CELEBRATING SUCCESS...
I often observe and share stories celebrating success in my own words. As we pick up where we left off in the A+ School of Excellence application process, I realized a piece that was missing was your voice. If you are willing, I would greatly appreciate hearing any anecdotes you might have which epitomize what you consider to be the best of Coconino High school. These could come from your classroom, interactions with students, parents colleagues, staff or the community at large. I would love to hear your stories by September 5, in order to include your voices in the first round of A+ material.
These can be in the form of an e-mail or hard copy if you prefer.
We have so much to celebrate!
TRUE COLORS...
Our school's Gold Team has met several times and has a special event in the works for September 13. Details will be sent to all soon. The roster for the other Color Teams is here. (Thank you Becky). We look forward with anticipation to a True Colors event each quarter.
WHAT'S YOUR HURRY? STAY AWHILE...
One of our school wide expectations is "Come to class prepared to stay."
It seems when students sit at their desks or tables with their backpacks on their laps, or even on their desk right in front of them, they are not truly present and prepared to stay. Some teachers have a depository for backpacks while others remind students to remove their packs and prepare their desk area for learning. Often and gentle reminder of the expectation and what that might look like in class, is all they need
GREAT EXPECTATIONS...
Thank you all for helping to remind our students to dress for success. The students who are being asked to change their clothes due to a dress code violation have been very cooperative. Just a reminder that we agreed to adjust the dress code to allow holes in the jeans, provided the holes are not above the thigh area, or backside. If you see a student wearing jeans with holes and are unsure if the placement of the holes is inappropriate, let the student know you are unsure, and send the student to the nurse to confirm whether a change of clothes is necessary.
WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE...
This Thursday, August 31 is our annual Back-to-School Open House. We will talk about the format for open house during our Faculty Meeting, Tuesday, August 29. As you begin thinking about what you might like to share with our parents, remember this is our school's opportunity to shine and put our best foot forward with excitement and enthusiasm for teaching and learning at CHS. Parents want to be assured that their students are in good hands and our school is doing everything possible to support our students' success. We all know this is so, we just need to share this with our parent community.
DATES TO REMEMBER...
8/29 ~ Faculty Meeting 2:45pm in the Mini-theater
8/31 ~ Open House 5:30pm (new families are invited to a welcome session at 5:00pm with CHS Admin and Counselors)
PRESS ON! PANTHER STRONG!
Please acknowledge you have read this post by clicking here
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Update ~ August 21-25, 2017
CELEBRATING SUCCESS...
What do our students say? During the first two days back with students we asked them to jot down their thoughts about CHS. Here are some of their comments:
"I really like my teachers and I feel like this is a great school"
"Everyone at Coconino is really friendly"
" I am glad we have so much school spirit"
"It's really big"
Keeping the spirit alive and getting to the heart of the matter. Thanks for rolling up your sleeves and getting to work, It's going to be the best year yet!
DOCUMENTS...
CHS Teachers have two documents due this Friday, August 25. The Classroom Climate Plan and Professional Learning Plan templates are included here in the Panther Report on the right column and both forms are now in an editable version. Counselors need only complete the Professional Learning Plan.
Also, please let me know if there are additional CHS documents you would like to see housed on the PantherReport.
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU REALIZE THE HONEYMOON IS OVER...
As we continue to promote positive behavior support for learning at CHS, keep in mind that PBIS is an instructional approach to discipline, we teach the behaviors we want to see.
CHS Teacher, Paula Wright has found success in re-wording her re-directions. When she finds students are off task, or displaying undesirable behavior, she simply asks "Would you be willing to...?" instead of "STOP talking" or "STOP doing this or that". Not only do her students quickly change their behavior, but the positive responses she receives from students has decreased her own stress level and her classroom environment is very positive. It worked so well in her classroom, she even tried it at a recent concert, and it worked!
LAUNCH FLAGSTAFF...
