Celebrating Success
Smooth take off into the new school year-With just a bit of turbulence we are reaching our cruising altitude (Thanks P.Pavlich for the metaphor). Great job everyone for a super two weeks. Congratulations to all of our new colleagues who boarded with great enthusiasm and energy. A shout out to Kally VanderValk for her hard work and tenacity in getting our Check in/Check out program off the ground right away. We already have 10 teachers serving as mentors and 13 students identified and receiving extra support. Yes!!!
This week promises to be even more exciting than last. Rachel's Challenge Assembly on Tuesday, 8/27,
Assembly A 8:20-9:20 then back to period 1 until 10:50.
Assembly B 9:50-10:50 followed by combined lunch. (See email sent from Cris on 8/23 to check which assembly your class will attend).
Teachers are also invited and encouraged to attend the evening Community Presentation of Rachel's Challenge, August 27 at 6:30pm in the main auditorium. CHS Open House is Thursday, August 29 at 5:00pm. We'll close out the school week with our first Varsity Football game at the NAU Skydome at 5:00pm. Go Panthers!
Hopefully you can rest on the long weekend! No school Monday, September 2.
Athletic Posters
You have probably noticed that the 2013-14 Athletic Posters have a typo...COCONINO is misspelled. If you have posted or are planning to post these, please cut off the right side and bottom strip of the poster. Thank you!
What's up with the bells?
Our daily bell schedule will include a three minute warning bell between class periods. The ring tone for the warning bell will be different than the regular bell that signals the beginning and end of the class period.
Sweep Sweep Sweep
Thank you all for being at your doors and marking students who enter late to your class. This has helped tremendously. Cris and Tadd have called the parents of all students who reached two absences. Parents were very receptive and appreciative of the personal phone call. We will continue this same process this week. Please continue to be at your door when you hear the sweep announcement. Also, don't forget to mark students on the hard copy as well as in Synergy. Tardy sheets will be collected after first lunch and again at the beginning of seventh period.
Free Money
Last year CHS won
$1000.00 by participating in the Flagstaff Mall School Cents program. Our PTO has signed us up again. This year's contest started
on August 15th and runs until April 15th. We need only to show receipts from purchases at the Flagstaff Mall at the
Guest Services desk (right outside Sears), and request that the attendant mark points for Coconino High School. If you wear a shirt with a CHS logo or show your I.D badge, we get
extra points. First place is $3000.00.
The LG Announcement TV for the South Commons was purchased with the $ from last year.
Dates to Remember
8/27 Rachel's Challenge Assembly and Bondo's Birthday:)
8/29 CHS Open House 5:00PM Begins in the South Commons. Beginning at 5:20PM parents will follow their student's schedule and attend each class period for ten minutes with a two minute passing period.
8/30 Varsity Football Game at the NAU Skydome 5:00PM
At this time the captain has turned off the seat belt signs, please feel free to move about the cabin!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
August 19-23, 2013
Celebrating Success
Thank you everyone for all your efforts to help to make the first week go smoothly and for setting a positive tone for a successful school year. It sure feels like we are off to a great start. A special thank you to Krista, Gaby, Theresa and students for creating the catchy CHS Expectation videos.
Reminders
Please don't forget to sign up for your pre-observation conference. A quick clarification about what this is. This is a brief meeting with Cris, Steve or myself, to talk about your professional learning goals for the year and to prepare for your observation/evaluation. We need about 15 to 20 minutes for this conference and Becky has the sign up sheet.
CHS
You may have noticed numerous bulletin boards around school. If you or your students wish to post information, flyers, posters etc, please use the bulletin boards. And, if anyone would like to claim a board to create a special display, you are welcome to do so, just let me know which board you would like. Also there are two window displays in the south commons, next to the cafeteria doors, that have some very old CHS memorabilia and could use some updating. We have so many great things to show off. Any ideas for these display windows are welcomed.
