The Raider ACE!
What's Going On In Raider Nation Vol. 2 Issue 39
Teachers are considered the most important variable in the classroom because they play a crucial role in the education and development of children. They are responsible for imparting knowledge, skills, and values that will shape their students' lives. Teachers facilitate learning and provide a nurturing environment for their students, making them a crucial part of the education system.
One of the primary roles of teachers is to help their students succeed academically. They do this by creating engaging lessons and providing personalized attention to each student. Teachers identify the learning style of each student and adapt their teaching methods accordingly. They also provide additional support to students who may be struggling with certain concepts. Teachers make sure that their students are on track to meet academic standards and are prepared for their future education.
Teachers also help students develop their social and emotional skills. They provide a safe and nurturing environment where students can grow and develop. Teachers encourage students to express themselves and share their thoughts and feelings. They help students build positive relationships with their peers, which is crucial for their social and emotional development.
Teachers serve as role models for their students. They inspire them to become the best version of themselves by demonstrating the importance of hard work, determination, and perseverance. Teachers help students develop a growth mindset, encouraging them to see challenges as opportunities for growth. They model positive behaviors and values, such as honesty, respect, and kindness, which students can learn from and apply to their own lives.
Teachers motivate and encourage their students to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. They provide feedback, praise, and constructive criticism to help students improve their skills and develop their confidence. Teachers believe in their students and help them believe in themselves. This motivation and encouragement can be the difference between success and failure for many students.
Finally, teachers provide love, attention, and acceptance to all children in their classroom. They make each student feel valued and appreciated, regardless of their background or abilities. Teachers recognize that each student is unique and has their own strengths and weaknesses. They create a welcoming environment where students feel safe to be themselves. This week, we celebrate teachers!
We are W.J. Keenan High School. Home of the Champion Raiders!
There are a few things that we will need to make sure we are doing to keep the natural order and flow of our school:
- School starts at 8:00 a.m. Remind students they need to report to class before then to avoid a tardy.
- Stand at your door during the change of each class.
- You must not leave your students unsupervised for any reason.
- Please do not allow students into the hallway without a pass.
- Please do not allow students that are not on your roster in your classroom. Students need to be in their scheduled classroom to receive credit. You are accountable for every student in your room.
- You may only sign out to leave on your planning period and/or with administrator approval in an emergency circumstance if you do not have a scheduled absence.
- If you are absent from school, it is your professional responsibility to input the appropriate information in Frontline in a timely manner. Substitutes are limited. Please check Munis prior to doing this so you are aware of your available days for an absence.
Monday, October 30, 2023
- “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ―Aristotle
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
- Faculty Meeting in the lecture hall @ 3:30 p.m.
- National Honor Society Meeting @ 11:10 a.m.
Keeping the Midlands Beautiful Project-Pisgah Church Rd Clean-Up / 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
- “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” ―Michael Jordan
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
- JROTC Picture Day / 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” ―Vincent Van Gogh
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Senior Jostens Order @ 11;45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
- “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” ―Lou Holtz
Friday, November 3, 2023
- “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.” ―Sheryl Sandberg
Hello Raiders,
New information:
Please be reminded, by this time, you should complete your mid-conference information in SCLead. You may do this by going to Student Growth & Professional Goals. Click on Details. Click on Mid-Course Conference. Complete the educator reflections and sign at the bottom of the page. Please have this done by Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Also, if you are being evaluated this year, you need to be sure to complete the professional self-review in SCLead along with your reflections from your team observation.
Dates to Remember:
November 2 WIN Testing for seniors only
November 6-9 Mastery Connect benchmarks for EOC classes
November 10 - Early Release/PD
November 21 - Interim Reports available
November 22-24 - Thanksgiving break
November 28-29 - English 2 End of Course testing
December 1- End of Fall evaluation cycle
December 4 - Winter End of Course Testing begins for Algebra, USH and Bio
December 15- Winter End of Course testing ends
December 19 - End of 2nd nine weeks/Semester 1/Grades due by 3:00 pm
December 20-January 2 Winter break
January 3- Teacher Workday
January 4 - 3rd quarter begins
Things to remember:
Teacher CLARITY is our instructional focus this year. According to John Hattie's meta-analysis, teacher clarity has an effect size of .75 which doubles student gains in learning. Here are the questions your students should be able to answer for clarity.