This is a community based organization comprised of community members from Flagstaff who have come together to help raise the bar, create a culture of world-class education and support educators and educational entities in Flagstaff. LAUNCH Flagstaff is hosting a free education film series with panel discussions and audience Q & A. The three films are:
Beyond Measure, Sept 8
Paper Tigers, September 15
Rise Above the Mark, September 20
The film festival will be at the McGee Auditorium at Flagstaff Medical Center starting at 6:30pm on each of the three nights.
For FREE tickets and movie reservations click here
DATES...
You received an e-mail from Becky on Friday with an attachment showing important dates for you all to add to your calendars. We already have a correction. Please note we have a faculty meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 29, but it was not listed on the faculty meeting dates. Please add Faculty Meeting 8/29 at 2:45pm in the Mini-theater.
P.S. IEP meetings trump faculty meetings, but please ask a colleague to share info from faculty meeting should you be asked to attend an IEP meeting.
Happy Eclipse, 2017
Reminder...combined lunch 12:00pm today
Press on! Panther Strong!
Please acknowledge you have read this post by clicking here
What do our students say? During the first two days back with students we asked them to jot down their thoughts about CHS. Here are some of their comments:
"I really like my teachers and I feel like this is a great school"
"Everyone at Coconino is really friendly"
" I am glad we have so much school spirit"
"It's really big"
Keeping the spirit alive and getting to the heart of the matter. Thanks for rolling up your sleeves and getting to work, It's going to be the best year yet!
DOCUMENTS...
CHS Teachers have two documents due this Friday, August 25. The Classroom Climate Plan and Professional Learning Plan templates are included here in the Panther Report on the right column and both forms are now in an editable version. Counselors need only complete the Professional Learning Plan.
Also, please let me know if there are additional CHS documents you would like to see housed on the PantherReport.
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU REALIZE THE HONEYMOON IS OVER...
As we continue to promote positive behavior support for learning at CHS, keep in mind that PBIS is an instructional approach to discipline, we teach the behaviors we want to see.
CHS Teacher, Paula Wright has found success in re-wording her re-directions. When she finds students are off task, or displaying undesirable behavior, she simply asks "Would you be willing to...?" instead of "STOP talking" or "STOP doing this or that". Not only do her students quickly change their behavior, but the positive responses she receives from students has decreased her own stress level and her classroom environment is very positive. It worked so well in her classroom, she even tried it at a recent concert, and it worked!
LAUNCH FLAGSTAFF...
This is a community based organization comprised of community members from Flagstaff who have come together to help raise the bar, create a culture of world-class education and support educators and educational entities in Flagstaff. LAUNCH Flagstaff is hosting a free education film series with panel discussions and audience Q & A. The three films are:
Beyond Measure, Sept 8
Paper Tigers, September 15
Rise Above the Mark, September 20
The film festival will be at the McGee Auditorium at Flagstaff Medical Center starting at 6:30pm on each of the three nights.
For FREE tickets and movie reservations click here
DATES...
You received an e-mail from Becky on Friday with an attachment showing important dates for you all to add to your calendars. We already have a correction. Please note we have a faculty meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 29, but it was not listed on the faculty meeting dates. Please add Faculty Meeting 8/29 at 2:45pm in the Mini-theater.
P.S. IEP meetings trump faculty meetings, but please ask a colleague to share info from faculty meeting should you be asked to attend an IEP meeting.
Happy Eclipse, 2017
Reminder...combined lunch 12:00pm today
Press on! Panther Strong!
Please acknowledge you have read this post by clicking here
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Update ~ August 14-18, 2017
CELEBRATING SUCCESS...
The 2017-18 SY has launched. Thank you all for being awesome. Thank you to everyone behind the scenes who helped organize and execute the intricate first two successful days back to school.
