseverance, self-determination, and self-regulation. High school presents all students, especially 9th graders with opportunities to grow in each of these areas. High school studies as well as life will present both successes and failures. As we approach the 4th quarter it is my continued task and mission to work together with Raider Academy teachers to teach, cultivate, and foster the growth of these skills to ensure our students have the best shot at academic, emotional, and behavioral success.

"Fueling experiential learning and academic rigor - Forge your path to success in the Raider Academy, at W.J. Keenan High School."

Magnet News and Important Information:

Magnet Night (Also parent night) will be April 27, 2023, at 6:00 PM

Student Magnet Meetings Guest Speaker Kye Greene:

April 28, 2023
May 4, 2023

May 16, 2023

Virtual Parent Meeting May 15, 2023

Shalise wine is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: W. J. Keenan Career Magnet Parent Information Session

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/97870140697?pwd=amlyTkdDL0pCSWlGQTVYQm1jK2lzZz09

Meeting ID: 978 7014 0697

Passcode: d0tWyR

Reminder Students that they must have a 70 or above for the year in all of their classes. We are still offering tutoring for students that may need assistance.

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 this week.

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

Please view the attachment below for more details!

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.

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