Happy Holidays!

 

In his 1926 classic, “Winnie the Pooh,” A. A. Milne wrote, “Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” He was grateful for great friends, a warm place to sleep and a few tasty “haycorns” to eat.  

In that same spirit of gratitude, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for everything you do for the students of Venture High School.  For students and staff, this past year was not without its challenges; however, my heart is filled with gratitude for each of you as I remember the many instances of kindness and support that I witnessed and felt from you.  

As we go forward into the New Year, I count it a privilege to work alongside you in service to our students and our community.  I hope your holiday break is filled with opportunities to connect with those you love and refresh your own hearts and souls.

Friday 12/17/21 we will have lunch of sandwiches and salad from Caruso's served in Diana's room.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 1/3:  Non Work Day

Tuesday  1/4: 

Wednesday 1/5:

Thursday 1/6:

Friday 1/7: Kaiser out @PM

Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering

Monday 1/10:  Certified PD day (Horace Mann will be here)

Tuesday  1/11: 

Wednesday 1/12:

Thursday 1/13:

Friday 1/14: Kaiser out @am

Week of December 13

by Diana

 While contemplating my thoughts for this blog, I was at a loss as to what to write that would be an encouragement to others.  As a math teacher I am not skilled in the art of writing.  Ask any math teacher if they enjoy writing and most of them will probably say NO!  We are not wordy or flamboyant with our words, but are to-the-point and solve-the-problem type of people.  But I did find a saying that I love and one that has been so meaningful to me in the past five years at Venture.  It came from the classics (Pinterest).  

“The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other.  Without collaboration our growth is limited to our own perspective.”  

I have had other teachers who were my sounding board, my confidant, my encourager, my friend, and even my critic.  I have valued those relationships and hope to have grown as an educator and a person because of it.  I have so appreciated all of the staff here at Venture who have accepted me for who I am and have been so welcoming and supportive in my endeavors here.  If we didn’t have each other we would be single-minded and set in our ways.  I have learned to be open-minded and willing to change in most situations; even when I did not want to.  I have seen the results of being open and vulnerable.  I do not want to be limited by my own perspective, but want to grow in ways that others have encouraged me.  

I hope you have found or will find other teachers who will help you widen your perspectives and grow - even if it is uncomfortable.  I hope you will not only find them, but that you will listen and share with them your perspectives so we can all be a team and grow together.  

In closing, I quote the great philosopher - one of the Seattle Seahawks players.  As I watched the game this past week, one of the players had this written on the back of his helmet “We are in this together.”  

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling

Monday 12/13:  Certified Staff PD Day: Agenda

Tuesday  12/14: 

Wednesday 12/15:

Thursday 12/16:

Friday 12/17:

December 20 - December 31 - Winter Holiday!

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 1/3:  Non Work Day

Tuesday  1/4: 

Wednesday 1/5:

Thursday 1/6:

Friday 1/7: Kaiser out @PM

Week of December 6

By Diane

Stay At 17 Inches

We choose to work at Venture, all of us. Students choose to come to school at Venture, all of them. This is their reprieve. This is where they seek solace, guidance, and safety in a learner-centered environment. This is where we build community through mentorships, relationships, and leadership. 

With that said, I truly believe, we must continue to hold them accountable for their work and their behavior. This has been a challenging teaching year with many months ahead of us.

On Friday, I left work feeling absolutely spent. I had had an amazing day until my last period when the battle lines were drawn...not by me, but by a 'favorite' student. He was challenging, used vulgar language, and was absolutely disrespectful...and was escorted out of class. He was angry and I was...distressed...and it followed me home.

After some reflection (and a glass of wine), I felt better and began working on a plan to repair the relationship so I could get some sleep. 

The next morning, I checked my email and found a heartfelt apology from  this student. He had sent it at 8:14 P.M. the night before explaining the difficulties he has been experiencing at home and I remembered the article about Coach Scolinos, Stay At 17 Inches. I had not failed him, I had held him to a "higher standard, a standard of what we know to be right." And he did not fail me.

