Mendenhall High School Hosts a Professional Development Day

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Mendenhall High School recently enjoyed a meal provided by Chris Williams and staff from Farm Bureau at the MeHS Professional Development Day held prior to the beginning of school on July 21. Staff members were introduced to the new administrative team members and new teachers who will be employed at the high school. Following introductions, Principal Robert Sanders reviewed schedules, discipline procedures, and information necessary for a successful school year. He announced that teachers will serve as Teacher Advisors this year to their homeroom students and the teacher will keep the same group of students until they graduate.

To keep parents informed about important events and dates, Mr. Sanders asked teachers at MeHS to download an APP called SchoolWay, which can be downloaded free of charge on mobile devices. Fonda Dickinson, Lead Teacher of MeHS, discussed how Title I funds are spent to benefit students. Funds have been spent on technology, professional development for staff, and Freshman Academy held this summer for two weeks. Mrs. Dickinson also discussed the importance of being prepared for AdvancEd, SACS Accreditation which will occur this year.

Four Title meetings will be held this year and will be placed on a Parent Calendar to be distributed at the beginning of school. Mrs. Dickinson also mentioned that there were several important documents that will be distributed to parents throughout the year to keep parents informed. Kaleisha Porter, Curriculum Specialist for MeHS, reviewed the Tier process and what to do if students are struggling. Mrs. Porter emphasized the importance of parental involvement in the success of the student. Teachers and the Leadership Team will work together to determine the strategies and differentiation needed by individual students to be successful in the classroom. Andrea Shivers, MeHS Counselor, reviewed procedures for schedule changes, accessing records, and college and career pathways. Mrs. Shivers announced a Senior Preview Night would be held on July 23 for Seniors to receive schedules and Grade Point Averages. Other student schedules will be given out at Open House on August 6.

The SREB Literacy Design Collaborative and the Math Design Collaborative Teams presented the Tiger 5, a writing process designed by the teams to incorporate writing schoolwide into every content area. Suggestions were given about how to use writing in classes such as math, PE, science, health, and social studies. Teachers will be modeling writing along with the students they teach. In order to help students grow, writing must occur across the curriculum. The Opening Session for teachers will be August 3 at 8:00 in the Magee Auditorium. Schedules will be passed out at MeHS at Open House on August 6 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.