The Raider Professional
What's Going On In Raider Nation Vol. 2 Issue 13
Giving Feedback Like Yoda!
Yoda is a small, green alien, with long pointy ears, who served as a Jedi in the Star Wars franchise movies. Although he had incredible powers, including defense tactics of a ninja, using force to absorb blaster fire, and handling a light saber during fierce battles, his best talent was giving effective feedback.
This skill was highlighted in his conversations with Luke Skywalker, a young Jedi, who was one of hundreds he trained in the Jedi Order.
Luke once told Yoda he would try to complete a task, and the short, green, alien responded, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
This week, let's give students feedback on their performance and strategies on how they can improve. Have individual conversations and put interventions in place.
We are W.J. Keenan High School. Home of the Champion Raiders!
FEATURED POINTS TO FOCUS ON
- Develop rapport, build strong relationships, and set expectations for students.
- Stand at your door to encourage students to move swiftly to class.
- 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.
- 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.
- Keep your doors locked during class.
Raider Dates To Remember
Monday, November 7, 2022
Half Day for Students (Ending @ 11:45 a.m.)
District PD
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
School is out due to voting
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Friday, November 11, 2022
W.J. Keenan Football Vs. Strom Thurmond Away @ 7:30 p.m.
(Second Round of the Play Offs!)
CHERYL LAWSON-WILSON, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR INSTRUCTION
Hello Raiders,
Instructional Reminders:
- 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.
- What are we learning?
- How are we learning it?
- Why are we learning it?
- How can this learning be extended?
- Observation non-negotiables:
- Standards/Learning targets should be addressed prior to the start of the lesson. They should be written AND communicated verbally.
- Gradual Release (You do, We do, I do)
- Questions that move through different levels of thinking
- Activities are aligned to standards and age-appropriate
- Monitoring student progress and class management (moving about the room)
- SLO Mid-Conference information should be complete AND signed.
- Shout out to Mrs. Garner for making me smarter through her mathematics lesson on Wednesday! I watched her teach the steps in a very simplified way so that the students could apply their own learning. I witnessed her move her students from "Theory to Practice."
- End of Course plans are due Nov. 7th
- End of Course classes state practice tests (Nov. 9-11)
- Interims are November 15, 2022. Please update your gradebooks by Wednesday, November 9th to reflect at least seven grades if you do not have this done. Gradebooks will be reviewed again by this time.
End of Course Teachers:
Please see the following test blueprints and sample release items for your area.
https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/english2-test-blueprint-2022-23
http://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/english-2-assessment-boundaries
https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/algebra1-test-blueprint-2022-23
https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/2018-algebra1-sample-release-items/
https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/biology-test-blueprint-2022-23
https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/2018-biology1-sample-release-items/
https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/ushc-test-blueprint-2022-23
https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/2019-eocep-sample-release-items-for-english-2
End of Course plans are due to Mrs. Lawson-Wilson on November 7, 2022.
- Emergency lesson plans with five days of lessons should be available to your department leader
- Early Release/Parent/Teacher Conferences Monday, October 24 4:00-7:00 pm
- November 7th Early Release for students and District PD on Disciplinary Literacy
- November 8th Student/Staff Holiday
- State Practice Tests in Mastery Connect for students taking the End of Course winter exam will occur Nov. 9-11
- November 23-25 Thanksgiving Break
- End of Course testing begins Dec. 2
- Second quarter ends on Dec. 20 - Grade Verification due
- Progress Learning (formerly USA Test Prep) is now available for use. You should be able to use your login credentials from USA Test Prep. Let me know if you need support.
I am looking forward visiting you and having more positive observations to share this week.
Enjoy Your Week!
394 W.J. Keenan Students Honored For Academic Success!
Shalise Wine, Magnet Lead Teacher
Please take a moment to read the 6th edition of The Raider Engineer, a quick-read communication tool to share news and information, celebrate accomplishments, and a look INSIDE the classroom as we build, create, and learn together.
Created by Ms. Davis
With the schedule change, moving homeroom to the beginning of the day. I will start having magnet meetings on Friday's.
The next magnet meeting is scheduled for Friday November 18, 2022.
We will have our magnet parent meeting will be virtually at 5:00 PM on November 14th, 2022.
Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/97870140697?pwd=amlyTkdDL0pCSWlGQTVYQm1jK2lzZz09 Meeting ID: 978 7014 0697
Now that a new quarter has begun please remember to check Parent Portal to access your child's grades.
Remember in order to remain in the Magnet Program the students must maintain the following: 70 or above in all classes No behavior problems Minimum attendance issues Magnet student that are in need of assistance with classes can attend the Raider Priority Tutoring. Students can sign up for "RPT" by using the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/hzBTPzSQMa A magnet program education offers several benefits including:
Remember in order to remain in the Magnet Program the students must maintain the following:
70 or above in all classes
No behavior problems
Minimum attendance issues
A magnet program education offers several benefits including:
- Academic success that prepares students for a lifetime of academic achievement
- Diverse student body that encourages respect, empathy, and collaboration
- Family and community involvement that instills a passion for learning and growth
- Flexible and innovative curriculum centered around a unifying theme
- Small class sizes that ensure connection to the content and foster positive student/teacher relationships
W.J. Keenan Starts WorldQuest Team!
Mr. Menton, Social Studies Teacher, is sponsoring a WordQuest Team at W.J. Keenan High School. This group of students will compete against other students in the state on topics such as history, social studies, government, and international studies.
If you are interested, please contact Mr. Menton in Rom E106.
Raiders At Work In The Classroom!
Our Raider Freshman Academy! - Kimberly Jeter. Assistant Principal
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.
Let's Talk Tutoring - Jabar Hankins, Assistant Principal
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.
Use The QR Code Below to Sign Up For Tutoring!
Congratulations To Our October Students of the Month!
Notes for Raider Teachers!
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 engage? 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.
The Raider Engineer!
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