For many of us, the holidays bring to mind joyful memories of togetherness, celebrations, and cherished traditions. However, for many students at Venture Academy, the holidays can often be a source of stress, sadness, or anxiety. Some of our students may not have traditional holiday plans, or their experiences may be shaped by trauma, instability, or strained family relationships. As educators, we need to navigate this season with care and empathy.

One way we can make the holidays a positive time for our students is by focusing on celebration in ways that are inclusive and affirming. Decorating the classroom, putting a festive spin on assignments, or recognizing student accomplishments are all great ways to create a sense of belonging and community without centering the conversation on personal holiday experiences.

It’s equally important to be mindful of the questions we ask. While it might feel natural to inquire about a student’s holiday plans, for some, this can be an uncomfortable or painful topic. Instead, shift the focus to general excitement about upcoming events at school or within the Coeur d'Alene community. Thanks to the Leadership class, we have some fun activities planned for the last week of school before the holiday and I know some teachers are planning other activities for their students during the RTI time.  

By celebrating the season in a thoughtful and inclusive way, we can create a safe space where all students feel valued and cared for, no matter what their personal circumstances may be. Let’s make the this a time of connection and hope for our students, showing them they are part of a community that cares about them.

Friday, December 6... We will meet in the library at 8:00.  Please read Chapter 4 from Phenomenal Teaching about the workshop model by then. And, please bring a lesson you want to transform into a workshop lesson.  If you forgot which book that is, refer to the photo.😁

Week of  December 9
Bus Duty: Tacke
Monday: 
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

Week of  December 16
Bus Duty: Eastman
Monday: 
Tuesday:  Kaiser out @am
Wednesday:  Kaiser out @am  Staff potluck for lunch  2:30 Staff holiday gift share
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture Awards Assembly
Friday: Non Work Day

December 23 - January 3:  Winter Holiday Break!!!

Week of  January 6
Bus Duty:  Cooley
Monday: 
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

Week of  January 13
Bus Duty:  Wilson
Monday: 
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified collaboration PD day

Dear Venture Staff,

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it feels like we’re more than ready to welcome its arrival.

Over the past weeks, we’ve been motivating students to be present, be working, and be NICE. We’ve created lessons that encourage students to think and DO, tackled behavior challenges (there’s always more to say on that!), and managed to do it all with far too little sleep.

Next week is our chance to pause, take a deep breath, close our screens, and refill our own buckets.

I encourage you to spend this time basking in the glow of self-appreciation for the incredible work you’ve done this year. You are much more than teachers. You are mentors, guides, and creators of spaces where young people feel welcomed and valued.

Here’s your homework for the week:

• Do fun things.
• Eat fun food.
• Spend time enjoying your family, friends, and your own life.

You’ve earned it. These are the moments that make for a full, satisfying life.

I want to share a moment that reflects just how impactful your work is. During Exhibit Night, a family told Caryn how much it meant to them that their student is thriving in school for the first time. They shared how happy they are to pick him up each day and hear him talk about loving school.  If you want more evidence that you're making a difference, talk to William about the closing activity he did with his students.

This is the difference you’re making.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all you do to support our students and each other. Have a joyful, restful Thanksgiving—you’ve truly earned it.

 Tutor.com

Students still have access to www.tutor.com, a live tutoring service, providing one-on-one video chat/writing support in nearly all subjects, provided by the Princeton Review.

Assessment Updates from Shelly Blank...

Assessment Staple in the Instructional Framework (page 26)! Please utilize this component in the framework when thinking about best assessment practices in the classroom.

Week of  November 25
A Week of Thanksgiving!!!

Week of  December 2
Bus Duty: Nettles
Monday: First Day of Term 2
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified Staff Collaboration 8:00: Chapter 4: Please Read Chapter four and bring a lesson you want to transform into a workshop lesson (not a workshop lesson). Online teachers: will have alternative work.

Week of  December 9
Bus Duty: Tacke
Monday: 
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

Week of  December 16
Bus Duty: Eastman
Monday: 
Tuesday:  Kaiser out @am
Wednesday:  Kaiser out @am
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

December 23 - January 3:  Winter Holiday Break!!!