The excitement and energy from our students was really positive. We saw inviting classrooms and lots of creative team and community building with smiling faces as students participated in activities, class debates, classroom gallery walks and classroom walking tours, teacher webpage tours, True Colors, The Name Game, making predictions, students directing students to build projects, setting personal learning goals, finding unmarked seats by alpha, developing classroom contracts, answering questions about themselves and writing personal statements, and the list goes on...
The trick is keeping the wonder and awe alive as we continue getting to the heart of the matter, Academic Excellence!
The means for excellence exist within us all, it's going to be a great year!
TIME...
Ah yes time...the concept of time and not enough of it, was a common thread throughout the comments you provided in the forms of wishes and foreseeable challenges.
In the hopes of providing a little bit of time we will not have any school-wide Wednesday afternoon meetings or official Collaborative Team Meetings until September. The reason behind this is to give you some time to transition into the routines and demands of the school year as well as time to complete your individual Professional Learning Plan and Classroom Climate Plan before the due date of August 25.
QUESTIONS...
As the year unfolds we will continue to talk more about our school goals and focus as well as the direction for Standards Based Grading. Stay tuned...
COMMITTEES...
With the exception of the existing Safety, PBIS, Attendance and Graduation Presence Patrol Committees, CHS Committees will look different this year. In lieu of traditional committees, we will be building teams around the accreditation standards (blue sheet from the scavenger hunt). Information about Accreditation Teams will be shared during our school wide PLC on September 6.
RESPONSIBLE THINKING ROOM (RTR) REMINDERS...
We are not anticipating a high need for Minor Infraction Forms (MIFs) yet, as we are still in honeymoon of the first few weeks of school. However, should you need MIFs please stop by the RTR. Greg is working on duplicate forms, so you can a retain a copy of the MIF for your records. When completing the MIF, please remember to include the Student ID # at the top of each form.
TIP: If you find you have some extra time on your hands, wink, wink, you might consider completing the top portion of the MIF for every student in advance, that way if the time comes, and hopefully it won't, you need only mark the infraction and date.
DATES TO REMEBER...
This week is all yours, no scheduled school wide events
PLANNING AHEAD...
August 29 ~ Faculty meeting 2:45pm Mini-theater
August 31 ~ Fall Open House 5:30-7:00pm
* We will send a semester faculty meeting schedule out this week.
FYI
CHS Total Student Enrollment 1528
I sincerely look forward to working together on our journey toward creating and maintaining a vibrant school community that exemplifies academic excellence and global citizenship.
Press on! Panther Strong!
Please acknowledge you have read this post by clicking here
The 2017-18 SY has launched. Thank you all for being awesome. Thank you to everyone behind the scenes who helped organize and execute the intricate first two successful days back to school.
The excitement and energy from our students was really positive. We saw inviting classrooms and lots of creative team and community building with smiling faces as students participated in activities, class debates, classroom gallery walks and classroom walking tours, teacher webpage tours, True Colors, The Name Game, making predictions, students directing students to build projects, setting personal learning goals, finding unmarked seats by alpha, developing classroom contracts, answering questions about themselves and writing personal statements, and the list goes on...
The trick is keeping the wonder and awe alive as we continue getting to the heart of the matter, Academic Excellence!
The means for excellence exist within us all, it's going to be a great year!
TIME...
Ah yes time...the concept of time and not enough of it, was a common thread throughout the comments you provided in the forms of wishes and foreseeable challenges.
In the hopes of providing a little bit of time we will not have any school-wide Wednesday afternoon meetings or official Collaborative Team Meetings until September. The reason behind this is to give you some time to transition into the routines and demands of the school year as well as time to complete your individual Professional Learning Plan and Classroom Climate Plan before the due date of August 25.
QUESTIONS...
As the year unfolds we will continue to talk more about our school goals and focus as well as the direction for Standards Based Grading. Stay tuned...
COMMITTEES...
