The Raider ACE!
What's Going On In Raider Nation Vol. 2 Issue 39
Allowing students to explain what they know and demonstrate their understanding is crucial to effective teaching and learning. When students are given the opportunity to articulate their understanding and thought processes, it not only helps the teacher gauge their understanding, but it also reinforces the concepts in the minds of the students. This process of explaining and demonstrating their knowledge can enhance their learning experience and boost their confidence in their ability to apply the concepts they have learned.
Moreover, giving students the chance to go to the board and work through a problem or explain a concept to their peers is a powerful teaching tool. It not only helps the student who is presenting, but it also provides a valuable learning opportunity for their classmates. When a student takes on the role of the teacher, they often explain things in a way that is more relatable and understandable to their peers, as they have a unique perspective on the material.
Additionally, allowing students to explain their understanding can help teachers identify gaps in their own teaching methods. It provides insight into how the students are interpreting the material and can help the teacher adjust their approach as needed. It also provides a valuable opportunity for teachers to model how to communicate and articulate ideas effectively, which is a critical skill that students will need in the future.
In conclusion, allowing students to explain and demonstrate their understanding is an essential component of effective teaching and learning. It not only reinforces concepts and boosts confidence in students, but it also provides valuable insights for teachers and creates a collaborative learning environment where everyone has a voice.
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, April 15, 2024
- If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success. -James Cameron
- WIN Testing for 3rd year students (Check your email)
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
- PLC Meeting @ 3:30 p.m.
WG Sanders Spring Fine Arts Rehearsal and Performance @ 6 p.m.
- WIN Testing for 3rd year students (Check your email)
- The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
- WIN Testing for 3rd year students (Check your email)
- "Get busy living or get busy dying." — Stephen King
Thursday, April 19, 2024
- "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, April 20, 2024
- "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." — Mae West
Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your Spring Break!
Dates to Remember:
April 24 - Interims
April 26 - Early Release
May 3- 22 End of Course exams
May 27 - Holiday
May 31 - Graduation/Last Day of School for Students
June 1 - Teacher Workday
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. If you have completed your 120 hours and have documentation and computation sheet completed, it may be scanned to Tammy Small at the district office. Feel free to copy me on that email.
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.
End of Course
CFA's need to be provided once every three weeks to help inform your instructional work. Please see the district curriculum maps for this.
Grading Practice REMINDER:
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."
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.
Have a great week Raiders!
Greetings, Raider Freshmen Academy Team!
Welcome Back! It is my sincerest hope each of you had an enjoyable and restful Spring Break.
Just a few reminders for this week:
For those teaching an EOC course, the Final Comp MVPAs window is this week-April 15 - 18. Be reminded all students should take the assessment. Please let me or another administrator know how we can assist and/or support to reach our goal.
Spring is a time of new growth and rebirth we often look forward to. It is also the time of the school year that students will require additional supervision and management to remain successful as we close out the school year. Thank you in advance for your commitment to each of our student's success.
Lastly, I want to remind everyone of the importance of making parent contact to address a student's behavior or change in academic status within your class. If by chance, you are having issues with contacting your students' parent by phone, please let me know. Please document parent contact in ABE. This will also aid the MTSS Team if a student is ever referred for additional support.
As always, thank you in advance for your cooperation. I appreciate each of you and all that you do.
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.
Who We Are
W.J. Keenan High School is an engaging learning environment that provides educational opportunities that nurtures the learner to be an innovative thinker prepared with a rigorous curriculum, cutting edge technology, and partnerships to meet the challenges of the future.
Pathways
The W.J. Keenan High School Raider Academy offers five unique pathways aimed at engaging learners.
Business Management and Administration
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Government and Public Administration
Agriculture and Animal Science
Information Technology
As of right now, transportation is not provided for 2023-2024 school year. Please plan to provide transportation. We are working on getting transportation for the 2024-2025.
The new way to apply for the Raider Academy is by completing a transfer application through Richland School District One's Registrar's Office during the transfer season. The transfer season is March 1, 2024, through May 1st. 2024.
Incoming freshman that are zoned for W.J. Keenan will fill out an application by contacting guidance and Mrs. Wine at shalise.wine@rihclandone.org
If you are already enrolled at W. J. Keenan, you do not need to complete this application. Everyone else wanting to be in the program will need to apply March 1st as we only have a certain number of spots available for each program.
May 20th, 2024, we will hold our annual Raider Academy Showcase for the community starting at 6:00pm in the W. J. Keenan Auditorium.
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