Week of  January 6
Bus Duty:  Cooley
Monday: 
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

 

November is the perfect time to focus on the things we are most grateful for and I am most profoundly grateful for the staff at Venture Academy.  You have my deepest appreciation for the work you put into our classrooms every single day. It’s not just the content you’re teaching—although that in itself is powerful. It’s the life lessons you weave into your teaching that have an even greater impact on our students.

You teach conflict resolution, how to handle disappointment, the art of perseverance, and the importance of integrity. These skills are not on any standardized test, but they are the foundation that students need to build their futures. You are giving our young people the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges and opportunities. You are preparing them not just to graduate but to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

We all know that teaching these lessons isn't easy.  The progress is slow and efforts often go unrecognized. But know this: your work is making a difference. The growth you inspire might not be immediate or obvious, but it is happening.  You are changing the trajectory for kids who may not have seen a hopeful future for themselves.

The seeds you plant in your classrooms today continue to grow long after your students leave our school. And that growth, that transformation, is the most important work in the world.

Thank you for your dedication, your perseverance, and your unwavering commitment to our students’ success—both academically and in life.

Here is a note from Christina Cox regarding credits for fall term:

Hello!

Included in this email is a registration link for Fall 2024 UI Professional Development courses.  Participants must register online through the link(s) provided below by December 2.  Please note that educators must first create an account in Keeplearning.uidaho.edu (instructions attached) to register and pay.

Venture Academy Professional Development

Please let me know if you have any questions and/or need more information.

Thanks!

Christina

Christina Cox

Professional Development Program Manager

 

Professional Development Opportunities and Transcript Requests:

https://keeplearning.uidaho.edu

Student Transcript Instructions.pdf (uidaho.edu)

 

Gallup research reveals a troubling trend: student engagement steadily declines from elementary to high school.  About 74% of fifth graders feel highly engaged, but by high school, that number falls to only a third. I can't cite a specific research study, but my gut (and probably yours too) tells me that alternative school kids are much less than 30% engaged. We know this matters because engaged students are more likely to succeed in school and feel hopeful about the future.  

Engagement is one of those words that might cause collective cringe among teachers.  We hear about it a lot, but if feels like a unicorn - sought after but rarely seen.  What does it really mean, and why does it matter?

Engagement is about investment, interest, and connection as it relates to learning. It’s more than just showing up to class; it's about an active commitment to being part of it.

Engagement falls into three categories:

1. Behavioral Engagement: This includes participating in academic and extracurricular activities, following rules, and showing up to class ready to learn. It’s the visible signs of a student being “plugged in” to school life.

2. Emotional Engagement: This is about students' feelings toward their teachers, peers, and school. It’s about having positive relationships and feeling a sense of belonging and safety at school. 

3. Cognitive Engagement: This involves a student’s willingness to put in the effort to learn. It’s about being motivated to tackle challenging work.

For high school students, engagement often comes down to feeling that what they are learning is meaningful and relevant to their lives and future. It’s influenced by relationships with teachers, the ability to express themselves and have a say in their learning, and how well the school environment supports their growth and aspirations.

So, what do we do about it? We lean into what works. The workshop model and student-centered learning protocols aren’t just buzzwords—they’re game changers. When we give students a voice, make learning interactive, and connect it to real life, we make school a place where they want to be. Engagement isn’t about making things easy; it’s about making them meaningful.

As we move forward, let’s do it with intention. Let’s keep creating lessons that get students talking, thinking, and connecting. Let’s build classrooms where they feel seen, supported, and excited to learn.

Thank you for everything you do to keep our students engaged and inspired. This work isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

Thank you for posting the learning objectives and the workshop model on your board every day and for every lesson.  Here is a cool thing I saw in class this week:

This teacher moves the arrow as the lesson progresses so students can see where they are and what the expectations are for the learning.

