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

Flex day tomorrow.  No School for  certified staff.  This day off is an exchange for some of the work we do beyond the contract day.  This includes professional reading, attending meetings etc.

May 6 collaboration - Tammy Hefleblower, who coauthored Making and Using Proficiency Scales, will lead a training around how to create and use them.  This will be a webinar, but we can interact with her, ask questions etc.  If at all possible, I would like all certified staff to attend that training.

  

For the Week of February 19
Bus Duty: Vaughan and Fuller
Monday:  President's Day
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness

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

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: Extended Learning
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: 

 

Just a reminder... If students are not passing, please call home.  No one can receive an incomplete in a class unless parents have been called at least once.

Tomorrow is a workday for certificated staff.  We are required to work 7.5 hours.  Some people come at 7 and work until 2:30 and others work from 8 to 3:30 - either is fine.  I cannot authorize working remotely on that day.

Clarifying the differences between proficiency scales and rubrics.  After we met yesterday a couple of people asked about whether proficiency scales were just another term for a rubric.  They really aren't the same thing and it's important to clarify the differences between them.

Proficiency scales are specific to a single standard and they are used to evaluate progress of learning for that standard with clear language about what the student must know or be able to do.

Rubrics are for a specific task and they articulate the expectations for that task.

Proficiency Scale Example:

The above example explains what a student needs to know at each level of proficiency.

Rubric Example:  A rubric may include expectations for multiple standards, some from other content areas.  For example, a math project might include standards around reading, speaking, and conventions.  A student may show proficiency in some of those standards and not in others.  A rubric may score process skills that support proficiency in a standard.  

For the Week of February 5
Bus Duty: Doering and Cooley
Monday: Certified Staff PD 8:00 am: Agenda
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness

For the Week of February 12
Bus Duty: Smith and Hook
Monday:  Non Work Day
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Flex Day - No work or school

For the Week of February 19
Bus Duty: Vaughan and Fuller
Monday:  President's Day
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness

 

A topic that we've discussed many times is the notion that high levels of teacher talk often correlate with lower levels of student learning.  This article provides some ideas for decreasing teacher talk to increase student learning: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/how-much-should-teachers-talk-in-the-classroom-much-less-some-say/2019/12

Teacher of the Year:  On Monday we will begin the process of nominating Venture's Teacher of the Year.  Please look for a nomination in your box and it get it turned into the office ASAP.

Student engagement surveys are ready. On Tuesday or Wednesday, please plan on having your advisory students fill out the survey.  This presentation should be shown to students as it provides background on how we'll use the data as well as a link to provide their response.

For the Week of January 22
Bus Duty: Higgs and Levy
Monday: Certified Staff PD:  Agenda
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Certified Staff Work day

For the Week of January 29
Bus Duty: Eastman and Mahoney
Monday: Non Work day
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness

For the Week of February 5
Bus Duty: Doering and Cooley
Monday: Certified Staff PD
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness

 

Thank you for your patience, kindness, thoughtfulness, and empathy at this fun and challenging time of the year.  As my thanks to you for the amazing persistence you show on our kids' behalf and for being an incredible source of inspiration to me, hearty snacks will be in the staff room on Tuesday.  If you forget your lunch, we got you covered.  If you need to stress eat, yeah we got that too.  If you're counting calories... not so much.  

Attendance.... Board policy requires that students be in school for 90% of the days or they will not earn credit and it specifically says that they have 5 absences before they meet the 90% rule.  So, going forward, we will remove students from classes after 5 absences.  Tony and Kevin have agreed to be on the appeals committee if a student would like to appeal the decision to remove them from class.  

Currently, families receive a letter on the third and fifth absences.  We are updating those letters so the verbiage is more clear.  The process isn't perfect, but we're working to make it better.  Board Policy

 A new dress code  has been approved by the board.  I will add information for students in the announcements.  Here's an overview:  Shirts must have sleeves or straps (no tube tops).  We can't address it in front of their peers, and we can't take them out of class.  If students are displaying something illegal (alcohol, drugs, pornography, etc.) we can and should direct the information to the office and they should be removed from class.  They shouldn't wear costumes.  They should remove head coverings for the pledge.  It isn't a particularly onerous policy, but there is a hope of minimizing the daily abdomen display. The board declined to specify how much can show, but tube tops aren't permitted so that should help.

In January, I would like to begin pizza with the principal again.  Please chose a day in January or February you would like to sign up your advisory class.

For the Week of December 18
Bus Duty: Vaughan and Fuller
Monday: Non Work Day
Tuesday: Venture Holiday Dinner
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: Non Work day (Flex day)

For the Week of January 8
Bus Duty: Wilson and Penske
Monday: Non Work Day
Tuesday: Kaiser out
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: 

For the Week of  January 15
Bus Duty: Gonzalez and Mazhan
Monday: MLK Day
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday:  First Wellness

For the Week of January 22
Bus Duty: Higgs and Levy
Monday: Certified Staff PD
Tuesday: Kaiser out
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Certified Staff Work day

For the Week of January 29
Bus Duty: Eastman and Mahoney
Monday: Non Work day
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness

It's been too long since we've had an update.  This one will be pretty quick.  

I was talking to district admin about our Monday with students and it brought back wonderful memories of that day.  Wow...  What a fabulous community-building event the volleyball game was!  Hook - you completely out did yourself with the organization of that day.  Lena - fantastic job with your PR class.  This was truly a team effort and your thought and hard work was evident in the success of the day.

Thank you for your work getting Smart Pass going.  It has been a team effort and it gets smoother every day.  Please be sure students leave their phones when they go to the restroom.

Things to think about before collaboration:

1. What do we do with students who have high absences the last 3 weeks of school?  A committee to review and decide each case?  Or?

2. What do we do about the high number of tardies?  Do we need to go back to lunch detention?

Attendance Report:  Take a look at this  Attendance Report  It compares last year's attendance this year.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

For the Week of December 11
Bus Duty: Smith and Hook
Monday: Cross District PD Agenda
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: 

For the Week of December 18
Bus Duty: Vaughan and Fuller
Monday: Non Work Day
Tuesday: Venture Holiday Dinner
Wednesday:  
Thursday: 
Friday: Non Work day (Flex day)

For the Week of January 8
Bus Duty: Wilson and Penske
Monday: Non Work Day
Tuesday: Kaiser out
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: 

For the Week of  January 15
Bus Duty: Gonzalez and Mazhan
Monday: MLK Day
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday:  First Wellness

For the Week of January 22
Bus Duty: Higgs and Levy
Monday: Certified Staff PD
Tuesday: Kaiser out
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Extended Learning
Friday: Wellness