Thursday
This Thursday, August 22 during Study Hall period 1:15-2:20pm we will be preparing for Rachel's Challenge assembly scheduled for Tuesday, August 27. You will receive a copy of the FUSD Anti-Bullying Policy, a student questionnaire with five questions relating to bullying, assembly behavior expectations and suggested guidelines for discussion and completion of the questionnaire, early this week. If you would like more information or have questions regarding Rachel's Challenge, please come to the optional Rachel's Challenge meeting this Tuesday, August 20 in the mini-theater at 2:45pm.
Study Hall and Interventions will begin Thursday, September 5.
Curriculum Maps
I put the instructions to access our district curriculum maps in your boxes. I have also added a digital version of this document to the Frequently used Forms section of the Panther Report. (Upper right hand corner of the blog).
The Common Assessments are ready to be picked up. They are in the back conference room. Department Chairs please come to the office to pick up the materials. In accordance with the district plan, the common assessments must be given the 2nd or 3rd week of school.
Teach Like a Champion
Cris Holmes and I will be facilitating a book study, Professional Growth Academy (PGA) class using the book Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov. The book describes a repertoire of 49 techniques and skills that teachers can use to promote high level learning, student engagement and increased student motivation in the classroom. We would love to fill the class with Coconino Teachers. Please keep and eye out for an email from Gretchen Markiewicz with instructions about how to sign up for the class. The first 15 people to sign up get a free copy of the book. The class will be held at CHS on Thursday evenings from 4:00-7:00pm beginning Thursday, September 5.
Keep up the great work and have a wonderful week!
Thank you everyone for all your efforts to help to make the first week go smoothly and for setting a positive tone for a successful school year. It sure feels like we are off to a great start. A special thank you to Krista, Gaby, Theresa and students for creating the catchy CHS Expectation videos.
Reminders
Please don't forget to sign up for your pre-observation conference. A quick clarification about what this is. This is a brief meeting with Cris, Steve or myself, to talk about your professional learning goals for the year and to prepare for your observation/evaluation. We need about 15 to 20 minutes for this conference and Becky has the sign up sheet.
CHS
You may have noticed numerous bulletin boards around school. If you or your students wish to post information, flyers, posters etc, please use the bulletin boards. And, if anyone would like to claim a board to create a special display, you are welcome to do so, just let me know which board you would like. Also there are two window displays in the south commons, next to the cafeteria doors, that have some very old CHS memorabilia and could use some updating. We have so many great things to show off. Any ideas for these display windows are welcomed.
Thursday
This Thursday, August 22 during Study Hall period 1:15-2:20pm we will be preparing for Rachel's Challenge assembly scheduled for Tuesday, August 27. You will receive a copy of the FUSD Anti-Bullying Policy, a student questionnaire with five questions relating to bullying, assembly behavior expectations and suggested guidelines for discussion and completion of the questionnaire, early this week. If you would like more information or have questions regarding Rachel's Challenge, please come to the optional Rachel's Challenge meeting this Tuesday, August 20 in the mini-theater at 2:45pm.
Study Hall and Interventions will begin Thursday, September 5.
Curriculum Maps
I put the instructions to access our district curriculum maps in your boxes. I have also added a digital version of this document to the Frequently used Forms section of the Panther Report. (Upper right hand corner of the blog).
The Common Assessments are ready to be picked up. They are in the back conference room. Department Chairs please come to the office to pick up the materials. In accordance with the district plan, the common assessments must be given the 2nd or 3rd week of school.
Teach Like a Champion
Cris Holmes and I will be facilitating a book study, Professional Growth Academy (PGA) class using the book Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov. The book describes a repertoire of 49 techniques and skills that teachers can use to promote high level learning, student engagement and increased student motivation in the classroom. We would love to fill the class with Coconino Teachers. Please keep and eye out for an email from Gretchen Markiewicz with instructions about how to sign up for the class. The first 15 people to sign up get a free copy of the book. The class will be held at CHS on Thursday evenings from 4:00-7:00pm beginning Thursday, September 5.