For the Week of  November 4
Bus Duty: Njoku
Monday: 
Tuesday: Certified workday - no students
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified collaboration: 8:00 am in the library

For the Week of  November 11
Bus Duty: Mahoney
Monday: Veterans' Day:  Mr. Vaughan, thank you for your service!  Do we have any other Veterans at Venture?
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  Kennedy out @am
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

For the Week of  November 18
Bus Duty: Mazhan
Monday: 
Tuesday: Kennedy out@am
Wednesday:  Exhibit/Family Night
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

For the Week of  November 25
A Week of Thanksgiving!!!

For the Week of  December 2
Bus Duty: Nettles
Monday: First Day of Term 2
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified Staff Collaboration 8:00

For the Week of  December 9
Bus Duty: Tacke
Monday: 
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

 

Thanks to each of you for the very generous gifts last week.  The flowers are absolutely stunning, the Godiva is a delightful treat and I can't think of anything I could enjoy more than a spa treatment.  The real gift; however, is the privilege of working with each of you.  Together we have built something very special at Venture and I am honored to be part of it.  Thank you.

Shout out to Christy and Leadership!  Venture Academy is looking especially spooky and autumn-festive.  And... the Halloween spirit week plans sound like a good time for all of us.  Thank you for the work you do to build and nurture a supportive culture for students and adults!

• Something to think about... We have a bit planned for this coming Friday.  It would be good for us to spend some time to give language to the most important aspects of Venture and identify the significant aspects of our work.  And then, we can talk about how to maintain this culture through the various changes in staffing and circumstances that happen with all schools.  
• Also  we will revisit the conversation about how to use our family engagement night on November 20.  We can talk about it on Friday, but that conversation will be more productive if we've had some time to think and discuss prior.
• The math department has been working extensively in the area of proficiency scales and they will share some of that with the rest of us. The clarifications will make the process straightforward and, hopefully, minimize wheel recreation.

IPLP... Please have these submitted by 3:00 pm on Friday 10/25.  That will give me time to review them prior to the 10/31 deadline.  These can be exactly the same for every member of your department.  They don't have to be, but since we are all working on the same things, it might be more efficient.

Protocols...  are structured routines or steps that guide how students interact and learn. They provide clear guidelines for discussions, group work, and reflection activities, making classroom interactions more organized and productive. Using protocols helps students build essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication. They encourage equal participation, ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, and create a sense of accountability. Additionally, protocols can help students focus on specific learning goals and facilitate deeper understanding of the content.

Why Use Protocols?

1. Structure and Consistency: Protocols provide a consistent routine that helps students know what to expect. This can be especially useful for creating a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing ideas.

2. Equitable Participation: By design, protocols give every student a chance to contribute. This can help quieter students find their voice and more active students learn to listen.

3. Focused Discussions: Protocols help keep conversations on track and aligned with learning objectives. Students are less likely to veer off topic, and teachers can ensure that important concepts are thoroughly explored.

4. Skill Building: Protocols foster essential skills like listening, giving constructive feedback, and developing arguments based on evidence.

Tips for Implementation

• Start Small: Begin with simpler protocols, like Think-Pair-Share, and gradually introduce more complex ones.  Note:  Think-pair-share isn't really the same thing as "talk to your partner about this"  Rather, it is a three-step process where students first think about a question individually, then discuss their thoughts with a partner, and finally share their ideas with the larger group.
• Set Clear Expectations: Before starting, explain the purpose and steps of the protocol so students understand what is expected.
• Reflect Afterwards: After using a protocol, take a few minutes for the class to reflect on what went well and how the process could be improved.
• Be Flexible: Adjust protocols to fit your classroom needs. They should serve as a guide rather than a strict rule.

