Student Voice and Creativity

On Friday morning, NPHS had the opportunity to host the Conejo Valley Leadership day in conjunction with the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. Members of the Chamber were brought in to hear how schools are changing, what career pathway opportunities our students have, and assist in creating a stronger relationship with our schools. As Principal, I saw the importance of using students to explain their world, and how creative hands-on experiences can inspire students.

The morning began with a presentation from 4th and 5th graders from Westlake Elementary about their new Makerspace. A Makerspace is an open area on campus where students explore, build, and create on their own gadgets. Robotic, engineering, and computer science principles are applied by these students in their Makerspace. Members of the Chamber expressed the excitement they felt from these students and the strong presentation skills. These 4th and 5th graders created their own robot(s) and build and create each day. Students want creative license and experience which align with the technological world.

Next, high school students from Westlake, Thousand Oaks, and Newbury Park High(s) hosted round table discussions related to career pathways and job embedded opportunities. Thousand Oaks High students in the ETHOS academy and students in Westlake High Information Technology Academy discussed internships, job shadows, and coordinated career electives which have guided them to college and career choices. Students shared finding their passion and creating relationships in various industry sectors.

One ETHOS student had the title of CEO for the Academy. What a cool concept! Rather than Club President, how about Academy CEO? That sounds like a leadership opportunity and career-ready option for a student.

From NPHS, Steven and Hayley represented our Video Production and Food Service/Hospitality pathways. Each student discussed choosing an elective as a freshman which sounded interesting and friends were also taking. Now as a junior and senior, respectively, they have found their life passion. The insight these students have and passion for their programs, as well as respect for their teacher/advisors, demonstrated the skills and talents our students and teachers have.

Steven and Hayley used the language of their industry and discussed the roles they have played in the community. Hayley is the CA State FHA-Hero President and presides over meetings throughout the State of California. She and her classmates have catered district and school events over the past 7-8 years. Steven is working on creating a promo video for a local non-profit, as part of class project. He has introduced himself to a local non-profit organization and is working with the business partner to create the video.

Now.... are these options you had in HS and elementary school? We need these options for all students. Our students are telling us what we need... just listen.

One of the Commerce members made a statement (which I will paraphrase) that summed up this process: find great teachers with a passion, listen to students interests and give them options within their interest, build partnerships with businesses, and find funding to make it all work. I responded, "Basically, that is my job!"

As a school this is what we want:
1. Listen to students
2. Find and support great teachers
3. Provide the necessary time and tools for creativity to happen

Thanks to all the students who participated in Friday's Leadership Day. I left inspired to be a better Principal and excited for what is to come.

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.