Administrators

At Manchester HS, we already charge a fee for athletics. It is $120/ season with some limits and help for kids who cannot pay. My superintendent would like me to research how much people are charging in activity fees for things like drama, student council, NHS, German Club, etc?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Wondering if anyone is using an electronic check-in program that immediately tallies when students proceed through your check-in process.

Beginning with the graduating class of 2011, there may be students who do not meet all the requirements of the MMC. What options have you considered for the student, a certificate of completion? Something else?

How do you record/document students who attempt to test out of a class? Do you figure the results in their overall GPA whether they pass or not? Also, when a student receives a no credit grade (NC) do you calculate the NC as a zero in the GPA or is the NC not included?

I am looking for a HS within approximately 1 hour radius of Jackson County that has been using common-pacing and common assessments for at least a few years in ELA 9 & 10.

I am specifically looking for a place to send my team to see that this is common practice and the norm in effective schools, as well as have Q & A among teachers related to lesson planning, instructional techniques, collaborations, and basically all-things PLC. Please contact me if you would be willing to host about 4 of my teachers for a 1/2 day session this Spring. The sooner the better.

Does anyone here accept F1 Visa Students and what is your policy if you do? If you don't why not?

Does anybody have procedures on cell phone use during a lockdown drill? We heard that some districts are collecting student cell phones as part of the procedure. Does anyone do that and what success/failure have you had?

I have a VI student intending to use iPod Nano to audio & video classroom instruction. Currently it is not written into the IEP but plans are being made to do so.

Are there legal guidelines/case-law to refer to regarding Gen. Ed. teachers rights if they are opposed to such an accommodation?

Patrick Dillon
Co-principal
Napoleon HS
hsdillop@mail.ncs.k12.mi.us

I am interested in reviewing the policies other districts have established in regards to student cell phones (particularly during the school day).

We're attempting to revise our M.S. Health curriculum to ensure a broad "Life Skills" focus, offering different health-related classes all three grades, with a clear progression, or distinction, between topics of study from grade-to-grade. If anyone has done something similar, I would love to see your course outlines or curricula maps.

We are trying to get some input on drug testing within schools. Have any of you been down this road? Any suggestions/insight you can share would be greatly appreciated.

mnewman@chsd.us

If your high school is using a Positive Behavior Support Model, please call me asap! Thank you.

1-616-994-5099.
hensonk@westottawa.net

Looking for ISD or regional agreements on specifics related to certificate of completion. If you know of any resources or contacts to point me towards, I would appreciate it.

P. Dillon
Co-Principal
Napoleon HS
Jackson County

We are developing a plan to replace a stand-alone computer lab in our HS. Discussion is centering around incorporating a wireless lab into the media center or using a mobile lab(s) in the building. Any Suggestions/Experiences?

We are contemplating the use of EXPLORE for our 9th graders. Have any of you used it? Is it appropriate? Is the data gained useful?

I know I talked with someone at last year's AP Conference who runs a schedule like this- 50 minute lunch, teachers are assigned to eat 25 minutes/ work with students the other 25. Kids have the whole lunch hour to eat/ work with teachers in whatever order works based on which teachers they need to see. I'm wondering about details- supervision- problems you encountered and solutions for them- etc.

As a budget cut, we are closing our off-campus Alternative Education High School. We will bring the program (in some form) into our high school.

Question: Do you have an alternative program inside your high school building? If yes, can students flow in and out depending upon their educational plan or is it strictly self-contained? What unique characteristics does your program have that is different than your "main stream" high school? Thank you

R. Morris, Grandville HS

Has anyone been looking at offering foreign language on-line? If so, what programs are you using?

Please contact me at mckeanjod@dewittschools.net if you know of a possible candidate to assume a 1/2 day Art position at DeWitt High School beginning January 26th.

We are looking at our Attendance Policy for next year. We have sending districts that are on a traditional semester calendar and other districts that are on a Trimester calendar. Our Policy is based on a traditional calendar...no longer serves the same purpose. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!!

We are considering a K-8 implementation of the Second Step violence prevention curriculum, and I would like to talk to a few schools who are using it about results, ease of use, etc. If you are familiar with Second Step and would be willing to chat about it, please send your contact information to herzingm@pennfield.net

How are your math grades in HS calculated. i.e. tests and quizzes= --%; classwork--%; homework--%; other--%

At the high school, students are allowed to use their cell phones at passing times. One girl was going to be assaulted and many went to the location to watch and film the fight with their cell phones. Now the footage is on You Tube and Facebook.

Anyone have a school policy that would address this student behavior?

Can you let me know what behaviors, achievements, characteristics are rewarded? What are the rewards? Any statistics supporting the program?

How have you scheduled the Algebra 2 into the master schedule? Please indicate if you are on trimesters or semesters.

How have you scheduled the Algebra 2 into the master schedule? Please indicate if you are on trimesters or semesters.

Does anyone know of an upcoming workshop in the Southern part of the state related to Autism that a beginning Spec. Ed. teacher would benefit from? Specifically looking for strategies for assisting the student to stay focused/on-task. Or, perhaps you have a veteran on staff that could share some expertise or resources on the subject.

P. Dillon
Napoleon HS

I need to rewrite/update our high school counselors job descriptions. Does anyone have one that they can share with me as a template that reflects the Michigan Comprehensive Guidance Model?

I am hearing lots of reports in my ISD about alternative high schools either scaling way back or closing completely, some at mid-year. The reasons given are almost always related to concerns about AYP (low MME scores and grad rates)or to the budget. Is this the case in your part of the state?

Has anyone researched or been challenged on assessing a fee for attempting to Test-Out for credit?

Would anyone be willing to share a sample letter to seniors not eligible to graduate based on their current academic progress? I need to shake a few out of senioritis.

Who is using the pay to participate system for athletics and what do you charge. Guidelines, etc...

Thanks
Paul

We are building a new gym with a raised walking track. Do any schools who have tracks allow citizens to use the track during the day? If you do, how do you keep your building secure?

Our student population is currently more than 25% school of choice district wide. School start times are staggered, with elementaries starting nearly an hour after the middle & high schools. We have a great deal of difficulty getting our parents to pick up their students promptly at the end of the day, and have a number of students tardy in the morning. I frequently hear that parents do not want to make two trips, so they drop off/pick up at the later time. Does anyone have an effective way to get parents to pick students up promptly? What has worked for you?

David P. Lavender
dlavender@scslakeview-k12.com
586-445-4130 ext. 2610

Please share your effective attendance policy. Also, take the time to tell us why your policy is effective.

Certificate of Completion vs. Personal Curriculum.

We have been asked for a Personal Curriculum to exempt a student from the second half of Algebra 2. Has anyone done this and if so, what criteria did you base this decision on?

Does any district have a policy that addresses social networking sites when it relates to school? Such as staff member defamation or harrassment of students? Thanks.