The Raider ACE!
What's Going On In Raider Nation Vol. 2 Issue 39
If we want our kids to be successful in the classroom and ultimately go out and change the world, they have to learn the power of focus. If students focus on a subject, task, or objective, they will be triumphant.
By definition, focus is a thinking skill that lets people to start a task without procrastination and then keep up their attention and effort until the job is complete. It is an ability to not only pay attention to things that they are engaged in but also avoid distractions that will impede the work they are trying to do.
According to Dennis Prager, “Happiness is dependent on self-discipline and focus” The biggest hurdle in achieving our goals is how easily we let ourselves be distracted by things that do not count as progress towards our achievements.
As professional educators, we have to teach our students to focus and stay on task. In many cases, that's the difference between passing or failing grade. We also have to teach our young people the importance of having a plan.
“A goal without plan is just a wish.” You cannot expect everything you want to magically appear in front of you. It takes hard work and every successful person in history put that hard work in to cash their goals as reality.
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, January 16, 2024
- MLK Holiday
- If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success. -James Cameron
Tuesday, January 17, 2024
- PLC's at 3:30 p.m. with your departments
- Varsity BBall Vs. Eau Claire H.S. (At Eau Claire) @ 6:00 p.m.
- The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney
Wednesday, January 18, 2024
- "Get busy living or get busy dying." — Stephen King
Thursday, January 19, 2024
JROTC Accreditation Inspection @8:30 a.m.
- "Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."– Thomas A. Edison
Friday, January 20, 2024
- "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." — Mae West
Hello Raiders,
I hope you enjoyed your Monday! I am very proud of the ELA Department's participation in the District PD on Friday on CFA's. Everyone was in attendance, and we will be building on that learning in our PLC's here on campus. Each department will hear more from administrators regarding their individual meetings very soon.
Read to Succeed
https://forms.office.com/r/qgAENKfSvE
The application link is above and closes January 19, 2024! Please do not wait to apply if you need this to recertify this year.
Dates to Remember:
January 15, 2024 - School closed
February 5, 2024 - Q3 Interims
February 16, 2024 -PD
February 19, 2024 - Holiday
March 12, 2024 - ACT
March 13, 2024 - Teacher Work Day
March 14, 2024 - End of Q3
March 20, 2024 - SAT
End of Course
If you teach an EOC course, and you have not given the District CFA in Mastery Connect to your students over the last three weeks, please be sure to do so on Tuesday. Per the district, CFA's need to be provided once every three weeks.
Content Recovery
"Content recovery is defined as a course-specific, skill-based learning opportunity for students who are still enrolled in the course with the original teacher of record assigned by the school. Content recovery allows students to retake a subset of the course including a single unit, more than one unit, or supplemental assignments/activities assigned and approved by a certified teacher as needed for student mastery of course content." -SC State Dept. of Education
You should be beginning your content recovery efforts with your students as soon as you see that there is a need. This is an on-going process throughout the semester. Students should not fail a course if we are doing this with fidelity. The platform we are using Richland One is Edgenuity. Please see Mrs. Jeter or myself for more information on Content Recovery.
District Focus/Visible Learning:
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/
If you need a certificate extension, you need to request it in your portal on the SC state department website.
Have a great week Raiders!
Let's have a great week!
Greetings, Raider Freshmen Academy Team!
It is my sincerest hope your Semester 2 is off to a great start!
Recently, I have taken the time to read several professional articles on current issues within public schools, especially those that effect middle and high schools. Honestly, reading those articles helped me realize I was not alone in my feelings and observations regarding the increase in student absenteeism, decrease in academic performance, and an uptick in students who require emotional and mental support and resources.
Below you will find links to a few of the articles I found interesting and thought-provoking.
Making an Impact Beyond the Classroom
Are Your Students Actually Learning Anything_ Ask Them (Opinion).pdf
Dysregulated Students Need Regulated Adults
Raider Freshman Academy Dates to Remember:
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 – Algebra I PLC Meeting --9:50 AM – B102 (Danso, Garner, Young)
Friday, January 19, 2024 – WJKHS Varsity Girl's & Boys vs. ECHS (Home Game)
Thursday, January 25, 2024 – 8th Grade Tour (W. G. Sanders Middle & Alcorn Middle) --9:30 am - 11:30am
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.
We have transitioned from a Magnet School to 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.
Coming Soon: Information Technology Pathway
Remember our expectations are:
- 70 or above in ALL classes
- No behavior issues
- No attendance issues
Probation letters and final probation letters will be going out this week. A new semester has begun. Please remember to check Parent Portal for grades. We have afterschool tutoring and virtual tutoring using tutor.com
Letters of Intent for the 2024-2025 school year will be going out soon.
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