FDHS Weekly News & Notes
Week of February 15, 2016
“FDHS Eagles Soaring from Good to Great- A World Class High School”
Smart Goals
1. 9th Grade Promotion 3%-5% Increase (86%-Goal)
2. 12th Grade Promotion 3% Increase - 93.4%
3. Improve Student PSAT Performance
Kudos to FDHS for increasing our 4-Year Adjusted Graduation Rate
4-Year Adjusted Graduation
2014 - 85.82%
2015 - 90.36% (4.54% increase last school year)
SMART Goal 2016- 93.36%
On Friday, February 12, I had the privilege to share with the Maryland State Board of Education your persistence to ensure that our students are college and career ready. I took the liberty to identify many of you by name, based on what I observed you do in teaching and assisting our students. I was tasked with coming back and informing you of how impressed MSDE was with your efforts. Thank you for the work you have done and continue to do to make FDHS SOAR.
This week we look to regain a sense of normalcy and routine after the series of non-school days and staff members being out of the building for PD. As a school team, let us rekindle the passion for teaching and learning that we had during the opening weeks of the school year.
Let me know if you have any announcements, celebrations or updates you would like included in the Weekly News and Notes.
Morning Announcements
Morning Announcements: Ms. Lawrence and her TV Productions students have made the morning announcements accessible to us through a Google document. If you are unable to catch the morning announcements on TV you can visit the link below. Be sure to turn your TVs on at the end of 1st period. Let's aim to have students listen to the morning announcements.
Ms. Lawrence, thank you for making the school announcements available to us in multiple formats. We applaud you.
Reminders
- Plan to incorporate the "I see, I think, I wonder" instructional approach.
- Enter at least two grades for each class section into SchoolMax.
- Take attendance each period!!!
- Your presence at your doorway during the exchange of classes helps to keep students focused and provides additional hallway supervision.
- You are a difference maker.
Grading
Per administrative procedure 5121.3 Student grades should reflect classwork, homework and assessments. Students should be receiving multiple grades in each grading category throughout each marking period. Students must receive a minimum of two grades per week in SchoolMAX for each student; more than two is highly recommended.
Instructional Corner - Master Teacher Publication-Volume 46; Strategies - #10
Strategy Tips for Generating Respect: Students tend to respect teachers who talk to them in their own personal style.
1. In Context:
Identify students in your classroom who appear disengaged. What strategies can you use this week to form a relationship with them?
2. With Content:
What connections can you make with a disengaged student’s prime interests and the content you are trying to have him or her engage with?
3. With Colleagues:
Discuss this with colleagues who have had these students in their classrooms, and find out what they know about them that could help you pique their interest.
http://www.pdnow.net/player2/mtplayer/skins/main?learnerID=D493CB3D-C49F-4370-B5FA-6EB7B739C02C&learnerName=Scott%20Eddie&courseID=SCORM2004_1413826503347188664726805aefc53&sessionID=00D618BC37BD19A62816493758BFACF1&skinID=vendor&domainID=provenance&mode=normal&{overrideTarget,posttest_*}minNormalizedMeasure=0.75
Eric Polk 2/6
Ursula Baker 2/10
Richard Gumbs 2/10
Clarence Jackson 2/15
Thurman Sutton 2/16
Brenda Fowlkes 2/17
Vanessa Smith 2/17
Latanya Torrence 2/18
Tessa Guarracino 2/23
Idamae Owens 2/23
Stephen Rountree 2/25
We Salute
- Mr. Neal thank you for coordinating this year's United Way Campaign.
The Week Ahead at A Glance
Tuesday, February 16 - A Day _
SIT - Attendance - 8:15 a.m.
Senior Class Meeting - 2nd Period
Biology Collaborative Planning - 9:30 a.m.
English 9 Collaborative Planning - 10:30 a.m.
High School Master Scheduling Workshop - 12:30 p.m. - Ms. Rigby and Ms. Watson
Admin. Meeting - 3:00 p.m.
Mock Trial -FDHS @ Oxon Hill HS - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 17 - B Day
9th Grade Assembly - 2nd Period
Math Collaborative Planning - 12:15 p.m.
SPMT Meeting - 2:45 p.m.
PTSA Meeting - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 18 - A Day
Systemic Principals' Meeting - Mr. Chinn will attend
Accuplacer -8:00 a.m.
PGCAA & Athletic Director's Meeting - Coach Pinkney - 9:00 .am.
PGRASG Meeting (County SGA) - Ms. Baker & SGA - 10:00 a.m.
English 12 Collaborative Planning
PGCC OWL Program FAFSA Workshop - 6:30 p.m. - Media Center
Friday, February 19 - B Day
Admin. Meeting with Office of Talent Development. Topic: SLO Closeout
Our Mission
Frederick Douglass High School empowers our students to become effective communicators, globally-minded problem-solvers, and lifelong learners who realize their potential and become ethical, service-oriented citizens.
Our Vision
Frederick Douglass High School strives to be a World Class School.
Our Beliefs
Children come first. All students can learn and develop as productive members of our society, regardless of their intellectual, cultural, and socio-economic differences. Parents are our partners. Continuous improvement in teaching, leadership, and accountability is key. Every member of the Douglass community shares the responsibility for the success of our school.
Definition of Rigor
The staff of Frederick Douglass High School defines rigor as the process of creating an inviting learning environment that is conducive to higher order thinking skills and requires students to raise their level of self-accountability supported through challenging and relevant instruction that is aligned with state and local content standards.
It is characterized by:
· An interdisciplinary academic curriculum;
· Student-centered instruction through the use of hands-on experiences and integrated technology;
· Varied methods of assessments; and
· Real-world application of applied knowledge to achieve career oriented goals.