Here are some alternative protocols that are appropriate for high school classrooms:

1. Jigsaw: This protocol divides a larger topic into smaller parts, with students becoming "experts" on one part and then teaching their peers.  
• How to Implement: Divide the class into small groups, assigning each group a different aspect of the topic. Students first meet with others assigned the same sub-topic to discuss it (expert groups), then regroup with the original group and teach what they learned. This way, each student contributes to understanding the whole topic.
2. Chalk Talk: A silent way to reflect on and share ideas about a topic. Students write their thoughts on a shared board or paper without speaking. 
• How to Implement: Write a question or prompt on large paper. Students respond by writing their thoughts, comments, or questions. They can also draw lines connecting to others' comments to show agreement or add more ideas. This encourages students who might not speak up during verbal discussions to participate
3. Affinity Mapping: This protocol involves sorting and grouping ideas into categories to find common themes.
• How to Implement: Give students sticky notes to write down ideas or answers related to a prompt. Once everyone has added their ideas, work together to sort them into groups or themes on a board. Discuss why certain ideas were grouped together and what can be learned from the commonalities.
4. Save the Last Word for Me: This discussion protocol ensures that all voices are heard, especially those who may be quieter. 
• How to Implement: Choose a text or prompt. Students read or listen, then each writes down a quote or idea they found important. In small groups, one student shares their quote without any explanation, and each other group member comments on the quote before the original student "saves the last word" by explaining their thoughts.

Tips for Implementing These Protocols

• Set Up Guidelines: Make sure students understand the rules for each protocol and emphasize active listening and respect. Creating a set of norms on chart paper that you can reference is ideal.
• Rotate Roles: Allow students to experience different roles (facilitator, presenter, observer) to build a variety of skills.
• Provide Reflection Time: After using a protocol, ask students to reflect on how the process helped their learning and what could be improved.
• Encourage Student Ownership: Gradually give students more responsibility in facilitating protocols, fostering independence.
• Gentle pressure, relentlessly applied.  If students knew how to be students, they likely wouldn't have chosen Venture.  They are learning new skills and it is a slow process.  Don't give up, start small, work on it daily and celebrate the gradual wins.

For the Week of October 21
Bus Duty: Penski
Monday: 
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified collaboration

For the Week of October 28
Bus Duty: Gonzalez
Monday: 
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  Kennedy out @am
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

For the Week of  November 4
Bus Duty: Njoku
Monday: 
Tuesday: Certified workday - no students
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified collaboration

For the Week of  November 11
Bus Duty: Mahoney
Monday: Veterans' Day:  Mr. Vaughan, thank you for your service!  Do we have any other Veterans at Venture?
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

A Heartfelt Thank You for an Incredible First Week

Now that we've wrapped up the first week of the school year, I want to express my gratitude to each of you. Starting a new school year is always a mix of excitement and stress - sometimes a bit overwhelming, but because of your hard work and commitment to student success, we are off to a great start!

From setting up classrooms to creating welcoming environments for students, your effort and preparation were evident as I visited classrooms. It’s no small feat to get everything ready for a new group of learners, and the energy, creativity, and care you put into it made all the difference for students. The enthusiasm and support you’ve shown for each other and for kids have set the tone for what promises to be a year filled with positive learning experiences and growth.

Building Relationships

This first week has been all about establishing connections. Thank you for being intentional in creating a classroom environment where every student feels valued, heard, and seen. The relationships we foster provide a framework of trust that allows students to take academic risks to learn the skills and content for future success.

Looking Forward

I’m excited about what we will accomplish together this year. Thank you for bringing your passion, expertise, and positivity to each new day in the classroom. You are making a lasting difference, not just in the lives of students, but in the fabric of our school community.

Let's keep this positive momentum going as we move forward knowing that we’ve already built a strong foundation. I’m incredibly proud of the work you’ve done and am grateful to be part of such an amazing team.

Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!

For the Week of September 9
Bus Duty: Wilson
Monday: 

Tuesday: Kaiser out @am
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: Non Work Day

For the Week of September 16
Bus Duty: Cysewski
Monday: 

Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  Kaiser out @am; First Extended Learning
Thursday: 
Friday: Certified Staff PD

For the Week of September 23
Bus Duty: Vaughan
Monday: 

Tuesday: Kaiser out @am
Wednesday:  Extended Learning
Thursday: Picture Day
Friday: Certified Staff PD

As we kick off a brand-new school year, I want to extend the warmest welcome to each of you. Whether you are returning to our Venture family or joining us for the first time, you are an important part of the work we do, and we are all thrilled to have you here! We have important work to do this year with students, and I cannot wait to see all the incredible things we will accomplish together.

