Can you believe we are a month into school already? During this first month teachers have worked to get to know their students in homeroom and in their courses: figuring out their strengths, where they need support, and the best way to communicate with you, their LC! While we do not expect you to teach science or math, we do need students to be present and engaged in their learning. Sometimes, that means we need your help. See our student commitments below. We really need your support in getting students to do the commitments on a regular basis throughout the year.
Please read through this newsletter as it contains key information for your student's success here at WIVA. From all of us to you, thank you so much for partnering in your student's education to help us reach our school goals of all students making at least a years worth of growth this school year!
Vision of a Graduate Focus
This month's focus for staff as part of our Vision of a Graduate is being a self-directed learner. Teachers support students in this goal by modeling resources the students have for if they are stuck, inviting students to use inquiry and practice inquiry in their classes, as well as ensure the asynchronous courses have materials that set up students for success.
Where students can practice this skill
One place students can practice this is by using the Plan each day in their courses and creating a schedule so that they are on time for CCs. The Plan will show what students should be doing each day as well as any graded work that is assigned. Being on time for CCs is essential to know what is happening each day, understanding the learning goal, and being ready to learn. Ask your students to see their notes from each class to help ensure they are focused and being a self-directed learner.
How this applies to the real world after HS graduation
Many jobs or life situations required individuals to take the initiative to find a solution, investigate a problem, make decisions in how to best use our time, or persist when information is not right at hand. Being a self-directed learner also means knowing when you have found a solution and what to do next or when to seek help.
Mascot Using AI
Mr. Pegelow’s English Explorations class used Magic School AI to generate a class mascot!
Students contributed input on setting, colors, and themes to create their “Space Turtle” surfing through the cosmos in golden sunglasses.
Along the way they had a great discussion of the pros and cons of generative AI.
Mascot Using Math
The class mascot in Mrs. Rossin's Continuing Algebra grew from a discussion of the vertical line test.
The vertical line test can be used to determine whether a graph is a function or not.
Mrs. Rossin drew a pencil on the board to demonstrate this skill, and “Penny the Pencil” was born!
Check out Mrs. Rossin’s original and students’ creations!
Critical Thinking in History
Mr. Matt Watson’s U.S. History students focused on thinking like historians in a mini-lesson on sourcing. Sourcing is the process of evaluating the reliability of historical evidence.
Mr. Watson asked, “Does the painting The First Thanksgiving 1621 help historians understand the relationship between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrim settlers in 1621?”
k12 Zone is a virtual world where students can take part in activities and connect with other students via mic, camera, and/or chat. K12 National Zone is not run by WIVA staff. The zone is monitored by Stride and AI chat bots send alerts for concerning conversations in the chat. Students are expected to follow school appropriate behavior and expectations while in the Zone as outlined in our student handbook. See the link at the bottom for the Digital Citizenship Guide.
Why K12 Zone? Over the years students and LCs have advocated to have more social opportunities outside of class where there is not a planned agenda, but rather gives times for students to chat and make friends. While WIVA offers clubs and connections in classrooms, the Zone can support student's social needs.
K12 National Zone is turned on throughout the day. This is an opportunity for students to connect to other k12 school students from WIVA and across the U.S. While this is a great opportunity to learn about students in other states, students do need to attend their required CC sessions. If you find this becomes a distraction or would not like your student to partake, you can request to have them banned from the zone through your student's counselor.
K12 Zone Digital Citizenship guidelines: K12 Zone Digital Citizenship Guidelines.pptx
Each month our high school student of the month will be posted on our website. Congratulations to this month's winner and other nominees!
Call: 866-512-2273
Online: https://www.help.k12.com/s/ and you will see on the bottom right a "chat with us" option
Casey Twanow
High School Associate Principal
Quote of the month
“Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help.” ~ Dr. Jane Goodall
What is Ms. Twanow reading? Ms. Twanow is reading The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown, with her 7 and 9 year old daughters to get ready to see the new movie!
Carrie Cherney
Middle School Principal
Quote of the month
"If we are truly effective teachers, then we are creating autonomous, independent, and self directed learners." ~ Robert John Meehan
What is Ms. Cherney reading?
Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain by Zaretta Hammond
Our staff is continuing our book study to continue efforts in supporting equity in learning for all students in our schools. Each month we have a few components to read and then we come together in groups to share our learning and classroom applications.
Email: ccherney@wivcs.org
Website: wiva.k12.com
Location: 4721 Dale Curtin Drive, McFarland, WI, USA
Phone: 608-838-9482