And the Venture High School Teacher of the Year Award Goes To.....

Kevin Mahoney

You were selected by your peers to represent Venture High School as an educator of the year for the Coeur d'Alene School District.  You have earned the respect and admiration of colleagues, students and families.  We all appreciate everything you do for our Venture community!  Congratulations Kevin!!! 

School Social Work Week:  A huge thank you to Alexandra Siron (Aleigh) for joining the Venture team as our MSW!  Aleigh, your work with students, families, and staff has already made a difference, especially for our TSC kids and especially for Mantz!  You are AWESOME, Aleigh, and we are so glad you are at Venture!

Student attendance is by far our top concern for students.  The leadership team is making this our number one priority.  We will have a full plan to roll out for next year that involves education for students and families along with incentives and consequences to encourage high rates of attendance.  For third term we will:

• address attendance at our celebration assembly (yes that is coming back)
• Gayle will be working with students and families beginning with the 4th absence to make them up immediately rather than letting students do them at the end of the semester.  This was always the plan, but tricky to monitor. With Gayle managing this process, I feel confident that we will see improvement.
• When students fail to make up their work or their absences to the point that their infrequent attendance disrupts class, they will be enrolled in an Edmentum/PLATO class.  Their current teacher will be the teacher of record, but the lesson content will come from PLATO.  To facilitate this process, teachers who have an additional prep during the day will be assigned PLATO students.

More on struggling learners... The MTSS team is writing iplans for students who are behind in two or more classes.  Rather than wait for referrals, we are combing through student grades and creating plans to ensure students are getting additional assistance.  You probably already know that Venture is a Title school.  As such, we have additional funding to hire a Title teacher (Diane) and two Title paras (Marita and Gayle)  When students are behind, our Title professionals work individually with students to complete missing work and fill learning gaps.  Andy also plays an essential role in our efforts to help students graduate on time with necessary skills for successful living.  Andy's position is funded from a different source, but her function continues to be very similar to that of the Title paras.  You've likely already been talking to Diane, Andy, Gayle and Marita and providing them with information so they can help students get caught up.  Working together, we can be much more intentional in our efforts to help students graduate on time.

Staff Survey: if you haven't already, please complete the staff engagement survey:   https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/184204/p30861

Grades:  Please have grades in before leaving on March 14.  

Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering

Monday 3/7:  Non-Work Day

Tuesday  3/8: 

Wednesday 3/9:

Thursday 3/10: Exhibit Night!

Friday 3/11: Last Day of Term 2 Kaiser out @am

Bus/Parking lot duty: Mazhan and Posey

Monday 3/14:  Certified Staff PD Day; Student orientation 10:00 - 11:30

Tuesday  3/15: First Day of Term 3

Wednesday 3/16: Kaiser out @am

Thursday 3/17: St. Paddy's Day BBQ and Celebration Assembly (Tentative)

Friday 3/18:

Bus/Parking lot duty: Pavlik and Penske

Monday 3/21:  Non work Day

Tuesday  3/22: 

Wednesday 3/23:

Thursday 3/24:

Friday 3/25:

Bus/Parking lot duty: Spring Break

Monday 3/28 - Friday 4/1

 

Teaching might be the hardest job in the country right now.  For many kids, coming to school feels optional, mental health issues are on the rise in students and adults, and our own families have been affected.  In addition to academic gaps, we are reteaching the processes of being a student.  It may not always feel like it, but you are making a difference.  Thank you for being there for the kids and for each other.

Worth a read:  Dr. Paul Hansmann, our school psychologist shared this article with me.  I hope you can find a few minutes to peruse it.  It helps explain some of what we are seeing with students.

Attendance:

Gayle has emailed all parents of students with missing hours and has received a number of responses.  She will be asking teachers to fill her in with any information around time made up with teachers or deals you've made etc.  Gayle is also going to be available on Monday, March 14 for kids who still haven't made up their time.  Please DO NOT tell kids this - we don't want them waiting for that date. However, that will be last ditch effort to wrap up the make up hours and work for kids who are way behind.