Working at an alternative high school like Venture Academy is something truly special. You are not just teachers—you are mentors, cheerleaders, and sometimes the steadying influence that guides our students through tough times. Please know that your work can profoundly impact the lives of the young people with whom we work, whether you see it right away or not. You can be proud of the work you do to shape lives.

Our mission at Venture Academy is simple but powerful: We are here to help our students reach their highest potential through personalized, flexible, and structured educational experiences that enhance their academic growth and set them up for lifelong success. Each student who walks through our doors is on a unique journey, and we have the privilege of being their guide, pushing them to grow and celebrating their wins—big and small.

As we dive into this new year, let's remember just how important our work is. Many students have faced challenges that might have left them feeling like success is out of reach. But here, we see their potential. We are here to help them grow beyond what they or others might think is possible. Together, we are helping them become confident, capable citizens who can think critically, communicate clearly, and collaborate effectively—skills that will serve them well in both their local and global communities.

Our vision at Venture Academy is that every student who graduates leaves with these abilities, ready to take on whatever comes next with confidence. This vision is not just something we talk about; it is a promise we make to every student. We are not just helping them earn a diploma—we are preparing them for life.

So as we gear up for the year ahead, let's keep our mission and vision at the forefront of our thinking, planning, and communicating. Remember, you are a vital part of this community, and the work you do every day makes a difference. Your dedication, creativity, and support are what make Venture Academy such a special place for our students.

Thank you for everything you do. I am excited to see how we will grow and succeed together this year!

Here is to a fantastic school year ahead! 

Some journeys are direct, and some are circuitous; some are heroic, and some are fearful and muddled. But every journey, honestly undertaken, stands a chance of taking us toward the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.    Parker J. Palmer

For the Week of September 2
Bus Duty: Cooley
Monday:  Labor Day: No School

Tuesday: 1st Day of School
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: Certified Staff PD

For the Week of September 9
Bus Duty: Wilson
Monday: 

Tuesday: Kaiser out @am
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: Non Work Day

For the Week of September 16
Bus Duty: Cysewski
Monday: 

Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  Kaiser out @am; First Extended Learning
Thursday: 
Friday: Certified Staff PD

For the Week of September 23
Bus Duty: Vaughan
Monday: 

Tuesday: Kaiser out @am
Wednesday:  Extended Learning
Thursday: Picture Day
Friday: Certified Staff PD

 

And, with that, another year is in the books!

Thank you all for pulling off this year's graduation ceremony.  All day long I've heard from community members about how moved they were by the students speeches and the heartfelt testimony to the amazing Venture teachers and staff.  It truly is a privilege to work with each of you.   I hesitate to mention people by name in case I leave someone out, so let me start by saying that the entire staff really pulled together for graduation just as you all did throughout the year.  

Val and Marybeth- thank you for refreshments, having the dinner set out and for making everything so festive.  You do that for the staff throughout the year and it is so appreciated!

Rachelle and Max- thank you for organizing EVERYTHING from steaming the gowns, to the credits to the diplomas, to the ten thousand little details that add up to a ceremony the kids are proud of.

Lena - Thank you for the graduation programs, yearbook, and for undoing  my mistake with the stickers!  You were simultaneously working with your own students, helping with exhibit night, creating materials for graduation and putting some creative technical touches on the HRS materials.  You are appreciated! 

Caryn, your morning "announcements" graduation were PERFECT!  So, of course, you will be on the agenda for graduation ceremony from now on!

Hook - thanks for the music, helping arrange the gym, and being the all around go to fix it guy who knows how to get things done.  Thanks for being someone we can all count on - and for alleviating my panic over the mic.

Mantz - thank you for rounding up, redirecting, and regulating what felt like 4 or 5 hundred boundary-pushing teens over the past few days (well, all year).  I think you saved all of our sanity this week and all year.

Lex - thank you for organizing the senior speeches and for your own, very moving, introduction to the speakers.  Like Caryn, you will be agenda for all Venture graduations until the end of time.

To the people who were mentioned by name and to everyone else who quietly helped out - THANK YOU!  I hope you all have a wonderful and well deserved summer!