With the exception of the existing Safety, PBIS, Attendance and Graduation Presence Patrol Committees, CHS Committees will look different this year. In lieu of traditional committees, we will be building teams around the accreditation standards (blue sheet from the scavenger hunt). Information about Accreditation Teams will be shared during our school wide PLC on September 6.
RESPONSIBLE THINKING ROOM (RTR) REMINDERS...
We are not anticipating a high need for Minor Infraction Forms (MIFs) yet, as we are still in honeymoon of the first few weeks of school. However, should you need MIFs please stop by the RTR. Greg is working on duplicate forms, so you can a retain a copy of the MIF for your records. When completing the MIF, please remember to include the Student ID # at the top of each form.
TIP: If you find you have some extra time on your hands, wink, wink, you might consider completing the top portion of the MIF for every student in advance, that way if the time comes, and hopefully it won't, you need only mark the infraction and date.
DATES TO REMEBER...
This week is all yours, no scheduled school wide events
PLANNING AHEAD...
August 29 ~ Faculty meeting 2:45pm Mini-theater
August 31 ~ Fall Open House 5:30-7:00pm
* We will send a semester faculty meeting schedule out this week.
FYI
CHS Total Student Enrollment 1528
I sincerely look forward to working together on our journey toward creating and maintaining a vibrant school community that exemplifies academic excellence and global citizenship.
Press on! Panther Strong!
Please acknowledge you have read this post by clicking here
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Update ~ August 7-11, 2017
CELEBRATING SUCCESS...
Last week we opened our doors for registration for returning and brand new students to CHS. I love registration week because we can predict the tone of the school year based on the mood and energy during that week. The students and families were upbeat, excited and eager to start the school year. As students entered with big smiles they were greeted and taken care of by an equally enthusiastic team of CHS staff who guided the students through the process of returning to school. A great big thank you to everyone who worked registration and to our counselors for their patience and kindness as they helped rearrange scheduled to help guide our students on a path to success!
WHAT'S NEXT?...
We kick off the school year with the 301 day, August 7 beginning at Sinagua Middle School at 8:00am. Please scroll to previous two blog posts for details about 301 and teacher workdays, August 8 & 9.
Also, please note while teachers are attending the 301 day workshop our halls and classrooms will be filled with freshmen, who will be attending freshmen orientation hosted by our CHS Link Crew and sponsors, Gaby Garcia and Jeremiah Smith.
STUDENT FIRST DAYS...
It is CHS tradition to devote the first two days with students to consolidate as much student back to school business as possible, that might otherwise disrupt learning. We will go over the details for these two days during our faculty meeting on August 9, beginning at 9:30am. As a reminder, teachers will have about thirty minutes each of the two days to meet with classes and begin to build classroom community and get to know students. Combined lunch both days.
If you haven't seen this letter already, click here for an interesting intro letter from a teacher to student's families. And, in the sprit of David Letterman's top ten, below is a list of ten ways to create an amazing classroom culture:
1. Greet kids at the door
2. Play Music
3. Go out of your way to make your first interaction positive
4. Call parents early
5. Know your students and what they need to be successful
6. Include student input in the design your classroom
7. Find out the passions of each of your students
8. Find out the dreams and hopes of your students and help them find their path
9. Have them ask questions every single day
10.Love them
List by George Couros, author of the Innovators Mindset
@gcouros
WARM WELCOME...
Please join me in welcoming several new faculty and staff to our Panther Family
Clayton Henderson Geometry
Francy Solarte Soto Spanish
Lily Stevens English
Jeremy Gemetta Digital Media
Kelly Woodruff Art
Casey Shove PE
Laura Rosensweet Algebra & Integrated Math Concepts
Andrew Schwerzel Band & Orchestra
Gina Kuegler Anchor
Paul Bennett Resource Math & Science
Rhonda Barnes SPED Therapist
Mike Sifling School Safety Officer
Margaret Czachowski Attendance Clerk
Kira Blair Counseling Secretary
Jennifer Hill Registrar (Sarah Calahan is now our book keeper)
NOTES FROM ADMIN...
