Northwest Observer Forums > Closed Topics > Previous Topics > Northwest Middle and High Schools - Miscellaneous
Northwest Observer Forums > Closed Topics > Previous Topics > Northwest Middle and High Schools - Miscellaneous |
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Cracker Jax Member 
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Sorry to start a new thread. It's hard enough to keep up as it is. My question just wouldn't fit anywhere else. I received a couple of automated calls from assistant principal Lance Sockwell stating that NWHS is implementing "several new programs" that are designed to "increase academic achievement" and they are asking for parental support with these programs. He didn't give any other info about the programs. Does anyone know what these programs are all about??? They are holding meetings on July 20 and August 1 in the NWHS media center at 7:30. I'd just hate to show up and it be something that I'm totally not interested in. |
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macca Member 
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Crackah, There was a notice of these meetings in the most recent issue of the NW Observer. (p. 21) According to it, they are to "discuss the new privilege-based behavior management system and the pre-school period for every Friday during the school year." My reaction was "Huh?" ♥♥♥ |
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FatPappy Member 
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Me too. Huh? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Huh? Looks like we might need to send a representative to one of those meetings. |
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Kris McNeill Member
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I got the phone call and also read about it on the school website last week and I had the same HUH???? reaction! Here's the link to the website: (http://schoolcenter.gcsnc.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=119157&sc_id=1153238858&PHPSESSID=5ff33b3ce6149c05153eec7fd6c55c82 So last night I got the mini-Mc to read about it and explain it to me  . She says it's a 2 part program. First part involves extra time on Friday mornings for tutoring, make-up tests, SAT prep,etc. The schedule on Fridays will be modified taking 5 minutes from each class period to accomodate the extra time in the morning. Second part is a behavior management program that will maybe partly be instead of ISS (In School Suspension) (not completely sure of that?) based on gaining or losing privileges. The mini-Mc thought the first part (the Friday AM sessions) sounded like a good idea! She said it would really be helpful to have a designated time for making up tests. She ran into problems a couple of times last year when she needed to make up a missed test and the teacher would only allow her to come in before 1st period (not after school). She had a Zero Period class! |
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FatPappy Member
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A representative? That's too simple of a name, Crackah. How about we call that person a human-based meeting-specific information acquisition and dispersal unit with karate-chop action arms? |
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DToney Member 
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hey guys... I'm "planning" to go Thursday... if I don't get sidetracked at work or whatever... so, if I do make it up there as planned, I will be glad to share my findings with everyone!  |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Thanks DToney! Hear that ya'll? DToney's gonna be our human-based meeting-specific information acquisition and dispersal unit with karate-chop action arms! |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Thanks Kris for the link. I went there and I can't get the behavior management link to work. I did download the other document and all I can say is HUH??? |
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Cracker Jax Member
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oh nevermind.... I think that behavior management thing is tacked onto the first document.... just nevermind. |
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DToney Member
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for anyone wanting to view the documents cracker is talking about... here is a link... http://schoolcenter.gcsnc.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=119157&sc_id=1153433407&PHPSESSID=92a85821be755baf2bb4d6795e21f9a7 |
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DToney Member
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**UPDATE** NWHS "Initiatives to improve Achievement & Climate" Meeting.... remember? "The Meeting at School" was tonight! There were about 30 people... kinda "impromptu" meeting. The program takes 5 mins from each class on Friday to allow for meetings in the morning.... both teachers & students.......The leaders of our school are proposing a "concept" based on a high school near Chicago, by reinforcing relationships between teachers to form "Professional Learning Commitees" this will allow them to learn from each other. We can have better teacher retention and overall better progress with students & mentoring of new teachers by their more experienced counterparts. We MUST of course enforce the need of accountability with the students for this to work. There are parental concerns that there may be "idle hands" which would allow students to get into mischief, but the administration is committed to not letting that happen. As far as I can see... if there is structure in the student end, this will work.
