Greetings WHS Community!

I’m typically not much for New Year’s resolutions, because I’m usually not all in – I have trouble committing myself. I’m excited for the start of this new school year and the endless potential that it brings. When meeting with the incoming 9th graders on the first day of school, I spoke about my love of the outdoors and showed them one of my well-used backpacking tools, a spork. While I’ve saved weight in my backpack for several years by not having to carry both a spoon and a fork a spork, it never really occurred to me until this summer that a spork isn’t a great utensil. You see, in an effort to function both as a spoon and a fork, it isn’t a very good spoon or a fork. It lacks commitment. I challenged the class of 2025 to make a commitment at the beginning of their high school careers: a commitment to be present, get involved, challenge themselves in new ways, seek to understand others, and above all, be kind.

As a school, we have made several commitments for this coming year. After spending the last three semesters relying on non-traditional instruction, our number one goal this year is to make meaningful connections with each of our students. By building and nurturing positive relationships, we will better understand each student’s strengths and struggles and will be better equipped to support students in their individual paths to learning. We are excited to use the longer class periods in the new block schedule to help classes focus on meaningful learning activities that promote collaboration and academic dialogue while also allowing students to choose more classes that meet their interests and post-secondary goals. We are committed to equity work on our campus, including teaching curriculum that recognizes diverse voices and content that is representative of the community we serve. We are also focused on discipline practices that that seek to repair harm over issuing exclusionary punishment.

As parents and community members, my hope is that you take this opportunity to make some commitments as well. Encourage and support your students as they strive for success in their classes. Reach out to teachers and other school personnel when you have questions or need support for your student. Find ways to get involved, whether it be by attending school functions, volunteering to participate on school committees, or simply following us on social media, so you are aware of upcoming school events. I’m looking forward to a great school year this year. Please don’t hesitate to call or email me if I can help support your student in any way.

Go Pats!

Brent Whitemarsh

Principal

• Standards Based Grading - Understanding Your Student's Grades
• Navigating TeacherEase
  
  

TeacherEase is an online gradebook that provides students and families enrolled in Franklin Pierce middle and high schools with real-time access to assignments and progress towards meeting standard. Once a teacher enters a score, the score is visible in the student and family portal. Families and students can TeacherEase to communicate directly with their teachers, and view student schedules, assigned work, and progress reports.

If you are a returning user you can login HERE. If you are a first time user you must receive a welcome email (generally, in the first few weeks of school). Then, use the link to create a password. Contact your school if you have not yet received the email.

• Ms. Zapanta - students with last names A-G jzapanta@fpschools.org
• Mr. Ortiz - students with last names H-O eortiz@fpschools.org
  
• Mr. Summers-Smith - students with last names P-Z msummerssmith@fpschools.org
  
• Ms. Plutko - students in Running Start/Grad Coach aplutko@fpschools.org
  
• Mrs. Moore - College & Career Specialist smoore@fpschools.org
• Mrs. Gatlin - Counseling Center Coordinator egatlin@fpschools.org
• Mrs. Wiklund - Registrar/Records bwiklund@fpschools.org
• Ms. Tuivaiave - ICM/Family Support stuivaiave@fpschools.org
• Mr. Rice - School Psychologist brice@fpschools.org
• Ms. Jenkins - Social Worker tjenkins@fpschools.org

• M/T/F = Academic Support Time
• Thursdays = Navigation
  This is the advisory day that your student creates their High School & Beyond Plan (a state graduation requirement). Lessons focus on post-secondary planning and choosing their "E" - Enlistment in the military, Employment in the workforce, or Enrollment in a college or technical school.
  
  Student Led Conferences (coming up October 6th & 7th) are part of the grade for Advisory.

Examples of topics covered in Navigation for September:

• 9/9 Why Advisory/Navigation
• 9/10 - Virtual Welcome Back Assembly
• 9/13 - Email Expectations & How Tos for Office365
• 9/14 - Academic Strategies for Canvas + OneDrive
• 9/16 - MaiaLearning Log In ---> this is our new College & Career Readiness online tool, which replaces the big 3 ring binders!
  
  

Upcoming topics include: writing SMART goals, how to use TeacherEase, Focus on the 3 Es: Enlist, Employ, Enroll, Community Service & the power of positive interaction, Equity & being connected to our community, building a resume, filling out job applications, interest assessments, financial literacy (and so much more!).

Keep your eyes open for a monthly update on Navigation topics and be sure to ask your student what they are learning each Thursday.

We're excited to welcome the following new Patriot staff members:

• Eric Allen - JROTC
• Jennifer Bond - CTE
• Kevin Budrevich-Ryan - English
• Jessica Dennis - Science
• Patrick Jones - Support Center (Special Ed)
  
• Christy Lee - English
  
• Julia Rodriguez - Spanish
• Victor Rodriguez - PE