- What am I learning? (Learning Intentions/Targets)
Why am I learning it? (Clarity & Motivation)
How will I know that I have learned it? (Success Criteria)
Each of these are non-negotiables and should be written on your board each day under the appropriate magnet and referred to for student understanding. Students should be able to answer these questions if called upon by the teacher.
Grading Practice:
Please be sure to access the Raiders Chest in One Drive for important information regarding the Secondary Grading Manual. See the information listed from the manual regarding grades:
"Each marking period should include a minimum of ten assignments/assessments of student learning documented in the gradebook/PowerSchool. Four of the ten assessments should be major assessments such as tests or exams, written compositions, performances, or projects. Five of ten assessments should occur before interim reports are issued, with two of those five assessments being major. Therefore, two of the four major assessments should occur prior to the interim report."
Certified Staff Certification/Recertification:
Renewal teachers/staff should have signed up for Read to Succeed if you have not taken the class. Information regarding this was sent out through District Announcements. You will also need to complete 120 hours to renew your certificate. If you have taken the Read to Succeed class and you need to have it added to your certificate, please sign into your educator portal on the SC state department of education website and upload it there.
https://ed.sc.gov/educators/certification/certification-forms/forms/renewal-matrix/
https://ed.sc.gov/educators/certification/professional/renewal-credit-options/
Greetings All:
This is a celebration of our WINS as a Freshman Academy which in turn translates to wins for W.J. Keenan High School.
- We have concluded the first quarter and begun the second quarter of the 2023-2024 school year with 95 -9th grade students on the honor roll: 8 students on the Principal’s List, 34 on the A-Honor Roll, and 53 on the B- Honor Roll.
- Mr. Troutman and Mr. Danso exhibited highly effective instructional skills and strategies during their formal 4.0 fall evaluation. More importantly, each of them was open and receptive to specific feedback and coaching! Kudos, gentleman!
- We have a published author on our hallway! Ms. Danielle McFadden authored and published her first children’s book, “But Mommy, I Don’t Want to Travel”. Her book is available on Amazon and Kindle. Congratulations, Ms. Dee!
- Ms. Dandridge and Mrs. Plummer continues to emphasize how important reading is to their students. Both teachers regularly visit the WJKHS Media Center to provide access and opportunity to our school library and its resources. Students recently received complementary book packages from Scholastic Publishers! Thank you, Ms. Dandridge and Mrs. Plummer for your dedication to growing your students as readers!
- Mrs. Bradley is to be commended for her forward thinking in her classroom. Mrs. Bradley designs and plans instructional activities that not only deepens her students’ mastery level, but also models the learning for each of them. Mrs. Bradley, thank you for being student-center
- Kudos to Dr. Webb for seeking support with students when she has tried strategies but is not seeing the results she desires. Dr. Webb is a CHAMPION RAIDER who wants the best for her students while protecting her classroom to ensure high level teaching and learning is able to take place.
- Last, but not least; Mrs. Garner and Ms. Young, continue offer advice, recommendations, and support that only veteran teachers can. Their expertise and flexibility are greatly appreciated. Even in challenging situations, both are willing to support our students while maintaining high expectations.
It is truly an honor to work alongside each of you. The work we do is difficult at times; however, it is worth it! Each of you makes a difference daily. I appreciate you!
Have a great week!
School Photos
Please note the following dates for school photos:
- November 30—Fall Individuals makeup
Graduation 2024 Date Announced
This year’s Raider Graduation ceremony will be held Friday, May 31 at 11:00 am at the Colonial Life Arena. Seniors need to ensure they have met all requirements for graduation, pay any outstanding debts or fees and not have excessive discipline issues in order to participate.
Raider graduates are expected to conduct themselves with dignity, honor, and class. Inappropriate/disrespectful actions during the commencement ceremony WILL NOT be tolerated.