Last edited on Jul 21st, 2006 12:00 pm by DToney |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I went to the meeting too DToney. I gotta say I was very impressed with what I heard. I'd encourage parents who are having doubts about the new initiatives to go to the next meeting on August 1. Of course you'll be missing the Turkey Shoot Discussion at SF Town Council....... Lots of questions were asked and a lot of kinks will probably need to be worked out but I think it'll be great if they can get it under way. One of the questions answered was "If 1st period doesn't start until 9:20, does my kid have to be at school at the normal start time?" The answer was no. If they can provide transportation, they have until 9:20 to be in their seats. A couple of parents had concerns about their kids who are bus riders... what would stop these kids from arriving on the bus at 8:40 hopping in the car with a friend and going off to joyride or whatever for that 45 minutes of unsupervised time. (since attendance wouldn't be taken until 1st period begins) The answer the staff gave was a good one I thought. They said that they had talked about all of the "trouble" areas and were planning to have staff positioned in these areas. They said they'd handle it pretty much just like they do at lunch. The great thing about our school is that so many of the kids are self motivated and will make use of the time at school either to study or to participate in extra curriculars. That's why I think it would work for NW. I'm sold on it. Patti, I saw you and Blue Dev there.... what'd you think?
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DToney Member
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I'm sold on it as long as we keep the kids busy.... offer them some incentive to participate in the study groups, club mtgs... there are all sorts of ways to make them feel "involved" that way parents are rest-assured "lil johnny" aint runnin off getin in trouble...... & the kids come out on top from reinforcement activities... like uh... em study groups, tutoring sessions, LABS for projects... esp the kids whose printer is out of ink or just dont have a computer! Bottom line... all kids WANT to do well... they just need us to show them how!!
Last edited on Jul 21st, 2006 03:18 am by DToney |
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FatPappy Member
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Conratulations to NWHS fer the Gold Achievement Award from High Schools That Work! Yee haw! |
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DToney Member
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Amen, Pappy! Principal Kidd could not speak highly enough of our students... at the meeting the other night he sang some high praises of the behavoir of our students! |
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Bubba Guest
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Question? At a school at 2430+ and school hasn't even started yet, so that number could go up. Why would you place your school resource officer in a closet office the farthest spot from the parking lot or in general the entire main hub of your school campus? SRO new office is located down the hill in the tech building near the field house. My opinion The SRO is a great resource in our school and needs to be more conveniently located. For visibility, in the know, accessibility he is a neutral party for help and support of the students and the staff. |
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macca Member
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Has anyone addressed this with Mr. Kidd??? Sounds like a valid concern. Where was the SRO's office before, and why can't it be there now? |
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Bubba Guest
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They needed his old office and treasurer room for class rooms. It has been addressed with Mr. Kidd and he doesn't seem to be concerned. There are other options, but for what ever reasons it is not that important to him to make the SRO more centrally located.  Last edited on Jul 26th, 2006 06:35 pm by |
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macca Member
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Oh, awful! I guess it should be no surprise that the space was needed for classrooms, huh? Did they have to knock down some walls? Surely Mr. Kidd has considered what is best for the school! Has the SRO told him how he feels about it? Is the SRO feeling okay about this? |
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DToney Member
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Hey Bubba! I thought the numbers were larger than what was quoted at the meeting last week... Kidd said 1600+ I just checked the profile online at http://www.ncreportcard.org/src/schDetails.jsp?pYear=2004-2005&pLEACode=410&pSchCode=490 It said that the size was 2,071 for the '04-05 school year) my daughter advised that she heard last year was the largest freshman class yet... and this year is supposed to be bigger yet! So... back to my question... why did they build Northern so small when it is clear that we need more space? Last edited on Jul 26th, 2006 10:12 pm by DToney |
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Bubba Guest
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Seniors - around 550 Juniors - around 570 Sophomores - around 650 Freshmen - around 670 ------------ What's scary is that all the youth in the NW area don't just go to NWHS. THERE MORE THAN 2430  |
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DToney Member
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my point is that as much as this area is being developed with the extrordinary homes they are building... the numbers are sure to increase even more! Kids are already running over each other in the hallways... and from what I've read the school board is not getting funding from the county to keep up with this growth... even if they did - they are 20 years behind in building the necessary schools as it is.... I just don't know what it will take to wake folks up... I'm just thankful that the kids at NWHS are the kind that can endure.... there is so much more that could be available to them. |