 

Thank you Venture Academy teachers and staff members. Each and every one of you goes above and beyond to serve as role models, mentors and inspirations to our students. You've created a safe place where students can grow beyond challenging circumstances by helping them feel seen, heard, and valued. You continue to make a difference that matters for kids and I count it as a great privilege to work alongside you.

As a token of the community's appreciation for all that you do, a local church has offered to provide breakfast goodies on Monday, a taco bar on Tuesday, and Donuts on Thursday.  And, on Friday, we will have Caruso sandwiches and salads.

The End is Near:  Student Exhibits are on June 5, Graduation is on June 6, the last day of school is June 7th - a half day.  Please plan on giving a final on the last day.  

Last day of schedule draft - pending approval from Val and transportation

1. 7:50-8:40

2. 8:45-9:35

3. 9:40-10:30

4. 10:35-11:25

5. 11:30 - 12: 20

Grab and Go lunch

Buses come at 12:35

Final Observations and Evaluation: Please remember that each student in each class must complete the survey where they give feedback on their experience as learners in that class.  You will type a reflection (up to one paragraph) of the student results for your final evaluation that you send me as a word or pdf doc attached in email.  On the document, please include your name, the school year and the summary reflection paragraph.  The paragraph should summarize the student results and what you will do with them.  For example:  "Students said they felt they were encouraged to give their best thinking, but that time was often wasted in class.  Because of this, next year I will continue to use thinking protocols, and I will structure my lessons to include exit tasks so that there isn't any time lost at the end of the period." etc.

Also, you will need to send me a word or PDF doc attached to an email that shows your student academic achievement summary paragraph.  For example, "90% of students earned a 70% or better on the performance-based assessment designed to show their proficiency in writing an argumentative essay."

For the Week of May 6
Bus Duty: Higgs and Levy
Monday:  PD Day:  Agenda  Thank you: Breakfast Goodies

Tuesday: Kaiser out @am Taco Bar lunch
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning, Doughnuts
Friday: Wellness, Caruso's salad and sandwiches

For the Week of May 13
Bus Duty: Eastman and Mahoney
Monday:  Non Work Day

Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning, 
Friday: Wellness, 

For the Week of May 20
Bus Duty: Doering and Cooley
Monday:  PD Day (ISAT Testing for online students)

Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning, 
Friday: Wellness, 

For the Week of May 27
Bus Duty: Smith and Hook
Monday:  Memorial Day

Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning, 
Friday: 

For the Week of June 3
Bus Duty: All Hands on Deck
Monday:  PD Monday

Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  Student Exhibits
Thursday: Graduation!!!!! 6:00 pm
Friday: Last Day of School  Half day

For the Week of June 10
Bus Duty: 
Monday:  PD Day

Tuesday: PD Flex day in exchange for graduation
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: 

 

This video gave me some things to think about regarding flipped classrooms.  It's worth the five minutes.

Tech Tip from Lena... It is time to give your Chrome Books a refresh.  Within the next week, please completely shut down all of your Chromebooks and restart them to UPDATE.  Note, that the new update does take a bit longer, so please plan accordingly.  If you need help, your Tech Assistant Lena is happy to assist. 

For the Week of April 8
Bus Duty: Smith and Hook
Monday:  PD Day:  Agenda

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  SAT DAY
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness,   Caryn is out

For the Week of April 15
Bus Duty: Vaughan 
Monday:  Cross District Collaboration 7:00 am

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness 

For the Week of April 22
Bus Duty: Wilson and Penske
Monday:  Non Work Day

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  Administrative Professionals Appreciation Day
Thursday: Extended Learning,  Caryn is out
Friday: Wellness,  Caryn out, Kaiser out

For the Week of April 29
Bus Duty: Gonzalez and Mazhan
Monday:  Non Work Day

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning, 
Friday: Wellness, 

 

Hello Spring!  And, not a minute too soon.  Third term began smoothly, which is never an accident.  Your work to welcome students and implement processes that support a quality learning environment is greatly appreciated.  