ISATS:

To accommodate the ISAT schedule, we will have extended learning on Fridays when we return from Spring Break until May 13.  We will not have extended learning for the first two weeks of the third term.  We will return to the normal Thursday extended learning schedule starting May 19 until the end of the year.

Bus/Parking lot duty:  Cooley and Smith

Monday 2/28: Certified Staff PD Day; Agenda Note: begin at 8:00 am

Tuesday  3/1: 

Wednesday 3/2:

Thursday 3/3:

Friday 3/4:

Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering

Monday 3/7:  Non-Work Day

Tuesday  3/8: 

Wednesday 3/9: Kaiser out @ am

Thursday 3/10: Kaiser and Eastman out all day

Friday 3/11: Last Day of Term 2 Kaiser out @am

Bus/Parking lot duty: Mazhan and Posey

Monday 3/14:  Certified Staff PD Day

Tuesday  3/15: First Day of Term 3

Wednesday 3/16:

Thursday 3/17:

Friday 3/18:

 

Celebrating School Counselor Week:

Rachelle, thank you for EVERYTHING you do for Venture students and staff.  In addition to the usual scheduling and vocational planning, you help students with virtually every aspect of living and going to school.  You walk alongside students and families going through grief, trauma, homelessness, substance abuse, and countless other struggles.  You help students find clothes, food and resources so they are better able to learn and grow into their potential.  Your support of staff has helped ease many difficult moments and stressful days.  Your wisdom and insight help shape many decisions and help us stay focused on the best possible student outcomes.  You make a positive difference at Venture and we are so thankful for you!

Bus/Parking lot duty: Higgs and Levy

Monday 2/7:  Non work day

Tuesday  2/8: 

Wednesday 2/9:

Thursday 2/10:

Friday 2/11: Kaiser out @ AM

Bus/Parking lot duty: Eastman and Mahoney

Monday 2/14:  Certified Staff PD Day: Agenda

Tuesday  2/15: 

Wednesday 2/16:

Thursday 2/17:

Friday 2/18: Flex Day - non work day

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling

Monday 2/21:  Presidents' Day

Tuesday  2/22: 

Wednesday 2/23:

Thursday 2/24: Kaiser in Boise

Friday 2/25: Kaiser in Boise

Week of January 24

 Apparently, Covid isn't quite over.

      I have nothing to say, but "Thank you".  Adults are sick.  Kids are sick. CDC rules change.  Community expectations are all over the map.  And yet, despite these challenges, each of you continues to show up in caring ways to support students so they can learn through all of these difficulties.  As I walk around Venture, I see clear evidence of elements of the Teaching Framework in classrooms.  Students are using thinking routines and other strategies to build background knowledge and process new learning.  Kids are creating projects to show their thinking and understanding of content.  Discussion protocols are used to ensure every voice is heard. Thank you for capitalizing on every minute that we have with every student.  Every day that a student is in the classroom is an opportunity to extend learning.  Thank you for not letting those valuable learning moments slip away. 

Remote Learning Possibility

There is a possibility that the district will move high schools to remote learning.  Although I would like for us to stay in person, we would not be able to because of the transportation issues.  For this reason, we will meet as a staff at 8:00 on Monday January 24th, but all other meetings are cancelled so you can prepare for the possibility of remote teaching.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Mazhan and Posey

Monday 1/17:  Martin Luther King Jr. Day No school

Tuesday  1/18: 

Wednesday 1/19:

Thursday 1/20:

Friday 1/21:

Bus/Parking lot duty: Pavlik and Penske

Monday 1/24:  Certified Staff PD Day

Tuesday  1/25: 

Wednesday 1/26:

Thursday 1/27:

Friday 1/28: Certified work day

Bus/Parking lot duty: Gonzalez and Gaynor

Monday 1/31:  Non work day

Tuesday  2/1: Kaiser out

Wednesday 2/2: Kaiser out

Thursday 2/3: Kaiser out

Friday 2/4:

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!