Opening a New Year

As NPHS is set to open for the 2015-16 school year, it serves as time for reflection on the past year and thoughts about the upcoming year.

My first year as Principal was certainly an amazing experience. The opportunity to work with such a strong group of teachers, students, and community allowed me as principal to continue to work to make NPHS a special place. NPHS is a great school and Newbury Park is a great community, it is requisite though that as a school community we need to continue to work to improve and make NPHS a place where student learning is emphasized at all times.

Due to recent passage of Measure I, NPHS and all CVUSD schools, will see an infusion of technology on campus. It is imperative the technology is used in conjunction with strong teaching strategies which engage students in the learning. Over the next years, my goal is to increase learning involving the students in the learning process, and have teachers work as facilitators within the process. The change must take place over time, as the change affects students and teachers. Most of our students are used to a different methodology, but I see the new teaching strategies better aligned to college and work environments. It is still necessary to provide the students with content knowledge, but then let the students work with the new content and demonstrate their understanding and go beyond with the new technology. When students explore and collaborate together the learning and engagement is enhanced.

In order to push the change along, I have worked in conjunction with our ASG class and PFA to reconfigure the student cafeteria into a learning environment. Rather than long cafeteria tables, we have purchased round tables and bistro type tables, which allow for more discussion and collaborative work. Additionally, computers will be housed in the cafeteria for students to work on. Along with available WiFi for students to bring their own devices. This change allows students an additional space to work before, during and after school. My belief is that students can work, share and collaborate in this space.

Performing Arts

This past week I had the opportunity to see outstanding performances from three of our performance groups: Band, Orchestra and Choir. I have always had a strong appreciation of these groups and understood the importance of the arts in school, but this week I looked at them from a different lens. One in which I realized that these students are learning more than a musical skill. They are learning skills for life.

I had a revelation that the arts are teaching the students the importance of practice, perseverance, and working outside their comfort zone. All three are life-long skills. The patience and grit required to perform at such a high level can only serve these students as they move throughout their lives. As we prepare students for post-secondary life a student who understands the importance of focused practice, and can persevere through a challenging life experience and is willing to take risks is an marketable and valuable employee.

I really have to take this into account when analyzing the type of programs NPHS wants to offer and what other salient skills our students learning in a program. High school must be about more than academic/curricular tasks. High school is preparing students for life, therefore we to provide opportunities for them to acquire real-world skills like, grit, perseverance, critically thinking and increase in aptitude.

All at NPHS and CVUSD are focused on growing the arts. Thanks to all of those who make our programs so strong and student-centered. I forgot to mention, the music was also amazing this week!! 

Educational Balance

As I have conversations with teachers, students, parents, counselors and all staff members, I am continuously brought back to the concept of balance.

Throughout our lives we are constantly working to find the proper "balance" in our lives, whether it be work versus family, balance in our diet, or balance in fitness work outs. In an educational institution, we too are also looking for the proper balance.

One balance, educators are always striving for, is instructional balance. How much technology do we use? Dies the lesson provide proper differentiation? Do we move forward in content, at the expense of leaving others behind, or do we re-teach until all students find proficiency?  This desire for balance creates a tug in all educators, but also leads to tremendous conversation and reflection. And unlike the balance we may look for in our personal lives, this balance is directed at the learning needs of all students, which can only enhance instruction.

I also think about balance for our students. As the college application season ramps up, how are our students working to find the proper balance between being involved and taking on too much. I emphasize to incoming freshmen to be involved and find passions, which lead to a more rewarding high school experience. I too, see the pull of balance with our students. Students push themselves to have strong resumes and transcripts for college admissions, but they want to enjoy high school and balance the pressure on themselves. Again, striving for balance can foreshadow for our students the type of adult life they want.