The Raider Professional

A championship mindset is a mental state characterized by a set of attitudes and habits that help individuals achieve their goals and perform at their best. It's a winning mentality that drives people to be their best, even in the face of obstacles and challenges.

Having a championship mindset can be incredibly beneficial for students, as it helps them stay focused, motivated, and resilient in pursuit of their academic goals. Here are some of the ways a championship mindset can benefit students:

1. Increased motivation: Students with a championship mindset are highly motivated to succeed. They are committed to their goals and are willing to put in the hard work necessary to achieve them.

2. Stronger resilience: A championship mindset helps students develop a strong sense of resilience, which allows them to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. They view obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as roadblocks to success.

3. Improved focus: Students with a championship mindset are highly focused on their goals. They know what they want to achieve and are able to stay focused on the task at hand, even when distractions arise.

4. Greater self-confidence: A championship mindset helps students develop a strong sense of self-confidence. They believe in themselves and their abilities, and are not afraid to take risks and try new things.

5. Better time management: Students with a championship mindset are skilled at managing their time effectively. They prioritize their goals and tasks, and are able to use their time efficiently to achieve their objectives.

Overall, having a championship mindset can help students achieve their academic goals and perform at their best. It encourages them to develop a growth mindset, which is essential for success in school and beyond

As professional educators, we teach our students to have a championship mindset, no matter what happens. Even in the face of adversity, setbacks, obstacles, and incredible challenges, it's important for our students to have a positive mental attitude. They must understand and grow from experiences. That's how true champions are made!

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.
• If you would like to have an end of year class gathering, food must be purchased and packaged to be consumed. Students/teachers may not bring food prepared at home.
• 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, February 27, 2023

• W. J. Keenan Career Magnet Parent Information Session held virtually @ 5:30 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/97870140697?pwd=amlyTkdDL0pCSWlGQTVYQm1jK2lzZz09 Meeting ID: 978 7014 0697 Passcode: d0tWyR
• "When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go."— Carol Burnett

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

• Faculty Meeting @ 3:30 p.m.
• WJ Keenan CTE Ceremony in the auditorium @ 6:00 p.m.
• "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible!'"— Audrey Hepburn

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

• SAT in the Lecture Hall
• "Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you."— Walt Whitman

Thursday, March 2, 2023

• Chat with the Chair at W.J. Keenan @ 12:00 p.m.
• "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."- Winston Churchill

Friday, March 3, 2023

• "Do not allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put some sunglasses on."— Lady Gaga

As we are quickly making our way through the 22-23 school year; conversations with our 9th grade students have centered on this simple, but complex question, "Do your habits match your goals?"

The Raider Freshman Academy, emphasizes the importance of positive habits and character traits such as a strong work ethic, resilience, perseverance, self-determination, and self-regulation. High school presents all students, especially 9th graders with opportunities to grow in each of these areas. High school studies as well as life will present both successes and failures. As we approach the 4th quarter it is my continued task and mission to work together with Raider Academy teachers to teach, cultivate, and foster the growth of these skills to ensure our students have the best shot at academic, emotional, and behavioral success.

Hello Raiders,

Welcome to another week in Raider Nation!

First and foremost, I would like to thank our Raider teachers and staff for being incredibly understanding and adaptable on Friday. You were there standing in the gap where there was a need, and I truly cannot thank you enough! I would like to also thank all of our coaches and support staff who traveled with our students. Even though we didn't get to see the outcome we wanted, your work is major. Every person on this campus plays a huge role in our school and is a necessary component to our success. This is the very thing that makes us a family.

This is always a very exciting time of year for our school. While we were all not there to physically cheer on our Raiders in Greenville, there was an amazing amount of support left on our campus from afar. That is a part of what makes this a special place.

Please keep in mind that we are officially ten days away from the end of the 3rd quarter. Grades should be updated in preparation for grade verification.

If you are interested in earning endorsement for AP classes, please see the following link: https://glasscock.rice.edu/ap-summer-institute#workshops

If you have students that registered for the SAT on March 1, please share this resource that they may use as daily practice to prepare: https://www.khanacademy.org/

If you have students that registered for the ACT on March 7, please share this resource that they may use as daily practice to prepare: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html

If you are teaching an EOC course, you do not have to wait to expose your students to the Online Tools Training. Please be sure to follow the links that will help you prepare for testing.