Shout out to the online team:  Jessica, Adam, Emma, Rachelle and Karen have done an amazing job growing and supporting the online wing of Venture Academy.  They have created systems from scratch and then monitored and adjusted those systems along the way to meet a growing need in our community for flexible learning environments.  Thank you for taking on this complex and frustrating task.  

This is another time of year when students often struggle to focus and stay in class. The answer to this dilemma is more structure not less.  A couple of things to keep in mind:  By far, most of our students are behind academically.  And they're only in school four days a week.  And they don't have homework.  Students must be focused on doing academic work every moment in class.  This includes the  first five minutes of class, the last five minutes of class, Fridays, the day before a holiday, the day after a holiday, the last day of the term, and all of those other days.  The last day of a term can be especially challenging.  For this reason, we have a school-wide expectation of a final in every class taken on the last day of the term.  You may have noticed the picture of the student in the CDA Press who said he finished his work so he took the rest of the day off to go to the skate park.  

Here's another way to think about it:  Five minutes of downtime in each class, five times per day over a 140 day school year, equals 58 hours of lost instructional minutes.  This equals nearly 10 school days.  If we add the final day of each trimester, that's 13 lost days.  

What to do about students who have lots of time left over?  One thing that can help is to plan for more than you think they can finish.  This strategy makes it possible to cut some things out rather than try to fill time at the end of the day or term.

Advisory... Maybe our best tool for nurturing a thinking and learning community.  On Monday, we will brainstorm ways to use this opportunity to its full advantage.  Here is an article that might spark thinking.  And another one:  Fostering Relationships Through Advisories.

Phones... Please, do not let phones become a reward for finishing work early.  It undermines our school stance of phones being put away during the class day.

Celebration Assembly on Friday, followed by field games (Thank you Tony!)   We will recognize students with high GPA;s and perfect attendance. 

Here is the proposed schedule:

1st period: 7:50 - 8:35

2nd period: 8:40 - 9:25

3rd period: 9:30 - 10:15

4th period: 10:20 - 11:05

5th period: 11:10 to 11:50

Lunch: 11:50 - 12:20

Advisory 12:25 - 12:40

Assembly followed by games 

Tech Tip of the Week:   REMEMBER 2 Step Verification Required as of April 2nd

The District has turned on a requirement for 2 Step Verification, with a deadline of April 2nd, for anyone to continue to access our network. Please go to your account on Google to get it set up. If you have questions or concerns about setting this up, please complete this form.

Proficiency Scales:  Here is a folder of Sample Proficiency Scales.  We will use this on Monday to help create some for a unit.  If you or your department has been working on this, please bring your drafts on Monday.  

For the Week of March 18
Bus Duty: Eastman and Mahoney
Monday:  Certified PD and Collaboration: 8:00 am:  Agenda

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: Celebration Assembly and Field day

For the Week of March 25
Spring Break!

For the Week of April 1
Bus Duty: Doering and Cooley
Monday:  Non Work Day

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: 

For the Week of April 8
Bus Duty: Smith and Hook
Monday:  

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness

 

Venture Academy's Teacher of the Year... Tony Hook was selected by his colleagues to represent Venture Academy in the Idaho Teacher of the Year contest.  Tony, it is easy to see why your peers chose you.  Your efforts have made an important difference in the culture at Venture Academy.  You never take the easy way out and you never accept the status quo as good enough.  You are a sounding board for new ideas and the guy that always pitches in to ensure the ideas come to fruition.  Tony, we all appreciate you and the incredible difference you have made in Venture Academy.  Congratulations!

This week, I've been thinking about the progress and success of our Venture students. Congratulations to each of you for the achievements students have made so far this year. It's evident that your dedication and the effort put into developing your instructional and TBRI skill sets are positively impacting students. Together we have an environment where teenagers can grow despite challenges.

The fact that students are not only learning but also growing in maturity and developing important life skills speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the Venture approach. Your commitment to delivering quality instruction and fostering a supportive atmosphere is making a significant difference in their lives.

As you reflect on the accomplishments of the second trimester, remember that your efforts are instrumental in shaping the future of these young individuals. Keep up the excellent work, and may the next trimester bring even more success and positive outcomes for both you and the students.