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Steve Adkins Member 
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Bubba wrote: Why would you place your school resource officer in a closet office the farthest spot from the parking lot or in general the entire main hub of your school campus? Seems like NWHS is making the resource officers office somewhat undesirable in the hopes he spends more time on foot in the school and less time in his office?? Course, I don't attend HS, and don't know how much time he needs in his own office. |
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DToney Member
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"OP" is respected and known for getting to know the kids. Anyone will tell you he is always outside... speaking to everyone & being involved. |
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Cracker Jax Member
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Steve Adkins wrote: Bubba wrote:Why would you place your school resource officer in a closet office the farthest spot from the parking lot or in general the entire main hub of your school campus? From what I hear Steve, when OP wasn't crusin' the halls, the kids were always welcome in his office and frequently stopped in to see him or to chat. They could also approach him with sensitive/private issues and because visitation was normal, the student body didn't take note. Unfortunately, that won't be possible now. |
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DToney Member
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instead of making progress.... looks like another "space" issue too! Last edited on Jul 30th, 2006 12:24 pm by DToney |
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macca Member
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The story posted on the "front page" of the NW Observer web site today says the second info meeting about those new programs the high school will be implementing is being held on Tuesday. Those of you who went to the first -- Do you encourage those who missed it to go to this one????♥♥♥ |
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DToney Member
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macca wrote: The story posted on the "front page" of the NW Observer web site today says the second info meeting about those new programs the high school will be implementing is being held on Tuesday. Those of you who went to the first -- Do you encourage those who missed it to go to this one????♥♥♥I would say that everyone that has students at NWHS should go... also would encourage students to attend too! They need input & this would be a good opportunity for brain storming! (I might even go again myself!) |
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Cracker Jax Member
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I was hanging out over on the High school website and noticed that Mrs. Strange has started a new "forum" for input on school related issues. She calls it a forum but it's more of a message board really (AND NOT NEAR AS MUCH FUN AS THE NWO FORUM) If you have an issue to discuss pertaining to the high school post it here first but then run over there and post it! |
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DToney Member
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The last time Mr. Stockwell called the house with the news from NWHS, he mentioned there was now a forum on the website. Did anyone go to the Aug 1st school meeting? Just wondered how many participants they had to show up. Also wondered if there were any additional ideas or worthwhile comments. Sure wish I had not forgotten about it! |
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DToney Member
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Cracker Jax wrote: hey y'all ... here's a link! http://schoolcenter.gcsnc.com/education/components/board/default.php?sectiondetailid=121028&sc_id=1154824864 |
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ff12 Member 
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This pertains to high schools in general, in some of the reading i have been doing other states and / or districts have begun requiring teachers that teach AP or Honors classes take at least one period everyday and teachthe remedial clases. The premise is that if they are qualified to teach the "bright" students then they should be able to help the rest of the school population. Some of the examples were of a teacher that went in and actually identified underachievers and some that had been misplaced and by the end of half a year had them taking honors classes and succeding. Seems like a good idea to me. |
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macca Member
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ff12 wrote:This pertains to high schools in general, in some of the reading i have been doing other states and / or districts have begun requiring teachers that teach AP or Honors classes take at least one period everyday and teachthe remedial clases. The premise is that if they are qualified to teach the "bright" students then they should be able to help the rest of the school population. Some of the examples were of a teacher that went in and actually identified underachievers and some that had been misplaced and by the end of half a year had them taking honors classes and succeding. Seems like a good idea to me. I think that sounds like a great idea, too! I've heard of teachers at the high school who CHOOSE to teach those "lower level" classes just for that reason -- they want to make a difference and maybe give someone a chance who might not otherwise have one.... I don't know how those decisions get made if teachers don't volunteer to do it.... |
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Any ideas are welcome!
