One year ago I wrote about change and its accompanying joys and challenges as I started a new job. One year later, I am still excited about my change to Shawnee High School.
One year’s experience has helped me to feel less tenuous about rules, regulations, and procedures, and some significant changes have been effected at SHS that I want to share with you. You might call this a “good news” editorial.
Two summer projects have provided a fresh look at SHS. First, as part of summer study, students researched educational concepts that have made an impact on our world. They used pre-writing and drafting techniques to write about their findings. (Ah, that makes my English teacher heart flutter!)
Then they determined how to present their findings in paint. The result is a mural that fills the wall in the passing hall near the ninth grade principal’s office. Check out the research-based art display of important education concepts the next time you are in the high school.
A second group used their math and horticulture skills, mixed with mulch and sweat, to reconstruct a garden on the east side of the building. The garden, a memorial for SHS graduate Holly Winterringer Wood, needed an overhaul. So, students measured the area and its volume, identified appropriate plants and mulching material, pruned existing shrubs, prepared the ground, and replanted the area. A new sign reminds those who pass to remember those who have loved life before us. The result of this summer project is quite lovely.
Teachers have been working on curriculum mapping, developing web pages, and learning a new grade report system.
These initiatives clearly focus on the SHS District Goal to improve educational communication and parental involvement. Many teachers attended summer technology workshops to keep up with the onslaught of 21st century technology associated with these changes. The public may want to check out some of the developing web pages created by SPS teachers. These are accessible via the school sites at the SPS website at www.shawnee.k12.ok.us
The new grade report system will eventually allow parents to monitor their students’ progress. Currently, faculty and staff are learning the program as we proceed through the year.
As with any technology-related innovation, there is a good deal of excitement about its possibilities, mixed with an even greater degree of trepidation. Because it is time sensitive, users must learn as they go.
For instance, we could not practice doing attendance or entering grades until school started because – until school started – there were no students enrolled! That problem has been resolved. Now it is time for progress reports!
Perhaps one of the most exciting changes this year has been the addition of Link Crew at Shawnee High School. The concept for this peer mentoring program comes from the Boomerang Project started by teachers in California. Intrigued by the idea of students helping students, SHS teacher Gaye Shepherd and ninth grade principal Dixie Swearingen attended training for developing a Link Crew at SHS. SHS ninth grade counselor Gail Foresee joined them as a sponsor. In spring, 2009, the sponsors sought volunteers (yes, you got that right: volunteers!) willing to serve as mentors to this years’ freshman class.
Volunteering meant giving up a week during the summer for training and a commitment to come to school a day early to run a freshman orientation program. Fifty-seven students answered the call to become the first SHS Link Crew.
The orientation for freshman included getting acquainted activities, tours, discussions, and an evening meal with parents. In small groups, the Link Crew talked about what they wished they had known when they were freshmen.
They informed the freshmen about rules and procedures, and answered questions about schedules and room locations. But their mentoring did not end with the orientation day.
Link crew members will meet twice a month with the freshman to continue to mentor them. For each class meeting they will have a focused activity, followed by time to simply talk and answer questions. My observation is that this program has already proven itself in assisting freshmen with transition into SHS.
The Link Crew members, while assisting freshmen, are developing their leadership qualities as well as modeling how to be mentors. I predict continued success for the individual members, those they mentor, and future Link Crews.
Each year brings change and challenge to keep us growing. One year later, I am proud to be a member of the faculty at Shawnee High School. Much is happening at our school – and it is, indeed, good news.
Editor’s Note: This guest editorial is offered by Marian Salwierak. She is a member of the News-Star’s Guest Editorial Advisory Board. She also is a faculty member at Shawnee High School. The views expressed by our guest editorialists and guest columnists are theirs, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the News-Star’s management.