New students on the way...In addition to celebrating successes from the past two terms, I also want to acknowledge and address the challenges that come with the arrival of new students during the third trimester. Their arrival with a fresh set of work avoidance skills, lack of social-emotional learning skills, and unfamiliarity with Venture's culture can create additional demands on both you and other students.

It's important to recognize the impact this influx of new students can have on the overall dynamic. During the first week of the new term, please take some time to build classroom culture and set expectations and norms for the final term. By this point in the year, we often feel like this work has been done and we can just move forward with instruction; however, the time spent reestablishing the culture we've worked hard to create can pay big dividends.

Scheduling... I'm sure you all know that scheduling in an alternative school poses some unique challenges. No one. Absolutely no one. Not a single student. Ever. Proceeds through their course offerings according to the district timelines. In comprehensive schools, students are mostly scheduled by computers that roll them into the next class. They have some choices for electives, some students will need to retake classes, but most just take the next class. At alternative schools, students are scheduled individually in an effort to retrieve credits on failed classes and provide as much support as possible for those who need additional academic help.

Because alternative schools are small, classes are offered for fewer periods, there are fewer teachers to provide electives, and schedules often need to be changed last minute in response to classes that were unexpectedly passed or failed last minute. Additionally, 60% of our student body is different from the beginning of the year to the third term.

I want to give a huge shout-out to Rachelle! This is a detail oriented process that she completes while working with students throughout the day who are managing serious mental health issues and all the other typical counselor stressors. One of the most difficult aspects of being an alternative school counselor is that small schools simply cannot provide the options of a large school meaning students and staff might be disappointed with their schedules. Please know that we are happy to make changes when possible and necessary. But, sometimes they aren't possible. We are both always happy to look at options with you, so please don't hesitate to come to us if you see issues we can address.

Electives are especially challenging because students are first scheduled in their cores, then they need to take whatever elective might be available. One challenge we had this year was with the PR class that Lena taught. Of the 5 students originally assigned to the class, only two were able to take it third term and we had over 40 students who needed to take media tech. This meant we had to cancel this class for two students to open a new media tech class for 12. Also, students often have to retake electives and even take electives online.

In the interview process, this situation with electives is discussed at length so that families know that Venture isn't the right school if they want a variety of classes. It IS the right school if they want to receive outstanding interventions and academic support, caring interactions with adults, and graduate on time with their peers. We can't be all things to all people, but we are doing the right work for the students who need services we offer.

Notify parents when.... A law has been enacted that requires that parents be notified anytime we see a notable change in a student. Of course, we always notify parents if a student is failing. That could be a good time to share any other concerns you may have about changes you see. You can also share your concerns with me or Rachelle and we can call home.

Exhibit Night... Exhibit night is around the corner. Are you ready? What do you need? Please stop by to see me if you have questions, concerns, or ideas.

Third Term Wellness... I propose that we have wellness on April 12, 19, 26, May 3 and 10. Let me know if you have any ideas or concerns around that.

Phones... Please, we must be consistent around phones and the bathroom. Please insist that students leave their phones in the classroom when they go to the restroom. I think we're about 60% following this policy. It makes a significant difference in how long they're gone and how they're using their time when they leave.

Please... We would like to do a quick perception check in:  Please complete this two minute Staff Check-in Survey

For the Week of February 26
Bus Duty: Wilson and Penske
Monday:  Non Work Day

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness

For the Week of March 4
Bus Duty: Mazhan and Higgs
Monday:  Certified PD and Collaboration: 8:00 am  Agenda

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning; Student exhibits
Friday: 

For the Week of March 11
Bus Duty:  Higgs and Levy
Monday:  Non Work Day

Tuesday: First Day of term 3
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: 

For the Week of March 18
Bus Duty: Eastman and Mahoney
Monday:  Certified PD and Collaboration: 8:00 am

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: 

For the Week of March 25
Spring Break!

For the Week of April 1
Bus Duty: Doering and Cooley
Monday:  Non Work Day

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: 

For the Week of April 8
Bus Duty: Smith and Hook
Monday:  

Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness