Hello Q-Nation! We had another amazing week at SHS! Our cheerleaders were on Channel 933 this morning and we had a phenomenal principal's coffee. If you missed it here is the link: http://Tinyurl.com/Serra92719
We talked about a ton of things and it led me to realize that maybe as a community you might want to have some insight as to decisions that get made at SHS and also insight into my thought processes and why I seem at times to have a very high sense of urgency or call to action for change at Serra High School. I have decided to start requiring reading for my staff, showing clips, and giving out articles to educate the staff on education world-wide! Today I started doing it with parents and now I'm ready to start giving it out to everyone on this blog. Please see the heading Professional Reading for articles and clips you can watch to become better informed and empowered. For this blog, I will have it right after this section so you can see it.
Also our ROTC won an academic league championship Round one. Serra scored 185 points. The 2nd place team scored 65 points. Four teams competed.
and we had a Blood Drive and someone decorated our fence with academics LOVE IT!
Reminders:
Spirit Week is this upcoming week. See the schedule.
Our first Saturday School is tomorrow. Calls went to parents and students were handed paper notifications on Thursday that looked like this.LOP – First Core Academy
Out of 1500 students we only have 94 who have updated parent portal. This is how you get called and communicated with and especially if there is an emergency. Please make sure it is updated and here is the directions:
Did you know we have SHS gear! Check it out! Proceeds go to our Serra Foundation....please go to http://serrafoundation.org/ to order.
Professional Reading and Instruction:
DID YOU KNOW?
The world uses an extremely integrated exam called the PISA. In which to measure many things including problem solving and critical thinking. Many U.S. students take it as well.
The U.S. since 1970 has increased their spending 223% per pupil on education for an average 2 point gain on any measure used nationally or globally.
What is SHS doing about it? What can "we (SHS)" control?
Currently the staff is engaged in reading Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond. The book investigates and helps teachers promote authentic engagement and rigor in a diverse classroom. It talks very specifically about Culturally Responsive teaching and what it is and what it isn't and dispels some myths many people have. Check out the slide from the Principals Coffee today.
We are reading this because our students in the classroom and constantly changing and evolving and in order for us to keep up in this Twitter/Snapchat/Facebook age we need to get to know them as learners and capitalize on that. In addition we also need to keep up with what is happening in american education vs. the rest of the world (I have a passion around this and travel observing countries who are in the top 10). If we are going to be competitive with our global counterparts we need to change the way we do business at Serra and that starts with the traditions we have developed in our teaching practices. We need to think out of the box to make sure ALL our students can go on and be successful. We need every lesson we teach, every assignment we give, to focus on critical thinking and problem solving.
Serra High's Administration Team spends a lot of time reading professionally in our own time. We feel we are still learners and we need to be at the top of our game! We need our teachers to be too and you need to be educated as well so you can hold us accountable and also know why we are doing what we are doing. There should be zero "fluff assignments." I challenge you to challenge your child's teacher to get creative, raise the level of rigor and allow your child to struggle productively and independently to solve REAL problems. Do not settle! Demand more!
Here are some articles and clips you should watch. They are by no means new. However we are now more desperate than ever to get this going on in all our classrooms. We cant do it without you. Knowledge is power.
The Nine Building Blocks for a World Class Education-- A MUST read.
Thomas Friedman: This Used to Be Us author and The World if Flat (2004 best seller) AVERAGE IS OFFICIALLY OVER! What our students world is like and what we need our children to be to make it!
Marc Tucker: Surpassing Shanghai ----one of the top 10 educational systems. He speaks with Thomas Friedman and it is very powerful! Marc talks about education and our neglect of it in this nation and why we can not compete and it is getting worse! Also how we can work within the locus of our control (SHS) and make a difference!
Lastly.....
Who are the top countries in the world and what are they doing that we are ignoring??? --The 9 Building Blocks are written based on this.
Check these countries out.....I just went this summer and explored the Netherlands system--very interesting.
Next TWO Week's Calendar:
Monday 30th: Pajama Day and Theater TryOuts
Tuesday 1st: Mardi Gras Day--FAFSA Window Opens
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday
Thursday: iDay---dress as your favorite internet person
Friday: Class Colors...and Pep Rally
Saturday: Homecoming! See after the flyer for the following week!
Homecoming!
Monday October 7: Freedom Foundation info meeting at lunch: Leadership Opportunity for students to attend a 4 day conferences on leadership--Good for your applications SENIORS and JUNIORS!
Tuesday October 8: Senior Parent Night (all about graduation expectations the senior contract and class rank distribution)
Wednesday October 9: Class of 2021 Parent Booster Meeting
Thursday October 10: Junior Parent Night
Friday October 11: End of Progress 1 grade reporting
Counseling:
Please make sure you are attending your child's Grade Level Parent Night and you sign and return your child's Senior Contract which has already gone out to your student. Please review carefully. Senior contract also includes name verification for diploma...You only get one copy of the diploma so you need to make sure you have it printed correctly. Here is a link to a copy of the contract if you haven't seen or signed it.
Did you know we have a counseling website where you can request to see your student's counselor without having to call or show up? Did you also know there are timelines and year-at-a-glances on their as well? Please check it out. Here is the information you need to know right now:
A new an improved way of doing AP Test Ordering! This picture below is directly off our main SHS website page. However you can click this link and it takes you right there. NO test can be ordered after this date! Every child should take the test for the sheer experience. Also you should reach out to the teacher who has study groups and study meetings so you get get your student confident! https://serrahighschool.wixsite.com/wellness/ap-advanced-placement
Last Chance!!!!!!!
Mentoring Opportunities:Its not to late to join this: Next meeting is October 1st at 2:45 in Room 901! Don't Miss out!
Build UP! College Ready Mentoring! See below! This is usually a large group of students!
Job Opportunities:
SHS will be posting and highlighting job opportunities for students. We even sign work permits as well. You can always find jobs for students on this district website which is being updated regularly. https://storage.googleapis.com/job-board/index.html
Class of 2020:
Serra class of 2020 Boosters are raising funds for important senior activities, such as Grad Night, Senior Luncheon, and all other senior related activities. To make a tax -deductible donation:
Make checks payable to “Serra High Class of 2020 Boosters” and mail to Leslie Larranaga-Britt c/o Serra High Class of 2020 Boosters
10601 Tierrasanta Blvd PO Box 308 San Diego, CA 92124.
Please indicate 2020 booster in the memo line on the check.
Serra2020boosters@gmail.com (to be added to the e-mail distribution list)
Class of 2021:I wanted to let you know that the Class of 2021 Boosters would like to meet on Wednesday October 9 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. We will be reviewing our funds raised thus far, our goals for senior year, and plan for upcoming fundraisers for 2019/2020. Rebecca Ordas President of Class of 2021 Boosters
Class of 2022:
Class of 2023: