January 2010— 2010—Published OnOn-line Monthly Shawnee Mission Public Schools East Lancers
Lancer Newsletter Shawnee Mission East High School
51 Years www.smsd.org/schools/smeast
Update and Progress of Professional Learning Communities A Message from your Principal Since we first introduced you to the process of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) in August, we have made considerable strides in implementation. At the present time we feel we are dramatically ahead of schedule. The teacher buy-in to the process has gone well. In several departments we are seeing profound
Key Dates: 12/17
Semester Exam Hour 1, followed by hours 2-7 12/18 Semester Exams Hours 2, 3 Early Dismissal 12/21 Semester Exams Hours 4, 5 Early Dismissal 12/22 Semester Exams Hours 6, 7 Early Dismissal 12/23-1/1 NO SCHOOL, Winter Break 1/4 SCHOOL RESUMES 1/7 College Connection, 7pm 1/8 Last Day to Add New Class 1/14 9th Grade Enrollment Night 1/18 NO SCHOOL Martin Luther King Day 1/19 LATE START, 9:40am 1/30 Feast for East 2/6 ACT Test Date 2/2 PTA General Meeting, 7:30pm 2/8 AP Registration Begins 2/9 EARLY DISMIISSAL, 1:10pm 2/11 Parent Teacher Evening Conferences 2/12 NO SCHOOL, Conferences 2/15 NO SCHOOL, President’s Day 2/16 LATE START, 9:40am 2/17 Culver’s Night Fundraiser 2/17 Parent Principal Coffee, 7pm 2/20 Sweetheart Dance, 8-10pm
changes in teacher preparation, which ultimately will result in higher levels of achievement by our students.
Systematic Interventions – Do we ensure that all students receive additional time and support for learning when and if it is needed?
In the August Newsletter, we provided you with a brief overview of the PLC process. Based on sound statistical data, PLCs focus on student learning as the priority instead of simple content coverage and teaching strategies (though both of these are part of the process). As a reminder, PLCs have the following characteristics and goals:
Focus on Results – are the results of assessments used to adjust the instruction of individual students? How?
The pre-service days of staff development provided us with the time to begin sharing information on PLCs with our teaching staff. The first order of business was to determine the content areas where PLCs were Common mission, vision, values, going to be formed. Generally, PLCs are made up of 2-4 teachers who and goals teach the same courses. Some Collaborative culture courses are what we call “singletons” Collective Inquiry – that is, only one teacher in the Action Orientation building teaches a particular course. Continuous Improvement These teachers were grouped to Focus on Results gether with their colleagues at the Goals other four high schools in the district. Mission – Is it evident that learning Once the PLC groups were formed, for all is our core purpose? time was spent developing group Collective Vision – Do we know norms. It is essential throughout the what we are trying to create? process that groups work in a posiShared Values – How must we be- tive and cohesive manner. This rehave to advance our vision? quired each group to come up with their own set of norms and guidelines Goals – What are our priorities? to maintain focus and direction. How do we know? Without question, our PLC groups Communication – How do we share have embraced this section of the what is important? process. The success of the PLC Clarity – What must students know, process hinges on the staff ability to adhere to the norms established in think and be able to do? each group. Since most of our teachAssessment – Have students learned ers teach more than one subject (but the essential curriculum? How do can only serve on one main PLC), we we know? (Continued on page 2)