The Raider Professional
What's Going On In Raider Nation Vol. 2 Issue 11
Engagement First
As the weather changes, it seems as if the weeks
are getting longer and tougher. However, through
the storm, we must stay on target. In classrooms,
engagement has to be a priority. As students get
excited about learning, they are more willing to
master the content. Learning can be fun with a few
tweaks to our lesson.
Remind students they must focus on their productivity, participation, and performance. We are approaching a new quarter and they must start strong. Communication is key, so lets contact parents and keep them up to date on their child's progress.
Don't forget to use Consensus Squares, Think Share Pair, Role Play, Debates, and competitions to foster engagement.
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, October 24, 2022
Half Day for Students ending @ 11:45 a.m.
Parent Conference Night from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
District Wide Grad Rate Meeting @ 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Friday, October 28, 2022
W.J. Keenan Football Vs. Gray Collegiate Away @ 7:30 p.m.
W.J. Keenan High Cheerleaders Place First In Competition!
Make sure to congratulate all of our team members for an amazing job!
Mrs. Bakshi Wins Our PTSO Membership Teacher Gift Card!
Terrance "Tuck" Tucker Speaks to our Seniors!
We would like to thank Mr. Tucker for bringing words of wisdom to our seniors. He promises to come back this year encourage the rest our our student body!
Senior Supplies!
This week, our Senior Raiders received a visit from our local Jostens representative. During the meeting, Seniors received information about graduation supplies, rings and ordering information for choosing their end of year materials. Students who missed the meeting may see Senior Advisor, Ms. A. Barton, for information and to receive a packet for ordering.
Juniors also received information about ordering their class rings. They may also see Ms. Barton for information.
Shalise Wine, Magnet Lead Teacher
- Magnet student that are in need of assistance with classes can attend the Raider Priority
- Slight change to the magnet meeting that was to be held October 26, 2022. It has been postponed for a later date.
- 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
- November 5th- University of South Carolina Hospitality Enrichment Day Camp
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
- November 5th- University of South Carolina Hospitality Enrichment Day Camp
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
Congrats to Ms. Amie Barton, Our Teacher of the Month!
CHERYL LAWSON-WILSON, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR INSTRUCTION
Hello Raiders,
- 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.
Teachers demonstrating three important factors of feedback:
- Purpose: Ms. Lewis was purposeful about the amount of times the feedback was given. She paused every time she saw the need for it. Students didn’t go on to next steps without hearing from her.
- Compassion: Ms. Covington used the need for compassion in her feedback. This required her to be attentive to how she wanted to feel on the opposite end of the feedback. She encouraged her students along the way.
- Action: Both teachers feedback led to immediate action for improvement. The students understood the correction and felt confident in their abilities to make change.
Ultimately, both teachers used feedback that directed students to the outcome for success that they expected. I enjoyed being in both spaces, having the opportunity to see our students and teachers display their talents.
I am looking forward visiting you and having more positive observations to share this week.
Enjoy Your Week!
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!
More Pictures From Homecoming!
Our Raider Freshman Academy! - Kimberly Jeter. Assistant Principal
Greetings, 9th Grade Parents!
The 2022-2023 school year is in full swing. We have completed the Fall STAR Testing, our 1st Quarter interim period is upon us, and we continue to look forward to supporting our newest Raiders as they begin "Shaping their Future."
Freshman students at times need extra support in adjusting to high school and its demands. Goal setting, organization, and receiving specific feedback are skills and strategies used to ensure personal and individual success. As partners in our students' success, we need parents and guardians to commit or to recommit being an engaged and informed parent. When there's a positive partnership between home and school it exponentially increases a student's chances to be academically, behaviorally, and emotionally successful.
Below are some tips for parents to assist their 9th grade student.
Tips for 9th Grade Parents: (sourced in part from Wren High School Freshman Academy webpage)
- Be interested in what is going on at the school.
- Communicate with the school to show interest and concern.
- Discuss daily activities with your child.
- Make sure contact information is current.
- Make concerns known to school.
- Utilize school resources as needed.
- Emphasize the importance of education.
Homecoming Video Featuring "It's A Different Type Of Flavor" Rap Song!
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