Student Exhibit Night                                                                                                                     Another successful Student Exhibit Night is in the books!  It was absolutely delightful to hear students and parents talking about the projects.  The beautiful display of refreshments was much appreciated by everyone in attendance.  A special thanks to everyone who made this evening possible for students and families. 

Thank you!

As we begin this new trimester, I want to emphasize how much I appreciate the tremendous thought and effort you give to teaching our students. Everyone at Venture is a teacher.  Everyone here plays their part in helping our students along their journey to becoming successful adults. The work is rewarding and also requires that we dig deeply into our own personal reserves to meet the many challenges.  As we've become better at building relationships with our students, they become more trusting of us and share both their triumphs and their pain.  

As we go into the weekend, think about how you are finding balance in your own life.  Are you consciously setting aside worries over which you have no influence?  Or, are you letting them circulate in your brain?  Are you taking time for recreation?  Are you taking time to focus on the things that matter to you outside of work?  The greatest gift you can give your families and Venture students is to keep yourself happy and healthy.  Take care of yourself - you are worth it!

Bus/Parking lot duty: Eastman and Mahoney

Monday 12/6:  Agenda

Tuesday  12/7: First Day of Trimester 2

Wednesday 12/8: Kaiser out@am

Thursday 12/9:

Friday 12/10: Kaiser out@am

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling

Monday 12/13:  Certified Staff PD Day

Tuesday  12/14: 

Wednesday 12/15:

Thursday 12/16:

Friday 12/17:

December 20 - December 31 - Winter Holiday!

 By Rachelle

In November, our minds naturally shift to reflecting on what we are most thankful for, but as educators, we develop dispositions that encourage being thankful, and grateful, not just in November but every day of the year. We cultivate these states of mind by our actions and impact on the students in our classrooms and the community we serve. 

We grasp the value of being thankful; that when we think of what we do have, rather than what we do not have, our whole mindset changes and our blessings become more appreciated. However, when we take our thankfulness one step further, we experience gratitude, which is the action one takes based upon their feelings of thankfulness. 

Examples of gratitude may include writing a note or card, making a phone call or sending an email to let someone know they’re appreciated. My challenge to myself, and to you, is that we would not only identify what/whom we’re thankful for, but that we would practice gratitude and show it.

During this busy time of year, when many educators are feeling stretched and tired, I want to let each of you know that you are making a difference here at Venture, that you are needed here and that you are appreciated. 

Wishing you a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving break! 

Bus/Parking lot duty: Higgs and Levy

Monday 11/29:  Non Work Day

Tuesday  11/30:Kaiser@ Training; Baker Admin designee

Wednesday 12/1:

Thursday 12/2: Student Exhibit Night

Friday 12/3: Last day of Trimester 1

Bus/Parking lot duty:

Monday 12/6:  New Student Orientation 10:00 - Noon

Tuesday  12/7: First Day of Trimester 2

Wednesday 12/8:

Thursday 12/9:

Friday 12/10:

Bus/Parking lot duty:

Monday 12/13:  Certified Staff PD Day

Tuesday  12/14: 

Wednesday 12/15:

Thursday 12/16:

Friday 12/17:

December 20 - December 31 - Winter Holiday!

 A Note From Michelle...

Presently, life as a teacher regularly feels like a game of chicken with no defined repetition in anything other than uncertainty. We do what we can with what we’ve got. We embrace the change, preserve, give grace, check the boxes, and still something is missing. 

In a recent blog post, A.J. Juliani, founder and CEO at Adaptable Learning, did an amazing job of highlighting why the struggle is real. 

“And you are exhausted. 

Not so much by the students, although they have changed over the years.

Not so much by the parents, who have definitely changed over the years. 

