Regardless of your role at Venture High School, you are an important teacher to our students. Each of you is a model and teacher of citizenship, work ethic, kindness, respect, and so many other qualities in addition to the academic content. The challenges of education are ever present and, too often, hearts are heavy with the burdens our students carry.
I have two purposes for this message today. First, I hope to adequately convey to you my deepest appreciation and respect for the work you do with students. You ply your trade with clientele who are, in equal parts, needful of and resistant to your offerings. That, in itself, sets the stage for a taxing day. However, you consistently work with students to find common ground and help them move forward with their thinking and capacity to navigate life successfully.
You build relationships with teens, some of whom have had very little experience with positive relationships. And, you use that relationship to inspire them to persevere through difficulties to achieve their goals. In addition to academic skills, you teach self-regulation practices, how to make repairs when trust is broken, how to bring focus to priorities, how to communicate and so much more. Here are some quotes taken from students' written responses during Pizza with the Principal:
- Teachers really listen to me. That's never happened before
- She worked with me one-on-one. Now I'm passing all my classes and I have the best grades I've ever had.
- My favorite thing is my advisory because we get to teach each other topics
- I like the teachers. They are all very kind and care about kids passing.
- I love that my teachers make it easier to understand stuff that was hard before.
- I like that all my teachers here explain things until they make sense.
- I like how flexible my teachers are - more understanding
- I believe Venture truly gives kids a winning chance. I appreciate that greatly
- All my teachers are supportive. I'm doing better with grades and now I have future plans.
- My wellness class is amazing and I look forward to it.
- Extended learning is super helpful. Teachers help you get caught up.
- I've really enjoyed my time here. I learned that I can do hard things and do them right
- I didn't think I could ever write. Now I know I just needed help.
Bus/Parking lot duty: Posey and Penske
Monday 5/8: Teacher Appreciation Week
Tuesday 5/9: Kaiser out @am; Coffee and breakfast items from Panera in staff work room, Summit Family Chiropractic - massages
Wednesday 5/10: Assembly to retire the flag; Awards Assembly; Teacher appreciation lunch in Room 102, followed by celebration assembly for students, Appreciation lunch in Baker's room (102)
Thursday 5/11: Snacks in workroom; Extended Learning
Friday 5/12: Snacks in workroom; Wellness
Bus/Parking lot duty: Gonzalez and Gaynor
Monday 5/15:
Tuesday 5/16:
Wednesday 5/17:
Thursday 5/18:
Friday 5/19: Wellness
Bus/Parking lot duty: Higgs and Levy
Monday 5/22: Cross District Collaboration begins at 7:00 am
Tuesday 5/23:
Wednesday 5/24: Kaiser out @am
Thursday 5/25:
Friday 5/26: Please have Dyslexia training completed
Bus/Parking lot duty: Eastman and Mahoney
Monday 5/29: Memorial Day
Tuesday 5/30:
Wednesday 5/31:
Thursday 6/1:
Friday 6/2:
Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling
Monday 6/5:
Tuesday 6/6:
Wednesday 6/7: Student Exhibits
Thursday 6/8: 6:00 Graduation
Friday 6/9: Last Day of School
Bus/Parking lot duty:
Monday 6/12: Work Day
Tuesday 6/13: Work Day (traded for staying late for graduation)