Keeping Seniors on Track
Class of 2024 students are meeting with school leaders to help them stay on track and be successful. Seniors are meeting with the Graduation Coach (Mrs. DuBard), School Counselors (Mrs. Hasinger, Ms. Humphrey and Mr. Oliver), and Mr. Hankins (Senior Class Administrator) to discuss their progress, requirements, future college/career goals, and plans for the year. All conferences are aimed at helping students be prepared to successfully graduate and meet their future goals.
Raider Community Student Support
Teachers and staff, we need your assistance in providing support for our young Raider students. Through our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, we are aiming to give our students the tools they need to be successful.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a school-wide, data driven, proactive framework for improving both learning and behavioral outcomes for all students. MTSS uses the problem-solving process to meet the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of each student. (https://www.richlandone.org/Domain/1736)
You may be asked to sit in on MTSS meetings as a classroom teacher, serve as a mentor, advocate or content expert for students. The goal is to surround students with as many caring adults and resources as possible to allow students to thrive. Thank you in advance for your assistance and cooperation.
- Seniors, please join the "2023 - 2024 Seniors" Schoology group for daily Scholarships and information updates.
- The Gates, Coco-Cola, and The Ron Brown Scholarships are now open! Check the 2023-2024 Senior group on Schoology for details.
- The Raider Ready afterschool tutoring program has begun. If you need extra assistance, please sign up using the QR code in the flyer below.
- Seniors, please join the "2023 - 2024 Seniors" Schoology group for daily Scholarships and information updates.
- The Gates, Coco-Cola, and The Ron Brown Scholarships are now open! Check the 2023-2024 Senior group on Schoology for details.
Quote "Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good."
We are a School within a School. The Raider Academy is a new approach to college and career readiness designed to give students the foundation to make a difference in the world!
The Raider Academy at W. J. Keenan High School provides five houses through which students may choose. Students will have multiple opportunities to prepare for careers that are in high demand and require advanced skills. We offer a leadership curriculum that includes a rigorous project-based classroom experience that challenges students to gain future-ready competencies. The Raider Academy students will have advantages that include the opportunity to receive college credit, state and nationally recognized industry certifications, work-based learning opportunities and internships.
The W.J. Keenan High School Raider Academy offers five unique pathways aimed at engaging learners.
• Project Lead the Way Engineering
• Business Management and Administration
• Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Government and Public Administration
• Agriculture and Animal Science
Meet the Raider Academy Teachers
Mrs Young: PLTW Engineering & Math Department Chair
Ms. Davis: PLTW Engineering
Mrs. King: PLTW Engineering, Business Management, & CTE Department Chair
Mrs. Thompson: Hospitality& Tourism/Family and Consumer Science
Mrs. Bradley: Government & Public Administration
Ms. Ausburn: Agriculture and Animal Science
Raider Academy News
Quarter 1 has ended please check PowerSchool. If you are unable to get into your PowerSchool, please email me.
Probation and Final Probation Letters will go out Monday October 23, 2023. You will also receive a letter to complete a MTSS meeting with me.
Remember to stay in the Raider Academy Program you must do the following:
- 70 or above in ALL classes
- No behavior issues
- No attendance issues
Important Dates
WJ Keenan HS CTE Installation Ceremony – Wednesday November 15, 2023 at 10:00 AM
The next Student Raider Academy meetings will be held on the following dates:
OCTOBER-NO MEETING DUE TO FALL BREAK
11/17/2023
12/14/2023
Please note that this meeting is not mandatory. If students have work to complete, I urge them to stay in their classes and complete it.
The next Raider Academy parent meeting will be held virtually on
OCTOBER-NO MEETING DUE TO FALL BREAK
11/15/2023
12/13/2023
We will have to do fundraising please share any fundraising ideas with Mrs. Wine or the Raider Academy teacher.
Transportation is NOW provided for the Raider Academy. If you have any questions, please direct them to Mrs. Wine at Shalise.wine@richlandone.org
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 engaged? 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.
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