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/algebra1-test-blueprint-2022-23

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/biology-test-blueprint-2022-23

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/biology1-teachers-guide-and-sample-items/

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/english2-test-blueprint-2022-23

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/2019-eocep-sample-release-items-for-english-2

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/eocep-english-1-writer-s-checklist/

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/eocep-text-dependent-analysis-scoring-rubric/

https://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/eocep-files/ushc-test-blueprint-2022-23

Gradebooks should be updated weekly so parents and students know their academic progress.

Dates to Remember:

SAT - March 1 in the Lecture Hall

ACT - March 7 in the Lecture Hall

End of 3rd quarter - March 10

End of Course Testing - May 1 - May 19 in the small gym

AP Calculus Test - May 8

Spring STAR testing - May 10-24

Instructional Reminders:

· Prior to interims, you need to have at least 7 grades reported in your gradebook. Prior to the end of quarter, you need to have at least 15 grades reported.

· Emergency lesson plans with five days of lessons should be available to your department leader. In your plans, you should have attendance rosters and class procedures accessible.

· Progress Learning (formerly USA Test Prep) is available for use. You should be able to use your login credentials from USA Test Prep. Let me know if you need support.

· 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.

1. What are we learning?

2. How are we learning it?

3. Why are we learning it?

4. How can this learning be extended?

Observation non-negotiables:

1. Standards & Learning intentions should be addressed prior to the start of the lesson. They should be written AND communicated verbally as well as explicitly.

2. Gradual Release (I do, We do, You do)

3. Questions that move through different levels of thinking

4. Activities are aligned to standards and age-appropriate

5. Monitoring student progress and class management (moving about the room)

Have an outstanding week!

The Raider Academy is Coming

Changes are coming in 2023-2024 school year. We are now a school within a school. We are called The Raider Academy. You will be receiving a letter discussing all of the changes that are coming up by the end of this week.

We have been invited to attend camp at the University of South Carolina's Hospitality program over the summer for two days. If you are interested in this amazing opportunity, please reach out to Mrs. Wine.

Parent Virtual Meeting will be held on 2/27/2023 at 5:30 PM

Student Meeting will be held 3/17/2023 at 9:00 AM

Shout out to our Engineering Student Mackenzie Glover:

https://rotv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=IB275KthYu9R

If there are students interested in joining the VEX Robotics team, please reach out to me or Ms. Davis.

Remember to remain in the magnet program you must maintain a 70 or above in all of your classes; if you need assistance please utilize our afterschool tutoring programs: Raider Ready Program and the Raider Priority Tutoring Program.

The Raider Ready Program

The hours of operations will be Monday – Friday 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Students will receive a meal and transportation will be provided if they are zoned for W.J. Keenan High School. Please use the QR code to register your child for assistance.

The hours of operations will be Monday – Friday 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Students will receive a meal and transportation will be provided if they are zoned for W.J. Keenan High School. Please use the QR code to register your child for assistance.

Hey, wjkeenan Raiders! Make sure to take advantage of the 1st window of 3rd quarter content recovery! Teachers, make sure to inform your students and get them set up to make improvements.

Teachers and staff, please help us keep our students and school safe by reporting to work by 7:30 (morning duty) or 7:45 am. Please be at your doors ready to receive students by 7:50 am.

Please be reminded if you are going to be absent, report your absence by:

1. Submitting your absence in Frontline (Aesop).

2. Sending an email that you will be out.

a. To: Mr. Hankins

b. CC: Ms. Erving and Mrs. McIntee

c. Subject: Your Name Absent Date of Absence (Ex: Jabar Hankins Absent 1/16/23)

3. Calling the school (if an emergency happens on your way to work).

Substitutes and staff members covering classes should arrive by 7:45 am.

Thanks for your cooperation and for all you do for our students.

Please be reminded that the deadline to make up attendance recovery (seat time) hours is Saturday, February 4. After this date, FAs (Failure due to Absence) will become a grade of F in students’ historical grades, if they have not completed seat time for their courses. This will mean students will have to re-take some courses to satisfy graduation/promotion requirements. This may also mean that some students may not graduate on time or may not be promoted to the next grade level.

Students who have seat time hours to make up may see Mrs. Wine, Mrs. DuBard or Mr. Hankins to get information for sign up and completion. Attendance recovery hours are offered Monday-Friday from 3:30 pm-5:30 pm and Saturdays (January 28 and February 4) from 9:00 am-1:00 pm.

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.

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.

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