The Personalization of Eagan High School

1. The Personalization of Eagan High School Pete Zak and Jim Becker

2. Improving Student PerformanceBreaking Ranks II • Personalizing the School Environment • Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment • Collaborative Leadership/Professional Learning Communities

3. Presentation Outline Demographic and Survey Data Link Crew Wildcat Partners – Parents Youth Frontiers PAWS (Advisory) School Enhancements Supporting Data

4. Students = 2200 • Free and Reduced Lunch = 6 % • Demographics • White = 86 % • Asian = 7 % • Black = 5 % • Average ACT Score Range = 24.2 • MCA Reading Proficiency = 87 %

5. Students on Academics (2006) • Work Hard for Grades 92 % • Challenged to Think 74 % • High standards 87 % • Clear Expectations 84 % • % of students who strongly agreed or agreed with the question

6. Students on Personalization (2006) • Most teachers care about me 62% • Teachers go out of their way 55% • One Adult who really knows me 56% • Spirit is Very Good 61% • Proud to Attend EHS 77% • % of students who strongly agreed or disagreed with the question

7. A Thought • What would happen at your school if students were given permission to care about each other and the structure in which to do it?

9. Looking at Transition Purpose Eagan High School Data Research on Successful Transition Programs Transition and Registration at EHS Current Freshmen experience at EHS Characteristics of Well-adjusted freshmen (Teachers and Research) Goals, Activities and Assessments Staff Development

10. EHS Freshmen Transition Goals • Social/Emotional • Academic • Physical

11. Freshmen Registration (JAN) • Parent Night • Principal • Personalization • Registration & Graduation Requirements • Optional Tours • Special Ed. Cord. • Student Day #1 (EHS) • Pepfest • Tours • Activity Fair • Student Day #2 (MS) • Electives • Online Registration

13. Ninth Grade Transition at Eagan High School “Students helping students succeed”

14. What is Link Crew • A Freshmen Transition Program • A Leadership Training Program (Representative) • A School Community-building program

15. Link Crew General Assembly 7:25 Doors Open 7:25-7:40 Registration 7:40-8:25 Opening Assembly and Mixer 8:25-8:35 Frosh find Link Crew Leaders 8:35-8:40 Teams move to meeting spaces (62 spaces) 8:40-9:25 Session 1 9:25-9:35 Beverage Break 9:35-10:20 Session 2 10:20-10:35 Tour 10:35-10:55 Closing Assembly

17. EHS Today - Link Crew Events • First Day of School • Freshmen Tailgate • Dodgeball Tournament • Volleyball Tournament • “Jam the Gym” Dance • Follow-Up Activities • Cocoa and Cram • Link Crew Celebration • Parent Link Crew

18. All Eagan High School parents/guardians will play an active role in supporting and helping their student reach their goals for success at Eagan High School. Wildcat Partners - Vision

19. EHS Parent Involvement Goals To promote and provide opportunities for parents to build upon and enhance their parenting skills. To improve two-way communication between the school and parents. To provide opportunities and encourage school involvement through volunteering. To raise parental awareness of the community assets and opportunities available for their students.

20. Fall Parent Link Crew Orientation 3:30 Session 1 Begins – Doors Open, Nametags 3:45 Welcome - Polly Reikowski 3:50 Expectations for the Evening – Pete Zak 3:52 Large Group Presentation – Jim Becker 4:10 Parent Link Leaders report to Wildcat Den 4:22 Move to Small Groups 4:30 Small Groups Begin 5:10 Parents move to commons to find students

22. Youth Frontiers • Freshmen Commit to: • Respect self • Respect others • Stand up for Respect • Seniors Commit to: • Honor each other • Bring closure to 4 years • Look to the future

24. Homeroom at Eagan High School “People Achieving Wildcat Spirit”

25. Homeroom Plan of Action Research Eagan Data Goals, Activities, Assessment Key Dimensions (People & Size, Time & Space) Staff Development Feedback and Presentation to the Staff

26. Research Supporting Homerooms Breaking Ranks II Recommendations: • High Schools create smaller units • Personal Adult Advocates • Teachers convey a sense of caring • Engage families as partners • Advocate and model a set of core values

27. Goals and Activities • Academic • Grade check-ups • Parent communication • DEAR/SSR - Literacy • Promote challenging courses (4 year plan) • Adult Advocate • Connection to one adult in the school • Listener • Relationship with other teachers • Teachers communicate with counselors • Special days and recognition

28. Goals and Activities • Character Development • Work to foster positive values in students • Discuss current events in and outside school • Optional curriculum themes : Integrity, Courage, Respect, Citizenship, Attitude and Responsibility. • Icebreakers • School Climate • Spirit Ideas - Homecoming Banners, PAWS class banners, Turkey and Polar Bear Bingo • Streamline Procedures • Announcements and Eagan AM • Registration Procedures

29. Role of Advisors • Provide a steady base for students • Academic Advisor (Grades, Registration) • Discuss issues that may arise in school • Character Development (Optional - Curriculum)

30. Role of Principals and Counselors • A principal and counselor will be assigned to a collegial group of 17-18 teachers • Facilitate collegial group discussions • Visibility- Touch base with each homeroom on a weekly basis • Work with students who are struggling • Facilitate school-wide activities

31. EHS Today - PAWS • Homecoming • Movie Night • Dodgeball Tournament • Pepfest (Rock/Paper/Scissors) • Homecoming Tailgate • Wildcat Classic - 5K Run • Spirit Events • Winter Olympics, Jam the Gym Night, Trivia, Name That Tune, Great American Airplane Challenge, Shot Put. Discus, Registration Derby • Winter Blast Week • Volleyball Tourney, Sledding, Hot Dog Night, Polar Bear Bingo

32. School Enhancement Example • Teachers - Focus Groups • Students - Surveys • Doors in Restrooms • Hallway Traffic • Color in the Hallway

33. EHS Commons

34. EHS Trophy Case

35. Students in Advanced Programs % of students who either Strongly Agreed or Agreed

36. Students on Academics

37. Students on Personalization % of students who either Strongly Agreed or Agreed

38. Contact Information • peter.zak@district196.org • james.becker@district196.org • Eagan High School : 651-683-6900