Keep up the great work and have a wonderful week!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Panther Report August 11, 2013
Celebrating Success
Launching the school year by learning reading strategies designed to help our students become better learners was refreshing and hopefully gave you all some tools to add to your already heavy tool bag. A special thank you to our colleagues and excellent "Close Reading" instructors; Terry Wilson, Paula Wright, Priscilla Aydelott and Tadd Ragan. And if the excitement of new learning strategies wasn't enough, the multi-agency safety exercise provided another level of excitement. We learned a great deal and rest assured that the numerous Community Emergency Response Teams; Flagstaff Police, Flag Fire, Guardian, Flag Medical Center, CERT etc., care deeply about our safety and without a doubt, will take good care of us in case of a real life emergency. Thank you to all who participated and thank you all for your cooperation during the drill. (We will talk more about this during this week's faculty Meeting). Topping off the three days with a warm, albeit, brief introduction and welcome to our new staff and faculty members followed by Panther University made for a full three days. Thank you to everyone who prepared and presented this important information. So as not to add to the head spinning that these full three days may have caused, and so the greatness of the new school year can begin, I will keep this post short and to the point.
My very best to you all for a terrific first day of school!
Reminders
"A school without dreams is like a day without sunshine".
-Arnie Bianco, Author
I hope you have dreamy 2013/14 School Year!
Launching the school year by learning reading strategies designed to help our students become better learners was refreshing and hopefully gave you all some tools to add to your already heavy tool bag. A special thank you to our colleagues and excellent "Close Reading" instructors; Terry Wilson, Paula Wright, Priscilla Aydelott and Tadd Ragan. And if the excitement of new learning strategies wasn't enough, the multi-agency safety exercise provided another level of excitement. We learned a great deal and rest assured that the numerous Community Emergency Response Teams; Flagstaff Police, Flag Fire, Guardian, Flag Medical Center, CERT etc., care deeply about our safety and without a doubt, will take good care of us in case of a real life emergency. Thank you to all who participated and thank you all for your cooperation during the drill. (We will talk more about this during this week's faculty Meeting). Topping off the three days with a warm, albeit, brief introduction and welcome to our new staff and faculty members followed by Panther University made for a full three days. Thank you to everyone who prepared and presented this important information. So as not to add to the head spinning that these full three days may have caused, and so the greatness of the new school year can begin, I will keep this post short and to the point.
My very best to you all for a terrific first day of school!
Reminders
- Wednesday, August 14 Students dismiss @ 12:50. Faculty Mtg 1:15pm in The Mini-Theater
- Thursday, August 15 Extended 3rd hour. School Announcements will be read over the intercom during this time. 1:15-2:20 Study Hall teachers will show student created PBIS expectation videos. (More info in an e-mail from Krista Dobosh on Monday)
- Friday, August 16 Make up day for student IDs (Students will be called by alpha)
- Please submit your Teacher Professional Learning Plans to me ASAP
- Please submit your Classroom Management Plan to Cris by Friday, August 16
- Join in welcoming our students back to school by being visible in the hallways and at you door when students arive
Planning ahead
- August 27 Rachel's Challenge School-wide assembly (Modified class schedules)
- August 29 CHS Open House 5:00pm
- August 30 First home Panther Football Game
Helpful resources for Classroom management
http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/
https://www.effectiveteaching.com/
Lastly, I am grateful and honored to continue to serve as your principal. You can be proud of the significant progress we have made toward our ultimate goal of improved student achievement. I am looking forward to spending time in your classrooms and observing the high quality teaching and learning that happens everyday at Coconino High School.
http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/
https://www.effectiveteaching.com/
Lastly, I am grateful and honored to continue to serve as your principal. You can be proud of the significant progress we have made toward our ultimate goal of improved student achievement. I am looking forward to spending time in your classrooms and observing the high quality teaching and learning that happens everyday at Coconino High School.
"A school without dreams is like a day without sunshine".
-Arnie Bianco, Author
I hope you have dreamy 2013/14 School Year!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Welcome back!
This is the official welcome back blog post- I hope the summer break provided time for relaxation and recreation and you're now refreshed and excited for another school year.
I am happy to announce that we have many new teachers joining our Coconino family and I especially want to welcome these new colleagues.
