relationships , anti-bullying , grit , etc . The DESSA-SSE will be administered three times a year to chart students ’ social emotional growth .
• Facilities upgrades in HVAC at JHIS and lighting and water efficiency upgrades at McClellan , JHIS , and PHMS will be completed .
• A classroom addition , renovation , and new playground at Gill Hall Elementary .
• The completion of the new Thomas Jefferson High School this school year .
As you can see , we have a lot to be excited and optimistic about in the West Jefferson Hills School District . A three-year plan that outlines our vision for the district can be found on our website . Every building level goal is derived from our vision and the three-year plan and will be posted on the district website . It is critical to all of us that stakeholders in the district know exactly where we are headed and why we are headed there . Please take some time to look at the three-year plan , and feel free to reach out to me should you ever have any questions or concerns . Looking forward to a great school year !
MESSAGE FROM
Scott Milburn , Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education
The West Jefferson Hills School District administrative team has been diligently working this summer to provide new and enhanced learning opportunities for our students . From hiring additional staff , restructuring the Thomas Jefferson High School Student Handbook , deploying the district ’ s 1:1 Chromebook initiative , and installing additional safety measures in all of our schools , we look forward to a successful and rewarding 2018-19 school year .
We welcome Mr . Pete Murphy , Principal , and Mr . Adam Knaresborough , Assistant Principal , to the Thomas Jefferson High School leadership team . They are both joining us with many years of high school administrative experience . Our hiring process included multiple rounds of interviews with district administrators , staff , students , and the Board of School Directors . Their beliefs and values were apparent in the interviews and congruent with the West Jefferson Hills School District Core Values ; Respect , Empathy , Integrity , Learner Centric , Focus Personalization / Customization System , Fostering Positive Relationships . It was immediately evident that they will be able to foster positive relationships with our students and staff and work to create an inclusive , transparent learning environment at Thomas Jefferson High School .
Our high school parents will see a newly developed Thomas Jefferson Student Handbook . Our goal is to work with students and families in an empathetic and caring manner throughout the school year . In order to create clear expectations and a transparent system of consequences for our students , the high school administrative team has developed a discipline matrix that will be shared with students , families , and the community . Additionally , the high school will remind students to always “ Respect Yourself , Respect Others , and Respect TJ .” Improving our school culture and working collaboratively with others will always be a priority in the district .
Several security upgrades have been added throughout the district . All school district exterior doors will have access-monitoring electronic-door locks and selected doors will have access-control devices to be used by school district staff and first responders . Additionally , the district ’ s camera system has been upgraded in all of our buildings and will provide our administrative staff with additional tools to monitor and increase security at our schools . The district has also approved the hiring of three additional School Police Officers to work at Gill Hall Elementary , McClellan Elementary , and Jefferson Hills Intermediate Schools for the 2018-2019 school year . We are in the process of interviewing and hiring candidates to fill these positions . The safety and security of our students is non-negotiable and one of our highest priorities .
In grades 7-12 , we will be focusing on aligning and examining the mathematics courses and curriculum , implementing the chromebook initiative together with Google Classroom , reimagining the high school experience for our students which may include altering the number of periods in the day , examining class rank and our grading system , and adding personalized learning time for all students . We will also continue to implement our Comprehensive Three-Year Plan , focus on student achievement , growth , and social-emotional learning , and implement safety and security measures to make our school district one of the best districts in the state and throughout the nation . If there is anything I can ever do for you or your children , please do not hesitate to contact me . Wishing you all a successful 2018-19 school year !
est Jefferson Hills
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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