CHS Staff Bulletin
January 13, 2020
In The Know
AVID Schoolwide. What does that mean? - As you are all rather familiar with my instructional focus of promoting AVID schoolwide it is natural to ask, what do you mean 'be AVID schoolwide?' Does that mean every teacher will now become an officially trained AVID Elective teacher? As cool as this might sound it isn't even remotely close to what we mean by AVID schoowide. It is important to understand the distinction between what an AVID Elective Teacher does and what a content teacher does in their classroom by utilizing common strategies for the benefit of kids learning. It means that every teacher on campus is aware of AVID strategies and uses them in their teaching repertoire with consistency. It goes further than using common strategies in classrooms, but also in how we organize our systems, how we facilitate procedures and policy, and how we function culturally as a staff.
Let's take a step back and ask ourselves what we feel about educational equity. This term encompasses the concept that all students deserve the best education we can give them. It means that we need to be consistent with our instructional delivery so that all students have access to the best learning opportunities available. It is not okay for some students to have access to excellence and others not. They deserve access and opportunity. Our entire goal with the consistent use of AVID strategies is to support all of our students by ensuring that high yield instructional practices are used consistently with all students.
Excellence without equity is only privilege.
It is common for educators to think that being AVID schoolwide or using AVID strategies means that you need specific training with niche strategies such as Socratic Seminar, Philosophical Chairs, Tutorial, etc. While these are high leverage strategies, they are not all encompassing, nor are they required (why you wouldn't consider them raises an interesting question in and of itself). Actually, you are probably already using AVID strategies, but think of them as something other. For example, have you ever used a KWL, asked students to turn and talk to each other, assigned group projects with specific roles for each student, asked students to jot down their thoughts before they started a project or an assignment? Perhaps you've asked a student to reflect on a thought, topic, or issue, or had them organize their binder because it was...well, in dire need of your support, or helped them to plan their week so that they could be successful in preparing for a quiz or test. Perhaps you have an interest in Marzano and his high yield strategies. If any of these rings true for you, then you are using effective teaching strategies. AVID just compiled them in a thoughtful way and has organized its supports where teachers can have all of these strategies central to their planning. They compiled them into books (Curriculum) according to content. These curriculum books help teacher identify a lesson that they would like to use that aligns with these strategies. They are vetted, powerful, and high yield for student learning. I have highlighted through a series of posters how these different strategies come alive in the classroom, but the curriculum is where the magic is. I would highly encourage you to check these out. These are available to you through your department team leader and myself. I am happy to buy these resources for you, just ask me.
It is also important to note that AVID is not a means to raise test scores. The gain and benefit is greater numbers of students chasing realistic dreams of excellence because we gave them the tools to think critically, to inquire, question, seek facts, do their research, discern faulty research, make informed decisions, and contribute back to our society in progressive and creative ways. Walking across the stage is one of those rights of passage that we should be ensuring to all of our students.
To be AVID schoolwide means that we work to coordinate the strategies we are using collectively, so that more and more students learn at high levels. Truth be told, my goal in my work is to support greater numbers of students in succeeding at high levels so that they were prepared to chase their dreams and find success in life. This is our calling - what we come to work for every day. It only possible when we align as a staff to ensure student success. Imagine the collective impact that we, Churchill High School, can have.
Looking Forward
January 1–31 is the School Choice Application Window for 4J Residents. Learn more about School Choice at 4j.lane.edu/instruction/enrollment/schoolchoice
School Choice Events at Churchill
- January 13, 7:00 pm: IHS at Churchill 8th Grade Night
- January 14, 1:30 pm: CHS School Choice Information and School Tour
- January 15, 10:00 am: CHS School Choice Information and School Tour
- January 16, 6:00 pm: CHS School Choice Information and Teacher Meet and Greet
- January 16, 7:00 pm: IHS at Churchill 8th Grade Night
MONDAY, JANUARY 13
4:00–7:00 pm — FAFSA Completion Workshop
7:00 pm — IHS at Churchill 8th Grade Night
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14
1:30 pm — School Choice Information and School Tour
3:45 pm — 9th Grade Team
6:00 pm — Japan Trip Orientation in the library
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15
10:00 am — School Choice Information and School Tour
3:45 pm — Operations
5:30 pm — Lancer Pageant Contestant and Parent Information Meeting*
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16
Fire Drill (beginning of 1st period)
11:00 am — Equity Team
6:00 pm — School Choice Information and Teacher Meet and Greet
7:00 pm — IHS at Churchill 8th Grade Night
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 — MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ASSEMBLY (45-minute Double Assembly)
0 Period 7:36 AM – 8:25 AM
1st Period 8:30 AM – 9:19 AM
2nd Period/Assembly 9:24 AM – 11:08 AM
3rd Period 11:15 AM – 12:07 PM
Lunch 12:12 PM – 12:42 PM
4th Period 12:47 PM – 1:36 PM
5th Period 1:41 PM – 2:30 PM
7:45 am — Safety Team
2:45 pm — Staff Meeting
7:30 pm — Willamette University Concert
NEXT WEEK...
See above for School Choice events.
Monday, January 20 — SCHOOL CLOSED — MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
Tuesday, January 21 — Advisory
Thursday, January 23, 3:45 pm — Site Council
Friday, January 24, 3:00 pm — PERIOD Movement Meeting Hosted by Women's Empowerment Club
January 24 & 25, 7:00 pm — One-Act Festival
*Community-sponsored activity, independent of and receiving no funding, services, or supervision from the Eugene School District 4J and Churchill High School.
Kudos
Thank you Elizabeth Henderson for coordinating wonderful notes and messages to teachers. This simple and thoughtful gesture has profound impacts and is motivating and encouraging to all staff. Thank you.
Don Squires - Thank you for your constant and thoughtful approach to the Yearbook. I really appreciate how you are constantly coming up with new ways to be innovative and more efficient. You have cornered a tall task and reduced it to a project that is lead and developed by students. Your leadership is greatly appreciated.
Churchill High School
Website: https://chs.4j.lane.edu/
Location: 1850 Bailey Hill Road, Eugene, OR, USA
Phone: 541-790-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChurchillHighSchool
Twitter: @CHSLancers