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{parkingconestop.jpg} Rules of Engagement
{parkingconeshout.jpg} Enter the Parking Lot
{sl_logo.JPG} RESOURCES {Slide1.jpg} SLHS Family
{teacher} Subject Specific Sharing
Language Arts

Nulette: I fully agree with you on the need for a shorter exam schedule. We could eliminate the need for so many extra teachers in some cases by lumping exams together. For instance, if you and I both have Alg I 1st period, lets you and I be the administrator and proctor - thereby eliminating the need for 4 teachers to give the same exam. We'd need to put our classes together in a larger room like the cafe', library, theatre arts, etc. I imagine this could be done in several instances to reduce the numbers of proctors needed.
Gina: You won't have any students on the make up day unless they're here making up exams, so you and they get the day "off" - of course, you have to be here, but use it to get ready for the next semester or work on finalizing this semester. - L. Harris
Thanks, Ms. Harris! That sounds fabulous! -Gina
In highschool we always took our exams in the gym or cafe and ALL at once. So we had like 5 teachers walking around but all students taking that Regents (NY) were there at the same time. It was awesome. Jen D.
Nulette - I'm so sorry, I think I accidentally deleted your first paragraph about the exams when I was writing my response. Can you rewrite it at the beginning. My response does refer to your comments though. I was rushing and hit the wrong buttons too quickly when I saved. :0( - L. Harris
Questions about Atttendace from Department Chair Meeting
ISS - OSS -Homebound
A few things from yesterday:
#1) Please read the this email that Daphne sent out (it is below) last week and make sure that your departments are aware of these issues.
#2) Here is how to code ISS - OSS -Homebound
ISS - DO NOT mark absent
OSS - Mark Absent
Homebound - DO NOT mark absent
Tardies - Make sure they are also marked when they are tardy.

We all have issues...haha
Post a concern and an idea for a solution or a cry for help if that applies :)
Great Feedback from Joseph Noble after our first session:
Just a few notes from me in regards to the staff development meeting.
We have to do pre assessment. We need to know what materials we are working with in the scheme of developing a product. Who will develop these assessments?
I think we should link like materials together. I know it is much easier to teach a group of similar abilities than to teach mixed groups.
Monitoring progress will require assessment. Assessment every two to three weeks will help the instructor to determine what kids are on pace and those that need additional help. There has to be something in place for those kids that aren't reaching the weekly goals. What should be created?
We have to build a team concept at South Lenoir. We have a great faculty, great students, and a great community. We need to get all parties on the same page. Everyone needs to know the reality of our situation and our intentions to correct it. Make it a challenge for everyone. Maybe a town hall meeting? A student assembly?
How can we help the middle school? The need to step up with us. Our feeder schools send us raw materials, can we evaluate them before they get to South Lenoir?
We have great teachers, so need more guidance. Some teachers will take a challenge and help to develop new strategies. Some teacher may want to be told what to do. Staff could sign up to work on committees that address our concerns. Those that don't jump at the chance to help are likely the ones that just want to be told what to do.
I typed all this pretty fast, I know that it isn't well written, more like my little brainstorm. I have some other ideas that I will toss out later. I just wanted to share what I scribbled down from yesterday. I want to help South Lenoir be the best high school in the state.
Paper Post - not labeled
I miss the comphehensive Management Plan. We also had many less class interruptions!
In regards to Joe's thoughts 12/19/07 ~ Beth McIntyre:
Joe - Thanks for sharing your thoughts after our November session. You have listed so many important issues. To focus on one:
Pre-assessment is important. It is difficult for me to create a pre-assessment here at SLHS this year as I am new to the curriculum. However, in the past, as I know my curriculum, I always give my students a pre-assessment of important concepts that will be taught throughout the year. I believe that each individual teacher needs to create these assessments themselves as they know what they teach. Then, after reflection of the results of the assessment you know where your individual students are strong and weak. This process sounds easy, but in reality it can take a lot of time and a commitment to yourself to continue the process, both in reflection and in the willingness to adjust lesson plans, etc.
As for a grade-wide, school-wide, or nation-wide assessment, I believe the Gates-Macginitie reading test (which rates students across the nation based on benchmark standards) is one way to assess the student body. We are working on this for the 9th grade, but the process is slow and costly. However, I am sure that by next year this will become a reality. The question then becomes, once we have the results, what will we do with them? How will we create remedial workshops, private tutor sessions, accelerated opportunities, and any other aspects that the results will tell us. We will have to tailor our courses to the students' needs. As far as remediation or extra help goes, I think it would be great to have a "Devil's Den" or something. A workplace that is constantly manned by a teacher or two and maybe senior tutors. Kids could drop in for extra help. Unfortunately, our kids don't have study halls in their schedules, so there is no time for this. Each student that drops in would have a record of when they were there, what they worked on, how well they worked, etc. This would be filled out by the teachers in the room.
In response to Beth's thoughts about study halls 12.19.07 ~ Tiffany Yarman
I LOVE your thoughts on the "Devil's Den"~ so many great aspects available there. I think it is imperative that students have some type of study hall daily for a variety of reasons. 1. With so much information shoved into 90 minutes coupled with the fact that students do not realize that you are putting 2 days worth of classwork into one, there needs to be a time to reflect, work, and study. 2. This would offer time for students who need to run errands just as we do during our planning. Students need to see the counselors, meet with teachers, and have a little time to work together and socialize that does NOT interfere with our classes. 3. This would offer a fantastic opportunity for our upperclassmen to model leadership and study skills to underclassmen. I know this has been tried with smart block last year that I was not present for and I have heard the horror stories and I in no way intend for this post to prompt any further stories, just feedback. I believe this would work well the way it was constructed in my high school; there is a specific person who monitors this room daily, it's their job @ the school. It is always in the same room/s and is held for half of the lunch break (which in my "perfect" plan would be 60 min. long allowing 30 for each). This would not require teachers to monitor or work this time with the students and they may then have a more clear perspective about what is expected from the "devil's den"/study hall monitor. Just a few jumbled thoughts, but I again LOVE the idea, Beth.