But mostly by managing all of this, picking yourself up every day, and believing you’re doing good work, with good people, for the right reasons.” This is hard. — A.J. Juliani (ajjuliani.com)

After a few years of shift and change, I think we all find ourselves doing our own version of coping. Many times this looks like dissociation or pulling back to preserve what we can for life outside of school. A much needed reset during our off time, as Kevin pointed out on his Vlog, helps keep us afloat. This attention to our physical and mental health is of crucial importance.

 Yet, even pulling back with full efforts in preserving sanity, I still feel a school wide struggle.

 Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve all been fighting a force that separates us. 

Let me be clear, I do not have the answer to overcoming the struggle. In my observations though, it feels as if what we are trying to do right now in survival mode is also not working. If pulling back isn't  the answer, then can we try a different approach? 

My call to action for myself and anyone willing to jump with me, is to lean in a little more. Lean into the human connection in our building and in our classrooms. Less emails and more conversations as we make it a norm to touch base with our colleagues.

Lean in. Venture is a place in which fostering connection in the classroom comes first and foremost. This year, let’s take that to another level. Offer and seek out help brainstorming what will work best in our classrooms. Allow for the human experience to breathe and leave room for the messiness of human existence. Create safe spaces and days that just allow for humans to exist as they are. 

Each of our classrooms are a direct reflection of the outside world and these past two years have been doozies. Let us not forget that if WE are struggling due to the current world status WITH every bit of support we have built for ourselves in our own lives, our students, who often do not have the same opportunities, will be struggling at another level. 

As teachers, we are masters of adaptability. Let’s shift our lens, embrace the changes that have been thrown our way, and do what we do best. Meet our students and colleagues where they are and rise up. Connect with the human first. We find each other's strengths and utilize teamwork to push forward in our collective goal to do more than just survive. 

Xello:  Are you assigning lessons to students in Xello?  The district is sending out regular reports of the lessons that are assigned, and there are still several advisories that have not assigned any lessons to students yet.  Please assign at least two lessons by the end of November and follow up with your advisory students to ensure they are completed.  

Student Exhibit Night:  Are you thinking with your students about what they will have for  student exhibit night?

Bus/Parking lot duty: Pavlik and Penski

Monday 11/8:  PD day Agenda

Tuesday  11/9: 

Wednesday  11/10:

Thursday 11/11: Certified work day

Friday  11/12:

Bus/Parking lot duty:  Gonzalez and Gaynor

Monday 11/15:  Non Work Day

Tuesday  11/16: Picture makeup day

Wednesday 11/17:

Thursday 11/18:

Friday 11/19:

November 22 - November 26:  Thanksgiving Break

Bus/Parking lot duty: Higgs and Levy

Monday 11/29:  Non Work Day

Tuesday  11/30: 

Wednesday 12/1:

Thursday 12/2: New Student Orientation

Friday 12/3: Last day of Trimester 1

Week of October 25

 A word from Kevin...

The Idahome Espresso Van will bring coffee to Venture from 8:30 to 9:45 on Monday 10/25.  Please stop by before PD and enjoy a cup of coffee.

A HUGE SHOUT OUT to all of our Venture paraprofessionals!  Andi, Gayle, Marita,  Eliseo, Marianne, and Nici... Each and every one of you has gone beyond the call of duty to help students get back on track this school year.  You have been covering for absent teachers, helping students recover credits, helping students emotionally regulate, covering in the office, managing testing and progress-monitoring and the list goes on.  Your work is greatly appreciated!

