Updates - Week of Sept. 5th

Beginning January 2012 (second semester), the following changes will take place for Personal Transition Plans (PTP). Grade 10 students will complete their Personal Transition Plan (PTP) as part of their Careers class. Both Mr. James Sanchez and Ms. Jannah Tafua will incorporate within the Careers curriculum those learning assignments/projects that would have been done through the grade 11 social studies classes. Present grade 11 students will continue to work on their PTP within their 11th grade social studies classes and present grade 12 students who have not finished their PTP will be supported by their counselors, Tara Bonilla (PTP Coordinator) and Crystal Rowe (special education).

Reason for this change is to make the Personal Transition Plan more focused for grade 9 and 10 students. This provides the foundation for independent college/career exploration during grades 11 and 12. Counselors will meet with juniors and seniors to review post high school plans which includes a discussion of educational and vocational options. This helps seniors per their Senior Projects and highlights the important work of the Academies' work group. Special "kudos" to James Sanchez, Jannah Tafua, Tara Bonilla, and Robyn Keawe for making this change a reality.

As we begin the last half of the first quarter (19 instructional days), critical that we continue to monitor students' progress systemically. Our school-wide comprehensive student support (CSSS) system needs to reflect that systemic practice of documented interventions in supporting students. On Wednesday, Sept. 7th teachers will be assigned into smaller PLC groups to further address interventions. Teachers will receive an electronic folder containing an intervention template for each student that received a failing grade. Student's intervention form is to filled out prior to Wednesday's meeting so that time can be spent on focused dialogue. Department heads will assist with assigning teachers and will have final say as to where teachers go if their students span more than one grade level. Counselors will be facilitating the meetings while ELL, SSC, SPED DH and administration will rotate across all groups.

• Grade 9 HUIs - (meet in R bldg) Terri Christensen - facilitator
• Sophomores - (meet in I102) Nellie Okamoto - facilitator
• Juniors - (meet in F71- Brandon Fujita's room) Salynn Gonsalves - facilitator
• Seniors - (meet in F70 - Anne Rivera's room) Robyn Keawe - facilitator

A few of reminders addressing standards based grading:
1) In a standards based system, we no longer can just "average" as students' grades should reflect student progress based on evidence such as their work products and assessments; and
2) Before a failing grade is given, there must be documented effort of instructional interventions from both teacher/support staff.


Calendar for September is attached below that provides monthly view of scheduled meetings. Please note, that we are planning for an Open House on Tuesday, September 27th. More information will be shared shortly.


Weekly Calendar:
Tuesday, September 6th: Principal @East Complex Leadership meeting (morning only)
Wednesday, September 7th: PLC group meetings 1:45 p.m.
Thursday, September 8th: Principal - @Legislative Finance Committee meeting (2:00 p.m)

Have a great week!