Teacher workdays begin this year with the 301 Day on Wednesday, August 7.
AUGUST 7 Optional 301 Day
The theme of the day will be "Common Core Close Reading" This is for all teachers with the exception of math teachers who are invited to attend the Common Core Phase 2 math training at the Family resource Center.
I am happy to announce that we have many new teachers joining our Coconino family and I especially want to welcome these new colleagues.
Welcome back everyone!!!
You will find below some important information to help get us started for the new school year. Please pay close attention to the details about the upcoming multi-agency safety drill.Teacher workdays begin this year with the 301 Day on Wednesday, August 7.
AUGUST 7 Optional 301 Day
The theme of the day will be "Common Core Close Reading" This is for all teachers with the exception of math teachers who are invited to attend the Common Core Phase 2 math training at the Family resource Center.
Those who participate in the August 7th training
day will earn six 301 hours (paid at the rate of $50/hour) and will also
learn valuable skills that can be immediately implemented and applied
in their classrooms. Hours and locations are
included below:
-
8 am – 3:30 pm (with 1.5 hours for lunch on your own, this is a total of 6 seat hours)
-
Report to CHS and sign-in
-
Math teachers for grades 6-12, report to the Christensen Professional Learning Center
-
Please
bring your laptops and your phase 1 notebooks for ELA (or phase 1 for
math if you are a secondary math teacher). All other materials will be
provided. If you have not completed phase 1 training, don’t worry! We
will have more offerings during the school year and your facilitators on
8/7 will make sure you have what you need to be successful on this 301
training day.
AUGUST 8 Teacher Work Day
8 am - Superintendent Hickman All District Welcome Back Opening Address @ CHS.
9 am - 11am CHS Teachers who are not involved in district meetings have this time to work in classrooms.
11am Lunch on your own. CHS will prepare for multi-agency safety drill. If you do not plan to participate in the event as an observer, you can stay and work in your classrooms, but remember between12:00 pm and 2:00pm you will need to stay locked in your classroom. You are welcome to meet outside of the building on the afternoon of the 8th if you wish. Street access to CHS will be restricted to emergency vehicles only from 11:30am-2:00pm. The drill is expected to conclude around 2:30 at which time access to CHS will resume as normal.
12 noon CHS will be in lock down and the safety drill will begin in the North End of the building. The drill will involve numerous emergency response agencies as well as the Coconino County Emergency Response Team (CERT). All official participants in the building will be wearing vests. Please be aware that anyone on or around campus during the drill, not wearing a vest, will become a suspect and will become involved in the drill. Once the drill begins we will be in a hard lock down. If you choose to stay in your room you may work at your desk and you may use computers, but cell phone and land line phone use will not be permitted. All CHS Teachers are invited to participate. You can be in the north end of the building and become an active participant as the drill plays out, or you can observe the event from the observation post in the bleachers of the main gym.
AUGUST 9 Teacher Work Day
7:30 am ~ CHS New Teacher Orientation.
7:30am ~ Prep time in classrooms
11:30am-12:20pm ~ Lunch for everyone in the cafeteria
12:30pm ~ CHS Welcome back greeting in the mini-theater
1:00-3:00pm ~ Panther University for all CHS Faculty
Please note ~ Panther University will take the place of the opening faculty meeting. We will have our actual back to school faculty meeting during our first early release Wednesday, August 14 1:00-2:45PM. Please mark your calendars.
Please note ~ Panther University will take the place of the opening faculty meeting. We will have our actual back to school faculty meeting during our first early release Wednesday, August 14 1:00-2:45PM. Please mark your calendars.
I am excited to embark on a new school year. I have enjoyed reading your professional growth plans and am, as always, moved by your professionalism and dedication to helping and inspiring our students to become intelligent, productive and successful members of society. You truly make a difference and I look forward to working together and supporting your professional growth goals. If you have not submitted your CHS Professional Learning Plan, please do so by Friday, August 9. We will be using these plan to help guide your observations and evaluations for this school year.
Welcome back, see you soon!
Welcome back, see you soon!
I
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