This Monday 10/25 we will have a different schedule:

• 9:30 - Staff meeting (certified required, classified, we would love have you join us)
• 10:15 -1:30 - Staff PD (All certified staff and classified staff)- Group agreements with Keith Orchard
• Lunch at Noon: room 102

Reminders: Please email your essential standards (on this template) to me by Nov. 2 at noon.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering

Monday 10/25: PD Day 

Tuesday 10/26: 

Wednesday 10/27:  

Thursday 10/28:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee

Friday 10/29:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee BBQ/Games/Trick or Treating

Bus/Parking lot duty: Mazhan and Posey

Monday 11/1: Non-Work Day 

Tuesday 11/2:

Wednesday 11/3  

Thursday 11/4:  

Friday 11/5: 

Bus/Parking lot duty: Pavlik and Penski

Monday 11/8: PD day

Tuesday 11/9:

Wednesday 11/10  

Thursday 11/11:  

Friday 11/12: 

 

As a Special Education teacher (and the only one for only a short period of time longer) I am in a unique position to see Venture work and I am often reminded of this quote.  I see so many amazing things done by amazing teachers.  I see so much passion and desire, as well as frustration and angst that builds up.  Although we may seem disconnected at times, on our own islands trying to survive, we are all very much engrained to the fabric of this school year and to one another.  

To sum this up I see so much caring.

I also see some struggling.  I see learners not being able to complete given tasks, behaviorally not able to sit through a class, and a great many not care at all whether they make it, whether they become a success story or give in to the pressures either internally or externally to show up and care.  

To sum this up I see our juxtaposition.

With that being said, I struggle.  The main focus of my practice as an educator is to help kids normalize their behavior and most days, I fail.  Sometimes I fail miserably while others are a simple swing and a miss.  Then occasionally I knock one out of the park (well...at least hit a ground rule double).  Those days feel so good.  They help me wake up in the morning, they give me the strength to keep forging on, to lace up my spikes and step up to the plate once more.  So now, here are some things that have worked for me and hopefully help you as well.

OPR (Ownership, Plan, Repair)

 

We developed this process to take the “sting” out of correction, to help students look intrinsically at the issue and figure out what the ideal response is.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AIJVs3NUfQHLB5gqG7DevsmuzVfjCOgC1brH-YIGUu4/edit?usp=sharing

TBRI

TBRI Resources

The idea of connection before correction- for the ability to make change there has to be a relationship first.  The more depth the better.

Playful engagement-Lightening the moment and disarming the behavior

Structured Engagement-When disarming the situation doesn’t work, explicitly telling the student what needs to happen

I know that the day-to-day is a grind.  I know that sometimes it feels as though we are running in circles and some that we are banging our heads against a wall and some days feel like those ideas combined. Give yourself grace. Give yourself time. If you need to take away from your content and go back over your norms, do it. If you need support in a specific area, reach out to those who do it well. Take time to get kids excited about what they are learning. Help them understand what you are teaching them and why.

Education can be such a beautiful mess. Helping kids advocate for themselves, helping them find their voice, and letting them take ownership of their educational environment can be a cacophony of chaos. But take a deep breath, lean on each other, and do the best we can. 

Go forth and conquer 

For the earth is small

And you are a giant

And every step

You take

Will make the ground shake

As it rises

To meet you

-Atticus Poetry

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 10/18: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/19:  Kaiser out @ AM Baker- Admin. designee

Wednesday 10/20:  Kaiser out @ AM Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/21: 

Friday 10/22: 

Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering

Monday 10/25: PD Day 

Tuesday 10/26: 

Wednesday 10/27:  

Thursday 10/28:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee

Friday 10/29:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee

Bus/Parking lot duty: Mazhan and Posey

Monday 11/1: Non-Work Day 

Tuesday 11/2:

Wednesday 11/3  

Thursday 11/4:  

Friday 11/5: 

Week of October 11

 

I am filled with gratitude.  This is such a stressful time for so many and yet, as I visit classrooms it is clear that no corners have been cut in the delivery of quality instruction for students.  They are learning through PBL, protocol guided academic conversation, service based learning and more.  They are being challenged, stretched and coached.  I can scarcely imagine the hours of planning that have gone into creating these experiences through which young minds are nurtured to learn and grow.  Thank you.

The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us

Xello

Thanks to all of you who have your advisory students doing assignments in Xello.  If you haven't already, please assign a lesson from Xello in the next week.  They should all complete their own grade level lessons at the minimum and they can also work on previous lessons that would still be relevant for them.

