To: Michael Green, Superintendent
From: Phil Pearson
Date: January 17, 2024
RE: Woodland High School Board Report
School Improvement Plan
9th grade success in credit accrual has been established as a key predictor of eventual highschool graduation. As you might recall, WHS posted spectacular results with respect to thismetric both semesters last year, ending semester two with over 90% of 9th graders being ontrack for graduation. Our goal is to push this momentum forward and make 90% our newnormal. Previously we were able to meet regularly as a 9th grade success team thanks to grantfunding. Unfortunately, that grant funding is not available this year, but we were able to fund ahalf day workshop out of our building budget two weeks ago. In addition, our GRIT teachers areheavily involved with grade checks for all students. The semester ends in two weeks. My plan isthat we push past the 90% mark. If we fall short, we’ll assess and improve. We have nointention of going back to state averages.
Recognition
Student-led conferences (SLC’s) are coming up at the end of March. We’re doing somesignificant work to sharpen SLC’s and make them more useful. On Friday afternoon (1-12), I metwith a team of teachers and Mike Lindsay to put some wheels on that wagon. I am a firmbeliever that no success that a school ever has happens outside of the context of the team.Someone answers the phone. Someone maintains the facilities. Someone handles the budget.All of this happens so that someone else can meet with the parents or talk with the kids or writethe lesson plan. There is no such thing as a win that’s not a team win. On Friday, I becameimpressed all over again with the insight, dedication, and just plain brilliance of the people whowork at WHS. If the effectiveness of any program including SLC’s was limited by what I couldcome up with, we’d be in deep trouble. Those folks I met with on Friday immeasurably improvedthe product (SLC’s) and the quality of our conversation.
Upcoming Events
As noted above, Student Led Conferences will occur the week of March 26th. Semester oneends January 25th, and semester one finals will occur the week before. The TOLO dance is thisFriday, January 20th. The regular season for winter sports will be winding down in earlyFebruary. Today’s weather closure will necessitate the rescheduling of at least one basketballgame and the Night of the Arts event, which was scheduled to occur Tuesday, January 16th.