The Spartan Standard
Creating Coherent Systems That Promote Learning for All
Something to Think About...
The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence--Rabindranath Tagore
Mary Rose's Schedule
Monday 2/10:
8:30 Coffee with the Principal @ Old Library
11:30 H. Huezo @ Human Resources
2:30 T. Glover
3:30 A-Team
6:00 SCPA Informational Night @ PAC
Tuesday 2/11:
9:00 D. Cabe & Counselor re: Graduation
9:45 BTS Mtg.
10:15 H. Bender & Counselor re: Master Schedule
1:00 Dept. Chair Mtg.
2:00 H. Huezo @ HR
7:00 District Dance Concert @ PAC
Wednesday 2/12:
9:00 Principal PLC @ SUH
3:00 Faculty Mtg. @ Old Library
12:00 K. Bradley & H. Bender
3:00 FAC Mtg. @ New Library
Thursday 2/13:
10:45 Post Observation Conference
Friday 2/14:
President's Day Holiday: NO SCHOOL
Spartan Events
Did you know that Rachel Coffey, Jaime Contreras, Aaron Barrera, Armando silva, Brandon Wallace, Christopher Olson, Jarrett Schmidt, Jorge Briceno, Pamela Coronel, Bannelly Urbina, Andrea Burciaga, Victor Katzenstein, Ady Maldonado, Daniel Bueno, Felix Gonzalez, Alex Wallace, Marcos Vidal, Wernher Balauro, Enrique May, and Jennifer Mencias are twenty of our students who belong to the prestigious District Honor Band? The District Honor Band is made up of the best band players from grades 7-12. These students went through an audition to win their spot, studied pieces that were given to them on their own, and then joined two rehearsals, along with the rest of the District Honor Band members, with a guest conductor. On Saturday night, the District Honor Band played to a full house at our very own Jack Tygett Performing Arts Center.
Support our students outside of the confines of the classroom! Learn what extracurricular activities they are involved in by checking out the weekly calendar placed in your mailboxes or the school calendar through Outlook. Students love seeing you at their events!
Principal's Honor Roll
Happy Counselors Week!
Walkthrough Focus
As we walk through this week (and the next several weeks), we will be looking for the following:
- Daily Learning Target and the agenda that supports its completion: How does your DLT transform as your lessons go through the Rigor-Relevance Framework?
- Students talking to each other using Academic Language: How do you create opportunities that allow you to find out what your students' thinking process is so you can build on their skills and/or address misconceptions?
- Implementation of PLC plan to reteach critical skills necessary for second semester success. How are you embedding critical skills you have identified students need to better master as a result of analyzing EOC exams and Performance-Based Task results?
Faculty Meeting
Please plan to attend the Faculty Meeting at the Old Library on Wednesday, February 12, starting at 2:50. Jaye Leigh will briefly talk about the logistics of the 10th Grade CA High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). I will update you on the WASC meeting with the classified staff and review their input. Then, we will continue to look at data related to our Student Learner Outcomes that will help us define what our critical needs are.
WASC Update
- In our last Faculty meeting, we looked at different types of data that showed us where we were in helping our students reach their highest aspirations. By looking at these data, we hope to determine what our most critical needs are.
- During the make-up Faculty meetings, staff looked at AYP and API data and analyzed trends.
- During PLC time on February 3, Becky Bravo, Nicole Neeb, and I met with support staff (clerical, instructional assistants, campus assistants) to walk them through the WASC process and get their input on our Student Learner Outcomes.
- At our next meeting, we will review data to continue defining what our most critical needs are in relation to our student learner outcomes.
Testing Update
- The PE Department has started the ball rolling by administering the FitnessGram in the first week of February. All 9th and 10th graders are required to take it. In addition, upperclassmen who have not passed are also required to take it. The testing window ends on March 17.
- The CA High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) will be administered to all 10th graders on March 18 (ELA) and March 19 (Math). As you all well know, the CAHSEE is a graduation requirement. We want our students to score more than just the passing 350--a score of 380 and above show proficiency in these subject areas.
- The Early Assessment Program (EAP) will be administered to all 11th graders on March 18. This test provides an opportunity for juniors to measure their readiness for college level English.
- The California Standards Test (CST) will be administered to 11th graders in English and Math and to 10th graders in EOC Science.
- The Smarter Balanced Assessments are designed to measure student progress toward college and career readiness. These are aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The new assessments are known as the CA Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). The window to administer the field test for Smarter Balanced will be from April 7-May 16. In a separate E-mail, I will be sending you more extensive updates on the Smarter Balanced Assessements (also fondly known as SBAC). All 11th graders will be taking the SBAC field test.
- Take a deep breath. More specific information will follow on the administration of these exams as the time nears.
Career Pathways
Plan are under way to create a video that further explains to students the exciting opportunities each career pathway offers. I am hoping that we can offer other programs of study, based on student interest and demand, in the future.
For the Common Good
- TARDY SWEEPS: Thank you for your cooperation by locking your doors during the Tardy Sweeps. The assistant principals are following up and dealing with our repeat offenders, those who have outstanding detentions, and the habitually absent. Thank you very much for standing outside your doors during passing periods to help students get to class on time.
- VANDALISM: We are close to catching the Boys Restroom vandals. Please keep your ears to the ground with regards to student talk and please let us know if you come across any information that will help us solidify our case. Your help is crucial.
- CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: Hilda and I opened dialogue and negotiated with Tom Calhoun and Karl Bradley. In turn, they negotiated with the contractors to allow all classroom renovations to begin on May 27, two weeks before the schoolyear ends. This will allow them enough time to complete all work (I am keeping my fingers crossed that no problems that will delay the renovations will arise). All asbestos abatement work for the 100 and part of the 500 building will be done and completed during the Spring Break (March 24-April 4). This will ensure that construction will begin on May 27. All classrooms in the 1300 will have to be cleared (meaning EMPTY) by the last day of school on June 6. Of course, Hilda and I will be speaking with all individuals affected by all these.