Wellness Reminder

We will be offering Wellness on Fridays during second term.  This reminder is to give everyone a chance to think about what they want to do with students during that time.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling

Monday 10/11: PD Day: Agenda

Tuesday 10/12: 

Wednesday 10/13:  Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee; MTSS meeting

Thursday 10/14: Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee

Friday 10/15: Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 10/18: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/19:  Kaiser out @ AM Baker- Admin. designee

Wednesday 10/20:  Kaiser out @ AM Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/21: 

Friday 10/22: 

Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering

Monday 10/25: PD Day 

Tuesday 10/26: 

Wednesday 10/27:  

Thursday 10/28:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee

Friday 10/29:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee

Week of October 4

 

Dear Venture Educators,

Remember, regardless of what happens in the community, we are the ones that hold learning together for our Venture students.  We provide a safe place for kids to learn and grow despite individual beliefs about masks or mandates.  We're in this together.  Thank you for everything you do to help our students weather this storm.

Attendance

Gayle has graciously agreed to help us manage attendance make-up.  The gist of the plan:

• A roster of student absences will be created and maintained by Gayle
• At the third absence, she will send both student and parent an email (I have been calling home for students with 5 or more absences)
• An email will be sent home for each subsequent absences
• Students making up absences will need to report to her (in the health room)  
• They can either work with Gayle or go to teachers to make up their time and receive assistance.
• It is important for teachers to let Gayle know (by email) if students stay after school to work with them so they get credit for their time.
• Gayle will let teachers know when kids have made up hours.  Teachers should check with Gayle before assigning an Inc. for absences at the end of the term.

This is bound to have its bumps in implementation, but having one person oversee the management holds more promise for it working effectively to change attendance behaviors.  Gayle is managing the logistics; however, we all need to communicate to make it work.  Let's keep the lines of communication open and work together to improve attendance.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Eastman and Mahoney

Monday 10/4: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/5: 

Wednesday 10/6:  Kaiser @ SERP mtg.  Baker- Admin. Designee; Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/7: 

Friday 10/8: 

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling

Monday 10/11: PD Day

Tuesday 10/12: 

Wednesday 10/13:  Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee; MTSS meeting

Thursday 10/14: Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee

Friday 10/15: Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 10/18: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/19:  Kaiser out @ AM Baker- Admin. designee

Wednesday 10/20:  Kaiser out @ AM Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/21: 

Friday 10/22: 

Week of September 20

 

According to researcher John Hattie, Collective teacher efficacy or the belief in our ability to positively affect students, "is beyond three times more powerful and predictive than socio-economic status (0.52). It is also greater than three times more likely to influence student achievement than student motivation and concentration, persistence, and engagement (0.48)." 

Extended Learning and Wellness: In talking to teachers, I think it would be prudent to begin Wellness during our second trimester.  That gives everyone an opportunity to think about how they want to use that time with kids. We will begin extended learning this week on September 23.  Tony will have the Gym open for students who are eligible.  If you are you able to offer an alternative activity for students during that hour, please email me ASAP.

Assessment Completion

Our current window for our fall screening assessments closes on September 30th. The percentage completed by building is regularly updated at any time on MyCDASchools > Assessments.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Gonzalez and Gaynor

Monday 9/20: Non work day

Tuesday 9/21: 

Wednesday 9/22:  2:30 MTSS meeting

Thursday 9/23: Picture day, staff picture @7:30am

Friday 9/24: Happy Birthday, Caryn!  

Bus/Parking lot duty: Higgs and Levy

Monday 9/27: PD day for certified staff

Tuesday 9/28: 

Wednesday 9/29:  

Thursday 9/30: 

Friday 10/1: Flex Day No School

Bus/Parking lot duty: Eastman and Mahoney

Monday 10/4: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/5: 

Wednesday 10/6:  Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/7: 

Friday 10/8: