It’s a busy season

Dear Readers,  I have been busy so this spot has been neglected.  My apologies.

This week saw the delivery of the yearbook, and I am still selling books before school, at lunch, after school, and any time a kid can find me or a parent shows up.  I will take money any time.

The Academy graduation was last night, and that came after two days of preparation.  It was a beautiful evening, with fabulous weather, and every graduate showed up, on time.  They all came with families and friends and afterwards spilled out onto the school steps to enjoy that golden moment in time. Here is a favorite picture of mine from the lovely evening

Although I have known most of the graduates for three years, this was the first year I had this young lady in my class.  It was a good year for both of us.

The seniors are gone now, signed out, and on buses to Disneyland.  The next few days should be a little quieter.  Maybe I can clean up my office desk, put things back where they belong, and get ready for big graduation next week.  And maybe, just maybe, I can spend some time here, telling a few more stories about all the happenings in these last few days of the school year.

Testing is done, now return to normal

Today was the last day of testing and only the sophomores had to take a test, some science test even though they took a test for the science class they are currently attending earlier this week.  Since the sophomores were the only ones testing, I believed that all the other students (meaning seniors) should be back in their regularly scheduled classes.  For two weeks now the seniors have gone off to the gym or the auditorium to be entertained because they do not take any of the tests.  But, oh no, the seniors were again directed to spend two hours in the auditorium where they were shown the movie, “Weekend at Bernie’s.”  I was aghast.

My seniors, on the other hand, had been directed to return to their regularly scheduled third period–my class–because we had work to do.  Turns out, I was the only senior teacher who requested their senior students.  I brought them doughnuts to reward them for their good job on portfolio day.  We wrote thank you notes to the interviewers.  We had a guest from Fresno State.  We used the two hours to get something accomplished.  I believe in a little more rigor than watching “Weekend at Bernie’s.”

Portfolio Day

 

Senior portfolio day is a big deal for our department.  We plan a year in advance for this event, getting the location set and contacting the business people who will be interviewers.  We order substitutes for each teacher in the department so that we will be free from classroom distractions while directing the seniors through the process.  

After doing this for six years ON campus, we had to go off campus due to remodeling one year.  We went to the social hall of a nearby church, and our business partners loved it.  They said it was much better for the students to be OFF campus, out of their comfort zone, so we continue for the fifth year to use the great space offered by the neighborhood church.  It is within walking distance of the school so no buses this time.  

The seniors dress professionally, pick up their portfolio that they have completed and repaired during the past month, put on their name tag, and are ready.  Nervous, but ready.  The first activity is a team process where a group of three to four must solve a local business problem.  This year’s scenario had to do with analyzing and making suggestions for the business environment of a nearby neighborhood that has seen store closures and loss of business in the last couple of years.  The team is graded as a whole on its ability to work together and come to consensus.  A scenario from years past involved the downtown area of Fresno, and one of the suggestions made by the students has come to fruition–the hockey team has relocated back there from a brief hiatus at the local university.  Another suggestion for use of abandoned theaters has also been instituted.

 

Afterwards, the students are excused to wait in a courtyard while the interviewers tally the scores and get ready for part two, the individual interview.  This is where they show off their portfolio and answer typical interview questions.  Since we have a variety of business partners, the students get a different perspective on the work world, depending in their interviewer.  This year we had a California Highway Patrol recruiter.  He was pretty tough on the kids, which we like.  Many of the boys specifically asked to be interviewed by him.  

I’m always nervous about this day and how well the kids will present themselves to the public.  It’s a relief to have the day complete.  The next event is business plan presentations Thursday and Friday.