From me...
I am extremely proud and honored to work with such a devoted and talented group of people and to welcome new and returning teachers to the 2017-18 school year. I extend a warm welcome to all CHS Staff and Faculty.
Each year we grow together and build on the successes of the past and continue the journey toward an even better future. Personally and professionally I continue my relentless pursuit of excellence. There is a quote that I know you have all heard and goes something like " It is the journey, not the destination, " if I were to put my own spin on this quote. I would say "The journey is as important as the destination." I am grateful and honored to be on this journey with all of you. This is my seventh year as principal of this remarkable school, and each year I sincerely look forward to the work of bringing the vision of creating and maintaining a vibrant school community that exemplifies academic excellence and global citizenship, to fruition! Cheers to a new school year!
~ Stacie
From Cris...
I am honored to have the opportunity to introduce myself to our new staff and faculty and reintroduce myself to our continuing faculty and staff. My name is Crystal (Crys) Holmes, and I have the privilege of fulfilling the role as Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Coconino High School. This will be my 10th year in this capacity.
I began my teaching career in 1989 at the middle school level. After moving to Arizona in 1996, I attended Northern Arizona University where I achieved my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification. I came to Coconino High School in 1998 to complete my Principal Internship and never left!
My goal is to maintain a positive learning environment where all students feel safe and have the tools they need to be successful. While I am always available to assist and support you, my primary function is in the area of curriculum. This includes: the master board creation, registration, testing, and PLCs. I also work directly with the department chairs and the counselors. You will find a complete list of my responsibilities in your handbook and on the Panther Report. If you have a concern in one of these areas to please try to speak directly with me to avoid any confusion.
I am a believer in open communication so please reach out to me with any questions, concerns, problems or thoughts. My office extension is 8434, my cell phone number is 220-1241 and my e-mail address is cholmes@fusd1.org. I am looking forward to partnering with you for the 2017-2018 school year.
Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity defines who we are at Coconino High School. You can be assured that I will uphold these values as your Assistant Principal.
Press on! Panther Strong!
Last week we opened our doors for registration for returning and brand new students to CHS. I love registration week because we can predict the tone of the school year based on the mood and energy during that week. The students and families were upbeat, excited and eager to start the school year. As students entered with big smiles they were greeted and taken care of by an equally enthusiastic team of CHS staff who guided the students through the process of returning to school. A great big thank you to everyone who worked registration and to our counselors for their patience and kindness as they helped rearrange scheduled to help guide our students on a path to success!
WHAT'S NEXT?...
We kick off the school year with the 301 day, August 7 beginning at Sinagua Middle School at 8:00am. Please scroll to previous two blog posts for details about 301 and teacher workdays, August 8 & 9.
Also, please note while teachers are attending the 301 day workshop our halls and classrooms will be filled with freshmen, who will be attending freshmen orientation hosted by our CHS Link Crew and sponsors, Gaby Garcia and Jeremiah Smith.
STUDENT FIRST DAYS...
It is CHS tradition to devote the first two days with students to consolidate as much student back to school business as possible, that might otherwise disrupt learning. We will go over the details for these two days during our faculty meeting on August 9, beginning at 9:30am. As a reminder, teachers will have about thirty minutes each of the two days to meet with classes and begin to build classroom community and get to know students. Combined lunch both days.
If you haven't seen this letter already, click here for an interesting intro letter from a teacher to student's families. And, in the sprit of David Letterman's top ten, below is a list of ten ways to create an amazing classroom culture:
1. Greet kids at the door
2. Play Music
3. Go out of your way to make your first interaction positive
4. Call parents early
5. Know your students and what they need to be successful
6. Include student input in the design your classroom
7. Find out the passions of each of your students
8. Find out the dreams and hopes of your students and help them find their path
9. Have them ask questions every single day
10.Love them
List by George Couros, author of the Innovators Mindset
@gcouros
WARM WELCOME...
Please join me in welcoming several new faculty and staff to our Panther Family
Clayton Henderson Geometry
Francy Solarte Soto Spanish
Lily Stevens English
Jeremy Gemetta Digital Media
Kelly Woodruff Art
Casey Shove PE
Laura Rosensweet Algebra & Integrated Math Concepts
Andrew Schwerzel Band & Orchestra
Gina Kuegler Anchor
Paul Bennett Resource Math & Science
Rhonda Barnes SPED Therapist
Mike Sifling School Safety Officer
Margaret Czachowski Attendance Clerk
Kira Blair Counseling Secretary
Jennifer Hill Registrar (Sarah Calahan is now our book keeper)
NOTES FROM ADMIN...
From me...
I am extremely proud and honored to work with such a devoted and talented group of people and to welcome new and returning teachers to the 2017-18 school year. I extend a warm welcome to all CHS Staff and Faculty.
Each year we grow together and build on the successes of the past and continue the journey toward an even better future. Personally and professionally I continue my relentless pursuit of excellence. There is a quote that I know you have all heard and goes something like " It is the journey, not the destination, " if I were to put my own spin on this quote. I would say "The journey is as important as the destination." I am grateful and honored to be on this journey with all of you. This is my seventh year as principal of this remarkable school, and each year I sincerely look forward to the work of bringing the vision of creating and maintaining a vibrant school community that exemplifies academic excellence and global citizenship, to fruition! Cheers to a new school year!
~ Stacie
From Cris...
I am honored to have the opportunity to introduce myself to our new staff and faculty and reintroduce myself to our continuing faculty and staff. My name is Crystal (Crys) Holmes, and I have the privilege of fulfilling the role as Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Coconino High School. This will be my 10th year in this capacity.
I began my teaching career in 1989 at the middle school level. After moving to Arizona in 1996, I attended Northern Arizona University where I achieved my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification. I came to Coconino High School in 1998 to complete my Principal Internship and never left!
My goal is to maintain a positive learning environment where all students feel safe and have the tools they need to be successful. While I am always available to assist and support you, my primary function is in the area of curriculum. This includes: the master board creation, registration, testing, and PLCs. I also work directly with the department chairs and the counselors. You will find a complete list of my responsibilities in your handbook and on the Panther Report. If you have a concern in one of these areas to please try to speak directly with me to avoid any confusion.
I am a believer in open communication so please reach out to me with any questions, concerns, problems or thoughts. My office extension is 8434, my cell phone number is 220-1241 and my e-mail address is cholmes@fusd1.org. I am looking forward to partnering with you for the 2017-2018 school year.
Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity defines who we are at Coconino High School. You can be assured that I will uphold these values as your Assistant Principal.
~ Crys
From Steve...
Welcome Back! My name is Steve Bonderud, some of you know me by "Bondo" and for upwards of twenty years, I have been the assistant principal of Coconino High school. Not only have I had the extreme privelage of being an administrator at CHS, but I am a parent of two daughters who are proud graduates of CHS. I feel along with our school community, that we are lucky to call CHS home.
I moved to Flagstaff in 1995 from Southern California, following a successful career as Teacher, Coach, Guidance Counselor and Dean of Students. Through all of these positions, I have learned that the most important factor is to create a safe and positive learning environment that encourages everyone to explore and reach their full potential in education and in life.
My administrative responsibilities include school safety and emergency preparedness, maintenance and operations, building logistics, transportation, custodians, discipline and attendance. My goal for this year is to extend my support and encouragement and live by the CHS guiding principles, Respect, Responsibility and Integrity. We, faculty and staff, mold respectful, productive and well rounded citizens, and together we make a difference!
Please feel free to contact me for any needs, questions or concerns. My office extension is 8216 and my e-mail address is sbonderud@fusd1.org.
~ Steve
Press on! Panther Strong!